COMMUNITY HEADLINES – JANUARY 17, 2022

ENMARKET ARENA UPDATES COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Enmarket Arena is working hard to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff in accordance with local and national guidelines. There are a few key changes being implemented for a safer and healthier venue. Per the City of Savannah’s COVID-19 mandate, Enmarket Arena will require that all guests attending gatherings or events must show either a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid) taken within 72 hours of the event date OR proof of full vaccination. Limited testing will also be available on-site day of the event starting 1.5 hours before showtime. Pre-Register at: Lab-fast.com using site code: RAPID. For all events, regardless of capacity, the mandate also requires that all guests must wear a mask while in the facility unless actively eating or drinking.

COVID-19 TESTING RESUMES AT SAVANNAH CIVIC CENTER

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) Free COVID-19 testing by the Coastal Health District has resumed at the Savannah Civic Center. Testing operations at the location were temporarily suspended because of previously scheduled events in the arena. The Civic Center testing site is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and the first and third Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

FORSYTH FARMERS’ MARKET LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PURCHASE NEW FARM TRUCK

(WTOC) The Forsyth Farmers’ Market was busy for the first Saturday market of 2022. The market’s board also came together to announce the start of a campaign to improve their Farm Truck 912 program.

CHATHAM CO. HEALTH DEPT. SHIFTS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES ONLY

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) As of January 11, the Chatham County Health Department has shifted operations to cope with staffing shortages due to COVID-19 cases and exposures. For the time being, the Midtown Clinic at 1602 Drayton Street will be closed for routine public health services. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and PREP services will still be offered at the Midtown clinic by appointment only. The main clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive will offer essential services only. Individuals with existing appointments may be contacted to reschedule. This change does not affect Environmental Health services or Vital Records, nor does it impact operations at the Chatham County Health Department’s COVID testing sites or COVID-19 vaccination sites. Dr. Chris Rustin, the administrator of the Chatham County Health Department, said normal operations will resume as soon as staffing levels improve. For more information, visit coastalhealthdistrict.org/chatham.

SEMINAR JANUARY 18: DOES THE EARTH REALLY ORBIT THE SUN?

(SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL) Savannah Country Day School’s 2nd Annual Faculty Explorations Speaker Series continues on January 18 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. with Adam Weber’s seminar “Does the Earth Really Orbit the Sun? Thinking Scientifically vs. Believing What We See.” The weekly evening sessions provide attendees the opportunity to revisit a classroom setting and explore a topic based on the faculty host’s area of expertise. All seminars are free and open to the public. For additional information, or to register, visit savcds.org/facultyexplorations.

CHATHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AWARDED CAR SEAT MINI GRANT

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) The Chatham County Health Department was awarded the 2022 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health Injury Prevention Program. The health department will use funding from the Mini Grant to educate parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offer car seat inspections, and provide car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles. For more information about the car seat program, please call the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2441.

ENMARKET ARENA OPENING POSTPONED

(WTOC) The City of Savannah is postponing the opening of the new Enmarket Arena. According to the city, the decision was made as a result of supply-chain disruptions which have impacted the completion of the facility. Earth, Wind and Fire, originally planned for Thursday, Jan. 13, is moving to Feb. 9. Riley Green, which was originally scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14, is being rescheduled to Feb. 6. Tickets will be honored for the new dates.

FREE SMALL & MINORITY BUSINESS CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP JANUARY 19

(SAVANNAHGA.GOV) The City of Savannah wants to do business with you! Join us during our lunch time session to learn more about certifying your small or disadvantaged business. These programs from the City aim to keep LOCAL dollars LOCAL. The program helps small Savannah-based firms compete for City contracts. Businesses that meet required revenue and employee thresholds are eligible for certification as Savannah Business Enterprises (SBEs) or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). The City welcomes the opportunity to do business with Savannah small businesses and has committed to the increased utilization of small and minority businesses alike. Registration is required and can be done here: https://savannahga.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMqdOmqqj0rGtQ6utfjNQeG9rxv475378AH.

HOW TO IMPROVE FACEBOOK REACH AND ENGAGEMENT

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) In this video, the CEO and founder of Social Media Examiner, Michael Stelzner, shares how – through trial and error – we discovered tactics that really work to boost post reach and engagement.

FAITH EQUESTRIAN CENTER HEARTS FOR HEALING GALA FEB 12

(GUYTON, GA) Faith Equestrian Center presents the fifth annual Hearts for Healing Gala at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Local on Laurel in Springfield, Ga. The evening will feature a CASINO NIGHT with food stations by Simply Southern Caterers, music and dancing. This fundraiser helps Faith Equestrian to continue changing lives by providing equine-assisted therapeutic riding and educational activities to children with physical, mental and emotional barriers.

VICTORY GARDENS FREE GARDENING CLASSES

(SAVANNAH, GA) Learn about growing organic vegetables and herbs in Savannah. Classes are FREE and open to the public. Join us 9:30-10:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month (except for holidays). Now serving free coffee! Held on the historic property at Trustees’Garden at 10 East Broad Street. For more information visit https://www.savannahvictorygardens.com/classes

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RUDY NEEDS A HOME

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Rudy is an older gentleman who likes to go at his own pace. He’s not a super snuggler, and isn’t a fan of being picked up (or being dressed up in sweaters), but will lay next to you on the couch or climb on you for pets and enjoys sitting with you in a chair and watching TV. Rudy is a good boy at heart and is looking for a quiet home with no kids, big dogs, or dominating cats. He will need a little patience while he adjusts and would be a great fit for someone familiar with Chihuahuas and all of their quirks.

IDEA ACCELERATOR BOOTCAMP JANUARY 25

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Creative Coast’s annual Idea Accelerator Bootcamp is a virtual 12-week educational and mentoring program starting with a free pre-course to help attendees determine if entrepreneurship is the right path for them. The event is powered by the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), Georgia’s Technology Incubator housed at Georgia Tech. The Idea Accelerator Bootcamp is for anyone who is ready to test their business idea or anyone who wants to update an old business. To learn more about the program and sign up for the info session, visit https://thecreativecoast.org/programs/idea-accelerator-bootcamp/.

20 WAYS TO BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR FACEBOOK ADS

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) In this video, expert Allie Bloyd outlines 20 effective Facebook ad ideas to refresh your campaign at every stage of the funnel. Discover which type of ads to use to build, promote, and convert your audience across the customer journey.

SAVANNAH BUSINESS BROKERS NAMED 2021 TOP GEORGIA BUSINESS BROKERS

(SAVANNAH, GA) Brian Judson, a senior business broker at Best Business Brokers, and Dean Burnette, founder of Best Business Brokers, were honored by the Georgia Association of Business Brokers as among the 14 members of the 2021 Million Dollar Club. The club members sold more than $86 million worth of small, medium and large businesses. Judson and Burnette were also honored as life members of the Million Dollar Club for achieving more than a million dollars in sales for three consecutive years or any five years. Best Business Brokers is a business and commercial real estate company located in Savannah.

SRPI SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 24-25

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannah State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication is host to the Southern Regional Press Institute (SRPI). The two-day conference features keynote speakers, multiple concurrent workshops, contests, and a job fair. Through its workshops and speakers, SRPI provides training for elementary, middle, high school, and college students with an interest in mass media. This year’s theme is THE NEW ORDER: The World of News and Communication Post Covid and George Floyd. For more information, please contact srpi@savannahstate.edu or call (912) 358-3378.

FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

(RICHMOND HILL AND HINESVILLE, GA) The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia, offers a NEW IN-PERSON class for small business owners on February 16 in Richmond Hill and March 2 in Hinesville from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program content is designed to educate business owners on the importance of good financial data and how to use that financial data for both tactical and strategic decision making. Visit https://www.georgiasbdc.org/training/southern or call (912) 651-3200 for more information.

FREE VACCINE ACCESS IN WEST CHATHAM COUNTY

(CHATHAM COUNTY, GA) The YMCA of Coastal Georgia is partnering with the Georgia Department of Public Health to provide free vaccine access at the West Chatham YMCA in Pooler. The vaccine clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and offers the following vaccinations: Monday & Wednesday: Pfizer (age 12+), Pfizer booster (16+), Johnson & Johnson (18+), and Johnson & Johnson booster (18+); Thursday: Pfizer (age 12+), Pfizer booster (16+), Moderna (18+), and Moderna booster (18+). Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are recommended and can be scheduled online at CHDCovidVax.org.

CALENDARS FOR SALE

(SAVANNAH, GA) The members of the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, a support group to benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families, are selling 2022 calendars as a fundraising project. To purchase, please email info@ldssga.org, or text or call 912-663-8573. The cost is $15.00.

SENDING YOU A HERO

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah, in collaboration with St. Joseph’s/Candler’s African American Health Information and Resource Center, proudly presents the HERO Help Me Database. The Health Effective Resource Organizations, or HERO Help Me, is a database that refers its users to over 1,000 critical resources in Chatham County. The database is a one-stop shop for a variety of resources and services, such as healthcare providers, food assistance and nutrition, childcare, housing, physical activity, education, COVID-19 and flu information, and many more.