There’s always something happening in the Hostess City. Stay in the know about upcoming events and the latest information with our periodic News & Notes.
Upcoming Events
The Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC) will release new data for Chatham County health indicators at its bi-monthly Big CGIC team meeting
The indicators to be discussed will highlight spending-to-income ratios with health insurance, childcare, utilities, food and health care and housing.
Who: Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition
When: Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Live Oak Southwest Chatham Library, 14097 Abercorn St.
What: CGIC hosts and regularly updates the largest data hub in the community with 250 community-level indicators covering four coastal counties. The coalition has led the development of the Chatham Community Blueprint since 2014. The purpose of this long-term plan is to strategically move the community towards accomplishing specified goals in four key theme areas: Economy, Education, Health and Quality of Life.
New Data
Spending-to-Income Ratio Indicators for Chatham County show the ratio between the average spending among households that spent on the category and the median household income for the region. Breakouts by race/ethnicity of household are also available for these indicators.
New Community Spending Indicators show the proportion of aggregate household spending on the category as a percentage of total aggregate household spending for the region. These indicators help show how communities are allocating financial resources for each category. Breakouts by race/ethnicity of household are available for these indicators. For each Community Spending indicator (e.g., Community Spending on Housing), breakouts by subcategory of spending that comprise each indicator (e.g., Owned Housing, Rented Housing) are also available.
“The data helps our community make better decisions on where we allocate financial resources both public and private. It helps us determine if programs are effective and create outcomes for better well-being for residents we serve,” said Lizann Roberts, director, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition. “CGIC’s Community Health Dashboard is a powerful toolbox for organizations seeking information for projects or funding opportunities. Let’s say if someone needs statistics about ‘adults without health insurance,’ they can key in those words in our database for census numbers showing that 17% of Savannah’s population is uninsured, Chatham County’s uninsured number is 14.7%, and for Garden City, the rate is 21.2%.”
The Big CGIC Meeting takes place on the first Wednesday of every other month. The CGIC has previously offered and is currently scheduling future workshops to teach people how to use its database.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Outside DMC rebranding
Who: Outside Savannah
When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
Where: Outside Savannah Storefront; 300 W River Street Unit 6B
What: After 45 years of creating award winning uniquely crafted guided experiences and 15 years of serving as the area’s go to Destination Management Company, Outside Brands has created the new Outside DMC brand to redefine, reflect, and expand its destination management services. Hear from keynote speakers including Outside Brands founder and CEO alongside other Outside leadership.
The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire to host Anchored in the Community event honoring award winners
Who: The Mediation Center
When: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Savannah Bottle Works, 411 W. Charlton St.
What: “Anchored in the Community unites The Mediation Center’s staff, volunteers and business partners to celebrate service to the local community,” said Jill Cardenas, executive director of the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. “We warmly invite supporters as well as anyone interested in learning more about The Mediation Center to join us for an amazing event and to help us celebrate exceptional local award winners.”
Formerly known as the Velvet Gala, this special event serves as a showcase of The Mediation Center’s services, providing strategic alternatives to litigation and increasing access to justice throughout coastal Georgia. Anchored in the Community helps fund The Mediation Center’s youth programs, mediations, training opportunities, professional services and the Family Law Resource Center.
The evening’s nautical-themed festivities will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Additional event highlights include hors d’oeuvres, dancing, raffle prizes, fun games and a photo booth.
Award winners recognized at the 2024 Anchored in the Community event will include:
● Domestic Mediator Award – Robert Rodatus
● General Civil Mediator Award – Carol McCarthy
● Lifetime Achievement Award – Jeanne Dent
● Innovator Award – Kelly Crosby
● Stellar Advocate for Youth: Guardian Ad Litem – Gwendolyn Fortson Waring
● Stellar Advocate for Youth – Janie Brodhead
● Attorney Appreciation Award – Jack Strother, Attorney at Law
● Attorney Appreciation Award – The Law Offices of Joseph J. Steffen Jr.
● Community Partnership Award – Resilient Coastal Georgia
● The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Board Service Award – Adam Kirk
Tickets for Anchored in the Community are currently on sale at mediationsavannah.com.
Anchored in the Community sponsorship opportunities are also available. Local businesses interested in sponsoring The Mediation Center’s annual fundraising event are encouraged to contact Megan Gosney at mgosney@mediationsavannah.com.
Kevin Hart brings “Brand New Material” to Johnny Mercer Theater
Who: Kevin Hart
When: Sunday, Feb. 25
Where: Johnny Mercer Theater, 301 W Oglethorpe Ave.
What: Comedian Kevin Hart is bringing his “Brand New Material” show to the Johnny Mercer Theater in Savannah on Feb. 25. Tickets on presale begin Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. (use code: ENERGY) and standard tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9.
The event is a cell phone free event, meaning the use of cell phones and smart watches will not be permitted during the performance. Upon arrival, all guests will be required to secure their phones and smart watches in individual “Yondr” pouches that will be opened at the conclusion of the show.
More information, including how to get tickets, can be found online at SavannahCivic.com/Events.
Local Updates
Healthy Savannah recognizes partnerships with Black-led organizations and businesses in observation of Black History Month
Healthy Savannah works and collaborates with nearly 200 organizations across Savannah to effectively complete the work of big-picture policy, system, and environmental change.
In observation of Black History Month throughout February, Healthy Savannah is pleased to celebrate these Black-owned businesses and Black-led organizations among its partners.
They are: 100 Black Men, African American Health Information & Resource Center, Ashford Tea Company, Berean Missionary Baptist Association Inc., Blessings in a Book Bag, Bluknowledge, Byron Childs Productions, DEEP Center, DeLoach Lupus Foundation, Dream Smith Book Nation of Dreams, East Coast Greenway, Eastside Concerned Citizens, Economic Opportunity Authority, Elevate Savannah, Emmaus House, Emory University, First Bryan Baptist Church, Forsyth Farmers’ Market, Genesis Ed Solutions, Glow Lactation, Greater Gaines Chapel AME Church, Greenbriar Children’s Center, Harambee House, Inc., Hosanna Church, Ivory Bay, Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship, The Links, Parent University, Patriot Postal, Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center, Pullin Foundation, Savannah Black Heritage Festival, Savannah Chatham Citizens Advocacy, Savannah Links, Savannah State University, Savannah Tribune, Shelter From The Rain, Southern Palate, STAR School Initiative, Step Up Savannah, Streeter’s Sports and Entertainment, Susie King Taylor Community School, Think Equity, Vegan Who, West Savannah Community Organization, Woodville Community Action Organization and Through It All.
“These partners are vital to our work to seek and establish health equity across all of Savannah’s communities,” said Armand Turner, deputy director of Healthy Savannah.” Our patronage and support of these businesses and organizations, through the REACH Grant, also demonstrates our commitment to addressing a broader spectrum of social determinants of health including economic equity education and neighborhood environment.”
Healthy Savannah is the co-administrator, along with YMCA of Coastal Georgia, of a five-year, $5.1 million Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in September 2023. The funding is being deployed in an “upstream” approach to foster sustainable health equity among racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods in areas of nutrition, physical activity and the reduction of chronic diseases.
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month.
“The significance of Black History Month is to remember important people and events in the history of the global African diaspora, the worldwide collection of communities descended from people from Africa, especially here in the Americas,” said Paula Kreissler, Healthy Savannah’s executive director. “We want to show our gratitude for the support of every partner, and pay homage to and lift up the legacies of our Black business partners.”
Organizations interested in volunteering or becoming a business partner should contact Healthy Savannah at https://healthysavannah.org/about/connect-with-us/. Visit https://healthysavannah.org/about/partners/ for links to all of the REACH partners, including those listed above.
Islands High teacher Emily Graham named SCCPSS 2025 Teacher of the Year at annual gala
The annual Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Gala was held Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront. Fifty-seven teachers were honored from nearly every school in the District and Emily Graham of Islands High School was named the 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Emily Graham grew up in Savannah and attended Columbus State University, earning her Bachelor of Music in Music Education followed by her Master of Music in Music Education. As Graham completed her graduate degree, she learned of a new high school opening in her hometown.
It is a rare and special opportunity for a band director to start a program from scratch, and that’s exactly what Graham got to do at Islands High School. This is her fourteenth year teaching 9th through 12th grade band at Islands. In that time, she has grown the band program, instrument and music library, started a marching band and jazz band, composed the Islands Fight Song and the music for the Alma Mater, and most recently started teaching AP Music Theory.
As a representative of the many quality teachers across the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, the District’s Teacher of the Year is honored with the distinction of having the Flag of Learning and Liberty proudly displayed at their school. In addition to leading the SCCPSS Professional Senate for Savannah-Chatham educators, the District Teacher of the Year acts as an ambassador, visiting local schools throughout the year, taking part in school board meetings, and representing the district at various events throughout the area. Ms. Graham will also continue for consideration in the state-level Teacher of the Year program.
Governor Kemp approaches City of Port Wentworth increase in hotel motel tax to 8%
Last week Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, signed a bill increasing Port Wentworth’s hotel motel tax by 2% from 6% to 8%. This was the first bill of the 2024 session to make final passage and be sent to the Governor’s office. The signing at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta was welcomed by delegates to Savannah-Chatham Day from the City of Port Wentworth including members of the City Council, the City Manager and other city employees.
Senate Bill 299 was introduced to allow the City of Port Wentworth to collect a city tax on motel rooms and other types of short-term lodging including short term rentals, campsites, as well as hotels and motels. Port Wentworth now joins more than 90 cities and counties in Georgia, including Savannah, Atlanta, Vidalia, Dahlonega, Dublin and Macon-Bibb County, that have an 8% hotel-motel tax. This increase of 2% is projected to generate approximately $0.5 million in additional revenue for the City of Port Wentworth.
The additional revenue will be invested in improving infrastructure to serve those who live, work, and play in Port Wentworth. Next year, the city plans to open a 150-acre Recreation Park, which will contain the Savannah Ghost Pirates Facility, a major amphitheater, soccer fields, pickleball courts, baseball, and softball fields, walking trails, recreation gym, tennis courts, splashpad, dog park, fishing pond and more. With the increase in funding, the City’s priority is visioning the Highway 21 Corridor at I-95/21, with a streetscape plan to enhance the “front porch” of the Coastal Empire and Savannah, as Port Wentworth continues to see incredible investments as visitors, residents and businesses choose Port Wentworth in which to live, experience and thrive.
“We are very pleased that Governor Kemp quickly reviewed this legislation and signed it into law after just a couple of days,” said Steve Davis, City Manager. “Port Wentworth is becoming an increasingly popular destination for both business and leisure travelers and the increase in our hotel motel tax means that our 8% rate aligns with most regions in Georgia. We are pleased to be able to invest this additional revenue into enhancing the visitor experience as well as improving the quality of life for all residents.”
For more information, please visit portwentworthga.gov and follow on social media.
Savannah United Player, Ella-Marie Etienne, called up to play for the Haiti Women’s National U17 Team
Savannah United player Ella-Marie Etienne, on the 2007 Girls Premier team, has been rostered on the Haiti Women’s National Team at the CONCACAF U17 Tournament.
Ella-Marie Etienne said, “I am really excited that I got selected for the amazing experience! I have been working very hard for an opportunity like this. Although I have been waiting for a moment like this, there is still room for improvement. I will continue to work hard and keep having a positive mindset. I want to thank Savannah United for helping me develop into the player I am today. We have a really good team and have such a positive attitude every time we play!”
Coach Jeff Storey-Pitts has had the privilege to coach Etienne who plays on his 2007 Girls Premier team at Savannah United. “I am so excited for Ella-Maire to experience soccer at this amazing high level,” he said. “She works hard every day on and off the field, and her hard work has paid off – it couldn’t have happened to a better player.”
“We are so tremendously proud that Ella-Marie has been chosen to play for her national team of Haiti,” said Gary Wright, Executive Director of Savannah United. “This is the club’s second female player to play for their respective country in soccer, the first one was Morgan Brian.”
The CONCACAF U17 Tournament can be viewed on TV or online with FoxSports.
Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition receives $7500 from St. Thomas Thrift Store grant
Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC) has been awarded a $7,500 grant by the St. Thomas Thrift Store in recognition of the agency’s work with the Early Language and Literacy Coalition of Chatham County.
The funding was bestowed on February 5, during a celebration for eight 2023 grant recipients at the store, located at 1126 E Montgomery XRoads in Savannah.
The Savannah area coalition focused on improving community well-being by engaging and leading the community, works collectively in its development of strategic priorities that guide policy, programs and resource allocation.
“For the past several years, the funding has focused on organizations implementing programs specifically benefitting underserved early learners and their well being,” said Millie Green, St. Thomas Thrift Store board chair.
“Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition’s work with the Early Language and Literacy Coalition of Chatham County is something we’re proud to support!”
Green said, in addition to Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition, the organizations receiving grants for 2023 are East Savannah United, Fresh Air Home, Greenbriar Children’s Center, Heads-Up Guidance Services, Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation, Loop It Up Savannah and Royce Learning Center.
The Store has been awarding grants to Savannah / Chatham County not-for-profit organizations for 26 years. It granted a total of $45,000 from its 2023 sales of donations of furniture, clothing, household items, and jewelry, with all net profits benefitting the Savannah community through the recipient organizations and has awarded more than $750,000 since the Thrift Store began operating in 1998. Each year, the store chooses charitable coastal area organizations focused on improving health and human service conditions to receive its grant funds.
A mission of St. Thomas Episcopal church, located in the Isle of Hope area of Savannah, the St. Thomas Thrift Store collects donated merchandise to finance outreach ministries in the area. The store was founded by a small group of parishioners and is operated completely by dedicated volunteers.
This is the second year that CGIC has been recognized with a St. Thomas Thrift Store grant.
Colonial Oil Industries and TICO lead sustainable energy transition in the Southeast with launch of renewable diesel
Colonial Oil Industries, Inc. one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the United States, is proud to announce a partnership with Neste, TICO, and Gateway Terminals in the offering of renewable diesel to customers and businesses in the region, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable future in the Southeast.
“As a trusted supplier of quality fuels and logistics solutions for more than 100 years, Colonial Oil is proud to expand our offering to meet the sustainable energy needs of our land and marine customers. We endeavor to be the energy partner of choice in the markets we serve and our strategic relationship with Neste accelerates this ambition,” says Bob Kenyon, President ofColonial Oil Industries, Inc.
This partnership increases the availability of renewable diesel in the State of Georgia and throughout the Southeast. The renewable diesel will be supplied by Neste, the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel and a forerunner in developing renewable and circular feedstock solutions for polymers and chemicals. Renewable diesel is a lower-carbon alternative to traditional diesel fuel, produced from renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. When compared to fossil diesel, the use of renewable diesel significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel’s life cycle, making it a crucial player in the global effort to combat climate change.
“TICO is proud to partner with Colonial, GPA, and Gateway Terminals to lead the transition to renewable diesel, beginning with a Q1 deployment in our operations supporting the Port of Savannah. TICO Terminal Services and TICO Manufacturing are committed to advancing sustainability in terminal equipment driven by technologies that are both advanced and reasonable. TICO is proud to bring sustainability solutions that are immediate and reasonable,” says Duncan Pindar, Executive Vice President of TICO.
“In the drive to cut supply chain emissions, renewable diesel is a welcome option that both integrates well into current delivery models and provides important overall reductions in carbon and particulate matter. We are encouraged that Colonial Oil is bringing this product to market to help improve global air quality,” says Kevin Price, CEO of Gateway Terminals.
Key features of Colonial Oil’s Renewable Diesel Offering include:
1. Environmental Impact: Renewable diesel can reduce emissions by up to 75%* over the life cycle of the fuel compared to fossil diesel, making it an ideal solution to combat climate change.
2. Performance: Renewable diesel offers comparable performance to fossil diesel, ensuring a seamless transition for consumers and businesses.
3. Compatibility: Renewable diesel is fully compatible with all diesel engines and does not require additional investments to the engines and fueling infrastructure. It can be used in its neat form or be blended with fossil diesel at any ratio.
4. Supply Chain Integration: With a robust supply chain and in partnership with CTI and Georgia Ports Authority, Colonial Oil will ensure a reliable and consistent source of renewable diesel for consumers, promoting this solution that is readily available today to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Colonial Oil and our partners are committed to a more sustainable future by standing firm in our dedication to environmental stewardship, innovations, and responsible practices, ensuring a better world for generations to come.
The GHG emission reduction percentage varies depending on the region-specific legislation that provides the methodology for the calculations (e.g. EU RED II 2018/2001/EU for Europe and US California LCFS for the US), and the raw material mix used to manufacture the product for each market.
This article appears in Connect Savannah I February 2024.
