Connect Savannah December 30, 2015

December 30 – January 5, 2016 news, arts & Entertainment weekly connectsavannah.com

Virginia

n North Carolina

from ‘15 South Carolina N. Augusta

Proposed Palmetto Pipeline

A look back at the year that was

Savannah

Jacksonville

LEGEND: photo by jon waits

photo by geoff L. Johnson

happy

New year! from us at the lucas theatre!

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

912.525.5050 lucastheatre.com

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ON THE

31S T O F D E C E M B E R 2 015 NO ONE

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LIKE THE WING.

N Y E

W H I T E

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PA R T Y LIQUID GINGER

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WING IN THE NEW YEAR. |

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|

912-790-WING (9464)

| W W W. W I L D W I N G C A F E . C O M

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

NY DAY 2016

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Week At A h

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Glance

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compiled by Rachael Flora To have an event listed in Week at a glance email WAG@connectsavannah.com.

Include dates, time, locations with addresses, cost and a contact number.

Deadline for inclusion is 5pm Friday, to appear in next Wednesday’s edition.

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Wednesday / 30 Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight

Tybee Polar Plunge January 1

The Tybee Polar Plunge returns to Tybee Island on Thursday, January 1, 2016! The annual event draws thousands of people who take the New Year’s Day plunge into the brisk Atlantic Ocean. Also featured is “Gang of Goofs” costume contest and parade. Advance registration available online. Sponsored in part by Connect Savannah. noon Tybee Island, Tybee Island. $25 adults, $15 kids tybeeposttheater.org/event/tybee-polar-plunge/

Glistening by candlelight, the Federal-style home welcomes visitors to an experience emphasizing the end-of-year celebrations of early 19th century Savannahians, including the Davenport household, who lived in the fine brick home on Columbia Square. Light refreshments, music and skilled interpreters, who show visitors through the home, are among the highlights of the presentation. The performance requires that guests be able to walk up and down stairs and maneuver in the candlelit rooms.

Dec. 26-30, 6-8:30 p.m Davenport House, 324 East State St. $10 adults in advance, $12 at door; $6 kids advance, $8 at door

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Sankofa Center for the Arts presents this dance, which encompasses the uniting message of love and joy while sending out a plea for peace and harmony, which is needed in light of the harrowing and unspeakable violence our community, our country, and the entire world. Donations will benefit Toys for Tots.

3-5 p.m Savannah Mall, 14045 Abercorn Street. free

Skatefest

Up the Cup New Year’s Eve Celebration

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

December 31

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Raise a toast to the New Year at the Savannah Waterfront Association’s 3rd Annual “Up the Cup” countdown on River Street sponsored by Wet Willie’s. Featured events include DJ MXM who will kick off the party at 8pm, a light show, digital clock countdown and non-traditional ball drop with a six foot to-go cup followed by fireworks.

8 p.m River Street, River St. Free riverstreetsavannah.com

New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Costume Party January 1

A Gatsby Costume Party to rival those of books and films. Start the festivities off with a signature draft cocktail of your choice and enjoy delicious pan-Asian hors d’oeuvres from CO. The party will feature the sounds of DJ GQue, professional photography, fun swag for celebrating and a champagne toast.

8 p.m.-1 a.m Cocktail Co., 10 Whitaker Street. $50 912-236-6144. savannahcocktailco.com/NYE

The Civic Center is bringing back its annual family-oriented ice skating event.

Ice skating sessions last 1.5 hours and all ticket purchases include skate rental.

Single session tickets and punch passes are available for sale at the Savannah Civic Center box office, and in the arena Skateshop during the event.

Dec. 12-Jan. 2 Civic Center, 301 West Oglethorpe Ave. $7 single sessions, $35 for 6 sessions savannahcivic.com

Thursday / 31 Blast Off New Year’s

With Perpetual Care, My Maiden Name, Dog Live and more.

The Wormhole, 2307 Bull Street.

Jekyll Island New Year’s Bluegrass Festival Enjoy some of the best bluegrass acts around at this three-day festival.

Dec. 31-Jan. 2 Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 Beach View Drive North $40-$90 adamsbluegrass.com

continued from previous page

New Year’s Eve

Hula in the New Year at Bar Food. Free pig roast with all the fixins, sunny tunes from DJ OB-1 Benobi, Hawaiian themed cocktails, and a free champagne toast at midnight. Wear your best tropical attire. bar.food, 4523 Habersham St.

e New Year’s Eve Drink specials and complimentary champagne all night.

Ta Ca Restaurant, 513 E Ogethorpe Ave.

New Year’s Eve

Party all night with complimentary food and drink specials, a countdown, and karaoke.

Candlelight Lounge, 8606 White Bluff Rd.

n New Year’s Eve Live music with Eric Culberson and champagne toast at midnight.

The Warehouse, 18 East River St.

New Year’s Eve Dance Party The Jinx, 127 West Congress St.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise

Looking for a relaxing way to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Join us for our dinner cruise, perfect for those who want to avoid large crowds.

6-8 p.m Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 East River Street. $62.95 adults, $36.25 children savannahriverboat.com

New Year’s Eve Experience

Live music with the Versatile Band and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

9 p.m Rocks on the Roof, 102 West Bay St.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

With a complimentary midnight champagne toast.

The Ordinary Pub, 217 1/2 West Broughton Street.

Tybee Island will ring in the New Year with a spectacular Fireworks Celebration which can be enjoyed right on the beach from just about anywhere on the eastern side of the island, including the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion.

Tybee Island, Tybee Island.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Gala Cruise

New Year’s Eve

Join Pacci for two seatings and special r menus from chef Dusty Grove. The 5-6:30 p.m. dinner has three courses for $45, and the 7:30-10:30 p.m. dinner has five courses for $80. Reservations are recommended.

Pacci Italian Kitchen + Bar, 601 E Bay St.

New Year’s Eve

Enjoy fire pits, s’mores and half off bottles of wine from 8pm-midnight in our family friendly courtyard. Free champagne toast at midnight.

8 p.m Foxy Loxy Cafe, 1919 Bull St.

New Year’s Eve Bash

Enjoy specials all night long, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub, 117 West River St.

New Year’s Eve Bash

Free champagne toast at midnight and dinner, drink and dance specials all night.

Uncle Harry’s Gentlemen’s Club/Scores, 12 North Lathrop Ave.

New Year’s Eve Bash

Live music, champagne toast at midnight, dinner and drink specials.

Rachael’s 1190, 1190 King George Blvd.

New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Harbor Ballroom 8 p.m.-1 a.m Westin Savannah Harbor, 1 Resort Drive. $79

Celebrate in style with this four-hour cruise, including hors d’oeuvre, surf and turf buffet, choice of a bottle of house wine or champagne, party favors, live entertainment, dancing and a cash bar.

Formal cocktail attire encouraged.

8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 East River Street. $169.95 savannahriverboat.com/riverboat/ cruises/2014-new-years-eve-cruises

New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Costume Party

Join us for a Gatsby Costume Party to rival those of books and films. Start the festivities off with a signature draft cocktail of your choice and enjoy delicious pan-Asian hors d’oeuvres from CO. The party will feature the sounds of DJ GQue, professional photography, fun swag for celebrating and a champagne toast.

8 p.m.-1 a.m Cocktail Co., 10 Whitaker Street.

50 912-236-6144. savannahcocktailco.com/NYE

New Year’s Eve in City Market

Outdoor street party and you are invited to join in the fun. Live music starts at 9:00 p.m. and lasts until 1:00 a.m. Free and open to the public.

7 p.m City Market, Jefferson at WSaint Julian St. continues on p. 6

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

week at a Glance

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week at a Glance

continued from previous page

New Year’s Eve Party

This all night dueling pianos bar offers nonstop entertainment where the audience picks the tunes and can end up on stage themselves.

Savannah Smiles, 314 Williamson St.

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Up the Cup New Year’s Eve Celebration

Raise a toast to the New Year at the Savannah Waterfront Association’s 3rd Annual Up the Cup countdown on River Street sponsored by Wet Willies.

DJ MXM will kick off party at 8pm, light New Year’s Eve Party show, digital clock countdown and nonCome celebrate with the Club One Cabaret traditional ball drop with six foot to-go cup followed by fireworks. with two shows at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., a complimentary Champagne Toast 8 p.m River Street at midnight, and over $5,000 in Cash and Prizes, including 6 Annual All-Access Friday / 1 Passes during our famous balloon drop.

10:30 p.m Avian Loop First Day Hike Club One, 1 Jefferson St. Start your New Year in a healthy way with $17 online, $20 at door this two-mile hike in the park. clubone-online.com 2 p.m New Year’s Eve Party Cruise Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond The most unique party in Savannah with Cswy. a 2 1/2 hour cruise, hors d’oeuvre spread, $5 parking entertainment, party favors, midnight 912-598-2300 champagne toast and cash bar on board.

First Friday for Folk Music 21 and up only.

Monthly folk music showcase hosted 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 E River Street. by the Savannah Folk Music Society in a friendly, alcohol-free environment. $63.95 January performers: Roll On Rodney and savannahriverboat.com Jefferson Ross New Year’s Eve Roaring ‘20s Party 7:30 p.m Ticket includes draft cocktail, heavy hors First Presbyterian, 520 Washington Ave. d’oeuvre catered by CO, music by DJ $5 donation GQue, party favors, prize for best Gatsby savannahfolk.org costume, champagne toast at midnight.

Tybee Polar Plunge 8 p.m Take the New Year’s Day plunge into the Cocktail Co., 10 Whitaker Street. brisk Atlantic Ocean. Also featured is $50 “Gang of Goofs” costume contest and New Year’s Eve: The Final parade. Sponsored in part by Connect Countdown Savannah.

SEED Eco Lounge, 39 Montgomery St. noon Tybee Island.

New Year’s Eve w/ Esteban’s Hat $25 adults, $15 kids Free party hats, champagne toast and tybeeposttheater.org balloon drop.

Saturday / 2 Jukebox Bar & Grill, 3741 US Highway 17 Suite 500.

New Year’s Eve w/ The Accomplices, Pat Carroll and the Isaac Smith Band Live music with alternating sets ‘til the bitter end under the Social Club tent.

Oyster feast, champagne toast, fireworks and door prizes.

Tybee Island Social Club, 1311 Butler Ave. $15 advance, $20 day of

New Year’s Eve White Party

Live music with Liquid Ginger. All white attire encouraged. $10 cover.

Wild Wing Cafe, 27 Barnard St.

Roaring 20s New Years Eve Party

Includes tapas for two, champagne split, party favors and table for the night.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar, 52 Barnard St. $160 per couple

Color Vibe 5k

Get blasted with color in this 5k.

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, 1 International Dr.

Forsyth Farmers Market

Local and regional produce, honey, meat, dairy, pasta, baked goods and other delights. Rain or shine.

9 a.m.-1 p.m Forsyth Park Free to attend. Items for sale. forsythfarmersmarket.com

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The Harbor Ballroom $79 per person Thursday, Dec, 31, 2015 - Friday, Jan. 1, 2016

9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (last call 12:45 AM)

westinsavannah.com/new years

Celebrate midnight with fireworks on the river and champagne toast Music led by All About You DJ go to westinsavannah.com/newyears to buy tickets or call 912.201.2048 to learn about our Holiday Events!

| 1 Resort Drive | 912.201.2000

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

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The CelebraTioN

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news & Opinion Editor’s Note

Proud Sponsor of the Savannah Music Festival

Connect Savannah is published every Wednesday by Morris Multimedia, Inc 1464 East Victory Drive Savannah, GA, 31404 Phone: (912) 238-2040 Fax: (912) 238-2041 www.connectsavannah.com twitter: @ConnectSavannah Facebook.com/connectsav Administrative Chris Griffin, General Manager chris@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4378 Editorial Jim Morekis, Editor-in-Chief jim@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4360 Jessica Leigh Lebos, Community Editor jll@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4386 Anna Chandler, Arts & Entertainment Editor anna@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4356 Rachael Flora, Events Editor happenings@connectsavannah.com Contributors John Bennett, Matt Brunson, Raymond Gaddy, Geoff L. Johnson, Kayla Goggin, Orlando Montoya, Jon Waits, Your Pal Erin Advertising Information: (912) 721-4378 sales@connectsavannah.com Jay Lane, Account Executive jay@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4381 Design & Production Brandon Blatcher, Art Director artdirector@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4379 Britt Scott, Graphic Designer ads@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4380 Distribution Wayne Franklin, Distribution Manager (912) 721-4376 Howard Barrett, Jolee Edmondson, Brenda B. Meeks Classifieds DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

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2015: A pivotal year in many ways

by Jim Morekis

jim@connectsavannah.com

i’m comfortable saying that 2015 was the most pivotal year in recent Savannah history, with the city coming out of a long recession... with so many plans coming close to fruition... with so much money and reputation on the line... and with the backdrop of nearly unprecedented levels of violent crime.

feedback

Contrary to what you might think, I don’t say that because of the City election results at all.

2015 was pivotal more because of how differently Savannah addressed issues this year, rather than any actual vote count.

This was not the first City election where crime was an issue; far from it.

This was not the first City election where poverty and jobs were an issue.

It was, however, the first election where crime and poverty and jobs were often discussed all in the same breath, as part of the same spectrum of issues needing to be

addressed simultaneously.

That’s a common-sense, modern approach that, regardless of election results, is a positive development.

Even more crucially, it will be hard to go back to the old ways now that there is a new way of discussing our problems here.

Long story short, it seems that in 2015 Savannah finally figured out that we’re all in this boat together, and that each of our fortunes, in a very real sense, relies on the least fortunate among us. cs

letters@connectsavannah.com

An open letter to ‘Slow-vannah’

Dear Slow-vannah, I have read people in the past say “Slow-vannah, I love you, but you need to get your shit together.”

I’ve been a longtime reader of Connect Savannah for many unfortunate years that I’ve had the displeasure of living in this city.

After picking up the issue of Connect and seeing the apology letter from the chief editor attached to two letters from readers about that issue going into the Thanksgiving holiday, I say “Slow-vannah, pull your head out of your ass and grow up!”

Once I saw the cover I found hilarity in the depictions of the clowns leading this circus. The editor felt the need to educate those who might have thought of the cover as a jab at the ex-mayor.

Any dimwit Confederate idiot with an electronic device has the potential to Google “Freedom from Want,” Norman Rockwell, or famous Thanksgiving images.

But this is the dawn of the Man-Child, the age of AdultChildren demanding SafeSpaces, so I am not surprised.

If you missed the editor’s explanation, let me hold your hand and attempt to educate you. I feel the need to apologize: You will need to do some reading.

OK, here we go! Norman Rockwell was a famous painter in the ‘40s. He is most famous for his series the “Freedom

Paintings,” one of which, “Freedom from Want” has gained nationwide fame as one of the most iconic Thanksgiving pictures/paintings of all time.

In the painting Rockwell presents a rather large family gathered around the table ready to tear into a Thanksgiving meal provided by the Patriarch and the Matriarch of the family.

If you are ignorant of what those two terms mean, Patriarch refers to the male figure head of the family and the Matriarch, if you haven’t already guessed it, is the female figure head of the family.

So there is nothing wrong or malicious about the parody cover. There is nothing to get fake-mad about.

Now I would like to comment on the readers that sent in their letters leading up to Thanksgiving and after the holiday.

Before the holiday one reader felt that the issue white folks have with the ex-mayor is that she is a black woman.

Ex-mayor Jackson had her four years. If you Google “Mayor Edna Jackson’s achievements Savannah GA” at the top of the results is a City of Savannah website that lists Jackson’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, positions/chairs that she held/ holds, an impressive list of awards, and that she is a world traveler having presented a paper on tourism, preservation, and economic development in Shanghai, China.

That is all. WOW indeed!

Another reader stated that

they do not usually read Connect but “could not keep from crying out, shame on you, Connect!”

If you are someone who does not usually pick up this free newspaper, it is probably a good idea to continue not doing so.

The last reader stated the Connect cover parody ruined her holiday.

I would like to say to them that going into the holiday with the protesters in Paris being shut down over the climate change convention, the protesters in Chicago on Black Friday over the release of the police shooting of Laquan Mcdonald, and the Colorado bushwhacker of the first Planned Parenthood shooting, I am truly sorry that parody cover is what ruined your holiday.

Now on to Connect: Why the apology?

I stated that I am a longtime reader. Over the years you have taken on many controversial issues/big news topics, never being afraid of pointing a finger at a mountain of BS saying “THAT STINKS!” Everything from the Kinder Morgan Pipeline, America Finishing Company polluting the Ogeechee not once but twice and continuing to do so, the Savannah Harbor Deeping, the police corruption scandal starting with the ex-police chief Willie Lovett and his cronies in the narco-unit, the never-ending merger of the police force, the 70 vacant positions on the police force, the debacle that was ex-city manger Rochelle Small-Toney, this

clown Yusuf Shabazz, this past summer’s one-a-day shooting, the Charles Smith police shooting, the Matthew Ajibade murder…

I could fill this issue with stories that you have run in the past about issues that have plagued and continue to ruin this city, many of which have all gone on under the reign of the ex-mayor.

The first reader’s letter claimed crime was higher under ex-mayor John Rousakis, and no one had anything to say until a white man and his dog were gunned down.

As then, when voters turned out in droves to oust ex-mayor Rousakis, the voters did the same thing to ex-mayor Jackson.

Whatever Edna stood for in the past, she did a poor job of standing for as mayor.

If the mayor’s position of Slow-vannah is a weak mayor position, it truly showed in exmayor Edna Jackson’s term.

It would do those in this city well to pay attention to things such as that, rather than parodies images on covers of free newspaper/magazines.

Laughing it up in Slow-vannah, Castor Troy Editor’s Response: And we write about almost all the local issues you enumerate – even including “The Cover” – in our Year In Review News wrap-up.

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news & Opinion The News Cycle

Bike Ban in Forsyth: Blunt tool when precision needed

by John Bennett

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

john@bicyclecampaign.org

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“THIS CAn’t be real.”

That’s a recent reaction to a proposed ordinance, which would ban everyone 12 and older from riding bicycles in Forsyth Park.

Knowing a little about the origin of the ordinance and having talked with some of its most ardent supporters, I can confirm it is indeed real. And it’s not the first dispute about what kinds of activities should be permitted in the park.

In 1894 City Council passed an ordinance “prohibiting baseball, football and other games” in Forsyth Park. Violators were subject to a $20 fine and up to 10 days in jail.

In the early 1980s a citizen wrote to city officials urging them to restrict the areas in which “jogging,” as running was then known, was allowed.

Around that same time, the installation of basketball and tennis courts at the south end of the park caused some to voice concerns about the noise generated by bouncing basketballs and bongo drums, according to a 1980 Savannah Evening Press story. Yes, bongo drums.

Bicycles, the focus of the latest proposed prohibition, aren’t exactly new on the scene in Savannah. An 1893 New York Times article reported 2,500 spectators turned out for a bike race in our city, which “occasioned much enthusiasm for bicycling in the South.”

There is much enthusiasm for bicycling in Savannah today. We have the highest rate of bicycle commuting in the state and are No. 8 in the South. National bicycle touring companies, including industry giant VBT, are operating in our city almost year round.

Visit Savannah has used an image of people riding bikes in — you guessed it — Forsyth Park in promotional campaigns.

Other cities in Georgia and around the country are spending millions on bicycle infrastructure and programs to reap the considerable public health, public safety, environmental and economic benefits we enjoy in Savannah.

Annual bicycle counts coordinated by the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization reveal thousands of people on bikes travel the Bull Street corridor each week and many of them, seeking to

The proposed ordinance will treat every person on a bike, including the majority who are responsible and careful, as threats to public safety.

avoid speeding cars and trucks on Whitaker and Drayton streets, cautiously and courteously pedal through Forsyth Park.

The area around the edge of the park is designated as a “shared use perimeter path” in the CORE MPO Non-motorized Transportation Plan. The middle of the park, which is sometimes described as an “avenue” in historic photo captions, functions as a multiuse path and doesn’t conform to the definition of a sidewalk under state law (“’Sidewalk’ means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a railway, and the adjacent property lines…”).

Along with people on bikes, it’s used by people pushing baby carriages (Shout out to the Stroller Strong Moms!), skaters (Skateboarding is a crime under the proposed ordinance), city-owned Ford F-350 Super Duty dump trucks (They always seem to travel in pairs) and dogs at the very end of 25-foot long retractable leashes (Other cities have considered banning these in public parks).

It’s a dynamic situation, but one that is desirable. In her classic work, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” Jane Jacobs lists this diversity of uses as one of the ingredients necessary for appealing, vibrant and safe public spaces.

What can we do to encourage a mix of people in the park at different times of day, while reducing potential conflicts?

Pavement markings to designate preferred positions for different users. Design features to discourage riding too fast. An

ordinance focused on reckless cyclists.

Bike facilities elsewhere in the park or on Whitaker and Drayton streets.

All have been offered as potential solutions, but apparently have not yet been given serious consideration by City officials. Instead, the proposed ordinance will treat every person on a bike, including the majority who are responsible and careful, as threats to public safety.

And it would most definitely threaten their safety by pushing them onto Drayton and Whitaker.

Just as bikes in the park are not a recent development, neither are dangerous conditions on nearby streets. A 1921 Savannah Evening Press article reports city leaders where concerned with the “constant danger of collisions between automobiles and other vehicles on Drayton and Whitaker” near the park. The “other vehicles” would have included the horse-drawn variety along with bicycles.

One proponent of the ordinance alleged I don’t understand that “banning bikes from Forsyth may be the fastest way to force the city to create new bike lanes.”

That’s a little like urging someone to jump off the high dive by suggesting it may be the fastest way to get the pool filled with water.

Before moving forward on the proposed ordinance, the city should launch an inclusive, yet urgent effort to find better solutions. I’m not talking about a drawn-out study. We need a calm, critical and comprehensive examination of what is happening in the park.

Anecdotal reports of collisions and near misses, such as those offered by city officials and bike ban supporters can be part of the conversation, but verifiable data should drive decision making.

If a collision between a person on foot and a person on a bike is serious enough to cause injury, a police report should exist and that’s a good place to start seeking a clearer picture.

Where are conflicts occurring? What are the contributing factors? What types of injuries have been sustained? We need to know the facts.

Such an effort must not treat Forsyth Park as if it exists in a vacuum and the questions above should also be asked about surrounding streets. Crash and other data, such as average motor vehicle speeds, has to be a part of the discussion.

This type of analysis is not just helpful, it’s crucial. Our city deserves a reasonable approach that deals with irresponsible vehicle operators, whether on bikes or in cars, while preserving access and improving safety for all.

The bike ban ordinance is a blunt instrument for a job that requires precision tools.

We can and must do better for the sake of residents and visitors who use Savannah’s streets and most iconic park. cs The City of Savannah is accepting comments on the proposed bike ban through Jan. 5 online: www.savannahga.gov/index.aspx?nid=1813 John Bennett is executive director of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign.

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from ‘15

news & opinion year in review: local news

A look back at the year that was

1. That Crazy Election S#$% Show

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

In a town known for quirky elections with quirky characters, the 2015 City of Savannah election may have taken the cake.

With a cast that included gruff gadfly Murray Silver, affable train buff Louis Wilson, cartoonishly outspoken car dealer O.C. Welch, and incumbent Mayor Edna Jackson wearing a dollar bill corsage—among many other interesting people—it was all, to put it mildly, fertile ground for jokes and journalism alike.

On a less humorous note, the core election issues of crime, competence, and corruption played out with very real stakes for a Savannah just making its way out of recession and still dealing with multigenerational issues that put our continued quality of life in peril—not to mention a general sense that this City Council was simply in way over its head.

For once in a blue moon, it seemed that the bluster about change had a foot in reality. All City Council incumbents, including Jackson, faced opposition.

You might not have known it on Election Day, Nov. 3, however. The highly touted challenge by Shaundra McKeithen against Estella Shabazz failed, though not by much. Kim Dulek’s valiant effort against John Hall also fell barely short. Tony Thomas, despite facing several opponents, was easily reelected.

Mayor Jackson got the most votes against Eddie DeLoach, Murray Silver, and Louis Wilson, but ominously failed to get the 50 percent-plus-one needed to avoid a runoff with DeLoach.

That election night, those who wanted change had to cry in their beers and settle for the runoff, and for Julian Miller knocking off incumbent Mary Ellen 12 Sprague in what

kinds of unfortunate racial allegations and hard feelings.

In the end, the elections weren’t even close. The tsunami for change was simply too overwhelming, and Mayor Jackson’s incumbent coattails far too short.

Jackson lost by well over 1000 votes, as Team DeLoach diligently mined every vote they could from District 4. Incumbent Mary Osborne went down to defeat to Bill Durrence, and Brian Foster took the open Alderman at Large seat over Alicia Blakely.

And just like that, Savannah had a brand new mayor and brand new Council working majority. They and the surviving incumbents will all be sworn in early January. We’ll see how they do. – Jim Morekis

2. Murders & Mergers

would become the pivotal District 4.

(A bizarre subplot involved the hundreds, possibly thousands of voters in unincorporated Chatham County, mostly in the Islands area, who were under the mistaken impression that they were allowed to vote in the City of Savannah municipal election.)

But with December came what is surely the most historic runoff election in Savannah’s history, boasting a higher turnout than the actual general election, something almost unheard of anywhere.

As the election gods would have it, the runoff pitted three white men against three black women. Predictably, the runup included all

As of this writing, Savannah has experienced 52 murders in 2015. (There are several more homicides, bringing the total closer to 60, but several of those are considered justified, i.e. self defense.)

In simple terms: Savannah averaged a murder per week this year.

It is a total very near the height of the deadly activities of the Jivens gang in the 1990s. The difference, however, is that the Jivens gang was largely a self-contained organization. The violence 20 years later on Savannah streets seems more random, more stemming from petty beefs, more like violence just for the sake of violence.

Without question, the entire election hinged on the issue of crime. But contributing to that crime were the subsidiary issues of staffing of the police department and the disastrous disintegration of the City/County police merger.

It’s hard to discuss or understand crime in Savannah without the backstory of a police

department in disarray, and the politicians who allowed it to happen.

For reasons still not entirely clear, Metro Police were allowed to erode to about 100 officers below the recommended staffing level (which some observers say is itself too low). By some estimates, when you count up all the vacancies and vacations and training days, Metro Police are understaffed by as much as a quarter!

Reports from behind the scenes indicate that City Manager Stephanie Cutter’s office woefully mismanaged the issue of competitive police salaries, putting a package on the table that actually penalized trained, experienced officers for trying to make a long-term career in Savannah.

As for the disagreements over the decade-old City/County police merger, they’re mostly over money and control.

Long story short, the City contends that the County reneged on a funding formula by which taxpayers in the unincorporated area of Chatham County would help pay for merged police services.

The County contends that the formula needs to be changed and that the County is not receiving the quality of services they deserve, alleging that police spend far more time and resources in City limits attempting to combat the extraordinary levels of crime there.

Other issues of control were more or less solved to the County’s satisfaction, for example, CNT and Animal Control.

But the sticking point of money vs. services seemed to remain, exacerbated by what the County insists is high-handed arrogance from City officials which borders on bad-faith negotiation.

The entire story came to a head on Friday, Oct. 23, when the County Commission in a surprise vote opted to conclude the merger and take formal steps to move on with its own as-yet-to-be-formed police department.

A clearly panicked Savannah City Council held an “emergency meeting” later that day, but all they managed to do was pass a delusional motion essentially to ignore the County’s vote.

As of this writing, it is still technically possible for the merger to

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remain intact, largely due to the efforts of County Commission Chairman Al Scott to overturn his own Commission’s majority vote. But many observers say the rift has become too wide and too personal in nature to overcome. – Jim Morekis

3. Not Much Justice for Matthew Ajibade

On January 1, police responded to a call at a gas station at Abercorn and East Duffy and arrested 21-year-old Matthew Ajibade on charges of battery. He was taken to the Chatham County Jail, where he became combative with deputies, and was forced into a restraining chair. Several hours later, he was found dead.

The next day details emerged about yet another case of an unarmed black man dying at the hands of law enforcement: Nigerian-born Ajibade was a gifted artist and thinker who came to Savannah to attend SCAD and Savannah Tech. He worked several jobs, including stints at Banana Republic and Wells Fargo, and was considered affable, conscientious and universally adored by co-workers and customers.

He also suffered from a well-documented case of bipolar disorder. Reports indicate that his girlfriend informed the arresting officer of Ajibade’s condition and gave the officers a prescription bottle labeled as Divalproex. She begged them to take him to the hospital, saying that he was in the midst of a bipolar episode and needed medical attention.

Instead, they took him to jail, where he broke a deputy’s nose and gave another a concussion before he died. Chatham County coroner William Wessinger ruled the death a homicide.

Matthew Ajibade was only 21 when he died in the custody of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department allegedly at the hands of deputies.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in, but it wasn’t until five months later, in May, that nine sheriff’s deputies were fired over the incident that led to Ajibade’s death. On June 24, District Attorney Meg Heap’s office released indictments: Former deputies Maxine Evans and Jason Kenny and contract health care worker Gregory Brown were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Kenny

also faced a charge of aggravated assault and cruelty to an inmate, and Evans and Brown were accused of public record fraud for falsifying the restraint chair log.

But it would take many more months for Ajibade’s family to find out exactly what happened to their son and brother. Attorney Mark O’Mara, the CNN legal correspondent who famously defended George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon

Bose Authorized Dealer.

Martin, represented the Ajibade family throughout the year, pressing for the autopsy release and questioning the glacial pace of the investigation.

“You don’t die from bipolar disorder in a restraining chair,” O’Mara told Connect. “(T)his family deserves to know what in God’s name happened to their son.”

During the trial in October, a video taken on the night of Ajibade’s death quickly went viral. In the harrowing clip, Kenny is seen using a Taser repeatedly on Ajibade’s testicles as the young man screams “I’m going to die!” O’Mara expressed outrage that the first time the family learned of the video’s existence was

by Twitter.

“It is nothing less than torture,” he said.

“It’s sadism.”

In spite of the shocking video and international response, the jury Kenny and Evans found not guilty of manslaughter, though Kenny was convicted of assault and cruelty. He was sentenced to one month in jail—to be served on weekends—and three year probation. Evans was found guilty of public records fraud and perjury; she received six years of probation and will not serve jail time. Brown was acquitted of the manslaughter charge and received a threeyear suspended sentence for lying to investigators, punishable by a $1,000 fine.

“I knew that that same system that failed Matthew would not be the system that got him justice,” Ajibade’s cousin Chris Oladapo told NBC News after the verdicts.

“We expected nothing, and we got nothing.”

O’Mara is pursuing a civil case on behalf of the family against Kenny and Evans as well as the Chatham County Sheriff ‘s Department. – Jessica Leigh Lebos continues on p. 14

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4. Pushback Against Palmetto Pipeline

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

When energy giant Kinder Morgan announced plans this spring to build a 360-mile pipeline across four of Georgia’s major rivers, environmental groups and unwilling landowners went into action.

The billion dollar project proposes to connect the already-existing Plantation Pipeline in Belton, SC and pump up to 7 million gallons of gasoline, oil and ethanol a day by slicing across the Satilla, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah watersheds to a distribution hub in Jacksonville, FL. The construction would disrupt fragile ecosystems and wildlife, and risks include leaks, explosions and potential pollution to the drinking water supply.

Also at stake are property rights: Kinder Morgan must commandeer hundreds of acres of private property to create a 50-foot easement along the dig zone, and its attorneys had planned to use eminent domain to snap up the land. Though it hadn’t received a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Dept. of Transportation, the company was already sending out surveyors—two of whom were arrested on the private property of Savannah Morning News owner William Morris.

KM hosted several “informational meetings” about the Palmetto Pipeline, but the DOT hosted only one official hearing.

In May, a group of landowners, Riverkeepers, Center for a Sustainable Coast, One Hundred miles and other organizations united to form Push Back the Pipeline.

The coalition submitted commentary to the DOT in opposition of bestowing Kinder Morgan with the necessary certificate to seize private property under eminent domain, citing the company’s “deficient record on safety and malfeasance” and the logic that corporate profit does not fall under the public good.

Gov. Nathan Deal followed up with strong words against the project, and the DOT denied the certificate at the end of May. Kinder Morgan immediately appealed the decision, an action immediately met by multiple motions to intervene.

The DOT denied the certificate again in November, and KM’s appeal is currently under review in Atlanta.

KM also owns Elba Island, the liquid natural gas station that is slated for expansion a few miles from downtown Savannah. The LNG plant will transform from an import site to an export site, using 10 liquefaction units with the capacity to 14 ship out 4 million tons of liquefied natural

Capital that owns the now-departed Gnats, wanted a new stadium by either renovating or demolishing Grayson.

While the historic quality is part of its draw, Grayson is pretty outdated. Freier wanted the city to ditch Grayson in favor of a venue that could host concerts as well as baseball, but the city balked.

In the wake of the Gnats’ farewell, a college summer league has signed a two-year contract to play in Grayson Stadium. But whether Savannah will get a new minor league baseball team in the future is still up for discussion, and it won’t come without a hard look at Grayson Stadium.

Grayson Stadium has a rich history in Savannah—it was begun in 1927 and much of its current structure dates from the early 1940s—so it’s kind of an obvious choice for historic tourism that the city saved Grayson and sacrificed the Gnats.

“We’ve made a lot of relationships there. We did not want to be the people who pick up and leave,” Freier told the Savannah Morning News at the time. – Rachael Flora

6. Shabazz ‘n’ Run

gas a year. The project may see up to 30,000 trucks a month crossing over to the island during construction, and will continue transport liquid nitrogen, ethylene and other hazardous materials when completed.

In the meantime, Kinder Morgan has been trying to sweeten its public image by donating to charities in cities along the proposed pipeline route, around $200,000 since June.

However, the transport goliath may have to start pinching pennies soon; its stock fell 30 percent in a week this month, cutting investor dividends by 75 percent. – Jessica Leigh Lebos

Top: Bernie Sanders in Savannah (photo Jon Waits). Bottom right: Proposed Palmetto Pipeline route. Bottom left: Gnate the Gnat.

5. Gnats’ Goodbye Savannah’s favorite lazy summer evening tradition has moved.

The Sand Gnats, Savannah’s minor league baseball team since 1984, announced in May their move to Columbia, South Carolina, a short 150-mile drive away.

Under rainy skies, the Sand Gnats ended their season, and an 18-game winning streak, by tying with Kannapolis.

The team, now the Columbia Fireflies, will play at the newly-built Spirit Communications Park starting this season.

James Freier, owner of Hardball

Chatham County Commissioner Yusuf Shabazz again raised questions as to his fitness for office this past summer, when he was charged with a hit-and-run of a City traffic worker.

Shabazz allegedly not only disregarded the traffic worker’s sign during a road project, he dinged the worker with his vehicle as he drove past.

Incredibly, he supposedly returned to the scene and taunted, “Tell the police I’m Commissioner Shabazz.”

No problem, Mr. Shabazz, the police were told! The Commissioner’s trial begins in February.

He has pled not guilty to all charges.

It’s not the first run-in with the law, sort of, for Shabazz. In summer 2014, after the police shooting of Charles “Mista Dee” Smith, Shabazz urged Westside residents to boycott the store in which Smith was arrested.

The store’s “crime,” Shabazz says?

Cooperating with police! – Jim Morekis

7. Gay wedded bliss

On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold the fundamental right of same-sex couples to marry, overriding the last 13 states in the country that legally forbade it—including Georgia.

LGBT citizens and their supporters rejoiced to know they were now afforded the same legal protection, tax status and parental rights as opposite-sex married

couples.

The swing vote in the 5-4 came from Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote that the Constitution guarantees same-sex couple “equal dignity in the eyes of the law” through the Fourteenth Amendments’ Due Process Clause, which “prohibits state and local government officials from depriving persons of life, liberty, or property without legislative authorization,” and the Equal Protection Clause, which was the basis for desegregation in the public education system.

Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the decision’s most vocal opponents, called Kennedy’s poetic introduction “the mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie.”

In Savannah, Christie and Kindra Baer were the first couple to benefit from the ruling, making their union official at the Chatham County courthouse a few hours after the Friday morning ruling, reported WJCL. But not everyone waved their rainbow flags high. Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis became a conservative icon for her refusal to comply with the federal edict, earning her an audience with Pope Francis.

And while the Georgia legislature tabled SB 129—the “religious liberty” bill that essentially allows business owners to discriminate against anyone that offends their values—back in February, a new version of the Georgia Religious Restoration Act is expected to rear its ugly head when the Assembly reconvenes this January. – Jessica Leigh Lebos

8. Cultural Controversy

After years of planning, the Cultural Arts Center finally broke ground with just days left in 2015. But there’s not a rousing cheer in the background about it.

The painfully slow process started around 2007, when the city formed the plan for a new arena on MLK and Oglethorpe, right across from the current Civic Center, and voters opted for their SPLOST funds to go towards infrastructure.

Just last year, city officials were promising a 500-seat theater and a 125-seat performance space with removable seats, along with other upgraded amenities. But the project quickly went way over budget, and the committee ditched the larger theater.

Many argued that those changes negatively affected the design and indeed the entire purpose of the facility, but the city disagreed.

Additionally, the production cost has nearly doubled. In 2006, the project was quoted at $13.4 million. In 2013, it went up to $20.4 million and could rise to $25.5 million before completion.

Still, despite structural and financial concerns — to mention election-year rhetoric— the project forged ahead.

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The Grey garnered enormous national kudos despite being in business a relatively short time (photo by Geoff L. Johnson).

Newly elected Mayor Eddie DeLoach echoes many observers in saying Savannah deserves a “world-class” Cultural Arts Center, and that the project probably deserves yet another look to make sure the design fits our needs and reflects well on a community which, after all, prides itself on its cultural offerings.

We’ll see which twists the story of the Cultural Arts Center offers us in the new year. – Rachael Flora

9. The Grey Is Golden

When The Grey opened late last year, everyone knew it would be a big deal, but nobody knew how much.

In 2015, The Grey was a semifinalist for the highest honor in culinary awards: the James Beard Award as Best New Restaurant.

The Grey was also a Beard nominee for for best restaurant design or renovation in a restaurant 76 seats and over.

The renovation has truly been a focal point of The Grey from the beginning.

Owner John O. Morisano and the Parts and Labor design firm restored the old Greyhound bus station to its former glory, keeping the 1938 blue and white facade.

Chef Mashama Bailey, formerly of renowned restaurant Prune in New York, has created a menu that’s Southern soul

food influenced by Europe and West Africa.

The only other restaurant in Savannah to receive a James Beard award is Elizabeth on 37th, which won in 1995 for best American chef in the Southeast.

The Grey has also been profiled by the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Eater. But with all this national attention, Morisano still has goals to attain.

“We want to be the spot for Savannahians; we want to be that neighborhood spot,” he said at the time. “We want people to say, ‘Should we cook or should we go to The Grey?’ on a weeknight. And if we become one of those spots in five years, I’ll call it success.” – Rachael Flora

10. SAV #FeelstheBern

You’d have thought Savannah was hosting the Rolling Stones the way the lines snaked around the Civic Center on Nov. 22. With his unfashionable glasses and untidy fringe of white hair, Bernie Sanders may be an unlikely rock star, but for many, he’s exactly the Presidential type.

The Democratic (well, maybe) candidate was originally booked to speak at the 500-person Savannah Station on that sunny Sunday afternoon, but after the RSVPs started rolling in, organizers changed the venue to the larger Johnny

Mercer Theater.

The stop was scheduled after more stumping for the February primary in South Carolina, where opponent Hillary Clinton leads in polls 2-to-1. Sanders ended the tour at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

Over 2,600 cheering supporters showed up to hear the senator from Vermont speak about his support for single-payer health care, criminal justice reform and a higher education system funded by Wall Street.

For a solid hour and a half, Sanders also railed against an economy rigged to disempower the middle class and any continued resistance about the reality of climate change.

The only presidential candidate from either party without a super PAC, Sanders’ campaign has been largely funded with small contributions—spokesperson Symone Sanders reported the average is $30. The campaign broke records last week when it reached 2.3 million individual donations.

Earlier this month, Sanders’ campaign was dealt a blow when the Democratic National Committee denied it access to voter data after a campaign employee illegally viewed information from Clinton’s campaign. Sanders immediately launched a lawsuit to regain access, and access was

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restored on Dec. 22.

But what has been criticized by some as the DNC’s effort to thwart the underdog may have inadvertently fueled his fire: After the kerfuffle, Bernie’s coffers racked up a million dollars in a single day. — Jessica Leigh Lebos

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

11. Jolene Byrne vs.

The Morning News

16

One of the more bizarre chapters in local journalism happened as the Savannah Morning News started an aggressive vendetta against first-term Savannah/ Chatham School Board President Jolene Byrne—over the unlikely issue of whether or not school buses should be safe!

The controversy began with the Board considering terminating the school bus contract of First Student, a multinational monolith which after nine years still couldn’t seem to get anything right with local bus routes and maintenance.

An internal audit—which Byrne says Superintendent Thomas Lockamy’s office possibly deliberately kept from the School Board—seemed to show an alarmingly high number of First Student-maintained buses not only not roadworthy, but downright too dangerous to transport children.

Seventy-five percent of the buses, to be precise!

The sentiment and the votes were already there to terminate First Student, and indeed the vote was unanimous.

The catch was in their eventual bid-winning replacement, Reliant Transportation.

The Morning News stubbornly alleged that Byrne had an unethical relationship with Reliant lobbyist Mike Vaquer.

Day after day, story after story, editorial after editorial, cartoon after cartoon, the daily paper vilified Byrne not only as corrupt, but seemed to clearly insinuate in a sexist manner that she is too airheaded and ditzy to know what she’s doing.

(The fact that the daily’s education reporter is also a woman didn’t seem to matter too much in this regard.)

The attacks became so predictable that Byrne began issuing daily Facebook updates on what the Morning News had asked her that day for the next day’s planned hit piece.

At one point, the daily said Byrne illegally accepted Vaquer’s gift of tickets to the Rolling Stones in Atlanta.

Right after being contacted for comment by the Morning News about the tickets, Byrne posted an image of the cancelled check she used to pay full price for them.

In the end, the daily paper trumpeted the supposed “burying of the hatchet” between Byrne and Lockamy... a hatchet first swung by the paper itself. – Jim Morekis

The loss of Robyn Reeder, shown here for a Connect cover shoot in a photo by Geoff L. Johnson, was an immense blow to the community.

12. The Mother Of All Lawsuits

Ordinarily, civil lawsuits wouldn’t merit much of a mention. But when a civil lawsuit at least on the surface appears to tie together some of the most long-rumored, deeply disturbing allegations going to the heart of Savannah’s most serious issue, we pay attention.

Brought by attorney William Claiborne —who coincidentally or not is also the Chairman of the Chatham County Democratic Party—the suit has four plaintiffs, all former local cops.

The long list of defendants includes

some of the biggest names in recent Savannah history: Former City Manager Michael Brown, former Chatham County Commission Chairman Pete Liakakis, former Chatham County Manager Russ Abolt, current Assistant Police Chief Julie Tolbert, and former Police Chief Willie Lovett, now imprisoned.

The suit alleges that the above officials knew about and turned a blind eye to deep and profound corruption at the upper ranks of the police department.

Allegations of police corruption aren’t new here; that’s why Lovett is in prison already.

What’s different about his suit is the

content of the charges, namely that said corruption specifically involved in allowing drug dealers to operate unimpeded.

The glut of drugs at the street-level, of course, has in part led to the extraordinary amount of shootings and murders in Savannah.

Detractors instantly noted that Claiborne’s suit mostly targets former officeholders, and conspicuously doesn’t name any of the Democrats actually running local government today.

But the possibility that these longrumored allegations could get their day in court means more key information could finally see some sunshine. – Jim Morekis

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13. #Fix80Now The road to Tybee Island may lead to paradise, but the journey is undeniably treacherous.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reported that crash rates on U.S. Highway 80 between the Bull River and Lazaretto Creek bridges are 50 percent higher than the state average for other two-lane roads.

Countless people have been injured in accidents on this cross-marsh stretch, and seven have died since 2009, including beloved local Susan Allen Bartoletti on October 8.

The dangers aren’t limited to those on the road: During busy summer months, even a fender bender can snarl traffic for hours at a time, cutting off the island from first responders and preventing those in need of medical attention from getting to the mainland.

Citizens have been begging for solutions better signage and lower speed limits since the 1990s, but funding significant infrastructure improvements must come from the state and federal levels.

After a 1999 study that examined possible solutions, GDOT dismissed a $125 million plan that would have widened Highway 80 to four lanes.

That’s just as well: Further studies show that widening Highway 80 to four lanes could encourage speeding and increase fatalities; it might also have negative environmental impacts and on certain days, bring more visitors to the island than it can handle.

Transportation advocates like the Savannah Bicycle Coalition now favor a two-lane design with wider shoulders and a raised profile to safely accommodate bicycle and pedestrians. This echoes the findings of the 2012 MPC U.S. 80 Bridges Replacement Study, which also includes recommendations for more visible turning lanes at McQueens Trail and Fort Pulaski.

That project would cost an estimated $65 million; the MPC is currently seeking matching funding from the state and feds.

Let’s hope we figure it out sooner than later: Judging from the footage of a submerged Highway 80 during a recent king tide, it won’t be long until it’s all underwater anyway. – Jessica Leigh Lebos

14. “The Cover”

Don’t worry; we won’t print it again. But suffice it to say that our misguided parody of a famous Norman Rockwell painting violated the Prime Directive of Media: Don’t. Become. The. Story!

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It began innocently enough, as a Thanksgiving Week cover homage to Rockwell’s iconic, oft-paroded painting, “Freedom from Want,” a week before the runoff election.

The deeply unfortunate catch, however, was the depiction of Mayor Edna Jackson serving the turkey, complete with apron.

In the highly charged local environment of a high-stakes election which already had a clear racial subtext, the cover image was like pouring gasoline on a fire, with literally the worst possible timing.

Within hours of the cover image posting to Facebook, hundreds of outraged comments from readers black and white accused us of orchestrated racism.

By that night, the Georgia NAACP had issued a statement condemning it.

Despite the sudden characterization of our little liberal rag as a cabal of hooded Klansmen, the truth, as usual, was much more pedestrian: We fell victim to Groupthink, and honestly thought the cover was clever and humorous.

The fact that we were so incredibly clueless isn’t that much better, though. We issued as timely an apology as possible and collectively vow to be more empathetic, inclusive, and intentionally aware of cultural and racial sensitivity in the future.

– Jim Morekis

15. Robyn Reeder: RIP Broughton Street shines a little less after the passing of Robyn Reeder. The inspiration behind Primary Art Supply and Civvies succumbed to her long fight with cancer in October.

Robyn also played in beloved local bands Hot Pink Interior and Silver Machine and was undoubtedly the coolest girl in town. She was best known for helping turn Broughton from a sketchy ghost town to a hub of art and fashion.

“With her passing and the announcement of the further Ben Carterization of downtown, it felt like Robyn had taken the Savannah she made with her,” wrote my colleague Anna Chandler.

Anna wrote a beautiful remembrance about Robyn for Connect, and Robyn’s husband Igor Fiksman wrote a blog post detailing their life together.

I moved to Savannah in 2011 and never got the chance to know Robyn, but I feel like I did. I’m so thankful to her for creating the Savannah that I fell in love with on a college tour, and I appreciate how much work she put into everything she did. – Rachael Flora

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news & Opinion straight dope

What would the earth look like if humans disappeared?

If humans were to die out tomorrow, how long would it take for nature to take over and overgrow most traces of our existence? After like 10,000 years, would you have to undertake an archaeological dig to find evidence of us, or would parts of major cities still be standing and distinguishable? —Jim Huff WHY NOT take it a step further: what if humans never existed at all? As the Republican primary race drags on, I can’t say it’s not an alluring proposition, and—helpfully—one that was broached this year by researchers at Denmark’s Aarhus University. They came to the fairly obvious conclusion that, sans Homo sapiens, the rest of the world’s fauna would be a hell of a lot better off—so much so that most continents would resemble Africa in the diversity of their mammal populations. In a human-free world, the authors imagine, not only wolves and bears but elephants and rhinos would right now be roaming northern Europe.

Alas, we have to work with the facts we’ve got, namely: (1) we exist on earth, and (2) someday we might not—whether

by disease or nuclear winter, or because we’ve ditched this rock for one that’s not yet totally hosed. For the sake of your question, though, let’s imagine we simply vanished—a kind of nondenominational rapture.

As it happens, such a scenario was entertained by the journalist Alan Weisman in his 2007 book The World Without Us. Weisman’s conceit was apparently seductive enough that it inspired not one but two documentary franchises: the History Channel series Life After People and National Geographic Channel’s Aftermath: Population Zero. Granted, that latter title carries a real whiff of basic-cable cheese, but Weisman’s no slouch. Working from interviews with botanists, structural engineers, art conservators, et al., he credibly predicts what might happen in cities and less-populated areas, as well as at sites whose abandonment would lead to notably dramatic results—think oil refineries and nuclear reactors.

A particularly vivid passage gives the play-by-play in New York City. How quickly would urban infrastructure go to shit in a rapture scenario? Very, very quickly. “After we’re gone, nature’s revenge for our smug, mechanized superiority arrives waterborne,” Weisman writes. In New York’s case it comes from below: with no one to operate the pumps that keep water out of the subway tunnels, the system finds itself inundated in “no more than a couple of days.” (Superstorm Sandy gave us a taste of what this might look like.) As the water rises toward ground level, it eats away at the soil; within 20 years the streets collapse, becoming rivers. Pipes burst, gas lines ignite—your standard post-apocalyptic hellscape. Within 50 years, their foundations scoured out by water, skyscrapers start to falter and crumble. It’s another

few centuries before trees really recolonize the place. (Interestingly, the animals that don’t make it are ones that adapted too well to human dominance, including several species fabled for their supposed indestructibility: cockroaches, which can’t handle northern winters without heating, and rats, which can’t replace the caloric value of a zillion tons of garbage.)

But you’re thinking on a bigger scale than this, Jim. Here are the headlines: • Debris in high earth orbit stays there for more than a century.

• Suspension bridges collapse within 300 years; other, heftier designs might hold up for a millennium.

• In cities like New York, the most durable structures will be stone walls, like those of St. Paul’s Church; Weisman sees them lasting “thousands of years.”

• Meanwhile, the estimated erosion rate at Mount Rushmore is just one inch per 10,000 years. From this, Weisman extrapolates that we can expect parts of it to remain recognizable for about 7.2 million years.

In 10,000 years, then, a visitor surveying the earth’s surface will find it largely reforested, with stone ruins here and there indicating the former presence of human life.

How long till those are gone too? Here’s where Weisman and another scientist who’s written on the subject—astrophysicist Mayank Vahia, of India’s Tata Institute of Fundamental Research—demur. Vahia suggests that stone and metal building materials will hang on “for tens of thousands of years,” while Weisman figures whatever’s still standing in 20,000 or so years will be erased by another ice age.

What’s left then? PVC plastics and glass remain under the ice, ground to a powder. Wiring and plumbing, which show up as subterranean metal deposits. Heavy

metals and nuclear materials like uranium and plutonium residues, whose half-lives only begin at 24,000 years. You’ve heard of the Anthropocene, I presume—the name geologists have proposed giving to our current geological epoch, so profoundly affected by humans. Epochs are demarcated by identifiable shifts in the earth’s strata; the aforementioned is all the stuff alien archaeologists will find as evidence of us, millions of years in the future, just as today’s geologists find evidence of past glaciation. Of course, the likelihood of a coming ice age looks even dimmer now than it did back when Weisman wrote his book: we’re not doing such a hot job keeping the atmosphere cool. But that’s an existential problem for another day. cs By cecil adams Send questions to Cecil via straightdope.com

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news & Opinion blotter

Man murdered Christmas Day at 40th & Reynolds

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police detectives are investigating a Friday night shooting near Reynolds and East 40th street that claimed the life of Randy Hooks, 53.

“Just before 8 p.m. Metro responded to a ShotSpotter alert. Once on-scene, Metro officers found Hooks deceased in a pick-up truck,” police say.

“Preliminary investigation also showed that the pick-up truck collided with two vehicles and a tree before stopping on East 40th and East Broad streets. An adult female occupant of one of the wrecked vehicles reported minor injuries at the scene, but refused medical treatment.”

Carjacking at Habersham and Bay

“At approximately 8:36 p.m. Sunday night, Savannah- Chatham Metropolitan Police officers responded to a report of a carjacking in the area of Bay Street and Habersham Street,” police say.

“Two victims were getting into their Honda Accord. Two armed black males

approached the victims. After robbing the victims, the suspects took the car and fled on Bay Street towards Price Street.”

A lookout for the vehicle was placed and officers located the vehicle in the area of Sunrise Villas Apartments, at the dead end of Fulmer Street. SCMPD Patrol Officers and K-9 Units formed a perimeter.

“After a foot pursuit, a person of interest has been detained and evidence was recovered. SCMPD continue to search the area for a second subject, a young black male, wearing dark clothing, last seen near 38th Street and Hibiscus Street. The subject should be considered armed and dangerous,” police say.

Investigation ordered into death of man at Skidaway State Park

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department’s Violent Crimes detectives “have initiated a death investigation after a body was found inside of a tent at a Skidaway Island State Park camp site on Tuesday,” police say.

“At about 4:10 p.m. Metro officers discovered the body of Craig Flaherty, 39 of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime Lab will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death,” police say.

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pending an extradition hearing.

“On Oct. 22, at about 8:17 a.m. Metro responded to reports of an open door at the Lynah Street residence. While checking the property officers found Marshall, Kitchens and Martin deceased, with gunshot wounds inside of the house. Investigators believe the shootings stemmed from an ongoing tenant’s dispute between Marshall and Butler,” police say.

Three charged in 2013 Foley murder

Diamond Butler

Three charged in Oct. triple murder

Savannah-Chatham Police have charged three suspects in an October homicide that claimed the lives of Kiana Marshall, 21, Alexis Kitchens, 19, and Isaiah Martin, 18, in a residence on Lynah Street.

On Monday and Tuesday, James Angelo Hampton, 22, and Dwayne Leonard Abney, 18, were served warrants at the Chatham County Detention Center, where they were serving time on unrelated charges.

Diamond Butler, 18, was arrested in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The FBI’s Southeast Georgia Violent Crime Task Force coordinated the arrest with Michigan authorities. Butler was located at a family member’s residence, where warrants were served. She was arrested without incident, and will be returned to Chatham County

Savannah-Chatham Police detectives served warrants to Kevin Lenard Smith, 23, Roderick Demione Parrish, 22, and Jordan Lamar Campbell, 23, “each charged in a 2013 shooting that claimed the life of Rebecca Foley, 21, at an apartment complex on the 11000 block of White Bluff Road,” police say.

A Chatham County Grand Jury indicted Smith, Parrish and Campbell.

“Smith, Parrish and Campbell were incarcerated on unrelated charges when warrants were served,” police say.

On Jan. 21, at about 7 p.m. Foley was fatally shot in her car near her apartment at Colonial Village at Marsh Cove. cs Give anonymous crime tips to Crimestoppers at 912/234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using keyword CSTOP2020.

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2015 Sav/Chatham County Homicide Total through Sunday Dec. 27: (24 solved)

19

news & Opinion News of the weird One-man Arsenal

According to the flabbergasted sheriff of rural Chesterfield County, South Carolina, “This has completely changed our definition of (what constitutes) an ‘ass-load’ of guns.” Brent Nicholson, 51, had been storing more than 7,000 firearms (most of them likely stolen) in his home and a storage building on his property. Every room of the house was stacked with weapons, and it took four tractor-trailer trips to haul everything away, with help of 100 lawenforcement officers. Nicholson also had 500 chainsaws, at least 250 taxidermied deer, elk, and alligator heads, and more.

No motive was obvious to deputies. (Nicholson would still be living in the shadows today if he hadn’t run that stop sign on Oct. 21 with bogus license plates on his truck.)

Police Report

• The Human Fanny Pack: Brandon Wilson, 26, was arrested in November in Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- his second bust of 2015 in which a substantial number of crack cocaine “baggies” were found in his rectum. Fifty-one were recovered this time (counting the ones with marijuana), down from the 109 discovered in his February arrest. Police in November also found $1,700 cash on him (but just in his pocket).

Leading Economic Indicators

• Following the release of Apple’s yearly financials in October (and based on sales of its iPhone 6), the company announced that, apart from other assets, it was sitting on $206 billion in cash -- about like owning the entire gross domestic product of Venezuela, but all in cash. Another way of expressing it: Using only its cash, Apple could buy every single NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL team, plus the 20 most valuable international soccer teams -- and still have plenty left. Or, as the BGR.com blog also pointed out, it could instead simply give every man, woman and child in America $646 (coincidentally, about what a new iPhone 6 sells for).

• Even if Armageddon doesn’t happen, the CEO of the massive online retailer Overstock.com believes there is a “10 to 20 percent” chance of a world financial meltdown in the next few years, and he is arranging to be back in business in the aftermath. Patrick Byrnes told the New

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

GET

20

#FREESTUFF

York Post in November he has stashed away enough food in a well-fortified facility in Utah’s Granite Mountain to serve his 2,000 employees for “30 to 60 days,” along with several thousand other emergency preparations and $10 million in gold. But, he insisted, he’s not a gun-toting “prepper”; the plan is only about tiding employees over until the Internet and banking systems are back up and running.

Updates

• Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky, 31, has devoted his career to getting on the government’s nerves and succeeded once again in November. (News of the Weird last mentioned him in 2013 when he nailed his scrotum to the floor in Moscow’s Red Square to protest police oppression.) In his latest event, he set fire to the front door of the headquarters of Russia’s security service (the FSB, forThe Continuing Crisis merly KGB) and has been • In November in Harare, detained -- though from Zimbabwe, Mison Sere, 42, his cell, he demanded his was judged winner of the charge of “vandalism” be 4th annual “Mister Ugly” changed to “terrorism.”

Let’s try to contest after showcasing his A member of the Russian avoid a murder seemingly random dental band Pussy Riot called a week in 2016 arrangement (some teeth the door fire “the most there, some not) and “wide important work of conrange of grotesque facial temporary art of recent expressions,” according to years.” Pavlensky once an Associated Press dissewed his lips together patch. However, many in the protesting arrests of crowd thought their favorite Pussy Riot. was even uglier and threat• Following prosperous ened to riot. “I am naturally news reported here (from ugly,” said a jealous (former New York, the Czech winner) William Masvinu; Republic and Massachu“He (Sere) is ugly only when setts), the Church of the he opens his mouth.”

Flying Spaghetti Mon• Cool Moms? (1) Jennifer Terry, 44, ster of New Zealand announced on Dec. was charged with driving her daughter and 10 that the country’s official records now several other minors around Riverdale, recognize the Church as a legal sanctioner Utah, in August to facilitate their tossing of marriages. The Church must now nomieggs at 10 to 20 homes. Some damage was nate an “official marriage celebrant” (who reported, but so far, Terry is the only one will be known as “His Noodly Honour”). charged. (2) Mandy Wells, 32, told police Least Competent Criminals that she thought “for a minute” that it • Matthew Riggins had told his girlwas a bad idea, “but did it anyway” -- she friend earlier that he and a pal were planinvited 10 kids (aged 12 to 14) to her home for a party and served beer and marijuana. ning to burglarize some homes around Barefoot Bay in Brevard County, Florida, Wells, of Springtown, Texas, said her and was apparently on that mission on daughter, 14, smokes marijuana because Nov. 23 when an alert resident called 911, the girl suffers from depression. and the men scrambled. The accomplice Wait, What? was caught several days later, but Riggins Kuala Lumpur International Airport himself did not survive the night -- having took out ads in two Malaysian daily newstaken refuge in nearby woods and drownpapers in December to find the owners of ing trying to outswim an apparently hunthree Boeing 747-200Fs parked there for gry 11-foot alligator. months (one for at least a year) and threat• According to police, Ryan Liskow, 36, ening to auction them off in 14 days if not badly violating the crime-novel “rule” claimed. Two are white, and one is “offabout not returning to the scene of the white” (if the reader is checking his inven- crime, is now awaiting trial for robbing tory). The planes’ last listed owner said it the Sterling State Bank in Rochester, Minsold them in 2008. nesota, on Dec. 14 --and 15. An on-scene

THIS WEEK

reporter for KIMT-TV was on the air on the 15th describing the first robbery, unaware that Liskow was inside robbing it again, and as Liskow emerged on foot with a bank employee in pursuit, reporter Adam Sallet helped point out Liskow, who was soon arrested.

Names in the News

Arrested for burglary, in Porthcawl, Wales, November: Christopher Badman.

Charged in two shootings in Medina County, Texas, November: Shane Outlaw. Arrested for allegedly having sex with a child, in Springfield, Massachusetts, December: Mr. Long Dinh Duong.

Arrested for trespassing at a Budweiser brewery in St. Louis, Missouri, December: Mr. Bud Weisser, 19. Credited with rescuing two women from a man who was terrifying strangers on the street in Toronto on Nov. 22: the local professional clown Doo Doo (Shane Faberman). (Bonus: Doo Doo was in costume when he made the rescue.) (Also in the news was a “Vietnamese man” supposedly named Phuc Dat Bich, who had trouble getting Facebook to register his name. Despite having several mainstream-media outlets gullibly cover his complaint in mid-November, he admitted a week later that the name is bogus.)

Badman:

A News of the Weird Classic (January 2011)

Parents of the 450 pupils (aged 3-11) at Applecroft primary school in Welwyn Garden City, England, were given individualized yearbooks recently (2010) with all the children’s faces obscured by black bars over the eyes (except for photos of the recipient’s own children, which had no obstructions). The precautions (described by one parent as “creepy,” like kids were “prisoners”) were ordered by headmistress Vicky Parsley, who feared that clear photos of children would inevitably wind up in child pornography. The year before, Parsley had prohibited parents from taking photographs during school plays -- of their kids or any others -- for the same fear.

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music interview

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Savannah native brings Beethoven, Smetana, and more to St. Paul’s and Non-Fiction Gallery by anna Chandler

anna@connectsavannah.com

Since falling in love with violin at the age of four, native Savannahian Adrianne Munden-Dixon has been making a name for herself in the classical music world. A graduate of Savannah Arts Academy and SUNY Purchase, Munden-Dixon is currently finishing up her Masters at Carnegie Mellon University. Since she left Savannah for college, the young talent has created a tradition of bringing her group, Anderson Hill Trio, home for the holidays.

Alongside cellist Molly Aronson and pianist Naseer Ashraf, the animated and driven violinist is committed to bringing classical music out of the concert hall and into new audiences with the trio.

We chatted with Munden-Dixon about her growth as an artist, recently joining of the Savannah Philharmonic, and the transformative power of music.

So are you back in Savannah for a while, or is this still a homecoming gig?

Right now, I’m finishing up my Masters in Performance at Carnegie Mellon up in Pittsburgh—I graduate in May, so I’m looking to start a concert series here in Savannah similar to what I’ve been doing with my trio, starting with three concerts

a year and building from there in a combination of spaces, kind of what we’re doing now, but playing churches, galleries, bars, even—not quite so formal all of the time, and mixing it up.

You played First Presbyterian and Non-Fiction Gallery last year; what’s it like playing in such different spaces?

I really love it! When a lot of older music was written, it wasn’t meant to just be performed in concert halls or churches. It was performed in cafes, or places where people were drinking, homes, salons, more intimate, smaller spaces. I really love that: you’re closer to the audience. It feels authentic in some way. I just want people to be enjoying themselves, so it’s not such a formal thing.

You’re from Savannah originally.

Born and raised! I’m at my parents’ house right now, practicing. I grew up in Ardsley Park, and the whole time I lived here. It’s nice to be back.

I’ve been playing with the Savannah Philharmonic since September, and I’ll be doing more concerts with them in February and March. That’s been a real treat! I grew up going to see the Savannah Symphony, so it’s really surreal to be with that group now.

What’s your background like?

I started playing at four with Kerri Sellman, a violin teacher who was with the Savannah Symphony. I stayed with her, played in the youth orchestra.

I went to [Savannah] Arts Academy for high school, and being in orchestra with my peers every day is really what helped me decide that this is what I want to do.

I credit my time at SAA with helping me make that decision. Also, I played in Starlight Jazz Band on violin, and that was very formative in my enjoying music and growing.

What sparked your interest in violin to begin with?

It’s a funny story! I always watched Mr. Rogers growing up, and I was four years old watching an episode that had a father and son playing violin together. I don’t know what it was, but I became captivated watching that episode and ran into my mom’s room at 8 a.m., shaking her awake saying, ‘I need a violin right now!’

It took a couple weeks of me badgering them to rent a violin, then they contacted the symphony and found a teacher for me.

My parents aren’t musicians, but they’ve always been supportive of my music.

What’s it been like playing with the

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NIGHT! Anderson Hill Trio strives to bring classical music out of the concert hall and into the community at large.

continued from previous page

Philarharmonic as an adult, having grown up observing them?

The first rehearsal, I didn’t tell my teachers who are here that I was playing in the Philharmonic, and my teacher from high school was playing viola and he turned and was like, ‘What are you doing here?’

And my orchestra director was playing trombone and came over talked to me. It was really cool to get to play alongside people I looked up to as a kid. Very excited to continue playing with them. I was actually offered a position for all concerts beginning in September 2016!

Oh wow, congratulations! So would you be moving back down here?

I’ve been thinking about a lot—I have options here with that, and at this point, the Philharmonic isn’t full-time. So I talked to one of the managers about the possibility of me living elsewhere—either Atlanta or New York, where I have a lot of connections—and working with them, and he said that would be fine.

I’m leaning towards New York, because I had a lot of connections because I did my undergrad at SUNY Purchase, and the trio lives up there in New York. Still, we’ll see what happens by April or May! How did trio come together initially?

We all went to SUNY Purchase together— the name comes from road where SUNY Purchase is located, Anderson Hill Road.

The entrance is across street from PepsiCo headquarters; if you look on a Pepsi bottle, it says Anderson Hill Road!

We were all friends at Purchase, and me and Molly, the cellist, played a student composer recital one quarter together, and that was our first time playing together in small group. We really liked each other’s playing and worked well together.

And this time, we’re back with our original pianist Naseer Ashraf, who went to Purchase for his Masters. We’re really excited to be back with him. Due to scheduling conflicts, we played with several other pianists, and so we’re excited he’s here and can join us again because we have a really special connection together.

How did you select the program for these upcoming concerts?

It was partially artistic and partially practical—I’m living in Pittsburgh, they’re in New York in their own careers. I had to pick a program that was all music we were really passionate about but could pull together without months and months of rehearsal.

It’s still a challenge for us; it’s a huge piece, about 30 minutes long, and it’s very

demanding for each player individually putting it together. There’s all this rhythmic stuff that’s very difficult to line up together. That’s what we’re focusing on in our rehearsals.

I love that I’m playing [Beethoven’s Violin Sonata] No. 10, which is one of my favorite violin sonatas.

I understand you’re interested outreach and bringing classical music into the community.

At this point, I’ve been working on contacting a lot of people throughout Georgia, especially correctional facilities, because I feel very passionately about that in particular. I have a family member who was in a correctional facility, and I hadn’t seen him for several years…I played some Bach, and he thought it was a great reminder…it made him feel more human again.

When I spoke with people, I explained the effect classical music has—even for veterans with PTSD, it touches them in a way that reminds them of their own humanity and what parts of them look like that are discouraged in a lot of ways.

That’s a really big goal of mine. If I’m able to start a concert series, half will be community work: playing for convicts, potentially starting music lessons in orphanages or for kids who can’t afford them.

You’re known for your modern takes on classical music. How do you get kids interested in classical music?

I haven’t worked as much with middle and high school students, but I think those ages are really critical. I’ve taught privately a bunch from age four to kids who are 12 or 13, and it’s mostly just making it relatable to them and making it fun. In terms of audiences, I think it’s really important to make it relatable and not so stuffy.

The thing about classical music I’m hoping and working to change is that it’s for everybody: it’s not just for rich white people. It’s for anyone, for all humans, and that’s what’s been meaningful to me; the music I choose, I feel like it’s still relevant.

It’s still about the experience.

So I think my goal in my concert series is to bring it out of the concert hall and into the community and making it a living thing and talking to the audiences and engaging them, breaking down this wall between audience and performer. That’s a real mission of mine. CS

Anderson Hill Trio

When: Saturday, January 2 @ 7:30 p.m.

Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church When: Sunday, January 3 @ 7 p.m.

Where: Non-Fiction Gallery

3o1west jones st. www.crystalbeerparlor.com 912.349.1000

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

interview

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music #NYE2015

#NYE2015:

Passafire.

The Guide

From Broughton St. to Butler Ave., early-evening dining to late-night dancing, ring in 2016 your way Lullwater.

by Anna Chandler

Passafire and Lullwater @Barrelhouse South

anna@connectsavannah.com

New Year’s Eve @Tybee Island Social Club

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

A Sweet Rendezvous NYE Celebration Dinner and a Show @Ampersand

24

g Tired of dewy plastic cups and Fireball shots? Longing for some sultry elegance to welcome 2016? Make plans to join the Savannah Sweet Tease Burlesque Revue and Ambrose for an unforgettable evening in black tie.

Tucked away on the third floor of Ampersand (conveniently just off the main drag—grab an Uber, pop in the MLK Blvd. side, and dodge all the mayhem of Congress Street), this Sweet Rendezvous provides a welcome escape from the hubbub.

Even the most devout Sweet Tease fans haven’t seen anything like this: in a brandnew show format, Teases will improvise to classic jazz music performed live by Ambrose (it’s been awhile since we’ve seen Ambrose out and about; if you’ve seen how frontman Steven Baumgardner can croon, you know you’re in for a treat). The first of two performances will kick off early at 7:30 p.m., with the night owl set happening at 10:30 p.m.

Savor a three-course prefix dinner, served at 9 p.m., a complimentary drink from the bar, a champagne toast at midnight, and a confetti cannon money drop (yes, you read that right). Plus, Ampersand has a full bar on the third floor, so everything you need is on one level, though your ticket grants you access to the whole venue.

7 p.m., Early bird couple’s ticket $130, early bird single $70, general admission couple $140, general admission singles $75 via brownpapertickets.com.

g Revel in New Year’s Eve traditions and see a great concert over at Barrelhouse g Head to Tybee Island for great eats and South. all-night live music from Savannah’s top Reggae/prog faves Passafire will welplayers. The Accomplices, Patrick Carroll, come their hometown into 2016 with an and Isaac Smith Band will alternate sets on unforgettable live show. The blistering, two stages while you slurp down oysters, blues-tinged Lullwater opens the evening. socialize, and raise a glass for a champagne There’s also a champagne toast, balloon toast. Plus, you can catch a great view of drop, and more festivities in store.

Tybee’s fireworks and win door prizes!

Upgrade to a VIP ticket and get a wrist7 p.m., $15 advance, $20 at door band that makes all your drinks free for the night. Free! Plus, VIP folks are allowed guaranteed re-entry, unlike a general admission ticket. Whether you’re springing for the deluxe $75 experience or $20 general admission, It’s highly recommended to purchase in advance.

New Year’s Eve Party @Candlelight Lounge

g Touting itself as the Southside’s New Year’s Eve party headquarters, Candlelight Lounge will offer karaoke, free finger foods, drink specials all night long, and a big countdown to midnight.

Free

Doors at 8 p.m., VIP $75, general admission $20 via etix.com

New Year’s Eve Gatsby Costume Party @Savannah Cocktail Co.

g Don your finest ‘20s frock and sneak away to Savannah’s new favorite craft cocktail bar, Savannah Cocktail Co. VIP New Year’s Eve Experience (upstairs of Pan-Asian restaurant CO at 10 @Rocks on the Roof Whitaker St.). g Take in the incredible view down on the Enjoy a signature draft cocktail of your river while being treated like royalty. choosing, hors d’oeuvres from CO, and By securing a VIP table reservation, you’ll a midnight champagne toast. DJ GQue enjoy signature appetizers, sparkling provides the tunes; attendees will receive wines, award-winning cocktails, a compli- party favors, and there’s even complimenmentary champagne toast, and live music tary photography. provided by The Versatile Band.

No roaring ‘20s getup of your own? Not 9 p.m., reservations via 912.721.3808 to worry—there will accessories and props on-hand so you can look your Gatsby best.

Thursday, December 31, 8 p.m., $50, tickets via savannahcocktailco.com

Foxy New Year’s Eve @Foxy Loxy Café g Dodge the hustle and bustle for a cozy, family-friendly night at Foxy. Warm up around the fire pit, roast some s’mores while sharing stories and New Year’s resolutions, and enjoy half off bottles of wine from 8 p.m. to midnight and a free champagne toast at midnight.

If you’re not a drinker, the café’s usual Perc blends, cocoas, and more make for a tantalizing toast to 2016.

8 p.m., free

2016 NYE: The Final Countdown @SEED Eco Lounge

g Ready to dance the night away? Head to SEED; DJ Cesar’s spinning, there’s a champagne toast, VIP booths available!

New Year’s Eve Rock & Roll Blow Out @Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos Saloon

g Get caught up in the excitement of Savannah’s beloved dueling pianos while receiving party favors and enjoying champagne splits. Pay an extra $10 and get VIP guaranteed seating until 8:30 p.m. with a minimum of four people.

Doors at 7 p.m.

#nye2015

continued from previous page Up the Cup.

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New Year’s Celebration @The Westin Savannah Harbor -

g Slip away across the Talmadge Bridge for an upscale evening of glitz, dancing, and sophistication.

The Westin offers two experiences this year: one at the Aqua Star Seafood Kitchen, and another at the Harbor Ballroom.

Kick things off at 7 p.m. at Aqua Star Seafood Kitchen. Secure a reservation through opentable.com exclusively, and enjoy a five-course meal featuring the finest fare from land and sea. The Tradewinds band will set the soundtrack to your evening; dancing is highly encouraged. Tickets are $106 for adults and $30 for children.

Over in the Harbor Ballroom, it’s an upscale evening with a full open bar,

The Night at Aqua Star Seafood Kitchen: 7 p.m., $106 adults, $30 children The Celebration in the Harbor Ballroom: 9 p.m., $79 via events.admitoneproducts.com

2016 NYE White Party @Wild Wing Café, City Market g Getting caught in City Market’s festive throng of partygoers is a Savannah New Year’s tradition; head down to Wild Wing Café and enter a winter wonderland.

Liquid Ginger takes the stage with some new tunes and classic covers as champagne flows from not one but two fountains (and there’s a midnight toast, too).

If you’d prefer watch the game, Wild Wing will have all the day’s matches on their many, many televisions.

There’s still time to find the perfect allwhite getup—though perhaps it should be a gin or white wine night, no?

Thursday, December 31, $10, $100 advance VIP seating available (includes entry for four people and two bottles of champagne) Champagne Toast

Fireworks

DJ

Live music

Formal Attire

Family Friendly

See even more NYE listings in Soundboard!

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WED. 12/30

Jubal Kane THURS. 12/31 Happy New Year’s Eve! Champagne toast @midnight & live Music w/ Eric Culberson!

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Dirty Dan’s Clan SAT. 1/2

High Velocity SUN. 1/3

Thomas Claxton

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DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

g Perhaps the most Savannah you can get on New Year’s Eve, the masses will be packed into River Street for the Savannah Waterfront Assocation’s 3rd Annual Up the Cup Countdown.

With a lightshow and digital countdown clock, Stacy and TC from Y100’s Morning Mess will lead the crowd in a countdown— see, instead of a ball dropping like the yankees do up in New York City, we’ve got a monstrous six-foot-tall to-go up rising triumphantly, beckoning like sweet, frosty freedom as we pour ourselves into 2016.

DJ MXM will be pumping the jams to get thousands of attendees dancing in the street.

SAME LOCATION! SAME CROWD! COME GET LOUD!

LIVE MUSIC

Up The Cup @River Street

dessert bar, party favors, and music from a live DJ. Best of all? You’ll get the hottest view of the River Street fireworks, and a champagne toast. Tickets will be on sale at the front desk or registration desk after 7 p.m., but you can buy in advance, too.

25

Soundboard Music

Soundboard is a free service - to be included, please send your live music information weekly to soundboard@connectsavannah.com. Deadline is noon monday, to appear in Wednesday’s edition. We reserve the right to edit or cut listings due to space limitations.

Wednesday / 30

Barrelhouse South VuDu Shakedown Bay Street Blues Hitman Bayou Cafe Thomas Claxton Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Thea, piano/vocals Boomy’s Eric Culberson Band coffee deli Acoustic Jam Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub Harry O’Donoghue One-Eyed Lizzy’s Rachael Shaner Rachael’s 1190 Jeremy Riddle Rocks on the Roof Adam Thompson Treehouse Wobble Wednesday Vic’s on The River Jimmy Frushon The Warehouse Jubal Kane Wild Wing Cafe Jeff Beasley The Wormhole Open Mic Z2 Live Music

Trivia & Games

39 MONTOMERY ST • DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH

PARTY LIKE IT’S 2016!

DEC. 31ST 8PM L I V E M U S I C F E AT U R I N G

PA S S A F I R E W / L U L LW A T E R

The Chromatic Dragon Geeky Trivia Night The Jinx Rock n Roll Bingo Rachael’s 1190 Team Trivia Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill Trivia World of Beer Trivia

Karaoke

Ampersand Karaoke Hercules Bar & Grill Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Mediterranean Tavern Karaoke hosted by K-Rawk Wet Willie’s Karaoke

Comedy

Mutuals Club Phatt Katz Comedy Thang

DJ

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

Little Lucky’s DJ Mixx Masta Matao SEED Eco Lounge DJ Cesar

26

DOORS @8PM 21+

GENERAL ADMISSION: $20

LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE. Get yours today at Etix.com.

VIP: $75 Includes a wristband that makes ALL YOUR DRINKS FREE for the ENTIRE NIGHT! Also included only with this ticket, is re-entry option to come and go as you please.

CHAMPAGNE TOAST, BALLOON DROP, & NEW YEAR’S EVE FESTIVITIES!

125 W. CONGRESS ST • BARRELHOUSESAV

Other

The Sandbar Open Mic

Thursday / 31

Ampersand A Sweet Rendezvous with The Savannah Sweet Tease & Ambrose Barrelhouse South Lullwater, Passafire Bay Street Blues Hitman Bayou Cafe Eric Culberson Band Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Nancy Witt Congress Street Social Club New Year’s Eve w/ DJ Werd Life Fannie’s on the Beach Christy Alan Band Jazz’d Tapas Bar Trae Gurley Jukebox Bar & Grill New Year’s Eve w/ Esteban’s Hat Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub Harry O’Donoghue

Peck & Penn @the wormhole

Elliott Peck and Jesse Bardwell comprise the Americana-roots duo Peck & Penn. While their duo focuses on old-time country, roots, and folk originals with a few classic covers thrown in, Peck also sings with Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Friends and plays piano in her own band, Midnight North. Britt Scott opens.

Saturday, January 2, 11 p.m., free

Nickie’s 1971 After Hours Band The Foundery Coffee Pub Open Mic Tybee Island Social Club New Year’s Eve w/ The Accomplices, Pat Carroll and the Isaac Smith Band Vic’s on The River Jimmy Frushon Wild Wing Cafe (Pooler) Acoustic Thursday World of Beer New Year’s Eve w/ In For a Penny Z2 Jimmy Taylor Experience

Trivia & Games

The Britannia British Pub Trivia Mediterranean Tavern Butt Naked Trivia with Kowboi Melody’s Coastal Cafe and Sandbar Cantina Trivia Pour Larry’s Explicit Trivia Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint Trivia

Karaoke

Applebee’s Karaoke Doodles Karaoke Thursday & Saturdays Flashback Karaoke Hang Fire PBR Street Gang Karaoke Jukebox Bar & Grill Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Mediterranean Tavern Karaoke Rachael’s 1190 Karaoke Rusty Rudders Tap House Karaoke World of Beer Karaoke

DJ

Congress Street Social Club DJ Blackout The Jinx Live DJ Little Lucky’s DJ Mixx Masta Matao

Mediterranean Tavern DJ Kirby Rogue Water DJ C-Rock Rusty Rudders Tap House DJ Tap SEED Eco Lounge DJ Cesar

Bar & Club Events

The Britannia British Pub New Year’s Eve Candlelight Lounge New Year’s Eve Club One Drag Show Flashback @Sundown Jazz’d Tapas Bar Roaring 20s New Years Eve Party The Jinx New Year’s Eve Dance Party Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub New Year’s Eve Bash Rachael’s 1190 New Year’s Eve Bash Savannah Smiles New Year’s Eve Party SEED Eco Lounge New Year’s Eve: The Final Countdown Uncle Harry’s Gentlemen’s Club/ Scores New Year’s Eve Bash The Warehouse New Year’s Eve Wild Wing Cafe New Year’s Eve White Party The Wormhole Blast Off New Year’s with Perpetual Care, My Maiden Name, Dig Love

Other

Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill Open Mic

Friday / 1

A-J’s Dockside Joey Manning Bayou Cafe Thomas Claxton, Georgia Fire Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Nancy Witt Casimir’s Lounge American continues on p. 28

27

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

soundboard

continued from previous page

Hologram The Jinx Wet Socks, The Nude Party, Grimsel Mansion on Forsyth Park Tradewinds Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant Jody Espina Trio Ruth’s Chris Steak House David Duckworth & Kim Polote The Warehouse Dirty Dan’s Clan Z2 Jimmy Taylor Experience

Trivia & Games

Coach’s Corner Movies & Music Trivia

Karaoke

Bay Street Blues Karaoke The Islander Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Rachael’s 1190 Karaoke Sunny’s Lounge Karaoke Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill Karaoke/DJ

DJ

Club 309 West DJ Zay Doubles Nightclub DJ Sam Diamond Hang Fire DJ Sole Control Hercules Bar & Grill DJ Little Lucky’s DJ Sweet Treat Melissa Rusty Rudders Tap House DJ Tap SEED Eco Lounge DJ C-Rok Treehouse DJ Phive Star

Bar & Club Events

Abe’s on Lincoln DJ Doc Ock Club One Drag Show

Saturday / 2

17 Hundred 90 Restaurant Gail Thurmond A-J’s Dockside Joey Manning Basil’s Pizza and Deli Shaun Hopper Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Nancy Witt Boomy’s Liquid Ginger Casimir’s Lounge Jackson Evans Trio The Olde Pink House David Duckworth & Kim Polote Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant Jody Espina Trio Ruth’s Chris Steak House Eddie Wilson The Wormhole Peck & Penn w/ Britt Scott Z2 Jimmy Taylor Experience

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

Karaoke

28

Applebee’s Karaoke Bay Street Blues Karaoke Doodles Karaoke Thursday & Saturdays The Islander Karaoke Jukebox Bar & Grill Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Melody’s Coastal Cafe and Sandbar Cantina Karaoke Rachael’s 1190 Karaoke

Comedy

The Wormhole Comedy Planet

DJ

Doubles Nightclub DJ Sam Diamond

Little Lucky’s DJ Sweet Treat Melissa Rusty Rudders Tap House DJ Tap SEED Eco Lounge DJ Pieces Treehouse DJ Phive Star

Bar & Club Events

Club One Drag Show

Sunday / 3

17 Hundred 90 Restaurant Gail Thurmond A-J’s Dockside Joey Manning Aqua Star Restaurant (Westin Harbor Hotel) Sunday Jazz Brunch Bayou Cafe Don Coyer Congress Street Social Club Voodoo Soup Non-Fiction Gallery Anderson Hill Trio The Olde Pink House Eddie Wilson Tybee Island Social Club Sunday Bluegrass Brunch Vic’s on The River Jimmy Frushon The Warehouse Thomas Claxton Wild Wing Cafe Bucky & Barry Z2 Live Music

Trivia & Games

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar Sunday Afternoon Trivia Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill Trivia

Karaoke

Club One Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Tailgate Sports Bar and Grill Karaoke/DJ

DJ

Boomy’s DJ Basik Lee

Tuesday / 5

Bay Street Blues Ben Keiser Band Bayou Cafe Jam Night with Eric Culberson Billy’s Place at McDonough’s Thea, piano/vocals Foxy Loxy Cafe Nikko Raptoulis The Jinx Hip-Hop Night Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub Open Mic Savannah Coffee Roasters Tongue: Open Mouth & Music Show hosted by Calvin Thomas Vic’s on The River Jimmy Frushon The Warehouse Hitman Wild Wing Cafe Chuck Courtenay Z2 Live Music

Trivia & Games

Coach’s Corner Trivia CoCo’s Sunset Grille Trivia Congress Street Social Club Trivia Fia Rua Irish Pub Trivia Mediterranean Tavern Battle of The Sexes Game Mellow Mushroom Trivia Wild Wing Cafe (Pooler) Trivia The Wormhole Trivia

Karaoke

Club One Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke The Rail Pub Karaoke Wet Willie’s Karaoke

Comedy

Chuck’s Bar Comedy Open Mic

DJ

Bar & Club Events

Little Lucky’s DJ Mixx Masta Matao SEED Eco Lounge DJ C-Rok

Monday / 4

The Chromatic Dragon Movie Night

Ampersand Blues & Brews Music Vault New Year’s Plan B Abe’s on Lincoln Open Mike with Craig Tanner and Mr. Williams Bayou Cafe David Harbuck and Open Mic w/ Mallory Jen Vic’s on The River Jimmy Frushon Wild Wing Cafe Eric Britt The Wormhole Open Mic

Trivia & Games

32 Degrees Midtown Grille and Ale House Trivia The Britannia British Pub Bingo McDonough’s Trivia Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub (Pooler) Bingo

Karaoke

Boomy’s Karaoke Club One Karaoke Little Lucky’s Karaoke McDonough’s Karaoke Wet Willie’s Karaoke

DJ

The Jinx DJ Lucky Bastard Little Lucky’s DJ Mixx Masta Matao SEED Eco Lounge DJ Pieces

Bar & Club Events Other

Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub (Pooler) Open Mic

2015

NEW YEARS EVE IT’S OVER

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DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

THE ACCOMPLICES, PAT CARROLL & ISAAC SMITH BAND

29

culture books

Beverly Willett: Savannah is ‘still magical’ Local author is working on her memoir now

By Orlando Montoya

SAVANNAHPODCAST.COM

THE LONGER I live in Savannah, the more I appreciate new arrivals. After all, I came here with a U-Haul myself once!

(From Orlando, Florida in 1998, age 23, if you didn’t know.)

Everything’s shiny and original for the green of Abercorn. The rivers are clean and the tourists are kin. But for those newly arrived of late, I wonder about their first impressions.

They obviously loved Savannah enough to move here. But the recent crime, corruption, rank City Hall incompetence and divisive politics must take the moss off the oak a little.

“It’s still magical,” says writer Beverly Willett, a little more than a year removed from New York. “I’ve made so many friends. I’ve gotten involved in the community quickly.”

I saw Willet’s name for the first time when the venerable lit house The Book Lady hosted a local author’s night. A locally-based, nationally-published writer I’ve never heard of?

Get the phone! She’s written for Salon, The New York Times, The Daily Beast and several other recognizable publications.

She’s working on her memoir right now.

But her first contribution to local news print was an op-ed in the daily about crime. She wrote about fear and feeling

Her own wrenching divorce case, the constitutionality of no fault divorce and heartfelt advice on repairing broken marriages fill the lines of her most widely-published pieces.

less safe here than on Brooklyn streets.

When I ask her about her newcomer’s perspectives, she worries about the violence. But her face just lights up when she talks about her writer’s group and her new friends.

“The one word that I can say about the last year and a half is that I’m happy,” she says.

She likes the weather. She has a porch.

She lives near Forsyth Park. You’ve heard this sales pitch before! Who wouldn’t feel inspired when your cute Victorian kisses

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

TA K E YO U R P I C T U R E I N O U R

30

an oak?

And it seems the change in latitude has rewarded her creatively. Her work is shifting. She’s written scads over the past five years about no fault divorce laws.

Her own wrenching divorce case, the constitutionality of no fault divorce and heartfelt advice on repairing broken marriages fill the lines of her most widely-published pieces.

And while she still writes about rocky marriages, co-chairs the Coalition on Divorce Reform and gladly answers my

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questions on the unhappy topic, she’s also moving on.

“I’m branching out into other things because I’m passionate about lots of other things,” she says. “If things aren’t changing in our culture, my heart is very, very heavy.”

So she writes about Days of Our Lives.

(She used to be an addict.) She writes about her daughter’s coming of age. (It involves Lillian Hellman’s play The Children’s Hour.)

She writes about her habit of spontaneously bursting into song, a blessing and curse kind of personality trait that I share. (Cher? “If I Could Turn Back Time!”

Aargh!)

Writing is her life. She says her first “real story” after quitting her career as a lawyer was a 2003 clip in Newsday about splashing around in a park fountain with her daughter.

“It really inspired me to remember that part of myself and to go there,” she says. “I think going there has really helped me as a writer to move on in my life in so many ways.”

If Willett’s experience is anything like my own, I think people will continue asking about her past for a long time to come, especially when it was much loved and lives online.

And I think those new friends will come in handy in those situations. Consider it advice from one Savannah newbie (17 years and counting) to another.

The real magic here is honoring the past while also pushing the bloody heck on. cs

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31

Art

Patrol

Art Patrol is a free service - to be included, please send your information weekly to artpatrol@connectsavannah.com.

Deadline for inclusion is 5pm Friday, to appear in next Wednesday’s edition. We reserve the right to edit or cut listings due to space limitations

Openings & Receptions

SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show Call for Entry — Savannah Clay Community’s inaugural cup show. This exhibition will feature over 100 functional ceramic drinking vessels from residents of Savannah and others from across the country. Seeking artists’ ceramic drinking vessels until December 31, 2015 at midnight. Apply today and have the chance to win prizes. $10 for 1-3 entries Wed., Dec. 30, midnight. 706-936-1443. savannahclaycommunity@gmail.com. savannahclaycommunity.com. Non-Fiction Gallery, 1522 Bull St.

Continuing Exhibits City Transversed — Lisa D. Watson’s wall pieces are made with 90% reclaimed materials. On display will be the I-95 - Savannah River Bridge, CSX - Savannah River Bridge, the Houlihan Bridge, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, Factors Walk, RRX - Henry Street and Islands Expressway Bascule Bridge.

Through Dec. 31. Savannah City Hall, 2 East Bay Street.

Coeur de Lion jewelry trunk show — Handmade in Stuttgart, Germany using a combination of various elements such as steel, glass, rhodium, and Swarovski .

Through Dec. 31. The Grand Bohemian Gallery, 700 Drayton St. Ed Jones and Daniel Smith — Ed Jones displays his sculpture and Daniel Smith shows his paintings. Through Dec. 31. Hospice Savannah Art Gallery, 1352 Eisenhower Drive.

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

SAT. JAN. 16TH 7:30PM

32

MONROE CROSSING

Floresco — Floresco is a solo exhibition of work by sculptor John Bisbee. Through Jan. 3, 2016. scadmoa.org/. SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd.

Focus 150 — Highlighting small works priced anywhere from 5 to 150 dollars.

Inspired by the season, the artists of Kobo Gallery have crafted original holiday decorations to be sold during the opening reception.

Featured artists include, Heather Lindsey Stewart, Christi Reiterman, Logan Miller, Susanne Carmack, Christina Edwards, Doris Greider, Marta McWhorter, Tobia Makover, Jan Clayton Pagratis, David Kaminsky, Dana Richardson, and Dicky Stone. Through Dec. 31. Kobo Gallery, 33 Barnard Street ,.

Folk Art: Simply Profound — Exaggeration and simplicity converge to describe the innermost soul of the folk artist as he deals with God, family and the human condition. Through Jan. 15, 2016. Beach Institute, 502 E. Harris St. From Bankers to Presidents: The Work of Joseph Gallettini — Gallettini was Savannah’s foremost ship model

Last week to enjoy the annual ‘I Have Marks To Make’ exhibit at the Jepson Center.

builder, and his work is displayed at the museum. Through Dec. 31. Ships of The Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

The Highwaymen — The exhibit features several well known black artists known as The Highwaymen. A total of 26 artists, one woman and twenty-five men, traveled the highways of Florida from the early 1960s to the early 1990s selling oil paintings from the trunks of cars. Through Dec. 31. Beach Institute, 502 E. Harris St. House Blend — A group exhibition featuring the talented staff and friends of Gallery Espresso. Through Jan. 4, 2016. Gallery Espresso, 234 Bull St. I Have Marks to Make — Celebrating the therapeutic power of art for more than two decades, Telfair’s annual I Have Marks to Make exhibition features work by individuals of all ages with disabilities and work by others making art in rehabilitation from injury or illness. Through Jan. 3, 2016. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St. Jonathan Gregory Keller — Jonathan Gregory Keller lives and works in Savannah. From an early age he was interested in the arts and loved to create abstract artwork.

His mother would often take him and his sister to different art museums and galleries which inspired him and ignited his artistic spirit. Jonathan began painting during a time of struggle in his life and discovered that painting gives him peace and serenity. His artwork was first displayed in an art gallery in Savannah’s City Market. Since then Jonathan has climbed the Savannah art ladder and now owns his own art gallery in City Market.

Through Dec. 31. Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St.

Mickalene Thomas at Giverny — The dazzling mixed-media works of Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971) combine rhinestones with acrylic and oil paints to create compositions that often reference iconic works of art from nineteenth-century Europe. In her reimagined renderings, the artist replaces the European subjects of these images with powerful and glamorous African American women, inviting questions about conventional beauty, racial identity, and the traditional art historical narrative. Through Jan. 3, 2016. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St. Monet and American Impressionism — The Jepson brings four paintings of French master Claude Monet to Savannah for the first time in the city’s history. Monet galvanized the work of countless artists as a founder of the French art movement Impressionism. Through Jan. 24, 2016. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St. Patch Whisky — From murals to museums, Patch Whisky’s bright and playful characters have engaged and delighted viewers since 2008. Through Jan. 10, 2016. The Butcher Tattoo Studio, 19 East Bay St. Richard Law — Richard Law’s work reflects the experiences of his life. Through Dec. 31. Beach Institute, 502 E. Harris St. Sharon Saseen and Marisa Alvarez — December featured artists are Sharon Saseen whose Savannah scene paintings are described as delicate and whimsical and Marisa Alvarez who creates one of a kind jewelry pieces many from reclaimed items and stones. Through Dec. 31. Gallery 209, 209 E River St.

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OPEN MIC COMEDY

By Raymond Gaddy

Team@brewdrinkrun

WHAT IF I told you that you could go to school and drink beer? You can, in fact, do just that right here in Savannah.

The downtown location of World of Beer offers monthly Beer School opportunities. These classes are intended to educate beer lovers of all levels of expertise in the breweries, beer styles and professions you might run across in your craft beer journeys.

I attended the December Beer School to see what the crew at World of Beer was teaching. I quickly learned this class was going to be different than the usual class.

Normally the Beer Classes focus on a single brewery. The brewery generally brings in a few varieties of beer styles so there is an opportunity to talk about different styles and gain an understanding of a wider range of brewery offerings.

In these classes the brewery sends a sales rep and sometimes a brewer or other hands-on person to have serious and in depth discussions about the beers being served.

Because this class was offered in December, the set up was a little different. Instead of focusing on a brewery and its beers, this class focused on a single style — winter warmers in this case.

As the class didn’t focus on a brewery and therefore didn’t have a brewery representative on hand to discuss the beer, Derick and Steven, two of World of Beer’s knowledgeable staff, headed the class.

My classmates and I settled into World of Beers newly renovated loft area. There were seven of us total; all, as I would come to learn, with vastly different levels of craft beer knowledge. I was handed a binder notebook, it really was a little like being back in school, and shown the winter warmer class notes page.

Each class has a page or two for tasting notes. The top page listed the four beers we would be drinking that evening, with room below each listing for notes.

Derick started things off. First he discussed the style. For the record, winter warmers are a broad style that are only tied together by heavy spicing centered on all the aromatic spices you would think about over the winter months; cinnamon,

Beer School speeds the palate development process up, allowing you to really do some serious side by sides.

nutmeg, clove, and orange peel to name a few.

Think of winter warmers as the mulled ciders of the craft beer world. Typically brewed with a lower ABV, these beers are intended to keep you toasty during the long cold days of winter.

With each beer we learned a little about the brewery’s history and tastes and aromas to look for in each of the beers.

This is the point where the class got really interesting. My classmates and I started discussing the flavors we picked up on, how the beers smelled next to each other and which ones we liked best and why. The power of suggestion is very strong when doing tastings and several times I found myself “finding” flavors mentioned by others in the class.

It was interesting to hear my classmates discussing why they preferred one beer over another and doing a little good natured arguing over which was best (my

favorite was 21st Amendment’s Fireside Chat, a big meaty warmer with some cocoa nibs added to the brewing for extra flavors.)

This was a fun and informative class, with information for all levels.

Some of my classmates who were relatively new to craft beer talked freely about how much they learned.

I picked up a few take-aways myself, and best of all tasted a few beers that probably would not be bottles I’d pick up on my usual run to the bottle shop.

I think this is the best part of Beer School. Beer is for drinking and without some real tastings its takes time to develop a palate. Beer School speeds that process up, allowing you to really do some serious side by sides.

The next two Beer Schools are January 7 and February 25th. The January class features Ballast Point Brewery, and showcases several versions of Ballast Point’s Sculpin IPA’s and a few other treats.

The February Beer School features Savannah’s very own Coastal Empire Brewing who will be bringing several exciting brews including Coco Pena Pineapple Coconut Gose and Midnight in the Garden Imperial Chocolate Stout. E Each class is $5 for a flight of beers and a pint glass to take home with you. Each class runs from 7-9:30. More information is available at the World of beer website. cs

film screenshots

by Matt Brunson

Visit our website online at www.connectsavannah.com/ savannah/MovieTimes for daily movie times and trailers

multiplexes CARMIKE 10 www.carmike.com 511 Stephenson Ave. 353-8683

spotlight EISENHOWER savannah.spotlighttheatres.com/ 1100 Eisenhower Dr. 352-3533

\ REGAL SAVANNAH 10 www.regmovies.com 1132 Shawnee St. 927-7700

1901 E. Victory 355-5000

Carmike WYNNSONG 11 www.carmike.com 1150 Shawnee St. 920-3994

POOLER Stadium 12 www.gtcmovies.com 425 POOLER PKWY. 330-0777

ROYAL Cinemas POOLER www.royalcinemaspooler. com 5 TOWN CENTER CT. 988-4025

Indie venues Call or Visit the venue ‘s website for specific movies and times

Muse Arts Warehouse www.musesavannah.org 703 Louisville Rd (912) 713-1137

Sentient bean www.sentientbean.com 13 E Park Ave (912) 232-4447

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey laugh it up in Sisters.

SISTERS

// Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are fine actresses as well as superb comediennes, yet they never quite pull off the sister act in Sisters. As with everything they do together, they are such the BFFs—and respond to each other accordingly—it’s impossible to accept them as related by blood.

That’s mentioned only as an aside and certainly not as a knock on them—indeed, they do far more for this film than the film does for them. Discovering that their childhood home is being sold, sensible Maura (Poehler) and reckless Kate (Fey) elect to send it off with a raucous house party.

The late-inning moralizing is as clumsy as that from any Will Ferrell or Vince Vaughn outing, and the hilarious bits are tempered by many that barely merit a wan smile. But the ladies are in good form, and post-Trainwreck Jon Cena is again on hand to unexpectedly flex his comedic side.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

/// Um, is anybody out there even reading this?

In all my years of reviewing movie—certainly, in all the years that the Internet has been in existence—never has there been a film as critic-unfriendly as Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The reason is different from the norm—the norm being, of course, that a studio is hiding its awful picture from reviewers lest they warn the public that it’s wasting its collective time and money on garbage.

With this seventh entry in the franchise

that began back in 1977, that’s not the case.

Instead, the issue is that viewers are so eager and excited to see this picture in a virginal manner that they want absolutely no spoilers whatsoever. It’s an understandable position: After the relative disappointment of the prequels and the positive buzz surrounding this latest chapter, it’s not surprising fans want to experience it in innocent, wide-eyed wonder, with no chance of attached baggage.

So where does this leave critics, all of whom have seen the repeated comments from Facebook friends that all reviews will remain unread (at least until after the initial viewing)? I’m generally very strict about not adding any spoilers to my reviews anyway, but with this picture, I’m wary of detailing any plot.

But surely I’ll be allowed to reveal the film’s first line, glimpsed in that nowiconic opening scrawl that fades into the background: “Luke Skywalker has vanished.” And with that, the film begins to work its magic, by bringing back many familiar faces and introducing new characters who will help carry the franchise forward. Among the old-school players are Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher); newbies include reluctant heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) and cocky fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).

These characters are indicative of the respect writer-director J.J. Abrams and co-scripters Lawrence Kasdan (who also co-penned The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark) and Michael Arndt pay toward the past, present and future of the franchise.

The original stars haven’t lost a beat with their characterizations, while the newcomers prove to be an irresistible lot.

The casting of a woman and a black man in the central roles doesn’t feel like forced political correctness but a natural progression, and the characters are two of the richest yet seen in the Star Wars universe.

There are also some notable new villains, though I’ll keep them under wraps.

The first three Daniel Craig James Bond films honored the storied franchise’s history, but SPECTRE overplayed its hand by making awkward connections where none previously existed (Bond and Blofeld?

Really?).

Force doesn’t fall into that trap—rather, all of its ties to the original trilogy are measured and make sense. There are also some visual cues to its predecessors, many guaranteed to delight the faithful.

Perhaps the film’s strongest component is its visual effects. That may sound like a no-brainer, but after the prequels, it’s anything but. The effects work in those movies was often excellent, but the absolute reliance on CGI ultimately stifled much of the wonder and left audiences grousing about the artificiality of it all.

With The Force Awakens, Abrams has graciously patterned the look after the 1977, ’80 and ’83 efforts, with many of the visuals created with models (as opposed to computers) and actual earthbound locations (as opposed to green screens).

It’s a noble and appreciated gesture, and it’s enough to make a grown fan cry.

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

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IN THE HEART OF THE SEA

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/ Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 book, In the Heart of the Sea, told of the 1820 encounter that reportedly prompted Herman Melville to write that classic of American literature, the 1851 novel Moby-Dick.

After heading out to sea from Nantucket, Massachusetts, the whaling ship the Essex was attacked and sunk by a rampaging sperm whale. Crew members then found themselves adrift in lifeboats for a span of several months, many eventually perishing from hunger and dehydration.

This story is dutifully and dully told in the film version, with the bonus of seeing Melville (Ben Whishaw) himself interviewing one of the survivors (Brendan Gleeson) decades after the incident.

While it’s always nice to see Gleeson no matter the role, these wraparound scenes add precious little to the narrative—instead, they merely serve as tedious interludes breaking up equally tedious flashbacks.

Because the movie’s characters are exceedingly trite, Hemsworth, as first mate Owen Chase, has little to do but glower Fletcher Christian-style at inexperienced captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker) before switching gears to suffer nobly in that lil lifeboat after the creature goes all Titanic-iceberg on the ship.

And what about that whale? He merits little screen time, though he pops up every now and then to remind the survivors that he’s stalking them through the high seas.

This notion of an oceanic animal acting like an avenging angel places this picture in the same class with such landmarks of cinema as 1977’s risible Orca, in which a killer whale tracks down the slayer of his pregnant mate, and 1987’s laughable Jaws: The Revenge, about which co-star Michael Caine famously (and honestly) stated, “I have never seen it, but by all accounts, it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”

The former Opie’s big-screen opuses, even the more static ones, almost always benefit from crisp visuals (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, etc.), but that’s not the case here. The look of Howard’s film is distractingly dim and muddy—although even then not enough to hide the obviousness of the CGI, which looks artificial for great chunks of the grueling running time.

As noted, the real-life events were potent enough to spur Melville to write his novel, and they have to have been more compelling than the snoozy tale here.

Otherwise, we wouldn’t be blessed with a masterpiece, as a bored Melville doubtless would have put down his pen and gone fishing instead.

CHI-RAQ

/// “No peace, no pussy.” “No pussy, no power.”

Those are the defining lines of the hour, In Spike Lee’s riveting motion picture Chi-raq, A film already subjected to ridiculous flack.

Based on Aristophanes’ ancient Lysistrata, It instead examines today’s social strata.

Specifically, the poor in Chicago, Illinois, In a crime zone with no hope and even less joy.

The entire movie is spoken in rhyme, A risky gamble, but it works all the time.

Teyonah Parris is superb in the primary role, As a brainy, sexy woman with a definite goal.

Hoping to stop the men from killing each other, She devises a plan to save every brother.

No more sex from any female in the hood, If that doesn’t stop the deaths, nothing ever could.

The angry gang members all shout, “Fuck that noise,” But they think of laying down their murderous toys.

It’s a powder keg of a film from first frame to last, Anchored by Lee’s fury and a powerhouse cast.

As a priest, John Cusack has a tremendous scene, Railing against killings both senseless and mean.

Angela Bassett projects dignity as a local sage, While Nick Cannon impresses with his bottled-up rage.

There’s Samuel L. Jackson, a favorite of Lee’s, Blaring “Wake Up!” among his omniscient pleas.

Chi-raq is one of the best films of the year.

Top 20, maybe Top 10, certainly near.

CREED

// Creed is certainly not bad—it’s the best entry since 1982’s Rocky III—but aside from the character shift, there’s nothing here that’s especially original, and one’s enjoyment depends entirely on how charitable one is feeling in the nostalgia department.

Michael B. Jordan is excellent as Adonis Johnson, the result of an adulterous tryst by the late Apollo Creed (played in earlier pictures by Carl Weathers). Grown up, he returns to Philly and asks Rocky Balboa (Stallone, of course), his father’s nemesiscum-friend, to take him under his wing.

Stallone is never better than when he’s playing this role he nurtured from birth, and his relaxed and generous performance shows that he has no problem moving from series star to supporting sage. But too many beats are far too familiar: There’s even a Rocky-cribbed scene where Adonis is surrounded by fans and friends as he jogs down the Philly streets, and anyone who doesn’t know exactly how the climactic fight will turn out clearly isn’t paying attention.

TRUMBO

/// The best movies are often the ones that educate as well as entertain, and with the magnificent Trumbo, we have a film that succeeds on both fronts.

Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston is superb as Dalton Trumbo, the brilliant screenwriter whose work on such hits as Kitty Foyle and A Guy Named Joe made him one of the film capital’s most successful wordsmiths. But Trumbo was an acknowledged Communist, and once World War II ended and the Cold War began in earnest, Trumbo and those like him were soon targeted by the House UnAmerican Activities Committee.

What followed was a national disgrace, as any entertainer with leftist sentiments, even Democrats like Edward G. Robinson (Michael Stuhlbarg), were thrown to the zealous politicians. Some were jailed, others cracked and willingly gave names, and almost all found their careers derailed.

But Trumbo fought to survive, writing scripts and placing others’ names on them—this necessary deception ended up winning him two Academy Awards (for Roman Holiday and The Brave One), neither of which he could claim.

Such an abbreviated synopsis provides but a mere peek at everything going on within the confines of this simultaneously weighty and breezy picture, which looks at his home life (Diane Lane plays his wife while Elle Fanning portrays his oldest child) almost as much as his professional one. Trumbo isn’t portrayed as a saint: His workaholic tendencies alienate him from his family, and, like most people who subscribe to any one ideology, he can be somewhat of a hypocrite (as a friend notes, he’s a share-the-wealth Commie whose private property includes a lake).

But there’s never any doubt that he was needlessly persecuted, and while the reallife Trumbo eventually stated that there were no heroes or villains during this era of the blacklist, that’s not exactly true.

Folks like actor Kirk Douglas and director Otto Preminger (respectively, and winningly, played by Dean O’Gorman and Christian Berkel), men who bravely helped break the blacklist, could be counted among the heroes, while columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren), politicians Joseph

McCarthy and Richard Nixon (both seen in vintage footage) and, to a lesser degree, even actor John Wayne (a fine David James Elliott) could be numbered among the villains.

Astutely written by John McNamara (from Bruce Cook’s book Dalton Trumbo) and zestfully directed by Jay Roach (the Emmy-winning helmer behind the HBO political flicks Game Change and Recount), Trumbo is alternately poignant, amusing (John Goodman provides most of the nyuks as garrulous B-movie producer Frank King), infuriating and always thought-provoking.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR

// It’s a situation worthy of an Alanis Morrisette song. Isn’t it ironic that in the same week I pen an article ranking all the previous Pixar movies and noting that all of them are recommended to some degree, along comes the first Pixar movie to score a negative review? That’s the case with The Good Dinosaur, a crushing disappointment from an outfit generally known for its exacting high standards.

Pixar pictures have always been for adults as much as for children, yet this one marks the first time that grown-ups have been left out of the mix, with the studio fashioning a film designed to play only to the small fry.

The film begins with a “what if?” scenario: What if the comet that wiped out the dinosaurs missed the planet? The only reason for this supposition is so a human protagonist—a feral boy—can eventually be added to the story, since this opening act doesn’t impact the film in any other way.

Mostly, the plot centers on a young dino named Arlo and how his life is irrevocably altered by a tragedy lifted straight out of The Lion King.

And like another lion, the one taking the road to Oz, Arlo needs to finds his courage, and he only does so after getting lost and teaming up with the aforementioned boy, a lupine lad named Spot.

The story is suffocating in its simplicity, and while the backgrounds are gorgeously rendered, the characters are a visually drab lot (as my wife accurately noted, Arlo and his family members look like animated cucumbers). Thankfully, The Good Dinosaur never indulges in the sort of scatological humor seen in other studios’ toon efforts.

Still, that’s a consolation that only goes so far, given that innovation and imagination prove to be as extinct as pterodactyls in the modern world. CS

Activism & Politics

One of the Guys Guys, have you found yourself in a social rut, or just have a need for the art of conversation? Make a change in 2016.

The past decade a diverse group of guys have been getting together about every two weeks to share dinner and opinions on just about any topic. No membership requirements or dues. Just an open mind and willingness to expand your friendship base. For more information visit us on Facebook at Savannah Men’s Club, or if you prefer, email details/questions to savannahmensclub@gmail.com. ongoing.

Downtown Savannah, downtown.

Savannah Area Young Republicans Get involved. Contact is Michael Johnson, via email or telephone, or see website for info. 912-604-0797. chairman@sayr. org. sayr.org. Call or see website for information. Free ongoing. 912-308-3020. savannahyoungrepublicans.com.

Savannah Libertarians Join the Facebook group to find out about upcoming local events. Mondays. Facebook. com/groups/SAVlibertarians.

Young Democrats Mondays at 7pm on the second level of Foxy Loxy, Bull Street. Call or visit the Young Democrats Facebook page for more information. Free ongoing. 423-619-7712. foxyloxycafe.com/. Foxy Loxy Cafe, 1919 Bull St.

Auditions and Calls for Entries

Auditions for Armstrong Youth Orchestra Open to students enrolled in primary grades through high school and including Armstrong students (available for course credit). Auditions, by appointment, are in Armstrong Fine Arts Hall. To schedule an audition, e-mail: savaayo@yahoo.com. Info is also available at www.savaayo.org. AYO is sponsored in part by the Savannah Friends of Music, www.savannahfriendsofmusic. com ongoing. about.armstrong.edu/Maps/ index.html. Armstrong State University, 11935 Abercorn St. Auditions for Asbury Memorial Theatre’s Production of “HMS Pinafore” HMS Pinafore is a comic opera in two acts and requires 30-35 people. The director, Rev. Billy Hester, will cast men and women from high school age and above. Those auditioning should come prepared with a song to sing. The performance dates are February 26-28 and March 4-6. Jan. 4-5, 7-9 p.m. Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 Henry St. Call for Auditions for the Downtown Delilahs The Downtown Delilahs host auditions for their burlesque revue shows in February.

Auditions are scheduled on an individual basis; call 912-272-7601 to set up your audition. Through Feb. 1, 2016. Downtown

Savannah, downtown.

Call for Entries for Elementary Student Artwork The City of Savannah is seeking submissions of original elementary student artwork celebrating the 50th anniversary of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District (designated in 1966) to display in an exhibit in City Hall’s first floor rotunda.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of artists, preservationists, and City leaders.

The winning entries will be framed and displayed by the City of Savannah in City Hall for the period July-December 2016 for all our citizens and visitors to enjoy. These winning works will become the property of the City of Savannah and will not be returned to the artists. Work not selected for display will be returned to the artists after judging.

Up to 6 winners will be chosen, including a “Best in Show.”All winners will receive an award certificate, prize of art supplies, and reproduction of their winning work for their portfolio. Winners will be announced to the public during an exhibit opening at City Hall.

For more information, visit savannahga. gov/artcontest or contact Luciana Spracher at lspracher@savannahga.gov or 912-6516411. Through March 11, 2016. Savannah City Hall, 2 East Bay Street.

Call for Entries for “IN:LINE” The Gallery at Sulfur Studios is now accepting entries for a group exhibition to be held in January and February of 2016.

Artists are encouraged to submit work that explores the theme of Line. Lines connect, separate and demarcate. Lines can be used to define or to obscure, they can point the way or bar the path. The lines featured in submitted work may be actual or metaphorical and work in all media will be considered. Entries are due December 30, and the show runs January 27-February 13.

Entry fee is $20 for up to 3 works. To submit your work, please visit sulfurstudios.org/callfor-entries Through Dec. 30. sulfurstudios. org. Sulfur Studios, 2301 Bull Street.

Call for Entries for Savannah GIF Festival The 2nd Annual Savannah GIF Festival will feature multiple categories as well as live music to accompany the silent animations during the inaugural screening. During the first GIF Festival in January of 2015, Savannah musicians Sunglow, Garret Kemp, and Chris Glass, played live electronic sets.

A video featuring music by Sunglow can be found at giffest.xyz. The musical artists for next year’s screening will be announced at the start of the year. Artists interested in having their animations featured in the upcoming festival can find our submission page at giffest.xyz. Submissions are completely free and there is no limit to the number of animations that can be submitted. Submission deadline January 20, 2016 at 6 pm. Through Jan. 20, 2016, 6 p.m. info@artrisesavannah.org. giffest.xzy. telfair.org/jepson/. Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 West York St. Call for Participants in PTSD

Happenings is Connect Savannah’s listing of community events, classes and groups. Visit our website at connectsavannah.com to submit a listing.

We reserve the right to edit or cut listings due to space limitations.

Study Are you a recent combat veteran experiencing psychological or emotional stress related to your combat? You may be eligible to receive first-line medication and talk therapy interventions with proven effectiveness. PROGrESS is a study looking to learn more about how to effectively treat recent combat veterans with PTSD. The therapies are not experimental. You will be randomly assigned to receive either psychotherapy, medication, or both. For more information about the PROGrESS study, please call 912-920-0214 ext. 2169. ongoing. Online only, none.

Call for Performers, Vendors and Volunteers for Savannah Asian Cultural Festival The Savannah Asian Cultural Festival, which will take place April 15-16, 2016 at Armstrong State University, is currently seeking live performers, Cultural Marketplace vendors and event volunteers. There is no cost for performers to participate. All vendors must be consistent with the theme of the festival.

The cost for vendors is $85 per booth. The festival’s Cultural Marketplace will offer the opportunity to learn more about each country and discover the traditional arts, crafts, fashions and treasures unique to each nation. From Ming-shared jewelry to calligraphy sets, original paintings, handbeaded clothing, Asian accessories and henna body painting, an entire continent’s worth of treasures can be found at the festival. If you would like to participate as a performer, vendor or volunteer at the 2016 Savannah Asian Cultural Festival, please contact James Anderson at james. anderson@armstrong.edu or (912) 3443224. Through April 15, 2016. about. armstrong.edu/Maps/index.html. Armstrong State University, 11935 Abercorn St. Call to Artists for Telfair’s Public Art Installation, “Boxed In/ Break Out” The call to artists seeks entries for Boxed In/Break Out, a museum-sponsored public art installation that involves activating six windows at the Jepson Center facing Barnard Street. The artist chosen would have a detailed plan for how to utilize all six windows in a cohesive manner through self-created art that fulfills the following criteria: creativity, originality, feasibility, visual appeal, as well as resourcefulness and suitability in the space. Boxed In/Break Out is intended to highlight and provide an exhibition opportunity for the work of a local artist, through public display, promotional materials, and an artist talk. In addition to museum-supported promotion, the artist will receive a $1000 honorarium. The window installation will be up from April 28-August 28, 2016 and deadline for submissions are February 1. For more information on how to apply please visit: http://www.telfair. org/boxed/ Through Feb. 2, 2016. Telfair Museums, PO Box 10081.

Homeschool Music Classes

Music classes for homeschool students ages 8-18 and their parents. Offered in Guyton and Savannah. See website for details. ongoing. CoastalEmpireMusic.com.

Oatland Island Seeks Memories and Recollections for 40th Anniversary Oatland Island Education Center is looking for memories of Oatland Island in honor of their 40th anniversary. People who were part of the Youth Conservation Corp that helped to build Oatland Island Education Center in the 1970’s. Great memories from field trips.

Special family memories of Oatland Island.

Send your photos and stories to memories@ oatland40th.org. Deadline is August 31. undefined. 912-395-1500. oatlandisland.org.

Benefits

$5 Bikram Yoga Class to Benefit Local Charities Bikram Yoga Savannah offers a weekly Karma class to raise money for local charities. Thursdays during the 6:30pm class. Pay $5 for class and proceeds are donated to a different charity each month. This is a regular Bikram Yoga class. ongoing. 912.356.8280. bikramyogasavannah.com.

SCMPD Animal Control seeks Volunteers Savannah Chatham County Animal Control seeks volunteers to serve various tasks as needed by the shelter. No prior animal shelter experience is necessary. Newly trained volunteers will be authorized to serve immediately after orientation. Potential volunteers are asked to notify J. Lewis prior to orientation; though, walk-ins are welcome.

Volunteers must be at least 17-yearsold. ongoing. (912) 525-2151. jlewis01@ savannahga.gov.

Classes, Camps & Workshops

Art, Music, Piano, Voice Coaching Coaching for all ages, beginners through advanced. Classic, modern, jazz improvization and theory. Serious inquiries only. 912-961-7021 or 912-667-1056.

Beading Classses at Epiphany Bead & Jewelry Studio Learn jewelry-making techniques from beginner to advanced. Call for class times.

912-920-6659. Epiphany Bead & Jewelry Studio, 101 N. Fahm St. Beginner Belly Dance Group Always wanted to learn a true art form of dance? Join our Beginner Belly Dance Group Class. Your deal includes your very own Hip Scarf! 1 class for 4 weeks: Every Tuesday at 7pm #SdeBDanceStudio #bellydance #shimmy #deal — at Salón de Baile Dance & Fitness Studio. $30 Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m..

612-470-6683. salondebaile.dance@gmail. com. salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Beginning Belly Dance Classes Taught by Happenstance Bellydance.

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All skill levels and styles. Private instruction available. $15 912-704-2940. happenstancebellydance@gmail.com. happenstancebellydance.wordpress.com.

Board Game Nights Bring your favorite board game or learn to play one of ours! Join our community of gamers and make some new friends while having an awesome time. Guild Hall members get in free; entry for non-members is $15. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Guild Hall, 615 Montgomery Street.

Cake Baking & Cake Decorating We educate children on the tools & techniques to properly bake and decorate cakes, such as birthday cakes, and wedding cakes. The children have fun learning, make new friends, and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. Great for Mommy & Daughter dates, Birthday Parties, and Educational Workshops. $20 Saturdays, 12-3 p.m.. 912-826-3976. rinconsweets@ gmail.com. thecakemixacademy.com/kid-sclasses.html. The Cake Mix Academy, 5936 Georgia 21.

Cake Baking & Cake Decorating Classes We educate children on the tools & techniques to properly bake and decorate cakes, such as birthday cakes, and wedding cakes. The children have fun learning, make new friends, and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. $20 first Sunday of every month, 4-7 p.m..

912-826-3976. rinconsweets@gmail.com. thecakemixacademy.com/. The Cake Mix Academy, 5936 Georgia 21.

Cake Baking & Decorating Classes for Children We educate children on the tools & techniques to properly bake and decorate cakes, such as birthday cakes, and wedding cakes. The children have fun learning, make new friends, and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. Great for Mommy & Daughter dates, Birthday Parties, and Educational Workshops. $20 first Saturday of every month, 4-7 p.m..

912-826-3976. rinconsweet@gmail.com. thecakemixacademy.com/kid-s-classes. html. The Cake Mix Academy, 5936 Georgia 21.

Cake Decorating Classes for Children Educate children on the tools & techniques to properly bake and decorate cakes, such as birthday cakes, and wedding cakes.

The children have fun learning, make new friends, and leave feeling a sense of accomplishment. Great for Mommy & Daughter dates, Birthday Parties, and Educational Workshops. $20 Wednesdays, 5-7:30 p.m.. 912-826-3976. rinconsweets@ gmail.com. thecakemixacademy.com/kid-sclasses.html. The Cake Mix Academy, 5936 Georgia 21.

Champions Training Center Offering a variety of classes and training in mixed martial arts, jui-jitsu, judo and other disciplines for children and adults. All skill levels. 525 Windsor Rd. 912-349-4582. ctcsavannah.com.

Chinese Language Classes The Confucius Institute at Savannah State University offers free Chinese language 38 classes starting January 17. To register,

please call 912-358-3160. ongoing. 912-3583160. confuciusinstitute@savannahstate. edu. savannahstate.edu. savstate.edu/.

Savannah State University, 3219 College St. Clay Classes Savannah Clay Studio at Beaulieu offers handbuilding, sculpture, and handmade tiles, basic glazing and firing. 912-351-4578. sav.. claystudio@gmail.com.

Boating Classes Classes on boat handling, boating safety and navigation offered by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. See website or call to register. 912897-7656. savannahaux.com.

Creativity Coaching Do you have a creative idea but don’t know where to start? Is it time to move forward with your project? Work with your very own creativity coach and learn how to blast through blocks, plan your time, and enjoy the richness of a creative life. See website for more info at www.laurenl.com/creativity_ coaching/ or contact Creativity@LaurenL. com ongoing. Online, ---.

DUI Prevention Group Offers victim impact panels for intoxicated drivers, DUI, offenders, and anyone seeking knowledge about the dangers of driving while impaired. A must see for teen drivers.

Meets monthly. $40/session 912-443-0410.

Krav Maga / Tactical Self Defense: Dynamic Defensive Tactics combines the Israeli self defense techniques of Krav Maga with tactical fighting concepts. This is NOT a martial art but a no nonsense approach to self defense. With over 37 years of experience, Roger D’Onofrio will teach you solutions, which are aggressive, simple and effective, to the violent situations of today.

Note: these are private sessions for adults only. ongoing. 912-308-7109. ddt_910@ yahoo.com.

Family Law Workshop The Mediation Center has three workshops per month for people who do not have legal representation in a family matter: divorce, legitimation, modifications of child support, visitation, contempt. Schedule: 1st Tues, 2nd Mon, 4th Thursday. Call for times. $30 912354-6686. mediationsavannah.com.

Fany’s Spanish/English Institute Spanish is fun. Classes for adults and children held at 15 E. Montgomery Crossroad. Register by phone. ongoing. 912921-4646.

Guitar, Mandolin, or Bass Guitar Lessons Emphasis on theory, reading music, and improvisation. Located in Ardsley Park. ongoing. 912-232-5987.

Housing Authority Neighborhood Resource Center Housing Authority of Savannah hosts classes at the Neighborhood Resource Center. Adult literacy/GED prep: Mon-Thurs, 9am-12pm & 1pm-4pm. Financial education: 4th Fri each month, 9am-11am. Basic computer training: Tues & Thurs, 1pm3pm. Community computer lab: Mon-Fri, 3pm-4:30pm. ongoing. 912-232-4232 x115. savannahpha.com. savannahpha.com/NRC. html. Neighborhood Resource Center, 1407 Wheaton St. Knitting & Crochet Classes Offered at The Frayed Knot, 6 W. State St. See the calendar of events on website.

Mondays. 912-233-1240. thefrayedknotsav. com.

Music Instruction Georgia Music Warehouse, near corner of Victory Drive & Abercorn, offering instruction by professional musicians. Band instruments, violin, piano, drums and guitar.

All ages welcome. ongoing. 912-358-0054. georgiamusicwarehouse.com/. Georgia Music Warehouse, 2424 Abercorn St. Music Lessons--Multiple Instruments Savannah Musicians’ Institute offers private instruction for all ages and experience levels in Guitar (electric, acoustic,classical), Piano, Bass, Voice, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Music Theory/Composition/Songwriting. 609 69th Street, Savannah GA. ongoing. 912398-8828. smisavannah@gmail.com. savmusiciansinstitute.com.

New Horizons Adult Band Program Music program for adults who played a band instrument in high school/college and would like to play again. Mondays at 6:30pm at Portman’s. $30 per month. All ages and ability levels welcome. Call for info. ongoing.

912-354-1500. portmansmusic.com.

Portman’s Music Superstore, 7650 Abercorn St. Novel Writing Write a novel, finish the one you’ve started, revise it or pursue publication. Awardwinning Savannah author offers one-onone or small group classes, mentoring, manuscript critique, ebook formatting. Email for pricing and scheduling info. ongoing. pmasoninsavannah@gmail.com.

Photography Classes Beginner photography to post production. Instruction for all levels. $20 for two-hour class. See website for complete class list. 410-251-4421. chris@chrismorrisphotography.com. chrismorrisphotography.com.

Piano Lessons Piano lessons with a classically trained instructor, with theater and church experience. 912-312-3977. ongoing. georgiamusicwarehouse.com/. Georgia Music Warehouse, 2424 Abercorn St. Piano Voice-Coaching Pianist with M/degree,classical modern jazz improvisation, no age limit. Call 912-9617021 or 912-667-1056. Serious inquiries only. ongoing.

Pole Fitness Classes Pole dancing is a beautiful artform, and a combination of dance, flexibility and gymnastics. Pole dancing has quickly become one of the most popular forms of fun and exercise for women. It can help you lose weight, gain beautiful muscle tone, make you stronger than ever and build confidence like no other form of exercise can. Join us on Tuesday nights and get fitter and stronger than you’ve ever been, with this amazing full body workout. Schedule TBA $20 Every other Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. 912-9881052. Mediterranean Tavern, 125 Foxfield Way. A. Roper Studio - Voice Technique and Coaching Experienced and successful voice instructor is accepting students. Nurturing and collaborative studio. Services offered

include strengthening the voice, range extension, relaxation techniques, and coaching through various styles of music.

Audition and competition preparation.

Located 15 minutes from downtown. Varies Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 912-4840628. Downtown Savannah, downtown.

Russian Language Classes Learn to speak Russian. All experience levels welcome, beginner to expert. Call for info. ongoing. 912-713-2718.

Soul Progression Yoga In this practice of yoga, we use the asanas(postures) as an artistic expression of ourselves as we open our hearts, physically and energetically to set the foundation with an intention for having a more open heart in our daily life. This class offers a deeply rooted spiritual foundation integrating alignment techniques and enlightening messages woven throughout the practice. Open to all Levels Class Prices: classes: $15 drop in. 5 Class card: $70 (3 month expiration) 10 Class card: $130 (4 month expiration) Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m. 912-308-3410. yogamelynn@ gmail.com. branchesyoga.com/schedule/. branchesyoga.com. Branches Yoga Center, 242St.4 Drayton.

Clubs & Organizations

Abeni Cultural Arts Dance Classes Classses for multiple ages in performance dance and adult fitness dance. African, modern, ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, gospel. Held at Abeni Cultural Arts studio, 8400-B Abercorn St. Call Muriel, 912-6313452, or Darowe, 912-272-2797. ongoing. abeniculturalarts@gmail.com.

Avegost LARP Live action role playing group that exists in a medieval fantasy realm. generallly meets the second weekend of the month. Free for your first event or if you’re a non-player character. $35 fee for returning characters. ongoing. godzillaunknown@gmail.com. avegost.com.

Buccaneer Region SCCA Local chapter of the Sports Car Club of America, hosting monthly solo/autocross driving events in the Savannah area. Anyone with a safe car, insurance and a valid driver’s license is eligible to participate. See website. ongoing. buccaneerregion.org.

Business Networking on the Islands Small Business Professionals Islands Networking Group meets first Thursday each month, 9:30am-10:30am. Tradewinds Ice Cream & Coffee, 107 Charlotte Rd. Call for info. ongoing. 912-308-6768.

Chatham Sailing Club Friday evening social event at the clubhouse.

Meet Members and their families who all enjoy water based activities but whose prime interest is sailing. This BYOB event is free and all are welcome, but Membership is encouraged after several visits once interest is gauged!! We look forward to meeting you.

Fridays, 7-10 p.m. pranschkec3@gmail.com.

Young’s Marina, 218 Wilmington Island Rd. Coastal Bead Society Coastal Bead Society monthly meetings, 12 noon on the third Friday of the Month at the Coastal Georgia Center, 303 Fahm Street, near SCAD. All beaders are welcome.

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ongoing. wyrnut18@gmail.com. cgc. georgiasouthern.edu/. Coastal Georgia Center, 305 Fahm Street.

Faith Based Business Networking Event - Savannah Our mission is to Grow, Encourage, Inspire, Ignite & Equip Christian Business owners on how to do business with a Kingdom mindset. We promote and celebrate excellence in the business arena while developing the future generations of leaders through Christian values, disciplines, honor, integrity and expression of skills. Register early before the event closes out and please share this event by inviting a guest.

Free first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 a.m. 912-257-6248. info@kbnalliance. com. https://eventbrite.com/e/christianbusiness-networking-event-savannahtickets-17883772846. Calvary Baptist Temple, 4625 Waters Ave. Fiber Guild of the Savannahs A club focusing on weaving, spinning, basket making, knitting, crocheting, quilting, beading, rug hooking, doll making, and other fiber arts. Meets at Oatland Island Wildlife Center, first Saturday of the month (Sept.-June) 10:15am. Mondays, 10:30 a.m. fiberguildsavannah.homestead.com/. Fiber Guild of the Savannahs, 711 Sandtown Road GA. Georgia Nature Photographers Association-Coastal Chapter Coastal Chapter of the GNPA. The GNPA is 100% focused on nature photography and offers Field Trips, Monthly Speakers, Competitions, Seminars and Workshops and the Annual EXPO with prominent nature photographers and keynote speakers.

Photographers of all levels are welcome! $35 per year first Tuesday of every month, 6 p.m. 912-234-2571. alfie.wace@gmail.com. gnpa.org. oatlandisland.org/. Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd. Historic Flight Savannah A non-profit organization dedicated to sending area Korean War and WWII veterans to Washington, DC, to visit the WWII Memorial. All expenses paid by Honor Flight Savannah. Honor Flight seeks contributions, and any veterans interested in a trip to Washington. Call for info. ongoing. 912-5961962. honorflightsavannah.org.

Historic Savannah Chapter: ABWA Meets the second Thursday of every month from 6pm-7:30pm. Tubby’s Tank House, 2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt. Attendees pay for their own meals. RSVP by phone. ongoing. 912-660-8257.

Knitters, Needlepoint and Crochet Meets every Wednesday. Different locations downtown. Call for info. No fees. Want to learn? Join us. ongoing. 912-308-6768.

Low Country Turners A club for wood-turning enthusiasts. Call Steve Cook for info at number below. ongoing. 912-313-2230.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Ladies Auxiliary Meets the first Saturday of the month at 1:00pm. Call for info. ongoing. 912-7864508. American Legion Post 184, 3003 Rowland Ave. Philo Cafe Discussion group that meets every Monday,

7:30pm - 9:00pm at various locations.

Anyone craving good conversation is invited. Free to attend. Email for info, or see Facebook.com/SavannahPhiloCafe.

Mondays. athenapluto@yahoo.com.

R.U.F.F. - Retirees United for the Future RUFF meets the last Friday of each month at 10am to protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and related senior issues. Parking in the rear. Free to all Seniors ongoing. 912344-5127. New Covenant Church, 2201 Bull St. Safe Kids Savannah A coalition dedicated to preventing childhood injuries. Meets 2nd Tuesday each month, 11:30am-1:00pm. See website or call for info. ongoing. 912-353-3148. safekidssavannah.org.

Savannah Brewers’ League Meets 1st Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm at Moon River Brewing Co. Call or see website for info. ongoing. 912-447-0943. hdb.org. moonriverbrewing.com/. Moon River Brewing Co., 21 West Bay St. Savannah Charlesfunders Investment Discussion Group Meets Saturdays, 8:30am to discuss stocks, bonds and better investing. Contact by email for info. ongoing. charlesfund@gmail. com. panerabread.com/. Panera Bread (Broughton St.), 1 West Broughton St. Savannah Council, Navy League of the United States A dinner meeting every 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm at local restaurants. 3rd Tuesday in November; none in December.

For dinner reservations, please call Sybil Cannon at 912-964-5366. ongoing. 912-7487020. savannahnavyleague.us.

Savannah Go Green Meets most Saturdays. Green events and places. Share ways to Go Green each day.

Call for info. ongoing. 912-308-6768.

Savannah Kennel Club Monthly meetings open to the public the 4th Monday each month, Sept. through June. ongoing, 7 p.m. savannahkennelclub.org. barnesrestaurant.com. Barnes Restaurant, 5320 Waters Avenue.

Savannah Newcomers Club Open to women who have lived in the Savannah area for less than two years.

Membership includes monthly luncheon and program. Activities, tours and events to help learn about Savannah and make new friends. ongoing. savannahnewcomersclub. com.

Savannah Parrot Head Club Beach, Buffet and no dress code. Check website for events calendar or send an email for Parrot Head gatherings. ongoing. savannahphc@yahoo.com. savannahphc. com.

Society for Creative Anachronism Meets every Saturday at the south end of Forsyth Park for fighter practice and general hanging out. For people interested in re-creating the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Free Saturdays, 11 a.m.. savannahsca.org. Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Savannah Toastmasters Helps improve speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive environment.

Mondays, 6:15pm, Memorial Health

University Medical Center, in the Conference Room C. ongoing. 912-484-6710. memorialhealth.com/. Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave. Savannah Veggies and Vegans Join the Facebook group to find out more about vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, and to hear about upcoming local events.

Mondays.

Toastmasters Toastmasters International is an organization which gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings, seminars, and contests.

Regardless of your level of comfort with public speaking, you will find a club that is interested in helping you improve your speaking abilities. Free Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m.. hostesscity.toastmastersclubs.org. thincsavannah.com. Thinc Savannah, 35 Barnard St. 3rd Floor.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 671 Meets second Monday of each month, 7pm, at the American Legion Post 135, 1108 Bull St. ongoing. 912-429-0940. rws521@msn. com. vvasav.com.

Woodville-Tompkins Scholarship Foundation Meets second Tuesday each month (except October) 6:00pm, Woodville-Tompkins, 151 Coach Joe Turner St. Call or email for info. ongoing. 912-232-3549. chesteraellis@ comcast.net.

Comedy

Comedy Night Join us for an evening of ice cream and laughter...the perfect combo for your Friday night! All ages welcome. Free Fridays, 8-10 p.m. craftbeercustard.com. Exit Strategy Icecreamists, 310 E Bay St. Odd Lot Improv An improv comedy show in the style of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” $5 Mondays, 8 p.m. musesavannah.org/. Muse Arts Warehouse, 703 Louisville Rd. Odd Lot Improv: On The Spot Mysteries Dinner Theatre Odd Lot is teaming up with the brilliant Chefs of Savannah Coffee Roasters to bring you a whole new dining experience.

The always surprising talent of Odd Lot will perform a fully interactive Friday night Murder Mystery while you dine on a delicious three course meal. Seating is at 6:30pm Friday nights. Reservations are strongly recommended. Four actors and three courses all for $40. It’s certain to be a night to remember. Great for groups, parties, or anyone who loves a good show. $40 Fridays, 6:30 p.m. justin@oddlot.org. oddlot. org. Savannah Coffee Roasters, 215 West Liberty Street.

Dance

Adult Ballet Class Maxine Patterson School of Dance, 2212 Lincoln St, offers adult ballet on Thursdays, 6:30pm-7:30pm $12 per class. Call for info. ongoing. 912-234-8745.

Adult Ballet Toning Always wanted the body of a ballerina?

Well.. YOU CAN! Our class is designed to stretch, tone, and enhance your body to

become healthier than ever. Join us and check out the calendar for dates to enroll. (this is apart of our fitness package of 10 classes for $80) $10.00 Mondays, 5 p.m.

912.312.3549. reservetodance@gmail. com. salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Adult Intermediate Ballet Mondays and Wednesdays, 7pm-8pm. $12/class or $90/8 classes. Call for info.

Academy of Dance, 74 W. Montgomery Crossroad. Wednesdays. 912-921-2190.

Argentine Tango Wednesdays, 7 p.m. salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive. Lessons Sundays 1:303;30pm. Open to the public. $3 per person.

Wear closed toe leather shoes if possible.

Doris Martin Dance Studio, 8511-h ferguson Ave. Call or email for info. ongoing. 912-9257416. savh_tango@yahoo.com.

Awaken with Chakradance™ A free-flowing, meditative dance, with eclectic music selected to resonate with each specific chakra, along with guided imagery. No dance experience or chakras knowledge needed. $20 ongoing, 7-8:30 p.m. 912-663-1306. Chakradancer@ comcast.net. chakradance.com/. synergisticbodies.com. Synergistic Bodies, 7901 Waters Ave. Ballroom Group Dance Class Weekly ballroom dance classes focus on two types of dance each month. Open to partners/couples or to solos. The $35 for 4 weeks or $10 drop in Mondays, 7 p.m.

912.312.3549. reservetodance@gmail. com. salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Ballroom/Latin Group Class Group classes every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm. Tuesdays focus on fundamental steps, styling, and techniques.

Wednesday’s classes are more specific, with advanced elements. $15/person and $25/ couple Wednesdays, 8 p.m. and Tuesdays..

912-335-3335. savannahballroom@gmail. com. savannahballroomdancing.com.

Savannah Ballroom Dance Studio, 11 Travis Street.

Basic Shag Lessons Every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. ongoing. doublesnightclub.com/. Doubles Nightclub, 7100 Abercorn St. Beginner’s Belly Dance Classes Learn basic moves and choreography with local Belly Dancer, Nicole Edge. Class is open to all ages and skill levels. Walk-ins welcome. 15.00 Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.

912-596-0889. edgebelly@gmail.com. edgebellydance.com. Fitness on Broughton, 1 E. Broughton St. Beginners Belly Dance Classes Instructed by Nicole Edge. All ages/Skill levels welcome. Sundays, 12pm-1pm.

Fitness body and balance studio. 2127 1//2 E. Victory Dr. $15/class or $48/hour. Call or see website. ongoing. 912-596-0889. cairoonthecoast.com.

Beginners Belly Dancing with Cybelle For those with little-to-no dance background.

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Happenings

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DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

Instructor is formally trained, has performed for over ten years. $15/person. Tues. 7pm8pm. Private classes and walk ins available.

Synergistic Bodies, 7724 Waters Ave. ongoing. 912-414-1091. info@cybelle3.com. cybelle3.com.

C.C. Express Dance Team Wednesdays, 6pm-8pm. Clogging or tap dance experience is necessary. Call Claudia Collier for info. ongoing. 912-748-0731.

Windsor Forest Recreation Building, Windsor Forest.

Dance for Peace A weekly gathering to benefit locals in need.

Music, dancing, fun for all ages. Donations of nonperishable food and gently used or new clothing are welcomed. Free and open to the public. Sundays, 3 p.m. 912-547-6449. xavris21@yahoo.com. Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Dance Lessons (Salsa, Bachata) Learn to dance Salsa & Bachata. For info, call Austin (912-704-8726) or Omar (Spanish - 787-710-6721). Thursdays. 912-704-8726. salsa@salsasavannah.com. salsasavannah. com.

Dance Party Dance on Thursdays at 8pm--fun, friendship, and dancing. Free for Savannah Ballroom students. $10 for visitors ($15 for couples). free - $15 Thursdays, 8 p.m. 912-3353335. savannahballroom@gmail.com. savannahballroomdancing.com. Savannah Ballroom Dance Studio, 11 Travis Street.

Free Dance Thursdays at Lake Mayer Lake Mayer is offering free dance and fitness classes for all ages every Thursday, in the Community Center. 9:30 am and 10:30 am is the “Little Movers” class for toddlers.

12:00 pm Lunch Break Fitness. 1:30 pm Super Seniors. 5:30 pm youth hip hop. 6:30 pm Adult African Fitness. FREE ongoing, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 912-652-6780. sdavis@ chathamcounty.org. Lake Mayer, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads.

FUNdamentals Dance Lesson Group dance lessons every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm. Tuesday: fundamental steps, styling, and techniques. Wednesday: advanced elements. $15/person $25/ couple Wednesdays, 8 p.m.. 912-3353335. savannahballroom@gmail.com. savannahballroomdancing.com. Savannah Ballroom Dance Studio, 11 Travis Street.

Home Cookin’ Cloggers Wednesdays, 6pm-8pm, Nassau Woods Recreation Building, Dean Forest Road. No beginner classes at this time. Call Claudia Collier for info. ongoing. 912-748-0731.

Irish Dance Classes Glor na Dare offers beginner to champion Irish Dance classes for ages 5 and up.

Adult Step & Ceili, Strength and Flexibility, non-competitive and competitive programs, workshops, camps. Certified. Wednesdays..

912-704-2052. prideofirelandga@gmail. com.

Kids Hip Hop and Jazz Mondays, 6 p.m. salondebailedancestudio. com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Kids/Youth Dance Class Kids Group class on various Ballroom and Latin dances. Multiple teachers. Ages 4-17 40 currently enrolled in the program. Prepares

youth for social and/or competitive dancing. $15/person Saturdays, 10 a.m. 912-3353335. savannahballroom@gmail.com. savannahballroomdancing.com. Savannah Ballroom Dance Studio, 11 Travis Street.

LaBlast Dance Fitness Created by world renowned dancer and ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” professional, Louis Van Amstel, LaBlast uniquely combines a wide variety of ballroom dance styles and music genres. Do the Cha Cha Cha, Disco, Jive, Merengue, Salsa and Samba set to everything from pop and rock to hip-hop and country – and burn fat and blast calories! No experience and no partner necessary. $15.00 drop in or 10 classes for $80.00 Mondays, 6-7 p.m. and Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. 912.312.3549. reservetodance@ gmail.com. salondebailedancestudio.com.

Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Memorial Drive.

Let There Be Peace On Earth Sankofa Center for the Arts presents this dance, which encompasses the uniting message of love and joy while sending out a plea for peace and harmony, which is needed in light of the harrowing and unspeakable violence our community, our country, and the entire world. Donations will benefit Toys for Tots. free Wed., Dec. 30, 3-5 p.m. 912-312-5353. sankofaartscenter@ gmail.com. savannahmall.com/. Savannah Mall, 14045 Abercorn Street.

Line Dancing Take down Tuesdays. Jazzy Sliders Adult Line Dancing, every Tuesday, 7:30pm-10:00pm. Free admission, cash bar.

Come early and learn a new dance from 7:30pm-8:30pm. ongoing. doublesnightclub. com/. Doubles Nightclub, 7100 Abercorn St. Mahogany Shades of Beauty Dance classes - hip hop, modern, jazz, West African, ballet, lyrical and step. Modeling and acting classes. All ages/levels welcome.

Call Mahogany for info. ongoing. 912-2728329.

Modern Dance Class Beginner and intermediate classes. Fridays 10am-11:15am. Doris Martin Studio, 7360 Skidaway Rd. Call Elizabeth for info. ongoing. 912-354-5586.

Salsa Night Come and shake it to the best latin grooves and bachata the night away in Pooler where it’s cooler. Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m. 912988-1052. medi.tavern314@gmail.com.

Mediterranean Tavern, 125 Foxfield Way. Savannah Shag Club Wednesdays, 7pm,at Doubles Lounge.

Fridays, 7pm, at American Legion Post 36, 2309 E. Victory Dr. ongoing. doublesnightclub.com/. Doubles Nightclub, 7100 Abercorn St. Savannah Swing Cats--Swing Dancing ongoing. doublesnightclub.com/. Doubles Nightclub, 7100 Abercorn St. Sizzle: Dance and Cardio A class designed to maintain that summer body by dancing and having fun.

Incorporates dance and cardio to fun, spicy songs. $10 drop in or 10 classes for $80 Tuesdays, Fridays, 10 a.m. 912312-3549. reservetodance@gmail.com. salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson

Memorial Drive.

Events

5 Year Anniversary Celebration Free Classes All Morning to Celebrate 5 Years of Yoga! 730 - 830 AM - Power Hour 900 - 1030 AM - Power Max 1100 - 12 Power Basics 1230 - 130 PM - Gentle Power *no heat Free Sat., Jan. 2, 7:30-8:30, 9-10:30, 11 a.m.-noon & 12:30-1:30 p.m. 912-3492756. info@savannahpoweryoga.com. savannahpoweryoga.com. Savannah Power Yoga, 7360 Skidaway Road Unit J-3.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure Turn Savannah into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Available 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Start when you want and play at your pace. Save 20%Only $39.20 for a team of 2-5 people after Promotion Code: CONNECTSAVANNAH. Only $39.20 for a team of 2-5 people after Promo Code: CONNECTSAVANNAH Mondays-Sundays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.. 805-6035620. Info@urbanadventurequest.com.

UrbanAdventureQuest.com. Franklin Square, Montgomery and St. Julian Streets.

Awaken with Chakradance™ Thursdays Join us for a free-flowing, meditative dance and experience the healing power of Chakradance™. With eclectic music selected to resonate with each specific chakra, along with guided imagery, Chakradance™ will take you on a spiritual journey, free the energy in your body and open you to a deeper experience of life. No dance experience or prior knowledge of the chakras is necessary.

Limited to 12 participants – email to reserve a spot today! $20 Thursdays, 6:45-8:15 p.m.

912-663-1306. Chakradancer@comcast. net. anahatahealingarts.com/healing-aha/.

Anahata Healing Arts Center, 2424 Drayton St. Suite B. Common Grounds Common Grounds is a collaboration of the Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Wesley Fellowship. We meet on Wednesday nights for open theological discussion on hot button issues. All are welcome regardless of faith background or where you are on your spiritual journey. We are open and affirming of the LGBT community. Order for Compline by candlelight is offered on Sunday nights at 8PM. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. facebook.com/commongroundssavannah.

The Foundery Coffee Pub, 1313 Habersham St. The Evolution of Christmas Traditions in America Why do we hang stockings on chimneys and kiss under the mistletoe? Take a walk through history as we explore past Christmas traditions and their influence on the holiday we know today. The OwensThomas House will be decked out to help you experience the simplicity of a Regency Christmas during the tenure of the Richardsons, the growing sophistication of the antebellum customs practiced by

the Owenses, and the more recognizable Victorian holiday as the Thomases would have enjoyed it. Through Jan. 4, 2016. telfair. org/visit/owens-thomas-house/overview/.

Owens-Thomas House, 124 Abercorn St. First Friday Fireworks Celebrate the end of the week and the beginning of a new month with First Friday Fireworks, presented by Wet Willie’s. Free first Friday of every month, 9:30 p.m. info@riverstreetsavannah.com. riverstreetsavannah.com/event/first-fridayfireworks. Rousakis Plaza, River St. First Friday Oyster Roast Enjoy oysters, cocktails and live music and take a tour of the new Whitman Yacht. first Friday of every month, 6:30-9:30 p.m. westinsavannah.com/. Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, 1 Resort Drive.

Free Monthly Expectant & New Parent Support Group This FREE monthly support group is held on the first Tuesday of each month. No pre-registration is required. Please join us for conversation, support and refreshments.

Children are welcome! FREE first Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m.-noon. 912-544-6387. erigosavannah.com. Erigo, 5301 Paulsen Street.

Gingerbread Village Competition Don’t miss this winter wonderland of edible art. Through Dec. 30. westinsavannah.com/.

Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, 1 Resort Drive.

Guided Tours of the Lucas Theatre for the Arts Learn the history of the historic Lucas Theatre on a 20-30 minute tour. Restoration, architecture, history of the theatre and of early cinema. $4. Group rates for ten or more. School trips available. Tours are Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and must be scheduled. To schedule a tour, contact Megan Chandler at 912-525-5029 or mchandle@lucastheatre.com. ongoing. 912525-5023. lucastheatre.com. Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 32 Abercorn St. Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight Glistening by candlelight, the Federal-style home welcomes visitors to an experience emphasizing the end-of-year celebrations of early 19th century Savannahians, including the Davenport household, who lived in the fine brick home on Columbia Square. Light refreshments, music and skilled interpreters, who show visitors through the home, are among the highlights of the presentation.

The performance requires that guests be able to walk up and down stairs and maneuver in the candlelit rooms. $10 adults in advance, $12 at door; $6 kids advance, $8 at door Through Dec. 30, 6-8:30 p.m. davenporthousemuseum.org. Davenport House, 324 East State St. New Year’s Day Brunch $10 bottomless mimosas. Fri., Jan. 1, 10 a.m. theordinarypub.com/. The Ordinary Pub, 217 1/2 West Broughton Street.

New Year’s Eve Join Pacci for two seatings and special menus from chef Dusty Grove. The 5-6:30 p.m. dinner has three courses for $45, and the 7:30-10:30 p.m. dinner has five courses for $80. Reservations are recommended.

Thu., Dec. 31. paccisavannah.com. Pacci

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Italian Kitchen + Bar, 601 E Bay St. Hula in the New Year at Bar Food. Free pig roast with all the fixins, sunny tunes from DJ OB-1 Benobi, Hawaiian themed cocktails, and a free champagne toast at midnight. Wear your best tropical attire and come ready to celebrate. Thu., Dec. 31. barfoodsavannah. com. bar.food, 4523 Habersham St. With a complimentary midnight champagne toast. Thu., Dec. 31. theordinarypub.com/.

The Ordinary Pub, 217 1/2 West Broughton Street. Drink specials and complimentary champagne all night. Thu., Dec. 31. Ta Ca Restaurant, 513 E Ogethorpe Ave. Enjoy fire pits, s’mores and half off bottles of wine from 8pm – midnight in our family friendly courtyard. Free champagne toast at midnight. Weather permitting. Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. foxyloxycafe.com/. Foxy Loxy Cafe, 1919 Bull St. New Year’s Eve Celebration in the Harbor Ballroom $79 Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. westinsavannah.com/. Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, 1 Resort Drive.

New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise Looking for a relaxing way to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Join us for our dinner cruise, perfect for those who want to avoid large crowds. $62.95 adults, $36.25 children Thu., Dec. 31, 6-8 p.m. savannahriverboat. com/riverboat/cruises/2014-new-years-evecruises. savannahriverboat.com. Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 East River Street.

New Year’s Eve Experience Live music with the Versatile Band and a complimentary champagne

toast at midnight. Thu., Dec. 31, 9 p.m. bohemianhotelsavannah.com/dining/dining. asp. Rocks on the Roof, 102 West Bay St. New Year’s Eve Fireworks Tybee Island will ring in the New Year with a spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration which can be enjoyed right on the beach from just about anywhere on the eastern side of the island, including the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion. This popular Tybee tradition welcomes visitors from near and far and is free and open to the public.

Thu., Dec. 31. Tybee Island, Tybee Island.

New Year’s Eve Gala Cruise Celebrate in style with this four-hour cruise, including hors d’oeuvre, surf and turf buffet, choice of a bottle of house wine or champagne, party favors, live entertainment, dancing and a cash bar. Formal cocktail attire encouraged. $169.95 Thu., Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. savannahriverboat. com/riverboat/cruises/2014-new-years-evecruises. savannahriverboat.com. Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 East River Street.

New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Costume Party Join us for a Gatsby Costume Party to rival those of books and films. Start the festivities off with a signature draft cocktail of your choice and enjoy delicious panAsian hors d’oeuvres from CO. The party will feature the sounds of DJ GQue, professional photography, fun swag for celebrating and a champagne toast at midnight. 50 Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. 912-2366144. jon@savannahcocktailco.com.

Jonesin’ Crossword by matt Jones

©2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) Answers on page 45

“No Whey!” —somehow you gotta take your lumps.

continues on p. 42

Across

1 Letterhead illustrations 6 Key holder 9 “Your Movie Sucks” author Roger 14 “I’m on ___!”

15 Anonymous Richard in court cases 16 Where it’s happening 17 Like some French sauces 18 Observation from one person to another, part 1 20 Observation, part 2 22 Street of bad dreams?

23 “Ice Age” sloth 24 Allow 25 Stick (out) 28 Singer who dropped “McEntire” from her performing name 30 Last name in cartoon skunks 32 Appease fully 33 Possible pigeon perch 35 Baseball Hall-of-Famer Tony 36 Observation, part 3 40 “Oh ___! -- it’s full of stars!” (line from the novel “2001”) 41 “And there you have it!”

42 Rake in 43 British artist Lucian 45 BBQ specialty 49 180 degrees from SSW 50 Membership charge 51 Red or Dead follower

53 “Poetry Out Loud” org.

54 Response to the observation, part 1 57 Response, part 2 60 “The Kiss” artist Gustav 61 Baby food, typically 62 Legendary coach Parseghian 63 Word before craft or board 64 Northernmost NYC borough 65 Modern, in Munich 66 Make some z’s

Down

1 Brief writer 2 Maryland’s state bird 3 Lose sensation 4 “In My Own Fashion” autobiographer Cassini 5 ___ a fox 6 Cholesterol-laden burger topper 7 “Game of Thrones” actress Chaplin 8 Scarab, e.g.

9 What’s happening 10 Titanic obstacle 11 Pair of bunnies?

12 Bitterly regret 13 Golfer’s support 19 Mountaintop feature 21 First name among early “SNL” regulars 25 Crows’ cousins 26 “Reader” founder Eric

27 Lowest two-digit positive integer 29 “Good Eats” host Brown 31 “Pet” annoyance 32 Say some naughty words 34 LAX listing 35 Pomade alternative 36 Blue used in printing 37 Shrek, for example 38 “Undersea World” explorer Jacques 39 Evades the seeker 40 Checkers pieces 43 Pool table fabric 44 Grant another mortgage 46 Describing a living organism process (unlike, say, from a test tube) 47 Yuppie’s German car, slangily 48 “Being and Nothingness” author 50 UPS rival 52 Goth necklace pendants 54 Small songbird 55 1950s Hungarian leader Nagy 56 Tesla founder Musk 57 “Be on the lookout” message 58 Low-down sort 59 Prefix sometimes seen around vasectomies

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

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savannahcocktailco.com/NYE. Cocktail Co., 10 Whitaker Street.

New Year’s Eve in City Market Ring in the New Year at City Market! It’s an outdoor street party and you are invited to join in the fun. Live music starts at 9:00 p.m. and lasts until 1:00 a.m. Free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are required. Thu., Dec. 31, 7 p.m. savannahcitymarket.com. City Market, Jefferson at West Saint Julian St. New Year’s Eve Party Come celebrate with the Club One Cabaret with two shows at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., a complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight, and over $5,000 in Cash and Prizes, including 6 Annual All-Access Passes during our famous balloon drop. $17 online, $20 at door Thu., Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m. clubone-online.com. Club One, 1 Jefferson St. New Year’s Eve Party Cruise The most unique party in Savannah with a 2 1/2 hour cruise, hors d’oeuvre spread, entertainment, party favors, midnight champagne toast and cash bar on board.

21 and up only. $63.95 Thu., Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. savannahriverboat.com/ riverboat/cruises/2014-new-years-evecruises. savannahriverboat.com. Savannah Riverboat Cruises, 9 East River Street.

New Year’s Eve Roaring Twenties Party Ticket includes draft cocktail of your choice, heavy hors d’oeuvre catered by CO, music by DJ GQue, party favors, prize for best Gatsby costume, champagne toast at midnight, complimentary photography and evening memorabilia. $50 Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Cocktail Co., 10 Whitaker Street.

The original Midnight Tour One of the spookiest tours in town. Learn about the untold stories of some of the most haunted locations here in Savannah Georgia. Guaranteed to give you a few goose bumps and an unexplained need for a night light. 33.00 ongoing. 1-866-666-3323.

6thsenseworld.com. 6th Sense Savannah Tours, 404 Abercorn Street.

PBJ Pantry A free food pantry held every Thursday, 10-11am and 6-7pm. Contact Jessica Sutton for questions. 912-897-1192 ongoing. ymcaofcoastalga.org/. YMCA (Wilmington Island), 66 Johnny Mercer Blvd.

Savannah Storytellers Tall tales and fun times with the classic art of storytelling. Every Wednesday at 6pm.

Reservations encouraged by calling 912349-4059. Wednesdays, 6 p.m. liveoakstore. com/tubbysthunderbolt. Tubby’s Tank House (Thunderbolt), 2909 River Dr. Shire of Forth Castle Fighter Practice Local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism meets Saturdays at Forsyth Park (south end) for fighter practice and general hanging out. For those interested in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. ongoing. savannahsca.org.

Sixth Sense Savannah Tour In 2002, smashing all of the barriers,the Sixth Sense Savannah tour became the first tour to go well beyond the usual touring areas and subject matter, starting in a 42 neighborhood, where locals, family, friends,

chose to share their personal ghost stories, exclusively with the company founder.

30.00 Every 55 days, 9:30 p.m. 9122920960.

6thsenseworld.com. 6th Sense Savannah Tours, 404 Abercorn Street.

Skatefest The Civic Center is bringing back its annual family-oriented ice skating event.

Ice skating sessions last 1.5 hours and all ticket purchases include skate rental.

Single session tickets and punch passes are available for sale at the Savannah Civic Center box office, and in the arena’s Skateshop during the event. $7 single sessions, $35 for 6 sessions Through Jan. 2, 2016. savannahcivic.com. savannahcivic. com. The Savannah Civic Center, 301 West Oglethorpe Ave. Southbound Brewery Saturday Tours and Tastes Savannah’s first microbrewery is open for public tours and tastings Wednesday - Fridays from 5:30-7:30 and Saturdays from 2-4. Hang out, have a few cold ones, and learn a little more about Savannah’s first craft brewery. Free Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.

912-335-7716. info@southboundbrewingco. com. southboundbrewingco.com.

Southbound Brewing Company, 107 East Lathrop Ave. Tybee Polar Plunge The Tybee Polar Plunge returns to Tybee Island on Thursday, January 1, 2016! The annual event draws thousands of people who take the New Year’s Day plunge into the brisk Atlantic Ocean. Also featured is “Gang of Goofs” costume contest and parade.

Advance registration available online.

Sponsored in part by Connect Savannah. $25 adults, $15 kids Fri., Jan. 1, noon. tybeeposttheater.org/event/tybee-polarplunge/. Tybee Island, Tybee Island.

Under The Rainbow On Thursday nights come out to the coolest spot in Pooler for Under The Rainbow. Every week we will host a different event that will cater to those that play over, around and under the rainbow. Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.

912-988-1052. Mediterranean Tavern, 125 Foxfield Way. Wild Nights at Ossabaw Spend the afternoon touring the captivating Ossabaw Island & Beach followed by a night of dinner, sky-gazing and astronomy.

Sit by the fire at Midnight and Toast to 2016. All ages are welcome to participate in this experience but children must be accompanied by an adult. $250-$350 Thu., Dec. 31, 1 p.m. Ossabaw Island, 1 Cane Patch Rd.

Fitness

$8 Community Yoga Classes Savannah Power Yoga offers a community yoga class nearly every day of the week for just $8. All proceeds support local organizations. See schedule online for details. Most classes are heated to 90 degrees. Bring a yoga mat, towel and some water. $8 Mondays-Fridays, Sundays. (912) 349-2756. info@savannahpoweryoga. com. savannahpoweryoga.com. savannahpoweryoga.com/. Savannah Power Yoga, 7360 Skidaway Rd. $8 Community Meditation Classes Join us for breath work, guided meditation,

and yoga nidra, a deep relaxation technique to relieve stress, quiet the mind, and find the calm within. All proceeds support local organizations. $8 Sundays, 6-7 p.m.

912-349-2756. savannahpoweryoga.com/.

Savannah Power Yoga, 7360 Skidaway Rd. Al-Anon Family Groups An anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics. The message of Al-Anon is one of strength and hope for friends/family of problem drinkers. Al-Anon is for adults. Alateen is for people age 13-19.

Meetings daily throughout the Savannah area. check website or call for info. ongoing.

912-598-9860. savannahalanon.com.

Avian Loop First Day Hike Start your New Year in a healthy way with this two-mile hike in the park. $5 parking Fri., Jan. 1, 2 p.m. 912-598-2300. gastateparks. org/info/skidaway/. Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Cswy.

Barre Classes Looking for a fun way to tone and burn calories? Savannah Yoga Barre offers daily barre classes to help you reach your fitness goals. Diverse classes ensure there’s something for everyone. All levels are encouraged to attend. Start where you are and go from there. Classes start as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 6:45 p.m. $15 drop-in or use class pass ongoing. 912200-4809. info@savannahyogabarre.com. savannahyogabarre.com. Savannah Yoga Barre, 2132 East Victory Drive.

Beach Body Workouts with Laura MONDAYS at 6:15 PM at the Lake Mayer Community Center $5.00 per session Mondays, 6:15 p.m. (912) 652-6784. Lake Mayer, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads.

Beastmode Fitness Group Training Train with this elite team. A total body program that trims, tones and gets results.

Personal training options available. See website for info. Meets at West Broad YMCA. 5am-6am and 8pm-9pm. ongoing. beastmodefitnessga.com. YMCA-West Broad St, 1110 May St. Beginning Pole Fitness Pole fitness is a fun and flirty way to get in shape! Taught by Pole Dance America National Professional Champion Sabrina Madsen, you’ll learn the basics of pole dance in a safe and welcoming environment. Gain strength, balance and confidence. Beginner Classes are open to all shapes and sizes and are for ladies only (men welcome at our Intermediate Class). $25 for drop-in or $100 for a package of 5 classes Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. 801.673.6737. info@firstcityfitness.com. firstcityfitness. com/pole-fitnessparties.html. First City Fitness, 2127 1/2 Victory Dr. Blue Water Yoga Community donation-based classes, Tues. and Thurs., 5:45pm - 7:00pm.

Fri., 9:30am-10:30am. Email for info or find Blue Water Yoga on Facebook. ongoing. egs5719@aol.com. Talahi Island Community Club, 532 Quarterman Dr. Breema Join us October 3 and every first Saturday 10-12. Discover a practical and transformative approach to life and health.

Receiving Breema bodywork releases deeply held tension in the body, mind and feelings.

Breema is a way to practice being present.

Taught by Laura Ike. Open to community.

Donation jar. Call 912 658-5592 with questions. first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.-noon. Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1008 Henry St. Color Vibe 5k Get blasted with color as you run in this 5k. Sat., Jan. 2. savtcc.com. Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, 1 International Dr. Core Pilates This fun and challenging Pilates class will tone your entire body while focusing on building core strength. Betsy HunterHughes is at your service every MonWed-Fri 9:45 at Savannah Yoga Barre. $15 drop-in or class pass Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9:45-10:45 a.m. 912200-4809. info@savannahyogabarre.com. savannahyogabarre.com. Savannah Yoga Barre, 2132 East Victory Drive.

Fitness Classes at the JEA Sin, firm it up, yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, Aquasize, senior fitness, and Zumba. Prices vary. Call for schedule. ongoing. 912-3558811. savj.org. savannahjea.org. Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Free Caregiver Support Group For anyone caring for senior citizens with any affliction or illness. Second Saturday of the month, 10am-11am. Savannah Commons, 1 Peachtree Dr. Refreshments.

Free to attend. Open to anyone in need of support for the caregiving they provide. ongoing. savannahcommons.com.

Free Yoga for Cancer Patients St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Center for WellBeing offers Free Yoga for Cancer Patients every Monday from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in Candler’s Heart & Lung Building, Suite 100. The very gentle movements and breath work in this class will give you much needed energy, it will make your body feel better, and it will give you a mental release. This class is free to cancer patients. Mondays, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

912-819-8800. sjchs.org/. Candler Hospital, 5353 Reynolds St. Functional Training Class Celebrate fall with a Saturday morning workout class. All levels welcome. A smooth mix of cardio and strengthening exercises.

Call Kara 912-667-0487 if interested. ongoing. Downtown Savannah, downtown.

Dude’s Day at Savannah Climbing Coop Thursdays, 2 til 10 p.m. Savannah Climbing Coop 302 W Victory Dr, Savannah Every Thursday men climb for half price, $5. See website for info. Thursdays, 2 & 10 p.m.

912-495-8010. savannahclimbingcoop.com.

Savannah Climbing CoOp, 302 W Victory Dr. Happy Hour Boot Camp Classes Amanda Jessop, certified strength and conditioning specialist, teaches classes for those who enjoy challenging and fun workouts and have goals to lose weight, tone up, or get in shape for the new year. Different packages available: Classes start out at $8 Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6-7 p.m.. 832-470-2257. amanda@channelyourinnerathlete.com. channelyourinnerathlete.com/work-with-me/ sports-conditioning-boot-camp/. Tom Triplett Community Park, U.S. Highway 80 West.

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State Park Year round fitness opportunities. Walk or run the 1-mile Sandpiper Nature Trail (accessible) the additional 1-mile Avian Loop Trail, or 3-mile Big Ferry Trail. Bicycle and street strider rentals. Guided hikes scheduled. $5 parking. Open daily 7am10pm. Call or see website. ongoing.

912-598-2300. gastateparks.org/ SkidawayIsland. gastateparks.org/info/ skidaway/. Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Cswy.

Kung Fu School: Ving Tsun Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) is the world’s fastest growing martial arts style. Uses angles and leverage to turn an attacker’s strength against him. Call for info on free trial classes. Drop ins welcome. 11202 White Bluff Rd. ongoing. 912-429-9241.

Living Smart Fitness Club St. Joseph’s/Candler African-American Health Information and Resource Center offer the Living Smart Fitness Club, which is an exercise program to encourage healthy lifestyle changes. On Mondays and Wednesdays the classes are held at the John S. Delaware Center. On Tuesdays, the classes are held at the center, at 1910 Abercorn Street. Classes include Zumba (Tuesdays) and Hip-Hop low impact aerobics with cardio and strengthening exercises (Mondays/Wednesdays).

Mondays, Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, 5:30-7 p.m. 912-447-6605.

Delaware Recreation Center, 1815 Lincoln St. Mommy and Baby Yoga Mondays. Call for times and fees or see website. ongoing. 912-232-2994. savannahyoga.com. savannahyoga.com/.

Savannah Yoga Center, 1321 Bull St. Nonstop Fitness Spin Class Join us every Thursday at 5:30pm for Spin.

Space is limited, please call 912-349-4902 to reserve your spot and to inquire about our other classes. 10 classes for $50 Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. 912-349-4902. kristi@ nonstopfitnesssav.com. nonstopfitnesssav. com. NonStop Fitness, 8511 Ferguson Ave. Pilates Classes Daily classes for all skill levels including beginners. Private and semi-private classes by appointment. Carol Daly-Wilder, certified instructor. Call or see website for info. ongoing. 912-238-0018. savannahpilates. com. pilatessavannah.com/. Momentum Pilates Studio, 8413 Rerguson Ave. Pregnancy Yoga series of 6-week classes. Thursdays. A mindful approach to pregnancy, labor and delivery. Instructor Ann Carroll. $120. Call or email for info. ongoing. 912-704-7650. ann@aikyayoga.com. savannahyoga.com/.

Savannah Yoga Center, 1321 Bull St. Pregnancy Yoga Classes Pregnancy is a transitional time when many physical and emotional changes take place. Pregnancy Yoga is about honoring these changes in ourselves, our body and our baby. Yoga strengthens the rapidly changing body and increases the ability to relax, and helps to prepare for a more mindful approach to the challenges of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and motherhood.

Pregnancy Yoga classes are offered as a 6 week session on Thursday evenings from

6pm – 7:15 pm. The class is suitable for all stages of pregnancy and no prior yoga experience is necessary. $120 - six week session Thursdays. 912-704-7650. ann@ douladeliveries.com. douladeliveries.com. savannahyoga.com/. Savannah Yoga Center, 1321 Bull St. Qigong Simple meditation in motion. Done standing.

Tuesday evening @ St. Thomas Episcopal, Isle of Hope. 5.45pm. Balance, Breath, Calm.

Taught by Tricia Richardson. 658-5592.

Tuesdays. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2 St. Thomas Ave. Qigong Classes Qigong exercises contribute to a healthier and longer life. Classes offer a time to learn the exercises and perform them in a group setting. Class length averages 60 min. Any level of practice is welcome. $15 ongoing. qigongtim.com/.

Renagade Workout Free fitness workout, every Saturday, 9:00 am at Lake Mayer Park. For women only.

Offered by The Fit Lab. Information: 912376-0219 ongoing. Lake Mayer, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads.

Richmond Hill Roadies Running Club A chartered running club of the Road Runners Association of America. Monthly training sessions and seminars. Weekly runs. Kathy Ackerman, 912-756-5865, or Billy Tomlinson, 912-596-5965. ongoing.

Rock’n Body Fitness Bootcamp Ultimate outdoor power workout! Group physical training program conducted by former military personnel. Build strength and fitness through a variety of intense group intervals lasting approx.

45 minutes. First Class FREE MondaysFridays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 912-675-0952. rocknbodyfitnessbootcamp@gmail.com. rocknbodyfitnessbootcamp.com. Forsyth Park, Drayton St. & East Park Ave. Ladies Day at Savannah Climbing Coop Wednesdays, 2 til 10 p.m. Savannah Climbing Coop 302 W Victory Dr, Savannah Every Wednesday women climb for half price, $5. See website for info. ongoing. 912495-8010. savannahclimbingcoop.com.

Savannah Disc Golf Weekly events (entry $5) Friday Night Flights: Fridays, 5pm. Luck of the Draw Doubles: Saturdays, 10am.

Handicapped League: Saturdays, 1pm. teacher Janet Kaylo. Wear light, loose Singles at the Sarge: Sundays, 10am. fitting clothes suitable for dance or All skill levels welcome. Instruction yoga. No experience necessary. $15 available. See website or email for info. drop-in Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. 912-200ongoing. savannahdiscgolf@gmail.com. 4809. info@savannahyogabarre.com. savannahdiscgolf.com. savannahyogabarre.com. Savannah Yoga Savannah Striders Running and Barre, 2132 East Victory Drive.

Walking Club Turbo Kick Cardio Workout With a one-year, $35 membership,free Lose calories while dancing and kick-boxing. training programs for beginners No experience or equipment needed. Tues. (walkers and runners) and experienced and Thurs. 6pm, Fitness on Broughton, athletes. Fun runs. Advice from mentors. 1 E. Broughton Wed. 6pm Lake Mayer Monthly meetings with quality speakers. Community Center, 1850 E. Montgomery Frequent social events. Sign up online or Crossroads. $5 ongoing. 586-822-1021. look for the Savannah Striders Facebook facebook.com/turbokicksavannah. page. ongoing. savystrider.com.

Yoga for Cancer Patients and SIZZLE- Dance Cardio Survivors The hottest cardio class to keep or get youFree for cancer patients and survivors. The in shape for summer. Sizzle is designed classes help with flexibility and balance to give you cardio, strengthening, and while also providing relaxation. Located stretch training that you need for that at FitnessOne, on the third floor of the bikini body. Enroll now and get the first Memorial Outpatient and Wellness Center. class free. $10.00 or $80 for 10 classes Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays, 12:45 Tuesdays, Fridays, 10 a.m. 912.312.3549. p.m. 912-350-9031. memorialhealth.com/. salondebaile.dance@gmail.com.

Memorial Health University Medical Center, salondebailedancestudio.com. Salon de 4700 Waters Ave. Baile Dance Studio, 7064 Hodgson Yoga for Meditators Memorial Drive.

Yoga for Meditators One hour of gentle Somatic Movement Improvisation slow flow and yin yoga with breath work This class is for everyone who moves! to prepare the body to sit comfortably in Improve your dynamic alignment, breath, meditation, followed by a half hour guided grounding, and the ability to access fluid meditation based on the work of Jon Kabatmovement. You will improve in all your Zinn’s mindfulness based stress reduction movement activities, while awakening program to reduce anxiety, depression more fully within your own life as an and chronic pain. You will experience a full continues on p. 44 embodied experience. Led by international

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cycle of self-care starting with the body and ending with the mind. By practicing mindfulness in this way you may experience a deeper connection with the world and your place in it and a more accepting attitude towards life’s difficulties. Wednesdays 6-7:30 PM, $15. Visit savannahzencenter. com or find us on Facebook. Located at 640 E 40th St and Reynolds. Text (912) 429-7265 for more info. ongoing. The Savannah Zen Center, 640 E. 40th St. Yoga Teacher Training Program Interested in teaching yoga or simply deepening your practice? Join us for our annual 200-hour yoga teacher training program. The journey begins on October 9 and takes place over the course of 9

weekends in an 8-month period. You’ll work in a timeframe that allows you to fully digest and incorporate new knowledge and skills into your yoga practice as well as your everyday life. While our 8-month program prepares you for teaching yoga to others, it’s not necessary to want to teach yoga to benefit from this training. Whether you choose to teach yoga or not, our 200-Hour training will help you develop your unique style and cultivate your inner voice. Through May 15, 2016. ytt@savannahyoga.com. savannahyoga.com. savannahyoga.com/.

Savannah Yoga Center, 1321 Bull St. Zumba Fitness (R) with April Mondays at 5:30pm, Thursdays at 6:30pm.

Nonstop Fitness in Sandfly, 8511 Ferguson

Ave. $5 for nonmenbers. call for info. ongoing. 912-349-4902.

Health

Armstrong Prescription Drug Drop-Off Armstrong Atlantic State Univ. hosts a permanent drop box for disposing of unused prescription drugs and over the counter medication. In the lobby of the University Police building on campus.

Open to the public 24 hours/day, year round. Confidential. All items collected are destroyed by the Drug Enforcement Administration. ongoing. 912-344-3333. armstrong.edu. about.armstrong.edu/Maps/ index.html. Armstrong State University,

Free Will Astrology ARIES (March 21-April 19)

John Koenig is an artist who invents new words. Here’s one that’s applicable to your journey in 2016: “keyframe.”

Koenig defines it as being a seemingly mundane phase of your life that is in fact a turning point. Major plot twists in your big story arrive half-hidden amidst a stream of innocuous events. They don’t come about through “a series of jolting epiphanies,” Koenig says, but rather “by tiny imperceptible differences between one ordinary day and the next.” In revealing this secret, I hope I’ve alerted you to the importance of acting with maximum integrity and excellence in your everyday routine.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

The coming months look like one of the best times ever for your love life. Old romantic wounds are finally ready to be healed. You’ll know what you have to do to shed tired traditions and bad habits that have limited your ability to get the spicy sweetness you deserve. Are you up for the fun challenge? Be horny for deep feelings. Be exuberantly aggressive in honoring your primal yearnings. Use your imagination to dream up new approaches to getting what you want. The innovations in intimacy that you initiate in the coming months will keep bringing you gifts and teachings for years to come.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In ancient times, observers of the sky knew the difference between stars and planets. The stars remained fixed in their places. The planets wandered around, always shifting positions in relationship to the stars. But now and then, at irregular intervals, a very bright star would suddenly materialize out of nowhere, stay in the same place for a while, and then disappear. Chinese astronomers called these “guest stars.” We refer to them as supernovae.

They are previously dim or invisible stars that explode, releasing tremendous energy for a short time. I suspect that in 2016, you may experience the metaphorical equivalent of a guest star. Learn all you can from it. It’ll provide teachings and blessings that could feed you for years.

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

44

Be alert for an abundance of interesting lessons in 2016.

You will be offered teachings about a variety of practical subjects, including how to take care of yourself really well, how to live the life you want to live, and how to build the connections that serve your dreams. If you are even moderately responsive to the prompts and nudges that come your way, you will become smarter than you thought possible. So just imagine how savvy you’ll be if you ardently embrace your educational opportunities.

(Please note that some of these opportunities may be partially in disguise.)

by Rob brezsny

beautyandtruth@freewillastrology.com

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

The silkworm grows fast. Once it hatches, it eats constantly for three weeks. By the time it spins its cocoon, it’s 10,000 times heavier than it was in the beginning. On the other hand, a mature, 60-foot-tall saguaro cactus may take 30 years to fully grow a new side arm. It’s in no hurry.

From what I can tell, Leo, 2015 was more like a silkworm year for you, whereas 2016 will more closely resemble a saguaro. Keep in mind that while the saguaro phase is different from your silkworm time, it’s just as important.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

“The sky calls me,” wrote Virgo teacher and poet Sri Chinmoy. “The wind calls me. The moon and stars call me. The dense groves call me. The dance of the fountain calls me.

Smiles call me, tears call me. A faint melody calls me. The morn, noon and eve call me. Everyone is searching for a playmate. Everyone is calling me, ‘Come, come!’” In 2016, Virgo, I suspect you will have a lot of firsthand experience with feelings like these. Sometimes life’s seductiveness may overwhelm you, activating confused desires to go everywhere and do everything. On other occasions, you will be enchanted by the lush invitations, and will know exactly how to respond and reciprocate.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

In the 19th century, horses were a primary mode of personal transportation. Some people rode them, and others sat in carriages and wagons that horses pulled. But as cities grew larger, a problem emerged: the mounting manure left behind on the roads. It became an ever-increasing challenge to clear away the equine “pollution.” In 1894, a British newspaper predicted that the streets of London would be covered with nine feet of the stuff by 1950. But then something unexpected happened: cars. Gradually, the threat of an excremental apocalypse waned. I present this story as an example of what I expect for you in 2016: a pressing dilemma that will gradually dissolve because of the arrival of a factor you can’t imagine yet.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

11935 Abercorn St. Free Enrollment Help for Medicaid and PeachCare Parents can find the help they need to renew or sign up their children (ages 0-19) on Medicaid or PeachCare. Enrollment Assisters will work with clients through the process. Free and open to the public.

Wednesdays, 1-5 p.m.. 912-356-2887.

Free Hearing and Speech Screening Hearing: Thursdays, 9am-11am.

Speech: First Thursdays,. Call or see website for times. ongoing. 912-3554601. savannahspeechandhearing.org. savannahspeechandhearing.org/. Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, 1206 E 66th St.

The longest river in the world flows through eastern Africa: the Nile. It originates below the equator and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Although its current flows north, its prevailing winds blow south. That’s why sailors have found it easily navigable for thousands of years. They can either go with the flow of the water or use sails to harness the power of the breeze. I propose that we make the Nile your official metaphor in 2016, Scorpio. You need versatile resources that enable you to come and go as you please -- that are flexible in supporting your efforts to go where you want and when you want.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

In many cases, steel isn’t fully useful if it’s too hard. Manufacturers often have to soften it a bit. This process, which is called tempering, makes the steel springier and more malleable. Car parts, for example, can’t be too rigid. If they were, they’d break too easily. I invite you to use “tempering” as one of your main metaphors in 2016, Sagittarius.

You’re going to be strong and vigorous, and those qualities will serve you best if you keep them flexible. Do you know the word “ductile”? If not, look it up. It’ll be a word of power for you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

In his essay “The Etiquette of Freedom,” poet Gary Snyder says that wildness “is perennially within us, dormant as a hard-shelled seed, awaiting the fire or flood that awakes it again.” The fact that it’s a “hard-shelled” seed is a crucial detail. The vital stuff inside the stiff outer coating may not be able to break out and start growing without the help of a ruckus. A fire or flood? They might do the job. But I propose, Capricorn, that in 2016 you find an equally vigorous but less disruptive prod to liberate your dormant wildness. Like what? You could embark on a brave pilgrimage or quest. You could dare yourself to escape your comfort zone. Are there any undomesticated fantasies you’ve been suppressing? Unsuppress them!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Frederick the Great was King of Prussia between 1740 and 1786. He was also an Aquarius who sometimes experimented with eccentric ideas. When he brewed his coffee, for example, he used champagne instead of water. Once the hot elixir was ready to drink, he mixed in a dash of powdered mustard. In light of the astrological omens, I suspect that Frederick’s exotic blend might be an apt symbol for your life in 2016: a vigorous, rich, complex synthesis of champagne, coffee, and mustard. (P.S. Frederick testified that “champagne carries happiness to the brain.”)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

My Piscean acquaintance Arturo plays the piano as well as anyone I’ve heard. He tells me that he can produce 150 different sounds from any single key. Using the foot pedals accounts for some of the variation. How he touches a key is an even more important factor. It can be percussive, fluidic, staccato, relaxed, lively, and many other moods. I invite you to cultivate a similar approach to your unique skills in 2016. Expand and deepen your ability to draw out the best in them. Learn how to be even more expressive with the powers you already possess.

the ghost dog diaries

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Free Hearing Screenings The Savannah Speech and Hearing Center offers free hearing screenings every Thursday from 9-11 a.m. Children ages three years old to adults of all ages are screened on a first-come, first-serve basis by a trained audiology assistant. If necessary, a full audiological evaluation will be recommended. Free and open to the public Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. 912355-4601. speechandhearingsav.org. savannahspeechandhearing.org/. Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, 1206 E 66th St. Free HIV Testing at Chatham County Health Dept.

Free walk-in HIV testing. 8am-4pm Mon.-Fri. No appointment needed. Test results in 20 minutes. Follow-up visit and counseling will be set up for anyone testing positive. Call for info. ongoing. 912-644-5217. Chatham County Health Dept., 1395 Eisenhower Dr. Health Care for Uninsured People Open for primary care for uninsured residents of Chatham County. Mon.Fri., 8:30am-3:30pm. Call for info or appointment. ongoing. 912-443-9409. St. Joseph’s/Candler--St. Mary’s Health Center, 1302 Drayton St. Hypnosis, Guided Imagery and Relaxation Therapy Helps everyday ordinary people with everyday ordinary problems: smoking, weight loss, phobias, fears, ptsd, life coaching. Caring, qualified professional help. See website or call for info. ongoing.

912-927-3432. savannahypnosis.com.

Know Your Water What everyone ought to know about our drinking water (bottled, tap, distilled, reverse osmosis, filtered, alkaline and spring.) Are you paying thousands of money for water that is making you sick? Find out what water is best for your body. FREE Tuesdays, 7-8:15 p.m. 703-989-6995. oggisavannah@gmail. com. Anahata Healing Arts Center, 2424 Drayton St. Suite B. La Leche League of Savannah A breast feeding support group for new/ expectant monthers. Meeting/gathering first Thursdays, 10am. Call or see website for location and other info. ongoing. 912-8979544. lllusa.org/web/savannahga.html.

Living Smart Fitness Club An exercise program encouraging healthy lifestyle changes. Mon. & Wed. 6pm-7:15pm Hip Hop low impact aerobics at Delaware Center. Tues. 5:30-7:00 Zumba at St. Joseph’s Candler African American Resource Center. (Program sponsors.) ongoing. 912-447-6605.

Planned Parenthood Hotline First Line is a statewide hotline for women seeking information on health services.

Open 7pm-11pm nightly. ongoing. 800-2647154.

Prepared Childbirth Class This course gives an overview of reproductive anatomy and physiology and explains the process of labor and delivery in simple, easy-to-understand terms. The four-week course includes a tour of the labor and delivery unit. This class is popular, so please register early $75 per couple Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 912-350-2676. memorialhealth.com/. Memorial Health University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave.

The Savannah 7-Day Diabetes Repair If you are ready to take control of your life and health, call today, enroll in this fun but intensive seven week program to heal your body of diabetes. You will learn how changing can heal. You can reverse diabetes by following a new protocol, even if you have been diabetic for years.

Includes over a year of follow-up support. $450 Thursdays, Saturdays. 912-598-8457. jeff@heartbeatsforlife-ga.org. Southwest Chatham Library, 14097 Abercorn St.

LGBT

First City Network Georgia’s oldest LGBT organization (founded in 1985), is a local non-profit community service organization whose mission is to share resources of health care, counseling, education, advocacy and mutual support in the Coastal Empire. Members and guests enjoy many special events throughout the year, including First Saturday Socials held the first Saturday of each month at 7pm.

Mondays. 912-236-CITY. firstcitynetwork. org.

Gay AA Meeting True Colors Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, a gay and lesbian AA meeting that welcomes all alcoholics, meets Thursdays and Sundays, 7:30pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 311 E. Harris, 2nd floor. New location effective 11/2012. ongoing.

Georgia Equality Savannah Local chapter of Georgia’s largest gay rights group. 104 W. 38th St. 912-547-6263. ongoing.

Savannah Pride, Inc. Organizes the annual Savannah Pride Festival and helps promote the well-being of the LGBT community in the South.

Mission: unity through diversity and social awareness. Second Tuesday/month. Call for location. ongoing. 912-288-7863. heather@ savpride.com. savpride.com.

Stand Out Youth A gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth organization. Meets every Friday at 7pm. Call, email or see website for info. Fridays, 7-9 p.m. 912-657-1966. info@standoutyouth.org. standoutyouth. org. Vineyard Church Office, 1020 Abercorn Street.

What Makes a Family A children’s therapy group for children of GLBT parents. Ages 10 to 18. Meets twice a month. Call for info. ongoing. 912-352-2611.

Nature and Environment

Coffee with a Ranger Start your morning right by getting coffee and having a discussion with a park ranger.

Fridays, 8:30 a.m. gastateparks.org/info/ skidaway/. Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Cswy.

Dolphin Project Dolphin Project’s Education Outreach Program is available to speak at schools, clubs, organizations. A powerpoint presentation with sound and video about estuarine dolphins and their environment.

Age/grade appropriate programs and handouts. See website for info. ongoing.

thedolphinproject.org.

First Day Hikes We are offering a three-mile nature hike at 10 a.m. This is a moderately-paced hike with our naturalist. She will be pointing out native plants and animals and look for animal tracks along the way. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. At 2 p.m., our Interpretative Ranger will be leading a hike around the fort area. He will talk about what life was like for the soldiers here during the Civil War. You will be allowed access to areas that are normally not open to the public. Get some exercise and have a great experience reliving history. Each hike has a $3 per person fee and each car requires a $5 Park Pass. Fri., Jan. 1, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. gastateparks.org/ FortMcAllister/. Fort McAllister Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Rd. First Saturday Hike This moderately-paced, 3-mile hike will include a talk about the different ecosystems of the park. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and insect repellant. Parking pass is $5. $2 first Saturday of every month, 9 a.m. 912-727-2339. gastateparks.org/ FortMcAllister/. Fort McAllister Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Rd. Gardening Session Learn how to garden and harvest vegetables and herbs to bring home. Kerry Shay, an organic farmer and owner of landscaping company Victory Gardens, provides free instruction. First and third Saturday of every month. Free and open to the public first Saturday of every month, 8:30-9:30 a.m. charleshmorriscenter.com. Charles H. Morris Center, 10 East Broad St. Recycling Fundraiser for Economic Opportunity Authority Support EOA through the FundingFactory Recycling Program. Recycle empty cartridges, cell phones, small electronics, laptops, to EOA for recycling. They will receive technology products and cash.

Businesses may also recycle items on behalf of EOA for credit. Drop off at EOA, 681 W. Anderson St. See website, email or call for info. ongoing. 912-238-2960 x126. dwproperty@aol.com. fundingfactory.com.

Walk on the Wild Side A two-mile Native Animal Nature Trail winds through maritime forest, freshwater wetland, salt marsh habitats, featuring live native animal exhibits. Open daily, 10am-4pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. continues on p. 46

Crossword Answers

Bon Voyage, Old Year

By Your Pal Erin

psychicyourpalerin@gmail.com www.yourpalerin.com

¡ADIOS y vaya con dios, 2015! It’s time to make room for our best, most positive New Year ever. Easier said than done, right?

We’ve had quite the chaotic momentum this year and it seems to be everywhere.

But don’t lose hope! Quantum physics proves that the outcome to any given situation can change based on where we focus our attention. Professional racecar drivers even use this technique to avoid crashing into concrete walls. By averting their gaze, the car’s steering system follows the driver’s eyes instead of the vehicle’s trajectory.

So where will you focus your attention in 2016? I’ll be using mine to create more light, love, joy, and peace in the world.

I hope you’ll join me. But before we get started, let’s neutralize the fo’shizzle out of that ishy old energy. Here’s your step-bystep guide: 1. Go through your house with Master Gardner’s eyes and weed the place of all that no longer serves a purpose. Donate, recycle and release lovingly into the world.

Happy trails!

2. Burn candles, sage or ring bells to clear the old energy. Thanks to El Niño, we can even open the windows and doors this winter, so be sure to enjoy nature’s Lysol.

Things smell amazing when left in the sun!

3. Vacuum, sweep and wash floors, if you have energy. If not, task the fairies, gnomes and elves with blessing the dust balls and neutralizing their ionic fields.

4. Go T-Swift on your frenemies. Hop on over to Youtube, crank some “Shake It Off” and serenade them at the top of your lungs.

Trust me, they’ll feel it. The Force is strong with this one.

5. Wash your bod and bed sheets. The Sandman will reward you with a good night’s rest...unless your Sandman listens to Metallica. In which case, if you can’t beat him, join him.

6. Make a list of everything you want to bring in to your life in 2016. Bless it and be sure to add Miracle Gro...then release it lovingly to The Universe, but not before listening to 38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely.”

7. Create a list of all the positive aspects in your life and thank your angels kindly.

When making my appreciation list, all of you will be on it. Thank you, dear readers, for being a shining light in my life this past year. Sending y’all my best, most positive thoughts for an amazing 2016.

See you on the flipside!

Your pal, Erin 45

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

Happenings

Happenings

continued from previous page

Call or see website for info. ongoing. 912395-1500. oatlandisland.org. oatlandisland. org/. Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd. Wilderness Southeast A variety of programs each month including guided trips with naturalists. Canoe trips, hikes. Mission: develop appreciation, understanding, stewardship, and enjoyment of the natural world. Call or see website for info. ongoing. 912-236-8115. wildernesssoutheast.org.

Pets & Animals

Low Cost Pet Clinic TailsSpin and Dr. Stanley Lester, DVM, host low-cost pet vaccine clinics for students, military and seniors the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. 5pm-6pm.

Vaccinations: $12, ($2 is donated to Savannah pet rescue agencies). See website for info. ongoing. tailsspin.com. tailsspin. com. TailsSpin Pet Supplies Store, 4501 Habersham St., Habersham Village.

Operation New Hope Operation New Hope allows inmates to train unadoptable dogs from the Humane Society for Greater Savannah. The goals of the program are to decrease the recidivism rate among Chatham County inmates, help inmates learn a new skill, and help previously unadoptable dogs find loving homes. The graduated dogs are available for adoption can be viewed at www.humansocietvsav.org, and www. chathamsheriff.org. Operation New Hope is funded by the Humane Society and community donations. ongoing. chathamsheriff.org. humanesocietysav.org/.

Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Dr. St. Almo’s Savannah True Animal Lovers Meeting Others. Informal dog walks on Sundays, 5pm (weather permitting). Meet at Canine Palace. Call for info. ongoing. 912-234-3336. caninepalacesavannah.com. Canine Palace Inc, 618 Abercorn St.

Religious & Spiritual

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

Band of Sisters Prayer Group All women are invited. Second Tuesdays, 7:30am-8:30am. Fellowship Assembly, 5224 Augusta Rd. Email or call Jeanne Seaver or see website for info. “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hands of the Lord.” (Prov. 21:1) ongoing. 912-663-8728. jeanneseaver@aol.com. capitolcom.org/ georgia.

Buddhist Meditation All ages, lineages, and newcomers welcome. Our schedule is: Tuesdays 6-7:30 PM- for 30 minutes mediation followed by study group, $10. Wednesdays 6-7:30 PM- one hour of gentle yoga followed by 30 minutes of guided meditation, $15. Sundays 9-10:30 AM- Mediation, dharma talk and tea, $10. Reiki healing is offered by appointment.

Text Rev. Cindy Beach at (912) 429-7265 for more info or visit savannahzencenter.com or find us on Facebook. Located atLocated at 640 E 40th St and Reynolds. $10-$15 ongoing. The Savannah Zen Center, 640 E. 40th St. Catholic Singles 46 A group of Catholic singles age 30-50 meet

frequently for fun, fellowship and service.

Send email or check website to receive announcements of activities and to suggest activities for the group. ongoing. familylife@ diosav.org. diosav.org/familylife-singles.

First Day Prayer and Praise Service Praise, worship and fellowship with Trinity Baptist Church as we pray for continued blessings and healing for our community.

Fri., Jan. 1, 10 a.m. 912-344-4515. trinitybaptistsavannah.org. Trinity Baptist Church, 902 W. 36th Street.

Gratitude Circle in the Squares Join Joanne Morton and others on Wednesdays for a weekly gathering of positive energy. All are welcome. Free hugs.

View calendar for the square of the week.

Wednesdays, 12-12:30 p.m. 917-676-4280. magicpassionlove.com/.

Guided Silent Prayer Acoustical songs, 30 minutes of guided silent prayer, and minutes to receive prayer or remain in silence. Wednesdays, 6:45-8:00pm at Vineyard Church, 615 Montgomery St. See website for info. ongoing. vineyardsavannah.org.

Maritime Bethel “Sundays on Thursdays” worship at the Fellowship Assembly. Plenty of parking for large trucks. Free Thursdays. 912-220-2976.

The Fellowship Assembly of God Church, 5224 Augusta Road.

A New Church in the City, For the City Gather on Sundays at 10:30am. Like the Facebook page “Savannah Church Plant.” ongoing. Bryson Hall, 5 E. Perry St. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Courses are now being offered at the new Savannah Extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Full course loads for both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees will be offered. Apply now at www.nobts. edu to start classes this winter. ongoing.

912-232-1033. revwasson@gmail.com.

Savannah Baptist Center, 704 Wheaton Street.

Read the Bible in One Year A Bible book club for those wanting to read the Bible in one year. Open to all. Book club format, not a traditional Bible study. All welcome, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, religion. Thurs. 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Call for info. ongoing. 912-233-5354. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 622 E. 37th Street.

Savannah Friends Meeting (Quakers) Un-programmed worship. 11am Sundays, third floor of Trinity United Methodist Church. Call or email for info.

All are welcome. ongoing. 636-2331772. savannahquakers@gmail.com. trinitychurch1848.org/. Trinity United Methodist Church, 225 West President St. Savannah Reiki Share During shares, participants take turns giving and receiving universal life force energy via Reiki and other healing modalities. Present at the shares are usually no less than 2 Reiki Masters. Come share with us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at the Sweet Water Spa in downtown Savannah.

Sign up at Savannah Reiki Share or Reiki by Appointment on Facebook. Free ongoing, 7

p.m. 440-371-5209. Sweet Water Spa, 148 Abercorn Street.

Service of Compline Enter the stillness of another age. Gregorian Chant sung by candlelight at 9:00-9:30 p.m. every Sunday night by the Complne Choir of Christ Church Anglican. Come, say good nigh to God. All are welcome. ongoing.

Christ Church Anglican, 37th and Bull.

South Valley Baptist Church Weekly Sunday services. Sunday school, 10:00am. Worship, 11:30am. Tuesday Bible Study/Prayer Service, 6:30pm. Pastor Rev. Dr. Barry B. Jackson, 480 Pine Barren Road, Pooler, GA “Saving a nation one soul at a time.” .

Sundays on Thursdays Worship Service Thursdays. 912-826-0206. maritimebethelatsavannah.org. The Fellowship Assembly of God Church, 5224 Augusta Road.

Tapestry Church A church for all people! We don’t care what you are wearing, just that you are here.

From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, Tapestry is committed to delivering a creative, challenging, straight forward, and honest message about the role of biblical principles in your life. Come experience an environment that helps you connect with God and discover his incredible purpose for your life. Join us every Sunday morning 10AM at the Habersham YMCA. Sundays, 10 a.m. tapestrysavannah.com. ymcaofcoastalga.org/. YMCA (Habersham Branch), 6400 Habersham St. Theology on Tap Meets on the third Monday, 8:30pm-10:30pm. Like the Facebook page: Theology on Tap Downtown Savannah. ongoing. distillerysavannah.com. The Distillery, 416 W. Liberty St. Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah Liberal religious community where people with different beliefs gather as one faith. Sundays, 11am. Email, call or see website for info. ongoing. 912-234-0980. admin@uusavannah.org. uusavannah. org. uusavannah.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah, 313 Harris St. Unity Church of Savannah Everyone is welcome. Unity of Savannah is not concerned with where people come from, what they look like, or whom they love – Unity is just glad that each person is here. Sunday 9:15am meditative service and 11:00am celebratory service show what the New Thought Movement is all about. Children’s church 11am service.

Unity loves all people, just as they are.

Sundays. 912-355-4704. unityofsavannah. org. unityofsavannah.org/. Unity Church of Savannah, 2320 Sunset Blvd.

Sports & Games

Adult and Junior Tennis Clinics On Thursdays. Intended for a class size of 4-8 students. Buy four classes, get the fifth class free. $15 per class ongoing.

912-201-2000. westinsavannah.com. theclubatsavannahharbor.com/index.php.

The Club at Savannah Harbor, #2 Resort Dr. Adult Coed Flag Football League 8x8 Coed Flag League. Play adult sports,

meet new people. Sponsored by Savannah Adult Recreation Club. Wed. nights/Sun. mornings, at locations around Savannah. $450. Minimum 8 games. Ages 18+. Coed teams. See website or call for info. ongoing.

912-220-3474. savadultrec.com.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure- Savannah Turn Savannah into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Available 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Start when you want and play at your pace. Save 20%- Only $39.20 for a team of 2-5 people after Promotion Code: CONNECT. Sign up online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest. com. $39.20 for a TEAM of 2-5 people Through Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 805-6035620. info@urbanadventurequest.com.

UrbanAdventureQuest.com. Franklin Square, Montgomery and St. Julian Streets.

Bears Elite Football Learn the fundamentals of football. Ages 4-12. Sign up now. Mondays-Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 912-272-6684. Daffin Park, 1198 Washington Ave. Derby Devils Roller Derby Classes Roller derby league offers 12-week courses for beginners, recreational scrimmaging for experienced players and two annual bootcamp programs. See website for info. ongoing. savannahderby.com.

Grief 101 Support Group Seven-week morning or evening adult support group offers tools to learn to live with loss. Tuesdays, 10am-11am; or Thursdays, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Free of charge.

Offered by Hospice Savannah, Inc. Call for info. ongoing. 912-303-9442. Full Circle Grief and Loss Center, 6000 Business Center Drive.

Saturday Group Run or Walk Join us in our quest for fitness. Beginners are welcome. We can help you exceed your fitness goals. Free Saturdays, 7-8:15 a.m. 912-398-4130. runthecity@live.com. savystrider.com. Lake Mayer, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads.

Sav. Strider Run or Walk Join us for a run or walk downtown or over the bridge if you’re feeling froggy. The best part is afterwards when we get coffee or whatever else your heart desires from Savannah Coffee Roasters. Free Sundays, 7-8 a.m. 912-398-4130. runthecity@live. com. savystrider.com. Savannah Coffee Roasters, 215 West Liberty Street.

Savannah Bike Polo Like regular polo, but with bikes instead of horses. Meets weekly. See facebook for info. . facebook.com/savannahbikepolo.

Ultimate Frisbee Come play Ultimate! Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30pm until dark. Sundays, 4:30pm until we get tired. The west side of Forsyth Park. Bring a smile, two shirts (one light or white, one dark), water, and cleats (highly recommended). . savannahultimateproject@gmail.com. savannahultimateproject.wordpress.com/ pick-up/. Forsyth Park

REDUCED RENT & DEPOSIT!

For Rent

SPECIAL! SPECIAL!

For Your Information CONNECT INSTANTLY WITH SEXY LOCAL SINGLES FREE Trial! Call 912.544.0013 or 800.926.6000 www.livelinks.com 18+

Jobs Help Wanted ABC ED. Childcare Center is Now Hiring a Lead Pre-K Teacher for 2015-2016 school year. Also seeking a FT CDA position. Must have: GA. Educator Certificate (Early Childhood Education P-5) Contact: Dee Myers ABC ED. Childcare Center 1106 East 48th Street, Savannah, GA 31404. 912-355-1442

B Net Management Inc. For pictures & videos of properties *Credit Issues, Prior Evictions, Bankruptcies may still apply *NO SECURITY DEPOSIT SPECIAL & 1/2 OFF 1ST MONTH’S RENT ON ALL APTS. UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST (Extended) 32 Liberty Heights: 3BR/2BA & Den, LR, DR, CH/A, Hardwood & carpet, fenced backyard, fireplace. $995//month.

CLIFTON’S DRY CLEANERS Hiring for All Positions. Apply in person: 8401 Ferguson 505-1/2 Avenue. No phone calls.

ENGINEERING & SURVEYING FIRM is currently accepting applications for a Survey Crew Member.

Please reply with brief statement of interest, contact information and resume for consideration. 912-661-5003 NOW HIRING CHILDCARE TEACHER/VAN DRIVER: Must be 25yrs. of age or older with dependable transportation, good driving record & cell phone. Call 912-443-4649

PART TIME HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED

*Vacation house with limited visitors; *Flexible hours, need to be able to work some holidays; *Skill set needs to include washing/ ironing sheets on rotation iron or positive attitude and willingness to learn. Email: jdredo204@gmail.com

W.42nd

Street:

2BR/1BA Apt. off MLK. Carpet, tile floors, laundry hookup, kitchen w/appliances, ceiling fans, large rooms, secured entrance. $645/ month.

5509 Emory Drive: 3BR/2BA house. LR, DR, hardwood floors, carpet, CH/A, laundry room, kitchen, fenced yard. $950/month.

2528 & 2530 Bismark Ave. off Laroche. 2BR/1BA Apts.

Appliances, central heat/air, washer/dryer hookup, carpet. $650/month.

160 Laurelwood: 3BR/2BA, LR, DR, CH/A, Laundry room, carpet & vinyl, fenced backyard $950/mo.

807-809 Paulsen St. 2BR/1BA Apt. Appliances, central heat/air, carpet & hardwood floors $635/ month.

Real Estate Commercial Property For Sale Off ACL Blvd. & Westlake Ave.

TURN KEY BUSINESS FOR SALE VIP Beauty & Barber Shop Established for over 20 years (I’ve owned/operated for 12yrs)

600Sq.Ft., 7 Stations. Located directly across from SSU at 3200 Falligant Avenue.

Thunderbolt, GA. *All Reasonable offers will be considered*

Contact: 912-398-8709

2 & 3BR, 1 Bath Apts. Newly Renovated, hardwood floors, carpet, ceiling fans, appliances, central heat/air, washer/dryer hookups. $595-$725/month for 2bdrs and $715-$850/month for 3bdrs, utilities may be added to rent if requested.

912-228-4630 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm www. bnetmanagement.com *For Qualified Applicants* WE ACCEPT SECTION 8 *$250 Admin Fee

Find Out What’s Going On In The Coastal Empire!

Community.ConnectSavannah.com

1524 E. 32nd St. 2BR/1BA, Living/Dining room, Kitchen with appliances, Central H&A, W/D hookups, is not total electric. $750/Rent, $700/Deposit. 912-898-4135

*11515 WHITE BLUFF ROAD: $625/month for 1BR/1BA Apt. with $500/deposit. *1303 EAST 66TH STREET: 2BR/2BA $775/month, $500/ deposit. *207 EDGEWATER ROAD. Nice location.

2BR/2BA, all electric, $795/month. *COMMERCIAL SPACE: 310 & 320 E. Montgomery Crossrds.

Upstairs $800-$1,200.

DAVIS RENTALS

*2214 New Mexico Ave: 3BR/2BA 310 EAST MONTGOMERY with separate den $900/mo.

CROSSROADS, Several Rental & 912-354-4011 OR 656-5372 Rent-To-Own Properties.

GUARANTEED FINANCING STAY MANAGEMENT 352-7829 RENT OR RENT-TO-OWN: mobile homes, 2104 NEW YORK AVENUE: 3BR/1 Remodeled Bath. $775/month plus deposit. 3BR/2BA, in Garden City mobile home park. Low down affordable No pets. Call 912-660-2875 payments. Credit check approval.

BEAUTIFUL 3BR APT. FOR RENT Call Gwen, Manager, at 912-964East 70th near Waters Ave. Near 7675 transportation and Shopping SECTION 8 WELCOME areas. $850/per month. Call 912ALL HOUSES NEWLY RENOVATED 349-5501 *7 Brookview: 3BR/2BA, extras DUPLEX: 1227 East 54th Street. $1050.

2BR/1BA $550/month plus *1510 E.32nd: 3BR/1.5BA $950. $550/deposit. Two blocks off *2199 Iowa St. 3BR/1.5BA $950.

Waters Avenue, close to Daffin Call 912-257-6181 Park. Call 912-335-3211 or email adamrealstate@gmail.com. Days/ VERY NICE HOUSES FOR RENT *127 Linden Dr. 3BR/1BA $815.

Nights/Weekends. *15 Gerald Dr. 3BR/1BA $805.

EASTSIDE *410 Delores Ave. 4BR/1BA $950 2BR/1BA, living room, dining Call 912-507-7934, 912-927-2853, room, kitchen, CH&A, fenced or 912-631-7644. yard. $750/per month. Call 912660-4296 or 912-507-7875.

WESTSIDE FURNISHED APARTMENTS, No 3BR/1BA, kitchen furnished Deposit. 1 Bedroom, Utilities $745 + deposit. No Section 8.

Included. $160, $175, $190 Call 912-234-0548 per week. Corner of 38th and Drayton. 912-234-9779 AFFORDABLE SAVANNAH APARTMENTS! 1, 2, 3, & 4 Bedrooms FURNISHED APTS. $180/WK. Available for Private bath and kitchen, cable, Immediate Occupancy utilities, washer furnished. AC & On-Site Security, Laundry heat, bus stop on property. No Room, Playground, Nearby deposit required. Completely Public Transportation, & Built-in Dishwashers safe, manager on property.

Landlord Pays Water, Contact Gail, (912)650-9358; Sewer and Trash, Linda, (912)690-9097.

3rd and 12th Month Free FURNISHED EFFICIENCY APT. (Conditions Apply & Must Utilities included. No pets. $720 Bring in Copy of Ad) per month, $200 deposit. Call COME TO OUR OPEN HOUSE: 1/30/2016 9 AM TO 5 PM 236-1952912For More Information FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT, Please Contact Live Oak LP Utilities Included, $110 per week. at: 912-927-1188 Corner of 38th and Drayton. Call Max Income Limits Apply 912-234-9779 NICE, CLEAN FURNISHED ROOM for Rent. Cable, TV, Internet access, Kitchen privileges. Quiet, Safe neighborhood. No Drugs.

Call 912-509-5102 WEEK AT A GLANCE Does what it says. Only at www.connectsavannah.com Happenings: All the info about clubs, groups and events. Only at www.connectsavannah.com

Search For And Find Local Events 24/7/365

ConneCtSavannah.Com

Commercial Property for Rent

HIGH VISIBILITY OFFICE SPACE ON OGLETHORPE AVENUE First floor office space.

Available now! Downtown, corner of Lincoln Street and Oglethorpe Ave, ground floor, approximately 1,600 square feet, four offices, plus lobby/reception area, with direct office street entrance, conference room, 2 bathrooms. Rent $1,500 per month with utilities. Contact: Elizabeth at 233-8585

Room for Rent ROOMS FOR RENT $75 MOVE-IN SPECIAL TODAY!!

Clean, large, furnished. Busline, cable, utilities, central heat/air. $100-$130/weekly. Rooms with bath $145. Call 912-289-0410. *Paycheck stub or Proof of income and ID required.

AVAILABLE ROOMS:

CLEAN, comfortable rooms.

Washer/dryer, air, cable, ceiling fans. $125-$145 weekly. No deposit. Call Ike @ 844-7065

ROOMS FOR RENT - ADULT LIVING: $150 weekly. No deposit. Furnished rooms. All utilities included. Call 912844-5995 ROOMS FOR RENT Westside / Eastside Savannah: 37th, 38th, & 42nd Streets. Adult Living. Furnished, all utilities included.

Washer/Dryer on premises, cable TV, WiFi/Internet. $150/weekly. Private bath $200/ weekly. Requirements: Pay stubs/ ID. Call 912-677-0271

Follow The Leader In Event Listings!

Check Out Week At A Glance and Happenings!

Roommate Wanted ROOMMATE WANTED: Single, Mature Individual.

Safe Environment.

Central heat/ air, cable, washer/dryer. $585/ Monthly; $280/security deposit, No lease. Immediate occupancy.

Call Mr.Brown, 912-663-2574

Automotive Cars/Trucks/Vans FENDER BENDER ??

Paint & Body Work.

Reasonably Priced. Insurance Claims. We buy wrecks. Call 912-355-5932.

Service Directory Business Services FOR ALL TYPES OF MASONRY REPAIR

Brick, Block, Concrete, Stucco, Brick Paving, Grading, Clearing, etc., New & Repair Work. Call Michael Mobley, 912-631-0306

Buy. Sell.

ROOMS FOR RENT: $130 to $150/ wk. Washer/dryer, cable, on busline. Almost new house. Pay stubs & ID required. References.

Contact Jack, 912-342-3840 or www.connectsavannah.com Linda, 912-690-9097

For Free!

SAVANNAH’S HOUSE OF GRACE

SENIOR LIVING AT IT’S BEST FOR AGES 50 & BETTER Shared community living for full functioning seniors ages 50 & above. Nice comfortable living at affordable rates.

Shared kitchen & bathroom.

All bedrooms have central heating/air and cable.

Bedrooms are fully furnished and private. Make this community one you will want to call home.

SAVANNAH’S HOUSE OF GRACE also has community housing with its own private bath. Different rates apply.

Income must be verifiable.

We accept gov. vouchers.

Prices starting at $550.

FENCED LOT, Zoned Commercial.

On Shell Road off Skidaway. Great Call 912-844-5995 for boatyard or storage. Plus upstairs space for possible future rental/3000 sf. Call 772-344-9290 SHARED LIVING: Fully or 772-341-8838.

Furnished Apts. $170 weekly.

Call 912-721-4350 and Place Your Classified Ad Today!

SINGLE, Family Home w/ Room for Rent: Furnished, includes utilities, central heat/air, Comcast cable, washer/dryer. Ceramic tile in kitchen & bath. Shared Kitchen & bath. Call 912210-0144, leave message

No deposit. All utilities included. Call 912-844-5995

Let Us Help You

Make MoneY!

Call 912-721-4350 To Place Your Classified Ad!

Classified

advertising

PlaCement Reach Over 45,000 Readers Every Week!

• Call our Classifieds Department at

912-231-0250

• Ads Must Be Placed By 11am On Monday Prior to Publication • ALL Ads Must be PrePaid (Credit Cards Accepted) • Basic rate includes up to 25 words. www.ConnectSavannah.com

DEC 30-JAN 5, 2015

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