Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade will be 6 PM Fri. May 21.
The parade celebrates the beginning of summer and includes playful water-play for all ages between floats and spectators lined up along Butler Avenue. Spectators arm themselves with bucket, squirt guns and other water spraying weapons.
For more information call (800) 868-2322 or click here
Below is a guest post by Marsha Woelber, a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Marsha does occasional posts on SouthernMamas about becoming financially savvy. To read her previous posts, click here.
What is a Coverdell ESA?
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESA) came about in 2001 to give parents more options for their children’s education. Similar to an IRA, a Coverdell ESA allows individuals to set aside up to $2,000 per year (2010) tax-deferred in an account earmarked for education. As long as you are using the money for qualified expenses, withdrawals are tax-free.
The big benefit of using a Coverdell ESA is that you can use the money in the account for elementary and secondary education expenses (including private school tuition). This is unlike a 529 plan, where the funds must be for higher education.
Many Savannah parents utilize both types of plans to enjoy the tax treatment for K-12 expenses (Coverdell), and the higher contribution limits of a 529 plan.
What is changing in 2011? Unless Congress extends current limits, maximum annual contributions into a Coverdell will fall to only $500 (from $2000) after 2010. More bad news: K-12 expenses will no longer qualify. Any amounts accumulated at the higher contribution limit can remain in the accounts, but you will have to pay tax on the investment gains in any amounts you withdraw for K – 12 expenses after Dec. 31, 2010.
What should I do with my Coverdell ESA(s)? If you can’t spend the money in your Coverdell prior to Jan. 1, 2011, it is probably best to roll it into a 529 plan. Technically, you must take the money out of the Coverdell and put an equal or larger amount into a 529 plan in the same year.
A 529 does not provide any tax advantages for K-12 expenses, but it does allow tax-deferred savings for college. For more information on 529 plans, please see my previous SouthernMamas article by clicking here. Be sure to contact a tax or financial advisor to help you move your funds from a Coverdell to a 529 plan to potentially avoid any negative tax consequences.
Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852. The opinions in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Please talk to your tax advisor before executing any strategy.
You are invited to Just for Baby & More at 7701 Waters Avenue this Saturday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM to let artist Beth Pray capture a timeless treasure of your children in a hand cut silhouette.
With five years experience at Walt Disney World and 19 total, Beth cuts black acid free paper into an exact likeness of her subject. Beth will mount them and place them on a 5×7 mat. The silhouette is then placed in a quality black oval frame making it a great Mother’s or Grandmother’s Day gift or a nice picture to hang in your own home.
The process only takes two minutes or less (and don’t worry your children don’t have to sit still) and only costs $22.
Call (912) 355-4455 to reserve your time slot or email casey@justforbaby.net.
Just for Baby & More, 7701 Waters Ave., 912-355-4455, www.justforbaby.net.
The Savannah Sand Gnats’ Opening Night at Historic Grayson Statium at 7 PM Thurs. April 8 2010 will include FREE face-painting and balloons for kids as they walk in.
Children’s entertainers will provide the fun. Opening Night game is against the West Virginia Power and includes fireworks after the game.
Fans can purchase tickets in three ways: 1) online by clicking here. 2) by phone at (912) 351-9150; or 3) in-person at Historic Grayson Stadium
SouthernMamas reader Beth Nichols Watt wins a free session of 
Savannah Celtic’s Early Goals Spring soccer program, which caters to players ages 3-4.
The toddler soccer session runs the week of April 12 through the week of May 17 . Registration costs $50 and includes a 6 week program, practice t-shirt, end of the season finale with a medal and certificate.
Sessions will be held at the Salvation Army fields on the corner of Washington and Bee Rd. (3000 Bee Rd). The Wilmington Island session will be held at Brooks field on Concord Rd. All practices are approx. 30-40 minutes.
Savannah Celtic already offers programs for older children. But also has a this fun, action-packed toddler program for players ages 3-4. There are no games. Instead, coaches work on simple motor skills and ball familiarity.
Enter to win even if you already registered your child. If you win, Savannah Celtic will give you a refund and your tot will play for free.
Early Goal players will attend one practice session a week. Chose one of the following sessions:
Monday 3 PM @ Wilmington Island
4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17
Tuesdays 9:30 AM @ Salvation Army
4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
Tuesdays 5:30 PM @ Salvation Army
4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
Thursdays 5:30 PM @ Salvation Army
4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20
To register your toddler for Early Goals, contact Michell Laing laing2110@gmail.com , call 912.495.9996
or click here.
Mud Runs – military-style obstacle course races in mud – have become popular with adults.
Now kids are joining in. The “MS Mud Run Jacksonville” at at Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville will also include a Mud Fun Run for Kids. The children’s event will at 2 PM March 20.
Boys and girls ages 7-12 will run a three-quarter of a mile course featuring three to five obstacles, including the large Slip ‘n’ Slide. Registration fee: $30 per child and a signed notarized waiver by a parent/guardian will be required.
Teens 13-18 may run the full-course 10K course if accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times; they will also be required to submit a signed, notarized waiver by a parent or guardian. The full course consists most of the obstacles surrounded by (or consisting entirely of) mud. Individuals, teams of two and teams of five will compete for prizes and the satisfaction of a doing a dirty job very well. It will be 9 AM – 3 PM Sat. March 20.
For more info, click here, where you may also register for the event. Registration closes at midnight on March 18. One hundred percent of fundraising contributions are donated to the North Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Stacy and Michelle run Spoiled Rotten Pet Care Services in Savannah
Happy as a dog’s tail. That’s how your Fido and Fifi are supposed to be.
But with your busy schedule, do you feel like your pets aren’t getting that tail-wagging attention you would like to give them?
Meet pet sitter extraordinaire Michelle Stevens, mom of four dogs of her own.
Michelle often felt that her dogs never received enough attention or exercise due to her late working hours. So, after 14 years as a professional chef, Michelle and her sister, Stacy, decided to turn their enthusiasm for animals into a business: Spoiled Rotten Pet Care Services.
Spoiled Rotten Pet Care offers a variety of services for pet owners, ranging from 30-40 minute walks to overnight stays at Michelle’s home or yours.
For cats, Spoiled Rotten offers a “look-in” service to make sure your favorite feline is fed and watered. They also provide, on a limited basis, a doggie day care, usually from 9-5.
Michelle and Stacy are both pet CPR certified, have excellent references and are competitively priced. These two dog lovers even bake their own peanut butter dog treats which can be purchased directly from them or at Polk’s Fresh Market.
Now that’s certain to give your pets something to wag about.
Spoiled Rotten Pet Care Services. Email m.stevenspetcare@yahoo.com or call 912.257.6644
Savannah financial advisor Marsha Woelber
Savannah financial advisor Marsha Woelber knows money. Which is why we love her frequent guest posts on SouthernMamas about becoming financially savvy. To read her previous posts, click here.
Marsha Woelber will respond to your financial questions. Email/call with your questions: Marsha Woelber; marsha@iissav.com, 912-650-2852. Here’s a recent question she received from a SouthernMamas reader: How do college savings accounts impact financial aid eligibility?
Below Marsha Woelber’s response:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. The Department of Education conducts an analysis based on financial information, such as income, assets and other household information.
It is important to know the implications of your children’s savings accounts on any financial aid they may need in the future.
Need-based financial aid depends on whether an asset is owned by the student or the parent. College savings plans such as a 529 plan are reported on the FAFSA as an asset of the account owner (usually the child is the beneficiary, not the owner). When the parent is the account owner, these plans have a low impact on financial aid eligibility. If the 529 is owned by a third party (ex: a grandparent), it is not reported on the FAFSA at all.
If you’ve saved money for your child using a traditional custodial UGMA or UTMA, you may want to consider rolling the money over into the custodial version of a 529 college savings plan. For financial aid purposes, custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) are considered assets of the student. This means that custodial bank and brokerage accounts have a high impact on financial aid eligibility.
*This answer addresses federal, state and college-sponsored financial aid only; private loans or scholarships will have different guidelines.
Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Spend the night in a real fort.
Old Fort Jackson is hosting Family Campover 6 PM Fri. March 5 – 8:30 AM Sat. March 6, 2010
Cost: $45/child, $35/adult. Coastal Heritage Society members receive $5 off per person. Price includes cannon firings, exploration of the Fort by candlelight, activities, crafts, a haversack filled with soldier supplies, and storytelling and s’mores around the campfire.
Dinner and hot breakfast included.
Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 912.651.6823 x203 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org.
Ann Huszty wins the amazing package from Glow Medical Spa & Beauty Boutique in Savannah: a free skin consultation with a licensed medical esthetician, a customized facial, a make-up makeover and $100 worth of products! Congrats Ann and enjoy!
Thanks to everyone who entered. Your comments under the giveaway announcement post are beautiful.
Glow – located in Governours Square at 415 Eisenhower Drive between Waters Avenue and Hodgson Memorial Drive – is all about helping you be healthy and happy so you glow from within. Visit Glow’s MedSpa Services page to see the services offered and read all about the cutting-edge cosmetic medical procedures that have made Glow the leading Medical Spa in Savannah- famous for offering the newest and latest beauty services.
Marsha Woelber, Savannah financial advisor
Below is a guest post by Marsha Woelber, a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Marsha does occasional posts on SouthernMamas about becoming financially savvy. To read her previous posts, click here.
The following is Part 2 of a two-part post. Read the first part here.
Southern Mamas 2010 Resolution: Understand your Finances
Step Two: Organizing important documents
Most of us get so much mail from our bank, brokerage, insurance companies and other providers that it’s difficult to navigate through it all. Below, I’ve listed some guidelines around how long you should keep vital paperwork. This list should help you streamline your files; generally speaking, e-copies of your documents are sufficient. Feel free to scan them and save on your computer, just make sure to back it up and protect it! Note, this list is for personal finances; it may be different if you are a business owner.
First on the list: Things to Keep Forever
Birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption papers, military records, living wills, IRA contribution records.
Automobile records: Keep the paperwork as long as you own your vehicle. This includes registrations, service records, and warranties. If you sell your car, hang on to the title transfer for a few years. If you lease the car, keep all documentation until you turn the car in.
Bank Accounts: Keep bank statements for seven years. Dispose of ATM receipts/deposit slips after you check that deposits/withdrawals appear on your monthly statement.
Bills: Keep bills that relate to the purchase of a valuable asset, which can be helpful in the vent of loss or theft. You can shred most other bills after a few months.
Credit Card Statements: Read the rest of this post by clicking here.
Please email/call with questions: Marsha Woelber; marsha@iissav.com, 912-650-2852.
Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
“How did they do that?”
That was a common comment heard during Thursday’s opening night of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus @ Savannah Civic Center. The performance was as much magic show as it was animal acts. Sure, there were the parading Asian elephants, strutting lions and (my and my 1-year-old daughter’s favorite) prancing ponies ridden by animated dolls. But the magic tricks are what continue to boggle your mind on the ride home after the Greatest Show on Earth.
Gather up the kids and go if you want to be perplexed by some pretty sly sleights of hand. Just don’t wrack your brains trying to figure it out. Sit back and let yourself be astonished.
It’s the not knowing that’s the best part.
Catherine Jandrlich won this week’s SouthernMamas giveaway: four tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to Savannah Civic Center Jan. 21-24
Enjoy the show, Catherine! Thank you everyone who entered.
Tiffany Lane wins a free session of Savannah Celtic’s Early Goals soccer program, which caters to players ages 2, 3 & 4.
Congrats, Tiffany. The toddler soccer session starts the week of Jan. 18 and runs through the week of Feb. 22 .
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest giveaway.
To register your toddler for Early Goals, contact Michell Laing michell@savannahceltic.com, call 912.495.9996
or click here. The $50 registration fee includes a 6 week program, practice t-shirt, end of the season finale with a medal and certificate.
All sessions will be held at the Salvation Army fields on the corner of Washington and Bee Rd. (3000 Bee Rd). All practices are approx. 30-45 minutes.
Below is a guest post by Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.
A New Year’s Resolution for mamas everywhere: “I will not rely solely on my husband/father to handle my family’s finances”.
Does this sound like you? Many women tell me that either their husband (if married) or father (single gals) takes care of their finances. While typically there is no problem with this, I have to think that ladies everywhere are just not taking the time to sit down and understand some basics. Surely we are just as smart as our male counterparts?
My personal goal for the year is to focus on educating women about their finances. A little knowledge will give you some piece of mind should you ever need to make a financial decision on your own.
First Step: Get organized. Gather contact and account information using the list below. Please email me at marsha@iissav.com for e-version of this spreadsheet.
Gather some contact information. Finding who to call is often the most frustrating part of dealing with a crisis.
Key Contacts
Accountant
Financial Advisor
Insurance Representative: Life, Homeowner, Health, Auto
Lawyer
Next, organize your accounts/paperwork. To read the rest of this article, click here.
The City of Savannah’s annual Bring One For The Chipper Christmas tree recycling event will be 9 AM to 3 PM Sat. Jan. 9.
Bring your Christmas trees to one of four locations Saturday and receive a dogwood seedling and as much free mulch as you can haul. Christmas tree mulch will also be used by the City for parks and neighborhood beautification projects throughout Savannah.
The free service is available at the following locations:
Bacon Park Transfer Station, Shorty Cooper Road
Dean Forest Landfill, 1325 Dean Forest Road
The Home Depot, 11180 Abercorn St.
The Home Depot, 1901 Victory Dr.
More than 4,000 tree were recycled in 2008. For more information about Bring One for the Chipper, call 912.651.6520.
182 Mills Run Drive, Savannah
Here are some Coastal Empire home holiday light displays that are well worth checking out this year:
• 105 Mapmaker Lane, in Battery Point, Whitemarsh Island: computerized lights display animated with music
• 170 Dalcross, Hampton in Buckhead subdivision, Richmond Hill: computerized lights display animated with music (while driving there, check out the three brillantly-lit homes on 144 at Charlie Rd. One has a lake in front that reflects the lights.)
• 182 Mills Run Drive, off Chatham Parkway: computerized lights display animated with music (THIS ONE IS A MUST SEE!!)
• 512 Gordonston Ave., Savannah
• 711 South Drive
• 202 Blue Marlin Drive in Seagate, Whitemarsh Island
• 203 Windsor Road, Windsor Forest
• 18 Cutler Drive, Georgetown area (in the same area, drive down Lions Gate (also in Georgetown), there are several brightly-decorated homes as well as a house on Waynesboro)
• 136 Chimney Road, Rincon
• 13008 Largo Drive, Windsor Forest
• 16 Godley Park Way in Pooler (Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance 6-8 PM Dec 21-23. Join in the holiday spirit for cookies and hot chocolate.) Pictured to the right.
• 504 E. 52 St
• Musical light display at a home on Wingate in Wilmington Park
• Stuart St. just off Waters: a yard full of blow ups
• Three homes on Clark St, just off Montgomery Crossroads.
Dec. 11 is the deadline to register your child for the holiday program at Chatham County Aquatic Center. The holiday program is for ages 6-14. Kids will enjoy swim lessons, snorkeling, water safety, kayaking, pool games.
Here’s the schedule:
Dec. 21 Mon. 11 AM–2 PM
Dec 22 Tues 11 AM–2 PM
Dec. 28 Mon 11 AM–2 PM
Dec. 29 Tues. 11 AM–2 PM
Dec 30 Wed. 11 AM–2 PM
Pack a lunch, drop off the children and have a few hours to yourself. For more info and cost, click here or call 912.652.6793. Please tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you.
The Savannah College of Art and Design invites you to the second annual SCAD Holiday Matinee, a family-friendly celebration of holiday spirit, Sat., Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The free event, open to the public and held at SCAD’s historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., will feature screenings of the animated classics “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns” beginning at 11 AM and the holiday comedy “Elf” at 2 PM.
Guests at SCAD Holiday Matinee also may enjoy complimentary refreshments, sing-alongs of favorite holiday classics and more.
For more info, contact the SCAD box office at 912.525.5050.
For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.
Hanukkah begins Dec. 11.
The Coastal Heritage Society’s Roundhouse Railroad Museum will present a special children’s storytime that is inclusive of both Hanukkah and Christmas.
The storytime is 10-11 AM Wed. Dec. 9 in the Baggage Car at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum,
601 West Harris St. It will feature stories about Christmas and Hanukkah as children learn more about holiday celebrations. Kids will make a Christmas ornament and a Hanukkah dreidel and enjoy a holiday snack.
Cost: $4 per child with adult admission. Reservations are requested. You can call 912-651-6823 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org.
SouthernMamas Holiday Guide lists a slew of Christmas activities for children, but is lacking in Hanukkah activities. If you know if any that are open to the public and would be appropriate to include, please email the info to anne@southernmamas.com.
Looking to start an annual tradition of choosing and cutting down your own Christmas tree?
Check back to SouthernMamas this week for a review from a reader of Okatie Farm , which has Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, precut Christmas trees, living Christmas trees (to plant later), Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, saws provided, trees bagged, trees tied, trees tied, gift shop. Click here for more info.
For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.
Kids love homegrown outlandish holiday lights displays with colorful flashing lights, huge blow-up snow globes and more. Tell us where your favorites are by commenting below.
Below is a roundup of Savannah-area Christmas lights displays that were big last year. Let’s hope they are up again this year. If anyone knows the status of these and others, please let us know by commenting below or email anne@southernmamas.com
For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.
Can’t think of what to get your mom, sister, friend or co-worker for the holidays?
Give the gift that everyone loves: a giftcard to The Melting Pot, a sponsor of SouthernMamas. The Melting Pot also has great stocking stuffers! Ask about their bars of chocolate, salad dressing and garlic and wine seasoning. Call ahead or stop by today to pick up these gifts.
If you are out shopping downtown the day after Thanksgiving, The Melting Pot on Broughton Street will open at noon to sell these items. Call 912.349.5676
The opening of the Gingerbread Village @ Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa has been delayed until Nov. 26
The Gingerbread Village and toy train were supposed to open Fri. Nov. 20, but has been postponed. Call 912.201.2000 before making a trip to the Westin to check on the status of the display.
Thanks to reader Monica Patel for providing this information!
For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.