SAVANNAH, Jim McClain, owner of McClain’s Shallow Wells elected to Southeast Director of GAGP

(SAVANNAH, GA) Jim McClain, president of McClain’s Shallow Wells, Inc., was elected to the position of Southeast Director of the Georgia Association of Groundwater Professionals (GAGP)

http://www.georgiadrillers.com

The GAGP is a non-profit organization whose members are ground water contractors, water well drillers, and well product suppliers.

It’s mission is to provide information, direction and training in order to provide for responsible, professional and sustainable development of Georgia groundwater resources. It also represents member’s interest to the Georgia Legislature and provides training for Georgia State Certification of well drillers and pump installers through the Georgia Water Well Advisory Council.

Jim McClain graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle and majored in Zoology. He arrived in Savannah in 1978 and worked at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in 1978. During this time he began drilling geothermal and pollution montoring wells with Geothermics Inc. of Savannah. He then founded his own company, McClain’s Shallow Wells, Inc in 1992. Since inception McClains Shallow Wells has drilled over 4000 shallow wells and has provided an alternative irrigation source of water, thus reducing demand on the Floridan Aquifer.

McClain is a former member of the Chatham County Water Guardian Group and serves as a Captain at the Isle of Hope Volunteer Fire Department.

McClain can be reached at 912.355.5442.

Buy Local Savannah celebrates 10 years by honoring three club founders: Rick Culbreth, Remer Lane and Martin Sullivan

Winners will be announced at the January 28th luncheon at The Olde Pink House, which will also honor association founders Rick Culbreth, Remer Lane, and Martin Sullivan marking the group’s 10th anniversary.
http://www.buylocalsavannah.com

For Immediate Release:

Buy Local Savannah celebrates 10 years by honoring three club founders: Rick Culbreth, Remer Lane and Martin Sullivan

(Savannah, GA) This year’s Buy Local Luncheon will not only announce the Buy Local Advocate of the Year and the Business of the Year, it will mark the 10th anniversary of the association’s celebration of local businesses.

“We have a long standing relationship with our members and our community,” explains Buy Local President Paula Kreissler, Wound Care Clinic, ESU. “To showcase what we’ve been able to do for Savannah Businesses, we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight three of our founding members.”

Rick Culbreth of Yates-Astro, Remer Lane of Remer Lane Insurance, and Martin Sullivan of The Sullivan Group will also be honored at the January 28th luncheon.

These three founding members grew tired of seeing local businesses lose the battle to large corporations and decided to take matters into their own hands. By creating a local association of retailers, businesses could work together to create a comprehensive advertising and marketing campaign, encouraging Savannah shoppers to buy goods and services from local businesses.

“Being a part of the association lets local businesses see the strength in numbers. If locally-owned businesses join together, owners can see the differences they make together for the economy as a whole and for the growth of their business,” explains Kreissler.

Applications are being accepted now for Buy Local Advocate of the Year and Business of the Year. Applications can be found on the website – http://www.buylocalsavannah.com – and can be submitted through January 5th.

Buy Local Savannah is a program that spotlights local businesses that contribute to our economic prosperity and encourage community activism. While local businesses do not have the same purchasing power as national chains, they do have a competitive advantage – they know their market. They employ local people, make decisions locally, and keep their earnings in the local community through employee compensation, promotions, and capital investments.

Savannah Real Estate

http//www.celiadunnsir.com

Lee Wilkes III joins Savannah real estate experts at Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty

(SAVANNAH) – Lee Wilkes III has joined Savannah real estate experts at Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty.

An active real estate investor, Wilkes worked in real estate appraisal and valuation for five years in Savannah and for five years before that in Atlanta. It’s uncommon, he explained, to have a real estate agent also be an appraiser.

Because he is a skilled appraiser, Wilkes is expert at pricing homes when he is a seller’s agent. He also knows how to get buyers a good deal or recognize when a property is overpriced.

A Savannah native, Wilkes is an expert in local real estate and knows the nuances of all the area neighborhoods. He focuses on downtown, midtown, the islands and The Landings, where he lives.

“Being from here, you want to protect your name and always work with integrity,” Wilkes said. “I believe in dealing with people honestly. Clients get my full and undivided attention as I work on their behalf. I’m dedicated to their needs and listen to them.”

For the past 10 years, Wilkes has helped buyers and sellers accurately value their homes. He has served as an expert witness in real estate valuation. His real estate education includes individual classes in valuing historic, waterfront and unique property, property inspection, RELO, real estate finance, tax-free exchanges, and contract law.

A member of St. Peters Episcopal Church, Wilkes is married and has two young sons. He is a board member with Forest City Gun Club, a member of Saint Andrew’s Society of Savannah, a member of Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. His hobbies include woodworking, photography, home brewing, kayaking and exploring downtown Savannah.

A graduate of Savannah Country Day School, Wilkes earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.

Known for its tradition of integrity, Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty specializes in residential and commercial properties in Savannah and the Low Country of Georgia and South Carolina. Founded in 1981, Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty is noted for outstanding service to its clients, thorough knowledge of Savannah and the South Carolina Low Country, and excellent staff, in addition to having one of the region’s top property management departments. The owners are natives of Savannah who have more than 60 years’ combined experience in real estate. The offices are located at 9, 13, and 17 West Charlton Street on Madison Square in Savannah and 6 Bruin Street in Bluffton, S.C.

For more information, call Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty at (912) 234-3323 or visit http://www.celiadunnsir.com. To contact the Bluffton office, call (843) 836-3900.

LYNN, KATIE, MARJORIE AND ANN – STUART WOMEN

USED TOY DRIVE – 28TH YEAR

To: All News Media

From: Tom Campbell, Chairman
Kids Helping Kids, &
Media Partner 97.3 Kiss FM

Date: 12/9/2009

Please help us publicize this years the “Kids Helping Kids” Christmas toy collection project. This will be the 28th year the children of Chatham County have expressed their generosity by bringing their used toys to school so that needy children can have a happier holiday. Students in public and private schools are collecting toys in support of this year’s effort. Over the past 27 years it is estimated that almost 300,000 toys have been donated. If your child’s school is not participating, or if you no longer have children in school and would like to donate toys, this years business partners are all area Piggly Wiggly stores, and the Cricket Wireless Stores on Abercorn, Pooler Parkway and in Hinesville. Please drop off toys to these locations or the West Broad Street YMCA located at 1110 May St. by December 17th. Beginning at 9:00 AM on December 19th, the toys will be distributed to needy families at the West Broad Street Y.

The contact person at the “Y” is Deborah Enoch, 233-1951. I can be reached during the day on my cell phone at 660-8364 and in the evenings at 925-8364.

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) recommends the use of sign language

(SAVANNAH, GA) Sign Language & Down syndrome: The amount of information that children with Down syndrome understand far exceeds what they are able to communicate in their early years. Often, kids with Down syndrome have speech delays and their expressive language is slower to develop than their receptive language. As a tool, speech therapists actively encourage the use of sign language in the early years, along with traditional speech therapies, to help to bridge the gap between a child’s receptive and expressive language abilities. Additionally, studies show that signing has a positive influence on the development of spoken language in babies and children with Down syndrome. The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) recommends the use of sign language. LDSS is a family support group for those touched by Down syndrome and their families. LDSS is active in raising awareness within the community through local leadership, support, outreach, education and advocacy. (912) 728-8505 http://www.ldssga.org.

SAVANNAH’S SOLAR GURU – WRITTEN BY JACK STAR

I’m delighted that K.W. Oxnard has discovered the potential of solar
energy. I wish there were more that shared her insight. Georgia has fallen behind many other states in promoting solar energy. However, we, in the Savannah area, can leapfrog into the solar-hydrogen-fuel cell future by developing a Renewable Energy Enterprise Zone.

Located on a section of the Megasite, or similar underutilized industrial land, it would seek to bring together manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (electric) panels, solar hot water collectors, solar cells, fuel cells, and solid-state cartridges to store hydrogen for use in vehicle and residential fuel cells.

The Zone would also house a hydrogen production facility, and a metal fabricator to build frames and rails for solar panels, canopies for walkways and parking lots, and ground-mount supports.

Part of the complex would include manufacturers and/or distributors of specialty glass, inverters, state-of-the-art batteries, ultracapcitors,
and smart grid components.

Additionally, there would be office space for support and creative
services; an incubator for start-up companies in related technologies, and centralized training and dining facilities to facilitate informal
interaction. Financial incentives could include a combination of federal, state and local tax credits, rebates, grants, low interest loans and accelerated depreciation.

Design it, promote it, and they will come.

www.solarcitiesusa.com

Home 4 the Holidays

(Savannah, GA) – It’s the season of giving, and for Coastal Pet Rescue, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Our donations this year were not even half of what we received last year,” says Lisa Scarbrough, president and founder of Coastal Pet Rescue. “We really need to raise some funds this month and get our pets adopted.”

Coastal Pet Rescue hopes the spirit of giving will bring in $3,000 needed for veterinary care of their current pets.

The Home 4 the Holidays program will kick off with an adoption event on Saturday, December 5th at TailsSpin in Habersham Village from 11 am to 2 pm. Additionally, the Blood Alliance will hold a blood drive, and for every blood donation during the event, will donate $5 to Coastal Pet Rescue.

On Monday, December 7th, area businesses will play host to CPR’s Santa’s Little Orphans Trees. Each tree features ornaments of pets available for adoption and a wishlist for Santa on the back. Persons are invited to come to each business, select an ornament, go shopping, and return the items back to the business for a weekly collection. Participating businesses include:

Wilmington Island Family Dental
Signs by Design
Bagel Cafe (Wilmington Island)
Atlantic Beacon Gallery
The Crab Shack
TailsSpin
Diva Dogs
Rum Runners
Clary’s (Habersham Village)
Molly MacPherson’s (Downtown)
River Street Inn
Country Inn & Suites (Downtown)
Fabrika
Georgetown Vet Clinic

Coastal Pet Rescue will wrap up its adoption events of 2009 with Deck the Paws on Tybee Island, Saturday, December 12th from 11 am to 1 pm at River’s End Campground. Jamie and Bobby Deen of The Lady and Sons will join CPR to show their support of pet adoption for the holidays.

Other businesses are also lending their support to their furry friends. Atlantic Beacon Gallery on Tybee is selling dog and cat holiday cards with 50% of the proceeds to benefit Coastal Pet Rescue. Traffic Invasion customers may also designate 50% of every order of their discount cards to Coastal Pet Rescue.

Individuals and businesses interested in participating in the Coastal Pet Rescue Home 4 the Holidays program may contact Lisa Scarbrough at lisa@coastalpetrescue.org or 912.228.3538 or get more information online at http://coastalpetrescue.org/h4th/ .

Lecture about PR in Savannah

Left, Marjorie Young, Diana Morrison… and friends

Carol Foy – a dear friend of mine – died yesterday

We met in 1985 in Augusta, GA, where our husbands were doing their residencies in Family Practice at Eisenhower Hospital. We had our children the same year. We then both got stationed in Germany – 30 minutes away from each other. After Germany, we both got stationed in DC – and only lived 30 minutes away from each other again. She will be very missed -

http://www.tuftsschildmeyer.com/Obituaries/obit-display.jhtml?DB=obits&DO=display&ID=1259693590_32184

FOY Carol Lynn of Loveland. Best friend and wife of Richard. Loving mother of Elizabeth. Daughter of the late Guy and Helen Smith. Sister of Frank (Sharon) Smith, Donna (Bob) Richardson, and the late JoAnn Newman. Survived by numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Passed away December 1, 2009 at age 54. Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Mt. Healthy Christian Church, 7717 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231, where family and friends will be received from 9 AM until services. Interment Kerr Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Carol may be directed to National Kidney Foundation, Susan B. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, or Mt. Healthy Christian Church. http://www.tuftsschildmeyer.com

Green Affordable Housing Award goes to Melaver

http:// www.melaver.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) The National Association of Home Builders Research Center has given an Energyvalue Housing Award to master developer Melaver, Inc., for the green affordable housing development Sustainable Fellwood. The award is one of 20 given to projects from 15 different states and will be presented at a ceremony on January 18, 2010.

http://www.sustainablefellwood.com

Sustainable Fellwood, which serves as a principal component of the City of Savannah’s Westside Development Revitalization Plan, is considered a national showcase for environmentally-responsible community planning.

Amenities for the environmentally friendly mixed-use, mixed income development include the preservation of trees, on-site recycling, cellulose insulation, high efficiency air conditioning and heating units, and low flow water fixtures. The homes have 30 percent less energy usage and 40 percent less water usage than typical construction.

“Energy efficiency was a primary driver during design,” said Tommy Linstroth, Director of Sustainability for Melaver. “Energy efficiency translates directly into more money saved for our residents, which is doubly important in an affordable housing development.

The energy award is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Building America program, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in addition to the NAHB Research Center.

Finalists were selected from projects in three climate regions (cold, moderate, hot) and five categories (affordable, custom/demonstration, factory-built, multi-family, production). The award will be presented at a ceremony during the International Builders’ Show on January 18, 2010 at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel.

Sustainable Fellwood is Silver certified in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Neighborhood Development pilot program and every unit will achieve LEED for Homes certification. Sustainable Fellwood is also registered in the EarthCraft Coastal Communities through Southface Energy Institute.

The NAHB Research Center promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Go to National Association of Home Builders Research Center for more information.

Sustainable Fellwood is a mixed use, mixed income Housing Authority of Savannah redevelopment. Master Developer: Melaver, Inc., in partnership with Parallel Housing, Progressive Redevelopment, and Vanguard Developers. In collaboration with: Lott Barber, Architecture and Planning, Catamount Constructors, Inc., City of Savannah, and CHSA Development of Savannah.