Lots of opportunities for your kids to grow, have fun & find their passions in after-school classes & sports in Savannah this Fall 2016.

Here are some favorites & new options:

+ Drama, acting, theater, dance, aerial skills @ Savannah Children’s Theatre. Details here. 
+ Science Tutoring, Science Homework/Project assistance, Group Lessons @ Ms. MC’s Science Farm in Savannah. Details here.
+ Youth Art Classes in Savannah @ Miss Mary’s Art Universe in Savannah. Details here.
+ Drawing 1; Video Game Development @ Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center. Details here.
+ Roller Hockey. Details here. 
+ Swim Teams. Details here.
+ Irish Dance in Savannah, Richmond Hill. Details here.
+ Gymnastics & Tumbling @ Summit Gymnastics. Details here.
+ Ballet & Dance @ The Ballet School. Details here. 
+ Byrd’s transported, after-care karate. Details here. 
+ Flag football, cheerleading & soccer @ YMCA of Coastal Georgia. Details here. 
+ Private music lessons on cello, violin, piano, viola harp. Details here. 
+ Soccer with Savannah United. Details here.
+ Soccer with Storm/Tormenta/Sweet Feet Academy. Details here. 
+ Improv, children’s clay, weaving, embroidery, wheel throwing Details here. 
+ Art, sewing, comics, painting, calligraphy, watercolor @ Scribble Art Studio. Details here.
+ Girls on the Run of Coastal Georgia. Details here.
+ Sailing. Details here.
Details on all of the above & more here. 

Yes there is youth roller hockey in Savannah!

The Lake Mayer Youth Hockey Club will start a new season on Sat. Sept. 10 2016 at 10AM that runs through April 15 2017 @ the Lake Mayer hockey rink.

New players are welcome to join! For ages 5-12 years old. No experience necessary.

Cost: $75 due at registration. Registration packets will be available within the next week or two.

Visit Lake Mayer Youth Hockey Club on Facebook here. 

For more information, contact director Mike Stille at 912-224-3656 or email mstille76@aol.com.

Shrimp & Grits Festival
Sept. 16-18, 2016
Jekyll Island Historic District

A coastal favorite, the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival, presented by Southern Living, combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, more than 100 art and craft vendors, live music, kids’ zone, food, a craft brew fest, wildlife demonstrations & more. Mark your calendars for this annual three-day event held the third weekend in September.

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Jekyll Island is an easy, roughly 90-minute drive down I-95 from Savannah. See our list of things to do with kids on on Jekyll Island here. 

The Savannah Electrical Training Alliance (SETA) will host a FREE Skills Day Competition in Richmond Hill on Oct. 22 2016.

This event – the first of its kind in the region – is open to the public and will be in the picnic area of J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill. Activities will be 10AM until 4PM.

“We are an apprenticeship program for industrial and commercial electricians,” says Wayne Huggins, Georgia NECA Executive Director. “This event is designed to test the skills of our apprentices, and allow the community and family members come out to see what our profession is all about. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone who may be looking for a future career.”

In addition to the friendly competition among the apprentice electricians, there will also be family activities such as a bounce house, dunk tank, corn hole, and arts and crafts. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks plus cotton candy and snow cone vendors.

J.F. Gregory Park
521 Cedar St.
Richmond Hill, GA.

For more information, contact Wayne M. Huggins, Georgia NECA Executive Director, at 912-355-1252 or ganeca.wayne@aol.com.

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Junior League of Savannah 2016 Thrift Sale and Preview Shopping

(Reschedule from October to December because of Hurricane Matthew)
1-Day Sale, Sat. Dec. 10
The Junior League of Savannah’s 69th Annual Thrift Sale will be held at the Civic Center on Sat. Dec. 10, 2016, 7:30AM-3PM. The Thrift Sale brings together thousands of community members, each one making a difference through donations, volunteering, and purchasing of thrift. The money raised goes back to support the community improvement projects of the Junior League.

Thrift Sale Preview Shopping, Fri. Dec. 9

Thrift Sale Preview Shopping is an opportunity to get a first look at all the great items available to the community during the annual Junior League of Savannah Thrift Sale. Your preview shopping ticket allows you to gain entry to the Civic Center floor from 5:30-7:30PM Friday. All thrift items will be available for purchase at 2x (two times) the marked Thrift Sale price. All net proceeds then go back into the community, funding the community efforts of the Junior League of Savannah.

What Is It?

The Annual Thrift Sale, is one of the largest of its kind in the South East. Each year people come from all over the Low Country to shop for treasures and bargains. The Sale, held each fall, is a primary source of funding for the Junior League. All of the proceeds from the sale are returned to the community through Junior League community improvement projects as well as developing the leadership of the Junior League members. The sale also provides the community with a low-cost option to purchase needed household goods.

All of the net proceeds go directly into the community through a combination of League-sponsored volunteer projects, community grants, and development of leadership skills of our members.

What can you find?

This is a great way for students and others to furnish their apartments or dorms on a limited budget. Many families do their holiday shopping at the sale. There are always a lot of cool, vintage items as well as sofas, tables and chairs, and desks. Other finds include: appliances, bed linens, bicycles, and holiday décor, and plants. The children’s area comes stocked with clothing, swings, strollers, cribs and more.  New Boutique offers items that are brand new at amazing discounts. This year the sale will also feature women’s business and formal attire.

2016 Preview Shopping Tickets

Dec. 9, 5:30-7:30PM
Admission: $20
No strollers or carts allowed. Cash only
All items are double the marked ticket price

2016 Thrift Sale Ticket Information

Dec. 10, 7:30AM-3PM
Admission: $5
No strollers or carts allowed. Cash Only.

Parking is free. Doors will be open from 7:30AM to 2PM. At 2PM doors close and the “Brown Bag Bolt” begins.

For $10 each, ticketholders can purchase brown bags. At 2:30PM when the doors re-open, everything you can fit in the Brown Bag(s) is yours until 3PM.

Questions? Call the Junior League office 912.790.1002.

FREE HOLIDAY PARKING

The City of Savannah is offering a holiday parking deal every Thursday and Friday in December.

The first three hours in any city-owned garage is free. Any time over three hours is the daily rate.

Garages included: Bryan Street, Liberty Street, Robinson garage on Montgomery Street, State Street Garage and the Whitaker Street Garage.

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Pee Wee Rodeo, Nov. 19, 2016 @ The Old Dairy Farm, 2500 Tennessee Ave.
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Purchase tickets at www.urbanhopesavannah.org

Grab your cowboy hat, boots, spurs and chaps and come for a fun filled day of cowboy/cowgirl activities.

Your child will enjoy the chance to participate in stick horse rodeo events!

There will be other fun activities, such as pony rides, wagon rides, mechanical bull, face painting, archery, and farm animal petting zoo. Food & beverages available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Urban Hope, a free after school program for inner city and at risk children.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2016 HERE. 

Armstrong State University Latino Heritage Month Celebration, Sept. 15-Oct. 15

Armstrong State University will celebrate Latino Heritage Month in connection with the national celebration, which promotes Latino heritage and culture.

Armstrong’s Hispanic Outreach and Leadership at Armstrong (HOLA) program has organized nearly 30 events for this year’s celebration, which will take place on Armstrong’s main campus at 11935 Abercorn St., the Armstrong Liberty Center at 175 W. Memorial Drive in Hinesville and various downtown Savannah locations.

All events are free and open to the public.

Highlights from the 2016 Latino Heritage Month schedule include:

Thurs. Sept 15: 11AM-2PM
Fiesta Day
Residential Plaza/Savannah campus
Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs and HOLA for the annual Fiesta Day! Enjoy authentic Latin American food, music and performances.

Mon. Sept. 19: 12-1PM
Passport to Latin America
Armstrong Liberty Center Student Commons/Hinesville
Step into the world of four Latin American countries with food, music, fun facts and much more. Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Liberty Center for an afternoon of cultural enrichment.

Tues. Sept. 20: 6PM
Flamenco Dance Lesson
Student Recreational Center Group Workout Studio/Savannah campus
Want to dance flamenco? Join Salsa Savannah and HOLA Club for a free flamenco lesson.

For additional information, please visit www.armstrong.edu/latinoheritage or contact Lucy Aradillas at (912) 344-3050 or lucero.aradillas@ armstrong.edu.

Attention expectant Savannah parents: FREE Baby Care Basics classes are offered @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah.

Free to expectant families, come join Dr Brandy Gheesling or one of Pediatric Associates of Savannah’s other 8 Board Certified Pediatricians.

Classes are held after office hours the first Thursday of each month. The next class is this Thurs. Sept. 1 2016 @ 6PM.

Space will be limited, so to register or for more information about the class please email BabyBasics@pedsav.com.

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New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, but ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Stay in the action at one of Universal Orlando Resorts 5 onsite resort hotels & take advantage of exclusive benefits, and special savings!

The travel gals at Two Sisters Travel are sharing all of the details with us, and can even help you take advantage of the Stay More, Save More promotion offering up to 35% off a resort stay this year. This promotion is available at select resorts & dates. Rates as low as $87 per night for a standard room for 7-nights at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

And when you stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel you’ll receive exclusive benefits including early park admission to Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You’re also within walking distance to Universal Studios Florida or a quick water taxi or shuttle ride away. And Deluxe Resorts even include complimentary Express Ticket upgrades, valued at $89 per person, per day.

Universal Orlando Resort is a destination that everyone in the family will enjoy. Watch all of your favorite characters come to life at Universal Studios with attractions featuring Minions, Shrek, Transformers & more. And your adrenaline, thrill-seeking fans will love Islands of Adventure with the new Incredible Hulk coaster & Skull Island: The Reign of Kong 3D ride. And of course the Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans both parks.

Two Sisters Travel can create a customized Universal Orlando Resort vacation package for your family with accommodations, tickets, dining plans, Blue Man Group tickets, even admission to Sea World. The possibilities are endless. And you can always rest assured that you’ll receive the lowest pricing, guaranteed. 

Contact Tara McCoy at Two Sisters Travel today. Get a quick, no-obligation vacation quote online or call us at 843-284-3241 for details, and let’s start planning your exciting Universal Orlando Resort vacation today. 

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Two Sisters Travel

843.284.3241

Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Help Savannah Children’s Museum raise money for the expansion of their new programs that focus on STEAM-based learning, environmental education, health and wellness, and literacy.

Coastal Heritage Society invites the public to attend the 2016 Savannah Children’s Museum Benefit Concert, an evening of fun and musical entertainment featuring The Accomplices and Bottles & Cans.

The event will be Fri. Sept. 30 at 7 pm at Georgia State Railroad Museum, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, GA 31401. Doors open at 6pm.

Bottles & Cans, a blues band with musical influences including American folk, country and rock will open the event and The Accomplices, a Savannah based acoustic folk-rock band known for their modern take on folk melodies and genre-blending sound, will headline the show.

The Frankie & Flynn food truck will be on-site with sandwich options and the The Dark Shark-Taco Attack! food truck will bring an assortment of tacos. A cash bar will be available serving refreshments, including beer and wine.

Cost

Tickets to the concert: $15 per person through pre-registration at bit.ly/SCMConcert and $20 at the door. Coastal Heritage Society members will receive express check-in and a special VIP cash bar during the event. Generous support for this event has been provided by Friends of Tania Smith-Jones, Coastal Heritage Society Board of Trustees and our corporate sponsors.

Funds raised will go toward the expansion of Savannah Children’s Museums’ programs that focus on STEAM-based learning, environmental education, health and wellness, and literacy.

Coastal Heritage Society is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Engineering is fun. Let Society of Women Engineers in Savannah prove it to you.

All students in grade 6-12 and adults are invited to attend a one-day event focused on teaching hands-on STEM activities and let them decide if Engineering/STEM is a career path they would consider in their future.

Students will go through 3 activities focused on different kinds of engineering taught by local technologists.

The day will start with a STEM Expo which are small activities provided by local companies, surrounding universities & professional organizations. Then students are broken into groups to begin the 3 activities (1 hr a piece).

While the students are learning, there will be a separate event for the adults to learn everything you might need to keep students interested in STEM, college prep, financial aid & even community opportunities for internships.

Adults will learn their own STEM activity that they will be able to take home to teach the students what they learned.

Cost: $5 a student.

The event is limited to 300 students (200 middle and 100 high school). This event sells out every year.

What: Girls Engineer It Day
Who: Students Grade 6-12, Teachers & Parents
(limited to the first 200 MS & 100 HS students to register) This event always sells out.
When: Sat. Sept. 17, 2016, 1-5:30pm . Registration required. Register here.
Where: Woodville-Tompkins Tech & Career HS,
151 Coach Joe Turner St., Savannah, GA Driving directions here
Teacher stipend and bus reimbursement is available by GA DOE.

Registration required

Register here. 

This is promoted as a female event, but males are allowed and attend every year.

Questions? Email sav.geid@gmail.com

UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE MATTHEW RECOVERY. 

Join SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah in celebration of the museum’s fifth anniversary Sat. Oct. 15, 1–4PM with free admission for a day of drawing demonstrations, workshops & activities for the whole family.

Enjoy music & treats in the Alex Townsend Memorial Courtyard + a special appearance by SCAD mascot Art the Bee.

Sat. Oct. 15 2016
1-4PM
FREE admission
SCAD Museum of Art
601 Turner Blvd., Savannah 31401

This event is free & open to the public
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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH FAMILY EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

New York Times bestselling author of the Fancy Nancy children’s series, Jane O’Connor will be among the authors at the 2016 Annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival.

Live Oak Public Libraries and the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs will present the free 13th annual Savannah Children’s Book Festival on Sat. Nov. 12, 2016, 10AM-4PM at Forsyth Park.

The Fancy Nancy books chronicle the adventures of a young girl who loves all things glamorous, posh, and splendiferous! The series has now sold over 20 million copies and counting with the wildly popular latest title, “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.”

For more such Savannah-area events, visit our Fall Fun Guide 2016 here. 

Our column today in the Savannah Morning News spotlights 10-year-old Isa Lilja-Vazquez’s Little Free Library in her Savannah front yard. (Read it here).

Isa’s is among several Little Free Libraries in the Savannah Ga./Bluffton SC area.

Which got us thinking of how sweet it would be to take kids “Little Free Library hopping” in the Savannah-Lowcountry area.

Here’s our list of Little Free Libraries in our area compiled by using the map from the Little Free Libraries Web site.

So grab a bunch of used books your kids have outgrown to drop off in exchange for other books – following the LFL mantra to “take a book, leave a book” – and visit these Little Free Libraries in Savannah.

(Interested in starting your own Little Free Library? Get info on how to do so here. )

(Read about a Savannah 10-year-old girl who started her own Little Free Library here. )

Savannah

1919 Brogdon St. (in Magnolia Park neighborhood)
Savannah Ga. 31406

363 Island Road (Burnside Is.)
Savannah, GA 31406

9 Reynolds Court (in Kensington Park neighborhood)
Savannah, Ga 31405

605 Maupas Ave. (in Baldwin Park neighborhood)
Savannah, Ga. 31401

Corner of 38th Street & Howard Street (in former vacant lot)

733 E. Henry St.
Savannah, Ga. 31401

Bluffton/Hilton Head Is./Beaufort area

160 H. E. McCracken Circle (in front of Bluffton Elementary School)
Bluffton, SC 29910

39 Sheridan Park Circle Suite 10
Bluffton, SC 29910

1709 Camellia Road
Beaufort, SC 29902

Find more Little Free Libraries here.

Connect with other moms this school year. Attend MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting. MOPS groups are in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, the Islands & Rincon.

MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) connects moms all over the world to a community of women, in their own neighborhoods, who meet together to laugh, cry and embrace the journey of motherhood. MOPS groups are rallying women to be more honest, to feel more equipped and to find our identity by journeying alongside one another. We are moms, and we believe that better moms make a better world. Moms who are pregnant or have children through kindergarten are invited to the MOPS group.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) @ Compassion Christian Church East Campus
Meetings are 9:15 – 11:45AM first and third Thursdays, Sept. 15 – May 4
Children’s and Student Building at Compassion Christian Church East Campus
9150 Old Montgomery Rd Savannah, GA 31406
MOPS provides a fun, relaxed environment for mothers with newborns through 5-year-olds. You’ll make new friends, enjoy activities and hear from relevant and insightful speakers on a wide range of topics. There is an annual membership cost of $24.95 for MOPS International and an additional $6 fee per meeting you attend. Childcare is available with RSVP prior to each meeting. For more information, email ccceastmops@gmail.com Meeting dates are 9/15/16, 10/6/16, 10/20/16, 11/3/16, 12/1/16, 1/5/17, 1/19/17, 2/2/17, 2/16/17, 3/2/17, 4/6/17, 4/20/17, 5/4/17

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Savannah Islands MOPS

Savannah Islands MOPS meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 9:15-11:30AM Meetings begin in the month of September and run through the month of May.
Meetings are at First Baptist Church of the Islands on Wilmington Island, 6613 Johnny Mercer Blvd Savannah, GA 31410

Visit  www.savannahislandsmops.webs.com Follow Savannah Islands MOPS on Facebook here. 

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Rincon MOPS

Meets every 2nd Tuesday from 9-11:30AM in the Memorial Chapel of First Baptist Church of Rincon.

For more info, call the church office at 912-826-5536. Childcare is provided.

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Pooler MOPS

Pooler MOPS meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 9:30-11:30AM @ the First Presbyterian Church in Pooler, 1115 US-80, Pooler, GA 31322.

On Facebook here. 

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Calvary MOPS

Calvary MOPS is on Facebook here. 

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Richmond Hill MOPS & MomsNext

MOPS is for moms-to-be or any mom with children ages 0-5. MomsNext is for moms with school-age children.

Richmond Hill MOPS & MomsNext First meeting is Sept. 6, 9:30 AM to Noon.

Meets first & third Tuesday September -May @ First Baptist Church of Richmond Hill,
9184 Ford Ave
Richmond Hill, Ga 31324

On Facebook here. 

Contact RichmondHillMOPS@hotmail.com

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To have your MOPS group listed please email info to anne@southernmamas.com

Is it Fall yet, y’all?

We can’t wait for the weather to cool and for Poppell family farms to open for the fall season.

If you haven’t taken your family to visit this 10-acre corn maze labyrinth & activity-packed farm in Odum (about six miles from Jesup), please put it on your Fall to-do list..

Poppell Farms grand opening for the 2016 Fall season is 10 AM-5 PM Saturday Oct. 1. 

Poppell Family Farms pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, giant outdoor jumping pillows, barnyard & farm games & activities are open every weekend Oct. 1-Sun. Oct. 30.

New for 2016: The Trail of Terror
An 800 ft. haunted walking trail through the Zombie filled woods.
Running every Friday and Saturday night through Saturday Oct. 29
Recommended for ages 12 & older.
Open Halloween night 5-10PM

About Poppell Farms

Take a hayride to Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Linus in the pumpkin patch, get lost in the corn maze, ride the cow train, feed animals in the petting farm, try steer roping, Spyder Slyder and the all-time kids’ favorite, two crop hoppers, which are giant jumping air pillows that have kids giggling upon their first bounce.

PICNIC AREAS are available for use, so bring your own food or visit Poppell Farms’ CALF-A CONCESSION STAND for hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage dogs, chicken sandwiches & fries. Candy, popcorn & treats available.

Other activities include pony rides ($5); duck races; six & younger playground (with 2 bounce houses); hop-a-long rodeo; Betsy the Milk cow contest; large catfish pond (no fishing / watch them eat)

Corn Maze Design for Fall 2016 Coming Sept. 1 2016

Hours

Poppell Farms is open on Sundays, too, for those whose Saturdays are packed with kids’ sporting events.

Sat. Oct. 1-Sun. Oct. 30, 2016
10 AM-5 PM Saturdays
Noon-5 PM Sundays
(5 PM-10PM Fridays, Maze & Haunted Trail, Nighttime activities)
(5PM-10PM Saturdays, Maze & Haunted Trail, Nighttime activities)

Tickets. For ticket prices, click here. 

Special Events

Poppell Farms, email popfarms1@windstream.net , (912) 586-2215, 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, 31555 . On Facebook here. Poppell Farms is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Give a gift to your little one which will never wear out or be outgrown…give her the gift of music!

Join a Kindermusik Savannah class with 88 Keys Piano and discover the difference music can make in the development of your child.

Babies and toddlers meet on Mondays, and family classes newborns through age 7 are offered on Tuesdays.

New September themes start next week- your first class is free!

Visit www.kindermusikwith88keys.com or call 912.988.KEYS for more info.

Kindermusik…a good beginning never ends.

Visit 88keysga.com or call 912.988.KEYS for more info.

88 Keys Piano…A studio you’ve come to trust, with teachers your children will love, now in Effingham and close to Pooler/West Savannah.

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,   email music@88keysga.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Art Classes & Science Lessons, Tutoring in Savannah

Ms. MC’s Science Farm & Miss Mary’s Art Universe
both are @ Ms. Amy’s School, 2305 Habersham St., Savannah

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”– Albert Einstein

First class is free, come and check out the studio!

Ms. MC’s Science Farm
Kids are natural scientists. Their curiosity and enthusiasm fills them with wonder and sends them hunting for answers. Science Farm allows students to build confidence, character, skills, and knowledge in a fun to be place. Offering private tutoring, group lessons, homeschool tutoring & homework/project assistance.
Group Lessons, 1 hr. (Classes are limited to 4 students)
Private Lessons, 1.5 hrs.
Studio Sessions, 1 hr. Students have access to learning materials, homework and project assistance.

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Miss Mary’s Art Universe
This small art universe is a venue for imagination. Boost creativity and encourage art appreciation in the next generation of Savannah! Classes include homeschool tutoring & private art lessons.
Group Classes (Classes are limited to 4 students)
Parent & Me (Ages 3-4), 45 min. Install an outlet for how much FUN art is. Small projects and lessons that encourage a start in art.
The Fundamentals (Ages 5-8), 1 hr. Explore and learn about the artist’s toolbox. Presenting a collaborative environment with the goal to establish a foundation of basic skills for each artist.
Next Level Fundamentals (Ages 9-13), 1 hr. Reinforce essentials and add tools to the skill set. Artists are given extra room for creativity and are encouraged to keep a sketchbook to review in class.
Individual Classes
Private Lessons (Ages 4-18), 1 hr. Classes are gauged upon skill level and tailored to fit each student.
College Portfolio Prep, 1 hr. Work towards a cohesive portfolio with a clear focus on unique artistic strengths. Determine the tactics and learn how to present your best self.

For more information:
Ms. MC’s Science Farm. Call Brittany Marks Carnahan (315) 335-4068 or email ms.mctutoring@gmail.com.

Miss Mary’s Art Universe. Visit maryjosey.com or contact missmarysartuniverse@gmail.com.

All classes located @ Ms. Amy’s School
2305 Habersham St.
Savannah, GA 31401

Miss Mary’s Art Universe & Ms. MC’s Science Farm are SouthernMamas.com advertisers 

Fall is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. Lower crowds, cooler temperatures, and lots of exciting special events. 

And when you book by Aug. 31, you can save up to 25% off most resort stays through Nov. 5 @ select Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Consider an adult-only escape to experience culinary delights, special concerts, celebrity chefs, and more at Epcot Food & Wine Festival. And for 2016, the event has been extended from Sept. 14 through Nov. 14… that’s 62 days of goodness!

Children of all ages will love Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. On select nights in September & October, you can meet special characters, trick or treat inside the Magic Kingdom, enjoy a special parade & fireworks, and of course, this is hands-down the best time to see Disney villains.

If you’re considering a Disney vacation this fall, request your no-obligation quote from SouthernMamas’ go-to vacation planner for 4 years Two Sisters Travel.

Remember, Disney only requires a $200 refundable deposit to start planning.

Get your vacation quote online or call 843-284-3241, and let’s start your Disney vacation countdown!

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Two Sisters Travel

843.284.3241

Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Bring your kids to the FREE Gage Ochsner Kids Fishing & Coastal Water Safety event 8:30-11AM, Sat. Sept. 24 2016 @ the Tybee Pier & Pavilion on Tybee Island.

The day of FREE fun for kids ages 5 to 12 is being held in conjunction with Georgia’s free fishing day & is sponsored by Safe Kids Savannah, the Chatham County Aquatic Center, & the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to promote fishing as a family activity & water safety.

This is the seventh consecutive year for the event which is named in memory of Gage Ochsner, M.D., a long-time supporter of Safe Kids Savannah and specifically the Kids Fishing and Coastal Water Safety event.

Pre-registration is required.

Entry is limited and pre-registration is required. No registration will be allowed on the day of the event.

Register online here. 

All participants will receive a rod and reel, bait, and tackle box. No fishing license required. 

For more information on the event please call 652-6793.

FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE. 

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FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH-AREA EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

The Tibetan Buddhist monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery return to the Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center in Savannah Sept. 13-18 to create an exquisite sand mandala painting as part of a weeklong residency.

Programs related to the monks’ residency include a variety of free activities for all ages. Their previous visits to Savannah attracted hundreds of interested onlookers & participants.

The monks undertake a spiritual art form which involves painstakingly placing millions of grains of sands on a flat platform over the course of the week. The monks have created mandala sand paintings in hundreds of museums, art centers & colleges, universities in the United States & Europe.

On Tues. Sept. 13, the mandala sand painting begins with an opening ceremony, during which the lamas consecrate the site through chanting, music & mantra recitation & draw the outline of the mandala. On the following days, they will lay down the colored sands, this year creating the Akshobya Mandala, also known as the “Unshakable Victor” for conflict resolution & peace.

Visitors may watch the monks at work during normal museum hours in the Jepson Center Atrium Wednesday through Saturday.

On Sun. Sept. 18, the mandala will be destroyed as a metaphor for the impermanence of life. The sands are placed in an urn, with half distributed to the audience at the closing ceremony. The remainder will be carried to the Savannah River then dispersed to the ocean for planetary healing.

Funding for this program is provided by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs.

Full Schedule

Tues. Sept. 13, 5-7PM. FREE Opening ceremony: the monks begin with a ceremony and chants, after which they draw the mandala. Admission is free.

Sept. 14-17, 10AM-5PM Mandala sand painting: visitors may watch the monks create the mandala sand painting in the museum atrium during normal daytime museum hours, other than lunchtime (1-2PM). Admission is free.

Thurs. Sept. 15, 6PM FREE Lecture: “Meditation: A Tool for Conscious Living” by the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling

For the first time at the Jepson Center, the monks will present a lecture on meditation as an important technique for quieting the mind and establishing an inner basis of clarity and well-being. Meditation is designed to relax and better understand the processes that make up people’s lives. The monks will discuss meditative techniques aimed at strengthening important inner qualities and eliminating inner negativities and habitual patterns. Admission is free.

Sat. Sept. 17, 1-4PM Free Family Day: Hands on activities include community sand painting sessions @ 2PM & 3PM in which children may participate in the creation of a sand painting using the tools of the monks. Admission is free.

Sun. Sept. 18, 2-3PM Closing ceremony: Chants, destruction of the mandala & procession to the river. In a moving closing event with polyphonic chants and music, the monks ritually destroy the mandala. Afterward, sand is distributed to the audience. At 3PM, the public is invited to join the monks for a procession to the Savannah River to release the mandala to the ocean to spread healing throughout the world. Admission for members is free; non-members pay $5.

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FALL 2016 YOUTH CLASSES @ Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center

For more information on Telfair’s education programs, classes, studio workshops, and registration, call 912.790.8823 or visit telfair.org/learn

All events are located in the Jepson Center at 207 West York St. on
Telfair Square, Savannah 31401 unless otherwise noted

Portfolio Builder: Drawing I
Ages: 10–14
Thursdays, Sept. 22–Oct. 20,
4:30–6PM
Members $100 / non-members $125
Instructor: Marisa Lilje
This class is designed to help upper-elementary and middle school students improve their drawing skills. In Drawing I, students will develop a strong grasp and understanding of foundational drawing—a great class for students wishing to expand or refine their art portfolios. New students welcome!

Videogame Development
Ages: 10–16, Thursdays, Sept. 22–Oct. 20, 4:30–6PM
Members $100 / non-members $125
Instructor: Johnathan Bushnell
In this five-week class, students will build their own videogames. Students will explore, play, and develop videogames while learning the basics of computer programming using Game Maker. Suitable for beginners or intermediate-level participants with a fun-loving personality, this workshop requires no previous programming experience. All materials are provided.

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Workshops

Museum Sketch Crawl
Ages: teen to adult
Sat. Oct. 1, 2:30–5PM
Free with registration; email bradleyk@telfair.org or call 912.790.8823.
Tour One Hundred Years of Harmony, and take time to find the harmony in the objects and environments of our three museum sites. We will meet at the Jepson Center at 2:30PM to enjoy a leisurely group tour of the exhibition and sketch inside the galleries. Then, we will travel to the Telfair Academy and Owens Thomas House to explore further ideas of harmony in sketching.

Intro to Woodcarving Carve
Your Own Folk Art Cane
Ages: teen to adult
Saturday, Nov. 5, 1–5PM
Members $125 / non-members $150
Instructor: Matt Toole
In conjunction with Stick Men, this one-day workshop will provide an intro to basic woodcarving techniques. In this class, you will have the opportunity to view traditional folk art canes, learn about the various tools and woods available, and gain hands-on experience carving your own folk art cane. Students will also begin to understand how to visualize the finished work and think in three-dimensions. At the end of the session everyone will go home with their own set of carving tools and a good start on your own
personalized cane.

Learn more about Matt Toole here

Tobia Makover, Featured
Artist: Mixed Media
Photography
Ages: teen to adult
Sat. Nov. 12, 1–5PM
Members $125 / non-members $150
Some materials required
In this workshop, students will learn about the artist’s work and explore Tobia’s techniques from beginning to end while gaining hands-on experience incorporating encaustic in their own photography. Tobia will demonstrate techniques and provide advice as students have a chance to experiment with a variety of prepared surfaces. Each student will create their own personalized 6 xy6 inch photographic work based on Tobia’s process.

Learn more about Tobia Makover here. 

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For more information on Telfair’s education programs, classes, studio workshops, and registration, call 912.790.8823 or visit telfair.org/learn

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22nd Annual Telfair Art Fair
Nov. 12-13, Telfair Square in front of the Jepson Center for the Arts
Savannah’s largest, liveliest, and most cel­ebrated open-air festival of visual art, Telfair Art Fair attracts thousands of high-end art collectors, tourists, local residents, and families. Featuring 85 artists displaying and selling works in a variety of artistic disciplines—and for a wide range of budgets—this year’s Telfair Art Fair presents an array of genres, including painting, printmaking, digital media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, furniture, glass, textiles/fiber, and mixed media.
Free Admission

Free Family Day
1-4pm, November 12, Jepson Center for the Arts
Take time to enjoy the annual Telfair Art Fair, explore Telfair’s modern and contemporary art collection, and apply a bit of your own creativity both inside and outside the museum!
Free Admission

JEPSON CENTER
207 W. York St. Savannah, 31401

Follow Telfair Museums on Facebook here. 

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The Festival in the Park will be at the Pooler Park off Rogers Street (900 S. Rogers Street, Pooler, Ga.) on Sat. Sept. 10, 2016, 4-9:30PM.

The event is free and will be family friendly. Food, drinks and merchandise will be available for purchase from local vendors. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Parking options here.

The festival will include:
*free amusement rides
*a free concert at 7PM featuring Pooler musician Jared Wade
*a First Responders Showcase, 4-6PM. Meet those that serve in local Police and Fire Departments and check out their vehicles and equipment. See firetrucks, bomb sniffing dogs, emergency helicopters and more.
*free fireworks display at 9:15PM

More details here.