Thursday, February 28, 2019
Celtic Ceol Feis, a reboot of the very popular downtown festival formerly known as Tara Feis, hits Emmet Park on Saturday, March 9.
Fans of Tara Feis will be pleased with the lineup for this family friendly event, which is now organized by the Savannah Waterfront Association.
Opening ceremonies with presenting of the colors and national anthems will kick things at 11 AM, including a blessing from The Most Reverend John Kevin Boland, Bishop Emeritus at the Diocese of Savannah.
Irish music and dancing from: Irish Dancers of Savannah; Harry O’Donoghue; Legacy Irish Dance Academy; and Tracie Brown on the Celtic harp.
Headlining will be New York's Padraig Allen & McLean Avenue Band, who combine traditional Irish tunes and ballads with more contemporary Irish sounds.
The former Tara Feis Festival, once run by the City of Savannah, was discontinued due to a change in City funding priorities, in a move quite unpopular with many in the local Irish community.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Traffic on Montgomery Street will begin running two ways the morning of February 28 as the City "prepares the corridor for the opening of the Savannah Cultural Arts Center," a spokesman said today.
The change is anticipated to begin at about 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28.
"Montgomery Street has operated as a northbound one-way road since 1967 when the I-16 overpass was opened. The City has converted the street to allow both north- and southbound traffic in order to support greater access to the Civic Center and Savannah Cultural Arts Center from all areas of downtown," the City says.
New traffic signals, curb cuts, striping, signage and other streetscape changes have been installed to support the conversion. Digital message boards alerting the public to the coming change have been placed along Montgomery Street.
The Savannah Cultural Arts Center is slated to open this spring.
“Converting Montgomery Street into a two-way street allows visitors to turn right on Oglethorpe Avenue and safely drop off people at the entrance to the Savannah Cultural Arts Center,” said City Traffic Engineer Steve Henry. “The conversion creates greater connectivity and access to the Civic Center and Savannah Cultural Arts Center.”
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
City of Savannah officials held a press conference this morning to go over some key changes to this year's St. Patrick's Day celebration — the official marking of which will be Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 this year.
(The parade will be on Saturday, March 16, not on the actual St. Patrick's Day since that falls on a Sunday.)
Chief among them are big changes to the Chippewa Square area, which was the scene of enormous litter piles and general bad behavior on last year's parade day.
Photos of the aftermath shocked many people on social media in the days following the parade last year.
According to the City's Susan Broker, "No Styrofoam coolers, tables, or tents will be allowed" in Chippewa Square this year.
"One of the issues we had was the amount of Styrofoam left behind," Broker said. "People buy those coolers because they're disposable and they don't have to take them home. We want people to only bring the type of coolers that they’ll use again."
Chairs will be allowed in Chippewa Square, as will be non-Styrofoam coolers.
Alderwoman Carol Bell said about the Chippewa Square issues, "City Council was very insistent about not taking it lightly. We want you to come to our property and take care of it. We want the public to be aware we’re taking this very seriously."
Another big change to Chippewa Square will be the addition of a mobile Recorder's Court on the west side of the square.
"There will be clerks of the court and a judge who will be seeing cases and addressing citations right on site," said Broker.
Generally, the focus this year will be "on litter and underage drinking, and on public intoxication," Broker said. "We want to convey to our residents and to our visitors, come here, have fun, be safe, but follow the laws."
City Director of Parking and Mobility Services Sean Brandon said all parking meters will be enforced on the Friday prior to the Saturday parade, but of course you won't have to pay for parking on Saturday.
However, Brandon stressed that all other parking violations will be enforced, including parking in bike lanes.
"We do not allow folks to park on bike lanes. If you park in a bike lane you will get a citation," he said. "The bike lane does not become a parking lane on parade day."
He also encouraged the use of parking garages in the parade area on Bryan, State, and Whitaker Streets, but reiterated that "please understand once you park there on parade day you will NOT be let out of that garage until the parade course is clear and you get the green light from police."
Chatham Area Transit will run an enhanced schedule during the celebration, all fee-free thanks to payments to CAT from the City of Savannah.
"We strongly encourage folks to use that as an option," Brandon said.
(The parade will be on Saturday, March 16, not on the actual St. Patrick's Day since that falls on a Sunday.)
Chief among them are big changes to the Chippewa Square area, which was the scene of enormous litter piles and general bad behavior on last year's parade day.
Photos of the aftermath shocked many people on social media in the days following the parade last year.
According to the City's Susan Broker, "No Styrofoam coolers, tables, or tents will be allowed" in Chippewa Square this year.
"One of the issues we had was the amount of Styrofoam left behind," Broker said. "People buy those coolers because they're disposable and they don't have to take them home. We want people to only bring the type of coolers that they’ll use again."
Chairs will be allowed in Chippewa Square, as will be non-Styrofoam coolers.
Alderwoman Carol Bell said about the Chippewa Square issues, "City Council was very insistent about not taking it lightly. We want you to come to our property and take care of it. We want the public to be aware we’re taking this very seriously."
Another big change to Chippewa Square will be the addition of a mobile Recorder's Court on the west side of the square.
"There will be clerks of the court and a judge who will be seeing cases and addressing citations right on site," said Broker.
Generally, the focus this year will be "on litter and underage drinking, and on public intoxication," Broker said. "We want to convey to our residents and to our visitors, come here, have fun, be safe, but follow the laws."
City Director of Parking and Mobility Services Sean Brandon said all parking meters will be enforced on the Friday prior to the Saturday parade, but of course you won't have to pay for parking on Saturday.
However, Brandon stressed that all other parking violations will be enforced, including parking in bike lanes.
"We do not allow folks to park on bike lanes. If you park in a bike lane you will get a citation," he said. "The bike lane does not become a parking lane on parade day."
He also encouraged the use of parking garages in the parade area on Bryan, State, and Whitaker Streets, but reiterated that "please understand once you park there on parade day you will NOT be let out of that garage until the parade course is clear and you get the green light from police."
Chatham Area Transit will run an enhanced schedule during the celebration, all fee-free thanks to payments to CAT from the City of Savannah.
"We strongly encourage folks to use that as an option," Brandon said.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Savannah Stopover Music Festival today announced a new partnership with local Savannah brewers Service Brewing Company.
Service, founded in 2014, will be the official beer of the 2019 Savannah Stopover Music Festival and also serve as one of the premier venues for the March 7-9 festival.
Scheduled acts at the venue on Indian Street include Bright Light Social Hour (3/7), Andrew Combs (3/8), Susto (3/9) and more to be announced. The brewery will have local food truck(s) on site during all Stopover concerts.
In addition to their existing lineup of beers, the brewery will develop a special limited edition festival lager available throughout the festival and will be unveiled at three Stopover Pre-shows taking place at The Jinx in February:
Martin Sexton- Friday, February 8
Liz Cooper & The Stampede- Friday, February 15
J.D. McPherson- Saturday, February 23
Kayne Lanahan, the festival’s founder and CEO said, “We’ve collaborated with Service Brewing on several concerts in the past but we’re really excited to expand our relationship to include Stopover and help show off another great made-in-Savannah brand to all of our bands and fans.”
Kevin Ryan, brewery CEO, said, ”Meredith and I met at the very first Savannah Stopover and have been patrons of the festival every since. We are looking forward to hosting this year’s lineup of musicians for the first time on our tap room stage!”
Service, founded in 2014, will be the official beer of the 2019 Savannah Stopover Music Festival and also serve as one of the premier venues for the March 7-9 festival.
Scheduled acts at the venue on Indian Street include Bright Light Social Hour (3/7), Andrew Combs (3/8), Susto (3/9) and more to be announced. The brewery will have local food truck(s) on site during all Stopover concerts.
In addition to their existing lineup of beers, the brewery will develop a special limited edition festival lager available throughout the festival and will be unveiled at three Stopover Pre-shows taking place at The Jinx in February:
Martin Sexton- Friday, February 8
Liz Cooper & The Stampede- Friday, February 15
J.D. McPherson- Saturday, February 23
Kayne Lanahan, the festival’s founder and CEO said, “We’ve collaborated with Service Brewing on several concerts in the past but we’re really excited to expand our relationship to include Stopover and help show off another great made-in-Savannah brand to all of our bands and fans.”
Kevin Ryan, brewery CEO, said, ”Meredith and I met at the very first Savannah Stopover and have been patrons of the festival every since. We are looking forward to hosting this year’s lineup of musicians for the first time on our tap room stage!”
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The Chatham County Police Department has closed down Highway 80 at the Bull River Bridge due to flooding. The roadway will be closed all the way to Tybee Island.
They say the road will be re-opened once the water recedes and the road is safe for travel. Officers estimate it will be some time after noon today before the road is re-opened.
They say the road will be re-opened once the water recedes and the road is safe for travel. Officers estimate it will be some time after noon today before the road is re-opened.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
The ceremony will be held Friday, February 22, to unveil one of four new historical markers in the White Bluff and Coffee Bluff area. It will begin at 10:15 a.m. at the Crusader Center, 81 Coffee Bluff Villa Road, and is being celebrated as part of the Savannah Black Heritage Festival- presented by Savannah State University and the City of Savannah.
The markers identify four public waterways that were used by freed slaves during the nineteenth century. They settled in the area after leaving plantations on the nearby St. Catherine’s, Sapelo and Ossabaw islands.
On Monday, February 18, at around 7:45 PM, a missing male was reported in the water on a body board with a wetsuit. Initial Fire and Police units responded to the reported location and began a land-based search with multiple units scanning the water for the reported subject with handheld thermal cameras and binoculars.
The search was suspended from the land at approximately 12:30 AM. The Coast Guard assumed the water based operations from Coast Guard Tybee, and boat and helicopter operations continued throughout the night.
As of Tuesday morning, February 19, the Coast Guard is active with multiple boats and air support operating in rough conditions. We resumed land-based beach, crossover, and accessible beach points inspections and will continue throughout the day.
Friday, February 15, 2019
For the second year, the Savannah Tree Foundation says it is partnering with all nine local municipalities within Chatham County to plant new trees for Arbor Day.
As part of their Georgia Arbor Day celebrations, the Savannah Tree Foundation is ensuring that each town continues to focus on the value of trees with plantings across the County.
Tree plantings will include:
Friday, Feb. 15 at 9:00 am Garden City Senior Center (78 Varnedoe Ave)
Friday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 pm Port Wentworth’s Houlihan Landing
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9:00 am Thunderbolt’s Nellie Johnson Park (3232 Cedar St)
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 am Tybee Island Dog Park (off Fort Ave)
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 pm Vernonburg on Dancy Ave
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 pm Founders Planting honoring STF founders Lynda Beam & Suzie Williams
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 9:00 am Chatham County’s Mother Mathilda Beasley Park
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 1:00 pm City of Savannah at Hudson Hill Park (2227 Hudson St)
In addition to these public plantings, Georgia Power donated Sawtooth Oak and Redbud seedlings for the public to adopt for planting in their own yards, the Foundation says. The seedlings will be made available at each tree planting.
Six live oaks will also be planted on White Bluff Road in honor of Lynda Beam and Suzie Williams, who in partnership with Page Hungerpiller founded the Savannah Tree Foundation in 1982.
The official Georgia Arbor Day is the third Friday of February each year. Arbor Day is a day for communities and individuals to take action to protect and plant trees for the health of our communities.
As part of their Georgia Arbor Day celebrations, the Savannah Tree Foundation is ensuring that each town continues to focus on the value of trees with plantings across the County.
Tree plantings will include:
Friday, Feb. 15 at 9:00 am Garden City Senior Center (78 Varnedoe Ave)
Friday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 pm Port Wentworth’s Houlihan Landing
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9:00 am Thunderbolt’s Nellie Johnson Park (3232 Cedar St)
Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 am Tybee Island Dog Park (off Fort Ave)
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 pm Vernonburg on Dancy Ave
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 pm Founders Planting honoring STF founders Lynda Beam & Suzie Williams
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 9:00 am Chatham County’s Mother Mathilda Beasley Park
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 1:00 pm City of Savannah at Hudson Hill Park (2227 Hudson St)
In addition to these public plantings, Georgia Power donated Sawtooth Oak and Redbud seedlings for the public to adopt for planting in their own yards, the Foundation says. The seedlings will be made available at each tree planting.
Six live oaks will also be planted on White Bluff Road in honor of Lynda Beam and Suzie Williams, who in partnership with Page Hungerpiller founded the Savannah Tree Foundation in 1982.
The official Georgia Arbor Day is the third Friday of February each year. Arbor Day is a day for communities and individuals to take action to protect and plant trees for the health of our communities.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
This morning, Savannah City Alderman Van R. Johnson announced he will run for Mayor in this year's election.
He broke the news on WRUU 107.5 FM community radio on "Savannah Lexicon," with Dave Messner sitting in for host Wayne Waters.
"I'm in it for the long run. It's my intention to run for Mayor of Savannah," said Johnson near the end of a nearly hour-long interview which ran the gamut from affordable housing to managing tourism to poverty in Savannah, and of course the controversial Fire Fee, which Johnson opposed.
"It's been one of those things where I've tried to talk myself out of it," Johnson said of his impending run, citing his spiritual effort to look for "confirmation."
"We've been talking, we've been praying, we've been going around in the community saying, what type of leadership do we want? And ultimately for us, Savannah's worth fighting for... you can't necessarily want to be part of the fight and play safe," Johnson said.
"I don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but I can be the convener. I can be the one to shine the light on the least of these, and I can help Savannah become all that I know Savannah can be."
Other announced mayoral candidates include Regina Thomas, a former Georgia House and Senate member, who announced her run last month. Incumbent Mayor Eddie DeLoach hasn't officially announced a run for reelection.
He broke the news on WRUU 107.5 FM community radio on "Savannah Lexicon," with Dave Messner sitting in for host Wayne Waters.
"I'm in it for the long run. It's my intention to run for Mayor of Savannah," said Johnson near the end of a nearly hour-long interview which ran the gamut from affordable housing to managing tourism to poverty in Savannah, and of course the controversial Fire Fee, which Johnson opposed.
"It's been one of those things where I've tried to talk myself out of it," Johnson said of his impending run, citing his spiritual effort to look for "confirmation."
"We've been talking, we've been praying, we've been going around in the community saying, what type of leadership do we want? And ultimately for us, Savannah's worth fighting for... you can't necessarily want to be part of the fight and play safe," Johnson said.
"I don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but I can be the convener. I can be the one to shine the light on the least of these, and I can help Savannah become all that I know Savannah can be."
Other announced mayoral candidates include Regina Thomas, a former Georgia House and Senate member, who announced her run last month. Incumbent Mayor Eddie DeLoach hasn't officially announced a run for reelection.
Tags: Van Johnson , Regina Thomas , Eddie DeLoach
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Daniel Krauthammer, the keynote speaker for the Savannah Book Festival, has postponed his Feb. 15 appearance at the Lucas Theatre.
In his place, Chris Stirewalt, Fox News' politics editor, will deliver the address.
“We were very sad to hear that Daniel Krauthammer would not be able to deliver our Keynote Address as scheduled,” said SBF Board President Beau Anders. “We truly appreciate Chris Stirewalt’s willingness to step in and present the Keynote Address on Friday.”
Stirewalt was scheduled to appear in Festival Saturday to talk about his book, "Every Man a King: A Short, Colorful History of American Populists."
The SBF is working with Krauthammer to schedule a replacement date.
Visit savannahbookfestival.org for more information as it becomes available.
In his place, Chris Stirewalt, Fox News' politics editor, will deliver the address.
“We were very sad to hear that Daniel Krauthammer would not be able to deliver our Keynote Address as scheduled,” said SBF Board President Beau Anders. “We truly appreciate Chris Stirewalt’s willingness to step in and present the Keynote Address on Friday.”
Stirewalt was scheduled to appear in Festival Saturday to talk about his book, "Every Man a King: A Short, Colorful History of American Populists."
The SBF is working with Krauthammer to schedule a replacement date.
Visit savannahbookfestival.org for more information as it becomes available.
