COMMUNITY HEADLINES – SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

(SAVANNAH, GA) As summer turns to fall, COVID cases are up. So mask up in high-risk situations, like concerts, ball games, parties, and other places where you might be close to others. Wash your hands often. And be sure you’ve had a booster shot. Remember, everyone six months old and older is eligible to get it.

Learn more: https://healthysavannah.org/covid/

(WTOC) Savannah City Council voted Thursday to allot up to $500,000 for the renovation and restoration of the historic Kiah house. It was announced last month that the city had plans to partner with the Historic Savannah Foundation and the new buyer, The Galvan Foundation, to invest and return the condemned home to its original state. Less than two years ago, the house was on the brink of demolition, that is when the Historic Savannah Foundation decided to step in and purchase the home after there had been talk of potential investors but none of those came together until recently. Now, the Kiah House has not one but three investors all passionate about restoring history that was almost lost.

https://www.wtoc.com/2023/09/15/savannah-city-council-passes-motion-invest-500000-renovations-kiah-house/?fbclid=IwAR0bwjbGu63U5ZnF_r2HVz13ot4YjVOynC_7mvu1ms6kmfiGeXXcpA9_ehY

(THEGEORGEANN.COM) “More than 50 of us went to Armstrong to pick up transfer applications. But when I realized I was the only one who actually turned it in, I had a choice: either go through with it or go back to Savannah State and forget the whole thing,” said Otis Johnson, on the decision that led him to become the 1st African American graduate of Armstrong Junior College.

https://thegeorgeanne.com/42439/featured/breaking-barriers-dr-otis-johnsons-journey-from-protests-to-city-hall/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Join the Healthy Savannah team every Tuesday for a #healthywalk or head out to explore a local trail on your own. Join us for a two-mile walk at 7:30 a.m. on September 26 at the Frank Murray Community Center, 125 Wilmington Island Rd., Savannah, GA 31410.

https://healthysavannah.org/healthy-activities/

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Wondering how to attract and build trust with the people you want to serve as you develop your product and message? Have you considered documenting your journey in public? Discover how to build in public by leveraging Twitter.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia have been awarded $1,021,899 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the first year of a new five-year Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant. A total of $5,108,495 in REACH funding over the next five years is intended to help improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among Black and Hispanic populations in Savannah and Chatham County’s low-wealth neighborhoods.

https://carriagetradepr.com/healthy-savannah-and-ymca-build-on-health-equity-successes-in-savannah-area-with-5-1m-in-continued-cdc-funding/

(SAVANNAHGA.GOV) Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The economy is more volatile, the marketplace increasingly borderless, and shoppers have higher standards than ever …so how can a small business thrive in this climate (much less, survive)? Hyper-focus is the answer – focus on being very specific things to specific, ideal customers. In this course, Phillip Scroggin owner of Sol Insights, covers the fundamentals of how to identify your ideal customer so you can lead your market and grow your business the smarter, less painful way. Online access only. Registration required.

https://savannahga.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=5956&month=9&year=2023&day=21&calType=0

(CDC) Up to 70% of flu hospitalizations happen among adults 65 years and older. A flu shot is the best protection against flu’s potentially serious complications. If available, older adults should get one of three preferred flu vaccines (Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, or Fluad Quadrivalent). Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm

(COASTAL PET RESCUE) Rusty is still very shy and uncertain of the world around him, but he’s slowly warming up. With the right family and a lot of patience and time, he could be a wonderful companion for someone. He’s very sweet, has zero aggression, loves other dogs (really would do best in a home with at least one dog already), doesn’t bother the cats, is potty trained, and is doing well on his leash training and crate training.

https://coastalpetrescue.org/adopt/view/2023-d-075-rusty/

(CHATHAM CO, GA) The Chatham County Health Department is now offering the updated COVID vaccine by Pfizer for individuals aged 5 and older. The vaccine for children under age 5 is not yet in stock.You can schedule an appointment for COVID vaccination at the Chatham County Health Department online at coastalhealthdistrict.org/covidvaccine or by calling the health department at 912-356-2441.

(SOCIAL MEDIA EXAMINER) Do you know if your marketing activities are working? Is it possible you’re wasting time doing tasks that no longer matter? Join Michael Stelzner, the founder of Social Media Examiner, as he shares his perspective on the importance of analysis and a framework to help you make room for new ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Ib3E_Io1g

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s 18th Annual Buddy Walk and $33,000 car raffle drawing is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 7, in Forsyth Park, starting at 10:00 a.m. Participants will walk a mile around Forsyth Park and then kick off the Family Fun Event with the raffle drawing and announcement of raffle winner. Registration for the Buddy Walk is $15. The money raised at the Buddy Walk goes toward Camp Buddy, summer camps in Effingham and Chatham Counties to help students retain their skills over the summer break. It also goes towards new parent packets and educational opportunities for local families and advocates. Learn more here: https://ldssga.org/buddywalk/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Rotary Club of Savannah has partnered with United Way of the Coastal Empire and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System for “Read United Buddies,” a program in which volunteers visit selected second-graders twice weekly to read with the students.

https://carriagetradepr.com/rotary-club-of-savannah-and-united-way-of-the-coastal-empire-seek-volunteers-for-read-united-buddies/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Film Alliance Honors Gala announces Steven Michael Quezada, who portrayed DEA Agent Steven “Gomie” Gomez on the TV series “Breaking Bad” as the host. To purchase your ticket visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-savannah-film-alliance-honors-gala-tickets-598408123807.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Take the 2023 Community Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthySavannah2023

(SAVANNAH, GA) Are you interested in history? Savannah is endowed with a rich cultural heritage, and Historic Savannah Foundation needs volunteers to help tell its story by leading tours through the historic 1820s Davenport House Museum. Docent training classes are held twice a week, on Monday & Wednesday, September 25 and 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Volunteers who complete the training typically work two shifts per month. For more information or to enroll, contact Sheena Fulkerson at (912) 236-8097 or sfulkerson@davenporthousemuseum.org.

(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/