COMMUNITY HEADLINES – APRIL 10, 2023

MAY 3, STATE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN CHATHAM COUNTY

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah SCORE and Wells Fargo will present The 10th Annual State of Small Business in Chatham County on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The free event will be held from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. in the Torian Auditorium at Savannah State University, located in the Howard Jordan building of the College of Business Administration. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Call 912-844-9990 for more info. RSVP here: https://www.score.org/savannah/event/10th-annual-state-small-business-chatham-county

(SAVANNAH, GA) Historic Savannah Foundation will kick off its celebration of Preservation Month in May with the annual Historic Preservation Awards at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Charles H. Morris Center, located at 10 E. Broad St. HSF will present awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in preservation in Savannah and Chatham County. The event – designed for attendees to enjoy a fun, celebratory evening amongst friends – will include beer & wine, a food truck, birthday cake and plenty of networking opportunities. For tickets, visit https://www.myhsf.org/events/preservation-month/.

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Black Maternal Health Week is held annually from April 11-19 and this year’s theme is: “Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy!” The week-long campaign aims to increase community development, advocacy, and awareness of the issues that Black mothers and those who give birth face; enrich the dialogue surrounding Black maternal health; promote solutions, policies, and research; and increase community involvement. In comparison to Asian newborns (90.8%), non-Hispanic White infants (85.3%), and Hispanic infants (83.0%), non-Hispanic Black infants (74.1%) are less likely to have ever been breastfed. A crucial public health strategy to reduce mother and newborn mortality and morbidity is to increase breastfeeding rates in Black communities.

https://blackmamasmatter.org/2023-black-maternal-health-week/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society has announced the 14th annual Night of Champions will be Friday, May 12th, 2023, from 6-11pm at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island.The Night of Champions event recognizes area businesses that employ differently abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and celebrates the contributions made by these employees. Order your tickets, reserve your table, sponsor a past Champion and guest, or set up your Sponsorship package ASAP. Use link https://NOC2023.givesmart.com.

https://carriagetradepr.com/lowcountry-down-syndrome-society-set-for-14th-annual-night-of-champions/

The Savannah Philharmonic proudly announces the upcoming “On the Road” concert series, featuring violin virtuoso Rubén Rengel from April 14-16. This engaging spring series will present performances across Bulloch, Bryan, and Chatham Counties, providing residents with an unforgettable musical experience.

https://savannahphilharmonic.org/savannah-philharmonic-to-present-on-the-road-series/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Individuals and organizations in Chatham County and the surrounding Coastal Region are working together with Resilient Georgia, a statewide collaborative, to build resilient communities that can prevent and heal childhood adversity.

https://resilientcoastalga.org/about-us

(SOUTHERN LIVING) 12 Farmers Markets In The South You Should Visit This Season. As if Savannah weren’t lovely enough a city on its own, the Forsyth Farmers’ Market takes place each Saturday morning in gorgeous Forsyth Park. If you’re visiting Savannah on a weekend, make sure to include this market in your itinerary—there’s a wide selection of farm products and prepared foods, and the setting really can’t be beat.

https://www.southernliving.com/farmers-markets-7372194

(AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION) Health care workers share why they chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of AHA’s #MyWhy social campaign to build vaccine confidence. We hear from individuals in the emergency department, environmental services, food services, front desk, operating room and more.

(SAVANNAH, GA) A Breastfeeding Community Advocates Workshop will be presented from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 13 in room 106 of Gamble Hall at the Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus, 11935 Abercorn St. in Savannah. The event is hosted by Shawntay Gadson of Glow Lactation Savannah and is presented in partnership with Healthy Savannah and funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant. During the workshop, attendees will learn how to advocate for and promote breast/chestfeeding throughout the community. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/BFAdvWrkshp

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah is scheduling three listening sessions to receive community input from residents of Garden City, Thunderbolt and Georgetown in helping redesign the Savannah-Chatham Food Policy Council. The first upcoming meeting, which is free and open to the public, is planned for Tuesday, April 12, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Garden City Cooper Center, 700 Davis Ave, Savannah GA 31408. Details for the Georgetown and Thunderbolt meetings will be announced on Healthy Savannah’s Facebook page and website. The Georgetown meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 and the Thunderbolt meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-calls-on-chatham-co-to-weigh-in-on-nutrition-and-food-insecurity/

(COASTAL HEALTH DISTRICT) Several health departments in the Coastal Health District will offer free, confidential STD screening events in April as part of STD Awareness Month. About 1 in 5 people have a sexually transmitted disease. Left untreated, these STDs can cause serious health issues, affect fertility, and be passed along to partners. Details about the free screening opportunities are available at https://coastalhealthdistrict.org/free-std-screening-events-in-april/.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Seeking auction items for the May 12, 2023, Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s Night of Champions. Please contact Lindsey Barron at lbarron@ldssga.org before May 5, 2023.

https://NOC2023.givesmart.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) Members of Historic Savannah Foundation’s 13th Colony will be given an exclusive tour of the city’s abandoned Powder Magazine. An oral history will be given as their members walk through the once guarded grounds.  More information about HSF and its 13th Colony membership can be found at https://www.myhsf.org/support/membership-2/membership/.

Say hello to our newest group of friendly faces in Richmond Hill, GA! We’re thankful for all the warm welcomes from the RH community this week as we opened our 130th location. We can’t wait to serve you at 3651 Hwy 17, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.

https://www.facebook.com/enmarketstations/photos/a.111691549015/10159548318464016

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Wondering how to build a scalable business with YouTube? Looking for a proven model that turns followers into customers? Discover how to create a YouTube community that people will invest in.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Coastal Buzz is back! Bringing positive news to Savannah/Hilton Head. Owners Chris & Sandy Benton return to make a local impact.

https://www.thecoastalbuzz.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah Young Life will be hosting Joy Prom on April 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Compassion Christian’s Link building at 55 Al Henderson Blvd. Joy Prom is a prom night designed specifically to be a night of FUN and JOY for individuals with different abilities in Savannah and surrounding areas. Participants ages 15+ are welcome! Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joy-prom-tickets-551920377707

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Imagine being dumped out in the country with four of your friends with no place to live other than in a driveway culvert? That’s Valentino’s story – at least until he was rescued and brought to Camp Pawsawhile. Of the five rescues, Valentino has always been the most social with people, probably because he is still a puppy. He is still timid around people and is still a playful puppy with the other dogs. We have not yet started leash training with Valentino, but we will be working on that until his adoption. He is very good about using the doggy door to go outside. Potential adopters need to be aware of his background and be willing to continue to work with him on his social behaviors. Potential adopters MUST HAVE SECURELY FENCED YARD.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2023-d-035-valentino/

(CREATIVE COAST) – The Creative Coast has announced the return of its annual FastPitch event, which will take place on May 24, 2023, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Service Brewing. The business pitch competition provides a platform for promising entrepreneurs starting new businesses or growing existing ones to each make a 5-minute pitch of their ventures in front of a live audience, including investors, for the chance to win from a $10K prize pool. Startup applications are now open through April 30. This year’s $10K prize pool is provided by the Savannah Economic Development Authority. The application and ticket purchase links can be found at https://thecreativecoast.org/programs/fastpitch/.

(LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY) Mary Borman was born with Down syndrome, and in her everyday life, she’s a swimmer, model and an advocate for people with disabilities. It’s a role rooted in her own lived experience.

https://www.5newsonline.com/article/life/heartwarming/local-tik-tok-sensation-down-syndrome-encourages-others/527-fdf33214-d203-4f3e-91d2-52645ab4a37a

(SAVANNAH, GA) WJCL 22, the Hearst Television-owned ABC affiliate for Savannah, Ga. and the South Carolina Lowcountry, has expanded the role of weekend anchor Brooke Butler from weekend evenings to co-anchor the 5:00 PM newscast with Riley Miller. Butler will now work the 5:00 p.m. newscast and report for the 11:00 p.m. newscast.

https://www.hearst.com

(ATLANTA.URBANIZE.CITY) The adaptive-reuse Plant Riverside District isn’t the only large-scale project to recently make a splash in what’s arguably Georgia’s prettiest, most walkable city. About two miles southwest of River Street, on the banks of Savannah’s Springfield Canal, Enmarket Arena celebrated its one-year anniversary last month as a modernized, versatile facility replete with architectural and interior design nods to The Hostess City’s past. Designed by Perkins & Will, in partnership with Atlanta-based Goode Van Slyke Architecture, the 149,000-square-foot Enmarket Arena counts 9,500 seats for a variety of events, including AA-level hockey and concerts.

https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/enmarket-arena-savannah-photos-project-beside-canal?fbclid=IwAR1Sa-K2oQbWhljf5o0JXoZkJAYdMDhhQfelHABQhw8Q60rD18Q7H6iIeWI

(SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS) Savannah restaurant inspections: Local chain hit with low score over high food temperatures.

https://www.savannahnow.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/04/05/savannah-ga-restaurant-health-inspections-march-29-april-4-2023/70080956007/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Forsyth Farmers’ Market will be hosting their 2023 Farm Picnic fundraiser on Sunday, April 23 from 4-7 p.m. at The Old Dairy Farm located at 2500 Tennessee Avenue. The event will include live music, a silent auction, local farm-to-table restaurants, and local craft beer and wine. All ticket proceeds will go to Forsyth Farmers’ Market to help support their mission to support local farms and improve food access in Savannah. Tickets can be purchased here: https://cbo.io/tickets/purchase_tickets.php?slug=farmpicnic2023&form_name=gettickets

(SAVANNAH, GA) St. Andrew’s is pleased to announce McDevitt Air and St. Joseph’s/Candler as title sponsors of their 37th Annual Auction Party for the Pre-K through grade 12 private school. The event, set for Saturday, April 29 at The Collins Quarter in Forsyth Park, is the school’s largest fundraiser each year. Tickets may be purchased at https://saslions.com/auction and include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Sponsors for the event include Thomas & Hutton, Dogwood Pediatric Dentistry, Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery, Synovus Bank, Delta Metals, If You Can Dream It Travel, Optim Orthopedics, Coca Cola Bottling, Chapel Hair, Dental Claim Support, The Kennickell Group, KOE Creative Media, Marchese Construction, Marsh & Co., McGriff Insurance, The Positivity Project, Savannah Veterinary Medical Center, Drs. Karen & Arthur Baker, Gary & Louann Bronstein, and Joe & Kris Powers. Visit saslions.com for more info.

(BLUFFTON, SC) April 22, 2023 Libraries For Kids, Int’l will have their annual celebrity fundraising dinner & dance. Music will be provided by the CHIGGERS, the 2020 recipient of the Readers’ Choice best local band award The Chiggers | Facebook. There will be a celebrity or local hero with his or her guest at each of the tables. $150 A ticket includes meal and more: https://www.libraries4kids.org/events

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia are inviting community members interested in health equity to consider becoming Community Health Advocates (CHAs). An online information and training session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. To learn more, please email Dr. Elsie Smalls at elsie@healthysavannah.org or call 843-323-9997.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-announces-community-health-advocate-training-on-april-13/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Coastal Pet Rescue, an organization dedicated to changing the lives of homeless, abused and neglected pets. To celebrate, they will be hosting a Blue Jeans Soiree on Sunday, April 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at La Scala. In addition to the party, local artist AJ Hetzel is painting murals of CPR’s adopted pets to decorate its adoption room at their shelter, Camp Pawsawhile Retreat. Families can sponsor a mural of their adoptee at coastalpetrescue.org/events/cpr-20. The portraits will be unveiled at an event on May 10. Tickets are available online at coastalpetrescue.org/events/cpr-20-party.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Center Parc Credit Union will be hosting a free Business Lunch and Learn Event in support of Horizons Giving day on May 10th at noon at the Flagship Branch located at 5698-A Ogeechee Road. Box lunches will be provided. Community members can learn more about Horizons and the upcoming Horizons Giving Day.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHnCIe5A7jWEEM-Wd0wolvc_W_3Pzce3OwG8v5CBb3JXaGWQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

(SAVANNAH, GA) On Friday, Nov 17, 2023, the Savannah Film Alliance Honors Gala Presented by I.A.T.S.E. Local 491 will be held at Victory North. In a night filled with Hollywood glamour and live entertainment, the Savannah Film Alliance (SFA) will honor eight outstanding local professionals from Savannah’s thriving film and television community.

https://savannahfilmalliance.org/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The official Earth Day Savannah celebration returns for the first time since 2019 on April 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Daffin Park, 1301 E. Victory Drive. The 2023 Earth Day Savannah theme is “Our Future is Bright” to educate and engage the public on the clean energy goals of the 100% Savannah Plan: https://www.savannahga.gov/2931/100-Savannah. Earth Day Savannah is hosted by the City of Savannah Office of Sustainability, with support from Pratt Industries – Recycling Division, and other local business sponsors.

https://earthdaysavannah.org/

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC) The Lowcountry Gullah Foundation announces its Annual Fundraiser on Friday, May 12 at the USCB Hilton Head Campus. Join the Foundation for an intimate evening of Gullah culture and grace through storytelling, dinner, and a silent auction. Nationally known Master Gullah Storyteller, Sista Patt will speak and share incredible stories about the culture, its foodways and music. Sponsorships for Sankofa Nights are still available, please contact gullahland@gmail.com or 843.715.3506 for more information. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sankofa-nights-tickets-520421343247?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Fresh Express no-cost fresh food distribution program is seeking volunteers for its three sites.

• 1st Friday: The intersection of Waters and 40th St.
• 3rd Friday: Curtis V. Cooper Family Health at 106 E. Broad St.
• 3rd Friday: Moses Jackson Center at 1410 Richards St.

All begin at 9:30 a.m. on the day of distribution. To sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/i7eDcdi5em. For more information: Laura Schmarkey at Laura.Schmarkey@ymcaofcoastalga.org.

(STEPUPSAVANNAH.ORG) Step Up Savannah is accepting applications for the 2023 Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP) training sessions. This is a cornerstone workforce development program targeting those who are unemployed and underemployed in Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Bryan counties with services and training aimed at helping them become stabilized in employment. The program includes hard and soft skills training coupled with wrap-around services. The next training session is May 22- June 14. Sign up online:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3lxUE38bCPfnIYyszFowmke0iP-SZ9MjrLsKv7WAPLmM58Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

(HEALTHY SAVANNAH) Are you a faith-based organization in Savannah/Chatham County interested in encouraging a culture of health among your members and the broader community?

Please join the Faith and Health Coalition at our next virtual meeting to discuss the importance of health within our community. Please email FaithAndHealth@healthysavannah.org for the meeting link. For more information, visit the Faith and Health Coalition page on the Healthy Savannah website.

https://healthysavannah.org/the-faith-and-health-coalition/