Attention Resident's Macy's Family & Friends Deal is Almost Under Way

Our Dear Friend with Macy's just delivered their very own Coupons (see below) here to the front office! We would like to share the gift to you so booklets are here for pick up at the front office :) Happy Shopping!

Shop Savvy for the Holidays: A dozen tips for Stress-Free Savings

Thanksgiving just passed and that means that Christmas is right around the corner. Have you started your shopping yet? Many of you ventured out for those Black Friday sales….. hoping to score a great deal. Deals are everywhere, not just on Black Friday. You just have to know where to find them. Follow my tips to shop Savvy and get ready for the holidays this year.

I encourage everyone to shop local when you can. It supports our friends and family members who are employed by local stores. Keeping the sales tax locally also helps support our schools.

Tip #1

Know your prices! Stores compete to have the best prices on electronic, toys and clothes. Prices can fluctuate greatly between stores. An easy way to compare prices at local stores is to go online towww.freepricealerts.com . This free tool allows you to search for the item you are looking for and compare it to all of the stores in the area. You do not have to complete the purchase online, simply shop locally at the store that has the best price.

Tip #2

Price Match! Wal-Mart and Target will match a competitors ad and so will many electronic and office supply stores. There are different reasons for price matching. Maybe the store is out of the item. In that case, simply price match that ad at another store. Another time when you may want to price match is if you have a coupon for a different store. Example Store A has a TV on sale for $1,000; Store B has the TV on sale for $800. You have a coupon for $20 off a $100.00 purchase for store A. Price matches the ad for Store B at Store A, and use the coupon.

Tip #3

Save Receipts! This is very important. If you have purchased an item and it has gone on sale w/in 30-60 days many stores will refund you the difference. Wal-Mart has announced that they will reimburse the difference in the form of Wal-Mart gift cards. To keep up with the changing prices you can use the website www.pricewatch.com. Another reason to save the receipt is you may need to return the item. Without the receipt the store will calculate the price based on the lowest price the item sold for. Without the receipt, you may lose money.

Tip #4

Think Outside of the Box! You found the perfect jeans but they only have a size 0. The sale ends today…. Go ahead and buy the size 0…. And exchange it for your size later. This allows you to take advantage of the sale price, just make sure you save the receipt.

Tip #5

Midweek Sales – Stores place sales ad in the weekly paper too. Be sure to check the paper daily for sales ads, retail coupons etc.

Tip #6

Watch for Coupons! Sign up for your favorite stores mailing list. Many stores will e-mail you sales ads, coupons, etc. JC Penny’s & Belk both send some awesome coupons via snail mail. You can also find printable coupons and online coupon codes for retail stores at www.retailmenot.com andwww.couponmountain.com

Tip #7

Facebook! Never shop at a store without checking their Facebook page for special offers, coupons and sales! To locate the stores Facebook page just type the name of the store in the search field on facebook or try typing the stores name after the /. Example: www.facebook.com/maybelline. Be sure to watch the Savvy Shopper Facebook for coupons etc. www.facebook.com/savannahsavvyshopper

Tip #8

Use Your Phone! If you have a smart phone use the aps on the phone to locate the best deals. “Check In” at various places and they will send coupons to your phone. The cashier simply scans your phone at the register. Shop Kick is a cool app that rewards you with points just for walking in the store. You can cash those points in for prizes. Shop Savvy allows you to scan a bar code to see which stores sell the item in the area, and it even gives you the prices at those stores.

Tip #9

Use the Gift Guide! Be sure to check out the gift guide at www.savannahgiftguide.com. You will find ideas for many people on your shopping list, and the stores are all local.

Tip #10

Daily Deals! Instead of giving “stuff” why not give gift certificates to your loved ones. You can find many great gifts to give on the daily deal site dailydeals.savannahnow.com. You will also find some great deals to snag for lunch or dinner while you are doing your holiday shopping.

Tip #11

Gift Cards: Purchase gift cards instead of clothing for your older children. This is a win/win. Your children will be able to pick out the clothes that they want, and prices drop significantly after Christmas, allowing them to get even more than they would have before.

Tip #12

Shop the After Christmas Sales! Start shopping right after Christmas for next year. The day after Christmas many things will be marked down. You will find all sorts of novelty items that will make good gifts for next year. Some of my favorites are the spa items…these would make great Valentines gifts too.

Make Memories this year…. not empty bank accounts. Years from now your children will not remember all of the toys they received at Christmas, but they will remember baking cookies, playing games etc. Please remember those who are less fortunate, perhaps you can snag a deal for them too.

Give the Gift of Giving this Holiday Season

November Challenge: Growing a Beard for Charity

ABC News on Campus reporter Olivia Stacey blogs: Some call it No-Shave November. Others say Novembeard. For guys it means a one-month challenge to put away their shaving cream and razors. The rules are simple: don’t shave, trim or wax any facial hair for 30 days. Matt Stauffer, a campus minister at the University of Florida, is pictured above holding a sign that says "Look at that neck beard!" (Photo courtesy of Matt Stauffer) While many men are joining the competition for fun, others are doing it for a reason. Jesse Lash, a senior at the University of Florida, has been working with his brother, Jon, to give No-Shave November more meaning. They created their own fundraiser, “Grow a Beard, Free a Slave” to help oppressed children in India. They’re raising money for Dalites Freedom Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to end modern-day slavery in India. The Dalits, also called the “untouchables,” “outcastes,” or “slumdogs,” fall into the very lowest caste of the social hierarchy. They are shunned by those socially above them and live at risk of discrimination, child labor and human trafficking. The Dalit Freedom Network provides educational and financial resources for the Dalits. That's how the Novembeard competition can help. The Lashes created a site where men can sign-up to earn pledges for each day they don’t shave.

“Anyone can upload a picture of their clean-shaven face and start getting sponsors for their beard,” Lash told ABCNews.com. “All they have to do is not shave, it's ‘slacktivism’ at its best." A quarter every day adds up to $7.50 from one sponsor. Lash said that’s enough to pay for the food, education and health care of a Dalit child in an English-medium school for a week. The school uses English as the primary language for instruction to give students an equal opportunity to succeed.
Most desirable jobs in Indian society are offered to those who can understand English, as well as their own dialect. Most Dalits cannot afford English-medium schools, which widens the socio-economic gap between the castes.

The Lash brothers set a goal to sponsor 15 Dalit children for a full year through their fundraiser. That adds up to about $5,000, Lash said. Twenty-five guys are in the running along with an entire class of high school seniors. The site shows each contestant’s weekly progress in beard growth and fundraising total. Matt Stauffer (right), 26, a campus minister at the University of Florida has earned the most money so far. He's raised a total of $75 and counting. Stauffer had heard of Novembeard before, but it never piqued his curiosity. He thought it seemed like something funny to do, but was never interested until he got the Facebook invite from the Lash brothers. Once he got permission from his wife and boss, he gave it a go. “Now I’ll do that goofy thing because it has significance and meaning,” said Stauffer. He even created his own website, http://beard.thisenddown.com/ to document his experience and gain more support. Since the launch of his site on November 1st, he's had 264 people visit. Stauffer is keeping donors updated on his progress and as an incentive, posts their quotes on his site. Emilio DeSilvo, a senior at Calvary Chistian High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., convinced his school to change some of their rules in honor of Novembeard. The private school gave permission for the underclassmen to participate, who normally are not allowed to grow facial hair. The only condition: they must have sponsors and donate to a good cause. DeSilvo motivated 15 of his classmates to sign-up and four teachers. “The guys love to grow their hair, especially the younger ones,” he said. “They think it’s manly.” “It’s so easy to raise money and 25 cents a day for not shaving can go a long way.” Josh Frank, a senior at the University of South Florida, is unofficially participating to promote awareness for prostate cancer. He said he isn’t participating to raise money. “Just showing my support and man, is it itchy and annoying,” said Frank. “From what I know, you're supposed to go full beard for Novembeard and Decembeard, then just the mustache for Manuary,” he said. “That may be pushing it for me.” Signs of No-shave November are not only visible on guys’ faces. Jamie Wilson, a freshman at UF said her friends are constantly using social media to give updates on their progress. “This year, more than ever, I’ve seen Tweets, Facebook groups, and posts about No-Shave November,” said Wilson. However, she noticed they aren’t talking about the cause. Megan Haney, a junior at UF said she knows several guys who are growing beards for the month, although she doesn’t know their motivation. “If it’s for a good cause, it’s good. But if they’re doing it just to do it, that’s strange,” said Haney. “Either way, it’s a competition so of course guys are going to do it.” “Many of them probably don’t realize that they can raise money or don’t know where to get started," she said. That’s what Jesse Lash says he and his brother are hoping to change. Lash said a lot of people have heard of No-Shave November and they’ll do it without knowing the full story. "Sometimes, it's just a competition among friends, who has the best facial hair, who has the manliest beard,” said Lash. “I think it’s fun, but if there's no purpose behind it, are you just trying to clamor for attention?” “Not to be too harsh-sounding, but the whole point is to help people while having fun,” said Lash.

A little brief history lesson on Thanksgiving Day.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.

The tradition of celebrating the holiday on Thursday dates back to the early history of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies, when post-harvest holidays were celebrated on the weekday regularly set aside as "Lecture Day," a midweek church meeting where topical sermons were presented. A famous Thanksgiving observance occurred in the autumn of 1621, when Plymouth governor William Bradford invited local Indians to join the Pilgrims in a three-day festival held in gratitude for the bounty of the season.

Thanksgiving became an annual custom throughout New England in the 17th century, and in 1777 the Continental Congress declared the first national American Thanksgiving following the Patriot victory at Saratoga. In 1789, President George Washington became the first president to proclaim a Thanksgiving holiday, when, at the request of Congress, he proclaimed November 26, a Tuesday, as a day of national thanksgiving for the U.S. Constitution. However, it was not until 1863, when PresidentAbraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to fall on the last Thursday of November, that the modern holiday was celebrated nationally.

With a few deviations, Lincoln's precedent was followed annually by every subsequent president--until 1939. In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt departed from tradition by declaring November 23, the next to last Thursday that year, as Thanksgiving Day. Considerable controversy surrounded this deviation, and some Americans refused to honor Roosevelt's declaration. For the next two years, Roosevelt repeated the unpopular proclamation, but on November 26, 1941, he admitted his mistake and signed a bill into law officially making the fourth Thursday in November the national holiday of Thanksgiving Day.

Legendary Broadcaster was Voice of Georgia Football to Generations of Fans

ATHENS —

Friends of Larry Munson, the players whose games he called and people who never met the man in person recalled the legendary radio broadcaster with tears and laughter Monday.

They shed tears because Munson died Sunday at the age of 89, and they laughed when they recalled the good times they’d shared with him in person or over the radio waves.

Munson was the play-by-play broadcaster for Georgia football for four decades, and tens of thousands of Georgia football fans grew up experiencing Georgia football through Munson’s voice.

He’d tell fans the weather conditions and invite them to imagine they were looking at the football field, left to right, recalled his longtime broadcast partner, Loran Smith.

“He made you feel like you were there. He was the ultimate radio guy. He had the sense for it, and he knew how to describe the action for the listener,” said Smith, who responded to Munson’s “Whaddaya got, Loran?” for more than 30 years as sideline reporter.

Even that simple little phrase demonstrates Munson’s verbal gifts, Smith said.

Today’s top-drawer play-by-play broadcasters are likely to say, “Let’s go to Julie on the sidelines.”

But with “Whaddaya got, Loran?” Munson made a bland, routine question into a beloved Bulldog mantra.



The right words

“He just had a gift for saying the right thing, the interesting thing,” Smith said.

“He made you feel like you were down there on the sideline sweating it out and gritting your teeth,” said lifelong Bulldog fan and UGA graduate Reed Holden of Athens.

“That’s how you related to Georgia football,” said another Munson fan, University of Georgia Foundation president Bill Young.

Dating from the first time a 6-year-old Holden sneaked a radio under the covers to listen to Georgia play Notre Dame for the national championship — past his bedtime — Munson was almost like another family member.

“I grew up in a family of Bulldog fans,” said Holden, owner of the Athens-based audiovisual systems company Aurora Systems. “It was a fact of life at any family function on a fall Saturday: We were watching TV and listening to Munson.”

Like countless other Bulldog families, they listened to Munson even if the game was televised, turning down the TV volume and turning on the radio.

Munson was a gifted painter with words who could make you feel like you could see what you were hearing, agreed C.B. “Scooter” Grubbs of Tifton, another lifelong Georgia fan.

“He had the ability to say exactly what he saw and what was happening on the field, and he gave you the ability to see it on the radio, as well,” Grubbs said. “He’d say, ‘He twisted and turned for two more yards,’ and you’d watch the replay and that’s exactly what he did. It just came naturally, phrases just rolled out of his mouth. It was just his personality, and we all hung on all of his words.”

“It was just as good as going to the game, almost,” said longtime UGA sports information director and tennis coach Dan Magill, who worked with Munson for more than 40 years. “There was nobody better. He’s one of the greatest, no doubt about it.”



‘Bigger than life’

Former Georgia kicker Allan Leavitt said he was glad he never got to hear Munson’s broadcasts during the games he played at Georgia from 1973 to 1976.

“He always made everything bigger than life,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt is probably best known for his end-of-the game field goal against Georgia Tech on a wet field in 1976, preserving a spot for 10-1 Georgia against top-ranked Pittsburgh in the Sugar Bowl.

“If I’d been listening to Munson, I’d have missed it,” said Leavitt, now retired from business and coaching high school football in Jacksonville, Fla.

Leavitt said Munson clearly rooted for Georgia, but at the same time, he showed respect for Georgia’s opponents.

“He was extremely positive to both the opponent and for our team,” Leavitt said. “It’s class and character.”

No one doubted that Munson rooted for the home team. He seemed to live and die with every pass or run of the ball during close Georgia games and conveyed that emotion not with volume but by changing the pitch of his voice.

“I think what made Munson so special. He became an unabashed homer, but it was not offensive,” Smith said. “And Munson became a great cheerleader.”

Nowadays, almost all of Georgia’s football games are televised. However, in the 1960s, ’70s and early 1980s before a lawsuit broke the NCAA TV monopoly, Georgia might only be on television once or twice a year, so Munson’s voice was the game for many in the Bulldog Nation, noted longtime UGA football coach Vince Dooley.

“He would reach into every crack and corner of the state that had a radio, and they became part of it through him,” Dooley said. “He was a real folk hero to the Bulldog Nation. Regardless of your background or ability to pay money, everybody had a 50-yard seat at their home following Georgia through Larry Munson.”



REGISTRY BOOK AT FOX & WEEKS

Fox & Weeks Funeral directors have put out a registry book for Larry Munson at the Fox & Weeks location on Hodgson Memorial Drive.

At the end of this week, Fox & Weeks will send the book to Larry Munson’s family.

The community is invited to visit the funeral home to sign the registry and offer well wishes, condolences and memories for Larry Munson’s family.

For more information, call 352-7200.

Black Friday App Puts the Deals on Your Phone!

In the information age, you don't have to wait for the crashing thud of the annual deal-heavy Thanksgiving Day newspaper to start the holiday shopping season. Now, those ads are on your phone.

The free TGI Black Friday smartphone app returns for a third year to help cash-strapped consumers navigate the door-busting deals of the official start of the holiday shopping season.

"Things are happening a lot faster this year," said Kevin Kahn, chief operating officer of DealCatcher.com. "We're seeing a lot of the ads coming out earlier this year."

Whether they're published or leaked, Kahn and a small team of workers take these ads from the paper and publish them to the web and to your smartphone through their TGI Black Friday app.

"They are really trying to get the information out there early," Kahn said.

Kahn says you don't have to wait for Black Friday to take advantage of the app and the deals his team has published.

Many retailers have begun introducing early specials to attract buyers.

"They're throwing out these really good prices," Kahn said.

As early as the first weekend in November, BestBuy offered a 32-inch Westinghouse 1080p LCD HDTV for $200, a $149 discount off its normal price. Target offered a 12-inch Acer laptop for $197, more than a $130 discount.

Consumers can browse the deals on the app or visit tgiblackfriday.com. There, products can be found separated into categories or by the store offering the sale.

On both the site and the app, users are presented with similar deals and price comparisons to see how good the deal actually is.

But if you're wary of the authenticity of a low price, Kahn's team also offers PDFs of the originating ads - one of the two options added to last year's app, along with support for push notifications.

The app allows users to make lists of their favorite things to save for later or to email to friends and family members. The third integration of the app now includes support for sharing with friends through Twitter and Facebook.

"We kept it pretty much the same because that's been working pretty good for us," Kahn said.

With millions of annual users and high rankings in the Apple App Store, the formula seems to be working.

The TGI Black Friday app can be downloaded for iPhone in the Apple App Store and the Android Market for smartphones running the Android platform.

Sense of Fashion: Black Friday deals at local shops!

Saving big for your closet or for your holiday gifts can be done with fresh air and without crowds.

Black Friday is almost upon us, and all you shoppers are eagerly making plans to save big.

For those smart shoppers who know their fashion, know their friends, and don’t love mall crowds we sent our scouts to seek out some of the best local Black Friday sales.

Bleu Belle Boutique



First, pick up your toasted caramel cocoa at Twelve Oaks and walk over to Bleu Belle to learn all about the rage in this month’s Lucky Magazine. Bleu Belle is the only boutique offering the Shawlsmith London scarf, and to highlight this fashionable item all scarves will be 20 percent off. Regularly $95 the SeaBreeze style scarf is the perfect compliment to your outfit all winter long in our Savannah climate. For Black Friday, these will be only $76.



Petite Feet



For the little ones in your life, Petite Feet is offering 20 percent off all in-stock booties. This includes their new shipment off UGG’s, North Face boots, Pedipeds boot and more. They will stomp through our tough winter weather with the adorable John Deere cowboy boots (in pink or tan), or the sassy Georgia Boot. Add to their accessories with additional savings on Kidorable items including scarves, hats and mitten sets, each featuring an adorable theme. These savings will be offered both Friday and Saturday the weekend of Thanksgiving.

The Pink Closet



Everything in the store is 50 percent off at this Richmond Hill store, with an additional $10 shopping pass. The sale runs Black Friday through Monday. Keep an eye out for a Louis Vuitton handbag.



Custard boutique

Custard’s got a surprise in store for this upcoming weekend. Browse the fine lines of great prices and enjoy a free gift with any purchase.

Or dig in and take advantage of the super savings on sale items. All sale items will be 60 percent off from Black Friday through Sunday until they are all gone. Items include fall fashion hits like Silver Jeans Brown boot cut cords, regularly $82, sale priced at $32.80 with the weekend offer. These have a terrific fit with just the right stretch to look great on most body types.



Cherry Picked

Oh the fun of the holidays starts at Cherry Picked. Black Friday only pick up your sweet deal at this consignment shop, as all items in the store will be 50 percent off. Make it easy to pick up holiday gifts for them and one for you with awesome designer selections like a brand new Tory Burch navy butterfly tunic. Originally retailed at $295, for sale at $100 and Friday only will be just $50.



Zia Boutique

Earrings are a girl’s best friend, and always the perfect gift for the holidays. Starting Black Friday
and going through the weekend, Zia will offer
25 percent off any purchases totaling $200 or more. For those under $200 you can still save 15 percent. Great gifts like the Tree of Life Necklace, available in 10 different birthstones for your favorite family friends. Offered in sterling silver or 14k gold fill, this is a beautiful look for anyone. The necklace is normally $89 and will be $75.65 at 15 percent off, or only $71.20 if you stock up to take advantage of the 25 percent off offer. This offer is good in person that weekend, or online with in-store pick-up.



Fab’rik

Fine fashion is a deal
at Fab’rik where there will be storewide savings of
30 percent off. Enjoy a complimentary Starbucks while you shop and save from Friday through the weekend. From party dresses to tall boots, this is a sale sensation that can’t be missed.



Satchel

Easy gifts are a cinch if you save at Satchel, which will be offering 20 percent off all trendy cuffs and clutches. Also enjoy 10 percent off the rest of the in-store merchandise, excluding custom orders, the entire weekend.



Birkenstock

Worn out those summer Birkenstocks, but waiting for a price to drop? This is the weekend to get that new pair. Birkenstock Savannah will offer a buy one, get one half off on all full price in-stock shoes, including the Birkenstock line and hot Five Finger footwear.

James Gunn



James Gunn is jumping into the fun with storewide savings of 20 percent off. This savings is good Friday, Saturday and Sunday so make sure you stop by and build your look. Ask your fashion specialist for help at either location, downtown or Sandfly, and set your holidays up to look great and save for more. Remember the man in your life this holiday with a wool coat detailed with angora and rabbit hair to keep him safe and warm. Save that weekend so you can treat yourself to a vibrant Dakota collarless peacoat in this season’s hot color marigold. Originally $295, that weekend only will be just $236.



Half Moon Outfitters

Don’t miss everyone’s favorite gift of the ever popular North Face Denali jacket, available in adult sizes at Half Moon Outfitters for $165. They have stocked their shelves full of colors, new brands and lots of warm and dry options for everyone in the family. Remember if you don’t see the right color or size, Half Moon has access to each of their vendors and can order it in time for your holiday gift needs, no need for added shipping cost. As you stop by, you may notice their broader selection of cowboy boots, expanded apparel and more into the store that used to just be for that outdoor girl.



Gigi’s Cupcakes

Opening at 8 a.m. Black Friday, you can start the day off with a kick. Sip a free coffee with any cupcake purchase from 8 to 10 a.m. Mid-morning snackers can snag a deal on a set of six cupcakes for $14, regularly almost $20. From noon to 2 p.m., all cupcakes in the store are just $2.50. Recharge from 2 to 4 p.m. with a happy dozen at just $25. And top off your day with cupcake happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with buy 3 get 1 free. If you aren’t in the mood or are watching that waistline, consider this super stocking stuffer for each of your friends. For every $100 total in gift cards (remember $20 gets them 6) you’ll earn one $20 gift card back for yourself!



Glow Medspa & Beauty Boutique

Glow Medspa & Beauty Boutique is offering an early bird gift certificate special — all gift certificates purchased online on Black Friday get an additional 20 percent of credit. Visitwww.glowsavannah.com to buy the gift certificates. Remember, Glow also offers terrific lines of beauty products, so she can use this gift for fabulous name brand products or services.



Savannah Day Spa

Savannah Day Spa has created special holiday spa package. The “Girls Holly Day Special” includes a massage, spa manicure and pedicure for the packaged price of $150.



One Fish, Two Fish

Enjoy savings on Black Friday at One Fish, Two Fish on all Christmas décor – just in time for the holidays. Each item, excluding candles, will be discounted. Handcrafted glass ornaments come in a lovely acrylic box to show off their design, regularly priced at $15 each will be just $12 to make them the perfect gift.



See Jane

For that fortunate family or friend who has a new baby in their life, See Jane has lovely, safe baby items at 50 percent off, including bath bubbles and lotions. Home fragrances can make the holidays merry, and these will all be 50 percent off the entire holiday weekend. Voluspa Diffusers come beautifully packaged, and provide you with the ultimate fragrance luxury. The high-quality ingredients create the purest fragrance that is clean and refreshing that is long-lasting. Originally marked at $28 they will be just $14.



Paris Market

Decorative designer pillows by Jamie Young will be 20 percent off. Add a little spice to that room that needs holiday cheer, or find one for your friend to tuck into her favorite reading chair.

Savannah lands another film, City leaders consider studio investment!!

Savannah once again will welcome a film production next month, a psychological thriller called “When the Bough Breaks.”

Filming should continue into early January on the project, which has a budget of more than $1 million.

That may be the least of Savannah’s movie news to come.

The steady stream of feature films, independent projects and commercial shoots, paired with a renewed recognition of economic development potential, is bringing together city leaders, private interests and the Savannah Economic Development Authority to explore developing a film studio in Savannah.

SEDA stepped up its efforts to work with local film advocates after an independent study, the results of which came back earlier this year, showed that film and digital entertainment was an emerging technology Savannah should pursue.

“I think that validated what we’ve been trying to say all along,” said Dana Braun, a member of Savannah’s Film Commission. “This industry spends so much money. Every day there are new avenues of content. It’s not just one guy with a camera trying to make a movie.”

Jay Self, the city’s director of Film Services, said a soundstage and production facilities capable of handling feature films or a TV series, “would increase tenfold” the type of projects Savannah would be able to recruit.

One aspect of the discussion centers around developing a public/private partnership for the studio. Steve Weathers, SEDA president and CEO, said a studio project is one more way Savannah could diversify its economy and attract higher-paying jobs.

One of the companies SEDA has been talking with is The Forum Group, a locally based company. Officials with that company could not be reached Tuesday.

Another local firm trying to capitalize on Savannah’s film possibilities is Meddin Studios, which last year opened a 22,000-square-foot digital studio on Louisville Road. In the last 18 months, Meddin has produced seven films and is looking to quadruple its production facilities, said Nick Gant, the studio’s co-founder and creative director.

Meddin has been talking with city officials and SEDA about what incentives might be available for such an expansion, Gant said.

State tax incentives up to 30 percent for film companies that shoot in Georgia in recent years have brought in an almost constant flow of production work, and have helped grow Savannah’s available crew and production staff. A locally based studio would further fuel that growth, Gant agreed.

“If we could get five movies a year with budgets of
$5 million to $10 million, the Savannah area could add 120 to 125 jobs,” Gant said. “And these would be really good-paying jobs.”

Other ancillary jobs would follow, he said.

Not to be overlooked is the Savannah College of Art and Design, which not only provides a pool of interns but also graduates film students eager to return on larger films.

Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney and Alderman Van Johnson have been part of initial discussions for a studio. Alderman Johnson believes the city should entertain folding the city’s film office into the larger studio concept as part of the partnership. Being able to offer studio space is another enticement for producers considering locations, he said.

“I think it’s something that needs to be explored,” he said. “We can make ourselves much more attractive. It makes us more of a film market.”

Memorial University Medical Center Number 1 in neuroscience care!

Memorial University Medical Center has been rated the number one hospital in Georgia for overall neuroscience services by a national source of physician and hospital quality outcomes information.



HealthGrades also listed Memorial in the top 10 percent nationally for stroke care and over all neuroscience services



Neuroscience services include stoke care, neurosurgery, back and neck surgery, including spinal fusion and overall spine surgery with Memorial achieving a five-star rating in each category.



“We go to great lengths to provide the best care for our patients,’’ said Maggie Gill. president and CEO at Memorial Health, parent corporation for Memorial University Medical Center. “Being recognized as the No. 1 hospital in Georgia for overall neuroscience services is a tremendous honor and a tribute to our hard-working team.”



Kerry Hicks, HeathGrades CEO, adds, “We commend Memorial University Medical Center for its superior quality and support of consumerism and transparency in the Savannah market area.”



HealthGrades provides objective clinical outcomes and access to actionable quality measures to empower patient choice, Hicks added..

Made here at home: Daniel Defense

BRYAN CO., GA (WTOC) -

It was 10 years ago when Marty Daniel, by chance, turned his hobby for building guns into a worldwide small arms manufacturing business known as Daniel Defense.

"There were some components I wanted for my own weapons that weren't available," said Daniel. "I talked another manufacturer into building a hundred. I only needed 4, so I had to sell the other 96 of them. We set up a website. It was alot of fun. From there, we have grown into a firearms manufacturer that manufactures from raw material to finished guns."

The business has developed over the years from component sales in the commercial market to rifle sales.

"I think we are unique because we found a niche in the market where we want to built the absolute best firearms in the world. We are accomplishing that and continuing to raise the bar on that and doing it with people we found right here at home. We are having great success," said Daniel.

Each day, 50 rifles are manufactured at their plant in Black Creek and distributed across the world.

"These guns were built yesterday and they will be out the door today," said Daniel. "They are all pre-sold and we are sold out for about three to four months right now. We have a high demand product and we are continually stepped up production," said Daniel.

Daniel Defense also provides military firearms. They won a contract in 2003 to upgrade all m4's for the Special Forces.

"We love working for them and being a part of giving them the best tools they need to get the job done," said Daniel. "We are proud of the work they do and we support them."

Daniel Defense provides protection that is made here locally and used to defend people all across the world.

The company hopes to expand their rifle selection in the years to come and move into the handgun business by 2015.

Their long term goal is to capture 10 percent of the gun market.

For information on the company and to apply for a position visitwww.danieldefense.com/.

Nearly 4 out of 5 burglars use social networks!

According to a study out of the United Kingdom from Credit Sesame, approximately 78 percent of ex-burglars use Twitter, Foursquare and Facebook to identify properties with absent homeowners. This includes people that use location-enabled status updates or pictures to identify when they are at work or on an extended vacation. In addition, nearly three out of four ex-burglars use Google Street View to check out the quality of the home in addition to various escape routes within a neighborhood. The typical home invasion costs the homeowner just over $2,000 in the United States and robbery that occurs during the day usually yields higher losses than burglars that break in during the night.

The demographic most likely to tweet a location are Americans between 18 to 34 years old and approximately 15 percent of Americans regularly use social networks to state when they have left the home. According to the ex-burglars, 80 percent of first attempts to break into a home are typically unsuccessful and 78 percent would be driven off by a simple alarm system. On average, it takes a burglar about two minutes to break into a home and the average amount of time spent within the home is about ten minutes. Some of the the most common mistakes that homeowners make besides social updates include hiding a key near the front entrance, leaving UPS or Fedex deliveries on the front porch, leaving windows open and leaving valuables out in plain view of people walking through the neighborhood.

The ex-burglars also recommended steps to ensure greater social security including altering Facebook privacy settings to make sure the public can't see location updates and restricting friend list additions to actual friends. Other steps include refraining from updates about extended vacations and avoiding posting photos of expensive items taken within the home or photos that list the location of the home.

Courtney Station Proudly Supports the Toys for Tots Foundation.

We are officially a local drop off location for the Toys for Tots Foundation. Please bring gently used toys, brand new toys or toy's that your children have grown out of & donate them to a child in need of a furry little friend. 

Savannah Georgia Marine Toys For Tots Foundation

2011 Toys for Tots Events:

- November 18th: Fairway Lincoln Mazda @ 10101 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA; Time: 0900 - 1900

- November 26th: The Black Marlin Bayside Grill @ 86 Helmsman Way, Suite 103, Hilton Head, SC; Time: 1600 - 2200

- November 28th - October 2nd: 1st Annual Stuff a Bus Toy Drive @ Oglethorpe Mall, Savannah, GA; Time: 0800 - 1800

- December 2nd: Lights on for Tybee @ Tybee Island, GA

- December 2nd: Holiday Stop & Shop @ 111 Birch Dr., Beaufort, SC; Time: 1100-1800

- December 2nd: Enmark Savannah Bridge Run Expo @ Savannah Civic Center; Time: 0900-1900

- December 3rd: Enmark Savannah Bridge Run @ Savannah Civic Center; Time: 0600-1200

- December 7th: Martinis At the Mansion @ 700 Drayton St., Savannah, GA; Time: 1700-2000

- December 9th: Indigo Run Golf Club Toy Drive @101 Berwick Dr, Hilton Head, SC; Time: 1730 - 1930

- December 9th: 2011 YMCA Angel Tree @ 6400 Habersham St., Savannah, GA; Time: 1800-1930

- December 10th: Military Appreciation Day @ Hilton Head, SC; Time: 1000-1400

- December 10th: Breakfast with Santa @ 2 Grass Lawn Ave, Hilton Head, SC; Time: 1200 - 1700

- December 10th: Lady's Island Country Club @ 139 Francis Marion Circle; Time: 1200 - 1700

- December 16th: Antique Automobile Club of America Christmas Party @ Carey Hillards, 11111 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA,Time: 1830 - TBD

- December 17th: Warren Christmas Party @ 7 Amarella Lane, Savannah, GA; Time: 1700-TBD

- December 18th: Landings Christmas Parade @ The Landings; Time: TB

Military service members honored on Veterans Day - WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports |

Military service members honored on Veterans Day - WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports |

Streets to Close This Morning for Veterans Day Parade

The Veterans Day Parade will begin at Abercorn and Gwinnett streets at 10:50 a.m. Friday.

It will proceed north on Abercorn to Oglethorpe Avenue, where it will continue west to Montgomery Street. The parade will then move north on Montgomery to Broughton Street where it will proceed east until its end at East Broad Street.
Several streets will close Friday morning for Savannah’s annual Veterans Day Parade.

The intersections will be closed from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. for the parade. Before the parade begins the staging area is expected to impact three blocks from Gwinnett Street south to Henry Street, Drayton Street, Abercorn Street and Lincoln Street.

There will be NO PARKING signs clearly posted along the staging area and parade route. SCMPD is asking for the public’s assistance by finding alternate parking between the hours from 7 a.m., until after the parade.

The parade begins at Abercorn and Gwinnett streets and travels north to Liberty Street, west to Montgomery, north to Broughton Street, east to East Broad Street, and south on East Broad Street, where it will disband. We expect the parade to be finished by 1 p.m.

Drivers should look for alternate routes.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.. serve fresh cranberry relish on your menu

It’s that time of year again ... the time when bags of cranberries arrive on the shelves of our markets produce sections.

Prior to refrigerated trucking, you could not find cranberries if you lived too far from a grower.

In 1912, the United Cape Cod Cranberry Company was formed and began the commercial process of canning a cooked cranberry and sugar sauce.

The canned sauce could be shipped anywhere and became so popular that it evolved into a national traditional favorite to accompany roasted turkey.

But nowadays fresh cranberries are available nationwide, and the chefs of the Culinary Institute of America encourage you to try making your own cranberry relish this holiday season.

“Fresh cranberries are round like large marbles with a deep red color and a very tart flavor,” says CIA chef Robert Mullooly.

“They should be plump and bright and are excellent when paired with sweeter fruits to balance their tartness,” said Mullooly.

“If you prefer to make this dish without alcohol, you can substitute additional orange juice for the triple sec or Grand Marnier.”

The cranberry is one of two berries — along with the blueberry — native to North America. It’s an unusual fruit in that it grows in wet bogs primarily in the American North.

Wisconsin is the heaviest producer, followed by Massachusetts, but cranberries are also grown in New Jersey and the Pacific Northwest.

So go grab a bag of those beautiful fresh cranberries, and with just a few ingredients, you can make and serve this quick and delicious recipe for your guests this holiday season.

ON THE WEB

Go to savannahnow.com/accent to watch CIA’s Chef Robert Mullooly demonstrate how to prepare Fresh Cranberry Relish.


FRESH CRANBERRY RELISH

One 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries

1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

2 to 3 tablespoons orange marmalade

1. If using fresh cranberries, wash, pick through, and dry them thoroughly.

2. In a medium saucepan, mix 1/3 cup of sugar with the cranberries and the remaining ingredients. Taste to adjust sweetness and add more sugar if desired.

3. Place over medium-high heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the berries pop.

4. You may serve hot or cold.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition Analysis per 1-ounce serving: 40 calories, 0 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat, 0 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol, less than 1 g dietary fiber.

Georgia Suspends Three Running Backs...

ATHENS -- Georgia star freshman Isaiah Crowell and two other tailbacks are suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State, the school confirmed this afternoon, leaving the Bulldogs with two former walk-ons available at the position.

Crowell, Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are suspended for one game for a "violation of team policies," the school said in a statement released this afternoon.

Second-leading rusher Richard Samuel is already out a minimum of four weeks after undergoing surgery on his left ankle this morning, according to coach Mark Richt.

That leaves redshirt sophomore Brandon Harton and senior Wes Van Dyk as tailbacks available. Both are former walk-ons. Harton has rushed for 33 yards on 11 carries, all against Coastal Carolina. Van Dyk had one carry for one yard also in that game.

Richt did not mention the impending suspensions when he held his regular noon news conference today. He answered questions about the backup tailbacks with brief answers.

Crowell is fifth in the SEC with 689 rushing yards. Samuel has 240 yards rushing and Thomas 200.

Courtney Station's Halloween Bash Costume Contest Winners are....

1st Place - Family

Tim Connelly, Agnes Connelly & their two beautiful little girls Alexandra & Isabel Connelly

2nd Place- Father & Son

Brandon & Sebastian Setzer

3rd Place- Family

Philippe Beaulieu-Thibault, Marie Berube & Raphael Beaulieu & Baby

Thank you to everyone who participated & We hope you enjoyed this year's Halloween Bash!