Bring your kids to a free Storytime on the Lawn 10:30-11:30AM Sat. Nov. 16 2019 at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Grab your blankets and join Storytime on the lawn this fall! During each session, the group will read a story and complete a related art project. This month, you will read “The Noisy Paintbox: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art” and create your own Kandinsky inspired circle paintings.

Storytime on the Lawn is a free community event provided by the City of Savannah’s Cultural Resources department in partnership with Live Oak Public Libraries. Each event begins with a group reading session on the lawn at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (weather permitting), followed by an arts & crafts project in the visual arts studios. All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Savannah Cultural Arts Center
201 Montgomery St.
Savannah GA 31401

City of Savannah Cultural Resources Department is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Free Family Days Fall 2019 @ Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center in Savannah.

Telfair Museums’ Free Family Days for Chatham County residents are offered throughout the year.

Enjoy music, artist demonstrations, and hands-on art-making, and more — free of charge!

November 2019 Free Family Day @ Jepson Center
Summon the Sea! with free family activities celebrating the sea in celebration of the exhibit: Summon the Sea! Contemporary Artists and Moby Dick.
1-4PM Sat. Nov. 9 2019
Details here.

Participants in this free event will explore ocean ecology and whale-themed crafts. Experience contemporary artists’ take on Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby-Dick. The museum will offer a fun-filled afternoon day of informal learning, music, activities, and presentations related to life under the sea.

Summon the Sea! Free Family Day for Savannah/Chatham County offers a fun-filled afternoon of informal learning, music, hands on activities, and presentations on marine ecology. Experience contemporary artists’ take on Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby-Dick in the exhibition Summon the Sea! Contemporary Artists and Moby Dick. Children’s activities include a nautical photo booth, origami whales and paper scrimshaw.

Presenters include Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary with STEAM activities presented by Marine Science students from Savannah State University. Don’t miss the opportunity to see Righty, the 21-foot long inflatable replica of a female North Atlantic right whale. Performance by the Around the Globe Sea Chantey Singers at 3PM:  Come for a rare Savannah appearance by this Athens-based group led by Georgia music and art legend Art Rosenbaum.

The program will include authentic sea chanties, nautical instrumentals and audience participation. Free to City of Savannah and Chatham County residents!

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Every year, Howard Family Dental in Pooler hosts its annual Free Day of Dentistry on the Friday before Thanksgiving as a way to give back and show appreciation for the community.

This year, Howard Family Dental’s Free Day of Dentistry will be Fri. Nov. 22 2019 @  Howard Family Dental’s Pooler office, 91 Brighton Woods Drive. The event is open to both children and adults.

The first 250 people that arrive will receive one free service of their choosing- a cleaning, filling, or extraction. Tickets will be handed out starting at 6:30AM with the event officially kicking off at 7AM and ending at 4PM. Last year, Howard Family Dental’s Free Day of Dentistry served over 180 people and completed an estimated $57,000 worth of services.

For more information and directions, please visit the website at www.howardfamilydental.com or call (912) 629-9000.

I Have Marks to Make Turns 25

Bring your family to a FREE ‘I Have Marks to Make’ opening celebration and reception on Sun. Dec. 8, 2019, 2-4PM @ Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center in Savannah. 

Free and open to the public.

Telfair’s ‘I Have Marks to Make’ celebrates its 25th year as an inclusive, community-based art exhibition by individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities, demonstrating the healing and transformative power of art making. From its beginning as an exhibition at Telfair by the City’s Therapeutics program, the program has expanded to include works from local health and social service organizations and schools. A large number of submissions are drawn from Telfair’s extensive outreach sessions throughout the community.

Telfair presents an opening program featuring stories from ‘I Have Marks to Make’’s 25-year history, followed by a 3PM reception for participants and their families.

Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center
207 West York Street
Savannah, GA 31401

For more info, email info@telfair.org

____________________________________________

‘I Have Marks to Make’ Turns 25 Exhibition

Telfair Museums’  ‘I Have Marks to Make’ celebrates its 25th year as an inclusive, community-based art exhibition by individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities, demonstrating the healing and transformative power of art making. From its beginning as an exhibition at Telfair by the City’s Therapeutics program, the program has expanded to include works from local health and social service organizations and schools.

A large number of submissions drawn from Telfair’s extensive outreach sessions throughout the community will be on display as part of an ongoing exhibition Dec. 8 2019—Jan. 12, 2020

Sunday & Monday: Noon—5PM
Tuesday—Saturday: 10AM—5PM

Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center
207 West York Street
Savannah, GA 31401

Cost:

Adult: $20
Senior (65+): $18
Active Military (with military ID): $18
Student (ages 13–25 with student ID): $15
Child (Ages 6–12): $5
Child (Ages 5 & under): FREE*

*Does not apply to groups. Up to 4 free children per paying adult.

For more information,  email info@telfair.org

Investments provided by the City of Savannah, the Georgia Council for the Arts, and St. Joseph’s/Candler.

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

UPDATE: Storytime will be indoors due to weather.

Bring your kids to a free Storytime on the Lawn 10:30-11:30AM Sat. Nov. 16 2019 at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Grab your blankets and join Storytime on the lawn this fall! During each session, the group will read a story and complete a related art project. This month, you will read “The Noisy Paintbox: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art” and create your own Kandinsky inspired circle paintings.

Storytime on the Lawn is a free community event provided by the City of Savannah’s Cultural Resources department in partnership with Live Oak Public Libraries. Each event begins with a group reading session on the lawn at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (weather permitting), followed by an arts & crafts project in the visual arts studios. All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Savannah Cultural Arts Center
201 Montgomery St.
Savannah GA 31401

City of Savannah Cultural Resources Department is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Kindermusik Savannah  for ages 0-7 begins brand new themes for November.

Classes open to ages newborn to 7 years and their caregivers, and are offered weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays or Saturdays.

Did you know that newborns to 10 week olds attend COMPLETELY FREE?

To set up your free trial class, text “free class” to 912-432-5885.

kindermusikwith88keys.com

Kindermusik…A Good Beginning Never Ends.

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

Enter Savannah’s 19th Annual Gingerbread competition

Do you have a classroom or club that is looking to participate in Savannah’s annual Gingerbread Village Competition at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa?

All entries will be on display beginning Sun. Nov. 24 2019 with a grand reveal; during the annual Boat Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 2019; and through the holidays until Jan. 1 2020.

ENTRY DEADLINE: NOV. 15 2019. 

Due to space, only a limited number of entries will be accepted into the competition. You are encouraged to submit your entry form early and before the deadline to ensure participation.

Learn more about entering the competition here. 

For additional information email
Gingerbread@savannahharborfoundation.com or call 912-604-6852.

Bring your kids to a free Storytime on the Lawn 10:30-11:30AM Fri. Oct. 25 2019 at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Grab your blankets and join Storytime on the lawn this fall! During each session, the group will read a story and complete a related art project. This month, it will be stories about pumpkins. Participants will create your own pumpkin stamped artworks.

Storytime on the Lawn is a free community event provided by the City of Savannah’s Cultural Resources department in partnership with Live Oak Public Libraries. Each event begins with a group reading session on the lawn at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (weather permitting), followed by an arts & crafts project in the visual arts studios. All ages are welcome to attend.

For more information, call 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

City of Savannah Cultural Resources Department is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

This week’s SouthernMamas.com newspaper article spotlights the new Free Forest School of Coastal Georgia which promotes more outdoor playtime for kids. Read it here.

This is a free, volunteer-run group for ages 0 to 6 & their parents/caregivers that meets on a weekly basis in Savannah-area nature spots.

Interested in joining? Email ffscoastalgeorgia@gmail.com or join the Free Forest School of Coastal Georgia Facebook group here. 

Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy in Savannah will offer FREE  speech therapy, occupational therapy and autism screenings @ at their Pooler location on Fri. Oct 18, 2019, 9AM-Noon.

No appointments.  Screenings will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Frequently-asked questions:

*What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?
-A screening is a tool used to determine whether there is a need for further, more comprehensive assessment. An evaluation uses formal, standardized measures to determine the presence and severity of a delay or disorder.

-*What happens if my child fails the screening?
If your child fails the screening, then a full evaluation will be recommended. You have the choice to complete that evaluation completed at Chatterbox or Joye Psychology or with a different provider of your choosing.

FREE Developmental Screenings: Speech/Occupational Therapy & Autism
Fri. Oct. 18, 2019, 9AM-Noon
Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy
110 Pipemakers Cir, Ste 115
Pooler, GA 31322

Learn more here.

Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Fire Department Open House 2019 – Islands Division

Islands Division of Chatham Emergency Services in Savannah is hosting an open house this Sat. Oct. 12 2019, 10AM-3PM.

The event will feature fire safety month fun for the whole family. Activities included will be Door Prizes, BOB 106.9, Food Trucks, Kids Games, Fire Demonstrations, and more.

FREE & open to the public.

Sat. Oct 12 2019, 10AM-3PM
155 Wilmington Island Rd
Savannah, GA 31410-3801

You & your kids are invited to FREE Family Fitness Day @ Hyperformance Athletics in Savannah.

It starts with an adult class at 9AM, the monthly First Saturday Friend Fest followed by a free nutrition seminar, Food As Fuel. During the seminar there will also be a FREE kids’ class for kids in 1st – 5th grades from 10:15 to 11AM.

Free First Saturday

On the first Saturday of every month, Hyperformance Athletics invites all of Savannah to come sweat with them. We kick off right at 9 AM. These workouts are adaptable for everyone. Bring a smile and be prepared to have some fun. Come see why Hyperformance Athletics is the BEST gym in Savannah.

Upcoming free classes

9-10AM Sat. Nov 2 2019
9-10AM Sat. Dec. 7 2019

Hyperformance Athletics
904 E 70th St.
Savannah, Georgia 31405

Hyperformance Athletics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy in Savannah will offer FREE  speech therapy, occupational therapy and autism screenings @ at their Pooler location on Fri. Oct 18, 2019, 9AM-Noon.

No appointments.  Screenings will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Frequently-asked questions:

*What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?
-A screening is a tool used to determine whether there is a need for further, more comprehensive assessment. An evaluation uses formal, standardized measures to determine the presence and severity of a delay or disorder.

-*What happens if my child fails the screening?
If your child fails the screening, then a full evaluation will be recommended. You have the choice to complete that evaluation completed at Chatterbox or Joye Psychology or with a different provider of your choosing.

FREE Developmental Screenings: Speech/Occupational Therapy & Autism
Fri. Oct. 18, 2019, 9AM-Noon
Chatterbox Pediatric Therapy
110 Pipemakers Cir, Ste 115
Pooler, Georgia 31322

Learn more here.

The Richmond Hill Garden Club’s 20th Annual Pumpkin Patch is Sat. Oct. 5 2019 @ J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill.

There will be pumpkins and mums for sale. Games and face painting for the children. Free plants for kids. Baked goods for sale. Wreaths and home decorations, photo opportunities, and lots of family fun.

Admission is Free. Game tickets $1. Debit and credit cards accepted this year with a $25 minimum purchase.

Saturday at 9 AM – 1 PM

J.F. Gregory Park
521 Cedar St, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324

Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah invites you to the 2019 TRUNK OR TREAT on Sun. Oct. 27, 4-7PM.

This is a free event for the whole family. Come out and enjoy a variety of fun including:
– Trunk or Treat
– Games
– Inflatables
– Door Prizes
– Free Snacks
– Available concessions

Be sure to register for this free event online here for an opportunity to win door prizes.

For more information, contact the church office at info@cbtsavannah.org or 912-351-2288

Calvary Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Trick or Treat on River Street

Trick or Treat your way down River Street on Saturday, October 26 2019, 2-5PM.

Get your best halloween costume on and come join in trick or treating with some River Street merchants.

Sat. Oct. 26, 2019
2-5PM
Savannah Waterfront
322 E Factors Walk,
Savannah, Georgia 31401

Family Fun Night this 6-8PM Sat. Oct. 19 2019 @  The Sandbox Children’s Museum at Tanger 2  in Bluffton is open to ALL families

Held from 6-8PM on the third Saturday of each month (unless otherwise noted). Designed to bring families together, for a cost free evening of fun activities. Come enjoy face painting, a special Makerspace and S.T.E.A.M. activity in our program room as well.

2019 Schedule

October 19
November 16
December 21

The Sandbox at Tanger 2
Tanger Outlets Hilton Head
1414 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910

Learn more here. 

The Sandbox Children’s Museum is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Here’s a way to save some money if you’re a Savannah resident living in a dwelling built before 1993. : free, NEW water-saving toilets from the City of Savannah.

The City of Savannah’s Water Resources Bureau offers vouchers for a free, new water saving toilet to Savannah residents.

These vouchers can be redeemed for a new free toilet at Sandpiper Supply at 4101 Bull St. in Savannah.

This Toilet Voucher Program is designed to replace old, water-wasting toilets with City of Savannah and EPA approved models. Replacing the old toilets that use 3-7 gallons per flush with these new 1.28 per flush toilets could help reduce your water bill.

The process involves printing out this online application, filling it out & emailing it to Laura Walker at lwalker@savannahga.gov at the City of Savannah along with a copy of your most recent water bill.

If your application is approved, you will receive an emailed voucher package. You present one voucher to Sandpiper Supply for the free, packaged, water-saving toilet. The voucher includes the entire cost of the new American Standard 1.28 gallons per flush tank and bowl.

The program requires that you bring your old toilet to the City of Savannah Dean Forest Landfill within 30 days and turn in a second city-provided voucher there.

Find out how to apply here. 

Questions? Contact the City of Savannah Water and Sewer Department at 912-651-2221 or email lwalker@savannahga.gov

The 3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting with Police event will be Thurs. Oct. 17 2019, 5:30-7:30PM @ Daffin Park, 1301 E. Victory Drive. This is a FREE, family-friendly event that will include a magic show, games, bounce houses, music and of course candy.

Free & open to the public.

Thursday, October 17, 2019
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Daffin Park
Savannah, Georgia 31404
Hosted by Savannah Police Department

In honor of Native American Heritage, the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of SC are partnering with the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage for a free, family-friendly Native American celebration, 1-3PM Sat. Nov. 9 2019 in Ridgeland SC.

Tribe members will teach attendees about their customs and traditions. There will be a demonstration of music and dance with a chance for folks to join. Afterwards, take your photo taken with members of the tribe. Local Native American artists will have their work on display, too.

This event will take place in the Morris Center Art Park under the big live oak tree.

FREE & open to the public.

Learn more here.

Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage
10782 S. Jacob Smart Blvd.
Ridgeland SC 29926

________________________________________

Morris Center Launches Field Trips in Fall 2019

Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage announces its lineup of field trips for the upcoming school year. All K-12 state standards-based programs are cross-disciplinary and include the following curriculums: social studies, English language arts and visual arts.

Dynamic and interactive, the programs include pre- and post-visit materials for teachers to use in the classroom. Field trips to the center last approximately two hours and include a tour of the current exhibitions and hands-on activities.

For more information or to book your field trip, visit www.morrisheritagecenter.org or call 843-284-9227

UPDATE: Skidaway Marine Science Day 2019 is cancelled due to inclement weather & will be rescheduled for a later date. 

Upcoming kid-friendly happenings @ The UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium on Skidaway Is. in Savannah include:

FREE Skidaway Marine Science Day
Sat. Oct. 19 2019, 11-3PM
Enjoy an afternoon of activities, tours and talks on the University of Georgia Skidaway Island campus, located on the north end of the island. (10 Ocean Science Circle) The campus-wide open house will be presented by the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

The UGA Aquarium, operated by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, will be open to visitors with no admission fee. Aquarium educators will offer visitors an afternoon full of activities including a hands-on reptile exhibit, behind-the-scenes peeks of the aquarium, fish feedings and microscope investigations.

A touch tank exhibit will allow guests of all ages to get up close and personal with common coastal invertebrates such as spider crabs, whelks and horseshoe crabs.

10 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411

Learn more here. 

___________________________

CoastFest 2019 in Brunswick 

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will participate in CoastFest 2019 in Brunswick, Ga.

This year’s festival will be Sat. Oct. 5 2019 11AM-4PM @ Depart. of Natural Resources
1 Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA. 31520

This free, family-oriented educational festival is Georgia’s largest outdoor festival celebrating our state’s coastal, environmental, historical and cultural resources. Over 9,000 excited visitors enjoy interactive exhibits and activity areas provided by 80-plus local, regional, state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and institutions of higher learning.

Touch tanks with live coastal animals, educational information, games and activities for the whole family are just part of our offerings.

More details here.

The 2019 Buddy Walk will be Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10AM in Forsyth Park in historic downtown Savannah.

The 14th annual one-mile fundraiser benefits the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS).

Past events welcomed over 5,000 participants and this year LDSS is hoping to have even more community members come out and raise awareness and funds for local programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families.

The Buddy Walk Program encourages participants of all ages and abilities. Carriages, strollers, wheelchairs, little red wagons and pets are all welcome. The goals are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Past Buddy Walk events have raised millions to benefit education, research, and advocacy initiatives nationally, as well as the Night of Champions, Camp Buddy and many other services here in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

Family Fun Festival

The walk begins at 10AM with a Family Fun Festival being held immediately thereafter. A wide range of activities including face painting, bouncy houses, other games, as well as music and refreshments will last until 2pm.

Register for the Buddy Walk

Online registration is available here. Participants can also signup starting at 8:30 am the day of the event. Registration is $15 per person or $50 for a family of four, which includes a T-Shirt, lunch & admission to the festival. For more info, contact Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505 or jcbogardus@gmail.com, or visit www.ldssga.org.

Find more information here.

___________________________________________

It’s a Wiener Dog Racing, Bratwurst Tasting, Oompah Dancing celebration @ Savannah’s 36rd Annual Oktoberfest on Historic River Street.

Enjoy a bit of Germany…Savannah style with a beer garden offering a variety of beers, food booths featuring German cuisine, and of course the famous Wiener Dog Races, which start at 10:30AM on Sat. Oct 5 2019. There will be regional arts & crafts exhibitors, live entertainment and all weekend long.

Painting classes in Rousakis Plaza at the Waterfront Kidz Zone® take on a fall twist with pumpkins serving as canvases. Souvenir pumpkins are $10, with proceeds benefiting the Savannah Chapter of the March of Dimes.

WHEN: Oct. 4-6 2019.
WHERE: Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, 115 East River St. Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, Savannah, 31401

COST: Free & Open to the Public
CONTACT: Savannah Waterfront Association, 912.234.0295

Festival Hours
Fri. Oct. 4 2019, 4-10pm
Sat. Oct. 5 2019, 10am-11pm (Wiener dog races at 10:30AM)
Sun. Oct. 6 2019, 10am-6pm

Reminder: you can take the free ferry ride from the Westin on Hutchinson Is. across the Savannah River to River Street  & then take it back. Kids love the boat ride.

Savannah Philharmonic & the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs presents 2019 Picnic in the Park on Sun. Oct. 6.

Enjoy fantastic music and fun family activities @ this annual Fall event in Forsyth Park featuring a repertoire from the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and more.

Come early to enjoy local band, choral & orchestral students at the Forsyth Park Bandshell.

WHEN: Oct. 6 2019
WHERE: Forsyth Park Bandshell
621 Drayton Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
TIME: Community Performances begin at 3PM Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra at 7PM

COST: Free and open to the public.

CONTEST: Every year, picnickers have an opportunity to enter the legendary “Picnic Contest”. Picnickers are encouraged to design an imaginative picnic spread that is inspired by the suggested theme.

MORE: For more information about Picnic in the Park or the Philharmonic, call 912.232.6002, visit savannahphilharmonic.org or email info@savannahphilharmonic.org .