Join the Savannah Riverfront at the First Friday & Saturday festivities ON THE RIVER which includes Friday night fireworks.

Come down to Historic River Street to celebrate the end of the week, and the beginning of a new month for September First Friday & Saturday! Start your weekend off with a bang, as First Friday Fireworks presented by Wet Willie’s begin at 9:30p.m.!

Weekend festivities will kick-off on Friday, September 6 from 4-10p.m. and continue on Saturday, September 7 from 10a.m.-10p.m. DJ’s-to-Go will be playing music on the Arbor Stage and Rousakis Plaza will be full of featured local and regional artists displaying their works. Take a stroll along the plaza while browsing through each of the booths and chatting with the artists themselves. Make sure to stop by our beverage station offering ice cold Coke products and select beers.

This year’s Festival Series is hosted by the Savannah Riverfront and proudly sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Southern Eagle Distributing, Savannah Coca-Cola, Wet Willie’s, and our friends at Adventure Radio. Enjoy the Savannah Riverfront: The Way to Experience Savannah.

Schedule of events here.

For more information, go to www.riverstreetsavannah.com or call 912-234-0295.

You’re invited:  the First Annual SCM Bug Festival, Sat. May 25 &  Sun. May 26 2013 @ Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401.

Come learn all about our insect friends with family-friendly programming and activities all day including art activities. Projects include make your own butterfly jar or pet insect.  Free for members or general admission ($7.50 per person over the age of 1)..

For more information including a schedule of events, click here, then click on the Bug Festival events listing on the calendar.

Congratulations Hubbard’s Maid Service in Savannah for winning the Savannah Magazine’s Best Cleaning Service 3 years in a row!

As a way to say thanks to Savannah for voting for Hubbard’s, the popular house cleaning company is offering this deal: Half off your 1st time top to bottom deluxe deep clean and a gift-wrapped bottle of merlot when you sign up for regular weekly or bi-weekly service.

Celebrate freedom from housework today.

Call Hubbard’s Maid Service today: 912-961-9131.

Hubbard’s Maid Service, 912.961.9131, www.hubbardsmaidservice.com Hubbard’s Maid Service is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Make plans to take the kids to the 7th Annual Savannah Mile Run on May 25.

This popular run will begin at Forsyth Park and continue one mile straight down Drayton Street, finishing on Broughton Street. This unique running event attracts all levels of participants, from children to experienced runners.

The Savannah Mile will include five heats and feature a Fun Run Family Heat and five-year age groups, guaranteeing many award winners. All proceeds go to The 200 Club, which provides immediate financial assistance to the surviving family of local law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty. First responders and military enjoy complimentary entry.

A moment of silence will be observed prior to the Savannah Mile awards ceremony to honor the victims of the bombing in Boston on April 15, as well as the victims of the recent explosion in West Texas on April 17, which includes many first responders. Participants will have an opportunity to donate money to the The One Fund Boston, which benefits the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston.

WHEN: Saturday, May 25, 2013, 8 a.m.
WHERE: Forsyth Park, Corner of Park and Drayton Avenue, Savannah, 31401
COST: $20 through May 23, $25 May 24 and 25
REGISTER: To register, please visit The 200 Club online at www.twohundredclub.org or Fleet Feet Savannah at http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=2093452&CHECKSSO=0. For sponsorship information, call Renee Laurie at 912.238.1200 ext. 111 or email at rlaurie@princebush.com.

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Pooler Stadium Cinemas
425 Pooler Parkway
Pooler, GA 31322
(912) 330-0777

E.T. will be shown in Savannah this summer at Trustees Theatre.
A meek and alienated little boy finds a stranded extraterrestrial. He has to find the courage to defy the authorities to help the alien return to its home planet.
Saturday, June 29, 2013 7:00 pm
Trustees Theater
216 E. Broughton St.
Savannah, GA 31401
Tickets: $8
More info here.

Phone: 912.525.5050 Online at savannahboxoffice.com Tickets
are $8 general admission

Jurassic Park
Saturday, July 13, 2013 7:00 pm
Trustees Theater

216 E. Broughton St.
Savannah, GA 31401
Tickets: $8
More info here.

During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.

More info here.

Phone: 912.525.5050 Online at savannahboxoffice.com Tickets
are $8 general admission

One of the best ways to save $ on a Walt Disney World vacation is to take advantage of the popular FREE dining plan promotion. This discount offers incredible savings on most arrivals September 2^nd through 25^th at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. For example, a family of four (2-daults, 1-junior, & 1-child) staying at a Moderate Resort can save over $900 on a 5-night/6-day stay.

FREE Dining Plans are available at select Walt Disney World Resorts and require a minimum 3-night stay with 2-day base tickets.

Guests staying in a Value Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan and guests in Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the Disney Dining Plan. You can even upgrade your dining plan by paying the cost difference between your complimentary plan and the plan you want. This is a very popular time for my clients to try out the Deluxe Dining Plan!!

Availability is extremely limited, and dining reservations are already open so get your FREE DINING vacation package secured now! Contact Tara McCoy at Enchanted Travel for your no-obligation vacation quote or details. And remember, Tara’s travel planning services are 100% FREE!!

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Enchanted Travel, 843.284.3241 Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center will have free admission this Sat. May 18 for “Coastal Wetlands Day”.

This day will offer visitors fun and educational opportunities to learn about Georgia’s coastal resources with a special emphasis on coastal wetlands. The “Coastal Ark” from Georgia’s Coastal Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources will be on hand and open for exploration.

Oatland’s Marine Monitoring Lab and Ledbetter Pond Learning Station will have activities that teach about fresh and salt water wetlands and their inhabitants.

Visitors can get free installation of turtle excluder devices on their crab traps so that they can help protect the Diamondback Terrapin-our only native brackish water turtle, while fishing for blue crabs this season. There will also be lessons on throwing a cast net and fishing for blue crab among other activities.

More info at www.oatlandisland.org

We here at SouthernMamas always enjoy Savannah Magazine. Especially the May/June 2013 issue that features the article “How to Raise a Savannahian”

We particularly appreciate one break-out feature in the article (which unfortunately is not available online) entitled “How to Raise a Safe Savannahian”. It’s an interview with Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department’s Crime Prevention Office Cpl. John Simmons. Cpl. Simmons gives advice on a variety of parenting topics including:

1. Talk Tough About Guns: excerpt “…all parents need to sit down with their children and talk to them about gun safety. Explain what a weapon is and that it is not for show and tell – and it’s not to be touched without your supervision…”

2. Fight Crime with Caution: excerpt “The child should be conditioned to know that if the stranger keeps getting closer, he or she needs to turn and run away, find a safe place and call 911.”

3. Keep an eye on the Internet: excerpt “the Web is the number one threat to our children’s safety.”

4. Guard the cell phone: excerpt “Cool phone. May I see it?” That’s a question predators often ask potential victims, so the answer should always be no.”

Take your yard back!

With one simple phone call you can reclaim your yard from dangerous mosquitoes and pesky sand gnats. The Mosquito Authority in Coastal Georgia uses a proven, safe and effective method to eliminate your mosquito problems.

Send the kids out to play, hang out in the hammock or plant a garden. You and your family and pets will be able to enjoy the yard without concern of welts or worse, West Nile Virus.

Call today to schedule your treatment and a Summer of outdoor fun!!

New Customers who are readers of SouthernMamas.com can use code MAMA when they call to get 1/2 off their first barrier treatment service. Thats only $31.00!!! Must call 912-414-2681 and request code MAMA. First Treatment must be scheduled before 6/1/13. New Customers Only. Offer not available for special event services.

The Mosquito Authority, 2311 East Victory Drive, PO Box 2153, Savannah, GA 31402 tel: 912-996-8570, email coastal@themosquitoauthority.com, www.bugsbite.com/coastal

Did the pre-K lottery not go as you’d hoped?

Is your precious toddler ready to expand his/her world and begin developing preschool social skills?

Check out the new JEA Preschool Savannah . It’s a program focused on providing a strong preschool experience in a nurturing environment with low teacher to student ratio. The preschool is now accepting applications. Meet & Greet on May 29th at 5:30pm at the JEA. Free babysitting available; reservations required. For more information go to www.savannahjea.org  or call 912-355-8111.

About JEA Preschool Savannah JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Have a blast this summer with great pottery classes both on and off the wheel @ Savannah’s Clay Spot. Child/Parent classes available and there are still openings available in Kid’s Pottery Summer Camps. Check out the website by clicking here for class schedules.

Check out www.savannahsclayspot.com

For more info, contact Lisa Alvarez Bradley, email lisa@savannahsclayspot.com or call 912-509-4647

Savannah’s Clay Spot, www.savannahsclayspot.com , 1305 Barnard St. Savannah,  31401, tel 912-509-4647 Savannah’s Clay Spot is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Saturday, May 18,  1-4 pm,   @ Telfair’s Jepson Center, 207 W.York St., Savannah, 31401

Come to the Jepson Center in Savannah on May 18 to celebrate Art Museum Day, a global celebration of the essential role that art museums play in local communities. Enjoy $5 single-site admission to the Jepson Center from 1-4 pm and exciting hands-on art activities in the Jepson’s What Can We Make? program, plus exclusive discounts @ the Museum store. Spend $50 in the Jepson Center Store and get 5% off your total purchase; spend $100 and receive 10% off (excludes consignment items).

Telfair Museums encourages svisitors of all ages to share your experiences of Art Museum Day through social media with the hashtag #artmuseumday. Make sure to tag @MyTelfair in your tweets and Instagram photos.

Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York Street, Savannah,  31401, www.telfair.org Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Bring your little cyclists to Tour de Kids, hosted by Amerigroup and Interfaith Hospitality Network on 11 AM-1 PM Sat. May 18 @ Lake Mayer. 1st 50 kids will receive a FREE helmet. There will be safety info, games, snacks, music, prizes & more.

Amerigroup will pay the registration fee for any girl k-5th grades who is interested in joining Girl Scouts at this event.

Check out the upcoming Family Yoga classes at Ganesha’s Place, Savannah’s new therapeutic yoga studio.

To register or more information, (912)665-4199 or www.ganeshasplace.com

Ganesha’s Place offers a variety of therapeutic classes including yoga for special needs kids, children with autism & restorative yoga for caretakers.

What we love about Ganesha’s Place is that it’s a spot to explore, heal and have fun. Ganesha’s can be a place for the whole family: you’re not required to be athletic or wear special outfits. Yoga therapy at Ganesha’s regulates and improves the balance between health and wellness without the intimidating images of body contortions and “pretzels”.

Keep up with Ganesha’s Place on Facebook here.

Ganesha’s Place, at the corner of Barnard & 40th St. @ 2323 Barnard St., 912-665-4199, http://ganeshasplace.com/ Ganesha’s Place is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Children’s book author/illustrator Michelle Nelson-Schmidt will present enthusiastic, energetic talks filled with childhood stories, vibrant stories and readings of her books in Savannah including at:

6 PM Monday May 13 @ Villa Maria Center

5:30 PM Tuesday May 14 @ the Salvation Army Community Center.

Books sales and donations will be matched by Usborne Books & More 50% to provide Jonathan James & The What if Monster and Monster plush sets for The Salvation Army-Savannah’s shelter.

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt will be also visiting 5 area schools:

Worried about your child’s education?

You’re invited to come to talk on education “Keys to Bringing Out Creativity & Intelligence in Yourself & Your Offspring” given by Author/Educator Bernie Schein at the JEA in Savannah at 10 AM Sun. May 19

KEYS TO BRINGING OUT CREATIVITY & INTELLIGENCE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR OFFSPRING
Featuring Bernie Schein
May 19th 10 am
@ Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Savannah,  31405
Free to JEA Members, $8 for community guests
Price Includes breakfast

American education has it backwards. Emotion, not reason – true emotion, no more easily arrived at than the solution to a complex math problem – is the engine that drives the machinery of great works and great lives. Thought – great thought – is the PRODUCT, not the driver of that engine.

Bernie Schein, educator, will share his views and lead a discussion on everything from the shortcomings of the SAT and No Child Left Behind to the need for students to be emotionally open and aware before true learning can take place.

Bernie Schein, a native of Beaufort, S.C., received his Master’s in Education and educational psychology from Harvard. He has been a principal, director of teacher training, and teacher of creative writing and literature at the middle and high school levels. He is author of “If Holden Caulfield Were in My Classroom” (with foreword by Pat Conroy).

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Is there a public safety issue in Savannah that you’re really worried about?

Maybe you believe police chases shouldn’t happen near schools or densely populated residential areas like the one through East Savannah & Ardsley Park at school dismissal time on Wed. May 1? Or maybe you’re worried about our city’s home burglary problem? Or maybe you want the mayor & city council to do more to curb gun violence in Savannah & to work to extend background checks to online and private gun purchases as well as gun show sales?

Here’s your chance to make your case.

This week the City of Savannah is reaching out its citizens for their thoughts and ideas on public safety.

Residents can share their input in a special online form available at www.savannahga.gov/publicsafetycomment through noon on Friday, May 17th.

The comments will be compiled and presented to a special Public Safety Roundtable that will meet Monday, May 20, at 2 p.m. in the Savannah Civic Center. The Roundtable will be comprised of the top elected and appointed officials representing the major entities that touch public safety, including law enforcement, the courts, probation and parole, education, city and county governments, and various nonprofits and the faith-based community.

The goal of the Roundtable will be to identify key issues impacting public safety in our community, and begin a process that will create an action plan to make our community safer. The Roundtable wants to hear from the public on this matter, and has set up the online form to solicit input.

Proud of your little artist?

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler is now taking orders for “Artist” T-shirts. Order yours today & let the world know your child is an artist.

To place your order, call 912.713.7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com

To learn more about Scribble’s art classes & summer camps for kids in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-323-0123 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  .

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties. For gifts, Scribble as art kits & gift certificates . For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Savannah’s Women In Business Expo will give away complimentary tickets to expo event for women groups, mother groups and non profit organizations.

Please email, Contact name, group name, and address to womeninbusinessexpo@yahoo.com  for your free tickets. Show starts at 12 noon to 4pm June 1 2013 at The Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 2. West Bay, Savannah Ga!

Check out the website at www.SavWomenInBusinessExpo.com for more great details about how you can participate.

Savannah’s Women In Business Expo Event, 1-877-WIB-EXPO or email womeninbusinessexpo@yahoo.com, www.savwomeninbusinessexpo.com

Savannah Children’s Museum’s 1st Birthday Fundraiser Celebration is June 7, 2013!

An after-hours, adult-only birthday celebration! Tickets are $35 per person. Your ticket includes two complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will be available. Raffles will be held in support of Savannah Children’s Museum.

Friday, June 7, 2013
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person

If you would like to attend, please contact Samantha Pogorelsky at 912-651-6840 x 2.

Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401

You’re invited: 32nd Annual Old Fort Jackson Auction, 6-9 PM Sat. Aug. 24, 2013

Old Fort Jackson’s Annual Auction & Low Country Boil is a Savannah family tradition! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to tour Georgia’s oldest brick fort at sunset, with live music, great food and cannon firings. All proceeds go directly toward the preservation and operation of Georgia’s oldest standing brick fortification.
This is Old Fort Jackson’s only annual public fundraiser. Support your fort!

Old Fort Jackson: 1 Fort Jackson Rd Savannah, Georgia 31404

(912) 232-3945 www.chsgeorgia.org

If Arabic is a heritage language for you, if you want to learn, or are married to someone who speaks Arabic, or even if you just want to meet new moms who care about languages and multiculturalism, please join Lingüa in Richmond Hill for a relaxing time of good food and fellowship.

Wednesday June 12, 10 AM, Marhaba brunch & Arabic mommies playgroup

More info here .

Like Lingüa on Facebook by clicking here.
Lingüa is also on Twitter @  twitter.com/linguaU &  Pinterest @ pinterest.com/linguaU
Lingüa, www.bilingualfamilia.com, email bilingualfamilia@gmail.com, Lingüa is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser