Tuesday, December 11, 2018
A remarkable array of leading environmental groups sued the federal government today to prevent seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean.
This controversial process backed by the Trump administration is used to search for oil and gas deposits deep below the ocean’s surface, and is a first step toward offshore drilling.
Seismic airgun blasting uses extremely loud and invasive sound waves which disrupt the activity and life cycles of marine life, including whales, dolphins, fish and zooplankton.
“With a vibrant commercial fishery industry and the only known calving ground for endangered North Atlantic right whales just off our coast, Georgians oppose seismic testing for offshore oil exploration and the threats it poses to our state’s wildlife, wild places, and quality of life,” said Alice Keyes, vice president at One Hundred Miles.
Keyes said all Savannah coastal delegates supported resolutions in the Georgia legislature opposing seismic testing, including State Sen. Lester Jackson, Rep. Ron Stephens, and Rep. Carl Gilliard.
Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman also opposes seismic testing.
Keyes said the North Atlantic right whale — designated as Georgia's official state marine mammal — is particularly threatened.
Already critically endangered due to net entanglements and ship strikes, the whales might be at a crucial tipping point.
"Last year there were no documented births" of right whale calves, Keyes said.
“The Trump administration is letting the oil industry launch a brutal sonic assault on North Atlantic right whales and other marine life,” said Kristen Monsell, ocean program legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
"Right whales will keep spiraling toward extinction if we don’t stop these deafening blasts and the drilling and spilling that could come next. That’s why we’re taking the administration to court.”
The lawsuit, filed in South Carolina, claims that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act when it issued Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) in late November.
Those permits authorize five companies to harm or harass marine mammals while conducting seismic airgun blasting in an area twice the size of California, stretching from Cape May, New Jersey to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Some estimates say the sound and concussion from the blasting can cover a maritime area equivalent to the distance between New York and Los Angeles.
The primary sponsor of the lawsuit is Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Groups signing onto the lawsuit include Center for Biological Diversity, National Resources Defense Council, Southern Environmental Law Center (on behalf of South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, North Carolina Coastal Federation, One Hundred Miles, Defenders of Wildlife), and Earthjustice (on behalf of Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club) .
At a press conference in downtown Charleston sponsored by the Coastal Conservation League, Congressman-Elect Joe Cunningham (D-Charleston) said "200 east coast towns, cities, and counties have passed resolutions opposing seismic airgun blasting. We the people of the Lowcountry strongly oppose offshore drilling and we strongly oppose seismic airgun blasting."
Cunningham said the first bill he will sponsor when he takes office next month will be a bill to reverse the Trump administration's backing of the policy.
"As a former ocean engineer I know how destructive offshore drilling can be," Cunningham said.
Keyes of One Hundred Miles urged concerned local citizens to contact Georgia Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, and Savannah area Congressman Buddy Carter to oppose seismic testing.
She said it's also important to call Georgia Governor-Elect Brian Kemp and "ask him to officially oppose seismic testing" in the wake of a campaign promise that he would oppose offshore drilling.
In April 2017, President Trump issued an executive order to expedite permitting for harmful seismic airgun blasting, reversing the previous administration’s decision to deny all pending permits for such activity in the Atlantic.
“The Trump administration has steamrolled over objections of scientists, governors and thousands of coastal communities and businesses to enable this dangerous activity. Now it wants to steamroll the law,” said Michael Jasny, director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Allowing seismic blasting at this scale in these waters is not consistent with the laws that protect our oceans.”
This controversial process backed by the Trump administration is used to search for oil and gas deposits deep below the ocean’s surface, and is a first step toward offshore drilling.
Seismic airgun blasting uses extremely loud and invasive sound waves which disrupt the activity and life cycles of marine life, including whales, dolphins, fish and zooplankton.
“With a vibrant commercial fishery industry and the only known calving ground for endangered North Atlantic right whales just off our coast, Georgians oppose seismic testing for offshore oil exploration and the threats it poses to our state’s wildlife, wild places, and quality of life,” said Alice Keyes, vice president at One Hundred Miles.
Keyes said all Savannah coastal delegates supported resolutions in the Georgia legislature opposing seismic testing, including State Sen. Lester Jackson, Rep. Ron Stephens, and Rep. Carl Gilliard.
Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman also opposes seismic testing.
Keyes said the North Atlantic right whale — designated as Georgia's official state marine mammal — is particularly threatened.
Already critically endangered due to net entanglements and ship strikes, the whales might be at a crucial tipping point.
"Last year there were no documented births" of right whale calves, Keyes said.
“The Trump administration is letting the oil industry launch a brutal sonic assault on North Atlantic right whales and other marine life,” said Kristen Monsell, ocean program legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
"Right whales will keep spiraling toward extinction if we don’t stop these deafening blasts and the drilling and spilling that could come next. That’s why we’re taking the administration to court.”
The lawsuit, filed in South Carolina, claims that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act when it issued Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) in late November.
Those permits authorize five companies to harm or harass marine mammals while conducting seismic airgun blasting in an area twice the size of California, stretching from Cape May, New Jersey to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Some estimates say the sound and concussion from the blasting can cover a maritime area equivalent to the distance between New York and Los Angeles.
The primary sponsor of the lawsuit is Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Groups signing onto the lawsuit include Center for Biological Diversity, National Resources Defense Council, Southern Environmental Law Center (on behalf of South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, North Carolina Coastal Federation, One Hundred Miles, Defenders of Wildlife), and Earthjustice (on behalf of Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club) .
At a press conference in downtown Charleston sponsored by the Coastal Conservation League, Congressman-Elect Joe Cunningham (D-Charleston) said "200 east coast towns, cities, and counties have passed resolutions opposing seismic airgun blasting. We the people of the Lowcountry strongly oppose offshore drilling and we strongly oppose seismic airgun blasting."
Cunningham said the first bill he will sponsor when he takes office next month will be a bill to reverse the Trump administration's backing of the policy.
"As a former ocean engineer I know how destructive offshore drilling can be," Cunningham said.
Keyes of One Hundred Miles urged concerned local citizens to contact Georgia Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, and Savannah area Congressman Buddy Carter to oppose seismic testing.
She said it's also important to call Georgia Governor-Elect Brian Kemp and "ask him to officially oppose seismic testing" in the wake of a campaign promise that he would oppose offshore drilling.
In April 2017, President Trump issued an executive order to expedite permitting for harmful seismic airgun blasting, reversing the previous administration’s decision to deny all pending permits for such activity in the Atlantic.
“The Trump administration has steamrolled over objections of scientists, governors and thousands of coastal communities and businesses to enable this dangerous activity. Now it wants to steamroll the law,” said Michael Jasny, director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “Allowing seismic blasting at this scale in these waters is not consistent with the laws that protect our oceans.”
Monday, December 10, 2018
Robin Nicholson
He is currently Executive Director of The Frick Pittsburgh, and Nicholson will assume his position in Savannah on March 1, 2019.
Nicholson’s appointment is the result of a national search, conducted by a Board of Trustees search committee created immediately following the May 2018 departure of Telfair’s former director, Lisa Grove.
Ted Kleisner, Chairman of the museum's Board of Trustees, said, “Robin distinguished himself throughout the interview process with his deep knowledge, passion, and clear vision of Telfair’s future. In many ways the Frick—with its historic property, art museum, and expansive collection—and Telfair Museums bear close similarities in terms of scale, variety of buildings, collections, and audience; his experience and skills are perfectly aligned with the needs of Telfair Museums.”
Nicholson’s connection to Telfair dates back to 2003, when he oversaw the installation of an exhibition he had curated from The Drambuie Collection at the Telfair Academy.
“I am thrilled to be coming to Savannah, a city that I love, and to Telfair Museums, three unique museums with world-class architecture, great collections, and extraordinary potential and opportunity,” Nicholson said.
Friday, December 7, 2018
This evening, Dec. 7, Bike Walk Savannah (Formerly Savannah Bicycle Campaign) hosts Battle of the Bikes 4.
They describe it as "a competition in which bicycle mechanics compete in feats of skill (and silliness) in support of the annual Holiday Bike Drive, which provides bicycles to deserving children selected by Blessings in a Bookbag."
Contestants will prove their mechanical prowess and be required to participate in fun challenges to win the battle. The Prowl food truck and a selection of beers from Service Brewing Company will be available for purchase.
The event happens Friday night, 6-9 p.m., at PERC Coffee Roasters, 802 E Broad St, Savannah
Mechanics from Perry Rubber Bike Shop, Trek Bicycle Store, New Standard Cycles and more will square off in the competition. Mahogany Bowers of Blessings in a Bookbag will serve as emcee and play-by-play commentator.
Bike Walk Savannah (formerly the Savannah Bicycle Campaign) is a non-profit membership organization working to redefine our city as a place for people — no matter their mode of transportation.
The fifth Annual Holiday Bike Drive is organized in conjunction with Blessings in a Book Bag. After volunteers recondition donated bicycles, they are given to deserving children.
Bike Walk Savannah says "the Battle of the Bikes is a fun way to recognize the volunteers and local bike shops that support the effort each year."
They describe it as "a competition in which bicycle mechanics compete in feats of skill (and silliness) in support of the annual Holiday Bike Drive, which provides bicycles to deserving children selected by Blessings in a Bookbag."
Contestants will prove their mechanical prowess and be required to participate in fun challenges to win the battle. The Prowl food truck and a selection of beers from Service Brewing Company will be available for purchase.
The event happens Friday night, 6-9 p.m., at PERC Coffee Roasters, 802 E Broad St, Savannah
Mechanics from Perry Rubber Bike Shop, Trek Bicycle Store, New Standard Cycles and more will square off in the competition. Mahogany Bowers of Blessings in a Bookbag will serve as emcee and play-by-play commentator.
Bike Walk Savannah (formerly the Savannah Bicycle Campaign) is a non-profit membership organization working to redefine our city as a place for people — no matter their mode of transportation.
The fifth Annual Holiday Bike Drive is organized in conjunction with Blessings in a Book Bag. After volunteers recondition donated bicycles, they are given to deserving children.
Bike Walk Savannah says "the Battle of the Bikes is a fun way to recognize the volunteers and local bike shops that support the effort each year."
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.Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) recently announced four new members of its Board of Trustees at the organization’s 63rd annual meeting at The DeSoto.
The new members are:
Andy Dyer: Andy is the President of K Machine Industrial Services, LLC. Dyer is also a Member of St. Andrew Society (Scottish Heritage Society) and The Savannah Golf Club. Dyer is on the Executive Committee of the Leukemia Cup Regatta in Savannah, and supports numerous organizations through K Machine Industrial Services, LLC.
Paul Hamilton: He retired 3 years ago as a Senior Vice President for PepsiCo’s beverage supply chain. He is currently serving as an independent director for a privately held company owned by Greenbriar private equity group. Additionally, he served as Chairman for Ability Beyond Disability.
Cody Tharpe: He is a licensed Professional Engineer in nine states. Tharpe’s expertise includes structural analysis and design of steel, concrete, masonry and timber structures located in high seismic and wind velocity regions and assessment, analysis, and design of modifications and repairs of historic buildings for adaptive reuse projects. His firm, Tharpe Engineering Group, is a preservation-minded structural engineering consulting firm with a particular focus on rehabilitation and retrofit strengthening of historic buildings.
Brad Whitfield: Brad is a partner at a local consulting firm, Coastal Consulting Management Group (CCMG). Whitfield has experience in taxation, business valuation, mergers & acquisitions, finance, consulting and accounting. He currently serves as contract Chief Financial Officer for several companies in Savannah and works with a family office analyzing investment and real estate opportunities.
“HSF is delighted to welcome these talented, knowledgeable individuals to our exceptional Board of Trustees,” said HSF President and CEO Daniel Carey. “These new members will become a vital part of our organization’s continued growth.”
The new members are:
Andy Dyer: Andy is the President of K Machine Industrial Services, LLC. Dyer is also a Member of St. Andrew Society (Scottish Heritage Society) and The Savannah Golf Club. Dyer is on the Executive Committee of the Leukemia Cup Regatta in Savannah, and supports numerous organizations through K Machine Industrial Services, LLC.
Paul Hamilton: He retired 3 years ago as a Senior Vice President for PepsiCo’s beverage supply chain. He is currently serving as an independent director for a privately held company owned by Greenbriar private equity group. Additionally, he served as Chairman for Ability Beyond Disability.
Cody Tharpe: He is a licensed Professional Engineer in nine states. Tharpe’s expertise includes structural analysis and design of steel, concrete, masonry and timber structures located in high seismic and wind velocity regions and assessment, analysis, and design of modifications and repairs of historic buildings for adaptive reuse projects. His firm, Tharpe Engineering Group, is a preservation-minded structural engineering consulting firm with a particular focus on rehabilitation and retrofit strengthening of historic buildings.
Brad Whitfield: Brad is a partner at a local consulting firm, Coastal Consulting Management Group (CCMG). Whitfield has experience in taxation, business valuation, mergers & acquisitions, finance, consulting and accounting. He currently serves as contract Chief Financial Officer for several companies in Savannah and works with a family office analyzing investment and real estate opportunities.
“HSF is delighted to welcome these talented, knowledgeable individuals to our exceptional Board of Trustees,” said HSF President and CEO Daniel Carey. “These new members will become a vital part of our organization’s continued growth.”
This week the City of Savannah held a news conference "to emphasize education and compliance" in regards to several new amendments to the property maintenance ordinance.
The changes reorganizing the Code Compliance Department were passed by City Council last Tuesday.
The news conference took place off of Pennsylvania Avenue, in a location the City says has been plagued with illegal yard parking and derelict vehicle violations.
“We want people, wherever they live, to feel comfortable about what and who they live by,” said Mayor Eddie DeLoach.
The Code Compliance Department has created brochures for residents that explain the sections of the property maintenance ordinance that pertain to residential parking and derelict/abandoned vehicles.
The amendment allows parking within five feet of an established driveway, at least three feet from the closest property line.
The change also allows parking in a sideyard or backyard as long as the vehicle is screened from view.
Code Compliance Officers began passing out Courtesy Warning Notices for vehicle and parking violations and will continue through the end of the year.
Beginning January 2, 2019, Code Compliance Officers will begin issuing $25 citations for illegally parked cars, boats and trailers.
“We do not want our actions to be punitive in anyway. We want people to take their hard earned dollars and improve their properties,” said District 3 Alderman John Hall.
