Thursday, December 6, 2018
In today's meeting, Savannah City Council said that new statistics compiled by the Savannah Economic Development Authority show that the City of Savannah poverty rate is down to 21 percent from 26.4 percent, which they say meets the current council's goal of reducing the poverty rate by a point each year.
Mayor Eddie DeLoach said "one in five is still in poverty and that's something we still need to work on."
Alderwoman Estella Shabazz said it is still higher than rest of the state but still a great improvement and cause for celebration.
There will be a public celebratory event later this month.
In other news, City Council formally approved adopting Savannah Cultural Arts Center as the name of the new facility at Oglethorpe Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard
.
Only 163 responses were received from a call for public suggestions, with that name as the overwhelming favorite. Most prominent name among individuals suggested was Bobi Perry. Responses included at least one suggestion for 'Googly Eyes Arts Center."
The controversial decision to decommission the Marine One fire rescue vessel came up during a discussion of the newly completed 2019 City of Savannah budget.
City Manager Rob Hernandez told Council they "were very clear" that they wanted him to totally eliminate the Marine One rescue boat from operation in budget cuts to Savannah Fire and Emergency Services.
Alderman Van Johnson asked who will respond now if there's a fire on the Savannah River. Hernandez replied that now the Georgia Ports Authority/Port of Savannah is expected to be responsible for any fire on the navigable waterway.
Mayor Eddie DeLoach said "one in five is still in poverty and that's something we still need to work on."
Alderwoman Estella Shabazz said it is still higher than rest of the state but still a great improvement and cause for celebration.
There will be a public celebratory event later this month.
In other news, City Council formally approved adopting Savannah Cultural Arts Center as the name of the new facility at Oglethorpe Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard
.
Only 163 responses were received from a call for public suggestions, with that name as the overwhelming favorite. Most prominent name among individuals suggested was Bobi Perry. Responses included at least one suggestion for 'Googly Eyes Arts Center."
The controversial decision to decommission the Marine One fire rescue vessel came up during a discussion of the newly completed 2019 City of Savannah budget.
City Manager Rob Hernandez told Council they "were very clear" that they wanted him to totally eliminate the Marine One rescue boat from operation in budget cuts to Savannah Fire and Emergency Services.
Alderman Van Johnson asked who will respond now if there's a fire on the Savannah River. Hernandez replied that now the Georgia Ports Authority/Port of Savannah is expected to be responsible for any fire on the navigable waterway.
Photo by John Alexander
Yacouba Sissoko, Laiken Love, Anders Thomsen and company bring schoolchildren onstage at the Trustees Theatre
This week, more than 10,000 local K-2 students are attending Savannah Music Festival’s (SMF) Musical Explorers concerts at Trustees Theatre.
The series, from Dec. 3-7, presents soul songstress Laiken Love (soul music), country artist Anders Thomsen (country) and Mali's Yacouba Sissoko.
Musical Explorers serves public, private and homeschooled students in urban and rural settings across Chatham, Liberty, McIntosh (GA), Jasper and Beaufort (SC) Counties. With 56 area schools now participating, 79% of students attend Title 1 schools and 85% are eligible for Free and Reduced School Meals.
“This phenomenal program strikes all the right notes, in school and beyond,” remarks SCCPSS Superintendent, Dr. Ann Levett.
"Over the past four years, SMF has introduced students and teachers to eighteen musical styles through curriculum guides, an interactive website, teacher trainings and classroom exercises that help integrate music into general classroom studies," says a Festival spokesperson.
"The year-round music education program was developed in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), and is funded and produced entirely by SMF. Musical Explorers is offered free of charge to all participants. Modeled after the WMI program that highlights the music and culture of NYC’s five boroughs, SMF’s Musical Explorers focuses specifically on the diverse musical communities of the southeastern US," the Festival says.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Cynthia Stillwell Casting announces that it will be casting background actors for the new Gloria Steinem biopic filming in Savannah from January-March 2019, with costume fittings starting very soon.
“The Glorias” Is based on Feminist author and major trail blazer Gloria Steinem’s book “My Life on the Road,” And is being directed by Julie Taymor (Frida, The Lion King, Titus) and stars Julianne Moore (Hunger Games, The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights) Alicia vikander (The Danish Girl, Tomb Raider) and Bette Midler (The Rose, Down And out in Beverly Hills, and world class icon and singer).
They need the following specific actors (FYI this is quoted directly from the company):
Native Americans
Cars from the 1970s-1990s
Biker gals and guys
70s Elite professor types
Badass feminist protesters
Reporters, editors
1960s gorgeous model types
Elderly women and men
The company says the rate is $80 for 8 hours. They ask that you email two images of yourself (one face and one full body) with the following info to:
[email protected]
Subject: GLORIAS submission
Last name, first name
Cell number
Email address
Car info (year/color/make/model)
Height and sizes
Age if under 18
Dol info if under 18
“The Glorias” Is based on Feminist author and major trail blazer Gloria Steinem’s book “My Life on the Road,” And is being directed by Julie Taymor (Frida, The Lion King, Titus) and stars Julianne Moore (Hunger Games, The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights) Alicia vikander (The Danish Girl, Tomb Raider) and Bette Midler (The Rose, Down And out in Beverly Hills, and world class icon and singer).
They need the following specific actors (FYI this is quoted directly from the company):
Native Americans
Cars from the 1970s-1990s
Biker gals and guys
70s Elite professor types
Badass feminist protesters
Reporters, editors
1960s gorgeous model types
Elderly women and men
The company says the rate is $80 for 8 hours. They ask that you email two images of yourself (one face and one full body) with the following info to:
[email protected]
Subject: GLORIAS submission
Last name, first name
Cell number
Email address
Car info (year/color/make/model)
Height and sizes
Age if under 18
Dol info if under 18
Monday, December 3, 2018
City of Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach and members of City Council will join residents for the second annual Chanukah Celebration in Ellis Square at 6:30 p.m., Monday, December 3.
The City of Savannah will join hundreds of other cities around the world in spreading the light and message of Hanukkah by lighting a 10-foot Menorah placed on the south side of Ellis Square..
Following the lighting of the Menorah, a celebration including doughnuts, latkes (traditional potato pancakes), chocolate coins, menorah kits, live music and a fire show will take place in Ellis Square.
Per the President's Executive Order on December 1, Fort Pulaski National Monument will be closed on Wednesday, December 5 to observe the national day of mourning for President George Herbert Walker Bush. The park will return to normal operating hours on Thursday, December 6, 2018.
For more information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/FortPulaski or call (912) 786-5787.
