[57] The Power Issue

GREATEST PETS Tips & Tricks p.48

WARRIOR

WIVES

HHHHHHHHHHHHH

THE POWER ISSUE JUDGE WALMSLEY D.A. MEG HEAP GOVERNOR DEAL SOLAR POWER SMOKE CARTEL DAUFUSKIE RUM

GREATEST BOSSES Who Made the Cut p.54

DANNY FALLIGANT Saving the World p.98

SOUTH GEORGIA HEAT!

CONFED-ROVERSY! WILL THE CONFEDERATE FLAG REST IN PEACE OR WILL IT RISE AGAIN?

PAGE 44

MONEY

&LAW TEN OF THE SOUTH'S FINEST LAWYERS FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM THE REGION'S TOP MONEY PROS

62

Features 98

48

54

58

64

94

90

32

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JAMIE CASINO: THE PAIN STEMMING FROM HIS CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND THE SENSELESS MURDER OF HIS BROTHER DROVE HIM TO TRANSFORM HIS LIFE AND CAREER.

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58 SHOT-GUN GOLF

Shooting clays is the new golf.

Take a look at one of the South’s newest locations in Palmetto Bluff

90 CRIMESTOPPERS

Citizens and police fight crime together with the media.

Also, Jail TV visits Chatham County Jail

64 TAKE DA FERRY TO DA ISLAND

Daufuskie Island Rum Company’s Tony Chase: Bingeing on Success

94 MEG HEAP

Fighting crime and keeping the peace in Savannah is more than a full-time job for this District Attorney

98 DANNY FALLIGANT

On a crusade to save society— one marriage at a time, this lawyer has something we all need

Contents DEPARTMENTS

DINE SOUTH 146 YARD PARTY

CHIT CHATS 28 CLUB SOUTH

Magic Mike XXL Premier, JCB Mud Run & Jail Break Mud Run 32 WARRIOR WIFE Tiffany Wilcox

148 SOUTHERN SIPPIN' Bartenders at Elan

38

150 SMALL BITES Luxury Appetizers

36 HIGH COTTON Grant Cardone

152 SAVANNAH’S BLOODY MARY 156 CLUBSOUTH DINNER Chef’s Table at Rocks on the River

38 IN THE STUDIO Aint-Bad Magazine

158 EXECUTIVE DINING GUIDE Power Lunches and Dinners in Savannah

40 SOUTHERN MADE Fish Hippie 42 CULTURED Danielle Hicks and the Eight Ohm Resistance

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44 ON THE PORCH Confed-roversy 46 PETS OF THE SOUTH Animal Noises

166 BEST FESTS 168 EVENTS CALENDAR

48 GREATEST PETS

STYLE SOUTH 124 DAMION LE CAPPELAIN 126 THE HOT SOUTH Fashion in the Southern Heat

174 SCENES OF THE SOUTH Savannah Artwalk, Smith Brothers and Top Deck 178 NOT-SO-SECRET

SOUTHERNER

Murray Silver

86

LAW 107 SOUTH’S FINEST LAWYERS

GO SOUTH 134 EXECUTIVE GETAWAYS

Ten of the South’s Finest

MONEY 75 FINANCIAL EXPERTS

Our Best Places to Eat, Play, Stay and Shop in the Coastal South

The Region’s Sharpest Financial Professionals

158

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PLAY SOUTH 164 CRAFT BREW

PUBLISHER’S LETTER/ THE POWER IS IN US

BEHIND THE SCENES: THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN WHEN WE WERE SETTING UP LIGHTING AT ONE OF OUR FINEST LAWYERS’ OFFICES. FOR EACH ISSUE, WE SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS SHOOTING CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHY TO ENHANCE OUR READERS’ EXPERIENCE. TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THESE GREAT FOLKS MAKES THIS AN EXCITING PROFESSION.

FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS WE’VE PUBLISHED A POWER ISSUE. AND EACH OF THOSE YEARS, IT HAS SEEMED TO TAKE ON A

Maybe we just can’t make up our minds.

Or maybe it’s that power has so many meanings. It’s got a unique power in itself.

At first, it stood for people who, through their accomplishments, success and stature, wielded an uncommon influence on our region. You know, the big players in our lovely corner of the South.

Later, power became more personal. It came to mean those that had found an elusive balance in life, the one between individualism and egalitarianism, between getting and giving.

Suddenly, we were defining power by how much a person could help others instead of

DIFFERENT MEANING.

PETS GREATEST s p.170 Tips & Trick

WARRIOR WIVES HH HH HH

HH HH HH

THE POWER ISSUE

H

20

JUDGE WALMSLEY D.A. MEG HEAP GOVERNOR DEAL SOLAR POWER SMOKE CARTEL DAUFUSKIE RUM

BOSSES GREATEST Cut p.100 Who Made the

LIGANT DANNY FAL d p.58 Saving the Worl

professional stature and the size of their homes and cars.

I wondered what kind of power we would celebrate this year. The options were not encouraging.

We’ve seen more than our fair share of tragedy, disharmony and misunderstanding.

There haven’t been too many more politically, spiritually and socially fractious times in our country. It often seems that division is the most powerful thing in the world.

Republican vs. Democrat. An old flag that still incites battles. Marriage rights or marriage wronged? Gun control vs. personal rights.

Black vs. white.

Even our little crew here at South has had to battle the slings and arrows of divisiveness and politics. Some people have paid us visits to

SOUTH GEORGIA HEAT!

ERSY! CONFEDTHEROV CONFEDERATE

WILL OR FLAG REST IN PEACE WILL IT RISE AGAIN?

MONEY

&LAW H'S TEN OF THE SOUTYERS FINEST LAW FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM THE REGIONS TOP MONEY PROS

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ABOUT THE COVER

WARRIOR WIFE TIFFANY WILSON Featured on our 57th cover is military spouse Tiffany Wilson, wearing a power suit with an image of a confederate flag on the tie. Tiffany was photographed

by Zoe Christou Welsh, a well-known international photographer based in Savannah, Georgia. Hair, makeup and styling by Kissie, post-photography art

by Andrew Davis and creative direction by Michael Brooks. See page 32.

“suggest” that we should or shouldn’t run stories about certain people. And a few advertisers have tried to shape our editorial content by threatening not to pay for ad space.

We won’t play that game. We’ve tried very hard to stay true to the creative vision and honesty that we started with. When it started to feel like money was looming too large over our content, we looked hard at ourselves, going so far as to scuttle plans for a second South title in another city.

So while we were preparing this issue, I was counting the bruises and scars I’ve acquired over the years, searching for how to define power this go-around.

It turned out the answer—a better answer—was right in front of me. It was this little band of people cheerfully working their tails off to meet a common goal. We were working together . . . and bickering and disagreeing and joking and generally enjoying the heck out of the chaos and energy of our shared experience.

It seems to me that in a time where there are people in the world carrying out beheadings, bombings, burnings, shootings and all manner of horror; people who would kill any one of us without a fleeting thought to our political party of choice, our skin color, sexual preference or our regional origin, that we really should remember what we share.

We should remember in the big scheme of things, we’re all in this together.

We should remember that the power is us.

Many thanks and keep reading,

–Michael Brooks, Publisher/Creative Director

CONTRIBUTORS

STACY MOSER

ZOE CHRISTOU WELCH

CEDRIC SMITH

MARTY FISCHER

LLANA SAMUEL

MICHAEL HRIZUK

Stacy has joined the South magazine team as Managing Editor. She was a contributing writer and editor for San Diego Home/Garden and was an editor for Harcourt Brace Jovanovich before founding The Page Group, where she published cookbooks, children’s books, novels and textbooks. Among other articles, Stacy created our Power Dining Guide, interviewed Judge Tim Walmsley, wrote about serial entrepreneur Tony Chase and his Daufuskie Island Rum Company (page 64), Bounty Hunters (page 88), the power behind military wives on page 32, and Our Not-So-Secret Southerner on page 178.

One of America’s best-known outdoorsmen, Fischer is a host and Executive Producer of the TNT Outdoor Explosion television series, a professional hunter, outdoor writer and public speaker, one of America’s leading gun club designers, a National Sporting Clays Assn. shooting instructor and is widely respected as one of America’s finest wingshooters. He works as a columnist and freelance writer. In this issue, Marty introduces us to “golf with a shotgun,” a way to have fun and raise dollars for worthwhile charities in “Shotgun Golf” on page 58.

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Zoe is a fashion, beauty/hair and fine-art photographer based in Savannah.

Growing up in London in a family involved in the fashion industry, she was influenced to pursue a career internationally as a fashion designer and photographer. Her images have since been published around the world and she has won several photography awards and competitions and has been featured in a TV show that explores the world of female photographers. Zoe shot the cover of South magazine this month.

Llana Samuel is a senior Professional Communications major, specializing in Jo u r n a l i s m , a t A r m st r o n g S t a t e University. Originally from the UK, she now calls Savannah home and can be found reading the latest fashion blogs when she’s not studying. This summer she joins the team as an editorial intern where she helps spotlight Damion Le Cappelain’s fashion sense and the Dining Opener, The Grey’s Stopover in the Yard, page 146.

Smith began his career in art as a painter—and his love for vintage photographs showed itself in almost all his works. He showed his paintings in major cities, but it was only after he moved to Savannah that he picked up the camera to shoot photos rather than just using them in his art. Fashion is what he enjoys shooting the most because “when you shoot fashion you can play with color and you can shoot from an artists point of view.” See his work in “The Hot South” (page 126).

A s a n i n d u s t r y- a w a r d -w i n n i n g photographer/creative director, Michael’s career has taken him around the globe, shooting and directing for some of the biggest names in entertainment. His trueto-form approach to authentic story telling has been the cornerstone to his success.

He photographed our piece on Shotgun Golf (page 58) and Daufuskie Rum (page 164). michaelhrizukphotos.com.

S TAY C O N N E C T E D FIND US ONLINE

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South’s New Interactive Issue!

THIS MONTH, SOUTH MAGAZINE IS HP INTERACTIVE! FOLLOW THESE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO INTERACT WITH THIS HP LINK CREATION STUIDO APP. 1 Download the “LinkReader” app from the app store.

2 Open the app and hover your phone over pages that are indicated at the bottom of the page or that are tagged with the interactive logo.

PINTEREST

Follow us at (southmagazine) to see what inspires South.

i INSTAGRAM

@Instasouth is your one-stop handle for Dixie’s coolest pics.

3 Watch the features and ads come to life on your smartphone!

P.S. ADS ARE SCANNABLE TOO!

SOUTH EXTRAS!

Welcome to the Interactive Issue. Videographer, Sean McNally has been hard at work to offer our readers some extra exciting content; learn to shoot skeet, how to make a Southern Bloody Mary or, take a tour of Daufuskie Island Rum Company. South has more cool things in this issue for you, like fun facts and photo galleries. You can access it all by scanning any photo that is a South Extra or check out the bottom of each page for more information. We hope you enjoy this new interacive edition and look forward to hearing your feedback by emailing us at editor@thesouthmag.com! Check out more videos from videographer re!

Sean McNally at cinemobius.com.

Scan Sean for Mo

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PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Michael Brooks MANAGING EDITOR Stacy Moser ART DIRECTOR Julius Woodard CIRCULATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGER Barabara Barnette ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Jared Jordan FASHION EDITOR Ashley Borders ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGN INTERN Rebeca Quintero CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paula Fogarty, Marty Fischer, Robyn Passante, Elizabeth Danos, Frank Dunne Jr., Elizabeth Kaiser, Carlton Fletcher CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jabberpics, John Alexander, Angela Hopper-Lee, Michael Hrizuk, Dylan Wilson, Bailey Davidson, Blake Crosby, Callie Beale, Jessica Scott, Lindsey Clark, Cedric Smith, Zoe Christou Welsh, Justin Upchurch EDITORIAL INTERNS Llana Samuel, Alexandra Shimalla ART INTERNS Paige Cano, Lindsey Clark, Jessica Scott, Cristina Mourao, Diana Aponte SOUTH magazine is published bimonthly by bad ink, brooks advertising design, inc. reproduction by any means of the whole or part of bad ink without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. views expressed in the editorial pages do not imply our endorsement. we welcome your product news. include prices, photos and digital files with your press release. please forward product samples and media kits to reviews editor, SOUTH magazine, 116 bull street, savannah, georgia 31401. we cannot be responsible for unsolicited product samples. subscription rates: u.s.: $19 for one year; $28 for two years; single copies: $4.95. change of address notice: six to eight weeks prior to moving, please clip the mailing label from the most recent issue and send it along with your new address to: SOUTH magazine, change of address notice, 116 bull street, savannah, ga 31401, attn: circulation

SOUTH MAGAZINE: A Division of Bad Ink 116 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401 phone: 912.236.5501 fax: 912.236.5524 southmagazine.com Copyright© 2015 South magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission is prohibited.

GET IN TOUCH WRITE TO US AT editor@thesouthmag.com or 116-A Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401

ChitChats

CLUB SOUTH ON THE COVER MOUTH OF THE SOUTH HIGH COTTON IN THE STUDIO SOUTHERN MADE CULTURED ON THE PORCH

UGA: THE GREATEST MASCOT THAT EVER LIVED? Uga IX leads a busy life, traveling back and forth between Savannah and Athens for home games.

Cecelia Seiler will be remembered for giving the University of Georgia a mascot to rival all college mascots. For over 50 years, she raised eight generations of Uga bulldogs. Her love affair with the university began after she transferred there as a student and met Frank “Sonny” Seiler, whom she later married. Cecelia moved from Athens to Sonny’s native Savannah after they graduated and she continued to care for the bulldogs daily.

She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten, for the tradition she brought to the university.

M

any mascots have strolled through the gates of the University of Georgia, but none compare to Uga. The purebred white English bulldog began his career as the official mascot unintentionally—his owner, Cecelia Seiler,

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sewed him a red jersey and brought him to the first game of the season in September 1956. Since his inaugural appearance, eight generations of Uga’s descendants have served as mascot to the university and, even today, Uga IX can be seen at home games in his air-conditioned doghouse next to the cheerleaders’ platform.

NOTABLE GAMES 9/19 10/3 10/17 10/31 11/14 11/28

South Carolina / Televised Alabama Missouri / Homecoming Florida / Televised Auburn Georgia Tech

P h o t o g r a p h s c o u r t e s y o f T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F G E O R G I A AT H L E T I C D E P T .

South Extra: Scan UGA to find facts about him (see page 24 for details)

CLUB SOUTH/ MAGIC MIKE XXL PREMIERE

Alexandra Downer l Smith Samantha Glsande Elisa Dicken

Casey Bowers, Angela Johnson, Brook Langford, Rachel McKnown & Lynn Edmonds

&

Kerrie Sellers Todd, Lisa Johnson Williams, Erica Gibson LaFontaine and Lisa Burkhalter

Magic Mike XXL premiered at the

Royal Cinemas IMAX Theater in Pooler to a crowd of over 500 people.

Local actor Drew Ater, who debuts in the movie as a featured dancer, posed for photographs with excited fans of the highly anticipated sequel.

Amanda Boyles & Sheila Cochran

Brooker Forkin & Rachel Cuf

Chad Darnell & Carrie Anne Hunt

Katrina Davis & Vanessa Weeks

Drew Ater

P h o t o g r a p h s b y D I A NA A P O N T E

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CLUB SOUTH / MUD RUNS

Both the JCB Mud Fest and the inaugural Sheriff’s Jailbreak Mud Run had athletes of all ages out in the sticky Savannah heat to compete in the name of charity. Competitors raced through miles of tough, muddy obstacles before enjoying muchwelcomed showers and an after party at the JCB event in the Party Pit.

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ON THE COVER

WARRIOR WIVES SOMETIMES THE MILITARY HERO IS THE ONE THAT’S STAYING HOME AND TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

A MILITARY WIFE’S TOOLKIT BE READY TO MORPH INTO A MAN

When your husband deploys, count on playing mommy AND daddy. Spiders take up residence on the vaulted ceiling, the dishwasher floods the kitchen and you will miss that deadline because you overslept. When something breaks, count on fixing that sucker yourself—or find a person to fix it who won’t try to rip you off because you’re female.

GET GOOD AT WAITING IN LINE

Patience is essential to handling all things military. Lines, lines and more lines are now a part of your life. The commissary, the P/X, the gas station on post. You name it—you’re gonna wait in line in it. Fuming won’t make things go faster and you’ll just have to wait in line at the pharmacy for extra blood-pressure medicine.

MAKE FRIENDS

Plain and simple—if you are not independent, you won’t last in this lifestyle. Suck it up and go off post to do stuff. You’re going to have to make friends if you expect to stay sane.

“I cringe every time I think about it.

Deployments make me sick to my stomach,” military spouse Tiffany Wilson says. “I try not to watch the news. You hear a helicopter crashed and your heart sinks. You can’t sleep until you see your husband.”

The 24-year-old met her husband, Greg, shortly before he joined the Army. “I was so in love with him, I didn’t care that he was in the Army. In basic training, we wrote letters to pass the time until we could see each other again. It was romantic.” Greg is a UH-60 Black Hawk Aviator stationed at Savannah’s Hunter Army Airfield. During the last six years, the family of four has experienced two deployments, flight school and more training exercises than they can count.

Tiffany is typical of thousands of other military spouses like her. She’s educated, well-spoken, easy to talk to. If you ran into her at the grocery store, you probably wouldn’t imagine the burden that she carries with her every day. She’s quickly become aware of how vulnerable she is when her husband’s career takes him away from her. He is not the only warrior in the family—she fights on a battlefield, too. “You have to be incredibly strong to be a military spouse,” says Wilson.

“It takes adaptability and resilience.”

Tiffany has discovered a truism about military life—she’s going to move around with him. A lot. Any preconceived notions she had about her career went

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BOO HOO, POOR ME

It’s okay to have a pity party for yourself once in a while. Your life as a single parent while your husband is gone IS HARD. But at the end of the day, you’re not going to make progress in your life if you’re feeling sorry for yourself. Get a hobby, get a job, get a dog. Just get something that will give you a reason to get up and get moving.

What other tips will a military wife need to survive this lifestyle? Go to the Army Wife 101 Facebook page to reach out to other deployment-sufferers.

out the window. “I realized I wasn’t going to be in one place for more than three years at a time, so I changed my college major to healthcare. Anywhere I go, I can find a healthcare job.”

Her husband adds, “My job is fast-paced and extremely stressful at times. A military spouse’s job on the home front can be quite a bit more challenging.

It takes a strong will to overcome what she has to deal with on a day-to-day basis—being the only parent at home, supporting the children. She’s the rock of the family. She keeps it all together.”

Photograph by ZOE CHRISTOU WELCH

M O U T H O F T H E S O U T H / N AT H A N D E A L

G

eorgia is home to a plethora of touristdestination gems hidden in the state’s 60,000 square miles.

From the mountains up north to the ocean on the coastal side, Georgia understandably has a steady flow of visitors from all around the country (and globe!).

Each year, Georgia’s governor hosts an educational and networking conference to promote a significant aspect of Georgia’s economy: tourism. Governor Nathan Deal explains, “Tourism has become a major industry in Georgia, generating an economic impact of $57 billion in 2014 and supporting 425,000 jobs. The strong turnout for this conference demonstrates the strength of this economic engine.”

The Governor’s Conference on Tourism moves to a different city in Georgia each year, and Savannah is the lucky hostess city for this year’s event. “While the conference rotates from city to city, Savannah is a natural location for this event,” says Deal. “Savannah attracts visitors from the rest of the state, across the country and around the world. Its history, its architecture and beautiful squares, its fantastic restaurants and scenic waterfront keep tourists—and their dollars—coming back time and again.”

Although he hails from Sandersville, Georgia, Deal has lots of love for Savannah: “Some of my favorite memories about Savannah revolve around my family, as one of my first cousins lived there during my childhood,” he recalls fondly.

“Also, Tybee Island certainly has special significance to me. When I was in the eighth grade and a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), I began to participate in public-speaking events. We had our district competition down at the Brass Rail on Tybee Island.

On two separate occasions, I competed there and, the second time, I won and went on to the National FFA Convention in Kansas City. So, Savannah holds very special memories for me.”

GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL THE GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM MAKES ITS WAY TO THE HOSTESS CITY. Alexandra Shimalla

AUGUST 30—SEPTEMBER 2 AT THE HYATT REGENCY

Over ten speakers—including Governor Deal, congressmen and numerous CEOS—participate in more than 20 dynamic and educational breakout sessions to help promote the tourism industry of Georgia.

P h o t o g r a p h c o u r t e s y o f G OV E R N O R D E A L

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HIGH COTTON / SOUTHERN LEADERS TELL ALL

GRANT CARDONE SALES-TRAINING GURU AND REAL-ESTATE MOGUL SHARES LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP Paula S. Fogarty

G

rant Cardone is one of America’s top sales-training experts. He is a New York Times best-selling author, business reality-television producer, star of the Cardone Zone (his business talk show) and a commercial real-estate developer. Cardone also owns and operates two digital channels: Whatever It Takes Network and Cardone University.

His Cardone real-estate acquisitions division has recently invested $34 million in a multifamily housing complex on the south side of Savannah. He has successfully entered B- and C-level markets throughout the United States, where larger fish were not taking the bait, and is now expanding into A-level markets as well. Of Savannah, he says, “I love everything about Savannah, from the Port of Savannah—one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States—to the great schools, the friendly and easy-going environment, the economic stability and the growth opportunities of the city. There is something about Savannah that is just alluring to me, including its physical position between New York and Miami. Savannah is like a fairy tale, offering a historic and ‘artsy home’ feeling that provokes a familiarity for the people that live there. I look for markets that have a unique proposition and I believe Savannah has that.”

THE BRIEF MOTIVATION BY THE NUMBERS

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million

Viewers on WhateverItTakesNetwork.com and CardoneUniversity.com

3,500 $500

million

Property Units

Real-estate transactions

100 Employees

Photographs courtesy of GRA N T CA R D ON E

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South Extra: Scan Cardone for more info. (See page 24 for details)

BUY THE BOOKS Grant Cardone puts his money where his mouth is and shows you how to follow suit in these straightforward guides to success. Purchase any of his books on grantcardone.com.

(1) 100 Ways to Stay Motivated (2) Sell or Be Sold (3) If You’re Not First, You’re Last (4) The 10X Rule (5) The Closer’s Survival Guide ALL AVAILABLE AT GRANTCARDONE.COM

ON SALES TRAINING “The sales training I’ve developed is the leader in the sales-training field. It’s based on full transparency—no games or gimmicks—and embraces a more educated buyer. And it results in businesses increasing their sales by 20 to 50 percent.”

ADVICE TO ENTREPRENEURS “Focus on revenue and expansion, regardless of the cost.

You can’t be a great company by staying small. You must expand, and that means every employee must do something to make the company more known so that it can increase revenue.”

HIS LEADERSHIP STYLE “My leadership style is one of less structure and planning and more action. I focus only on activities that are worth doing daily.

If it’s not important enough to do it every day, I probably will not do it at all.”

ON MOTIVATING PEOPLE “First, I tend to attract really good people and I am quick to get rid of those that don’t fit in. We motivate our people with daily meetings, sharing success stories of how many people we are impacting.

Our core mission is to ensure that

people who use my products are doing better in life and in business.

When you are helping people do better in life, it’s easy to get excited about going to work. I even use this philosophy when investing in realestate locations. When the people living and working at the property seem happy and productive, it helps me decide to buy.”

TIME MANAGEMENT “Time is a bizarre concept; I am often asked how much time I spend on different activities. The answer is that I spend 100 percent of my time on whatever it is I am working on at the moment. If I am working on real-estate expansion in Savannah, I spend 100 percent of my time on that activity. Then I move to other projects, like TV production or sales-training expansion, and I spend 100 percent of my time on that activity until I am done. You will never hear me say, ‘I don’t have time.’ I make time for things that are important to me and spend no time on those things that are not. I make decisions as quickly as possible and spend no time on maybes.”

digital platform that collaborates with thought leaders and business experts, distributing positive content to entrepreneurs and business owners. No drama, no political agendas and no bad news like the traditional media seems so committed to sharing. The world of media is in massive disruption and I believe this to be a monster opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.”

NETWORKS The Cardone Zone WhateverItTakes.com CardoneUniversity.com

MAKING A DIFFERENCE “I am most excited about the possibilities with Whatever It Takes Network. It is an on-demand

AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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IN THE STUDIO / SOUTHERN ART

AIN'T BAD THE SLOW-MOVING WORLD OF FOUNDERS TAYLOR CURRY AND CARSON SANDERS

P

hotographers and magazine publishers Taylor Curry and Carson Sanders are young, hip and insightful, but are strikingly past-focused, reverent of the way things were (and maybe should still be).

Their co-created magazine, Aint-Bad, and their art and lifestyles take from the present—not to supplant it, but to serve the past: the old way is the good way. Aint-Bad is a sort of oxymoron, a slang label for a classical fine-arts journal.

Articulate and colloquial, serious and fun, professional and completely at ease, they exude a twin vibe—guys that finish each other’s sentences and spend nearly all their time together. Both give the impression that

MICHAEL PORTEN:

RELUCTANT SAVANNAH SUPERSTAR Michael Porten, SCAD darling and mastermind behind the ubiquitous Beard paintings, isn’t the sleek man-about-town you might expect. Thoughtful, philosophic and odd in a good way, Porten seems egoless.

That the Beard Man in every hip gallery and happening

life comes easy, yet the pair consistently chooses the hard way of doing things. They are fans of slow living—Carson’s house and truck are A/C-free; Taylor prefers a photography dark-room to Instagram’s instant snap and post.

Curry and Sanders produced 1,500 copies of the latest issue— each page is hand-numbered.

Both are particularly proud of the Aint-Bad sleek and sophisticated paper version. “Smell it,” Taylor instructs. “That’s all ink.”

Curry and Sanders see themselves as not just individual artists and entrepreneurs, but as historians, preserving the old and beautiful before paradise becomes a parking lot. Carson focuses his photography on a few blocks of Savannah’s Montgomery Street, capturing old barbershops and store signs before they’re demolished. “In an age of the iphone,” he says, “we believe in classical processes. Holding onto these older traditions in a historic city feels right.”

That’s not to say they aren’t savvy businessmen—rather than completely eschewing all that is 2015, they use this millennium’s bounty sparingly and to great effect. Aint-Bad is a hybrid—in physical makeup (it’s a cross between a magazine and a coffeetable book), in value (it’s an artifact as well as a glossy record of ultra-contemporary work) and in methodology (they use Twitter and Instagram to promote artists, but favor time-honored methods when it comes to paper and ink).

In an age that rewards a “Me First” attitude, these artist-

home from Savannah to New York is actually himself is surprising. “I’ve done so many self-portraits and most of them have been commissions,” he says. “I tell them, ‘I could paint you, your kids, your dogs,’ but they want me.”

A gifted realism painter with a pop-culture palate, Porten says naming influences makes him nervous. “I don’t have a favorite painter or anything. I bounce

entrepreneurs are clearly made of better stuff. Aint-Bad is miraculously ad-free, and though submission fees fuel the magazine’s survival, they keep charges low. These are great artists making a great magazine for a great cause.

The success of Aint-Bad proves it is good to be good. The website clocks 35,000 hits monthly and the print journal does well also.

Curry and Sanders have built a communal, inclusive magazine intended to support other artists.

“We don’t talk about the future. It’s up in the air for both of us.” Here, they pause, shrugging shoulders as if to toss off a forward-facing anxiety. Just as quickly, they’re back to all smiles.

Their eyes meet, exchanging something in nonverbal twin language. “Anything could happen,” says Carson. “I’m happy right where I am.”

Issue #8 of Aint-Bad magazine: THE AMERICAN SOUTH

around. I’ll watch anything, listen to anything. I’m no snob.”

“No Snob” summers in France and has collectors begging for beards, beards, beards.

It seems like a great problem to have, but Porten says remaining a forever novice is his real passion. “I just learned Z-brush, which is a 3-D sculpting program,” he tells me. “Learning new things. That’s what really blows up my skirt.”

Wr i t t e n b y E L I Z A B E T H K A I S E R P h o t o g r a p h b y B L A K E C R O S BY

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South Extra: Scan Ain’t Bad photo to see what they’re up to (see page 24 for details)

SOUTHERN MADE / GENUINE PRODUCTS

SIPPIN’ AND FISHIN’ IN THE SOUTH—FISH HIPPIE ELEVATES THE DRIFTING LIFESTYLE

Nothing says summer in the South like fishing. And nothing says Southern style like dressing in casual, but classy, garb and enjoying a glass of homegrown wine, preferably in bare feet. The Fish Hippie brand combines the best of both traditions.

When Drew Denny and Ben Webb met one afternoon, fishing along a sandbar on the outer banks of North Carolina, they just clicked. Both men found that they had much in common, having been raised with traditional Southern values. Now, they’ve built the Fish Hippie brand based on their love for sharing the company of good friends and family in the great outdoors of the South. Simplicity is central to their style, “We do believe that less is more. We have a Southern heritage but don’t feel the need to say it. We like to leave the brand message open to interpretation and allow our customers to decide what Fish Hippie means to them individually.”

FISH HIPPIE SIPPIN’

BUY FISH HIPPIE CLOTHES

Savannah – J. Parker Charleston Area – Sewee Outpost, Palmetto Moon Hilton Head – Teague’s

THE FISH HIPPIE LOOK

Their new men’s clothing line has evolved from high-quality lifestyle tees to well-constructed polos and button-downs. You’ll notice Fish Hippie stickers and logos on cars passing by and their hats and shirts on well-dressed Southerners— their brand has garnered over 200 retailers since April 2014 in the region. Fish Hippie tees are printed with organic water-based ink in South Carolina. Their clothing line makes an easy segue from work to play. fishhippie.com

Denny and Webb have plans for more than fashion, though. They’ve launched a brand of Fish Hippie wine, made from grapes grown all over the South. These wines are crafted in two North Carolina vineyards, one in Yadkin Valley and one in Mt. Airy, which serves as their headquarters. Their North Carolina Dry and Sweet wines can stand up to the best mid-range priced wines in America. The Hippie House Spring white wine is dry, yet not overly so, and offers the right amount of sweetness for the Southern summer climate. The Fish Hippie Soul red wine is equal parts dry and smooth, lending itself to stronger dishes hot off the grill, yet refreshing enough on its own at the end of a long, hot day. The Cabs, Merlots and Sweet Wines are equally enticing.

Photographs courtesy of FIS H H I PPI E

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South Extra: Scan the model in the truck to see Fish Hippie’s Lookbook (see page 24 for details)

C U LT U R E D / O U R C R E AT I V E C O A S T

DANIELLE HICKS AND THE EIGHT OHM RESISTANCE

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anielle Hicks and her bandmates, Benjamin Keiser, Nate Saraceno, Ira Miller and John Clark— aka Danielle Hicks and the Eight Ohm Resistance— are recording their first album, Hidden Treasure, this year. For Danielle, lead singer and Georgia native, music runs in the family. From the time she was 11 years old, she would listen to her father’s Southern rock band with the hopes of someday having a band of her very own.

After attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, she performed at various venues in the Big Apple for nearly a decade, but eventually found herself drawn back to the South. She relocated to Savannah, where she attended various music events and met all her bandmates. They formed The Eight Ohm Resistance in 2011 and describe their sound as “blues-rock-reggae,” which is a near perfect fit for the eclectic, rootsy Lowcountry in which they play.

The band is launching a Kickstarter campaign

UPCOMING SHOWS: Aug. 7th: Jazz’d, Sav, 9pm–12:30am Aug. 8th: Fannie’s on the Beach, Tybee, 8–11pm Aug. 9th: Old Daufuskie Crab Company, Daufuskie Island, 2–5pm Aug. 12th: Old Town Dispensary, Bluffton, Duo, 6–9pm

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online to raise funds for the album that they will record at the Charleston Sound Studio in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

They will then hit the road for a tour of music festivals to promote their album.

Meanwhile, they continue to play at local venues—be sure to keep your eyes (and ears) on the look-out for Danielle Hicks and the Eight Ohm Resistance. Their sound is both soothing and unique, with a dash of Southern charm. To hear their music or for more information, visit daniellehicks.net.

Aug 13th: Rocks on the Roof/Bohemian, Sav, Duo, 8–Midnight Aug 14th: Molly McGuire’s, Wilmington Island, Duo, 6–10pm Aug 15th: World of Beer, Sav, 8–Midnight Aug 16th: Marlin Monroe’s, Tybee, 3–6pm Aug. 21st: World of Beer, Columbia, 9pm–1am

Wr i t t e n b y L I Z DA N O S P h o t o g r a p h b y B L A K E C R O S BY

South Extra: Scan the treasure chest to see Danielle’s video. (See page 24 for details.)

ON THE PORCH / CONFED-ROVERSY

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Wr i t t e n b y C A R LT O N F L E T C H E R

CONFEDROVERSY

DYLANN ROOF’S ACT OF TERROR IN A CHARLESTON CHURCH UNLEASHED MORE THAN BULLETS—THE FUROR OVER THE FLYING OF THE CONFEDERATE FLAG IN PUBLIC IS A FIRE THAT DIDN’T NEED MORE FUEL Dylann Roof shot and killed nine worshippers in an African-American church in Charleston on June 17. A photo surfaced that showed him holding a Confederate battle flag, which is assumed to be a symbol of his racial hatred. The image went viral, like an unchecked malignancy, in the wake of his heinous act. The Confederate flag, before the Dylann Roof tragedy, already was an emblem that has divided and oftentimes embittered a nation that is tenuously reunited after a bloody Civil War. As South Carolina considered and ultimately approved the flag’s removal from the grounds of its statehouse, politicians seeking the presidency quickly incorporated the controversy into talking points for stump speeches. With partisan control of the country’s government central to their newfound enlightenment, political sons and daughters of the Old South publicly abandoned the “Stars and Bars” as quickly as they could find someone with a tape recorder or TV camera willing to report their self-important transformation. When it came to the “Southern heritage” many had espoused throughout their careers, there were more flip-flops than a vacationer would see on a sunny Tybee Island Saturday.

Just as many opponents of the flag, a large number of them descendants of slaves whose ancestors lived lives of servitude under ownership of men who defended that emblem, declare themselves emotionally scarred by a symbol whose presence they say represents an unwillingness to embrace their worth as humans. The Confederate flag, these opponents declare, is as hateful to them as the swastika is to Jewish descendants whose forebears were tortured and killed in Nazi concentration camps.

On the flip side, rallies in several Southern states have drawn Southern-heritage-promoting, Confederate-flag-waving supporters out of seclusion and into the spotlight, where they’ve extolled the virtues of forefathers who bled and died for the Confederacy.

The Flag Flap, as it has come to be known, has brought as many bizarre histrionics into the media spotlight as it has passionate displays of support or opposition. Among the more overthe-top: there are demands from the perhaps overzealous that the state of Georgia not stop at removing the Confederate flag from all of its official monuments, but that the Peach State should employ the use of grinders to eradicate the carved edifices of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson from the monument on the side of Stone Mountain.

Humorously, there was a call, and even a semitongue-in-cheek petition, circulated to have the likenesses of Atlanta rappers Big Boi and Andre 3000, the duo in the Grammy-winning band Outkast, carved into the Stone Mountain granite alongside the heroes of the Confederacy. Talk about “moving on up.”

While polls conducted in the wake of the flag controversy show the majority of Americans (around 54 percent) consider the Confederate emblem a symbol of heritage more so than hatred, politicians, anxious to embrace political correctness, still waver. The flap gives opportunistic politicians, ever anxious to be counted on the side of good, an opportunity to use the Confederate flag furor to reverse their supposed convictions—convictions they’d previously assured their constituents ran as deep as their Southern roots.

FORMER GOVERNOR RICK PERRY (R., Texas) “I believe that communities should decide whether statues or other memorials are appropriate. I believe that (all) should remember the past and learn from it. We should never forget our history. … I think you’ve got a slippery slope when you start saying we’re going to start taking down every plaque or monument. … By learning about the past, we honor our ancestors’ memories and contributions.”

SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM (R., South Carolina) “After the tragic, hate-filled shooting in Charleston, it is only appropriate that we deal once and for all with the issue of the flag.

The love and forgiveness displayed by victims of this horrific, racially motivated shooting, is an example to us all. … I hope that, by removing the flag, we can take another step toward healing and recognition—and a sign that South Carolina is moving forward.”

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PETS OF THE SOUTH / ANIMAL NOISES

FRIENDS OF ANIMALS AUCTION Put on your best ’50s attire and get ready for a night of fun at the Friends of Animals auction. The 17th annual auction, held at Savannah Station, is themed “Rebel Without a Pawse” and will benefit several local animalwelfare groups, including Save-ALife, One Love and PAWS. Auction items include coveted trips, golfing and dinner packages, gift certificates to local businesses and much more.

Catering will be themed also and is to be provided by local caterers. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door, but don’t worry if you can’t attend—you can still support your furry friends with a donation made directly to Friends of Animals.

Visit friendsofanimalscoastalga.org for more information.

PET PRODUCTS ADMIT IT, WE ALL LOVE TO SPLURGE AND SPOIL OUR FURRY FRIENDS. SO HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE PET PRODUCTS OF THE MOMENT:

ITALIAN TREAT HOLDER

Bottega Bellini, bottegabellini.com A stylish way to store your pet’s favorite treats. Imported from Italy, Bottega Bellini offers customers highend products. (see it in Greatest Pets on page 49)

KONG TOYS

PET RESCUE

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF RESCUING ANIMALS IS TRANSPORTING THEM SAFELY BETWEEN SHELTERS.

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hen it comes to rescuing animals from shelters, we often think of the rescue as a single act. However, most pet rescues wouldn’t even be possible if it weren’t for an invaluable group: rescue transporters. Rescue transporters drive the rescues all along I-95 and I-16 from Florida to Maine, Georgia to California,

and everywhere in between. There are multiple transport units all over the country, and they coordinate their transports via Facebook.

For Sherri Flanders, doing rescue transport seemed like the perfect way to volunteer and get to see a happy ending at the end of every trip. She explains, “I cry every time I pass on my passenger of the day to the next transporter but they are happy tears.”

A few of the transport companies that

PEGASUS RIDING ACADEMY

A FUN, RELAXING ATMOSPHERE WITH BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS IS THE KEY TO HELPING HEAL KIDS ONE RIDE AT A TIME. Pegasus Riding Academy provides therapeutic horseback riding for people who have been diagnosed with all kinds of disabilities, including: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Multiple

are involved in the private Facebook group are I-95 Corridor Transport, Georgia Transport, Recycla-Bull Terrier Transport, Kindred Hearts Rescue, Liberty Ride Transport, Pointer Rescue, and Southern States Rescued Rottweilers. All drivers must pass a background check and most legs of transport are kept under two hours for each driver. So, it’s certainly safe to say, without the transporters there’d be very few rescues.

TailsSpin, tailsspin.com Kong is known for making some of the most durable toys out there. So if your pup is known for getting a little rough, check out Kong products at TailsSpin.

BOW-TIE COLLAR

The Grateful Hound, thegratefulhound.com Locally made dapper bow-tie collars and leads will add some swagger to your dog’s next walk. See the entire collection online.

Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, ADHD, Sensory Integration Disorder, PTSD and more. Pegasus Riding Academy offers classes that last for six weeks, each class takes an hour.

Located right in the heart of Savannah (off of Victory Drive near the Truman Parkway), Pegasus offers your loved ones the opportunity to have fun in a safe and enjoyable environment with some beautiful animals.

Whether you’re a first-time rider or have a little bit of experience under your belt, Pegasus has you covered.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT PRASAV.ORG OR CALL (912) 547-6482.

South Extra: Scan the Pegaus picture to learn how she helps kids. (see page 24 for details)

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Wo r d s b y PAU L A S . F O G A RT Y, L L A NA S A M U E L , P h o t o g r a p h y b y C A L L I E B E A L E , P h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f P E G A S U S R I D I N G AC A D E M Y, K O N G , T H E G R AT E F U L H O U N D .

SCAN THE PEGASUS PHOTO ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW SHE HELPS KIDS.

SOUTH'S

greatest pets

A N N UA L

Your breed and age please?

I’m Vinnie, a Yorkshire Terrier, and I’m 9 months old.

What keeps you busy?

I’m the office mascot where my human works and I go to happy hour with my entourage.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

Watermelon.

What do your humans love about you?

That I love everyone. unconditionally.

photos by angela hopper-lee

l u f y a l p : s u L P doggie tips!

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Vincent (Vinnie) James & Amanda L. Hamilton

South Extra: Scan Vinnie to learn facts about the breeds featured. (see page 24 for details)

What is your favorite pastime?

I like to watch Beverly Hills Chihuahua and ride in the golf cart with my dad.

What is your favorite job?

My brother, Troy Allen, is a fashion designer and I’m his assistant. I sit on the table while he sews clothes and I take the fabric scraps and decorate the house with them!

What is your favorite thing to eat?

I’m a Southern belle—I love boiled peanuts and fried chicken.

What is your breed and age please?

Labradoodle. Six months old.

Have you got your humans trained yet?

Chanel & Steve and Jo Beth Fuller

I can get them to do pretty much whatever I want. Bark to go outside. Bark to eat. Lay on my back for a scratch.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

Shoes, shoes and more shoes!

Lulu & Blake Wodkowski

What is your breed and age please?

CGC Chocolate Labrador— I’m two years old.

What is your favorite pastime?

Walks with my mom.

She’s my best friend and means the world to me.

What is your favorite thing to eat?

Hamburgers.

What do your humans love most about you?

My dynamic personality, good looks and wise character.

Designer Dishes –Store doggie snacks in style with a treat jar, imported directly from Italy, that’ll last a lifetime and look amazing in your kitchen! See the collection at bottegabellini.com.

Playful tip #1

Waylon & Jack Gregory

Summer Safety – As much your dog may love being outside in the summer—be extra cautious. Never leave your dog unattended in the sun or in a vehicle and make sure they always have fresh water. Find more safety tips at akc.org/public-education/summer.

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Your name, breed and age please?

We are long-haired dachshunds; Oscar is 11 and Gus and Lulu are three.

What is the best thing about owning a human?

They can open the refrigerator.

What is your favorite job?

Keeping a watchful eye out the window and protecting our home from other dogs, strangers on bikes, delivery men and, of course, squirrels.

What is your favorite pastime?

Being photographed for our Instagram account.

Savannah is exceptionally dog friendly—but it’s still important to know how to greet a new dog. “Approach the owner rather than the dog, whom you’ll ignore. Dogs tend to follow their owners’ emotional cues and seeing that you’re okay with its master will give you a foot in the door,” says Paul Allen of Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. Get a load of these incredible dog treats we found at woofgangbakery.com

Oscar, Gus, Lulu & Kristen Kutchey

South Extra: Scan dog treats to learn how to make your own for your fav pooch. (see page 24 for details)

What is your name and age?

My name is Sapelo—you know, like the island. It’s beautiful, just like ME! You want my age? REALLY?

What is the best thing about where you live?

Playful tips #2 & 3 Dress the part – Locally made dapper bowtie collars and leads will add some swagger to your dog’s next walk. View the entire collection online at thegratefulhound.com.

Most of my brothers and sisters live in outdoor kennels, so I have to say AIR CONDITIONING!

What is your favorite job?

I’m the resident Landscape Architect, the back yard is my canvas.

What is your least favorite thing to eat?

Once I ate a mushroom I found in the back yard. Definitely not a good idea! Spent the night at the vet’s.

Cross mushrooms off the list.

Sapelo & Frank Miller

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Royal Treatment – Stressed pet?

There’s an array of treatments and services ranging from express grooming to blueberry facials and massages to pamper your pooch! divadogsgrooming.com

What’s up with that name of yours?

I’m a Cardigan Welsh Corgie and my human thinks I’m pretty quirky, so she named me after a little town with a funnysounding name outside of Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

What is the best thing about owning a human?

You can make them do anything! I had no idea how easily influenced humans are.

What is your favorite pastime?

Skinny-dipping.

Finnegan Wassamassaw & Paige Dagnan

Playful tip #4

Play time – Let your energetic pup run wild and free in Lake Mayer’s dog exercise area while you soak up the sun. Cool down with a walk on one of many tracks around the park. bringfido.com

Archie & Steven and Meaghan Gerard

Your breed and age please?

I’m a Golden Retriever and am nine years old.

What attracted you to your humans?

They helped me transition from being a scared dog into my goofy self.

The Ultimate Dog Walk – Don’t skip the tour because your furry friend is with you. Let Oliver Bentleys show you and your dog the Historic Landmark District on a tour especially designed for dogs and their owners. Included is a complimentary bag of homemade gluten-free treats for your excursion. oliverbentleys.com

What is the best thing about owning a human?

Definitely getting brushed. I can take or leave the bath.

What do your humans love about you?

I make them laugh and feel calm. when they’ve had a rough day.

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Scout & Chris, Emily and Banks Vance

What attracted you to your humans?

I have my own chair in the living room, I go on car rides, I am allowed at the dinner table, and I even sleep in a king-sized bed.

My humans are as loyal to me as I am to them.

Retail Therapy – Your pet will be licking his paws for days after tasting the homemade treats offered in Retail Retreat’s boutique bakery! Visit iloveretailretreat.com.

What is your favorite job?

Collecting tennis balls, stealing my human brother’s toys and playing neighborhood watch from our front window.

What is your favorite pastime?

FETCH . . . swimming . . . FETCH WHILE SWIMMING!

Playful tip #5 Train, Don’t Complain – Dog trainers at Bark Busters use simple training techniques to eliminate aggressive behaviors like nuisance barking. The best part? They come to you. barkbusters.com/ dog-training-savannah

Playful tip #6

Murphy & Milton Vazquez and Jon Peters

Why Murphy?

Because anything that can go wrong will most certainly go wrong when I’m around. I’m 3 years old (or 21 in human years, which means I can legally drink).

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What is your favorite job?

Making sure my chair doesn’t go away. It’s a full-time gig that I take very seriously. I used to splurge when the humans were at work and eat table lamps. I’ve taken out 3 of those bad boys. Now I just stick to my regular diet—I’m getting older, so no more furnishings for me.

Lifelong Care – According to the American Animal Hospital Association, only 12 to 15 percent of animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada are accredited.

Be sure your pet is in the best hands during the most frightening times. Find an accredited veterinary hospital at aaha.org/ pet_owner.aaha.org/ pet_owner.

Need More?

MANY THANKS TO THIS YEAR'S ENTRIES AND REMEMBER TO ENTER YOUR PET INTO SOUTH'S GREATEST PETS 2016.

Check out more photos of South's cuddly creatures at southmag. com/pets2015.

South Extra: Scan Murphy to see more photos from the Greatest Pets photo shoot. (see page 24 for details)

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ALLEN WEINER

SOUTH'S THIRD ANNUAL

Greatest

Bosses PHOTOGRAPHY BLAKE CROSBY

Partner at Weiner, Shearouse, Weitz, Greenberg & Shawe, LLP How do you motivate people?

I try very hard to make it clear that my work can only be accomplished by a team effort. People don’t work for me; instead, everyone works with me.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a boss?

Trying to meet time-sensitive goals without becoming overbearing.

What makes a great leader?

The ability to get things done without making people feel that their contributions are unimportant and unappreciated.

What advice do you have for those who aspire to leadership positions?

Be patient and have faith in others.

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MICHAEL LANDA, MD ELIZABETH LANDA, MD

Ophthalmologists What is your leadership style?

Lead by example. Don’t ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a boss?

Having to tell people when they are not doing a good job.

Did you always aspire to be a leader?

Not necessarily, but we always strived to be the best in our profession..

What advice to you have for those who aspire to leadership positions?

Find a good role model and take advantage of all leadership opportunities, no matter how small.

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Photograph by Justin Upchurch

WOODY FOLSOM

WOODY FOLSOM Auto group How do you motivate people?

To me, there is no greater motivation than seeing a boss working alongside everyone else, showing that hard work is being done on every level. By proving my commitment, I will hopefully not only earn the respect of my team, but will also instill that same hardworking energy among them.

What advice to you have for those who aspire to leadership positions?

Make your team feel invested in the accomplishments of the company.

Generating enthusiasm for the hard work you are all putting in is so important.

Did you always aspire to be a leader?

I just started doing what I loved to do for a living. It was never about being a leader. I set goals for myself and did everything I could to achieve those goals.

What makes a great leader?

Communication is key to all roles of leadership. Being able to clearly and concisely describe what you want done is extremely important.

If you can’t relate your vision to your team, you won’t all be working toward the same goal.

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SANDRA BAXTER

Chief Executive Officer, Coastal Heritage Society What is your leadership style?

I stay focused on the big picture and put full trust in my team to do their jobs. I try to stay laid back and listen. Listening is so important!

How do you motivate people?

I encourage people to stretch their abilities to the max. Great employees want to be creative, use their talents and bring their best. At CHS, we feel every job is truly important for our amazing museums and historic sites.

What makes a great leader?

For me, it’s all about letting my team shine as we work together to achieve common goals.

What advice to you have for those who aspire to leadership positions?

Follow your instincts, be confident in your abilities, learn as much as you can about your business.

Learn from those around you (both what to do and what not to do) and be ready to admit you’re wrong when you are.

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Marty Fisher & Gregg Miller at a shooting station...

Usually there are 12-15 stations on a sporting clays course.

Shotguns range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.

SCAN THE GUN IN THE UPPER RIGHT PHOTO TO LEARN TO SHOOT CLAYS.

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SHOTGUN GOLF PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE HRIZUK

PHOTOGRAPHED ON LOCATION AT THE NEW SHOOTING CLUB AT PALMETTO BLUFF hose of us living in the Deep South are truly spoiled. We’re blessed to inhabit a region of the country that features great weather almost year-round and, as a result, we find ourselves enjoying the great outdoors more often than not.

Over the years, charitable organizations have taken advantage of the great weather by hosting team-oriented, recreational fund-raising events outdoors. Raising dollars for worthwhile charities utilizing the game of golf as a vehicle has been pretty much the status quo for years.

But a couple of decades ago, a new recreational pursuit emerged that has taken fundraising events by storm—the game of sporting clays.

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he game is called sporting clays, or “golf with a shotgun,” as it was affectionately known shortly after it arrived here from the British Isles in the mid-1980s. As one might imagine, playing a game that combines golf with a firearm might sound a little strange.

Originally developed in England in the early 1920s, clay pigeons were produced and used to simulate live game birds for shooting aficionados.

When the American market discovered the game,

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recreational shooters and hunters alike quickly embraced it, enthusiastic about the wide variety of shot challenges it could present.

The sport is similar to golf since sporting clays is played over a course laid out through woods and fields with 12 to 15 shooting positions, or stations—much like a golf course that has nine or 18 holes. The major difference is that instead of the 400-yard fairways you find in golf, a sporting course features shots in the 20- to 40-yard range aimed at targets zipping through trees or across the grass at speeds sometimes approaching 60 miles per hour. porting-clays courses are much like golf courses in that no two clay courses anywhere in the world are exactly alike.

As a result, shooters find new challenges in the scenery and target presentations at every course they play. Even though participants are using shotguns to break the clay targets, the sporting-clays game is among the safest of all recreational pursuits.

Golf courses tend to announce their presence with elaborate signs, fancy landscaping and big clubhouses. Sporting-clays facilities tend to be more low-key in their marketing approach.

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As a result, individuals interested in giving the game a try often have to go out of their way to search for a place to shoot clays. Many facilities are private, but there are certainly public facilities (see sidebar for websites). ne might think that shooting lightning-fast clay pigeons with a shotgun would be a sport that would appeal mostly to men, but statistics indicate that upward of 20 percent of the millions of sporting shooters nationwide are female. And, unlike in golf, where the distance between the tee and the hole varies depending on whether gentlemen or ladies are playing, sporting clays doesn’t discriminate—everybody starts at the same point.

Many who play the game are in their teens and under, since this is a sport that does not require great size, speed and strength. And since there are shotguns today that are designed to be more comfortable for multiple shots and are made specifically to fit a female or young person’s physique—the fear of recoil can be quickly erased with a properly fitted shotgun.

There is not a lot of equipment required to shoot sporting clays. Obviously, a shotgun and

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JILL FISCHER

GREGG MILLER

ammunition are required, but those are available at most shooting clubs if you don’t have your own. The ammunition used is a target load with small pellets for breaking clays and with low recoil for the comfort of the shooter. Eye and ear protection are mandatory on all organized shooting ranges, and those items are available at virtually every shooting facility as well.

Most clay shooters get around the clays course in a cart or UTV set up for shooting.

It has gun racks and storage for ammo and other items. At most shooting events, these carts are either for rent or are included in the price of the event. Avid shooters usually have their own personalized shooting cart.

Thursday evening, there is a kick-off party for participants and sponsors, a Gold Sponsor Day on Friday for event sponsors and their teams,

ow that you’ve got a better feel for the game, let’s take a closer look at how shooting clay targets can be fun and exciting while helping raise some badly needed dollars for some great causes. Most experts in the recreational shooting industry will tell you that any group or organization that sponsors a golf tournament can do the same thing with a sporting-clays event. Since the games are so similar, the logistics of hosting a shooting event is almost a mirror image of a similar event at a golf course.

One of the oldest and most successful sporting-clays charity events is the Atlanta Charity Clays, which was founded in 1991 and is held in early spring near Atlanta each year. The original benefactor of this event was the Shepherd Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, but now the event has gotten big enough to benefit a number of different children’s charities. A committee of volunteers hosts and manages the event. They sell team slots to large corporations and small businesses for the event, which sells out every year.

Unlike many golf fundraising events that only last a single day, the Atlanta Charity Clays event is spread over three days. On

OVER AND UNDER = The most common shotgun action in clay-target shooting—a two-shot firearm with barrels stacked vertically.

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LEARN THE GAME HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT HEAR AROUND A SPORTING-CLAYS COURSE SMOKE POLE = Slang for shotgun.

SQUAD = Group of shooters who shoot together much like a foursome or fivesome in golf.

SEMI-AUTO OR AUTOLOADER = Semi-automatic shotgun with one barrel that will shoot each time the trigger is pulled. Sporting clays is a two-shot game, though, so only two shells are loaded.

SIDE BY SIDE = Side-by-side or doublebarrel action shotgun where two barrels are placed beside each other.

STANDARD = Most common clay target used on clay ranges—4.25 inches in diameter and shaped like a Frisbee.

MIDI = Specialty clay target that is smaller than the standard-sized target—3.5 inches in diameter.

MINI = Even smaller sized clay thrown on some ranges—2.5 inches in diameter. Smaller targets create the illusion of distance.

BATTUE = A .25-inch-thick target that increases speed once it peaks in flight and starts to move downward. Also called “flying razorblade.”

and a tournament day on Saturday where approximately 300 shooters from more than 60 corporate teams participate in a full day of shooting fun. This event celebrated its twentyfifth anniversary in 2015 and, to date, various children’s charities in the region have received more than $4.5 million in direct contributions from the Atlanta Charity Clays event.

Over the years there have been other extremely successful charity clay-target events around the country. Many of them have been tied to a celebrity name, but all of them feature a charitable organization as beneficiary. Celebrities such as NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, country music’s Mandrell sisters and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf have all hosted very successful clay-target events for charity.

Perhaps the most successful charity shooting event in the Southeast Georgia–South Carolina Lowcountry region is the annual Candler Clays event held at the historic Forest City Gun Club in Savannah. This event has been held for 13 consecutive years and is now one of the top clay-target shooting events in the area year after year. The two-day event serves as a fundraiser for cancer programs and research through the St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital. It’s patterned after the Atlanta Charity Clays event with a social fundraiser banquet for teams and sponsors, followed by an exciting tournament day featuring a team competition and lots of fun clay-target games for attendees. To the surprise of many, a large number of participants in this event are not the avid outdoor types, but are professional businesspeople, men and women alike. They are doctors, lawyers, architects, builders, developers, bankers and small-business owners who have discovered the sportingclays game and love to play it. A sporting-clays event can be as much of a social affair and place for networking as it is a shooting event.

The success of these events has even crossed over to the world of college sports. Local Savannah

builder/developer Claude Dryden spearheaded an event held at the Dorchester Shooting Preserve in April to raise dollars for the football scholarship fund at Georgia Southern University.

More than 100 shooters had a great time at the event and approximately $135,000 was raised for Georgia Southern’s fine football program. hen people go to a sporting-clays course and shoot a few targets, they typically are pleased to find out how social it is and how welcoming those who play the game can be. As you might imagine, new shooters want to be successful in the sport, and fear of missing the target can be a concern.

Fortunately, there are qualified instructors at just about every shooting club, so getting started the right way with a lesson or two is an option

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WHERE TO SHOOT?

worth pursuing. Perhaps the most exciting part for most new shooters is that the game is an individual sport, since only one shooter is attempting a target at a time, and when a shooter sees the target break in front of them, they know that they broke it on their own.

Fortunately, there are a number of very nice sporting-clays courses in the South, and most people can find a place to shoot within an hour or less from their homes. Try it! Before long, you’ll be networking with your new sporting-clays friends and attending sporting-clays charity events.

Sporting clays is a great game for the family, for you and your friends and it’s a terrific way to entertain clients in an outdoor setting. Make no mistake, playing the game called “golf with a shotgun” gives a new meaning to blasting out of the rough.

If you want to give sporting clays a try, you will want to find a place to shoot close to home. Here are some links that will help you find the perfect shooting club in your area. Shot on location at Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club: / palmettobluff.com

National Shooting Sports Foundation locator / wheretoshoot.org National Sporting Clays Association / nssa-nsca.org Georgia Sporting Clays Association / gsca.org South Carolina Sporting Clays Association / sc-sportingclays.com Florida Sporting Clays Association / fl-sportingclays.org Shooters Pages / shooterspages.com Clay Targets Online / claytargetsonline.com SCAN THE IMAGE TO LEARN HOW TO SKEET SHOOT.

RABBIT = Thick target that can be thrown to roll along the ground and bounce like a wild rabbit running across a field.

SHOW PAIR = The first shooter in a group is allowed to see the two targets that will be shot before having to shoot them.

SINGLE = Single target presented when called for—two shots are allowed at the single target.

REPORT PAIR = Pair of targets released one at a time. Once the first target is launched and a shot is fired, the report of the gun signals the release of the second clay.

TRUE PAIR = Two targets released simultaneously.

PULL = Most common call to signal the release of a clay.

TRAPPER = Scorekeeper or individual who releases the target(s) when called for by the shooter.

STATION = Shooting location for each shot presentation a shooter will face on a clays course.

CHOKE = A restriction in thousandths of an inch at the front of a gun barrel that squeezes or expands a shot pattern after it emerges from the barrel.

SMOKED ’EM = Target(s) that were centerhit by the shooter, resulting in a puff of smoke when the target shatters.

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STORY STACY MOSER / PHOTO BLAKE CROSBY

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3. "Snorkelsaurus" Rig If we had to guess what a Snorkelsaurus was, we would most likely guess exactly this, right? This rig from Sandalz Glass is made out of Crayola Yellow glass, which is super-vibrant and completely opaque. This guy has green toes, green eyes, ten little teeth, a Gold Titanium Nitrate nail and heady glass dome. Bring the dinosaurs back by snagging this guy for your collection.

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SEAN GENG OF SMOKE CARTEL TURNED A TERRIFYING NIGHT IN JAIL INTO A TEACHABLE MOMENT. THE EXPERIENCE REAFFIRMED HIS BELIEF THAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS AN OVERHAUL, AND HE’S MADE SNUBBING IT HIS MOTIVATION FOR BUILDING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS.

“I wanted to stick it to the man. And I did,” Sean Geng says defiantly, explaining his motivation to start his business, The Smoke Cartel, in 2014. Geng and his business/life partner, Darby Cox, have run their successful online business selling high-quality glass pipes for several years, and now they have made the leap to open a retail space on West Victory.

Things weren’t always so good, though. Several years back, when he and Cox were freshman SCAD students, Geng says that he was wrongly arrested by police and spent the night in the slammer, sharing a cell with a guy who’d stabbed his wife twice. While he maintained his innocence, he was convinced to plead no contest by his attorney. “The ordeal really made me lose faith in the American justice system.”

“After that night, I decided to start a business selling a product that would stick it to the man.”

He focused on glass—high-end glass used to manufacture pipes for smoking tobacco. He and Cox, both techie geeks, studied their target market.

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Reached 10,000 online orders

SUMMER

Geng and Cox hatch their business in a tiny room in their apartment

Really studied their target market. “I love data,” says Cox. “Any and all data. We worked hard to know exactly who would buy our high-end pipes.”

Their homework paid off—online sales are off the hook. Now they have 14 employees, a huge warehouse and a puppy, Zoey, they rescued recently. They focus on superb customer service and high-quality products—pipes made by talented glass-blowers from all over the globe. “We researched other online companies around the world who sell glass pipes.

We found that there was a need out there for a company that put customer service first.

That was our foundation—make a good product, but also pay attention to details—ship it quickly, address problems quickly, make the customer feel that you are there for them.”

“Savannah has really been a great place for our company,” Geng asserts. “We didn’t move away after we left SCAD. The talent pool of creative students is what fuels our business.”

Hired 4 employees

FALL Moved to current retail space on W. Victory with 2,000 square feet

2015

MARCH

Expanded office space, adding 2,000 square feet.

Almost 200,000 visitors to online store.

180 customers visited retail store.

South Extra: Scan the photo of Sean and his crew to see more. (See page 24 for details.)

JUNE Moved into new warehouse—6,000 square feet on Montgomery Street.

Over 230,000 visitors to online store.

362 visitors to retail store.

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WRITTEN BY STACY MOSER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY BLAKE CROSBY

Check out more of Smoke Cartel’s unique glass pipes, go to smokecartel.com.

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South Extra: Scan this page to find the video. (See page 24 for details)

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND RUM COMPANY STORY STACY MOSER / PHOTO MICHAEL HRIZUK

ANTHONY CHASE IS ACCIDENTALLY LIVING THE SUCCESSFUL SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR’S DREAM. HE’S A RETIRED HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE WHO’S FOUND HIMSELF PEDDLING— OF ALL THINGS—RUM. IN A STEEL BUILDING HE HELPED BUILD. ON AN ISLAND. THAT CAN’T BE REACHED BY CAR. AND HE LOVES IT. A theme common amongst successful entrepreneurs is their whole-hearted belief in what others might believe is a crazy idea. Tony Chase is a case in point—he’s open to new ideas—especially the crazy ones.

A few years ago, Chase was on the hunt for a possible retirement property to buy. “It all started when I searched online for the perfect house and one on Daufuskie Island matched all my criteria.

I contacted the realtor and we agreed to meet at the house,” Chase chuckles. “I said I didn’t need directions—I had my GPS. The realtor laughed and said, ‘You can only get here by boat—you know that, right?’”

Chase was intrigued and caught a ferry to the island, about three miles off the coast from Hilton Head, South Carolina. He fell in love with it at first sight. That night, over drinks in a local bar, his conversation with a new friend turned to a mutual dream—building and running a rum distillery.

The next morning, as the boozy fog cleared and reasonable minds prevailed, his friend backed away from the idea, but Chase decided to run with the ball. He’d toyed with the idea of retiring on Daufuskie, but now he envisioned building a new business there. And Daufuskie Island Rum Company was born.

Chase purchased a piece of land on Daufuskie that was big enough to build a 1,500-square-foot

distillery, complete with a retail shop and huge front porch where patrons could sit in rocking chairs, sip rum and admire the view of a pond and oaks dripping with Spanish moss. And with his background as a pharmacist, Chase knew a thing or two about the chemistry of fermentation—he used it to create a secret spice mix to flavor his rum “with just a hint of moonshine.” It was a hit with everyone who tested it.

One characteristic of a serial entrepreneur like Chase is the ability to play to his strengths and delegate to others where he’s weak. He knew that marketing and the use of social media was key to his new distillery’s success, but he needed an expert. So Kristi Nelson, his fiancée and co-owner of the distillery, hired a PR firm and took over the sales and marketing efforts. “She’s been a wonderful partner—she keeps me organized,” he admits.

“That’s not an easy job.”

Nelson brought in Bluffton artist and SCAD Professor Amiri Farris to design a logo for the rum. The couple instantly knew this was a good decision when they saw it. “The logo was much better than what we’d come up with on our own.

It’s just right—it represents who we are,” explains Nelson. The couple decided to give tours of the distillery once it was built in order to help spread the word about their new rum product. Under her watch, they’ve even hosted tastings when wedding

GETTING TO DAUFUSKIE ISLAND WANT TO TOUR THE MOST INACCESSIBLE RUM DISTILLERY IN THE UNITED STATES? DON’T HAVE A BOAT OF YOUR OWN? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. FOR TOURS OF THE ISLAND, CALIBOGUE CRUISES OFFERS FERRY RIDES AND GOLF CART RENTALS ONCE YOU GET TO THE ISLAND DIRECTLY FROM HILTON HEAD. FOR SCHEDULE AND PRICING INFORMATION, VISIT DAUFUSKIEFREEPORT.COM.

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groups visit the island. They decided to seek Made-in-America certification—it was very important to Chase that everything involved in the production of his rum, from the yeast to the stills, be sourced in the United States. “I’m proud of my family’s past military service and it means a lot to help keep jobs here in America.” The marketing is paying off—rum sales are increasing every day and tours of the distillery are a hot commodity.

But things weren’t always so rosy for Chase.

His career path from healthcare executive to rising-star rum purveyor could’ve ended in disaster even before it began. Originally running a hospice-management company in Kentucky with 2,700 employees, Tony had spent most of his career running several successful businesses.

But, in the late 1990s, a change in government regulations that affected how health-service providers were reimbursed wiped out many nursing-home management chains—including Chase’s. His $7.2 million investment in the company was wiped out in a matter of months.

“It was devastating to see all those businesses collapse under the pressure. I was terrified.”

To add salt to the wound, his physical health took a turn for the worse at the same time. His hip failed and he was forced to have it surgically replaced. He spent his fortieth birthday

(a milestone most people don’t look forward to in the first place) in the hospital in physical agony, filled with trepidation about what his financial future would hold.

Then a birthday card arrived from his brother, Bradley, who, as it turned out, must’ve sensed Tony’s peril, as siblings sometimes do.

“I’m a very private person,” says Chase. “I never let on to my family that I was in financial trouble. But he must’ve sensed my worry, because when I opened that card, there was a check for $15,000 in it. I couldn’t believe it.” Chase knew he had options now. “I’m a born entrepreneur. I knew—with that money—I could build a business and start over.”

Chase had a game plan in mind: Find mentors.

“Really, the secret to success is to get the best advice you can when you’re starting a business,” he explains. On the recommendations of several mentors, he invested in a hospice business later that year and eventually built it into one with 15 offices in four states. His company also developed software used by hospices to manage their businesses, a venture that became very successful.

He hired a young sales rep, Aaron Musselman, who was eager to help build the business. Looking

HOW TO BOOK A TOUR OF THE DISTILLERY Witness the entire rum-making process, from fermenting to distillation, and finish off your tour with a one-ofa-kind tasting on the porch overlooking a sparkling pond—all for $5 each.

Tours run every half-hour from 11 to

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4.30pm Wednesday through Saturday.

Sorry—leave the kids with a babysitter; this tour is for 21-year-olds and over.

Check on available tour dates by visiting their website and clicking on “Book a Tour.” daufuskierum.com

to “pay forward all the wonderful mentoring I’d received,” Chase advised and guided Musselman and, seven years later, Musselman went from student to partner in the hospice business. “They say it’s not what you know, but who you know—which is true up to a point. You absolutely have to work hard every day. But good advice from a mentor will open doors and direct your energy to pursue your passion.”

In 2013, Chase’s thoughts turned to retirement and the now-famous house-hunting trip to Daufuskie Island sealed his fate. He and Kristi work together every day to build the business.

When asked about the grand opening of Daufuskie Island Rum Company this Fourth of July, Chase responds, “It was fantastic! We have a really supportive community here—we had over 300 people attend—and our island only has 250 permanent residents. There was a good mix of locals, but there were also folks who’d made this a destination, coming from Savannah, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort and beyond.” He proudly relates that he led more than 120 tour groups through the distillery over the weekend and sold 213 bottles of rum in one day. “That’s a new record for our business!” His advice to would-be entrepreneurs? “Don’t wake up and think you know everything. Get advice. Surround yourself with good people who help you strategize.”

Chase’s rum creations are now sold in their retail shop and in liquor stores. Over 50 restaurants throughout the Lowcountry serve signature cocktails using Daufuskie Rum.

WANT TO MAKE DRINKS USING DAUFUSKIE RUM? A FEW PERFECT RECIPES: Sunshine in a Glass—Combine 1/3 Silver Edition Rum with 1/3 club soda and 1/3 Bittermilk #5 Charred Grapefruit on ice.

Daufuskie Storm—Aptly named after the traditional Dark ’n Stormy, this signature drink mixes 2 parts ginger beer and 1 part Daufuskie Island Spice Rum. Add a squeeze of lime and enjoy this sailor’s delight!

Daufuskie Island Gold— The newest addition to the brand is best served neat or over a large ice cube.

Upgraded Mojito—Tony’s secret to the perfect mojito is to use the same sugar he uses to make his rum—demarara—for a cocktail made in heaven.

FOR MORE ON DAUFUSKIE RUM, VISIT DAUFUSKIERUM.COM

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SOLAR POWER

REAL-ESTATE BROKER LORI JUDGE LEADS THE WAY IN SAVANNAH: ADVANCING SOLAR-ENERGY USE AND LIVING OFF OF THE GEORGIA POWER ENERGY GRID. Written by Paula S. Fogarty / Photography by Bailey Davidson 68

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e don’t naturally think of a historic city like Savannah as one with many alternative energy solutions. When you walk down the street in the Downtown Historic District, the buildings seem to defy our modern lifestyle with their years-old brick and wood facades. But look closely, most properties have a large air-conditioning unit stuck to the side of the building, some seeming to hang precariously by a thread. A city built before electricity or fossil fuels now has to adapt to the needs of the contemporary residents—most don't want to go without gourmet kitchens, phone chargers and laptops. If residents think about it at all, they probably don’t worry too much about where their energy comes from—until that Georgia Power bill comes during the heat of the summer when the A/C has been running all day.

Attitudes are beginning to change about alternative energy, and Lori Judge, owner of Judge Realty, is ahead of that curve. For the first time in its history, Savannah’s Historic District hosts a solar-powered business at her office building— Judge Realty on Abercorn and Jones Streets.

She has been striving to “get off the grid” and use the bounty of Mother Nature to fuel her business for seven years now. “My goal is to have no electric bill,” she explains. She proudly states that her company is now producing enough energy through solar power to completely stay off Georgia

Power’s grid. She is even able to power up her electric car through her solar panels and is well on her way to living a fossil-fuel-free life.

BENEFITS OF SOLAR POWER

Not only is solar power clean energy, but it also makes economic sense. The state of Georgia offers 30 percent tax credits to businesses and residents when they convert to solar energy, and businesses can write off the expense on their tax returns. Julian Smith, of SolarSmith Solar Power Integrators, estimates that the return on investment can be as much as three-to-one. “With solar on your roof, you have a positive cash flow that is not there if you don’t. Every month that you pay an electric bill, it’s putting you deeper in the hole. Solar panels on your roof make energy, which is then made into cash that you don’t have to pay to the power company. With no-money-down financing, your power bill goes away and you start paying that cash to yourself.”

Smith installed ten 245-watt panels for Judge Realty, which are now paying for themselves. Judge is still tapped into the power grid as a back-up should she ever run short. Any energy she doesn’t use, though, Georgia Power buys from her. “They pay me four cents per kilowatt for the energy that I don’t use,” she explains.

If she doesn’t produce enough energy and she has to use the grid, they charge her 15.1 cents per kilowatt for the energy. Judge says this disparity is too high and the state of Georgia needs to do much to catch up with states like California, where, she explains, “they pay you more than you pay them to get off the grid. In South Carolina, it’s one-to-one.”

POSITIVE ENERGY

Turner Renewable Energy enterprise in 2010.

The partners 30% TAX CREDITS have invested 4 CENTS EARNED in the largest PER UNUSED solar photovolKILOWATT taic projects in the Southwest, 3-TO-1 RETURN ON including the INVESTMENT 30-megawatt IT TAKES 1 YEAR Cimarron Solar FOR A SOLAR GENFacility adjaERATOR TO PAY cent to Turner’s FOR ITSELF Vermejo Park Ranch near Raton, New Mexico. This indicates that the company, indeed, has a long-term vision for how to sustainably convert America’s energy source to solar where there is enough sunshine to do so.

In February 2015, the Solar Power Free Marketing Financing Act, House Bill 57, was passed and

“With solar on your roof you have a positive cash flow—it’s negative if you don’t.”

SOLAR IN GEORGIA

Georgia Power began offering rooftop solar power as of July 1 and is in direct competition with companies like SolarSmith. “Georgia does a really good job of promoting solar energy.

We have some of the best ratings for the amount of sunshine available daily in the country, and we are going to take advantage of it,” says Smith.

Georgia Power is a subsidiary of the Southern Company, which partnered with Ted Turner’s

is aimed at making solar energy more affordable and accessible in Georgia. The bill was sponsored

by Republican Representative Mike Dudgeon of Johns Creek. Supporters claim that, in the past, Georgia Power was reluctant to support such legislation over concerns about competition from potential rival utilities. Ken Johnson, spokesman for the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C., states that Georgia is actually embracing solar energy as part of the solution for energy demands.

Judge is still skeptical about the commitment of Georgia Power to help businesses and individuals get off their grid, saying, “They are discouraging it because they just built that horrendous nuclear plant in Augusta and they need to pay for it. Nuclear power is the worst you can have. It takes a million years for nuclear waste to go away.

There is no way to safely dismantle those things.

There is enough sunshine to support our energy needs safely. Everyone knows that we need to reduce carbon emissions, and we can completely eliminate them all with solar power.”

Solar power is better for our national security as well, according to Judge, who says, “Solar is not hackable by terrorists. Why not run everything on solar and then have some back-up on the grid if we need to? Corporate America and the government have it all backwards.” In the coming months, she and her husband, Lou Thomann, will convert their farm in Metter, Georgia, to solar power. Thomann’s increasingly popular Asi Tea products are produced on this farm and, in the future, he likes the idea that it will all be made from the goodness of sunshine.

To explore how you can get off the grid, contact Julian Smith at mysolarsmith.com.

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THE LAST SUPPER Stacy Moser and Paula Fogarty / Photography: Blake Crosby

ON JUNE 10, 2015, CHEF WALTER SCHEIB HOSTED AN ELITE GROUP OF SAVANNAH'S RESIDENTS FOR AN UPSCALE DINNER PARTY. TWO WEEKS LATER, SCHEIB WAS FOUND DEAD ON A HIKING TRAIL NEAR TAOS, NEW MEXICO.

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n 1994, Chef Walter Scheib reached what could be called the pinnacle of any chef’s career—he was chosen by Hillary Rodham Clinton to serve as Executive Chef for the First Family of the United States. Impressed by the extraordinary spa menu Scheib had developed for the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, Clinton hired Scheib and encouraged him to use the White House menu to highlight his take on a new “American cuisine,” using the increasingly popular principles of “farm-to-table” cooking, now de rigueur at many restaurants and culinary schools. He prepared everything from simple family meals for the First Family to elaborate and formal state dinners for thousands, guided by what was in season locally at the time.

His cuisine was admired by White House guests, including Nelson Mandela, Emperor Akihito, Jacques Chirac, Boris Yeltsin, Vaclav Havel, Lady Diana Spencer, Tony Blair and Vicente Fox, among

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others, not to mention many other guests, including members of Congress and journalists. Scheib thrived under pressure—his menus brought the concept of diplomacy into the kitchen—at state dinners, his job was to impress the invited guest by showing off cuisine flattering to America and also to pay tribute to the guest’s native cuisine.

Even the most seasoned executive chef might be daunted by the menu-planning process at the White House. The State Department’s Office of Protocol informs the First Lady about any sensitive issues of which the chef should be made aware.

Scheib clearly knew that his meals for state dinners were potential culinary time-bombs—one misstep and the press would have a field day at the expense of the First Family. The White House Social Secretary works closely with the executive chef to assure that the menu can be pulled off without a hitch. That Scheib worked not only for the entire Clinton administration but also for the First Family of George W. Bush during their tenure at the White

House is testimony to both his culinary expertise and his effectiveness at showing off the White House dining room, his dishes tasted as good as they looked.

Scheib was a storyteller. His book, White House Chef: Eleven Years, Two Presidents, One Kitchen, published in 2007, is a good read for anyone interested in not only his culinary sensibilities, but also a behind-the-scenes look into the White House kitchen.

In an interview with the BBC News in 2011, Scheib explained that a formal White House dinner is “one of the times where leaders can kick back and relax a little, but still have powerful discussions. If food can grease the wheels, that process is helped along.” He recalled an occasion when Bill Clinton hosted a lunch between Yasser Arafat and Benjamin Netanyahu in 1996. “It was a very tense time, but to get them all together across the table eating lunch really humanized the situation. It’s really difficult to be angry with someone when you're breaking bread with him on a one-to-one basis.”

Wolfgang Puck, an American chef and restaurateur who has cooked for the G7, Oscars parties and every U.S. president since Gerald Ford, has also seen this principle in action. “Generally we have better manners at a table than other places,” he says.

Early this summer, Scheib visited Savannah on the invitation of his friend and former employer Ted Kleisner.

Kleisner, the Chair Elect of the Telfair Museums’ Board of Trustees, had organized a dinner party as part of the Telfair Ball’s auction and he asked Scheib to preside over the kitchen for the event. Guests at the dinner gathered for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to be served by a former White House chef. The party was a delight for all, not only due to Scheib’s menu, but also because of his ability to entertain the crowd with stories of his career.

Tragically, on June 20, not long after the dinner in Savannah, Scheib’s body was found in northern New Mexico, where he apparently had undertaken a hike alone near Taos. Sadly, the photos snapped for South magazine at Kleisner’s dinner party of Chef Scheib were probably the last ever taken.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Walter Scheib’s death,” Kleisner says. “I have known Walter as a friend and professionally for thirty years. His talents were unlimited in so many ways. He was an exceptionally creative chef, a devoted father and an engaged mentor to so many young culinarians. Walter had the unique ability—to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling—to talk with crowds or walk with kings and never lose the common touch. His legacy resides in those he taught and in the sons he nurtured. Walter’s presence will be missed by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they attempt to deal with this tragic loss.”

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SPECIAL SECTION HONORING FRIENDS OF SOUTH

REST IN PEACE

Few people were loved more than Tommy. His enthusiasm about just being in the moment was contagious and he loved to show others our beautiful city and its charms. It was important to Tommy that everyone be happy and he was always making sure everybody was okay. I loved his laugh. He had a smile that could light up a room.

He was a friend. What my dad would call 'real people.'

—JENNIFER ABSHIRE ABSHIRE PUBLIC RELATIONS

TOMMY HESTER MR. SAVANNAH TOMMY HESTER, LONGTIME SAVANNAH BUSINESS LEADER AND PRESIDENT OF COLONY BANK, PASSED AWAY IN APRIL. HE WAS ONLY 67 YEARS OLD.

Hester served his community well and his leadership at First Liberty Bank, BB&T, The Coastal Bank and BankSouth was more than commendable. He served on many boards, including the Savannah Chamber, Georgia South-

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ern University and the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA).

“Tommy Hester was Mr. Savannah,” says David Paddison, who worked with him on the SEDA board. “Whether it was helping a local business with their banking needs or selling Savannah to an international CEO, Tommy did it with a charm, enthusiasm and sincerity that was without equal. His can-do attitude and

contagious optimism is something we will have a hard time replacing in this community.”

Tommy Hester spent his life working to make his community the best it could be.

Longtime friend Sandy Traub says of Hester, "Doesn’t it seem that Tommy smiled his way through life?”

He will be sorely missed by all of us here at South magazine and by all who knew him.

REST IN PEACE

Robert will be missed, but never forgotten; what he did for this community—through his vision, charity and friendship—will always endure because of the passion with which he lived his life and that which he instilled in others. His love for 'healthy' and 'happy' will forever be his legacy.

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SPECIAL SECTION HONORING FRIENDS OF SOUTH

LIAKAKIS STARSOF THEESOUTH SUPER FOODS WOUNDED

—CHRIS RAMSEY, FLEET FEET SPORTS SAVANNAH

WARRIORS PM 11/15/12 4:24

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ROBERT ESPINOZA THE JOGFATHER In 2013, when publisher Michael Brooks asked me to write a cover story about Robert Espinoza—“The Jog Father,” we later named it—I didn’t know Robert well. But as a longtime runner in Savannah, I was already aware of the positive impact he was making on the city’s running scene. He opened the first store in Savannah dedicated solely to running (a pure luxury to all those who log a lot of miles). He brought

races, lots of them, to the city and volunteered as their director. But, most importantly, he was a mentor to many young athletes. Eventually, as I got to know him, I met many of these younger runners. Some were also his employees, and I talked with them at length when researching his story. They loved him—as a boss, a friend, a coach and a fellow runner. More than all his war stories about running ultra marathons,

possibly one of the most grueling sports in the world, though, I remember walking away from the interview being most impressed with the sense of community and camaraderie he had cultivated here. That was what he really brought to the sport of running in Savannah.

—Lauren Hunzberger From all your friends at South magazine, you will be missed.

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FI NANCE PROS | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

Savannah Georgia, USA

H’S FINEST 2015 T U O S

5 TIPS ON INVESTING FOR RETIREMENT INVESTING PLANS THAT WILL

HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE RETIREMENT OF YOUR DREAMS SAVE ENOUGH

Save 15 percent of your annual compensation to your retirement account.

Set up automatic contributions to your 401(k) or IRA each pay period.

ALLOCATE APPROPRIATELY

Divide your portfolio between stocks and bonds. The portion you allocate to each depends on your time horizon, individual return objectives and risk tolerance. Over the long term, stocks have provided average annualized returns of about 8 to 9 percent with high volatility. Bonds have provided average annualized returns of about 4 to 5 percent with relatively low volatility.

Joel Goodman Chief Investment Officer

Malcolm Butler CEO

Julia Butler

Chief Operating and Compliance Officer & Director of 401k Advisory Services

PASSIVE VS. ACTIVE

Active mutual funds (where the manager selects individual stocks and bonds based on a defined investment strategy), as well as passively managed index funds or ETFs (where the manager buys all the components of a given index), can play an additive role in a well-diversified investment portfolio. Active and passive strategies perform differently in different market cycles, and mutual-fund portfolios can benefit from both.

STAY FOCUSED ON THE LONG TERM

Don’t worry about swings in your portfolio valuation. All that matters is the average return you earn over the long term.

Your goal should be to earn an average annualized return of 7 percent over the period when you’re saving for retirement.

HANDS OFF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

Your retirement account is for one purpose only—to provide income in retirement.

Resist the temptation to take out loans or early distributions.

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FI NANCE PROS | SPE CI AL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Johno Morisano and Chef Mashama Bailey partnered to build The Grey in Historic Downtown Savannah. They’ve restored a 1938 art-deco Greyhound Bus Terminal to its original luster, The Grey offers a food, wine and service experience that is both familiar and elevated. Her personal take on Port City Southern food allows Mashama to create dishes that are deep and soulful. Her penchant for regional produce, seafood and meats, creates a melting pot of surprising and comforting dishes— you’ll find something new on every visit.

TH E FI DUCIARY GROUP 310 Commercial Drive Savannah, Georgia 912.303.9000 tfginvest.com

Scott McGhie Senior Investment Advisor & Director of Research and Portfolio Management

Allie Brown

Zachary Riddle

Controller & Operations and Compliance Manager

Research Analyst & Assistant Portfolio Manager

THE FIDUCIARY GROUP

WHAT:

We are a Savannah-based registered investment advisory (RIA) firm serving individuals, families, trusts, endowments and company-sponsored retirement plans, providing disciplined investment management and sound financial advice. We are one of the oldest and largest independent advisory firms in Savannah and the coastal region, with 45 years of business experience in asset management.

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HOW: Being a “fiduciary” means that our allegiance flows in one direction—to the needs and best interests of each client.

We have no ties to banks, brokers or other entities that could divide our loyalty. Our research is independent and our decisionmaking is conflict-free.

WHO: We are a team of highly skilled

investment professionals dedicated to providing best-in-class client service and world-class investment and financialplanning solutions. Our mission is to help our clients build, protect and grow their wealth over the long term while managing risk.

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FI NANCE PROS | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

THE MURPHY GROUP AT SUNTRUST INVESTMENT SERVICES CREATING INVESTMENT STRATEGIES THAT PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN TO MEET BOTH IMMEDIATE AND FUTURE GOALS 33 BULL STREET, 2ND FLOOR, SAVANNAH, GA 912.944.1097 • SUNTRUST.COM/WEALTH

➽ With services ranging from retirement income and high net-worth financial planning to investment management, the team at the Murphy Group is committed to helping people and institutions prosper. With over three decades of combined investment experience, they understand the importance of taking the time to get to know their clients in order to design and implement personalized and comprehensive solutions to reach financial goals.

Ryan Murphy focuses on advising his clients on the development and implementation of investment strategies to help meet their immediate and future goals. He follows a disciplined process of assessing a client’s financial situation, determining risk tolerance, forming and executing an appropriate investment plan and regular portfolio rebalancing in order to obtain measurable results. He also consults on risk management, retirement planning and other critical financial strategies.

SunTrust Investment Services Inc. is a full-service broker-dealer that is an integral part of SunTrust Banks, Inc.—one of the nation’s largest and most respected financial services organizations. When you bring your investment needs to SunTrust, you will benefit from a long history of management experience, an extensive range of financial products and solutions, and personalized financial planning and advice.

LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN T. MURPHY AND DEBORAH SPEARS

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S BANK THE AMBITIOUS BANK

S BANK: THE AMBITIOUS BANK

120 DRAYTON STREET • SAVANNAH, GA • 912.236.2800 • SBANK.COM AT S BANK, WE DON’T REST until your

goals are achieved. We think a lot about the future, and then we get to work.

We serve small-business clients and ambitious individuals across the region, working together to launch ideas and build momentum through ongoing, dynamic partnerships.

S BANK GIVES YOU POWERFUL TOOLS

to manage money so you can focus on running your business or your family.

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If your idea of cash management at home is a tin box full of change, it’s time to step up your game. And growing your business means taking down the “cash only” sign. We help you manage money coming into your business so you can focus on doing great work with features like remote deposit and tailored merchant services.

WE KNOW YOU’RE WORKING HARD now so you can enjoy retirement later. S Bank’s

retirement-planning services make sure that happens.

WHY S BANK? Because we’re the

LEFT TO RIGHT: Michael Carpenter, Tammy Young, Courtney Rawlins, Dana Potts, Alan Harper, Nichole Hearn, Nate Shaffer, Jamie Chisolm

ambitious bank. We began more than 70 years ago with the belief that if we strive every day, the results could be amazing.

We strive to help our clients attain their goals and accomplish their dreams. Our focus is on our passion…our clients, our team members and our community.

Do More. Be More. Let’s Strive Together.

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BERNARD WILLIAMS & CO. SHIELDING CLIENTS FROM FINANCIAL LOSS FOR OVER 80 YEARS

BERNARD WILLIAMS & COMPANY

6001 CHATHAM CENTER DR., SUITE 100 • SAVANNAH, GA • 912.234.4476 • POWEROFTHESHIELD.COM OUR MISSION: Our goal is to shield and

protect our clients from financial loss.

This is accomplished by developing client partnerships, reviewing exposures to financial loss and building a program to prevent or minimize losses.

OUR HISTORY: Founded in 1934

by Bernard Williams, the agency expanded from a small family-owned business to one of Savannah’s largest independent

insurance agencies. We take pride in providing personal, localized service. Now, having purchased an interest in Keystone Insurers Group (noted by Insurance Journal as the largest agency partnership in the United States), our clients can have access to resources afforded only the largest insurance brokers.

WHAT WE DO BEST: Taking time to help our clients completely understand how

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insurance can protect them is important to us. The price of protection is always an important part of the equation, but the quality of the products offered is our most important concern. A key benefit provided our client partners is our custom-designed long-term risk-management programs that results in stabilized pricing, as opposed to a short-term continuous remarketing strategy. Even minor changes in longterm business insurance programs allow

consistent savings for our clients without extra costs—we’re here to show you how.

LEFT TO RIGHT FRONT ROW: Allen Williams, Charles McCoy, Dan Pavlin, Robert Daniels, Ryan Gibson LEFT TO RIGHT BACK ROW: Ryan Sewell, Rob Bowden, Chris Butler, Dick Williams, Sonny Hambrick NOT PICTURED: Alan Williams, Brett Goodwin

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BANKSOUTH IF YOU RAN A BANK, YOU’D RUN IT LIKE THIS

BANKSOUTH: IF YOU RAN A BANK, YOU’D RUN IT LIKE THIS

18 WEST BRYAN STREET • SAVANNAH, GA • 912.200.9420 • BANKSOUTH.COM • 912.658.2366 • BANKSOUTHMORTGAGE.COM HONORED TO BE NAMED ONE OF THE “TOP 20 PERFORMING COMMUNITY BANKS” in the

nation, BankSouth is leading the industry when it comes to community banking.

With that kind of accolade, it’s no wonder BankSouth has attracted the area’s top talent to oversee its Savannah operations, including local banking experts Kay Ford

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and Laura Moore and mortgage specialist Michael Caputo.

At BankSouth, we want to get to know your hopes, dreams and challenges so we can truly serve as your trusted banking ally and keep important banking decisions local.

IF YOU RAN A BANK, YOU’D RUN IT LIKE BANKSOUTH: • You’d put the best team in place to service customers • You’d protect your customers’ money • You’d go the extra mile to help local businesses • You’d know that mortgages help build dreams

SEATED L-R: KAY FORD, CHAIRMAN OF BANKSOUTH’S ADVISORY BOARD MICHAEL CAPUTO, BANKSOUTH MORTGAGE VICE PRESIDENT, MARKET PRODUCTION MANAGER LAURA MOORE, BANKSOUTH’S SAVANNAH MARKET PRESIDENT MEMBER FDIC

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CORDASCO & COMPANY P.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

CORDASCO & COMPANY, P.C.

109 OGLETHORPE PROFESSIONAL COURT • SAVANNAH, GA • 912-353-7800 • CORDASCOCPA.COM WE PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH to our clients’

personal and business tax, audit, accounting and bookkeeping needs. Tax planning is our main focus; effective preparation allows our clients to minimize their tax liability and manage their cash.

This is not your parents’ accounting firm! We admit it—we are tech-nerds; our firm is dedicated to leveraging new and emerging advanced technologies to help our clients manage the accounting process. Many of our clients

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access their accounts via a customized portal, allowing one secure location for all of their documents.

Our firm believes in the importance of corporate, social and civic responsibility, so you will likely encounter

a representative or two of Cordasco & Company at a variety of business and charitable events around Savannah. We are proud to be actively involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Girls on the Run.

LEFT TO RIGHT: ROB CORDASCO, JAMES RAHAL

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STEVENS HALE & ASSOCIATES AN ALL-INCLUSIVE COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL INSURANCE BROKERAGE

STEVENS HALE & ASSOCIATES: INSURANCE AGENTS AND CONSULTANTS 7391 HODGSON MEMORIAL DR. • SAVANNAH, GA • 912-961-4300 • STEVENSHALEANDASSOCIATES.COM WHO WE ARE: Stevens Hale &

Associates represents over a century of combined insurance expertise. We understand that insurance is one of the most important investments a company or person will make, and our associates know that protecting your assets is our number-one priority.

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CUSTOM INSURANCE PLANNING:

Risk Assessment 365™: co-developed and employed by Stevens Hale & Associates, is a proactive year-round risk-evaluation and problem-solving process used as an additional safeguard for our clients’ insurance investments.

REGIONAL ABILITY: We are a founding member of Georgia Agency Partners—a group of 16 firms across Georgia pooling our resources and knowledge to provide the most comprehensive coverage available to all clients in any region.

BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: DANA STEVENS, NICK HALE, HENRY STEVENS. FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: JOHN POWER, CHRIS PLAYER, COURTNEY MARIE FOWLER, BEN BREWER, SCOTT STEVENS NOT PICTURED ABOVE: TOMMY STACY

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SEA ISLAND BANK CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS DELIVERED BY KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS

SEA ISLAND BANK IS ALL ABOUT YOU

7426 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE • SAVANNAH, GA • 912.966.2265 • SEAISLANDBANK .COM Named Best Bank in Savannah by the readers of Savannah Morning News, Sea Island Bank, a division of Synovus Bank, built their foundation with a focus on one single goal: to develop and execute a strategic plan focused on your financial future.

A dedicated commercial-banking professional will work with a team of experts to tailor solutions that address specific goals and concerns for you and your business. Sea Island Bank will leverage resources, such as advanced technology-based products,

so that our responsive team can exceed customer needs.

Sea Island Bank is all about you.

We’ll work diligently to understand your needs, help assess your current business strategies and goals and identify challenges and opportunities.

SEATED L-R: PADGETT MIXON, COMMERCIAL BANKING LEAD; KEN RABITSCH, SAVANNAH CITY PRESIDENT STANDING L-R: RYAN MARTIN, COMMERCIAL BANKER; BEN JOHNSON, COMMERCIAL BANKER

All accounts are subject to approval. Loan products are subject to credit approval.

Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast.

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GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME INTERVIEW BY STACY MOSER||PHOTOGRAPHY BY BL AKE CROSBY

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TIMOTHY WALMSLEY SEES VIOLENT-CRIME OFFENDERS IN HIS COURTROOM EVERY DAY. HE’S PUSHING FOR CHANGE IN THE COURT SYSTEM. HIS #1 GOAL? SPEED THINGS UP

You were appointed a Superior Court Judge in 2012 and your work now is with the Major Crimes Division. How has the crime “landscape” changed in Savannah recently—do you see any trends in crimes that are committed?

Due to my involvement with the Major Crimes Division (MCD), I see some of the most violent and disturbing crimes committed in this community. What has struck me most is the relative youth of the offenders, the prevalence of drug use and the regular use of weapons or physical violence during the commission of crimes. In the past few years, I’ve heard a lot of cases involving teenagers who, for a variety of reasons, have made exceedingly poor decisions.

Our most common cases are probably armed robberies committed by youthful offenders. If there is a trend, it is that the offenders seem to be getting younger. What worries me is that solutions to the underlying problems are complex and will require significant focus and motivation to solve.

How are you pushing for change in the criminal-justice system of Savannah?

Credit has to go to my colleagues on the bench, particularly Chief Judge Michael Karpf, for envisioning the need for the MCD. It was set up in 2013 and hears all murder or felony murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery and hijacking cases in Chatham County. The basic ideas behind the MCD were to create more efficiency in managing major felony cases and to conclude both majorcrime and lower-level felony cases more rapidly. I feel like I am doing some good work in the community.

You seek to speed up the progression of criminal cases through the court system. What is the major problem in the system that motivated you to push for change?

I think most people have heard the saying “Justice delayed is justice denied.” The Superior Court has a huge volume of cases. Last year 9,783 new cases were filed and, of those, almost half were criminal cases. Before the formation of our new Major Crimes Division, all of those were given the same priority. MCD was created, due, in part, to the fact that “major crimes” were harder to schedule when grouped with all other cases because they are so complex.

By separating them out and assigning specific judges to handle them we’ve been able to dedicate more time to them and move major crime cases through the system more efficiently. Now, on average, a major crime case pending in MCD takes less than 13 months to resolve after indictment. That time frame is down from pre-MCD days.

Any unnecessary delay in a trial is a denial of justice that affects both the defendant and community. A speedy trial guarantees a defendant that they won’t be incarcerated indefinitely without a trial (if they are in custody). A speedy trial also serves the public because pre-trial incarceration is

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expensive and a delayed trial may enable witness tampering, it can cause key witnesses to become unavailable and it can cause specific memories of an event to fade. In setting up the MCD, we recognized that the main goal of a criminal trial is to quickly determine whether an accused person violated the law and, if found guilty, to prescribe the appropriate sanction.

Have there been any changes to the prosecution system that are directly attributable to your push for change?

Yes, an important part of MCD now is to use a uniform scheduling order in all cases filed. These orders hold all parties accountable to the idea that these major cases need to be resolved quickly so there is finality for the defendant and the community has some closure. These orders give the prosecution and defense a clear timeline and specific deadlines to prepare major crimes cases for trial. The orders also give possible trial dates very soon after the case is indicted so lawyers can plan to have witnesses available.

What part of your court record makes you most proud?

I don’t take any pride in verdicts because thinking of cases that way implies a desire for one side or other to win. To me, a verdict is just one piece of the criminal process. I take pride in the way cases are handled by the court and I take particular pride in providing litigants with a fair trial in complex cases.

What improvements to the criminal prosecution procedure do you hope to see in the future?

Between 1990 and 2011, Georgia’s adult prison population more than doubled to nearly 56,000 inmates. State spending on corrections also skyrocketed—from $429 million to more than $1 billion annually. In 2011, our prisons were at 107 percent of capacity and our incarceration rate was the fourth highest in the nation. These numbers are staggering when you consider the ongoing cost of maintaining our current system. Because of this, the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2012 enacted comprehensive reforms addressing some of these issues. More reforms to our juvenile justice system were passed in 2013. I encourage those reading this to look at these reforms and speak with local legislators about other steps that can be taken to refine and improve our criminal justice system.

How has being a judge affected your personal life?

A judge is a public figure, so my job has had an effect on my personal life. But I’m blessed with good friends who happily ignore my title and always keep me grounded. The job does allow me to spend more time with my family. As an attorney, I travelled a lot, but my work now keeps me in Chatham County.

Getting away from the courthouse and having fun is important because the job can get very serious. I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my friends and family, whether we’re golfing, boating, hunting or watching the kids play their various sports—they even let me coach sometimes!

“ Major cases need to be resolved quickly so there is finality for the defendant and the community has some closure.�

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STACY MOSER AND FRANK DUNNE JR.

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South Extra: Scan the badge to find the video. (See page 24.)

PHOTO GRA PHY BY JA BBE R PICS

THE BUSINESS OF BOUNTY HUNTING窶認OR SOME, THE RISK IS WORTH THE REWARD

T

he target is on the loose. He was supposed to show up in court to plead his case, but lost his nerve and skipped it. Now the judge is mad. No one likes to be stood up—especially judges. So with the slam of a gavel, the judge says the bail-jumper’s got to be found. The bail-bond agency that vouched for him has to hand over the bail cash if he’s not.

No bonding agency wants to lose thousands of dollars because a defendant doesn’t want to go to court. So the hunt for the jumper begins.

Enter the bounty hunters. They only get paid if they apprehend the jumpers. No jumper—no food on the table. Bounty hunters are paid a percentage of the subject’s bond amount, so it’s a volume business—snag more jumpers, make more money. Kenny Gibbons, of Savannah’s Payless Bail Bonds, estimates that he makes about 100 apprehensions a year, which can be lucrative depending on the value of the bonds.

It’s a risky proposition, but most bounty hunters will say that the thrill of the pursuit is half the reward.

So how about Dog the Bounty Hunter, the reality-TV star who famously subdues his prey on camera with a fire-extinguisher-sized can of pepper spray? “As bounty hunters, we have to watch what we say, how we say it and—no, we aren’t supposed to kick in doors. If we do cause any damage to the location, we can be charged with destruction of property. If we try to pick up the wrong person, we can be charged with assault and, if we draw our weapon, we can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Personally, I don’t want to become the hunted, and I really don’t want to fork over money in fines,” says Yvonne Mason, a bounty hunter in Georgia who blogs about her profession.

Any experienced bail-recovery agent, though,

will tell you that they definitely earn the money, because danger exists around every corner.

Gibbons recalls the time when he was in pursuit of his jumper (and his payday) when he was conked on the head with a hammer by an 80-year-old man. After having talked his way into a house by feigning interest in buying a car sitting in the driveway, Gibbons made his move on the jumper.

“We were talking in the kitchen and I grabbed the guy and told him, ‘I have a warrant for you.’

He tried to get to the sink to grab a knife, so I was holding him back. Next thing I know, his granddaddy comes up behind me and knocks me twice on the head with a hammer.” Gibbons obviously lived through the experience, but

to get a hold of the subject, make a phone call and tell them what’s going on—talk them into doing the right thing.” Sometimes that works.

Sometimes it doesn’t. “You have to gain the trust of the person on the other end of the phone call.”

When the phone call doesn’t work, the bounty hunter becomes a detective, running down leads, staking out locations and waiting for opportunity.

Some fugitives from justice will go to great lengths to avoid apprehension. “The beauty of being a hunter is that we know the criminal is usually not that bright,” Mason explains. “We know what he’s thinking, what he’s doing and where he will probably go—even before he does. The jumper always returns to that comfort zone—the place they feel safe. They always slip up. It just takes a lot of patience, time and waiting.”

Gibbons warns, “Wait until the jumper’s alone. You don’t want to have to deal with his buddies, too.”

Today’s typical bounty hunter isn’t the rogue stereotype we see on the screen. Bounty hunters are trained, licensed and regulated professionals who are an integral component of our justice system.

As a matter of fact, having a good relationship with local law enforcement is key to a bounty hunter’s success. You’ve seen it on cop shows plenty of times: the greedy rogue bounty hunter from out of state chases a six-figure payday and gets in the way of a police investigation. Does it ever happen? Perhaps, but a good relationship with law-enforcement agencies is the best practice according to Gibbons. “I always contact the police or sheriff’s office when I go out of town to let them know I’m there and who I’m looking for,” he says. “It’s all about respect. They respect what I do and I respect what they do.” When there’s mutual respect, everybody gets along just fine, “As long as you keep your nose clean.”

“THE BEAUTY OF BEING A HUNTER IS THAT WE KNOW WHAT THE CRIMINAL IS THINKING AND WHERE HE WILL PROBABLY GO—EVEN BEFORE HE DOES.” the resulting headache was “a real bummer.”

Sometimes the subject surrenders peacefully.

Other times … not so much. “These are mostly young guys. They’ve got a mind of their own.

Sometimes I have to say, ‘If you want to take this to another level, I will.’” Gibbons always tries to talk his subject down off the hypothetical ledge. That might be disappointing to some.

“You have guys who want to come into the business looking for action,” Gibbons says.

“They say things like, ‘I’m trained in kung fu,’ or ‘I carry this-or-that kind of gun.’ That’s not what it takes. It’s about using your brains.”

And sometimes a little bit of deceit is useful, too, similar to his car-in-the-driveway ploy.

Gibbons explains that “the first step is to try

BOUNTY HUNTING ACCORDING TO JACK TRIPP Jack Tripp, a former bail-recovery agent, now Senior Staff Instructor at Global Tactical Training Group’s (GTAC) Coastal Academy of Personal Protection (CAPP) has a few tips for wannabe bail-recovery agents.

YOU’RE NOT THE LONE RANGER In Georgia, bail bondsmen run the show.

They issue licenses and are responsible for whatever recovery agents do. So

you can’t just pick a face from a “Wanted” poster, load for bear and go hunting. “If you’ve got a bunch of cowboys going around kicking in doors and drawing guns on people when it’s unnecessary, the bondsman is responsible for that. I would hire someone who’s level-headed, but tenacious about accomplishing the mission.”

Surveillance is done mostly alone, but Tripp did apprehensions on a team for safety. “There are a lot of crazies out there. You don’t want to get killed trying to bring someone in for something stupid like driving without a license.”

FIGHT OR FLIGHT Best-case scenario—the bailjumper came in voluntarily. But not all jumpers listen to reason, and recovery agents need to be prepared for action. If you don’t have tactical skills, you’ll need to get trained. “Take a class on handcuffing techniques, skip traces and things like that.” And you’d better know how to handle a firearm.

“A lot of people think because they have a gun and shoot at the range, they’re prepared. There’s a difference between shooting a gun and being able to fight with a gun.”

BRING YOUR TOOLBOX Being prepared also means having the right equipment. Tripp outfitted himself much like a police officer,

with a pistol, bullet-proof vest, flashlight, night-vision headgear, walkie-talkie, taser and handcuffs.

“Occasionally we’d keep long guns in the car for really bad neighborhoods.” He advises having a proper holster and some weapon-retention skills to avoid having your gun taken away by the perp. That would be bad.

KNOW THE RULES Becoming a bounty hunter in Georgia requires continuingeducation courses and candidates must be at least 25 years old, a resident of the state for at least one year, be a U.S. citizen and possess a firearms permit.

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E M I R C & A I D ME P L E H O T IN H C IT P S N E IZ IT C E T A IV R P D N A Y R IA T N U MED O C W O L E H T SOLVE CRIMES IN E JR. FRANK DUNN

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Y BLAKE CROSB

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rime. Watch the news on TV, listen to it on the radio, check out crime reports on websites. It makes you want to throw up your hands and say, “That’s it! I’m outta here!” Just have a look at a tiny sampling of the crime headlines from a given day in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry: • “Two Men Sentenced on Federal Charges Involving Child Exploitation.” This one’s about a couple of guys in Waycross soliciting minors on social media. You don’t want to know the details.

• “Star Wars Actor Arrested in Colleton County.”

What!? This is the guy who played young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace. He led police on a high-speed chase before crashing into a tree. Apparently he thought he was still driving a landspeeder on Tatooine.

• “West Side Shooting Victim Dies.” A Savannah teenager found shot in a crashed stolen car.

• “Murder Victim’s Family Shocked by Their Daughter’s Death.” A 27-year-old woman with a four-year-old son was looking for an apartment to rent. She was shot and killed instead.

• “WSAV Crime Tracker: Car Thefts, Break-Ins on the Rise.” Car thefts in Savannah are up 33 percent from a year ago. Thefts of valuables left in cars—up four percent.

• “Marshals, CNT Looking for Information into Wanted Drug Kingpin.” Savannah–Chatham Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) is working with U.S. Marshals to bring down this guy who runs a drug ring that imports product from California and sells it here.

• “Neighbors Thankful After CNT Busts Man With Drugs, Guns.” They got this guy at his home.

Clearly, he’s local competition for that kingpin fellow from California.

• “Gun Violence Plaguing Teens.” That’s hardly news to anybody anymore.

On and on it goes; and, again, that’s just a small sampling from one particular day in the news in the Lowcountry. How do the police even keep up with it all?

Most of us have pretty much given up on the idea that cops will ever be able to keep up with all the crime that comes our way. Thankfully, though, the police haven’t thrown up their hands and said, “That’s it! We’re outta here!” And one way they try to keep up with the ever-growing wave of crime is to enlist the public’s help.

This is nothing new. In fact, it’s a time-honored tradition here in America, dating back to the Wild West and the good old “Wanted” poster. The local sheriffs back in the day didn’t have the manpower to track down all the bad guys, so they offered rewards to anybody who could help bring ’em in— dead or alive. Enter the bounty hunter.

BRIGHT IDEA: USING MEDIA TO SOLVE CRIME Citizen involvement in solving crimes today isn’t quite as exciting and dramatic as portrayed cinematically in many films over the years.

Yes, we still have “Wanted” posters and bounty hunters (now licensed and regulated), but not the armed bands of civilians combing the streets and countrysides. We also have something that the sheriffs of old didn’t have. We have cell phones, television, radio and the internet. In other words, we have the media.

On one hand, programs like Cops and Jail may serve as deterrents to some folks who are on the fence about whether to commit a crime that day. No sensible So, have you seen person would want something, heard to end up like folks in something, or know that endless parade of the whereabouts of derelicts, lowlifes and somebody that might other assorted human assist the police in debris who appear on putting a criminal those shows, right? behind bars? Then Then there was give law enforcement America’s Most a hand. There are Wanted, the longthree ways to provide running TV series that information through profiled actual crimes CrimeStoppers: and their perpetrators.

1. By phone at This show raised the (912) 234-2020. crime-fighting bar and 2. By text message: provided a venue for Send to CRIMES viewers to call in with (274637); type tips and information CStop2020 and the tip about crimes. The in the message body. show is credited 3. Online at with assisting in the SavannahChathamapprehension of over CrimeStoppers.

1,000 fugitives from org; Click or tap the justice, evidence of “Submit a Tip” button. just how the timeRemember, it’s totally honored crimeanonymous. Nobody fighting tradition—the will know who you anonymous tip—can are … and you might be even more effective earn a cash reward. than ever.

Better yet, you might Locally, that’s what make your neighborCrimeStoppers of hood a safer place.

Savannah-Chatham County is all about.

CrimeStoppers is a program that unifies the efforts of private citizens, the police and media to fight crime. The way it works is pretty simple. Do you have a tip on who committed a crime? Do you have a lead on where a fugitive from the law might be hiding out? Share that information by phone (voice or text) or online with CrimeStoppers and they’ll get the information to the police. If that makes you nervous, no worries—all tips remain totally anonymous. There’s no caller ID and email IP addresses are hidden. Anonymity is critical to the program’s success.

Obviously, folks who know something about a crime that’s been committed will be hesitant to come forward, fearing reprisal from the criminal, who is very often known to the tipster.

“We go out of our way to protect the anonymity of our callers,” said a CrimeStoppers official

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TY N U O C M A HATH C N I S M L I JAIL TV F

South Extra: Scan the image to see JailTV (see page 24 for details) The new season of Lockup on MSNBC gives viewers across the country a hauntingly realistic look inside Savannah’s Chatham County Jail. With the immense local media attention on this jail over the past year, this season of Lockup could not have come at a more important time. A young inmate can’t sleep at night because of screams from cells around her, another offender jokes about how “slippery” the showers can be and a somewhat dazed detainee leaves us wondering with an eerie statement: “They say the truth will set you free. Not in Cheat-em County.” Watch Lockup on MSNBC (WSAV) starting August 1—the series lasts for six weeks. For a complimentary stay in the Chatham County Jail, drive drunk or break into your neighbor’s house. who requested anonymity. Data for 2015 is not currently available, but the official confirmed that approximately 40 arrests were made in 2014 based on some 2,000 CrimeStoppers tips.

REWARDS AND TIPS

Since you’re probably wondering—yes, cash rewards are given for tips ultimately leading to an arrest. And no, the rewards aren’t taxpayerfunded. “We’re a 501(c) non-profit organization and all of our reward money is raised through donations and fundraisers held throughout the year,” says the Crimestoppers official. Amazingly, he says 75 to 80 percent of those eligible for a reward never claim the money. “I think most folks give tips out of a sense of civic duty and pride.”

You’re also probably wondering where all the tips come from. Do that many people witness crimes and come forward every year?

Not necessarily, and this is where local media come into the picture. Savannah–Chatham Metropolitan Police and other law-enforcement agencies throughout Chatham and surrounding counties provide information about active cases to news outlets for broadcast and publication on TV, radio, online and in print. The theory is that when the public watches, listens or reads these accounts, they may recognize something, say, a suspect in a photo, a vehicle in a security camera video or some other suspicious activity portrayed.

If someone comes forward with even a tiny bit of information about the crime, it could prove valuable to solving a case.

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CRIMINAL NUMBERS How are we doing at taking a bite out of crime?

Here’s a snapshot of the crime rates for Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department precincts (West Chatham, Downtown, Central, Southside, Islands ) since 2007. The crimes included are Aggravated Assault, Auto Theft, Burglary, Homicide, Larceny, Rape and Robbery:

YEAR

CRIME RATE

2014

9,433

2013

9,309

2012

9,203

2011

10,468

2010

10,047

2009

11,782

2008

12,535

2007

11,171

LOCAL TV GIVES CRIME FIGHTING AN ASSIST

CrimeStoppers Board Chairman Andrew Davis hosts WSAV-TV’s Fugitive Files, airing Thursdays on the station’s 6 and 11 p.m. news broadcasts.

On the program, Davis interviews investigating officers from police departments and sheriff’s offices all over the Coastal Empire to gain insight into various open cases. “These are all active cases,” he explains. “Some of them are pretty fresh and some of them might be a few months old, but we don’t do cold cases. We look for solvable cases that will be interesting to the viewer.”

Fugitive Files has become a major source of important tips leading to arrests since it began to air. Every three to four months or so, Davis goes into the field with officers for a Fugitive Files Roundup to cover some of those arrests.

“I’ve been very lucky,” he admits. “In three years, we’ve helped law enforcement make 128 arrests after they were profiled on our show.” It’s a true testament to the role media can play in fighting crime.

“We couldn’t do it without cooperation from local police forces,” says Davis. He explains that this is something that is not necessarily as easy as it might sound. “These officers don’t typically like to go on camera, but, because of our show’s tremendous success, they’re willing to make an exception. It’s amazing to see what the power of television can do.”

So, have you seen something, heard something or know the whereabouts of somebody that might assist the police in putting a criminal behind bars?

Then give law enforcement a hand.

South Extra: Scan the image above to see more Crimestoppers photos (see page 24 for details).

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Clothes / Copper Penny

PHOTOGRAPHY / BLAKE CROSBY | STYLING ASHLEY BORDERS

MEG

HEAP SAVANNAH’S PEACEKEEPER

District Attorney Meg Daly Heap’s leadership during the case of the officer-related shooting death of Charles Smith kept Savannah from transforming into a hotbed of race riots like those that have taken place in Ferguson and Baltimore this spring. Her initiatives to prevent crime and assist victims are nothing less than extraordinary.

W

ith all the violent public reactions and racial tension surrounding the shooting deaths of black men by white police officers recently in America, how did Savannah avoid violence as events unfolded in last fall’s police-related shooting death of Charles Smith? Maybe it’s because, for the first time in a very long time, the Savannah Metropolitan Police Department has an open working relationship with the District Attorney.

D.A. Meg Daly Heap experienced a supreme test of her leadership skills during the investigation of the police officer-related shooting. On September 18, 2014, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department Officer David Jannot, a white man with ten years of service, shot Charles Smith, a 28-year-old black man. How Heap has flown under the national-press radar and Savannah has remained relatively violence-free since two grand juries found Jannot’s actions justified, is curious. Her strategy was straightforward—she took the unusual step of petitioning two grand

Paula S. Fogarty jury hearings to allow examination of additional evidence that might not have been admissible in only one criminal hearing (allowing extra time for witnesses to come forward) and the recorded eyewitness statements were shared with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Smith’s family, a move that achieved a high level of transparency in the case.

“The case may not have been picked up [by the national press] because bad things didn’t happen here. Maybe it’s because we are a small town and do things differently. I look across the country and what is happening in Ferguson and Baltimore is horrifying. ‘The great state of Chatham,’ as we are called, is different. We have a very diverse group of elected officials and everyone was concerned.

I remember the day it happened, the Mayor went out there and talked to people and it was huge,” Heap relates.

The night he was killed, Smith was arrested on outstanding warrants and kicked out the window of the police car in which he was riding. He was able to twist his body so that his hands could possibly reach a stolen pistol he had concealed

in his pants. This was the second time he had knocked out a police-car window after being arrested. Officer Jannot shot him and the jury and Superior Court Judge James F. Bass ruled that Jannot was justified in his actions. Smith’s DNA was found on the gun and illicit drugs and other chemicals were found in his body.

A VICTIM’S ADVOCATE COMMUNICATES The petite, but mighty, Heap is a force of positive energy in person. She is bright-eyed and highly charged; you can almost see her mind racing as she discusses her ideas. A native Savannahian, Heap cut her legal teeth in the Victim–Witness Assistance Program before receiving her Juris Doctorate from Mercer University. She went on to become the first prosecutor in the state to handle disabled- and elder-abuse cases, the prevention of which is a cause near to her heart. Prior to her election as District Attorney in 2012, she served as a staff attorney in Superior Court Judge Penny Haas Freeseman’s office. Today, Heap is most concerned with crime-prevention initiatives and victim advocacy.

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”’’

ASK NOT WHAT THE POLICE CAN DO FOR US; ASK WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THEM HELP US!”’’

Her concern for fairness in the Charles Smith case spurred her to push for two grand juries, the enforcement of a gag order and renewed communications efforts with members of religious, civic and residential communities here. “Ronald Williams, of the West Savannah Neighborhood Association, was a very positive and effective partner in the case,” she says. Williams explains the unique posture of the District Attorney at the time, “I’ve never known a D.A. to come into the community like she does. She attends meetings and is highly visible. She is an outstanding person. I can call her any time. Her youth programs and victim-assistance programs are great.

I love her seniors programs, too,” he chuckles. “We like her. We’d like to have a seniors’ night out with her.”

Dr. George P. Lee III

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Williams points out that police need to gain the trust of the community so witnesses will cooperate with investigations.

He advocates that each community adopt a cop. “Ask not what the police can do for us; ask what we can do to help them help us!”

Heap agrees, and encourages the involvement of all community stakeholders in communicating more effectively.

West Side ministers were highly engaged Ronald Williams, President of the West Savannah Neighborhood Association with their community members during the time the Charles or recuperating from their wounds— Smith case was being investigated. Smith getting to them before they are released. had been convicted of multiple felonies Heap explains, “If we don’t intercede, and misdemeanors, and he was a local that person is either going to become a rapper who went by the name of Mista homicide victim later or they are going Dee. In one video, he is seen wielding to retaliate—and we will have another a semi-automatic Glock pistol and homicide.” The program attempts to help demonstrating how he could conceal it in those contemplating committing a crime his pants. or pondering joining a gang; it’s the only Some traces of animosity remain such program in a hospital that is run by in the West Side neighborhood and a D.A.’s office.

Williams is working to reduce tension on Additionally, Heap points to Chief many fronts; one goal of his is to hasten Juvenile Court Justice Diane McLeod’s the removal of the makeshift efforts to “adopt” Hubert Middle memorial to Smith. “That is just School—where a sizeable portion of a reminder of the lifestyle he juvenile offenders are in school— lived. Some of the ministers are conducting two-week camps for at-risk sending the message that his students. “These are kids whose family lifestyle was okay,” he explains. members have been in jail. They have few role models,” explains Kristin Fulford, POUNDS OF PREVENTION District Attorney Public Information FOR AT-RISK YOUTHS Officer, who helped supervise the camp.

There have been 15 homicides The campers, kids from Hubert and in Savannah since the beginning from the Intercept Program, have no of 2015—an increase from 2014. answers when asked what they want to Heap feels that crime prevention be when they grow up. Throughout their demands multiple approaches young lives, their interactions with law on the part of not only the enforcement have been mostly negative; police department, but also this camp seeks to provide positive civic groups, families, schools interactions with adult role models. and churches. Heap’s team is Sixteen prosecutors volunteer their mobilizing to create effective time at the camp, as do members of the crime-prevention programs law-enforcement community. They using federal grant money. The prepare a mock courtroom to allow kids city’s Intercept Program, for to see what a day in the life of a police instance, created a partnership officer, attorney or judge is really like. between Memorial Hospital and The campers fill the roles of courtroom the D.A.’s office to contact victims participants and try their own cases. of violent crimes when they are “Some of them are really good!” says still in the hospital being treated Heap. They are able to experience a

THE MANY MUGS OF CHARLES SMITH Smith was no stranger to the criminal-justice system in Savannah.

Here are just some of his mugshots: (1) 2001 (2) 2004 (3) 2006 (4) 2007 (5) 2009 01

02

03

04

05

The memorial left for Charles Smith still sits near where he was shot and killed.

mock trial in front of a Superior Court Judge and some of them leave wanting to be lawyers. Heap recalls one young girl who could not understand the concept of an adult never having spent time in jail. The volunteers work with the kids on their “soft skills,” interpersonal skills that characterize a person’s relationships with others. Heap hopes that they THE IN-CUSTODY had a positive HOMICIDE OF MATTHEW AJIBADE impact at the camp. “If we can Twenty-one-year-old stop just one of Matthew Ajibade died these kids from while in custody after entering the being arrested on domesticcriminal-justice system, we will violence charges in January. have succeeded.”

Two deputies and a sergeant suffered injuries from PUTTING an apparent fight with PRISONERS TO Ajibade during his booking.

WORK Last year, roughly It’s been revealed that 300 released Ajibade was tased while in convicts returned restraints, which is illegal. to Savannah Nine deputies were fired; to live. What others resigned after the resources are there to support incident. Three indictments them in their have been handed down efforts to stay out from Meg Heap’s office to of the system? The former employees of the Georgia Re-Entry Chatham County Sheriff ’s Program is one of Governor Deal’s Department on felony top initiatives to involuntary manslaughter help them become charges—not murder. In productive June, the death certificate members of was leaked to social media society. Heap explains, “These outlets. Heap has petitioned folks need a place the court to enforce a gag to live. They order, as in the Charles need help getting Smith case, and cautions a state ID and about damage caused when Social Security cards. If we don’t incomplete information is help, what is the leaked. All communication alternative? One from the D.A.’s office is under of the things that wraps until jurors examine blew me away evidence in the case. was that many of

DÉJÀ VU

them are coming out of prison with major drug addictions! There is something wrong with the corrections system, and we are the ones who have to help them with rehab.”

Finding gainful employment for those reentering society outside prison is a challenge.

Murray Silver, Savannah Mayoral Candidate, recalls one conversation with an ex-convict, who told him that he could make more money in one day selling drugs than in a whole month with a minimum-wage job. When Silver asked the man if wouldn’t rather have the City of Savannah on his resume than jail, he was told, “Man, jail is just another place.” Heap faces this ugly truth every day and enlists influencers like Pastor George Lee of the St. John Baptist Church and the Social Apostolate to help her in her quest to effect change in Savannah.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COPS AND HANDS-ON LEADERSHIP It’s easy to conclude that Heap is the type of dynamo who doesn’t sleep much after she outlines her initiatives for domestic-abuse victims in conjunction with the Rape Crisis Center and Safe Shelter here in Savannah. State Court Chief Assistant Andre Pretorius is the champion of domestic-violence initiatives here, and he has successfully extended the time frame in which a perpetrator of domestic violence can bond out, giving the District Attorney’s Victim–Witness Assistance Program the time necessary to help the victim with shelter and counseling to keep them from recanting their testimony against the offender and to keep the offender from repeating crimes. This is huge, she points out—many perpetrators are waiting at home before the victim can even return from the hospital. Getting cases to trial faster also makes a big difference in decreasing the amount of repeat offenses and recanting witnesses. Pretorius has reduced the number of days for misdemeanors to go to trial from two years to less than 120 days.

What about the police? Savannah has struggled with its police force—the former police chief is now a convict. Heap’s relationship with the force is upbeat and, unlike her predecessor, Larry Chisolm, she enjoys open communication with Chief Jack Lumpkin. She admits, “Our former chief wouldn’t even speak to me. Now I know why!” She addresses the uphill battle Lumpkin faces in filling the large number of vacancies on the force, “In fairness to Chief Lumpkin—he is cleaning house. It needs to be done.” She advocates paying officers more in order to attract and retain them and claims that Lumpkin is trying to get this done.

Heap isn’t at all afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty. She believes strongly in her ability to clean up communities and improve the quality of life for their residents. “We go into key communities and help clean up parks and paint buildings so they know we’re not just here in name only.” She cites what Hiller Moore, D.A. of Baton Rouge, has done with his Clean Up This Community grant. “It shows that once you clean it up, people don’t leave. We’re in the beginning stages of this program.”

Heap is looking at adopting many of criminologist David Kennedy’s revolutionary Operation Cease Fire Program initiatives that have greatly reduced crime in cities such as Boston. These initiatives involve buy-in from entire communities and communication with criminals to give them a chance to clean up their lives. Heap recently sent members of the City Council to New York to learn how to adopt the Operation Cease Fire initiatives. The trip’s cost has been funded without using tax dollars and, she states, “My office and the police department are using asset-forfeiture funds to pay for the trip, not taxpayer dollars. That money is the proceeds of illegal drug sales and comes during the arrest of those involved in criminal activity. I am taking drug money and using it in a positive way to help reduce crime.” She is also commencing a program to centralize information with a database created in conjunction with Georgia Southern University that tracks criminals and gang members.

In addition violent crime, she sadly points to the number-one crime here: elder abuse.

Elders, she explains, increasingly are the largest population in the United States and they happen to have the most wealth. “They can also be frail and have dementia or Alzheimer’s, making them easy targets for family members to abuse.” She has faith in Maggie DeLeon, dedicated elder-abuse prosecutor, to go after Savannah’s segment of abusers. She laughs, “I need to have this program running strong by the time I get up to that age!”

It’s doubtful that Heap will ever be a pushover.

After over three years as the District Attorney, Heap is dedicated to what she calls “working her way out of a job.” Leadership like hers is rare: it’s filled with vision, compassion and patience.

She says of her mentor, former District Attorney Spencer Lawton, “The best advice he ever gave me was to surround myself with smart people.” Heap’s humility and dedication to protecting citizens surely benefitted our city during the Charles Smith investigation last fall. And those traits speak well of her ability to keep a lid on future violent passions that simmer beneath the surface of racial tensions in Savannah.

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IS DANNY FALLIGANT SAVING THE WORLD ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME? STORY: STACY MOSER & EVA FEDDERLY PHOTOGRAPHY: JABBERPICS

MUCH LIKE A WARRIOR ON THE BATTLEFIELD, THIS REAL-ESTATE LAWYER HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO KEEP THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE FROM BEING DESTROYED. WITHOUT IT, SOCIETY MAY BE DOOMED. He’s a champion of the sanctity of marriage—a crusader determined to save those who’ve lost hope and are marching down the road toward divorce. For many years, Danny Falligant, an otherwise powerful and well-known attorney in Savannah, has quietly spent his free time meeting with couples and counseling them in an effort to bring them together. And he does it without asking for a fee. His feeling is that divorce is a scourge on society—if there is a way he can help a couple stay together, he will find it. He reflects on the state of our culture today, “The problem is that we’re selfish. ‘Life’s about me.’ Well, it’s not. Life should be about your spouse.”

He says that he sees it over and over—a person chooses a mate because that mate will meet his needs. Then communication breaks down over time and that mate stops meeting his needs.

“After a while, you come home from work and you’re tired. You and your spouse focus only on the kids and you stop talking, stop paying attention to each other. Your kids grow up and you suddenly realize you’re married to a stranger.”

“When couples choose divorce, it has a domino effect on society,” Falligant explains. “Kids who experience terrible pain when their parents divorce are more likely to feel that divorce is a good option if their own relationships are in trouble.” He says that he worries about a future where nobody is trying to hold their marriages, and the fabric of society, together. “Divorce has a snowball effect on a family. It ruins lives.”

Falligant’s deeply held beliefs in his Christian faith are what propel him forward every day. “I believe that I was put on this earth to help others. I want to show people how to use principles

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from the Bible to guide them in their decisionmaking and put the pieces of their marriage back together.”

Falligant came to the church when he was 24 years old. His wife attended a Bible study at a local church in the early 1970s and came home enthused. “She took me along on Sunday mornings after that and I was hooked.” He even decided to take over for the Sunday-school teacher who was leaving town. “My wife had to go out and buy me a Bible!” he chuckles.

Falligant is proud to say that he leads a Bible study in a SunTrust Bank conference room once a week—and has for the last 35 years.

Born and raised in Savannah, Falligant comes from a family of lawyers. “I became a lawyer simply because my dad was lawyer,” he explains.

“I started practicing in 1968, then gravitated toward real-estate law because I enjoy people.”

He sits in his ornate office in the Armstrong House on the north side of Forsyth Park, where Falligant is a senior partner in the law firm Bouhan Falligant. The house is so steeped in Savannah history that it just so happens this room is where portions of the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack, were filmed. The sprawling building also happens to be where Falligant met his wife, Carol, over 50 years ago when it served as Armstrong Junior College.

Falligant sums up his career, much of it spent in this opulent office, “In real-estate

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< FALLIGANT HOLDS THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE

Perhaps Danny Falligant’s gentle, but tough, communication style is what his clients admire the most. One former client whom Falligant counseled several years ago (and who asked to remain anonymous) explains: “He’s disarming. I didn’t know what to expect from him, but it didn’t take long for him to get me to open up.”

The new client had just returned from a long Army deployment overseas and could see that his marriage was in trouble. He found Falligant through word of mouth and called him to ask for help. “The thing about Danny is that he doesn’t allow any gray area. He wants answers. He was very direct with me, asking if there was a fidelity issue between me and my wife. I was shocked at first and then I answered, ‘No!’ I realized that this was someone who wasn’t going to beat around the bush. He was going to hold me accountable.”

Falligant is quick to point out that he doesn’t want to delve into the underlying psychology of a person’s life. He aims to cut to the heart of a relationship’s problem right away. And in this case, it was a lack of communication between husband and wife brought on by a long deployment. His client summed up the problem: “There’s a saying I hear in our unit, ‘War is hard on a man. But war is harder on a family.’”

law, the buyer is happy that they bought it; the seller is happy that they sold it.” But litigating everything in between? It’s not what drives him every day. He finds too much satisfaction in helping couples seek their way out of trouble.

He recalls that, at first, his father couldn’t understand why he was taking the time to help couples without charging a fee. “My dad met a woman one time at the doctor’s office and she recognized our last name. My dad said that I was his son.” The woman explained that the younger Falligant had counseled her and her husband during a rocky time in their marriage.

“She asked my dad if he wanted to see the result of my counseling. She held up her baby and said, ‘This is the result.’ The Lord led my father to understand,” Falligant says, smiling.

< MORE THAN JUST A LEGAL PRACTICE Luckily for many in Savannah, Falligant does more than just practice law. As a result of finding his faith, Falligant began to view his law practice as more of a ministry than a profession. “I try to develop a relationship with anyone who walks in my door as a client. I try to let them know I care not only about their legal transaction, but about their life. I want to help people move forward in a positive way.”

Falligant has followed his passion over the years and attended seminars and workshops in order to hone his counseling skills. In his Bible study class, he coaches people on difficult issues they face in their careers, ways to find direction

in their lives and, sometimes, troubles they encounter in their marriages. Falligant recalls one man who came to him for help. “He told me later, ‘The most valuable advice you gave me was to go home and love my wife, and don’t expect anything else in return.’”

Naturally, word has spread that Falligant is willing to work with couples to improve (or save) their marriages. He counsels couples both before and after they tie the knot (he is not a licensed therapist, nor an ordained minister). One legal client of Falligant’s says that Falligant helped him at a time when he was spiritually lost. “I was a wannabe Christian,” he explains. “He counseled me until he got me over the hump; that led me to Christ.” They met one-on-one many times at the Johnny Harris Restaurant. “I call it the Johnny Harris Chapel,” he laughs. “He’s touched a lot of lives. He’s led more people to Christ than a lot of other pastors I’ve seen.”

About 15 years ago, Falligant was appointed by the court to represent a Chinese boat captain who had smuggled 135 illegal aliens into the Port of Savannah. “I spent a lot of time with the captain, who spoke broken English. We developed a relationship and I shared my faith in Jesus Christ. And, as a result, he accepted Jesus.” The captain was sent to prison for four years for his crime. Falligant brought him a Chinese Bible to read. “When he got back to China, he sent me a letter saying he came to the United States as a smuggler and went back to China as a missionary for Jesus Christ. Those are the kinds of experiences you have when work is satisfying beyond making a living.”

When asked if Falligant can share any words of wisdom, he responds, “My life verse is Philippians 2:3: ‘Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind. Let each of you regard one another as more important than yourself.’”

FALLIGANT DISCUSSES THE SUBJECT OF POWER: “POWER IN A PERSON’S LIFE COMES FROM HELPING OTHERS. BY HELPING OTHERS YOU BECOME INFLUENTIAL IN THEIR LIVES. THAT WAS JESUS’ PASSION. LOOK AT MOTHER THERESA. SHE WAS A PAUPER—BUT SHE HAD A VERY POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL LIFE. PEOPLE THAT SERVE OTHERS ARE THE MOST POWERFUL AND HAPPIEST PEOPLE I KNOW.”

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“I’m more at peace. I’m still a tough guy, but at the same time I’m much more compassionate than I was before.”

South Extra: Scan Jamie to look behind the scenes of his photo shoot. (See page 24 for details.)

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TOUGH JUSTICE On Super Bowl Sunday in 2014, Savannah attorney Jamie Casino blew up our televisions with a riveting two-minute commercial unlike anything we’d ever seen.

There were no Clydesdales or puppies or hot chicks eating Doritos; there was just a gut-wrenching depiction of Casino’s pain upon losing his brother in a senseless killing, followed by the injustice of listening to the former police chief’s misleading statements about the crime.

STORY / ROBYN PASSANTE

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iewers watched in stunned silence in living rooms across Chatham County and, in the days and weeks that followed, all over the world.

(The commercial has garnered more than 5.7 million views on YouTube alone.)

But while millions are now familiar with Casino’s face, with his story of public payback and his sledgehammer of justice, not many know about the varied events leading up to—and following— that grief-fueled metamorphosis from hard-nosed defense attorney to personal-injury lawyer depicted on TV a year and a half ago.

So, who is Jamie Casino? Where did he come from, and what’s he doing now? His wife, Nicole, once thought he was too good to be true.

“At first I thought he was a fake profile on MySpace,” says Nicole, 33, who met Jamie in 2006 on the social-media outlet that preceded just

PHOTOGRAPHY / JABBERPICS

about every other social-media outlet. “He was good-looking, an attorney, young, single. I said, ‘Oh, this guy’s fake.’ So when I met him in person and realized he was real, I was super excited.”

Jamie, a confident go-getter from Philadelphia, and Nicole, a former rodeo princess from Oregon, were perhaps an odd match, but they quickly fell in love. At the time, Nicole had a thriving realestate business. But Jamie was struggling, bogged down with the administrative aspects of his law practice. So she took over.

“I said, ‘We should just move in together and I’ll run the law firm, business-wise, and you can be a lawyer,” she recalls. They bought a house and opened up shop in their garage, with Nicole handling the marketing and administrative aspects of the business and Jamie getting back to what he loved—helping people who were in trouble with the law.

By 2009, they’d moved into a rented office space, grown their business and had a son, Nicolas.

That’s when Jamie’s brother, Michael Biancosino, moved down from Philly to help out.

“I think he was going to be a lawyer; that’s what his discussions were about,” Jamie says of Michael, whom Nicole describes as “super funny and outgoing; just a bubbly, larger-than-life type.”

In 2010, the couple had a second son, Michael, and tied the knot. The following year Nicole got an idea that was, it turns out, a bit ahead of its time.

“I realized we had something special in our office when Jamie and his brother and I worked together in the law firm. We were doing criminal defense, and the characters that came in every day were just amazing. Every day was a story. I started watching a lot of reality TV and I would compare it to my day and say, ‘My day at work was so much more exciting than this.’” Knowing they had

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something special, Nicole started cold-calling networks and casting directors, pitching the family business as a show. It worked and, within weeks, a cousin in the TV business brought down a crew and filmed a sizzle reel (a fast-paced, attention-grabbing video), which the Casinos shopped around.

Jamie was particularly excited about the idea. “I always felt that I was made for TV in one way or another,” he says.

The Casinos remember the day Spike TV called to say they wanted to film a series. Because it was the same exact day Jamie’s doctor called with test results, telling him he had cancer.

“It brought me closer to God; everybody gets closer to God when something bad happens to them,” says Jamie of the diagnosis— which was originally a misdiagnosis of a much more serious and life-threatening type of cancer—and the subsequent year he spent undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to fight Hodgkins lymphoma. “I’m a much better person because of going through that. I’m much more humble. I know what it is to really feel loss, or potential loss. You’re watching your kids and thinking somebody else is going to father them. I did a lot of soul-searching. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

The diagnosis shelved the potential TV series, as the Casinos closed ranks and focused on Jamie’s health privately. Then on Labor Day weekend in 2012, just as Jamie had gotten a clean bill of health and was getting back up to speed, his brother Michael, 30, and his friend Emily Pickels, 22, were gunned down in a case of mistaken identity.

“Two cops showed up at my door. They already knew Michael was my brother; I was pretty well-known then, too, by the cops, because I had a lot of cases in court and stuff, and it’s a small legal community in Savannah.” Jamie was understandably devastated by the news, but that hurt turned to rage in the days that followed.

“The former chief of police, Willie Lovett, came out and made very deceptive statements, saying that there were no innocent victims targeted (in the killings),” Jamie says.

“The city manager basically was on him to make everybody feel safe. That’s always the M.O. of the government here in Savannah: ‘Let’s turn a blind eye to real issues that are happening, because we have tourists who want to feel safe.’

That’s fine and dandy, until you pick a fight with somebody who can defend themselves. And that’s me.”

Casino sat on his rage for a year, but in the meantime he felt forced to make a change in his career. He couldn’t stomach the idea of representing criminals like the man who’d killed his brother.

“It got to the point where I was starting to be very judgmental and was over-analyzing the different people coming in here,” he says. “I’d have a DUI misdemeanor, somebody who didn’t hurt anybody. But I’d think, ‘What happens if I get this guy off, and he goes out and kills somebody?’ When you start to have that kind of thought process, you’ve got to get out.”

So Jamie switched to working as a personal-injury lawyer. “It’s definitely more noble than getting an armed robber off,or representing somebody who shot somebody.”

Though happier professionally, when he saw his mother on Christmas in 2013 and realized how broken she still was over all that her family had endured, Jamie’s latent rage over Lovett’s long-ago comments bubbled back up to the surface. It just so happened that Nicole had splurged that year on a pricey package of professional camera equipment for Jamie’s Christmas present.

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LEFT: STILLS FROM HIS SUPERBOWL COMMERCIALS IN 2014-15.

BOTH WERE HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTIONS THAT WENT VIRAL AND CAUGHT NATIONAL ATTENTION. JAMIE’S MISSION WAS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE INJUSTICE OF HIS BROTHER’S DEAH

South Extra: Scan Jamie to see his Super Bowl commercial (see page 24).

“I did a lot of soul-searching.

It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

The infamous Super Bowl ad began to take shape in Jamie’s mind.

“No one had ever used the Super Bowl for an attack ad. And on top of it, you’re going after the chief of police. That’s a pretty ballsy move,” he says. “At the time it aired, I didn’t understand why it was going viral. It took me almost a year to put things in perspective and understand why it rose to the level it did.”

Jamie says he spent about $100,000 on the two-minute ad, which included the ad space, the equipment and all the work involved in production. But to him, it was a small price to pay for what he got in return.

“If I had sued Willie Lovett on behalf of my parents, what does that do? Instead, I paid to get something much more valuable than a jury verdict that would have taken years and years and years,” he says. “And I got a jury much bigger than 12 people. I got 5.7 million people on my jury.”

The spot garnered him national notoriety and a slew of reality TV offers. Within months, Lovett was arrested on unrelated corruption charges and Jamie and Nicole were filming a new reality TV pilot, this one for Warner Bros.

By the time the 2015 Super Bowl came around, everyone was wondering the same thing: Would Jamie Casino pull another show-stopper?

He didn’t disappoint, railing against bullies, particularly those among Savannah’s elected leadership, while touching on his cancer battle and his faith in the Ultimate Judge. It was another passionate plea for justice, though Jamie says his personal stance has softened during these recent difficult chapters of his life.

“I really realize now that God loves all his children. He loves Willie just the same way as he loves me. So I can’t be mad at him. (Willie) has not repented for what he’s done, he never issued an apology or anything like that, but I think I

would have had a lot of anger and resentment and disgust that I don’t have now, if it wasn’t for my faith,” he says. “I’m more at peace. I’m still a tough guy, but at the same time I’m much more compassionate than I was before.”

The Casinos say their TV pilot for Warner Bros. is set to air at some point, but they’re not sure if it will be picked up as a series. In the meantime, Nicole has returned to real estate full-time in The Landings, the gated community where they live, while Jamie is setting up shop in a new office on Mall Boulevard. He says twothirds of the space will be dedicated to his law practice while one-third of it will be set up as a film studio for his signature sledgehammerwielding TV commercials—and whatever else he dreams up.

“I love helping people, and I love film,” he says.

“If I could somehow do both with a show like that (pilot), I would love to do both.”

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BOWEN LAW GROUP H SCHEER & MONTGOMERY RODEN + LOVE H JONES, BOYKIN H DYCHES LAW

2015 SOUTH’S FINEST LAWYERS

BOUHAN FALLIGANT H MIDDLETON L.L.C. MANELY FIRM H SCHIAVONE LAW MORRIS, MANNING & MARTIN S OUT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR IAL SE C T ION

FINEST LAWYERS

10 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SMALL BUSINESS FROM LAWSUITS AS A CORPORATE ATTORNEY, LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS OFTEN ASK ME SOME VARIANT OF THE SAME QUESTION: “WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING SUED?” UNFORTUNATELY, THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS: YOU CAN’T. THE MORE SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT YOU WILL ONE DAY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HASSLE OF DEFENDING A LAWSUIT. HOWEVER, HERE ARE TEN SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF GETTING SUED AND PROTECT YOUR HARD-EARNED PERSONAL AND BUSINESS ASSETS.

1. Incorporate. Forming a corporation, LLC or other similar corporate structure is crucial and will put up a solid wall between your business assets and your personal property.

2. Buy insurance. I recommend that my clients procure as much coverage as they can afford (preferably at least $1 million). If you do get sued, insurance will often cover both the cost of an attorney to defend the case as well as any damages awarded.

Even better, the premiums are often tax-deductible.

3. Transfer assets. As long as it is not being done to defraud creditors, it can be wise for business owners in certain fields to legally transfer key assets to a trusted friend or family member.

4. Keep business contracts simple. A contract written in easily understandable terms is far more likely to be enforced than one containing a lot of confusing “legalese.”

5. Engage in good business practices. In other words, be smart, honest and mindful of everything you say and do. Successful entrepreneurs routinely avoid making any public announcements or conducting any business that might be considered disreputable.

6. Put it in writing. Making certain all agreements are reduced to writing is easily one of the best ways to avoid litigation. The time and money spent drafting a written contract is miniscule compared to the expense of a lawsuit due to a misunderstanding.

How To Tell If You Need a Lawyer

7. Understand and follow the law applicable to your business. While the sheer number of laws and regulations that relate to your profession may be daunting, making certain you have read and understood the law (and that your business is legally compliant) is a powerful deterrent to litigation.

8. Communicate. A universal truth gleaned from 20 years as an attorney: happy people don’t sue.

Many lawsuits arise from anger and hurt feelings.

If you do find yourself in a dispute, don’t ignore it.

Reach out to the aggrieved person and deal with it quickly, directly and professionally.

9. Consult with an attorney. If you wait until you get sued to forge a relationship with a good attorney, it may be too late. A skilled corporate lawyer can be an invaluable resource in everything from establishing a new business to daily operations, including legal compliance, contract reviews, negotiations and debt collection.

10. Avoid crazy people! It never ceases to amaze me how often a client that has just been sued tells me, “I knew that person was trouble from the moment I met him!” Remember: you are not required to do business with every person that contacts you. Always trust your gut instinct. A tactful refusal, such as “I am simply overbooked right now and I know you need this work done right away,” can avoid many future problems.

Legal Issue May Have Long-Term Consequences

If your CEO gets a ticket for an expired meter, it is very unlikely that your company needs to call in the cavalry. Securities transactions, lawsuits, government investigations and other matters that may have long-lasting ramifications on the future of your business, on the other hand, should always be entrusted to legal counsel.

Money at Issue Is Significantly More than the Cost of an Attorney Any time a large sum of money is involved, it’s time to heed your grandparents’ warning against being penny-wise but pound-foolish.

It is much more expensive to correct a mistake than to avoid it in the first place. If you are facing a legal issue in which a large amount of money is involved, it is often well worth the investment to hire an attorney.

THE BOWEN LAW GROUP

FOCUSING ON CORPORATE, BANKING & ENTERTAINMENT LAW A Georgetown Law graduate, Charles J. Bowen has spent the past 20 years practicing law in Savannah. After establishing a full-service Savannah litigation firm, Bowen went on to manage the Savannah branches of two influential Atlanta corporate law firms. In 2012, he launched The Bowen Law Group to provide elite legal services to Savannah’s business community.

Although he counsels his clients to resolve matters quickly whenever possible, Bowen is no stranger to aggressive courtroom action when necessary. He has handled all aspects of corporate litigation on behalf of large corporations and small businesses throughout the state. Bowen also lectures at business functions, schools and legaleducation conferences on various aspects of corporate practice and serves on numerous local corporate, banking, transportation and entertainment boards and councils.

Bowen is heavily involved with the expansion of Savannah’s film, television and commercial production industry and is an avid supporter of the local art community.

The Bowen Law Group not only features one of the most visually stunning offices in Georgia, but it also contains numerous commissioned artworks by local artists as well as one of Savannah’s most extensive collections of antique furniture and historic photographs and documents. The large conference room with panoramic city views is available for corporate board meetings upon request.

THE BOWEN LAW GROUP CAN BE REACHED AT 912.544.2050 OR VISIT THEBOWENLAWGROUP.COM

You Feel Outmanned or Overwhelmed

If you find yourself facing an opponent who is more well-established, has more money or is particularly well-versed in the law, an experienced and skilled attorney can even the playing field. These are circumstances in which you need a big gun: a talented attorney who will act as your fierce and tireless advocate.

VALUABL E FRE E RESOU RC ES FOR SM AL L-BUSI NESS OW NE RS M AY BE FOU ND AT T H E B OW E NLAWGROU P.C OM/BLO G

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CHARLE S BOWE N

has spent the past 20 years practicing law in Savannah. He founded The Bowen Law Group to provide elite legal services to Savannah’s business community.

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A TRUE BUSINESS LEADER DEFINES SUCCESS BY TWO THINGS: EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE. NEVER BY MONEY.

FINEST LAWYERS

NOBLE BOYKIN JR. OUR PRACTICE IS DEVOTED TO HELPING EVERYDAY, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE IN NEED OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE. WE HELP THE UNDERDOG ACHIEVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

Our practice is devoted to helping everyday, hard-working people in need of legal assistance. Over the years, we have been fortunate to be able to help thousands of people who need representation—they have been injured or have had loved ones killed in automobile, truck and motorcycle collisions; and the insurance companies would not accept responsibility or do the right thing. Our firm regularly represents workers injured at manufacturing plants and at the Port, as well as people treated unfairly by businesses, big corporations and, on occasion, the government.

We also maintain an active practice in the field of medical negligence. While monetary recovery is not always the sole indicator of success, this law firm has been able to obtain numerous settlements and trial verdicts of $1 million or more.

I was born in Savannah and grew up in Pooler before it was the sprawl-burb that it is now. The friends that I grew up with were the sons and daughters of hard-working, blue-collar, salt-ofthe-earth types, who mostly worked at West Side industries and, in some cases, as farmhands on the surrounding dairy farms.

I think this background molded my penchant for helping the underdog achieve a level playing field against seemingly more-powerful adversaries.

Our firm’s motto is “Helping folks in Savannah for over 30 years.” I think that pretty much sums up our mission—we want to provide experienced legal help when people need it most.

JONES, BOYKIN & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 213 East 38th Street, Savannah, GA 912.236.6161 • nobleboykin.com

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DYCHES LAW GROUP, P.C.

FINEST LAWYERS

REAL-ESTATE LAW INCLUDES BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL-ESTATE CLOSINGS, DRAFTING AND NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS AND LEASES, CLEARING TITLE ISSUES AND RESOLVING DISPUTES INVOLVING REAL PROPERTY. Dyches Law Group is a highly rated law firm with a practice focused on real-estate law, including both residential and commercial real-estate closings, as well as real-estate related litigation. Other practice areas include wills, trusts and probate, estate planning and small-business law. With more than 20 years of experience, Dyches Law Group has offices located in Savannah and Pooler and a practice that includes both Georgia and South Carolina.

When it comes to real-estate closings, we insure that the buyer receives marketable title to the property, the lender secures a valid security interest in the property and the seller receives their net proceeds, all while assuring that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone involved. We also advise individuals and small businesses on how to own and hold real property and how to plan for succession of ownership by forming corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships.

We advise clients on estate-planning techniques related to real property, including the use of conservation easements. Where appropriate, landowners can take advantage of significant incometax deductions and estate-tax benefits from a donated or bargain-sale conservation easement to a qualified land trust. Conservation easements can make it possible for individuals to pass property to their children and successive generations by significantly reducing the tax liability that may arise on the death of the landowner.

We also prepare wills, trusts and probate estates.

Whether the clients are a young couple with minor children, a re-married couple with separate families to consider or unmarried individuals looking to pass assets to their loved ones, we tailor a will or trust to suit each client’s unique individual goals. We also probate wills and advise clients on how to administer estates and navigate the probate process.

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer looking for a closing attorney, or an experienced real-estate investor, Dyches Law Group can put its extensive experience and expertise to work for you.

32 East Montgomery Cross Road, Savannah, GA 138 Canal Street, Suite 208, Pooler, GA 912.920.8010 • dycheslaw.com S OUT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR IAL SE C T ION

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SCHEER, MONTGOMERY & CALL, P.C. CRIMINAL DEFENSE DEFENDING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING A CRIME. CRIMINAL CODES VARY BETWEEN MUNICIPAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND INFLUENCE IN WHICH COURT (MAGISTRATE, MUNICIPAL, STATE OR SUPERIOR) THE CASE WILL BE DETERMINED.

EXPERIENCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

DIVERSE PRACTICE

When you have been charged with a crime, you need an attorney who is proficient in criminal law and defense. With a combined experience of over 50 years, our law firm, Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C., has the knowledge base and the expertise to effectively represent someone who has been accused of a crime. Realizing that retaining the right attorney for the case and for the client is of the utmost importance, the goal at Scheer, Montgomery & Call is to provide the best possible legal representation and to work diligently to protect the rights and interests of our clients.

The overall combined experience and skill of the attorneys at our firm, founded by Steven E. Scheer and Donald L. Montgomery Jr. in July 2009, ensures that each attorney is able to prepare the best defense for each individual case.

Satisfied clients and other attorneys frequently refer those in need of knowledgeable guidance and high-quality legal representation to our firm—a majority of our firm’s clients come to us through word of mouth.

In addition to our strong background in criminaldefense cases, other areas of expertise at Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C., include personal injury and wrongful death, DUI defense, local government law, civil litigation, corporate litigation and product liability.

Steve Scheer has represented clients for over 40 years, not only in Chatham County, but in Effingham, Bryan and several other counties in Georgia, and he has extensive trial experience.

Scheer has an AV rating and is included in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and is a Georgia Super Lawyer.

Scheer, Montgomery & Call, P.C., has been successful in resolving multi-million-dollar cases. But we believe the only person or entity who should release information regarding those cases is the client. Despite the widespread public perception that lawyers are only interested in lining their own pockets, the vast majority of attorneys sincerely care more for their clients than they care for the fee they charge. We vow to provide a rigorous defense for all our clients.

For over nine years, Don Montgomery, a former Maryland police officer and assistant district attorney for Chatham County, has been representing clients accused of DUIs and various other criminal charges.

Craig Call, who joined the firm in 2010 and is the newest partner, has over five years of experience in various areas of practice. Besides criminal defense, his focus is on civil litigation, localgovernment law and corporate/business law.

Steven E. Scheer

How Meet To Tell Our If You LegalA Need Team Lawyer

A native of Savannah, Scheer received his J.D. from the University of Georgia and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1974.

He returned to his hometown to practice law because he believes there is no other city that compares to Savannah. In addition to the State Bar of Georgia, he is a member of the Savannah Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Scheer served on the Georgia Judicial Nominations Commission and also served as Special Ethics Counsel for the Georgia House of Representatives.

Donald L. Montgomery Jr.

A former police officer for Baltimore County, Maryland, Montgomery received his J.D. from the University of Maryland and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2005. He is also a member of the Savannah Bar Association and National College for DUI Defense. His focus is criminal defense and DUI. While serving as a police officer, he received the 1999 Police Officer of the Year Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Dundalk, Maryland). Don and his wife, Carolyn, have three sons.

SCHEER, MONTGOMERY & CALL. P.C. CRIMINAL DEFENSE

AREAS OF PRACTICE Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Possession Open Container Under-Age Drinking Assault Battery Bond Petition Contempt of Court Criminal Damage Criminal Trespass Disorderly Conduct Embezzlement Forgery Fraud Habitual Violator Obstruction Probation Violation Shoplifting Terroristic Threats Theft Weapons Violation Traffic Citations: aggressive driving drag-racing expired tag/no tag failure to stop failure to yield following too close leaving the scene of an accident move-over law passing in a no-passing zone speeding suspended license or no license OTHER AREAS OF PRACTICE: Auto Accident Injury Trucking Accidents Slip and Fall Premises Liability Medical Malpractice Contract Disputes Business and Corporate Law Local Government Law

8 EAST LIBERTY STREET SAVANNAH, GA 912.233.1273 800.822.2943 SMACLEGAL.COM

Craig A. Call

After spending over a decade in Savannah’s food and beverage service industry, Call received his J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law and gained admission to the Florida Bar in 2009 and the State Bar of Georgia in 2010. He is an active member of the American and Savannah Bar Associations and served as Chairman of the 2015 Savannah Bar Association Hot Topics Seminar. When he is not hard at work representing clients, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, Brooke, and their three sons.

S C H E E R, MON TG OM E RY & CAL L, P.C. 8 EAST L I BE RT Y ST R E ET, SAVANNAH, GA 912.233.1273

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S C H E E R, M ON T G OM E RY & CALL, P.C

Satisfied clien attorneys freq ts and other uent in need of expe ly refer those quality legal re rienced and presentation to our firm.

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IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW, WHEN YOU CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS, GOVERNMENT OR COMPANIES WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED, IT’S THE MOST REWARDING ‘JOB’ ANYONE CAN HAVE.

Left to right: Donald L. Montgomery Jr. Steven E. Scheer, Craig A. Call

FINEST LAWYERS

Bouhan Falligant

ASSISTING CLIENTS IN NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX LEGAL AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND COMMERCIAL REAL-ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

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BOUHAN FALLIGANT What we do: Bouhan Falligant is a full-service law firm providing expertise to clients in the practice areas of litigation, estate planning, corporate law, commercial and residential real estate, bankruptcy, and admiralty and maritime law.

What makes us unique? Bouhan Falligant attorneys adhere to the highest standards of the legal profession; they value integrity, quality work and a profound commitment to community service.

and Evil. The book’s success soon caught Hollywood’s attention, and one of the firm’s partners, Sonny Seiler, made his film debut in the role of the presiding judge.

How we serve: Community is important to the lawyers at Bouhan Falligant. They volunteer thousands of hours of service to almost every major nonprofit in this area, including the Historic Savannah Foundation, Savannah Philharmonic, Creative Coast, the Jewish Educational Alliance, Senior Citizens, Inc., Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity and United Way.

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Bouhan Falligant 447 Bull St., Savannah, GA Little-known fact about us: One of the firm’s best-known cases was the Jim Williams 912.232.7000 bouhan.com murder trial, made famous in John Berendt’s book Midnight in the Garden of Good

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FINEST LAWYERS

PROTECTING PEOPLE AGAINST INDUSTRY MIDDLETON, L.L.C. HAS ACHIEVED RECORD VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS IN MORE THAN 40 STATES, INCLUDING MATTERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE, EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION, PRODUCT LIABILITY. INSURANCE FRAUD, CATASTROPHIC PERSONAL INJURY AND SLAPP-BACK LITIGATIONS. THE FIRM HAS REPRESENTED CLIENTS IN CASES INVOLVING MASS ANIMAL CONFINEMENTS, WASTE RUN-OFF, NOXIOUS ODORS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL NUISANCE, INCLUDING FRACKING AND OTHER DRILLING AND MINING CASES.

The Firm’s Agricultural, Environmental and Industrial Pollution Practice For more than fifteen years, the firm has specialized in all types of environmental pollution claims on behalf of neighbors of massive industrial farms, mining and drilling operations, landfills and water and air pollution. These cases involving the poising of water and air, the assault of noxious odors and noise and the incessant invasion of flies rodents and other vermin, represent society’s best efforts to protect the rights of property owners and the use and enjoyment of their own homes, farms, and businesses. Mr. Middleton has achieved the largest verdict against the operation of confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) and the first verdict against the private landfill industry for nuisance.

The firm’s achievements against big agriculture have been chronicled and featured in two recent books by prominent environmental authors, Animal Factory

by David Kirby, and Pig Tails by Barry Estabrook (Norton, 2015).

With the recent ascent of the natural-gas industry in the fracking of shale deposits throughout the United States, the firm has associated with firms throughout the United States to represent neighbors of these highly intrusive mining and drilling practices.

Pollution from these operations includes radiation, dangerous chemicals and gases and the structural damage to nearby homes.

Professionalism In Litigation The fierce advocacy of Middleton, L.L.C., on behalf of its many clients is highlighted by courtesy and professionalism. Mr. Middleton has been a longtime member of the National Board of Directors of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

ABOTA is an invitation-only honorary legal association comprised of both plaintiffs and defense attorneys and members of the Judiciary; it strives to improve ethics, civility and professionalism within the trial bar and recognizes extraordinary trial achievements. Mr. Middleton is the only member of the Southeastern Georgia Chapter of ABOTA to have achieved Diplomate Status, its highest possible ranking. He has served as National Treasurer of the ABOTA Foundation and will serve as President of the Foundation in 2017.

Mr. Middleton completes a ten-year term as Co-Chair of the American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable in September 2015 and has been recognized as an Honorary Member of the Order of the Coif by Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he also lectures on trial advocacy.

FOCUSING ON ETHICAL AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND COURTESY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Richard Middleton has received more seven- and eight- figure verdicts, judgments and settlements in more states than any other attorney in the Savannah area.

His many awards and recognitions include Past President, American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America): Past President, National Crime Victims Bar Association; Past President, American Board of Trial Advocates, Georgia Chapter; Co-Chair American Civil Trial Bar Roundtable; Past President, Savannah Trial Lawyers Association; Lifetime Trustee, American Jury Trial Foundation; National Board of Directors, Past member, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice; Past President, Pound Civil Justice Institute; National Executive Committee, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys; Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

MIDDLETON L.L.C. CAN BE REACHED AT 912.234.1133 OR VISIT MIDDLETONFIRM.COM

Our Record

About Our Firm

MIDDLETON L.L.C.

Middleton L.L.C., has achieved record verdicts and settlements in more than 40 states, including in matters of products liability, occupational diseases, environmental claims, SLAPP-back litigation, franchise contracts, business torts, employment litigation and insurance fraud.

Our Affiliations

• merican ssociation or ustice

• merican oard o rial d ocates

• ational rime ictims ar ssociation

• eorgia rial awyers ssociation

Richard Middleton’s Timeline

1999–2000 President of the American Association of Justice 2002 - President, Pound Civil Justice Institute 2007–2008 President of the National Crime Victims Bar Association 2011 Honorary Member of The Order of the Coif, Washington & Lee University 2008–2015 Awarded the title of Super Lawyer

M I DDL ETON L.L.C. CAN BE REAC H E D AT 912.234.1133 OR V ISI T M I DDL ET ONFI RM.C OM

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Attorneys: Richard H. Middleton, Jr.; R. Scott Harrison; Honorable Robert E. Falligant and Stephen A. Sael.

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FINEST LAWYERS

INJURED CLIENTS GET REAL ATTORNEYS & REAL RESULTS WITH RODEN + LOVE, LLC

RODEN + LOVE, LLC: SPECIALIZING IN PERSONAL-INJURY LITIGATION

THE ODDS ARE THAT MOST OF US WILL BE INJURED AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES. WHETHER IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT OR ON A WET SUPERMARKET FLOOR, NO MATTER HOW CAREFUL WE ARE, CALAMITY OFTEN CATCHES US. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKING A FULL FINANCIAL RECOVERY OR BEING LEFT WITH HIGH MEDICAL BILLS, LOST WAGES AND UNCOMPENSATED PAIN AND SUFFERING IS OFTEN DETERMINED BY FINDING THE RIGHT PERSONAL-INJURY ATTORNEY FOR YOUR CASE. RODEN + LOVE LLC HAS THOSE ATTORNEYS WAITING ON YOUR CALL DAY OR NIGHT.

Determine Whether You’ve Suffered an Acute Injury: Over 30,000 Americans died in automobile accidents last year. Auto accidents often cause severe, potentially life-threatening injuries, such as fractured ribs, head trauma resulting in bleeding around the brain and neck and back injuries that can lead to paralysis. For these reasons, always take a moment after any auto accident to assess your physical condition before exiting your vehicle or even calling 911.

Call the Police and Make Sure Your Account of the Accident Is Recorded (If You’re Physically Able): When you’re involved in an auto accident that is someone else’s fault, making sure that there is an accurate record of the event can make the difference between receiving the compensation you deserve and receiving nothing. For this reason, 1) make sure you are present when the police arrive, 2) calmly explain what transpired to the responding officer and 3) pick up a copy of the police report later and make sure it is completely accurate.

Seek Medical Treatment and Assess the Extent of Your Injuries: If you’re injured in an accident as the result of someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Without

How We’ve Helped Our Clients

Poorly Maintained Chairs Lead to Injured Hip When a fast-food chain allowed its chairs to become as shabby as its burgers, Roden + Love LLC recovered $305,000 for a client who suffered a broken hip when her chair broke and she crashed to the floor.

medical records to support your claims, you may be out of luck and money. To establish your injuries, go to the emergency room following an accident, follow up with your primary-care doctor and seek any further recommended treatment without delay.

Find a Qualified Attorney to Represent You Against the Insurance Company: When dealing with an insurance adjuster following an auto accident, whether it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company or your own (through your uninsured motorist coverage), remember that the adjuster’s primary goal is to minimize your financial recovery, not to offer you a fair settlement for your injuries. As a result, it’s important to involve an experienced, skilled attorney early in your claim. Insurance companies will dig deep for “pre-existing conditions,” conduct surveillance on you and even attempt to assign blame to you for the accident in order to avoid giving you the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, a lawyer familiar with personal-injury practice can determine exactly how much insurance is available to compensate you, assign precise values to your economic damages and prepare your case for trial from day one so the insurance company takes your claim seriously and pays a fair settlement quickly.

T-Bones and Broken Bones

When a client was T-boned by an uninsured driver in Savannah and suffered a broken bone in his leg, Roden + Love LLC was able to get the client’s medical bills paid by his company’s workers’ compensation insurance while still recovering $300,000 from his company’s uninsured-motorist policy.

Roden + Love LLC was founded for one purpose, to represent injury victims. We live in a dangerous world and each of us is constantly exposed to the threat of injury. Whether we are driving down the highway or carrying out our duties at work, the potential for injury is lurking everywhere. To make matters worse, the pain of a physical injury is often accompanied by the pain and frustration of serious financial loss at the hands of an experienced and heartless insurance company that will go out of its way to avoid compensating you for your injuries.

Eric Roden and Tyler Love, both graduates of UGA Law School, have successfully resolved hundreds of injury cases for clients and recovered millions in damages in the two years since they came together to found Roden + Love LLC. They take great pride in maximizing the value of their clients’ cases and, in many cases, get their clients the compensation they deserve without costly court battles.

However, unlike many “TV attorneys,” they are equipped to litigate and try your case before a jury if necessary.

Perhaps most importantly, Roden + Love LLC offers personalized service for YOUR case. When you hire Eric and Tyler, you will work directly with them, not a case manager. You will have peace of mind knowing that an attorney is not only overseeing your case but is working on it personally. In short, they offer REAL RESULTS.

RODEN + LOVE LLC CAN BE REACHED AT 912.303.5850 OR VISIT RODENLOVELAW.COM

Severe Leg Injury from Accident with Commercial Vehicle When a head-on collision with a negligent delivery driver caused multiple fractures to an accident victim’s leg, Roden + Love LLC obtained a seven-figure settlement, providing much-needed compensation for the victim.

FOR MOR E I NFO I F YO U NE E D A LAW YE R CALL RODE N + LOV E AT

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912.303.5850

S O UT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

RODE N + LOVE

was founded by Er ic L. Roden and Tyler M. Love in one, we always ha 2013. From day ve focus only on the and always will rep injury victims. Th resentation of is to provide unrv e goal of our firm aled to individuals wh representation o the job or as a res are injured on ult of third- party negligence.

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YOUR DOCTOR TAKES CARE OF THE DAMAGE TO YOUR BODY, YOUR MECHANIC HANDLES THE DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR—WE ARE HERE TO HANDLE THE DAMAGE TO YOUR WALLET.

Left to right: Eric Roden, Tyler Love

FINEST LAWYERS

DON’T FIGHT THE SYSTEM ALONE–WE’RE IN YOUR CORNER

SCHIAVONE LAW GROUP, P.C.

BEING ARRESTED CAN BE A FRIGHTENING AND INTIMIDATING EXPERIENCE. THE PROSPECT OF DEALING WITH COURT APPEARANCES, FEES, FINES, LAWYERS AND TRIALS CAN BE OVERWHELMING. IF YOU ARE ACCUSED OF A CRIME, A LOT IS AT STAKE. YOU MAY WONDER, “WILL I LOSE MY LICENSE, MY SAVINGS, MY JOB OR MY FREEDOM?” THE SCHIAVONE LAW GROUP KNOWS A CRIMINAL ARREST IS A SERIOUS, LIFE-CHANGING EVENT. WE WORK HARD TO UPHOLD AND PROTECT OUR CLIENTS’ RIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. REMEMBER—YOU ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

PERSONAL-INJURY CASES

FAMILY LAW

Every day, thousands of Americans suffer from a serious personal injury as a result of the careless negligence or intentional acts of others. The physical injuries and emotional and psychological trauma suffered in a serious personal-injury claim are devastating to both the injured person and their family. In addition to the financial need to recover money spent on medical expenses, one has to consider the emotional suffering involved with the inability to return to work, to help around the house or to play with children or grandchildren—all are losses that demand the help of experienced legal counsel in order to heal.

We understand that divorce is one of the most difficult times in one’s life, but you’re not alone. We understand that the process can be emotionally and financially draining. At Schiavone Law, P.C., we will stand by you every step of the way, making sure you understand and are up to date with the legal processes that happen in court.

We try to resolve cases in an amicable and collaborative fashion whenever possible.

We know Georgia law. In our state, the party who injured you is responsible for an array of damages: medical expenses, lost wages, damage caused to your property (including your car or motorcycle), permanent disfigurement or disability, change in your future earning ability due to injury, cost of hiring household help for chores you cannot do, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, interference with family relationships and other costs resulting directly from your injury.

Schiavone Law, P.C., can provide the legal representation you need to recover everything the law allows. We’re here to help you wade through the confusing legal jargon and red tape that intimidating insurance companies throw your way. Our experience with all types of cases and our network of highly regarded expert witnesses enable us to maximize your recovery. We’ve handled cases involving slip-and-fall injuries; auto, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents; work injuries; product-defect injuries and medical-negligence cases.

The Skinny on Sobriety Check Points

Schiavone Law, P.C., offers personal and individualized legal advice and representation, covering all aspects of family law: from divorces, custody-and-visitation, childsupport, guardianship, alimony, equitable asset-division and agreement-modification cases.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE We at Schiavone Law, P.C., have a wealth of experience in criminal-defense cases. People make mistakes—we help fix them. Remember—you are presumed innocent until you are proven guilty. Many innocent people are arrested, prosecuted and convicted every day. And many guilty people get more punishment than they deserve under the law and facts of their case, simply because they aren’t wellrepresented by a knowledgeable advocate. We will help ease your mind and explain your options when you consult with us about any of the following: drug charges, DUI, battery and assault, theft, shoplifting, robbery, burglary, felonies, probation violation, preliminary and bond hearings, sex crimes, capital crimes or vehicular homicide.

If I’m pulled over by the police, do I have the right to remain silent?

Yes. Once pulled over, you can politely decline to answer questions without an attorney present. Remaining silent won’t prevent arrest, so consult legal counsel before you chat up the police officer.

Do I have the right to refuse a breathalyzer test?

Not exactly. You don’t have to accept a test, but refusing may not be the best choice in Georgia. If you consent and results show an alcohol level above the legal limit, your driver’s license may be suspended for a year. If you refuse the breath test, your driver’s license will be suspended for a year. Best bet: Accept the test and hire an attorney if necessary.

Mike Schiavone, who has been recognized both locally and nationally for his major felony cases, is also a legal analyst on Headline News and The Today Show. Some of his trials have been televised nationally (Court TV, now truTV) and he has also been featured on local and national news programs. He provides expert legal commentary on major criminal cases nationwide—he’s an attorney you want on your side in the courtroom when it really counts.

Schiavone has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of West Florida, a J.D. from the Potomac School of Law, in Washington, D.C., and has been admitted to all Georgia courts (State, Superior and Appellate Courts, including the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court). He has also been admitted to the Southern District of Georgia (5th and 11th) Circuit Courts and to the United States Supreme Court.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Savannah Bar Association and Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has also received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings.

The Schiavone Law Group, established in Savannah in 1982, practices in criminal defense (all misdemeanor, felony and capital crimes), personal injury (including car and truck accidents), medical malpractice (including multimillion-dollar settlements) and family law.

SCHIAVONE LAW GROUP CAN BE REACHED AT 912.232.2646 OR VISIT SCHIAVONELAWGROUP.COM

Do I have the right to resist arrest?

No. Resisting an arrest can only hurt your case. Even if you think it’s unfair—remain calm. If your license is taken away when you’re arrested, you have ten business days to contest it, so it’s important to hire an attorney immediately.

FOR MORE I NFO C ON TAC T S C H I AVONE LAW GROU P AT 912.232.2646 OR V ISI T S C H I AVONE LAWGROU P.C OM

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S O UT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

M IKE SCH IAVONE

has been recognized bot h locally and nationally for his major felony cases and is also a legal analyst on Headline Ne ws and The Today Show.

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THE EMOTIONAL COMPONENT OF THE ARREST PROCESS OR THE DIVORCE PROCEEDING HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE. WE’RE HERE TO HELP.

S OUT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR IAL SE C T ION

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FINEST LAWYERS

Joseph R. (Rusty) Ross, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP ASSISTING CLIENTS IN NAVIGATING THE COMPLEX LEGAL AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Rusty Ross serves his clients as an experienced attorney and counselor in the complicated heathcare environment as well as the increasingly complex commercial real-estate environment. The voluminous regulations resulting from the Affordable Care Act require healthcare providers—hospitals, doctors’ groups, assisted-living facilities and ancillary providers—to

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adapt quickly and interact in ways that are new and complicated.

Ross’s expertise in the heathcare arena comes from over 30 years of representing healthcare providers as well as his background as the former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. Rusty describes himself as a transactional and regulatory lawyer

who is capable of advising clients on diverse matters within the healthcare and commercial real-estate areas.

Ross was recently included on the list of 2015 Best Lawyers in the categories of healthcare and real estate by the legal peer-review guide Best Lawyers in America. He is a partner at Morris, Manning & Martin, a law firm with over 175 attorneys representing clients

throughout the United States in real estate, corporate, litigation, healthcare, technology, insurance and intellectual-property law. Joseph R. Ross, Partner, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP 24 Drayton Street, Suite 712 , Savannah, GA rross@mmmlaw.com 912.232.7182 • mmmlaw.com

S O UT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR I AL SE C T ION

FINEST LAWYERS

THE MANELY FIRM, P.C. THE ONLY SAVANNAH LAW FIRM PRACTICING ALL FAMILY LAW, ALL AROUND GEORGIA, ALL AROUND THE WORLD SM For over 26 years, The Manely

The firm’s lead Savannah attorney,

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David Purvis, brings his clients

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36 West Broughton Street, Ste. 300

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every aspect of family law. Founding

compassion during families’ best

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only all-family-law attorney to win unanimous decisions before both

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clients caring, thorough and

and the Supreme Court of Georgia.

purposeful legal support. Together,

S OUT H’S FI NE S T LAW YE R S | SPE CIAL ADV E RT OR IAL SE C T ION

to preserve the integrity of their

Left to Right: David Purvi,

clients and their clients’ families.

Michael Manely

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StyleSouth

ROGUE STYLE THE HOT SOUTH FASHION EDITOR’S FINDS

SOUTHERN STYLE GONE ROGUE

THIS LONDON NATIVE IS BRINGING HIS SERIOUSLY COOL GRUNGY AESTHETIC TO THE SOUTHEAST. Damion Le Cappelain’s style is anything but that of a typical Southern man—a guy whose look he describes as a uniform of chinos, checkered shirts and Sperry docksiders. The biology graduate-turned graphic designerturned footwear designer’s style reflects his dark designs, and it has one staple—black skinny jeans. Savannah itself is not what inspires this talented shoe designer, but rather the people within the city.

The SCAD footwear and accessories professor began his fashion career after meeting a group of shoe designers who inspired him to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Damion sold his London flat and went back to college with a portfolio of design work good enough to land him one of the most coveted spots in the menswear design program at the Royal College of Art. “Men are quite boring and lean toward black or brown. I see it as a challenge,” says Damion about why he chose menswear over womenswear.

As though instructing students and running his own studio, where he does made-to-order products for his clients, isn’t enough, Damion has his hands full designing his latest collection.

“I’m excited about it,” the shoe designer enthuses. “It’s all made using horse leather from a famous tannery in Italy.” The collection, which Damion says is his best work so far, exudes expert craftsmanship and combines unlikely textures, like rubber nickel fibers, to provide a unique touch. He’s not quite ready to share it with the world yet, but soon will unveal his newest work.

The Damion Le Cappelain man is not particularly mainstream: Think ’90s Johnny Depp. He is formal with a twist—unshaven and urban. Ironically enough, Damion lives in his black skinny jeans and worn-out boots.

South Extra: Scan Damion’s boots to see his work (see page 24 for details)

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Wr i t t e n b y L L A NA S A M U E L P h o t o g r a p h y b y DY L A N W I L S O N

From left to right: (Standing red-haired model) Tan and Cream Geometric Print LongSleeve Dress, The Future on Forsyth, $35 (Model sitting on stairs) Blue / Coral Floral Strap Dress, The Future on Forsyth, $22 (Model sitting against beam) Cool Days Cover Up: White Crochet Kimono, Mamie Ruth, $88; slip, Anthropologie; earrings, STRUT (Model standing below porch) Opal Top: Pale Yellow, Mamie Flounce Cross-Back Top, Mamie Ruth, $68; skirt, STRUT

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P H OTO G R A P H Y C E D R I C S M I T H / S T Y I N G A S H L E Y B O R D E R S

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Above: Cool Days Cover-Up, Mamie Ruth, $88; slip, Anthropologie; earrings, STRUT

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Hot Fact 01: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dog Days of Summerâ&#x20AC;? refers to the weeks between July 3 and August 11.

Hot Fact 03: The ideal temperature to fall asleep is between 64 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit .

Hot Fact 02: The hottest summer on record in Savannah was 2011. There were 88 days where the temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

Hot Fact 04: The heat at the center of the sun is approximately 27 million degrees Fahrenheit.

Right: Clothing from J.Parker; hat, J.Parker; belt bag, LadyBird Handbags

AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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Left: Opal Top : Pale Yellow Flounce Cross-Back Top, Mamie Ruth, $68; belt, J.Crew; skirt, STRUT Below: Pink dress, Jil Sander; sweater, Free People

Hot Fact 05: 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for pools in the summer. Any temperature over 90 degrees is too hot and anything under 70 degrees is too cold.

Hot Fact 06: The hottest temperature recorded in Georgia was 114 degrees Fahrenheit in Greenville on August 2o, 1983.

AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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On left: Lace dress, STRUT; belt, Civvies; floral dress, Goodwill On right: Dress, The Future on Forsyth

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South Extra: Scan the image for behind the scenes views. (See page 24 for details.)

FA S H IO N E DI T OR’ S F I N D S

Photos: Jessica Scott

Summer is about playing and having fun! These locally handmade capes and hats are the ultimate gift for any kid in your life—Lovelane Designs, Paris Market, cape and hat set, $95

Espadrilles are comfy and always casually chic.

I like the lace-up detail and royal blue color— Soludos, Sylvestor Modern General Co., $48 Art is an important part of one’s personal style. I love images that evoke wonderful memories and feelings. This painting by Denise Duong called “Calm After the Storm” reminds me of Southern evenings and the peacefulness that occurs after an afternoon thundershower.

Perfect dichotomy . . . simply gorgeous! Found at Iocovozzi Art Gallery, 1 W. Jones St., Savannah

Traveling to see family/friends in the summer is one of the best treats! Gifts are a must-bring! These soft, unique dolls are a hit amongst the tiny crowd with distinguished taste! And this adorable hand-embroidered tunic from India will make any little dude or dudette feel like they are royals with the exotic design and amazing fabric! Paris Market, Blabla dolls, $56; tunic, $37

Best way to liven up a simple summer dress is a colorful, interesting clutch!

The ethnic detail on this feels like I grabbed it in an exotic market —Mamie Ruth

I discovered this “Art-O-Matic” machine while running around town with my son Izzy one afternoon. Exploring the treasures of Savannah is a great summer pastime! This treasure chest is filled with one-of-a-kind art pieces—we are hooked! Sylvester Modern General, $5 per vending surprise!

Utilize this great time of year and have picnics at the beach and park! Glam it up a bit with a beautiful handmade basket and serving utensils. Basket (set of 3), Sylvester Modern General, $300

The south is HOT in the summer. My go-to for dressing smart in the heat is a cute and light-weight romper. The ethnic pattern and map design make me want to don a safari hat and boots and go adventuring! Mamie Ruth, hat, $60; romper, $92; belt, $72

I LOVE long charm necklaces! They look great on the beach or when you’re just lounging around. The earthiness of the horn and beadwork on this is perfect—Fabrik

Listening to vintage vinyls on a hot, hazy summer afternoon is a guilty pleasure of mine. I haven’t heard anything more cool and sexy than this Serge Gainsbourg album; his voice and the rhythm are the real deal. Pick it up at GraveFace Records.

AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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GoSouth

BARNSLEY PLANTATION Take your company to new heights with a top-of-the-line teambuilding program from Barnsley Resort.

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Don’t let the fairytale setting fool you, there’s a world of adventurous business retreats awaiting your discovery on 3,300 acres of North Georgia foothills at Barnsley Resort. The scenic conference space allows for much more than a strategy meeting—the talented resort conference coordinators are ready to take your business from their elegant boardrooms to the picturesque outdoors at your request. Whether it’s a relaxing business

retreat filled with spa treatments and fine Southern cuisine or the ultimate athletic adventure for energetic employees, there’s something for everyone here. In fact, the award-winning resort offers over 20 customizable team-building activities that range from traditional 18-hole golf to Cooking Channel-inspired burgermaking contests! There’s no need to leave the family at home either; kids will love activities like a Kids’ Corral that includes

CABIN BLUFF BARNSLEY RESORT WILD DUNES PONTE VEDRA CALLAWAY GARDENS

horse finger-painting! Because hard work should be rewarded with some play, we’ve come up with some of the best business retreats in the South to help you take your company to the next level—the outdoors!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

BARNSLEYRESORT.COM.

Photograph by K EV I N GAR R E T T

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EAT

In typical Southern fashion, Cabin Bluff serves the soulwarming comfort food for which the region is known. Guests can feast upon hand-rubbed, seasoned tenderloin, fried chicken or the freshest seafood on the coast. The chefs at Cabin Bluff receive their ingredients from a local network of farmers and fishermen, allowing guests to indulge in the freshest meals. All meals, including the home-style breakfasts, openair cookouts and the highly anticipated oyster roast, are included in the guest rates. cabinbluff.com/dining

South Extra: Scan the image for more.

CABIN BLUFF WOODBINE, GA Although the resort at Cabin Bluff was officially established in 1928, the buildings here were built nearly a century earlier.

Although recently renovated, the property retains a warm and inviting atmosphere. Located on Cumberland Island, Cabin Bluff lies just east of highway I-95, a middle point between the Southern cities of Savannah and Jacksonville. The property boasts a stunning waterfront view and historic artifacts that tell the story of the resort’s almost 88 years in business. The property holds a large executive center, complete with Wi-Fi, state of the art technology and 24,000 acres of break-out areas. Recently renovated, the property includes a main lodge as well as eight guest cabins, totaling 20 private rooms with private baths, which can comfortably accommodate up to 40 guests.

912.729.5960 | cabinbluff.com

PLAY

The location of Cabin Bluff naturally provides a lengthy list of activities for business teams or individuals to enjoy during their stay. Hunting and fishing are the most talked-about activities on Cumberland Island, especially at Cabin Bluff. In fact, the property has 1,500 acres of land reserved as quail fields, but hunters can find portions of the island’s large deer population roaming the property

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as well. Given the location of the resort, businessmen who enjoy deepsea fishing are in luck: Cabin Bluff offers guests guided charter fishing trips along both inshore and offshore waters. The resort also has an 18-hole golf course tucked away. But if your idea of relaxing is exercising, Cabin Bluff has plenty of activities for you too! Guests can bike, jog or walk along the property’s 4.4-mile route. cabinbluff.com/activities

Photographs courtesy of CABI N BLU FF

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PLAY

Although this resort is located only less than an hour from the hub of Atlanta, guests won’t need (or want) to leave the property.

Perfect for team-building exercises, Barnsley Resort offers individuals on corporate retreats the option of golf, paintball competitions, horseback riding, scavenger hunts, cooking challenges and an extensive list of other fun activities. Guests are also invited to relax in the Europeaninspired spa, where the signature body treatment centers on the Barnsley rose, or lounge about near the saltwater pool. barnsleyresort. com/team-building

South Extra: Scan the image for more (see page 24)

BARNSLEY RESORT ADAIRSVILLE, GA

Today, Barnsley Resort is an award-winning destination, but when the Italian-inspired villa was first conceived of, it was an estate built by a man for the love of his life. The mansion sits in the north Georgia foothills, land that was once home to Cherokee Indians. Barnsley resort contains a staggering 90 guest rooms in the form of manor rooms, suites and cottages.

A tree-lined pathway leads to the nineteenth-century European architecture of the estate’s buildings. The luxury resort’s spacious 8,000-square-foot complex can accommodate up to 190 people, and the outdoor pavilions, accommodating up to 500 people, can host a group of almost any size. 877.773.2447 | barnsleyresort.com

EAT

Given the rolling hills that surround Barnsley Resort, finding space to grow fresh vegetables and herbs is not a hard task. The resort’s kitchens’ menus change throughout the year, depending on what ingredients are in season. The Beer Garden, the casual dining area on the property, serves a menu of salads, sandwiches and, of course, craft beer from over 30 selections. The Rice House, an 1800s-era farm house, provides the historic atmosphere for the Barnsley Resort restaurants. The chef at the Rice House highlights local farm-grazed cattle and the garden’s produce. Finally, there’s the Woodlands Grill, the social hub of the property, serving classic comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. barnsleyresort.com/dining

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SHOP

Shopaholics rejoice: Barnsley Resort is home to a number of stores and sporting clubs for your shopping pleasure.

Addie’s Boutique contains an extensive collection of ladies’ fashion, jewelry and handbags.

The Spa Boutique allows guests to bring home their spa experience, selling products used in the resort’s treatments. There’s also the SpringBank Sporting Club and The Golf Shop, both of which offer sporting goods and clothing adorned with the resort’s logo. barnsleyresort.com/shop

P h o t o g r a p h s c o u r t e s y o f B A R N S L E Y R E S O RT

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South Extra: Scan the image for more. (See page 24.)

WILD DUNES ISLE OF PALMS, SC Located on the Isle of Palms in Charleston, Wild Dunes is an AAA Four-Diamond, award-winning resort. The hotel has hosted meetings and events for a variety of businesses, ranging from local to Fortune 500 companies. The resort’s Boardwalk Inn is the hub of the property and is situated a mere 150 yards from the Atlantic. With 93 rooms and suites, guests have the option of waking up poolside, beachside, courtside or course-side. In addition to their stunning suites, the Boardwalk Inn also has multiple boardrooms, perfect for meetings of any size. When meeting time rolls around, book a few hours at the Sweetgrass Pavilion, 10,000 square feet of Lowcountry elegance; the Pavilion has large, welcoming rooms, outdoor terraces and the ability to host up to 350 attendees. If your meeting needs to accommodate more people, use the Grand Pavilion: a covered gazebo that can hold up to 600 guests. Last, but not least, Wild Dunes recently added Palm Cover, a poolside meeting and event venue that can accommodate groups ranging from 50–150 people (as well as the occasional live music or dancing).

888.778.1876 | wilddunes.com

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EAT

Charleston is known for its abundance of award-winning cuisine, and Wild Dunes is no exception. The resort is home to a variety of restaurants, both finedining and casual graband-go, that all use local, sustainable ingredients in their mouth-watering dishes. The Sea Island Grill & Lounge, located in the Boardwalk Inn, offers casual dining at its best and is the most popular eatery on the property.

The restaurant specializes in Southern coastal fare, offers craft drinks and opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. wilddunes.com/southcarolina-restaurants

PLAY

Golf Digest calls Wild Dunes’ 36-hole course the “Best in State” for golf in South Carolina. The resort also offers one of the top Charleston golf schools, with an assortment of clinics and lessons available. Venturing inside the resort, there’s the Sand & Sea Salon, offering spa services, and two Fitness Centers that offer a multitude of yoga and fitness classes. Beyond the golf and relaxation services, Wild Dunes is also known for its team-building program.

The resort will work with your company to plan the perfect activity program for your employees. There are team games, corporate excursions and group activities that can be booked in nearby Charleston. Even if your group doesn’t want to leave the property, the options for team-building are endless. wilddunes.com/charlestoncorporate-retreats

Photographs courtesy of W I L D DU NES

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EAT

The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club features a staggering number of restaurants and lounges within its opulent estate. The Seahorse Grille is the property’s signature restaurant, offering a casual dining and bar experience. For just a little taste of the boldly inspired menu, there’s the Florida Snapper, a glutenfree dish served with Cauliflower “Cous Cous,” Artichoke, Black Olives, Fennel and Red Pepper Puree. For an extremely elegant atmosphere, make a reservation at the Seafoam Dining Room. This 45-seat restaurant (and oceanfront dining classic for almost 25 years) asks that gentlemen wear jackets and ties and women wear their finest dresses. There’s also an entire eatery dedicated to breakfast, a restaurant for casual eating overlooking the golf course and three lounges scattered throughout the premises. pontevedra.com/dining South Extra: Scan the image for more. (See page 24.)

PONTE VEDRA INN & CLUB PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL

Since its inception in 1928, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has been a AAA Five-Diamond grand resort in Northeast Florida, just 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The Inn & Club and its sister property, the Lodge & Club, combine to create the luxury vacation experience of the Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts. Situated on 300 sprawling beachfront acres, the Inn & Club has been coined a year-round sporting paradise that happens to be perfect for business retreats. The resort offers a total of 250 rooms and suites, the majority of which are located on the beach with oceanfront views; most rooms are also outfitted with a private terrace or patio. The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has hosted many of the nation’s most influential groups and business leaders within their award-winning walls. Their conference centers ooze opulence and spaciousness and can accommodate a range of group sizes. If your group is on the smaller side, venture over to The Lodge & Club for an inclusive, warm atmosphere. 888.839.9145 | pontevedra.com

SHOP

The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club doesn’t skimp on anything, so it’s no surprise that they have devoted over 5,000 square feet of retail space to The Gallery of Shops. In addition to these boutiques, there are also numerous other retail locations dotting the

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property, such as the array of stores at the Golf and Tennis Pro Shops, The Lodge & Club and The Spa. Don’t forget that the city of Ponte Vedra is just outside the resort’s gates and Jacksonville and St. Augustine are just a short drive away. pontevedra.com/ recreation_and_activities/shopping

PLAY

Of course, there are the traditional seaside options of fishing, sailing and swimming, but The Inn & Club is also known for its recreational activities of tennis and golf.

Between the two golf courses, the Ocean Course and the Lagoon Course, there are 36 holes total on the property. This game has always been a very important aspect of life to Ponte Vedra. However, The Inn & Club’s tennis courts are something to brag about as well. In fact, the property is home to 15 HarTru tennis courts that have been rated “one of the top adult tennis camps in the nation”

by Tennis Magazine. Just like most resorts, the Inn & Club also has a full-service luxury spa that takes up a staggering 30,000 square feet and offers all the latest therapies and services you could possibly want. pontevedra. com/recreation_and_activities

Photographs courtesy of P ON T E V E DRA

G

PLAY

South Extra: Scan the image for more. (See page 24.)

Callaway Gardens is the perfect destination for a corporate retreat focused on team building.

The resort’s Team Challenge is a comprehensive program with the flexibility to customize the activities to your business’s needs.

Some exercises that the program offers include the TreeTop Adventure, where soaring heights meet obstacle course; the Photo Rally, a photography scavenger hunt that leads groups throughout the property; and a Ropes Course.

Other attractions at Callaway Gardens include a golf course, tennis court, pools, and nine nature trails among others.

CALLAWAY GARDENS PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL

For more than six decades, Callaway Gardens has been a destination that allows relaxation in the great outdoors on a grand scheme. Nestled in the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the resort has nearly 400 rooms in just the Mountain Creek Inn and Southern Pine Cottages alone. Beyond being one of the largest hotels between Chattanooga and Tallahassee at its inception, Callaway Gardens is also known for its training sessions for groups ranging from 10–600 people. The property includes a Conference and Training Center of over 30,000 square feet, hosting a diverse selection of traditional and non-traditional meeting venues, as well as advanced audiovisual services. The 19 meeting rooms can be easily arranged to accommodate 10–120 people.

800.852.3810 | callawaygardens.com

EAT

The 6,500-acre resort has plenty of dining options for guests to choose from. The Gardens Restaurant is Callaway Gardens’ more sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, featuring unique dishes, healthy salads and a menu that changes with the seasons.

The Country Kitchen is actually located within the Country Store; this restaurant specializes in down-home Southern meals, like hearty grits and sausage or Eggs Benedict. The property also has The Vineyard Green: a great spot for a casual lunch, relaxing dinner or cocktail at the bar. callawaygardens.com/dining

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SHOP

Sprinkled across the property, guests will find a variety of dainty stores and shops. Most of Callaway Gardens’ centers (such as the Horticulture Center or Butterfly Center) have their own gift shops. The Callaway Gardens Country Store sells specialty food products and other trinkets in a historic building, dating back to the 1950s. Located just outside of the Country Store is The Wine Room, which features a large selection of whites, reds, champagnes and muscadine wines. callawaygardens.com/shopping

P h o t o g r a p h s c o u r t e s y o f C A L L AWAY G A R D E N S

DineSouth

SOUTHERN SIPPIN’ SMALL BITES BLOODY MARY CLUB SOUTH EXECUTIVE DINING GUIDE

YARD PARTY

Delicious Southern cuisine and some of the South’s most talented musicians bring the coolest upscale BBQ to Savannah this summer.

When one of the most talked-about new restaurants in the nation and a popular local music festival partner up, the ultimate outdoor dining experience is the result. Savannah is, of course, a food lover’s paradise and its music scene is equally ablaze with some of the coolest sounds in the South. It’s no surprise that when the Savannah Stopover Music Festival, an outdoor summer concert series, teamed up with popular new restaurant The Grey, the combo was a hit— garnering the attention of an appreciative crowd.

Tourists and locals can dine outdoors at The Grey and relax with an afternoon of authentic Southern cuisine and equally delightful music.

For an affordable $21 each, patrons enjoy a buffetstyle lunch of grilled meats, seafood or classic Southern comfort dishes and a drink, prepared

by James Beard award-winning chef Mashama Bailey. Food service begins at 1pm; live music starts at 2pm. Be warned—admittance is firstcome, first-served and food runs out quickly!

Stopover in the Yard: August 1, September 19, October 10 and October 31.

Visit thegreyrestaurant.com 912.662.5999 109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. savannahstopover.com South Extra: Scan the waitress for more. (see page 24 for details)

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Wr i t t e n b y L L A NA S A M U E L P h o t o g r a p h y b y C E D R I C S M I T H

SOUTHERN SIPPIN'

WELCOME TO ÉLAN THE MUSIC IS ALWAYS LOUD, THE PEOPLE READY TO PARTY AND THE ATMOSPHERE STEAMY AT SAVANNAH’S NEWEST CLUB If you’re on the prowl for the hottest time in town, be sure to make Élan the first stop on your night out. From the classy bouncers in silky vests and crisp white shirts, to the hottest guest DJs and constant flow of juicy cocktails, Élan appeals to the coolest partygoers in and out of town. If it’s not your first stop of the night, it should be your last.

Bartender’s Favorites RANDI’S PINK POPSICLE—No need to leave your designated driver out of all the drinking fun–this cocktail is non-alcoholic!

HOW TO MAKE THE PINK POPSICLE (1) Muddle 4 cherries in a glass (2) Add ice and sour mix (3) Shake with a cocktail shaker (4)Strain over a glass with ice (5) Add a splash of Sprite (6) Garnish with 2 cherries ELIZABETH’S TIKI TORCH—Put some spice in your night out with this simple, but fiery, cocktail (alcoholic).

HOW TO MAKE THE TIKI TORCH (1) Combine: 2 parts Jack Daniel’s Fire / 1 part Coconut Rum (2) Add pineapple juice (3) Shake well

Visit Elan at

301 Williamson St., Savannah, GA Elizabeth Hancock, Michelle McCutcheon and Randi Cleveland

South Extra: Scan the girls for more (see page 24 for details)

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P h o t o g r a p h y b y JA B B E R P I C S

S M A L L B I T E S / S AVA N N A H FAV O R I T E S

Luxury Appetizers Savannah’s Finest Fresh Fixin’s IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT HOW YOU START IS HOW YOU FINISH! FROM FRESH SEAFOOD TO LOCAL CHEESES, SAVANNAH HAS NO SHORTAGE OF LUXURIOUS BITES TO BEGIN ANY HIGH-END DINING EXPERIENCE. THEY ARE EVEN GREAT ON THEIR OWN FOR A SMALLER APPETITE ON THE GO.

ELIZABETH DANOS

2

1. TUNA TATAKI

Maxwell’s Fresh Ahi Tuna mixed with ishimi lightly seared and served on an arcadian salad with ponzu soy sauce. maxwellssavannah.com 2. BLACKENED OYSTERS

The Olde Pink House These mouth-watering oysters are served on the half shell, with a yummy watermelon relish, pear & apricot chutney & green tomato chow chow. plantersinnsavannah.com/ the-olde-pink-house-menu 3. AHI TUNA TARTAR AVOCADO PUREE

Noble Fare The puree is paired nicely with pineapple pico, plantain chips, Ossetra caviar and curry oil. noblefare.com 4. CHILLED SMOKED SALMON

Belford’s Served with arugula, red onion marmalade, pommery mustard, creme fraiche and crostini. belfordssavannah.com

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5.HALF-MOON RIVER CLAMS

Elizabeth on 37th Clams served with Vidalia onions, country ham and truffle oil. elizabethon37th.net 6. BRICK OVEN ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Leoci’s Trattoria Brussels sprouts paired with house-cured pancetta. leocis.com

7. CHEESE-STUFFED FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

45 Bistro Stuffed fried green tomatoes with mustard greens, lump crabmeat and a bacon vinaigrette.

45bistro.com

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P h o t o g r a p h y b y K AT E B L O H M

HOME-GROWN BLOODY MARY WHAT IS JEREMY WEARING? SUIT BY J. PARKER

J

eremy Diehl and his wife, Kelly Yambor, the culinary team behind one of Savannah’s top eateries, Elizabeth on 37th, have taken on a new project—elevate the Bloody Mary. They’ve recently reinvented the classic, the staple of breakfasts and brunches everywhere, to make it a Savannah original.

Yambor and Diehl say they were disappointed in the Bloody Mary drinks they’d ordered around town. They felt that the fairly mundane drinks would benefit from the use of more exciting ingredients. Naturally, given their culinary prowess, they set to work concocting a signature mix of their own. One year later, many restaurants, hotels and bars in the Savannah area use their original Savannah Bloody Mary Mix. “Savannah’s been around for 282 years, and we thought it needed an original Savannah beverage.

So we started the Savannah Beverage and Brinery, which makes the only locally owned, brewed and bottled Bloody Mary mix in Savannah,” says Diehl.

When asked about the name of his company, Diehl Continued page 154

SAVANNAH'S BLOODY MARY

A NEW TAKE ON AN OLD FAVORITE: THE ELEVATED BLOODY MARY Alexandra Shimalla

Photography by CAL L I E BEAL E / Styling by AS H L EY B OR DE RS

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South Extra: Scan the drink for Bloody Mary video (see page 24 for details).

simply states, “I thought it was time for the city common amongst mixes sold by larger corpoto have its own mix to show off.” The foundation rations. “You have to think about that. Why can of the Savannah Bloody Mary mix mirrors the that product sit there for two years and you can traditional drink: spicy ground black drink it and be okay? There are no pepper, celery seed, tangy tomato fillers in our Bloody Mary mix that juice, zesty lemon juice and a few other will make the product thick or that secret ingredients. dilute it so it makes more money.”

Armed with a recipe, the duo began The very first batch, bottled on TO DRINKING their search for a production facility May 11 this year, was the smallest THE PERFECT as close to Savannah as possible and amount the producer would allow.

BLOODY MARY one where their business wouldn’t get A mere month later, though, all 110 1. Keep it simple. lost amongst larger competitors. They cases were sold—the definite sign of settled on Stanley Farms, nestled in the 2. Drink it straight a successful product launch. Diehl middle of an enormous Vidalia onion explains that his goal was simply from the bottle. field in Lions, Georgia. “to make a great product and to be The bottling process is complex, but 3. You don’t have to able to price it to compete in the the final product is well worth the time add too much to it. mainstream.” and diligence. Before Diehl makes the He also wants his company to 4. Kick it up with trek to Lions, he brews a batch of the make a difference in the Savannah a little spirit. mix at home and brings it with him. area. “We are donating three perI like to use When the mix is ready to be made, cent of our profits to our local public Tito's Vodka. ingredients are added to a 300-pound and charter schools. I think as we stainless-steel tank in a particular orand other small businesses donate My wife likes der and cooked for about 20 minutes. directly to this community, it will to do it with As the liquid cooks, Diehl continually eventually make a difference.” half a beer. samples the new batch against the one You can find the Savan SavanSometimes he made at home, making necessary nah Bloody Mark mix at a people do it adjustments until the two are identical number of stores in the area: with Tequila in flavor. “We taste it until it’s right on, The Original Habersham and it is called give it the thumbs up and they start to Beverage, Habersham Bloody Rita. bottle it,” he explains.

Beverage Warehouse, All of the ingredients in the SavanJohnnie Ganem’s Package At the Collins nah Bloody Mary mix are 100 percent Shop, Smith Brothers Quarter, they U.S. grown. And because there are no Butcher Shop and Davis use saki instead preservatives, the mix has a shelf life of Produce are just a few of vodka. six months—not the nearly two years locations. Or order one up

MINI-BAR GUIDE

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at savannahbloodymarymix.com.

DINING GUIDE

South Extra: Scan the image below for more (see page 24 for details).

PHOTOGRAPHY BLAKE CROSBY

ROCKS ON THE RIVER LAUNCHED THEIR PREMIER CHEF'S TABLE EVENT FEATURING A FIVE-COURSE MEAL WITH WINE PAIRINGS AND A SPECIAL COCKTAIL RECEPTION BY DAUFUSKI RUM LITTLE-KNOWN TIP: A savvy professional doesn’t need to fuss over restaurant reviews or menus for a new take on entertaining that important client for a power lunch or dinner. Try booking a chef’s table in order to impress your guest. A chef’s table is so-named because it’s reserved for VIPs and is typically located in or near the kitchen, where patrons can watch their dishes being prepared and receive special attention from the Head Chef. We invited our Club South power professionals to a Chef’s Table Dinner at Rocks on the River, the Bohemian Hotel’s chic riverside restaurant, for an evening of networking

Ryan Murphy & Elizabeth Koomler

and luxurious power dining. The intimate atmosphere of the private dining room—which can be closed off from the lively dining area and seats up to 24—made for easy conversation amongst the group. A delicious five-course meal, prepared by Executive Chef Eric Backer, showed off his farm-to-table culinary prowess. Our guests fell in love with the meal—especially the Goat Cheese Potato Pie and the Banana Split. Book your next business dinner with Chef Eric by calling or visiting their website. 102 W. BAY STREET, SAVANNAH, BOHEMIANHOTELSAVANNAH.COM/DINING

Julia and Malcolm Butler

Scott & Laurie Regan

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Brianna Suggs, Doug Snyder & Chef Eric Backer

Michael & Frankie, South magazine, Bill from Noble Mouse & Robert with Savannah Distributing

Tony and Chad from Daufuskie Rum

Lisa & Charles Bowen

Ashley Borders, Julius Woodard & Paula Fogarty

Chef Eric Backer AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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SOUTH PR ESENTS

THE GUIDE TO

By Stacy Moser / Photography by Kate Blohm

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IPS T T R E P X E PLUS USINESS FROM B TE GURU, ETIQUET AMSEY! LYDIA R P h o t o g r a p h c o u r t e s y o f LY D I A R A M S E Y

Maxwell's Chef James Parker

That Savannah is a food-lover’s paradise is a given. You can’t throw a rock in this town without hitting a fabulous place to eat and drink. Our high-end gastronomic wonderland presents a particular advantage to local businesses seeking to impress their clients and beat out the competition with a well-planned power lunch or dinner.

Wining and dining can be elevated to an art form if you choose wisely from amongst Savannah’s best eateries. Always keep in mind your game plan—to land a deal, build a relationship, make a sale. Choose the right restaurant and all the aspects of the power-dining experience will work to your advantage.

MAXWELL’S

Many in Savannah refer to Maxwell’s as “a little gem,” and that’s a good way to describe it. As you enter the restaurant, tucked in the middle of the block on Jefferson Street, it feels like you’re being welcomed into someone’s charming Southern home.

The space is cozy and elegant

at the same time—perfect for an impressive lunch or dinner that doesn’t intimidate. Large picture windows give the place an airy, open feeling. Of note is their “Power Lunch,” catering to businesspeople who need to get in and get out—but want a quality dining experience nonetheless. A pleasant surprise is the price—many

items on the lunch menu hover around $10. Their wine list is a source of pride for them—as well as their creative and tasty cocktails. The Monday night Slow-Braised Baby Back Ribs and the Tuesday night Black Angus Prime Rib-Eye specials are good incentives to schedule your power dinner early in the week. maxwellssavannah.com

MAXWELL'S IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Doesn’t have much time for lunch Will appreciate the excellent food and will notice the great prices Wants a quiet atmosphere where it’s easy to talk

Maxwell's Lamb Chops

Polish your sales pitch and follow our Expert Tips for FirstRate Power Dining with Savannah's own Lydia Ramsey, an etiquette expert and author of Manners That Sell.

EXPERT TIP No. 1

DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Pick a restaurant that’s not too noisy or distracting to hold a conversation. Visit ahead of time to check out the wine list and menu. You don’t want to mispronounce a menu item or labor over a complicated wine list, indicating to your client that you don’t get out much.

EXPERT TIP No. 2

NOW’S NOT THE TIME TO GET BUZZED. If your client orders a glass of wine, you can order one too. “Just order one glass and sip it slowly so it doesn’t get refilled,” Ramsey suggests.

THESE TIPS WILL HELP KEEP THE LUNCH MEETING RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

AUGUS T / SE P T E M B E R 2015

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A.LURE

A.lure, in the City Market district, is a chic, modern space— appropriate for a more casual, intimate meeting. The front of the narrow restaurant is preferred by some, but there’s a larger dining room in the back with nice exposed brick walls for those who want a little more seclusion. Owner Daniel Berman seeks out the best in local food purveyors to create a menu filled with seafood and Southern dishes reminiscent of his childhood favorites. aluresavannah.com

A.LURE IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Is savvy about local food-sourcing Likes a smaller venue Can only meet for appetizers and a drink (the front of the restaurant is just right for this) Is interested in a unique wine list

a.Lure

GARIBALDI’S IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Is an adventurous eater—Garibaldi’s is famous for Crispy Flounder—a nod to Savannah’s freshest local seafood, the lowly flounder, elevated to a scrumptious Thaiinspired whole-fish delicacy Enjoys a bustling atmosphere

a.Lure / photo by Kate Blohm

Enjoys old-world gracious décor

ITALIAN TREATERY GARIBALDI’S CAFÉ

Garibaldi’s Café started life as a fire station in 1871.

Now a fine-dining Italian eatery, the space delivers on ambience. Downstairs is a clubby, less-formal dining room where you’ll find cozy booths in a dark, wood-paneled room. The bar area can be lively; if that’s an issue, head upstairs—the Grand Ballroom’s soaring ceilings and large, arched windows are formal and impressive. In the evening, the ballroom glows with soft lighting and has the feel of a wedding reception done right. garibaldisavannah.com

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Photography courtesy of A.LU R E, GAR I BAL DI'S

DINING GUIDE

THE GREY

The Grey, a brand-new addition to Savannah’s dining scene elite, has already snagged a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant (Chef Mashama Bailey’s menu is the star here) and won the award for Best Restaurant Design (the clever makeover of the old Greyhound Bus Station will wow your guests). The accolades are well-deserved—the food here will please the picky eater and the foodie alike with a tasty, modern spin on Southern classics. thegreyrestaurant.com

THE GREY IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Will be impressed with the historically accurate preservation of the building and retro decor Knows a good raw bar when they see one Would enjoy an outdoor concert: The Grey’s outdoor venue, The Yard, serves up food, drinks and music Has restrictive dietary needs— gluten-, dairy-, or allergen-free foods are happily prepared

THE FLORENCE Also new to the Savannah dining scene, The Florence is running with the farm-to-table ball. To quote their website: “We change our menu based on what farmers bring us.” The food starts with Italian classics and reinvents them with a Southern flair.

Housed in a restored ice factory in the Historic District South, the space is decorated in an eclectic, urban style (stainless steel meets exposed brick). theflorencesavannah.com

EXPERT TIP No. 3 TAKE CHARGE OF SEATING. Etiquette expert Ramsey says, “Your guests should have the prime seats—the ones with the view.

As the host, take the least desirable spot—the one facing the wall, the kitchen or the restrooms.”

CIRCA 1875 IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Wants to reminisce about their last visit to Europe or is looking forward to going some day Would appreciate supersized portions of fabulous French classics

PLAN AHEAD FOR RAIN—AN UMBRELLA IS ESSENTIAL FOR ARRIVING UNWRINKLED IN THE SUMMER

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Already ate—they can order from the lighter Gastro Pub menu

CIRCA 1875 Given the charming, homey setting of Circa 1875—you feel like you’re on a French bistro movie set—it’s obvious they’re going for an unpretentious vibe. The servers are known for their attentive, but also-unpretentious style. Sit in the street-level dining room or downstairs in the Wine Cellar (some call the tables there too close for comfort, others rave about its cozy charm). The cuisine ratchets up typical French dishes to fit Southern expectations with French classics like Sautéed Frog’s Legs in White Wine and house-made sausage in their Cassoulet. circa1875.com

THE FLORENCE IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Is a fan of TV’s Top Chef Masters—owner Hugh Acheson was a contestant and is a James Beard Awardwinner Likes a lively, bustling atmosphere Would enjoy a drink after dinner at the rooftop bar

JAZZ’D Jazz’d is unique in the Downtown Historic District dining scene. If you’ve got a client who’s most comfortable in a relaxed, dimly lit, supper-club type atmosphere where suits, ties, and briefcases are scarce, this is for you. Owner Brian Curry calls it “All Jazz’d Up,” his inspiration in naming the restaurant.

He books a large variety of musical talent for the nightly entertainment— call ahead to find out when your client’s favorite genre will be playing. Ordering tapas for two is a great conversation-starter—try the adventurous Escargot-Stuffed Tomato or the Muenster Tartiflette. jazzdtapasbar.com

EXPERT TIP No. 4

STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MENU. Don’t order the priciest dish; don’t order the cheapest dish. Pick food you can cut and chew easily and that you won’t be wearing later. (Hint: A splash of pasta sauce on your shirt will be the Red Badge of Shame back at the office. And quinoa gets stuck in your teeth every time.)

EXPERT TIP No. 5 EASE INTO YOUR TALKING POINTS. Wait until everyone at the table has been served their food to start business discussions. There’s nothing worse than having a server unwittingly interrupt your totally awesome sales pitch.

For more ways to help grow your business and increase your profits with modern manners, business etiquette, proper protocol and professional conduct, visit lydiaramsey.com

JAZZ'D IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Appreciates a more unconventional approach to a power dinner Likes a great beer selection Appreciates live music

700 DRAYTON IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Is an art aficionado Will be impressed by the opulent digs and historic architecture Appreciates understated service and elegant food presentation

ROCKS IS PERFECT FOR A CLIENT WHO: Wants privacy—some of the extra-tall booths provide a barrier between you and the next table Might want to meet over breakfast or brunch Would enjoy a view of the Savannah River

700 DRAYTON

Dress to impress—that’s what 700 Drayton does best. The Mansion on Forsyth Park is its home—dining there is a little like visiting an art museum for a meal. The attentive staff is well-informed about the menu and the wine list, the food’s presentation is first-class and the cuisine itself is prepared with foodies in mind.

Dine downstairs at lunch and ask to be seated in a private room if you have a group that needs privacy. Upstairs, the beautiful Casmir’s Lounge oozes elegance—good place to end the evening with a nightcap. mansiononforsythpark.com

NATURE INSPIRED ROCKS ON THE RIVER

The décor of Rocks on the River in the Bohemian Hotel takes literal inspiration from rocks—organic materials like driftwood and beach pebbles are repurposed to create a modern, comfortable space. In good weather, the garage-door-type windows roll up to reveal River Street and the Savannah River beyond.

The menu has you covered—whether your client is into salads, seafood, steaks, pizza or burgers. Try the Rigatoni & Pork Belly for a nice mix of local Southern ingredients with an Italian twist.

For a more casual lunch meeting, sharing the White Pizza is an excellent choice. bohemianhotelsavannah.com a.Lure / photo by Blake Crosby

P h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f C I R C A 1875, JA Z Z ' D, T H E G R E Y, T H E F L O R E N C E , T H E M A N S I O N O N F O R S Y T H

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PlaySouth

BEST FESTS EVENTS CALENDAR SCENES OF THE SOUTH NOT-SO-SECRET SOUTHERNER

FOR THE LOVE OF BEER: THE CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL VIP GIVEAWAY! A GREAT WAY TO END THE SUMMER WITH A BEER-TASTING (OR TEN), LIVE MUSIC AND A PRETZEL NECKLACE AT THE SAVANNAH

CRAFT BREW FEST. Savannah is

called the hostess city of the South for a reason—delicious Southern cuisine and equally inspired beverages make the best company. That’s exactly what guests can expect this Labor Day weekend as Savannah Craft Brew Fest returns for its eighth year.

In addition to an abundance of indoor and outdoor beer gardens—beer cocktails in the Mixology Garden, anyone? —the Sam Adams Brew University will be running a variety of educational sessions for the beer enthusiast who’s serious about their beer.

South magazine is giving away a ticket package that includes: • 3 VIP tickets to the Savannah Craft Brew Festival • 4 tickets to the Savvy Savannah Tours Craft Beer Tour • 1 Designated Driver Ticket For a chance to win, visit SouthMag.com/Giveaway. The Savannah Craft Brew Fest will take place September 5 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

For more information about the festival, visit savannahbrewfest.com.

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f C R A F T B R E W F E S T I VA L

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South Extra: Scan the image for more info on Craft Brew Festival (see page 24 for details).

Revival Fest, Savannah, September 12

Best Fests!

It’s time to party in the sultry South

Savannah VOICE Festival (Savannah, August 2 –16) The 3rd Annual Savannah Voice Festival is a summertime celebration of music and song that features special musical concerts, intimate parlor events and educational programs in the performing arts. The Voice Festival offers audience members the opportunity to experience over 45 live performances during the month of August and throughout the year that highlight vocal excellence.

For more information, visit savannahvoicefestival.org.

Bacon Fest (Savannah, September 4–5) The second annual Bacon Fest is taking over River Street once again this September.

All weekend long, select local restaurants will create mouth-watering bacon concoctions for your pleasure! In addition

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to the bacon mania, regional artisans will set up near Rousakis Plaza, allowing festival-goers to peruse their artwork.

For more information, visit riverstreetsavannah.com/ event/bacon-fest-2.

Aquacurean Seafood Festival (Savannah, August 28–30) This two-day festival celebrates the unique marine heritage of the Coastal Empire by showcasing the best gourmet seafood and hand-crafted cocktails from around the Lowcountry. Events include workshops, seminars, competitions and MORE! For more information, visit aquacurean.com Labor Day Beach Bash (Tybee Island, September 6) A week after the typical Labor Day festivities are over, Tybee Island is just getting ready to party.

Come out to the island and enjoy live music on the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion. To mark the occasion, the night will end with colorful fireworks blasting off at 9:15 p.m.

For more information, visit visittybee.com/events/event/ labor-day-beach-bash.

Revival Fest (Savannah, September 12) The third-annual Savannah Revival Fest is a modern Lowcountry hoedown designed to celebrate all things Southern and Savannah with an afternoon of live music performed by local and national bluegrass and American roots bands.

Tickets are $35 and VIP tickets are $95. For more information, visit revivalfest.org .

Savannah Pride Festival (Savannah, September 12) The festival returns to Forsyth Park to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community with the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony begins at 11:30am at the bandstand, followed by live music and a 5:00 dance party.

Sponsored by the Savannah

Pride Organization. For more information, visit savannahpride.com.

Coastal Empire Surfers for Autism Beach Fest (Tybee Island, September 12) Fun, safe and free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide special-

needs children into the waves. Activities include stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking along with live music, games and face-painting. For more information, visit surfersforautism.org.

To Submit Your Event Visit SouthMag.com

Savannah VOICE Festival Savannah, August 2-16

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f T H E VO I C E F E S T I VA L

Events Calendar Check out the latest happenings in the Lowcountry.

reservations and has a full menu of food and alcohol. Our private upstairs room seats up to 30. Come with a group or date (or dare to solve the mystery alone!). $40 9123522994 For more information, visit savannahcoffee.com.

Hardeeville Catfish Festival Fishing Tournament (Savannah, August 8) Starting at safe light at Millstone Landing with the official weigh-in at noon. Launch position will bed one in the order of registration/ payment date. Purrysburg Road at Church Road. $500 First Prize, prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places. For details, call 843.247.4489 or visithardeevillecatfishfestival.com.

Savannah VOICE Festival Savannah, August 2-16

SAVANNAH Little Shop of Horrors the Musical (Savannah, August 1–2) Broadway musical and Hollywood sci-fi, Little Shop of Horrors has been a favorite show for theatregoers for over 30 years! For more information, visit savannah. com/events/event/little-shopof-horrors-the-musical-2.

First Friday Art March (Savannah, August 7 & September 4) The First Friday Art March is a unique monthly event designed to showcase the Local Art, Music, Food and Culture that exists South of what is considered to be “The Traditional” Historic District in Savannah. The tour begins with the Indie Arts Market at DeSoto Avenue in the city’s Starland District. Visitors can enjoy food, vendors, arts activities and vinyl appreciation before “marching” to the event’s participating galleries, restaurants and shops throughout the Victorian District. Experience art exhibitions, demonstrations,

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live music and more while walking or riding to each location on the Savannah Tours Trolley that will visit each of the stops on the tour.

Dog Days of Summer (Savannah, August 7–8) Dog lovers unite! The Dog Days of Summer allows furry canines and their owners to bond over a day of food, fun and festivities! For more information visit riverstreetsavannah.com/ event/dog-days-summer.

Murder Mystery Dinner (Savannah, August 7– September 26) Savannah’s favorite comedy team— Odd Lot Productions—teams up with the amazing chefs at Savannah Coffee Roasters every Friday night for a memorable evening of food and fun! Four actors weave a fully improvised story of murder and mystery while you enjoy a delicious three-course meal. Come enjoy a fully interactive evening of mayhem and delight. If you solve the murder there’s even a prize for you at the end. Savannah Coffee Roasters encourages

Martin Parr “Life’s a Beach” Exhibit (Savannah, May 15–August 30) The Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center has an exhibit of photographer Martin Parr’s life-long work: photographs of the beach and beachgoers. The collection showcases the culture and quirks of beach-going. For more information, visit telfair.org/beach.

American Music Concert (Savannah, August 8) In conjunction with the Savannah VOICE Festival, the American Music Concert showcases a musical review of American traditions through popular songs. For more information, visit savannahvoicefestival.org/ festival/american-music-concert.

The Olde Pink House Cooking Classes (Savannah, August 8) The Olde Pink House has partnered with Park Place Outreach to present a monthly cooking class. Each class is lead by Pink House Chef Sarah Maier and is followed by dinner at the restaurant. For more information, visit parkplaceyes. org/events/cooking-classes.

Free Family Day at the Jepson Center (Savannah, August 8) Throughout the year, the Jepson Center hosts Free Family Days, and for this month’s event, the theme is “I Love the ’90s.” The museum invites ’90s-lovers to make temporary tattoos, pose in the photo challenge and enjoy other gallery activities. For more information, visit telfair.org/learn/freefamilydays.

Savannah LIVE! (Savannah, March 5– November 21) This two-hour event has been the talk of the town since opening night. If you’re looking for a place to cool off from the summer heat, head over to the Historic Savannah Theatre. For more information, visit savannahtheatre. com/shows/savannah-live.

“Everybody Gets Lei’d” Charity Bar Crawl (Savannah, August 22) Get dressed up in comfortable luauthemed attire and enjoy exclusive drink specials for a good cause! This event will benefit a local non-profit organization. For more information, visit staffordpromotions.com.

Savannah VOICE Festival (Savannah, August 2–16) Through a two-week celebration of concerts and events, this nonprofit organization brings vocal education to the Savannah area.

The program focuses on audience development in the performing arts.

For more information, visit savannahvoicefestival.org.

Governor’s Conference on Tourism (Savannah,August 30–Sept. 2) The Georgia’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism will take place in Savannah with over 500 delegates from the state convening in Savannah for the first time in history to discuss the Hot topic of Explore Georgia Tourism .

P h o t o s c o u r t e s y o f T H E VO I C E F E S T I VA L

August 30–September 2 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.

is sponsored by Old Savannah Tours and Turner Food and Spirits.

White Party -End of Summer (Savannah, September 10) Kick-off to The Savannah Pride Festival, Dress in All White.

Ships of the Sea Museum.

Georgia Free Fishing Day—Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Savannah, September 26) Georgia residents 16 and over can fish at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge without a license.

All other fishing regulations apply. 2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA.Visit kingsland.com

Savannah Art Walk (Savannah, September 12) Guests will experience a self-guided tour of the galleries and local shops located within a one-mile radius of the Savannah Riverfront. Attendees begin at the Bohemian Hotel for a free meet-and-greet wine reception with local artist and author Tiffani Taylor before taking off on their own with the Art Walk map in hand. The walk reconvenes at the Andaz Hotel for another complimentary wine pouring and raffle drawing at 8pm.

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Annual Awards Gala (Savannah, September 26) Gather at 6:00pm at the Westin Hotel to create a speciality dessert with Girl Scout cookies! This event

Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races Tybee Island, September 12

TYBEE ISLAND Tybee Floatilla “Float for Food” (Tybee Island, August 9) Looking for a way to beat the heat this August? Drive down to Tybee to participate in the Tybee Floatilla event and float leisurely down the rivers of the island.

The event will benefit the Tybee Rising Tyde Food Pantry. For more information, visit staffordpromotions. com/tybee-island-floatilla.

Movies in the Park

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(Tybee Island, August 15) The last of the summertime Movies in the Park series will occur on August 15. A family-friendly movie, Earth to Echo, will play near the Tybee Gym. For more information, visit cityoftybee. org/betterhometownprogram.

Yoga on the Pier (Tybee Island, August 22) Unforgettable yoga classes instructed by Biza Mabry on the Tybee Island Pier. 9–10am.

Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races (Tybee Island, September 12) Calling all kayakers, the 17th annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races are looking for participants for their three races, all with staggered start times. If kayaking doesn’t sound too appealing, sign up to be a race sponsor! For more information, visit tybeekayakrace.blogspot.com.

Tybee Floatilla “Float for Kids” (Tybee Island, September 13) In case you missed the August Tybee Floatilla event, no worries!

There’s another water day for

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charity happening again in September. This event will benefit Surfers for Autism. For more information, visit staffordpromotions. com/tybee-island-floatilla.

Tybee Island Book Festival (Tybee Island, September 18–19) The Tybee Island Book Festival is a non-profit event promoting new authors in the surrounding area. Book lovers are invited to attend the event, learn about local authors and promote the art of writing. For more information, visit tybeeislandbookfestival.com.

Tybee Community Day 2015 (Tybee Island, September 27) This fourth annual “backyard” gathering is a great day for all ages! The event is filled with games, a community art project, live music and booths of local non-profit organizations. For more information, visit cityoftybee. org/betterhometownprogram.

HILTON HEAD

“Two-Thought Minimum” starring Mentalist Bill Gladwell (Hilton Head, March 13–December 30) For the past two decades, Bill Gladwell has been practicing interpreting unconscious thoughts and body language.

Spend the evening at the Pelican’s Point and watch Gladwell read minds! For more information, visit billgladwelllive.com.

Palmetto Bluff Summer Concert Series (Hilton Head, August 11) Palmetto Bluff is hosting a concert one Tuesday a month throughout the summer, and this evening features music from Davis, Johnson and the Equinox Quintet. For only $25 a car, gather up your closest friends and head out for a night of fun! For more information, visit palmettobluff. com/experience/special-events/ summer-concert-series.

Palmetto Dunes Tennis Fall Classic (Hilton Head, September 4–6) The 8th annual tennis fall classic

is returning to Hilton Head Island.

This all-day event features both men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles.For more information, visit palmettodunes.com.

Beach Sweep (Hilton Head, September 19) Held annually since its inception in 1988, this one-day volunteer cleanup is coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy in an effort to make South Carolina’s beaches a cleaner environment for all. For more information, visit seapines.com/events.

BEAUFORT Labor Day Celebration (Beaufort, September 7) The Penn Center Labor Day Celebration begins at 11am at the Frissell Community House featuring special vocal performances by La Verne Harrison & Scott Allen Gibbs in addition to guest speaker Dr. J. Herman Blake.

Festivities begin at 12:30pm and end at 4pm and include a community

Photograph courtesy of JC B

fundraiser fish-fry, with BBQ ribs & chicken, DJ music, Island Cruzers Car Showcase, Gullah Geechie Island Bike Ride, and Art Fair and Flea Market. Contact Information: Penn Center 843.838.2432; Island Cruzers 843.263.0654

alcohol, no amplifiers and no drums.

All acoustic bluegrass, country & folk music. Everyone welcome; bring a lawn chair. For more info please contact Pat at 843.379.9084 or visit beaufortsc.org/events/show/ pickin-by-the-river-free-event

Gullah Geechie Island Bike Ride (Beaufort, September 7) The Gulluh Geechie bike ride is part of the Beaufort Labor Day Celebration and competitors may choose from three courses: a 25-mile ride—St Helena Island; a 50-mile ride—St. Helena and Hunting Islands starting at 8:30am.

Contact information: Penn Center 843.838.2432; Island Cruzers 843.263.0654 or visit beaufortsc. org/events/show/penn-centerhosts-labor-day-celebrationgullah-geechie-bike-ride

2nd Annual OktoPRfest Party Port Royal Style Beer Party (Beaufort, September 26–27) This adult-only event begins on Friday at The Shed of Port Royal from 5–10pm featuring over 20 micro-breweries as well as many favorite local home-brewers.

The festival will continue on Saturday from 11am–5pm offering live entertainment, wine, sodas, pretzels, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn. Tickets are $20 per person at the door or $15 in advance. ID REQUIRED to attend this event. Each admission includes a commemorative glass and one vote for best brew. For more info beaufortsc.org/events/ show/oktoprfest-party-port-royalstyle-beer-party-october-16-2015/

Pickin’ By the River (Beaufort, September 19) Free event held at the Henry C. Chambers waterfront park with a stage show and open jams throughout the park, beginner to advanced musicians welcome. NO

CHARLESTON An Evening with Bill Maher (Charleston, August 8) Join Chef Marc Collins at Circa 1886 for a four-course Craft Beer Dinner featuring a selection of local beers from Charleston’s Holy City Brewery paired with dishes created specifically for this event. The evening will start with live music and a reception on the patio. Cost is $60 per person. For more information, visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac. com/events.

Weird Al Yankovic in Concert (Charleston, August 9) As part of his Mandatory World Tour, Weird Al Yankovic will be stopping in Charleston. Known for his comical music, Weird Al Yankovic is sure to perform in a night to be remembered.

For more information, visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac. com/events.

An Afternoon of Trust Telling

and Hope Spreading (Charleston, August 23) NY Times best-selling author Glennon Doyle Melton will be coming to Charleston with the support of the Center for Women.

Using her own story of addiction and recovery, Melton has inspired others with her empowering stories. For more information, visit c4women.org/glennon.

Betty Wright & the Whispers Live in Concert (Charleston, August 29) Betty Wright & the Whispers have been celebrated faces in the R&B music scene for over 50 years. Charlestonians will have the chance to enjoy an evening of her music. For more information, visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac. com/events.

Nickelback: No Fixed Address Tour (Charleston, August 31) The multi-platinum rock band Nickelback are stopping in Charleston on their massive 2015 world tour to honor their eighth

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full-length studio album No Fixed Address. For more information, visit northcharlestoncoliseumpac. com/events.

heavy metal band that’s making their way across the world on The Final Tour. For more information, visit motley.com/tour.

Charleston Restaurant Week (Charleston, September 9–20) This event is spearheaded by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association and is one of the most anticipated culinary-centered events in the Charleston area!

For more information, visit charlestonrestaurantassociation. com/charleston-restaurant-week.

Midtown Restaurant Week (Atlanta, September 5–13) Atlanta Restaurant Week highlights the delicious cuisine of Midtown.

Brunch, lunch and dinner will be available from the neighborhood’s best restaurants.For more information, visit mrwatlanta.com.

ATLANTA Jim Gaffigan: Contagious (Atlanta, August 16) Comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan is coming to Atlanta this August.

Tickets are still available for this American stand-up show.

For more information, visit jimgaffigan.com.

Motley Cruë: The Final Tour (Atlanta, August 30) Formed in 1981, Motley Cruë is a

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JapanFest Atlanta, September 19-20

One Musicfest (Atlanta, September 12) Since 2010, One Musicfest has become the Southeast’s largest and most cross-genre musical arts festival. The festival attempts to bridge the gap between musical audiences by way of games, visual arts, shopping, food and music! For more information, visit onemusicfest.com.

and Americans of the Southeast.For more information, visit japanfest.org.

JapanFest (Atlanta, September 19–20) 2015 marks JapanFest’s 29th year of improving the understanding and relationship between Japanese

TomorrowWorld (Atlanta, September 25–27) Last year, TomorrowWorld welcomed visitors 21 and older from across the globe to participate

Atlanta Greek Festival (Atlanta, September 24–27) “Food, fun and opa!” That’s exactly what the Atlanta Greek Festival is all about: loads of delicious Greek cuisine, dancing and shopping! For more information, visit atlantagreekfestival.org.

in a three-day electronic music festival and camping experience, and this year they’re doing it again. For more information, visit tomorrowworld.com.

Fall Folklife Festival (Atlanta, September 27) Sponsored by the Atlanta History Center, the Folklife Festival allows guests to go back to the 1860s. The festival hosts garden tours, cooking and preserving demonstrations, woodworking and blacksmithing stations and more! For more information, visit atlantahistorycenter.com/family.

P h o t o g r a p h c o u r t e s y o f JA PA N F E S T

JACKSONVILLE Tim McGraw Shotgun Rider Tour (Jacksonville, August 20) Tim McGraw is traveling across America this summer, and he’s stopping in Jacksonville.

On the Shotgun Rider Tour, McGraw will be supported by Billy Currington and Chase Bryant. For more information, visit jaxevents.com/event/timmcgraw-shotgun-rider-tour-2015.

Sisters of the Sea Surf Classic (Jacksonville, September 12) Sisters of the Sea is the 16th annual all-girls surf contest, sponsored by the Salt Water Cowgirls Surf Camp. This contest donates the proceeds to a local breast-cancer organization. For more information, visit sistersofthesea.org.

RUNS Bluffton Duathlon Series (Bluffton, August 1) A series of three race events,

including a 3-mile run on the Buckwalter running path and Greenway trail, a 16-mile bike on the Bluffton Parkway and then a repeat of the 3-mile run. Register as an individual or relay team.

101 Bluffton Blvd. For details or to register, call (843) 815-1718 or visitactive.com/bluffton-sc/ running/distance-running-races/ bluffton-duathlon-series-1-2015.

Jog Days of Summer (Atlanta, August 8) Despite the heat, the Atlanta Track Club thinks the beginning of August is the perfect time for a 5K! In fact, this year, the organization will be hosting their ninth event. Register to run around Chastain Park in the heart of Atlanta. For more information, visit atlantatrackclub. org/2015-jog-days-of-summer.

Summer’s End 5K Trail Run (Savannah, August 15) Fleet Feet in Savannah is all about the races, so it’s no surprise that the company hosts a race more than once a month. If you’re up for running through the scenic

woods of Rincon, register today!

For more information, visit fleetfeetsavannah.com/Treutlen.

Help the Hoo-Hahs 5K (Savannah, September 26) A series of three race events, The 5K raised a tremendous amount of money last year for local women with GYN cancer, and this year marks the fifth anniversary of the race. So come out, walk or run, and help raise money for a great cause! For more information, visit helpthehoohahs. com/coming-events.html.

Atlanta’s Free to Breathe 5k (Atlanta, August 22) The annual Free to Breathe Run/ Walk is back again for its sixth year! This run raises money for the fight against lung cancer and the search for vital research programs. For more information, visit participate.freetobreathe.org.

Hotlanta Half (Atlanta, August 23) Two years ago, the people behind the Hotlanta Half decided to create a race that showcases all

the historic landmarks of the city and even embraces the heat that this city’s summers are known for! For more information, visit hotlantahalf.com.

Run for RET (Hilton Head, September 5) This 5K run/walk, open to all levels and ages, is hosted by the RET Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

The event will take over the roads and trails of the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, a 605-acre environment.

For more information, visit seapines.com/events.

Tunnel to Towers (Savannah, September 12) Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created to honor the sacrifice of the numerous firefighters of 9/11 who lost their lives to save others. By participating in this 5K, you honor these fallen lives as well. Register now. For more information, visit crowdrise.com/T2TSavannah.

For more event & to submit your event visit SouthMag.com

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S C E N E S O F T H E S O U T H / S AVA N N A H A R T WA L K

Tracy Rose, Steve Buckner, and Libby Bacon

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The Savannah Art Walk concluded its spring series with 19 galleries and a host of special events. Guests were treated to a meet-and-greet wine reception with artists before attending the Scene by South red carpet at the Tiffani Taylor Gallery.

The night ended with a wine pour and raffle drawing at the Andaz Hotel. The fall series begins on September 12.

Mandy Huddleston, Gelcys Nielsen, Denise & Norman Flojo, and Adele Ruben

1. Kristina Fletcher 2. Chelsea Lockheart and Zach Barger 3.

Karen Blum and Joyce Baker 4.

Carrie Kellogg 5. Tiffani Taylor and Judean Drescher 6. Kari Dylan and Eric Sean Kennedy 7. Cindy Stutlive 8. Brian Kaeser and Heather Fries 9. Blake Finlayson 10. Jenny Chris and Macy Watkins 11. Oksano Gruszka 12. Toni and Nikki WilsonDavis

2 Greg & Kathy Lamb Hannah Leveridge & Marcia Bane s

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4

Tiffani Taylor & Judean Drescher

Samantha Claar, Glenda Watson, and John Deahl

5 6 7 9 8

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Photography by L I NDSEY C LARK

SCENES OF THE SOUTH / SMITH BROTHERS & TOP DECK

Savannah celebrated re-births and birthdays this month with the first anniversary of Top Deck Rooftop Bar at the Cotton Sail Hotel and the grand re-opening of Smith Brothers Butcher Shop. At Top Deck, raffle prizes, signature drinks and incredible views of the Savannah River greeted guests.

Smith Brothers returned to the Historic District where they treated new faces and old friends to delicious samples of their highquality gourmet foods.

Abby Johnson, Anna Heritage, and Stefani Thompson Keena & Kelly Charbonneau

Ashton Cook

Lisa Fort, Mark Tymcahyshyn, and Andra Rabb

1. Brian Kaeser and Heather Fries 2. Paul Allen 3. Wills Smith and Kaney Balance 4. Annie Tuggel and Chelsea Jordan 5. Sofia Said 6. Catrice Hellen and Catyra Poland 7. Inan Isik, Shannon Loving, and Elizabeth McKeon 8. Kai Williams 9. Shanon and TJ Hollis

1 David Minkovitz & Lori Collins

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Dr. Walter, Tashai, and Lina Evans

4 Patti Johnson & Mickey

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7 5

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Photographs by L I NDSEY C LARK, J ESS I E S C O T T

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N O T- S O - S E C R E T S O U T H E R N E R

WHAT’S MURRAY WEARING? PAUL BETENLY SUIT, GITMAN BROTHERS DRESS SHIRT AND A ROBERT TALBOTT “BEST OF CLASS” TIE. AVAILABLE AT J. PARKER IN SAVANNAH. JPARKERLTD.COM

IS MURRAY SILVER THE LAST MAN STANDING? MURRAY SILVER IS OUT TO MAKE A CHANGE IN SAVANNAH. He says he’s accomplished everything he set out to accomplish in life, and now he’s grabbing for the brass ring—a mayoral seat. His motivation? To serve in what he calls “Savannah’s highest calling.”

In some ways larger than life, Silver is a force to be reckoned with. He is no stranger to the controversial problem of race relations in Savannah. “I cannot remember a time when races were further apart than they are now,” Murray laments. “I want to do my part to bring them together. Get people talking. My background makes me uniquely positioned to moderate a conversation between blacks and whites, old and young, male and female. I understand all sides of the equation.”

The Silver family is not late to the table when it comes to involvement in the civil-rights struggle. Seven generations of Silvers came before him, all residents of Savannah. His father was Martin Luther King Sr.’s attorney and advisor and “was disbarred and drummed out of town for daring to represent accused black men” at a time when that was not exactly in vogue. To this day, his father won’t set foot back in the city itself, he feels so wronged by the past. After law school, the junior Silver went on to become speechwriter for Coretta Scott King, and Martin Luther King Sr. officiated at his wedding.

He was also a rock-concert promoter in Atlanta, where he worked with bands like The Grateful Dead and Doobie Brothers. He’s penned several books, including a biography of Jerry Lee Lewis and When Elvis Meets the Dalai Lama (a memoir on his life as a rock-and-roll reporter and ambassador for the Dalai Lama).

What is his grand finale? He has his sights set on the mayor’s office so he can work to make things right. If he loses the fight, he vows he’ll leave Savannah forever.

“This is a one-time offer,” he says. “Take it or leave it.”

* Normally at South we hide our Secret Southerner from our readers.

But this month, we chose a guy who is so big and bold that he just couldn’t be contained. So we decided to have the big reveal up front.

Last issue’s Secret Southerner featured Jewelry Designer ZIA. Congratulations to our winners! Be sure to check out our Extras this issue by downloading the app featured on page 24.

South Extra: Scan the image for more–see page 24

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P h o t o g r a p h s b y DY L A N W I L S O N

DOES MURRAY SILVER HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE MAYOR OF ONE OF THE MOST ECCENTRIC CITIES IN THE SOUTH?

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