Where can you trick-or-treat with Alice and the White Rabbit, meet the ghosts from Haunted Mansion, and dance the night away with Woody & Bullseye? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, of course!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select nights in September and October (and one night in November) at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and you must purchase a separate party ticket to attend. TheMagic Kingdom is transformed into happy haunted hollows with special music, lighting, and more. And since it’s “not-so-scary” it’s perfect for children of all ages.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is truly the best opportunity to see the Disney Villains – from meet ‘n greets, to the parade, to the Disney Villains Mix ‘n Mingle show, you’ll see more Villains at the Halloween party than any other time of the year.

In addition to many favorite Disney attractions, you’ll be invited to trick-or-treat throughout the park and the party is filled with lots of special entertainment including:

–         Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade – including Disney Characters and the Stars from theHauntedMansion attraction. You’ll even see the Headless Horseman riding the parade route.

–         Happy HalloWishes – a spectacular fireworks show

–         Characters, and more characters – You’ll have a chance to meet your favorite Disney characters, some in costume, and opportunities to meet all sorts of characters that aren’t usually out and about in the parks.

For more information on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or if you would like a no-obligation Disney vacation quote contact Tara McCoy at Mouse Tales Travel. 803.816.0686 or email.

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Disney Vacation Specialist Tara McCoy. Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/EnchantedTravel. Visit Mouse Tales travel blog at www.mousetalestravel.com/blog, 803.816.0686, Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Love those Tax-Free Weekends that offer shoppers a weekend of relief at the cash register. Here are ours:

Georgia Back-to-School Tax Free Weekend: August 10-11, 2012.

South Carolina Back-to-School Tax Free Weekend: Aug. 3-5 2012. More info here.

In Georgia, tax-free items include:
• Clothing and footwear with a sales price of $100.00 or less per item.
• A single personal computer or personal computer-related accessory purchase with a sales price of $1,000.00 or less.
• General school supplies for classroom or related activities with a sales price of $20.00 or less per item.

The sales tax exemption does not include these: clothing accessories, jewelry, handbags, umbrellas, eyewear, watches, watchbands, cellular devices, furniture, computer-related accessories designed for recreational use, items used in a trade or business or for resale, or rentals; or sales in theme parks, entertainment complexes, public lodging establishments, restaurants, or airports.

You’re invited to Christmas in July, 10 AM-2 PM Wed. July 25. Snow is in Santa’s forecast while you play at The Sandbox’s third annual “Christmas in July”.

Festivities include special holiday games and activities both indoors and outdoors. Outside fun includes getting crazy in our popular Bounce Castle and playing in the SNOW! In addition to playing in the “cool” museum, there will be scavenger hunts, games and fun holiday themed arts & crafts. You can also decorate holiday cookies and chat with Santa, who is on Hilton Head for vacation, to let him know how good you’ve been so far this year.

A picnic lunch, complete with hotdogs, chips, brownies, snow cones and lemonade, is also included so don’t miss out on the “coolest” day of the summer!

Wednesday, July 25, from 10a.m. to 2:00 p.m. · play in the snow · jump in a Bounce Castle · see The Sandbox in Christmas décor · Meet the princess · Make a Christmas Tree ornament · decorate (and eat) sugar cookies, · enjoy fun arts & crafts, · meet and chat with Santa! · play in our cool museum · fill your tummy with hot dogs, chips, brownies,snow cones & lemonade.

$10 per person, under 12 months free; $8 per person seniors, Sandbox members, active military

For more information, call The Sandbox at 843-842-7645 or e-mail crinehart@thesandbox.org .

The Sandbox Children’s Museum, 18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew’s by the Sea United Methodist Church, Hilton Head Is., 29928 www.thesandbox.org

Chances are if your child isn’t school-age yet, you probably don’t think of head lice as a concern. But after your children start school, you may just have your first experience with the disgusting yet incredibly common affliction.

An estimated 12 million cases of head lice are diagnosed in the United States each year. While health experts stress that lice is harmless, it’s certainly a huge nuisance with a serious ick factor.

So is there anything you can do to prevent your child from getting lice – especially if you’re sending them off to summer camp or preparing for back -to-school? The verdict is still out on that, but there are some possible lice-prevention products on the market.

Tea tree oil shampoo – available in drug/grocery stores –  reportedly repels lice.

Also, Fairy Tales Hair Care makes Rosemary Repel preventative shampoo and other hair products that contain natural ingredients that lice reportedly don’t like.

Fairy Tales Hair Care even has an iPhone app, called Facts of Lice, that notifies you of any lice outbreaks in your area and tells you how to treat and prevent head lice.

Read more about this mom’s attempt to prevent my kids from getting lice in my newspaper column here.

We know y’all are going to love this, especially because “Where to go in Savannah for kids’ haircuts?” is one of the most frequent questions we receive from our readers.

We’ve got an answer – for August 2012 at least. JC Penney!  Next month, JCP is giving any child that is in Kindergarten-6th grade a free haircut all August at EVERY JC Penney Salon across the USA. All you have to do is call or visit your local JCP Salon to schedule an appointment. TELL THEM SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM SENT YOU!

The JCP Salon @Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah
open Mon-Sat 10am – 9pm; Sun 12pm – 6pm.
Oglethorpe Mall
7804 Abercorn St.
Savannah, GA 31406.
912-355-4000

Other JCP stores in our area include:

Cross Creek Mall
328 Robert Smalls Pkwy
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 524-5799

Statesboro Mall
718 Northside Dr E Ste 25
Statesboro, GA 30458
(912) 764-6602

Glynn Place Mall
One Mall Blvd
Brunswick, GA 31525
(912) 265-7506

In celebration of National Customer Appreciation Day, come visit Big Frog  in Savannah  this Thursday July 19, 2012 and get a FREE Savannah T-shirt with a frog on the back.

Big Frog is also offering %15 off all orders placed that day.

BIG FROG is a unique retail shop designed around a friendly atmosphere where the customers can work directly with graphic designers to create a custom design.

BIG FROG Savannah, email Savannah@bigfrog.com , 1909 E. Victory Dr. STE 101 (in the Victory Shopping Center across from Target) Savannah, 31404, 912-354-7714, www.bigfrog.com/savannah BIG FROG is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to the Savannah Technical College Cosmetology Department open house, 10AM until 2PM on Saturday, July 28 at the Effingham Campus (in Rincon – 2890 Hwy 21 South).

The Cosmetology Department will offer hair, nail and skin care services during the open house – walk-ins are welcome. Donations will be accepted to benefit Savannah Technical College’s Foundation Scholarships. Last year’s open house raised nearly $900 for scholarships. Services offered at the open house include: manicure, pedicure, cut/style, round brushing, blowout, clipper cut, eyebrow waxing/arching. Suggested donation for cosmetology services at the open house is $5 per service (cash only).

Starting this fall Cosmetology program classes will also be offered in the evenings at the Effingham campus, in addition to the daytime classes. For more information about enrolling in the program, please contact Cosmetology Department Chair Kim Cutter-Williams at 912.443.5780 or kcutter@savannahtech.edu .

You’re invited to the Savannah Technical College Cosmetology Department open house, 10AM until 2PM on Saturday, July 28 at the Effingham Campus (in Rincon – 2890 Hwy 21 South).

The Cosmetology Department will offer hair, nail and skin care services during the open house – walk-ins are welcome. Donations will be accepted to benefit Savannah Technical College’s Foundation Scholarships. Last year’s open house raised nearly $900 for scholarships. Services offered at the open house include: manicure, pedicure, cut/style, round brushing, blowout, clipper cut, eyebrow waxing/arching. Suggested donation for cosmetology services at the open house is $5 per service (cash only).

Starting this fall Cosmetology program classes will also be offered in the evenings at the Effingham campus, in addition to the daytime classes. For more information about enrolling in the program, please contact Cosmetology Department Chair Kim Cutter-Williams at 912.443.5780 or kcutter@savannahtech.edu.

One of the best ways to save $ on a Walt Disney World vacation is to take advantage the popular FREE dining promotion. This discount offers incredible savings on select travel dates this fall and winter. For example, a family of four (2-adults, 1-junior, 1-child) staying in a standard room at a select Moderate Resort will save over $1,000 on a 6-night/7-day vacation with the FREE Disney Dining Plan.

FREE Dining Plans are available for guests staying 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 to try out the Deluxe Dining Plan!!

Booking for this incredible promotion ends September 29^th but, availability is limited, so hurry and contact Tara McCoy at Mouse Tales Travel today for details or a no-obligation vacation quote.

Tara McCoy, Disney Vacation Specialist at Mouse Tales Travel
803.816.0686
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel

Disney Vacation Specialist Tara McCoy. Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/EnchantedTravel. Visit Mouse Tales travel blog at www.mousetalestravel.com/blog, 803.816.0686, Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Savannah Children’s Choir presents End of Camp Show
Join the Savannah Children’s Choir on Friday, July 27 at 7 p.m. as they present a fully-staged musical play as culmination of their two-week Summer Camp program.
For two weeks, campers start each day singing together, and then attend classes in sight singing, movement, theater, music history and music theory. Each day ends with a healthy snack provided by N’laws Produce, and Afternoon Enrichment, a daily interactive concert or lecture offered by a visiting artist.
Come see what the campers have learned at their End of Camp concert on Friday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 E. Henry Street, corner of Henry and Waters. Tickets are $5; the box office opens at 6 p.m., the doors at 6:30 and the concert begins at 7 p.m.

Chad Crews, Magical Educator

Join the “I Dream of Reading Extravaganza!”  With a combination of magic, music, storytelling, and some live animal friends Chad will soon have you dreaming of reading.  Ages 5 and up.
Rincon Library, Monday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.
Springfield Library, Monday, July 23, 2:30 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Tuesday, July 24, 11 a.m.
Tybee Library, Tuesday, July 24, 1:30 p.m.
Oglethorpe Mall Library, Tuesday, July 24, 4:30 p.m.
West Broad Library, Wednesday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.
Bull Street Library, Wednesday, July 25, 1:30 p.m.
W. W. Law Library, Wednesday, July 25, 4 p.m.
Pooler Library, Thursday, July 26, 10:30 a.m.
Port City Library, Thursday, July 26, 2 p.m.
Carnegie Library, Thursday, July 26, 4:30 p.m.

Hampstead Stage Company presents “The Wizard of Oz”

Based on L. Frank Baum’s classic book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” this play features two professional actors and some audience helpers.  Join Dorothy and friends on the yellow brick road to Emerald City to find the Wizard of Oz and a way back home.  Ages 5 and up.

Rincon Library, Monday, July 16, 10:30 a.m.
Springfield Library, Monday, July 16, 2:30 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Tuesday, July 17, 11 a.m.
Tybee Library, Tuesday, July 17, 2:30 p.m.
Bull Street Library, Tuesday, July 17, 4:30 p.m.
West Broad Library, Wednesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.
W. W. Law Library, Wednesday, July 18, 2:30 p.m.
Islands Library, Wednesday, July 18, 4:30 p.m.
Pooler Library, Thursday, July 19, 10:30 a.m.
Oglethorpe Mall Library, Thursday, July 19, 2:30 p.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Thursday, July 19, 4:30 p.m.
Hinesville Library, Friday, July 20, 10:30 a.m.

On July 28, check out the Hoop Making workshop to ONLY 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, at the corner of Barnard & 40th St. @ 2323 Barnard St., 912-665-4199, http://ganeshasplace.com/ Ganesha’s Place is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Coastal Kids Market is in the midst of planning their best market ever!

You do not want to miss this one, so visit www.coastalkidsmarket.com  and click on the registration tab for clear instructions on how to become a consignor. If you are new to consigning, just click on the consignor tab to get full details on how this market works. Before you are through, make sure to check out the benefits of volunteering (be the first ones in the door etc) and select a check-in time to drop off your own stash.

Remember that this season, Coastal Kids Market is in a much larger space for the Fall 2012 market and are, therefore, expanding items that they accept and are really pushing to expand their toy, baby equipment, book, teen and boy selections. Click here for details.

CKM facebook fans are always the first to know about important announcements – like giveaways! Check out the Coastal Kids Market facebook page here frequently & please hover over the “Liked” button and click “Show in News Feed” to help their posts show up in your news feed.

Fall sale dates are: Sept 12 (preview party) through Sept 15. Please share the word with your friends! The CKM new space is off of hwy 80 in Pooler near Spanky’s.

Coastal Kids Market, Upscale Fall 2012 Consignment Sale is Sept. 13-15 at The Coastal Crossing Shopping Center, 1215 East Hwy 80, Pooler, GA, http://coastalkidsmarket.com/  (912) 655-4686, email contacts@coastalkidsmarket.com Coastal Coastal Kids Market is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Fantastic hide-ees biker shorts are available in lots of colors at Petite Feet in Savannah, just in time for school. Sizes from 2T to big girls.

Better than bloomers, Hide-ees are what to wear under skirts, dresses, and tutus so girls can run, jump, swing, climb, and flip carefree.

Petite Feet is Savannah’s children’s shoe and accessories boutique.

Petite Feet’s knowledgeable personal service ensures that each child is fitted correctly. The boutique has hard-to-find sizes. Petite Feet at 5521 Abercorn next to Fresh Market and across from Publix is in a super convenient location with easy in-and-out parking. The kid-friendly store even has puzzles, TV, children’s book and toys keep the tots busy while you shop.

Petite Feet, 5521 Abercorn Street, Savannah, 31405, www.petitefeetsavannah.com , Petite Feet is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor

We know a lot of our readers are amateur photographers with a lot of artistic talent, but searching for know-how when it comes to the nuts and bolts of photography! Which is why we’re thrilled to tell you about a beginner how-to-take better-photos class.

Topics the class will cover include:

-10 Tips for Taking Better Photos
-Introduction to Exposure
-ISO
-Shutter Speed
-Aperture
-Training Wheels
-Using your Camera’s Basic Settings
-Lens Overview

Q: How much are the workshops and what do they include?
A: The three hour group class is $135 per person (don’t worry you can pay half down if you’d like) and includes light refreshments and lots of other goodies. Each person will receive a class guide to keep as a reference. You will also receive a fabulous swag bag! Class size is limited so everyone will have an opportunity to ask specific questions.

Q: I don’t have a fancy DSLR camera, but I love photography and want to take better pictures with my point and shoot. Can I still come?
A: Yes, we would still love to have you! However, there will be a couple subjects we go over that will be strictly about DSLR cameras, such as lens choices and functions that your camera may not have. But most the subjects can be used for people with DSLR’s and Point and Shoots!

Q: Do I have to be a mom to sign up for your workshop?
A: No, you do not. Although the majority of the class will be moms with young children, we respect that other will want to join in as well. No matter who you are, if you want to learn how to take better pictures of kids, you are more than welcome to attend.

Q: Can I host one of these workshops at my house?
A: If you live in Rincon, GA or Savannah, GA, yes you can! We charge $125 per person for house parties with a minimum of 5 people. So if you get 5 of your friends to come to your pad for a workshop, you don’t have to pay anything!

Q: Do you offer special discounts if I get a bunch of my friends to sign up?
A: Yes we do! If you get 5 people to attend our workshop, you’re in free! If you get 3 people registered, we give you $50 off!

Sign up here for their next workshop, July 28th.
And check our their professional work also here: www.shumanfineartphotography.com
For more information, email Jillane Tucker at jillanes@shumanphoto.com or call 912-665-0218

Jillane Tucker, Shuman Fine Art Photography.com, email jillanes@shumanphoto.com, 912-665-0218 http://www.shumanfineartphotography.com/ Shuman Fine Art Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We know a lot of our readers are amateur photographers with a lot of artistic talent, but searching for know-how when it comes to the nuts and bolts of photography! Which is why we’re thrilled to tell you about a beginner how-to-take better-photos class.

Topics the class will cover include:

-10 Tips for Taking Better Photos
-Introduction to Exposure
-ISO
-Shutter Speed
-Aperture
-Training Wheels
-Using your Camera’s Basic Settings
-Lens Overview

Q: How much are the workshops and what do they include?
A: The three hour group class is $135 per person (don’t worry you can pay half down if you’d like) and includes light refreshments and lots of other goodies. Each person will receive a class guide to keep as a reference. You will also receive a fabulous swag bag! Class size is limited so everyone will have an opportunity to ask specific questions.

Q: I don’t have a fancy DSLR camera, but I love photography and want to take better pictures with my point and shoot. Can I still come?
A: Yes, we would still love to have you! However, there will be a couple subjects we go over that will be strictly about DSLR cameras, such as lens choices and functions that your camera may not have. But most the subjects can be used for people with DSLR’s and Point and Shoots!

Q: Do I have to be a mom to sign up for your workshop?
A: No, you do not. Although the majority of the class will be moms with young children, we respect that other will want to join in as well. No matter who you are, if you want to learn how to take better pictures of kids, you are more than welcome to attend.

Q: Can I host one of these workshops at my house?
A: If you live in Rincon, GA or Savannah, GA, yes you can! We charge $125 per person for house parties with a minimum of 5 people. So if you get 5 of your friends to come to your pad for a workshop, you don’t have to pay anything!

Q: Do you offer special discounts if I get a bunch of my friends to sign up?
A: Yes we do! If you get 5 people to attend our workshop, you’re in free! If you get 3 people registered, we give you $50 off!

Sign up here for their next workshop, July 28th.
And check our their professional work also here: www.shumanfineartphotography.com
For more information, email Jillane Tucker at jillanes@shumanphoto.com or call 912-665-0218

Jillane Tucker, Shuman Fine Art Photography.com, email jillanes@shumanphoto.com, 912-665-0218 http://www.shumanfineartphotography.com/ Shuman Fine Art Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

La Dee Da Children’s Boutique in Rincon is holding their annual summer clearance sale!

Enjoy 40-60% OFF all spring and summer apparel to make room for their gorgeous new fall inventory. Bailey Boys, Mis-tee-v-us, Baxter& Beatrice, Jelly the Pug, Little Threads, Zuccini and LaJenn’s are all way below retail price so come take advantage of the amazing savings. Mention Southern Mamas at check out and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate!

La Dee Da , Goshen Park Plaza on Hwy, 21 in Rincon, open Tuesday-Friday from 10am-5pm, and Saturday from 10am-3pm 912.295.5470, www.ladeedakids.com  La Dee Da is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to Folk Art Family Day @ JEPSON CENTER, 1-4 PM Sat. July 14, 2012!

Celebrate the inventive world of Howard Finster and folk art with this afternoon of activities for all ages. Telfair will present demonstrations by local self-taught artists and live old-time music by Joe Nelson. Kids can make different art projects using recycled items from the Chatham Country Recycling Center. Grownups will want to hear a fascinating talk by Jordan Poole, Executive Directorfor Howard Finster’s Paradise Gardens. Free admission, sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs

Jepson Center, 207 W York St. Savannah, 31401 , http://telfair.org/museum-events/calendar/ Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to Folk Art Family Day @ JEPSON CENTER, 1-4 PM Sat. July 14, 2012!

Celebrate the inventive world of Howard Finster and folk art with this afternoon of activities for all ages. Telfair will present demonstrations by local self-taught artists and live old-time music by Joe Nelson. Kids can make different art projects using recycled items from the Chatham Country Recycling Center. Grownups will want to hear a fascinating talk by Jordan Poole, Executive Directorfor Howard Finster’s Paradise Gardens. Free admission, sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs

Jepson Center, 207 W York St. Savannah, 31401 , http://telfair.org/museum-events/calendar/ Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

UPDATE: Winner is Amy Estes!

Get ready for one of our best SouthernMamas.com giveaways yet: a year of house cleaning from Hubbard’s Maid Service in Savannah & the Lowcountry, your go-to company for a spotless cleaning job done by responsible crews you can trust plus monthly $2o gift card to a restaurant & a bottle of merlot.

Didgeridoo Down Under

This musical and interactive, educational program will have you dreaming you’re in Australia.  Learn about the didgeridoo, an indigenous Australian wind instrument made from the eucalyptus tree, and its music will transport you to the land down under.  Ages 3 and up.

West Broad Library, Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.

Pooler Library, Wednesday, July 11, 1:30 p.m.

Rincon Library, Wednesday, July 11, 4:30 p.m.

Thunderbolt Library, Thursday, July 12, 11 a.m.

Carnegie Library, Thursday, July 12, 2 p.m.

Oglethorpe Mall Library, Thursday, July 12, 4:30 p.m.

W. W. Law Library, Friday, July 13, 10:30 a.m.

Bull Street Library, Friday, July 13, 1:30 p.m.

Islands Library, Friday, July 13, 4 p.m.

Southwest Chatham Library, Saturday, July 14, 10:30 a.m.

Hinesville Library, Saturday, July 14, 4 p.m.

Big Dreams and Moon Beams” Puppet Show

The moon is a magical place! Journey there and back on a rocketship full of adventure with this imaginative puppet show.  Ages 3 and up.

Rincon, Wednesday, August 1, 2:30 p.m.

Oglethorpe Mall Library, Thursday, August 2, 10:30 a.m.

Music Makers

Stories, singing, dancing, and more! Includes musical instrument demonstrations and audience participation. Ages 3 and up.

Oglethorpe Mall Library, Tuesday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.

Part of the Special Free Summer Performances at Live Oak Public Libraries From June-August: Free children’s library special performances (storytellers, musicians, animal acts, artists and more) will take place at various Live Oak Public library branches in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. Click here for details on performances.