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The Savannah Arts Academy Chorale has been invited to participate in a performance of the music of Eric Whitacre on the DCINY Concert Series in New York City on March 31, 2014 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Composer Eric Whitacre will be conductor of the performance and clinician for the residency.

Dr. Jonathan Griffith, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for DCINY states: “The Savannah Arts Academy Chorale received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers. It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community.”

To raise funds for their travel to New York City, the chorus invites you to attend a Dinner Concert on October
4, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sanctuary at 34th and Abercorn. Tickets are available for this benefit concert at either 5 pm or 7:30 pm. Dinner will include chicken with pasta, salad, vegetables, bread and dessert. There will also be a vegetarian option with portabella mushrooms.

Tickets are $25 for dinner and the concert. Contact [email protected]

The City of Savannah Water Systems 2012 Consumer Confidence Reports are now available at all Chatham County Public Libraries or by visiting www.savannahga.gov and typing “Water Quality Reports” in the Search Bar. A copy of the report was sent to every City of Savannah water customer this summer.

Every year the City is required to prepare Consumer Confidence Reports for each of its water systems summarizing to the public the results of tests that measure the amount of certain substances in the water to ensure that the system meets Environmental Protection Agency standards. In 2012, the City of Savannah Water Laboratory performed more than 132,000 tests to ensure water quality. Those tests showed the City met all standards and received excellent report cards for each of its eight water systems.

A survey by the American Water Works Association found that Savannah has the lowest combined water and sewer rate in Georgia, and the fourth lowest of 70 water systems surveyed in the Southeast United States.

The Humane Society for Greater Savannah is among those local groups benefiting from the 2013 Critz Tybee Run Fest. At its annual “Giving Back to the Community” reception on September 18, the Savannah Foundation, on behalf of the Critz Tybee Run Fest, distributed $70,000 from the Run Fest to local organizations dedicated to serving youth and education.

“This grant will allow us to offer training to more new adopters to help them become better, more responsible pet parents. We also plan to increase educational opportunities for our volunteers, many of whom are high school students.” said Lynn Gensamer, Executive Director of HSGS. “We are very grateful to the Critz family for their generosity.”

During the 2014 race, the Humane Society will be sponsoring a “Race Within A Race.” Participants will be able to register for any or all races as a “Pet Pal.” Proceeds from the race registration fees of all Pet Pals will be donated to HSGS.

Online registration for the January 31-February 1 events are open on at www.critztybeerun.com.

The Tybee Pirate Fest will feature three days of live music and family-friendly activities at Tybee Island’s South Beach parking lot, on Tybrisa Street.

The festivities kick off with the coronation of the King and Queen at the Buccaneer Ball at The Crab Shack on Thursday, October 10. Additional highlights include The Pirate Victory Parade, Scallywags Costume Contest, Little Matey’s Cove presented by Coke Zero, Thieves’ Market, the Yuengling Light Pirate Pub with live music, Fireworks, and the addition of several new kids’ activities such as a petting zoo and Ferris wheel.

Shooter Jennings and his band The Triple Crown will headline the 2013 Tybee Island Pirate Fest on Saturday, October 12. Additional musical acts will include Journey tribute band Departure, Jimmy Buffett tribute band A1A, The Chuck Courtenay Band and several other local performers.

Ticket prices:
Friday — $12
Saturday — $15
Weekend Pass — $22 advance | $24 gate
Children 12 and under - free

Tickets and weekend passes are available at www.tybeepiratefest.com

Thursday, October 10
Buccaneer Ball 6pm-10pm
The Crab Shack
Enjoy an evening of dancing, frivolity and food! The Crab Shack hosts the kick off to the 9th Annual Pirate Fest, boasting costume contests, grub and grog as only The Crab Shack can provide and, of course, a bounty of pirates and wenches! This event is open to all pirates and wenches over the age of 18. New this year will be a treasure hunt and caricature artist.

6:30 — 8:30pm - A Feast of Piratical Proportions
7:30pm - Coronation of the 2013 King and Queen
9pm - Costume Contest for Best Buccaneer & Best Wench

Tickets: $30 in advance or $35 at the door

Info: https://2013buccaneerball.eventbrite.com or 912-786-9857

Friday, October 11th - Festival open from 5-11pm
LITTLE MATEY’S COVE presented by Coke Zero
5-7pm — Bouncy Houses
5-7pm — Petting Zoo
5-7pm — Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship
5-7pm — Activities and Games
5-7pm — Ferris Wheel

THIEVES’ MARKET
5-11pm — Market Open

Yuengling Light Pirate Pub
The Brigands

MAIN STAGE presented by Bud Light
5-6pm — Radio DJ Music sound check
6—7pm — 2 Tone Fish
7—7:15 — Pirate Invasion Opening Ceremony
7:15-8:45pm — A1A (Jimmy Buffet Cover Band)
9pm — Fireworks
9:15—10:45pm — Departure

Saturday, October 12th - Festival open from 10am-11pm
LITTLE MATEY’S COVE presented by Coke Zero
10am-7pm — Bouncy Houses, Petting Zoo, Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, Activities, Games and Ferris Wheel

THIEVES’ MARKET
10am-11pm — Market Open

Yuengling Light Pirate Pub
The Brigands

MAIN STAGE presented by Bud Light
12:30—2pm — Gary Byrd and the Outlaws
2—3pm — Double Run
3-5pm Sound Check/ Parade Time
5—5:15pm Adult Costume Contests
5:15—6pm Domino Effect
6:15—7:15pm Damon and the Sh@t Kickers
7:30—8:45pm — Chuck Courtenay Band
9pm — Fireworks
9:15 — 10:45pm Shooter Jennings

PIRATE VICTORY PARADE
3-5pm — Parade
Parade participants will pass out treasure along the route.

Sunday, October 13th - Festival open from 11am — 4pm
LITTLE MATEY’S COVE presented by Coke Zero
11am-4pm — Bouncy Houses, Petting Zoo, Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, Activities, Games and Ferris Wheel
Yuengling Light Pirate Pub
The Brigands

MAIN STAGE presented by Bud Light
11am—1:45pm — TBA
1:45-2:45pm — Lyn Avenue
3—4pm — Bottles N Cans

Kavon Smalls, being sought after indictment on various charges stemming from gang activity in Savannah, turned himself in to gang detectives from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.

The search continues for Jeshavious J. Keel and Tashard K. Orr, both of whom are considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone aware of the location of any of the men is advised not to approach them but to call Emergency 911 immediately. Or they can call Crimestoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters to Crimestoppers remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. A confidential Tip Line also is open directly to SCMPD investigators at (912) 525-3124.

The Wednesday, September 18 event with Mark Rosenberg, author of Eating My Feelings, at The Book Lady bookstore downtown has been unexpectedly postponed by the author.

The City of Savannah launched a new website that allows residents to find out "how their pennies have been put to work," says a City spokesman.

The new site at www.savannahga.gov/splost offers a tour of many of the City projects made possible through the 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as SPLOST.

"Within the SPLOST site, citizens can view photos, watch videos and review supporting documents to learn more about how the City of Savannah has managed its share of SPLOST through the years," the City says.

SPLOST has funded more than $1 billion worth of projects in Chatham County since voters approved the first referendum in 1985. The City of Savannah’s share has totaled $342 million, almost half of which has been spent on drainage.

The Chatham County Health Department now has flu vaccine available and a drive-through flu vaccination clinic has been scheduled for Thursday, October 10.

"Anyone planning to come to the clinic should use the entrance to the 'old' health department on Eisenhower Drive," says a spokesperson.

Information on the vaccine along with a consent form can be found at www.gachd.org/chatham under the Flu Vaccine Information link on the right side of the page.

In addition to Chatham County, flu vaccine is also now available at all other Coastal Health District health departments including those in Bryan, Camden, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh. General information on the flu and any clinics planned for Coastal Health District counties can be found at www.gachd.org.

Armstrong Atlantic State University’s latest Coastal Empire Economic Monitor reports the Savannah-area economy expanded modestly during the second quarter of 2013.

"A rebound in consumer confidence — along with key gains in tourism and port activity — supported the regional economy," says the study.

The second quarter Economic Monitor forecasts the regional economy "should continue to experience modest growth through the end of 2013, but cautions that continued growth in early 2014 is questionable based on diminished momentum in the leading (forecasting) index."

The Coastal Empire leading economic index increased for the sixth consecutive quarter, but the forward momentum slowed considerably during the spring quarter. The continued loss of momentum from the leading index sends a cautionary signal for potentially waning economic growth beginning in early 2014.

“The humdrum growth we are currently experiencing is welcome, but not inspiring,” said Michael Toma, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics and the Director of Armstrong’s Center for Regional Analysis. “The forecasting index suggests there is more uncertainty about the regional economy starting in early 2014. Interested parties should closely monitor economic conditions in the coming months to obtain a clearer signal about the direction of the economy in 2014.”

Highlights from the latest Economic Monitor include:

— The Coastal Empire coincident economic index increased by three-tenths of a percent (1.1 percent, annualized), rising to 158.1.

— Employment in the three-county regional economy increased by 400 workers to 158,800 (seasonally adjusted).

— Hotel rooms sales increased by 3.5 percent as compared to the first quarter.

— The Coastal Empire leading economic index increased 0.1 percent, rising to 126.9 from 126.7 (revised) in the previous quarter.

— Unemployment insurance claims surged nearly 20 percent to 1,253 claims per month, forcing the unemployment rate up nearly one-half percentage point to 8.1 percent (seasonally adjusted).

— The seasonally adjusted number of new residential homes permitted for construction was 282, marking a sharp decline of 15 percent from the opening quarter of the year.

— Year-to-date residential construction permits issued remains 23 percent ahead of the pace set in 2012.

— The value of the building permit issued for a single family home jumped 16 percent to $178,500 from about $154,000.

A new Travel Channel grilling competition series is currently casting nationwide and is "looking for grill masters who are infamous for having the most tricked out rig in town," says a spokesperson. "Passionate serial grillers who feel that their grill is the biggest and baddest around will compete for a chance to win a cash prize and the all-important bragging rights!"

For more information, go to www.grillingcompetitioncasting.com