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

Butterfly Hollow Open March 9 – September 30

Butterfly Hollow at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will feature a lush tropical forest and meadow, flowering plants that provide the nectar for hundreds of native butterflies that may even land on you.

Enjoy fairy houses, garden art, water features and arbors. Butterfly pupae will be on display inside the exhibit, so guests can see the butterfly’s life cycle. As the season progresses, new species will be added.

Professor Wendy Perrywhistle, an expert on butterflies and the fairy world from Eldonshire, England, has posted her journal entries throughout the exhibit to help guests discover the butterflies and the important role they play in our environment. Visitors will also see evidence of gnomes and trolls that will help tell the story about butterflies and the environment they live in.

Butterfly Hollow is open from 9:30 a.m. until a half hour prior to closing each day.

Fees:
Butterfly Hollow tickets can be purchased at Main Camp ticket booths or on the board walk to the entrance of this exhibit.
•$2.00 per person for non-members
•$1.50 per member

Value Tickets including general Zoo Admission, Butterfly Hollow, Stingray Bay, Train and Carousel may be purchased online or at the Zoo’s main entrance.
•$21.95/adults
•$19.95/seniors
•$14.95/children

For more info on Jacksonville Zoo, click here.

You can have a say about the plans for new libraries.

Live Oak Public Libraries officials are asking the public for input as they unveil preliminary plans for two new libraries at two upcoming public meetings.

They are scheduled as follows:

Community input session for Islands Library
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the existing Islands Library, 125 Wilmington Island Rd.

In the preliminary designs, both libraries will have the same design and square footage with several unique features that reflect the individual communities. Estimated completion of the libraries is summer 2013.

You’re invited to a March 3 fund raiser to support a proposed Tybee Island charter school, which now has an official name, the Tybee Island Maritime Academy.

The focus of the school’s curriculum will be the full scope of the local, from the ecology and biology of the Lowcountry to the jobs that are specific to it (e.g., ports jobs, boat maintenance, shrimping, etc.).

Please like the proposed charter school on Facebook here for the latest updates.

3-6 PM Sat. March 3

Consign with Kids 2 Kids Consignment seasonal sale at Savannah Mall in March and receive 70% commission.

Kids 2 Kids is partnering with the Salvation Army to help local families. Bring a pack of diapers and wipes and you can shop early. Check out their website here for details.

Consign more to make more. Consign 100 items and receive 75% commission on all items. Registration is now open. kids2Kids Consignment is taking ALL Seasons of gently used clothing, toys, books, furniture, baby and maternity items. For more information, click here.

Kids 2 Kids seasonal consignment sale is set for March 8-11 2012 at Savannah Mall.

Sale Dates:
Thurs. March 8 3p-7p
Frid. March 9 10a-7p
Sat. March 10 10a-7p
Sun. Mar.11 11a-2p (Select Items will be 40% off)

Want to Shop Early? Volunteer and shop March 8 10a-3p

Drop Off is March 6 & 7.

Kids 2 Kids easy tagging system is NOW available. Click here to Register/ Start Tagging/ or Sign up for Volunteer Shifts.

The advantages to seasonal consignment sales are numerous:
•shoppers find better prices at seasonal consignment sales than at consignment shops
•the variety and quality is better than garage sales
•consignors keep a larger percentage
•it is fun and easy

Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale, http://kids2kidsconsign.net/, March 8-11 2012, Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

For National Children’s Health Month, please come join Simply Children’s Dentistry on Feb. 24, 2012 from 9am to 11 AM for a healthy snack and a free tooth brush. Staff at Simply Children’s Dentistrylook forward to seeing you then. The practice is at 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201 Savannah 31405. (912)353-9993.

FREE & open to the public!

Dr. Kamiti Harden at Simply Children’s Dentistry regularly hosts such children’s dental health awareness events that are open to the public.

Simply Children’s Dentistry, 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201, Savannah 31405; www.simplychildrens.com , email: businessassistant@simplychildrens.com , (912) 353-9993. Simply Children’s Dentistry is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Interpretive Center hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM
Come see the display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station. Programs listed below meet promptly at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Programs are free. $5 for parking.

Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, GA 31411

Wednesday, February 22:
11:00 AM Interpretive Center Tour: Join a tour of the museum. See and touch fossils, reptiles, and more!
3:00 PM Coastal Reptiles: Learn all about lizards, turtles, and snakes… Oh My! See and touch live examples.

Thursday, February 23:
12:00 PM Big Ferry Trail Hike: Come for a 2-3 mile walk through a Maritime Forest. Meet at the Big Ferry Trail Entrance.
3:00 PM Fire Building: Come learn how to build a fire using different fire starting techniques.

Friday, February 24:
8:30 AM Bird Walk: Come and meet Mrs. Nell and join her on a walk to observe birds in the marsh and maritime forest. Bring binoculars and bird guide (also available to borrow. Meet at Interpretive Center.
1:00 PM Giants of Skidaway: Come learn about the amazing Giant Ground Sloth and others that roamed Skidaway during the Ice Age, more than 10,000 years ago. See and touch real fossils!
4:00 PM Invasive Species Program: Learn all about invasive plants and animals that are threatening our native plants and animals.

Saturday, February 25:
11:00 AM Interpretive Center Tour: Join a tour of the museum. See and touch fossils, reptiles, and more!

Sunday, February 26:
11:00 AM Feeding Show: Learn what our animals eat and watch as they enjoy their lunch.
2:00 PM Intro to Geocaching: Learn the basics of geocaching, the geocache program that GA state parks offer, and participate in a real live geocache!
4:00 PM Craft: Tissue Paper Butterflies

For National Children’s Health Month, please come join Simply Children’s Dentistry on Feb. 24, 2012 from 9am to 11 AM for a healthy snack and a free tooth brush. Staff at Simply Children’s Dentistry look forward to seeing you then. The practice is at 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201 Savannah 31405. (912)353-9993.

Dr. Kamiti Harden at Simply Children’s Dentistry regularly hosts such children’s dental health awareness events that are open to the public.

Simply Children’s Dentistry, 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201, Savannah 31405; www.simplychildrens.com , email: businessassistant@simplychildrens.com , (912) 353-9993. Simply Children’s Dentistry is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.