Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Returning to Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center on December 9 is the annual exhibition I Have Marks to Make: Celebrating the Power of Art to Change Lives, on view through January 11, 2019.
"For 24 years, the exhibition has brought together individuals of all ages from the Savannah community to celebrate the power of art to transform lives," the museum says in a statement.
Works in the exhibition were drawn from community partner organizations, and more than half were created as a result of Telfair’s Therapeutic Outreach program. Partners include the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision, Inc., EmployAbility, and Ruth Byck Adult Daytime Care Center.
Inspired by the Jepson Center’s Contemporary Spotlight artist Pam Longobardi, many of this year’s participants created artwork using materials collected by Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers and the Chatham County Conservation & Recycling Education Center. Sand toys, bottle caps, candy wrappers, and other miscellaneous items were transformed into colorful works of art to promote local recycling efforts and a healthy environment.
“Telfair is proud to continue this annual exhibition which demonstrates that art making is a powerful tool for personal expression and healing,” said Harry DeLorme, Telfair Museums' Senior Curator of Education.
I Have Marks to Make Public Opening
December 9, 2pm-4pm / Jepson Center
Free and open to the public
Telfair presents an opening program of poetry readings and performance followed by a 3pm reception for participants and their families.
"For 24 years, the exhibition has brought together individuals of all ages from the Savannah community to celebrate the power of art to transform lives," the museum says in a statement.
Works in the exhibition were drawn from community partner organizations, and more than half were created as a result of Telfair’s Therapeutic Outreach program. Partners include the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision, Inc., EmployAbility, and Ruth Byck Adult Daytime Care Center.
Inspired by the Jepson Center’s Contemporary Spotlight artist Pam Longobardi, many of this year’s participants created artwork using materials collected by Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers and the Chatham County Conservation & Recycling Education Center. Sand toys, bottle caps, candy wrappers, and other miscellaneous items were transformed into colorful works of art to promote local recycling efforts and a healthy environment.
“Telfair is proud to continue this annual exhibition which demonstrates that art making is a powerful tool for personal expression and healing,” said Harry DeLorme, Telfair Museums' Senior Curator of Education.
I Have Marks to Make Public Opening
December 9, 2pm-4pm / Jepson Center
Free and open to the public
Telfair presents an opening program of poetry readings and performance followed by a 3pm reception for participants and their families.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Georgia Southern University’s latest Economic Monitor, which analyzes Q2 2018 data and identifies trends affecting the regional economy, reports that Savannah's three-county metro economy shows tourism growth leading the way, while retail sales, port activity and overall employment also contributed to area growth.
“Continued strength in the labor market lifted the index while the housing market mostly moved sideways during the quarter,” stated Michael Toma, Ph.D., Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and director of the Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research (CBAER).
“Overall, expansion in the regional economy continued at an above-average pace. However, expect slowing growth through the remainder of 2018.”
During the second quarter of 2018, the Savannah metro economy expanded at a rate of 1 percent, or 3.9 percent annualized, the report says.
"Approximately half of the lift in the index was provided by the tourism sector, a notable rebound from weather-related declines of about 3 percent in the winter quarter. Retail sales increased 6 percent, and port activity maintained year-over-year growth of 6.3 percent. Electricity sales remained flat, and consumer confidence in the south Atlantic states declined 4 percent, erasing the improvement in consumer sentiment during the first quarter," the report states.
Overall, area economic growth increased slightly in the second quarter, however, there is emerging softness in regional employment growth as well as other indicators of workforce utilization, including shortening workweeks and falling hourly pay. Throughout the rest of the year, the expectation is that regional economic activity will slow but remain positive.
Highlights from the latest Economic Monitor include:
TOURISM
Tourism contributed largely to the lift in the Savannah Metro Business Index during the second quarter. Seasonal and inflation-adjusted hotel room rentals increased 8.2 percent, while airport traffic increased 11 percent.
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Total employment reported in Savannah’s metro area was 179,800, up slightly less than 1 percent as compared to year-ago data. This extends the period of slowing employment growth dating back to 2015. Early data from the third quarter suggests continued sluggishness in employment growth.
Manufacturing is at a three-year high, adding 200 workers to stand at 17,700. Construction employment remained steady at 7,500, and local government employment fell by 300 workers. The leisure and hospitality industry employs 26,000 workers.
REGIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Regional employment increased by 900 jobs during the quarter; however, the data reported for the individual sectors of the economy, when taken together, suggests a loss in employment of about the same magnitude. The total and sector-level data have been generally moving together but trends in individual sectors have become more difficult to identify in quarter-to-quarter data.
Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell nearly 5 percent from the previous quarter. The number of claims remains about 10 percent below the amount normally expected given the size of the workforce and historical layoff rates.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
Seasonally adjusted building permit issuance for single-family homes fell 4.7 percent, consistent with the nationwide quarterly softness in the housing market.
Building permits issued for single-family homes fell from 522 in the first quarter to 513 in the second quarter.
ECONOMIC INDEX/FORECASTING INDEX
The forecasting index increased 1.3 percent, or 5.3 percent, annualized, which represents a decline from the nearly 10 percent annualized growth rate of the previous quarter. The forecasting index increased on the strength of the U.S. leading index and relatively few layoffs in the regional labor market.
“Continued strength in the labor market lifted the index while the housing market mostly moved sideways during the quarter,” stated Michael Toma, Ph.D., Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and director of the Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research (CBAER).
“Overall, expansion in the regional economy continued at an above-average pace. However, expect slowing growth through the remainder of 2018.”
During the second quarter of 2018, the Savannah metro economy expanded at a rate of 1 percent, or 3.9 percent annualized, the report says.
"Approximately half of the lift in the index was provided by the tourism sector, a notable rebound from weather-related declines of about 3 percent in the winter quarter. Retail sales increased 6 percent, and port activity maintained year-over-year growth of 6.3 percent. Electricity sales remained flat, and consumer confidence in the south Atlantic states declined 4 percent, erasing the improvement in consumer sentiment during the first quarter," the report states.
Overall, area economic growth increased slightly in the second quarter, however, there is emerging softness in regional employment growth as well as other indicators of workforce utilization, including shortening workweeks and falling hourly pay. Throughout the rest of the year, the expectation is that regional economic activity will slow but remain positive.
Highlights from the latest Economic Monitor include:
TOURISM
Tourism contributed largely to the lift in the Savannah Metro Business Index during the second quarter. Seasonal and inflation-adjusted hotel room rentals increased 8.2 percent, while airport traffic increased 11 percent.
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Total employment reported in Savannah’s metro area was 179,800, up slightly less than 1 percent as compared to year-ago data. This extends the period of slowing employment growth dating back to 2015. Early data from the third quarter suggests continued sluggishness in employment growth.
Manufacturing is at a three-year high, adding 200 workers to stand at 17,700. Construction employment remained steady at 7,500, and local government employment fell by 300 workers. The leisure and hospitality industry employs 26,000 workers.
REGIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Regional employment increased by 900 jobs during the quarter; however, the data reported for the individual sectors of the economy, when taken together, suggests a loss in employment of about the same magnitude. The total and sector-level data have been generally moving together but trends in individual sectors have become more difficult to identify in quarter-to-quarter data.
Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell nearly 5 percent from the previous quarter. The number of claims remains about 10 percent below the amount normally expected given the size of the workforce and historical layoff rates.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
Seasonally adjusted building permit issuance for single-family homes fell 4.7 percent, consistent with the nationwide quarterly softness in the housing market.
Building permits issued for single-family homes fell from 522 in the first quarter to 513 in the second quarter.
ECONOMIC INDEX/FORECASTING INDEX
The forecasting index increased 1.3 percent, or 5.3 percent, annualized, which represents a decline from the nearly 10 percent annualized growth rate of the previous quarter. The forecasting index increased on the strength of the U.S. leading index and relatively few layoffs in the regional labor market.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
After ten years, Peter Shannon has decided to step down as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), the Philharmonic announced today.
Shannon will remain in his current position as Conductor through the end of this celebratory tenth season.
"I am exceedingly proud of what we have built together in Savannah,” says Shannon. “The people of this city have shown me and my family so much love and support, and have empowered me to cultivate a passionate and talented group of musicians from all over the country; bringing them together as Savannah's orchestra with a sound and character all of its own.”
Shannon continues: "Ten years is a significant milestone for an orchestra's artistic leadership, and I feel like now is the time to turn my focus to new artistic pursuits, both in the US and in Europe. This has been a difficult decision, but it is the right one for me and my family, and Savannah will always have place in our hearts.”
Samir Nikocevic, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SPO said, “The Board of Directors thanks Peter for his immense artistic contribution over the years and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We value Peter’s many contributions and recognize the tremendous impact he has had on the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.”
The search for the next SPO Conductor and Musical Director is being planned and a search committee comprised of board members, musicians and patrons will be formed.
Shannon will remain in his current position as Conductor through the end of this celebratory tenth season.
"I am exceedingly proud of what we have built together in Savannah,” says Shannon. “The people of this city have shown me and my family so much love and support, and have empowered me to cultivate a passionate and talented group of musicians from all over the country; bringing them together as Savannah's orchestra with a sound and character all of its own.”
Shannon continues: "Ten years is a significant milestone for an orchestra's artistic leadership, and I feel like now is the time to turn my focus to new artistic pursuits, both in the US and in Europe. This has been a difficult decision, but it is the right one for me and my family, and Savannah will always have place in our hearts.”
Samir Nikocevic, Chairman of the Board of Directors at SPO said, “The Board of Directors thanks Peter for his immense artistic contribution over the years and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We value Peter’s many contributions and recognize the tremendous impact he has had on the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.”
The search for the next SPO Conductor and Musical Director is being planned and a search committee comprised of board members, musicians and patrons will be formed.
The Port of Savannah moved more container cargo in October than any other month in its history, with 413,800 twenty-foot equivalent container units crossing its docks. Containerized trade at the Port of Savannah has increased by 8 percent for the fiscal year to date (July-Oct. 2018), totaling 1.53 million TEUs - up 113,000 compared to the same period last year.
"A booming economy, strong consumer confidence and an expanding customer base have resulted in record trade through the Port of Savannah," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. "I would like to congratulate Georgia Ports employees, the International Longshoremen's Association and our other partners in the logistics industry for stepping up to the plate to handle these record volumes." Lynch also congratulated the ILA and the steamship lines for successfully completing a new six-year contract that will allow similar growth to continue. Last month's performance marked the 24th consecutive month of positive year-over-year growth for the Southeastern gateway. "Our ports continue to add and grow cargo volumes, creating jobs across Georgia and the Southeast," said GPA Board Chairman Jimmy Allgood. "I would like to personally thank our many customers who rely on the GPA to connect them to the global logistics chain." Intermodal rail cargo grew by 8.7 percent for the month, compared to October 2017. For the fiscal year to date, the Port of Savannah has handled 172,416 containers by rail, an increase of 33,596, or 24 percent compared to the same period a year ago. "We are currently in the process of doubling Savannah's rail lift capacity to 1 million lifts per year to expand our market reach," Lynch said. In other news, the Port of Savannah's Ocean Terminal increased trade in breakbulk cargo in October. Growth of 25.8 percent brought the total to 126,165 tons of commodities ranging from autos and machinery, to rubber, steel and lumber. Overall containerized volumes in October grew by 4,000 TEUs, or 1 percent, compared to the same month last year, and by 13.6 percent (49,600 TEUs) compared to September 2018.Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The "Funny As Ish Comedy Tour", featuring Mike Epps, Sommore, Rickey Smiley, Tony Rock, Earthquake & DC Young Fly, will be performing in the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena on Friday, April 19th 2019 at 8:00PM.
Visit http://savannahcivic.com/events/ for more ticket information.
Red Mountain Ent. presents NEEDTOBREATHE at the the Johnny Mercer Theater on Friday March 8th at 7PM. NEEDTOBREATHE will be bringing their “Acoustic Live Tour” to Savannah for anyone who wishes to attend. With Special Guest Matt Maeson!
Visit http://savannahcivic.com/events/ for ticket information.
AEG Presents DIANA ROSS at the Johnny Mercer Theatre- SUN, JAN 13, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Ticket sales will go up on Friday the 16th at noon.
With a remarkable career spanning over 50 years, we invite you to celebrate a night with Ms. Ross, considered one of the most successful recording artists and entertainers of all time!
Visit http://savannahcivic.com/events/ for ticket information.
Howard Family Dental is proud to announce it will host the company’s 10th annual Free Day of Dentistry on Friday, November 16, 2018 at the Pooler office located at 91 Brighton Woods Drive. In spirit of the season of giving, over 100 volunteers from Howard Family Dental, Oral & Facial Surgery and Kid’s Dentistree will come together to provide each child or adult with one free service of their choice – a free cleaning, filling or extraction. The event is first come, first serve and is limited to the first 200 people.
Over the last few years, the event has grown to include many community partners. New this year, the company has partnered with the St. Joseph's/Candler Mobile Mammography to provide free mammograms. Those interested in receiving a mammogram are not required to have a primary care doctor. A representative from the Howard Hand in Hand program at St. Joseph’s/Candler will also be present to provide support and information for anyone in need of the program’s assistance. The Howard Hand in Hand program provides support, education and guidance to children and teens with a family member facing a life-threatening disease.
Returning this year, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia will provide food for individuals and families that are suffering from food insecurity, and local Walgreen’s pharmacist, Jim Brown, will be onsite to offer free flu shots and blood pressure checks. Strickland’s Funeral Home and Calvary Assembly of God will once again generously donate their parking lots for attendees, and several local restaurants plan to donate food and refreshments for the volunteers.
“We intentionally host our Free Day of Dentistry on the Friday before Thanksgiving each year,” said Dr. Julie Howard, a dentist at the Midtown location and co-founder/chair of the Howard Family Dental Charitable Foundation. “It is our way to give thanks and appreciation to our community in partnership with other like minded, local businesses who care about breaking down the barriers many people face when it comes to access to care.”
Numbers will be handed out starting at 6:30 a.m. on November 16. The event will officially kick off at 7 a.m. and wrap up around 4 p.m. Last year, Howard Family Dental Free Dental Day served over 150 people and completed an estimated $55,000 worth of services.
For more information and directions, please visit the website at www.howardfamilydental.com or call (912) 629-9000.
Noted performing arts administrator Henry Fogel to conduct search for new SPO musical director
SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA announced the enlistment of Henry Fogel, an influential performing arts administrator, to lead the search in replacing longtime Philharmonic musical director and conductor Peter Shannon. Shannon announced his decision to leave the organization at the conclusion of the tenth season in May of 2019.
Prior to his work as a consultant for orchestras and other musical organizations, Fogel served as the President of the League of American Orchestras from 2003 to 2008, and prior to that was the President of the Chicago Symphony from 1985 to 2003.
Shannon's departure from the SPO was due to his desire to focus on other endeavors.
"We have the benefit of continuity as Peter Shannon completes a wonderful tenth season and we are excited to welcome a roster of talented candidates who will conduct the concerts throughout the eleventh season beginning September 2019," Samir Nikocevic, SPO's Chairman of the Board of Directors, said in a statement.
"We are fortunate to be working with Henry Fogel whose vast experience will benefit our selection process as he leads the search for our new Music Director."
Friday, November 9, 2018
The Chatham County Board of Registrars will extend its business hours to 6 pm this evening (Friday, November 9) "in order to accommodate any voters who cast provisional ballots and need to present identification as part of the process of having their provisional ballot approved," a spokesperson says.
Any voter who cast a provisional ballot due to missing or insufficient ID issues can bring the confirming ID to the main office of the Board of Registrars (1117 Eisenhower Dr., Suite E) or call Sabrina German at the Board of Registrars at 912-790-1520 to discuss any questions or concerns before coming to the Board of Registrar’s office.
This development comes in the wake of controversies in the Georgia gubernatorial race, as Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams alleges that enough provisional and absentee ballots remain that are either outstanding or incorrectly tabulated to put her race with Brian Kemp into either recount or runoff status.
Until Thursday afternoon, Kemp served as Georgia Secretary of State, the office which oversees elections and voter data in the state.
Any voter who cast a provisional ballot due to missing or insufficient ID issues can bring the confirming ID to the main office of the Board of Registrars (1117 Eisenhower Dr., Suite E) or call Sabrina German at the Board of Registrars at 912-790-1520 to discuss any questions or concerns before coming to the Board of Registrar’s office.
This development comes in the wake of controversies in the Georgia gubernatorial race, as Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams alleges that enough provisional and absentee ballots remain that are either outstanding or incorrectly tabulated to put her race with Brian Kemp into either recount or runoff status.
Until Thursday afternoon, Kemp served as Georgia Secretary of State, the office which oversees elections and voter data in the state.
