Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Valentine’s Day in Savannah

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Savannah is probably one of the most romantic cities you’ll find on the coast with beautiful squares, live oaks with hanging moss and a bustling river front. Savannah is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway weekend. There’s always a lot to do and see in Savannah, and also a variety of great restaurants.

Here are a few suggestions of what to do for Valentine’s Day in Savannah, Georgia.

Cool Down with Ice Cream for Your Sweetheart
Who wants ice cream in February? Well, normally, this would be a treat saved for the warmer summer months, but Savannah has one of the most unique ice cream parlors – Leopold’s Ice cream on 212 E. Broughton Street. The place is owned by Stratton Leopold, a known movie producer, and contains lots of fun memorabilia. Stratton actually closed the place to pursue his career in Hollywood, but in 2004 Leopold’s re-opened in a new location. The place has been around since 1919, and so has many of the recipes. The place is designed by Academy Award winning designer Dan Lomino and still contains many of the original features such as the soda fountain, Philco radio and malted milk dispenser. For Valentine’s Day try February’s special flavors; Rose Petal Cream or Chocolate Cherry Cordial.
Leopold’s Ice Cream, 212 E. Broughton Street, Savannah
www.leopoldsicecream.com

Valentine’s and All That Jazz
The best way is to say the three words “I love you” might be with food, wine and jazz.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14th 2010, the Savannah Stompers Jazz Band (SSJB), Savannah’s premier good time band is ready to help you out to make this day special.

The SSJB plays traditional jazz, from New Orleans, Chicago and Memphis to the West Coast Revival movement of the late ‘30s and early ‘40s. For more information 912.920.1317 or visit www.coastal-jazz.org
February 14th, 5 p.m at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa. Admission is $10 for non-members

Savannah’s Own Love Boat
One of the best ways to experience Savannah is from the water. How about a Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise? It could be the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Watch the glittering lights from the city reflect in the water. Relax in the cool ocean breeze. This Valentine’s Day package includes a dinner cruise, complete with dancing, entertainment, and bottle of house wine or champagne, balloons  and a plush bear.

Valentine’s Day Cruise on Saturday February 13th or Sunday February 14th
Call 912.232.6404 for more information or visit www.savannahriverboat.com

Something Old, Something New
Of course, if you’ve already decided to “take the big step” on this special day you could do so on the coast. One of the most romantic choices is a Valentine’s Day Weddings in the Davenport House Garden in Savannah. Here you can get married on Sunday, February 14, 2010  from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Have your wedding in the beautiful courtyard garden of the Davenport Museum! Ceremonies will be offered every 10 minutes. Judge Hamrick “Rick” Gnann, Jr. will officiate. $100 donation to the museum is requested. The Davenport House is located on  324 E. State Street in Savannah. Call 912.236.8097 for additional information or visit www.davenporthousemuseum.org

Tie the Knot on Tybee
Tie the Knot on Tybee is a unique and romantic Valentine’s Day tradition on Tybee Island outside Savannah, Georgia. The event is a group wedding ceremony and vow renewal celebration open to the public.

This event takes place on Sunday February 14th, 2010, At the (indoors) Tybee Island – AMERICAN LEGION Post 154. The doors open at 6:00 pm. For more information visit www.tietheknotontybee.com or call 912.786.5319.

And remember, Tybee Island also celebrates Mardi Gras with a festival on February 12-13, 2010, so plan to come early and participate in the fun.

The Luck of the Irish
Weddings and renewing your vows might not be your idea of how to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Maybe the Irish Festival in Savannah is more your cup of tea…or should we say mug of beer? Savannah offers one of the best Irish Festivals around. The 17th Annual Savannah Irish Festival will take place February 12-14, 2010 at the Savannah Civic Center in historic downtown Savannah. Four stages of continuous entertainment bring fun for the entire family throughout the weekend. This is your chance to enjoy the largest Irish Festival in the South with plenty of Irish dancing, Irish music, culture, food and fun. For more information visit www.savannahirish.org or call 912.232.3448



The Readers’ Theatre presents New Plays

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In the month of February a new program kicks off to introduce new playwrights to the community in Savannah. The new monthly recurring program is called Readers’ Theatre and takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm at S.P.A.C.E in Savannah. During the event a reading of a new play will take place followed by a discussion. The Readers’ Theatre is a free event open to the public.

On Saturday February 21st, a play by Ina Williams called The McCullogh Boys will be read. Writers interested in future readings are welcome to submit their plays.

Scripts must be submitted one month prior to the date for which they will be considered.  Interested writers should email scripts to Ellie Pyle, Performing Arts Coordinator, at Elizabeth_pyle@savannahga.gov or call (912) 651-6783 for information.  Individuals who would like to volunteer as readers should email a resume, headshot and availability to Pyle.

The Black Box at S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry St.  For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

26.2 with Donna to fight breast cancer – Jacksonville, Florida

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The big marathon with Donna takes place on February 15th in Jacksonville, Florida, but there are lots of events including a fitness expo over the weekend, so even if you’re not running – check out the fatgirl666 pictures Breast Cancer marathon event.

2009 Race Weekend Itinerary
Thursday, February 12, 2009
11:59 p.m. Online race registration closes, Eastern/Pacific Time

Friday, February 13, 2009
26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Health & Fitness Expo Presented by Winn Dixie Hyatt Regency Jacksonville 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. On-site registration and packet pick-up are available during expo hours.

Saturday, February 14, 2009
7 a.m.- noon CME Symposium- Management of Adjuvant and Metastatic Breast Cancer, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Course Directors: Edith Perez, MD Lynn C. Hartmann, MD Frances M. Palmieri, RN, MSN, OCN 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Health & Fitness Expo Presented by Winn Dixie Hyatt Regency Jacksonville 9 a.m.-6 p.m. On-site final race registration and packet pick-up available during expo hours.

3 p.m. 2008 Honda Fit Drawing Health & Fitness Expo
4 p.m. National Galloway Pep Rally The Jacksonville Landing
6 p.m. Pasta Dinner presented by Nektar Therapeutics Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
Tickets may be purchased online, at the door or at the expo on Friday and Saturday.

Sunday, February 15, 2009
26.2 with Donna National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Marathon and Half Marathon Start/Finish, Mayo Clinic Campus Medical Support at the start/finish line will be provided by Mayo Clinic from 7 a.m. until the end of the race and race events.

4 a.m. Runners’ Village Opens Staff will be on-site to assist runners.
6:30 a.m. VIP/Sponsor Viewing Area Opensï‚· Located at the race start/finish line.ï‚· Invitation Only
7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Marathon and Half Marathon Post- Race Celebration
ï‚· Food and Beverages
ï‚· Entertainment
ï‚· Family Reunite Area
Noon Awards Presentation

for more information, visit www.breastcancermarathon.com

Georgia Day Parade in Savannah

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On Thursday, February 12th, the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah organizes the Georgia Day parade. This colorful parade is a yearly tradition in Savannah. Customed characters, dignitaries, local citizens and thousands of elementary school students join the parade through the squares of Bull Street.
The parade starts at 10:30 am from Forsyth Park and then it continues all the way to city hall where the participants will be greated by the Mayor.

The parade is part of the celebration of Georgia Days. Georgia Historical Society commemorates the rich history of the state of Georgia with a celebration lasting for a whole month. For more information visit www.georgiahistory.com

Winter Camellia Festival at Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC

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If you are interested in gardening, this is definitely an event for you. The 2009 Winter Garden Festival is taking place at Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina this month. Magnolia Plantation is America’s oldest garden and the last large-scale, romantic-designed garden in the United States.
During the festival there are daily tours of the gardens led by Johnson or Miles Beach, director of Magnolia’s camellia collection. The festival also features a lecture series on a variety of topics for gardening.

For more information, call (800) 367-3517 or visit www.magnoliaplantation.com for more details.