You deserve 3-nights at the Ritz Carlton!

Which is why you should enter to win a fantasic giveaway from  Southern Charm Chevy Girls Facebook page: a 3-night stay at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta plus $400 gas/food & $300 spa services!

Details on how to enter to win this awesome luxury Atlanta trip valued at $1,500 here.

To enter to win, your local Chevy dealers Dare you to Compare your current vehicle to a new Chevy. Tell Southern Charm Chevy Girls what you think, then register to win this awesome luxury Atlanta trip! To enter to win & get more details, visit the Southern Charm Chevy Girls Facebook page here , “like” the page & click on the “Dare to Compare” tab on the left.

April 2 – 6:
Gregg Russell Concerts under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town, Monday-Friday, 7:30-9 p.m. Family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads and silly songs with audience participation. FREE (843) 842-1979 or seapines.com.

WingFest at Shelter Cove Community Park, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. March 24. Hilton Head Is. Local restaurants cook up their best wings with live music and a Kid Zone. Food sold separately. Proceeds benefit the Island Rec. Center’s Children’s Scholarship Fund. Admission is $5; free for ages 12 and under. 39 Shelter Cove Lane. (843) 681-7273 or islandreccenter.org

Noon at Forsyth Park
Free & open to the public

Tara Feis Irish Celebration
Sat. March 10, 2012
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emmet Park (east end of Bay Street)
Presented by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs
Free and open to the public
For more information call 912-651-6417.

The family-friendly feis (pron. FESH) – or festival – will be a feast for the eyes, ears and palate, with live performances, food, art activities, crafts and games hosted with Irish ceremony, tradition and hospitality. Now in its twenty first year, Tara Feis is a free, non-alcoholic event geared towards families and children.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with an official Irish opening ceremony. The main stage will feature plenty of traditional Irish dancing, as well as a live performance by local folksinger Harry O’Donoghue. Two performances by Irish Band Girsa will highlight this year’s feis.

Girsa, which means “young girls” in Gaelic is a band comprised of eight talented females who play a total of 20 instruments. Audiences from everywhere will be serenaded by their instrumental talent and their angelic voices.
Their self-issued, self-titled debut album “Girsa”, sold out in the first two months. Girsa is well known in both the U.S. and Ireland.

The Tara Feis children’s stage will feature a full day of entertainment, including performances from magician Magic Marc, the puppets of Conrad Hartz, and traditional Irish dancing performances.

Tara Feis is free and open to the public. Emmet Park is located in downtown Savannah at the east end of Bay Street.

2012 Tara Feis Schedule
Main Stage
11:00 am Opening Ceremony

11:20 am The Savannah Pipe and Drum Corps
11:30 am Irish Dancers of Savannah
12:15 pm Plunkett’s Fancy featuring Cecilia Witt and Colleen Settle
1:15 pm Girsa
2:30 pm Glor na Daire Irish Dance School
2:45 pm Meet the girls of Girsa.(Autograph signing at the ticket tent)
3:20 pm Harry O’Donoghue
4:00 pm Girsa
4:55 pm Closing remarks

Children’s Stage
11:30 am Conrad Hartz Puppets
12:00 pm Savannah Pipes and Drums
12:15 pm Glor na Daire Irish Dance School
1:00 pm Magic Marc
1:30 pm Irish Dancers of Savannah
2:15 pm Conrad Hartz Puppets
2:45 pm Magic Marc
3:15 pm Irish Dancers of Savannah
3:45 pm Conrad Hartz Puppets
4:15 pm Glor na Daire Irish Dance School
4:45 pm Stage Closed

Tybee Island’s Irish Heritage Celebration Parade
3 PM March 10 2012
Tybee Island’s fun, family-friendly parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Dress in green & join in the fun at 3pm on Saturday. Parade starts at City Hall and proceeds down Butler Avenue to Tybrisa Street. FREE (912) 786-5444/(800) 868-2322

Moms are organizing a Georgia Statewide Nurse-In. At courthouses and state buildings across the state on March 5. Women will protest the stigma associated with public breast-feeding by nursing their babies. The Savannah Nurse In will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 5 at Savannah City Hall.

Fueled by their personal stories of fielding rude remarks while nursing in public, moms organized this grassroots effort in support of a state bill in the works to better protect breast-feeding moms and their babies.”

Read more here.

For more details about the March 5 Savannah Nurse-In, click here. Or email bfgeorgia@gmail.com.

Can’t make it to the Nurse-In, but want to show your support. Sign the Nurse-In petition, click here.

The Girl Scouts celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2012.

Local celebratory events include a traditional bridging event over the Talmadge Bridge followed by a party in Forsyth Park. An additional ceremony will take place simultaneously at Forsyth Park for younger Girl Scouts and anyone that may not want to cross the Talmadge Bridge.

Registration closes when the event fills to capacity limit or on January 30, 2012, whichever occurs first. For more registration info, click here.

Bridging to the Next Century
7-11 AM Sat. March 10
Thousands of Girl Scouts will cross over the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge to symbolically “bridge” to the second century of the Girl Scout organization. Girls must be at least 10 years old or older to cross. Transportation will be provided to a party in Forsyth Park after the bridge walk. Registration ended in January.
Bridging at the Park 10 AM- Noon Sat. March 10, 2012: An additional ceremony will take place simultaneously at Forsyth Park for younger Girl Scouts and anyone that may not want to cross the Talmadge Bridge.

Party in Forsyth Park
11 AM-3 PM Sat. March 10
A post-bridging gathering in Forsyth Park that includes a “Sing Along”, led by Girl Scout Songstress, Melinda Caroll and activities for all ages. Participants will receive a special commemorative patch.

For more information about the Girl Scout’s 100th Anniversary local events, click here.

Here’s a snippet from my column this week in the Savannah Morning News:

“We’ve all heard the sad-but-true accounts of nursing mothers in restaurants, shops, parks, even churches, being told — presumably by people not aware of the benefits of breast-feeding — that they cannot feed their babies there.

It’s beyond frustrating.

Which is why moms are organizing a Georgia Statewide Nurse-In. At courthouses and state buildings across the state, women will protest the stigma associated with public breast-feeding by nursing their babies. The Savannah Nurse In will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 5 at City Hall.

Fueled by their personal stories of fielding rude remarks while nursing in public, moms organized this grassroots effort in support of a state bill in the works to better protect breast-feeding moms and their babies.”

Read the entire column here.

For more details about the March 5 Savannah Nurse-In, click here.  Or email bfgeorgia@gmail.com. To sign the Nurse-In petition, click here.

Savannah’s 2012 Great Cloth Diaper Change & Green Expo will be on Earth Day April 21, 2012 at Savannah Festival Outlets.

Become a Supporter
Organizers of the event are looking for supporters. Various levels of sponsorship are available. If you have questions or would like to become an event sponsor, email segreatclothdiaperchange@gmail.com  or call Elizabeth McDonald 912-335-8481

What are they’re looking for? (All “big ticket” items will be raffled off at the event and listed with your business’ information on their Prizes page)
• Gift cards to family friendly stores, restaurants, businesses, etc.
• Cloth diapers, cloth wipes natural toys and mom and baby products.
• Monetary sponsorship to go towards printing flyers, posters, and postcards; advertisements spots such as local TV spots and radio ads; supplies, prizes, and a donation to the Real Diaper Association.
• Open to more suggestions.

What would we like from each supporter for goodie bag?
The first 100 pre-registrants receive goodie bags.
• Organizers would like 100 items from each sponsor to go in the goodie bags. This is only a request and not required. It is just one more way to get exposure It can be one type of item or a mixture of items such as product samples, business cards, post cards etc

How much do I have to donate to become a supporter?
At least $10 or a prize or products worth $10 to be listed as a sponsor.

What are the levels and perks of being a supporter?
Supporter levels are based on monetary and prize donations for this event. For more info on levels & perks of being supporter, email segreatclothdiaperchange@gmail.com.  Sponsor & Prize pages will be posted on the Great Cloth Diaper Change Savannah Facebook page here.

15 HOURS OF FREE FLAPJACKS AT IHOP FEBRUARY 28
For the seventh consecutive year, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals such as The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, and other local charities.

For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. IHOP hopes to raise $2.7 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $10 million. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

WHEN: TUESDAY, February 28, 2012, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (15 full hours)

WHERE: Participating IHOP restaurants nationwide. In the Savannah and surrounding area there are six participating IHOP locations:

•110 Mall Blvd., Savannah, GA
•1800 Victory Drive, Savannah, GA
•800 US Hwy 80 East, Statesboro, GA
•266 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, SC
•11 Towne Drive, Bluffton, SC
•439 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC

Below is a guest post by Nicole Hubbard, new mother & owner of Hubbard’s Maid Service, a SouthernMamas.com advertiser. Consider the post a little much-needed therapy for first time moms who used to be neat & organized before having a child.

“You are at an advanced maternal age.”
This is what I was told by my doctor when I found out I was pregnant. I own a maid service in Savannah, Georgia. I recently had my first child, Jedidiah, at age 39. I had a very difficult labor (30 hours) and had planned for a natural birth but ended up having NuBain & an epidural by the time it was all said and done & my poor little guy came out with eyes wide open looking completely freaked out. Things were harder from there as I was determined to breastfeed and did not know what I was doing. This meant he went from 8 lbs to 6 lbs and we both were horrified. But with the wonderful help of lactation consultant, Pam Holland, and the staff at Dr. Ramos office in Savannah we rebounded to a healthy weight but oh, the trauma! It was not how I had envisioned it to be.

Luckily, the lactation consultant turned my little guy into a breastfeeding machine because he would latch on and not come off the nipple for 4 hours at a time! In between these marathon feedings, I MIGHT get 20 minutes to do number 2 or wash my arm pits, but never both! My son is what is called a “high needs” baby. He needs me ALL the time! He’s not quite colicky, but pretty darn close, and you know what, I’m okay with that. Whatever he wants is what he needs right now and if I am his liquid love and human pacifier so be it. I have accepted that I am just not going to get things done right now which is very hard (deep, deep breath).

I like things a certain kind of way and I have totally had to give that up….

To read the entire guest post, click here.

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

MetalPressions.com  invites you to the Georgia Bridal Show @ the Savannah Civic Center this weekend, Sun. Feb. 26.

MetalPressions.com  is offering 25% off all orders placed at the show and is giving away a $100 gift certificate!

Be sure to use this coupon pictured here for 2 for one on the entrance ticket.

MetalPressions.com is the quintessential American small business success story of Savannah Jewelry Designer and Artist, Elisha Argentinis and her husband Andreas.

The two teamed up three years ago to take Elisha’s jewelry designs to the next level and make huge waves in the online personalized jewelry market. Over the past three years while growing the jewelry business, they have developed a revolutionary online jewelry design tool that will change the way people shop for personalized custom jewelry.

Exceptionally designed & handcrafted gold and silver jewelry with an exclusive online design tool have set MetalPressions.com apart from their competition.

MetalPressions.com is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser, www.metalpressions.com

Annual Charles Ellis Montessori Rummage Sale is 7 AM-Noon Saturday, March 24, 2012!

The school will take donations of just about anything you have to give. Furniture of any type, lighting fixtures, lawn and yard tools, sports equipment, clothes, home improvement items, pet accessories, appliances and other kitchen whatnots, uniforms, books, musical instruments – anything you want out of your house.
Talk about the perfect excuse to clean out your house. Tax donation forms available. Anything donated is tax-deductible.

Drop off will begin on Thurs. March 22

Sale is Sat. March 24.
7 am to noon
Multipurpose Room – Entrance on Battey Street
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy
220 E 49th St
Savannah, Ga 31405

All items left after sale are donated to the Mission. More info here.

Annual Charles Ellis Montessori Rummage Sale is 7 AM-Noon Saturday, March 24, 2012!

The school will take donations of just about anything you have to give. Furniture of any type, lighting fixtures, lawn and yard tools, sports equipment, clothes, home improvement items, pet accessories, appliances and other kitchen whatnots, uniforms, books, musical instruments – anything you want out of your house.
Talk about the perfect excuse to clean out your house. Tax donation forms available. Anything donated is tax-deductible.

Drop off will begin on Thurs. March 22

Sale is Sat. March 24.
7 am to noon
Multipurpose Room – Entrance on Battey Street
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy
220 E 49th St
Savannah, Ga 31405

All items left after sale are donated to the Mission. More info here.

Giveaway time!!!

Let’s think SPRING! Savannah’s Largest Children’s Consignment Sale, Coastal Kids Market, will host it’s Spring Sale on March 1-3 in Pooler.

If you’d like to win a pair of coveted EARLY SHOP passes and a $25 gift certificate to spend, simply share the graphic below on your Facebook Page (click share button) and then head on over and LIKE the CKM page here. 

Deadline to enter is 5 PM Mon. Feb. 27. We’ll randomly select a winner on Mon. Feb 27 from everyone who shared! Also, there is still time to consign. Details about how to consign here.

Seven popular vendors are already signed up for the upcoming sale. Click here to see who the vendors are or to sign up to become a vendor at an upcoming sale.

Coastal Kids Market Spring 2012 SALE DATES
Thursday, March 1, CHARITY HOUR: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Details here)
Open to Public: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday, March 2, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, March 3, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
**Select items will be half price on Saturday

Coastal Kids Market, The Shops at Godley Station ~ Pooler Parkway, 107 Grand Central Blvd. Suite 202 (formerly Moonlight Mattress), www.coastalkidsmarket.com Coastal Kids Market is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor.

4 PM February 25:
Grand Re-Opening Oyster Roast at The Salty Dog Café in South Beach Marina Village, 4 p.m. until the oysters are gone. Live music, kid’s entertainment, appearances by Jake the Salty Dog and more. 232 S. Sea Pines Dr. (843) 671-2233 or saltydog.com.

You are going to love the cute Spring kids’ products at Petite Feet ,  Savannah’s children’s shoe and accessories boutique! Salt-Water Sun-San sandals, Chooze shoes and….

KEENS shoes have arrived. Lots of colors for girls & boys. Big kids & toddlers, too.

Hide-ees are available in lots of Spring colors. 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’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.

Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

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

Savannah’s Place for Art, Culture and Education (S.P.A.C.E.) is now registering students for its spring visual arts classes and workshops.

Day and evening sessions are offered for children, teens and adults in all skill levels. Sessions begin Feb. 27 and are held at the Department of Cultural Affairs S.P.A.C.E. studios, at 9 W. Henry St, Savannah.

Six week classes are available, as well as weekend workshops. Visual arts sessions include ceramics, metals, glass, fibers, painting and drawing. New offerings include a loom making and fiber weaving, sculpture, parent and teen wheel-throwing and a stained glass box making workshop.

Class details, descriptions & registration info here.

1 PM March 18:
Marsh Tacky Horse Run & Exhibition, part of the 16th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration, at Coligny Beach, 1 p.m. An event showcasing the horses which played an integral part in the survival of the Gullah people on Hilton Head Island. (843) 255-7303 or gullahcelebration.com.

March 3 – 4 2012:
Hilton Head Island Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dogs of all sizes and shapes vie for honors and Best in Show each day with vendors and food available for purchase. Show admission is free; parking is $7 per day or $10 for 2 days. 70 Honey Horn Dr. (843) 726-3237, 341-7537 or hhikennelclub.org.

3 PM March 11:
29th Annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Coligny Circle, 3 p.m. Clowns, marching bands, floats, Shiners, dignitaries and animal contingencies make their way down Pope Avenue to Office Park Road. (843) 384-4034, 837-4956 or www.stpatricksdayhhi.com . FREE