www.rebuildingtogethersavannah.org
www.sustainablefellwood.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) -  As more people are finding it harder to make ends meet, four Savannah families will get help repairing their homes this October.

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of volunteers and area companies, the nonprofit group Rebuilding Together Savannah will repair four houses in West Savannah near Sustainable Fellwood.
“We wanted to give back to the communities close to where we are building Sustainable Fellwood,” said Denis Blackburne, Chief Financial Officer of sustainable developer Melaver Inc. “The Rebuilding Together Savannah organization gave us the unique opportunity of doing exactly what we wanted to achieve. When I approached the development team I was overwhelmed by the collective positive response and generosity. The most exciting part is that it will be the individuals and employees of the sponsoring companies that will be carrying out the work.
“There is already excitement in the air,” Blackburne said. “Everybody wins in such community involvement.”

The work is done by volunteers and there is no charge to homeowners. The nonprofit focuses on health and safety concerns first, providing modifications for handicap accessibility or repairs the homeowner needs. The sponsors cover the cost of the materials and repairs.

“It changes people’s lives to have their home made safer and sounder,’ said Ellen Hatcher, executive director of Rebuilding Together Savannah. “It makes all the difference in people’s lives to have someone come in and fix things.” Some of the repairs are desperately needed and allow the homeowners to stay in their homes. Many are retired or handicapped.

“I think that what we do changes the homeowners’ lives and changes the volunteers’ lives as well,” Hatcher said. “You can see the difference you made. You know you helped.” Many volunteers keep coming back because they find the work so rewarding, said Hatcher, who volunteered for the group since 1997 and then took on the staff position two years ago.

The Rebuilding Together organization selected the four homes, and eight companies are co-sponsoring the rebuilding.

The companies sponsoring the rebuilding are: Melaver, Inc.; Parallel Housing, Inc.; Progressive Redevelopment, Inc.; S&ME, Inc.; Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.; Long Engineering Inc; Lane Management, LLC; and Catamount Constructors Inc.

Rebuilding Together Savannah is a volunteer organization that in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled, and families with children so that they may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence. Among the recipients are the elderly, the disabled, military veterans and families in need. Rebuilding Together Savannah is part of the national organization Rebuilding Together Inc., which has more than 200 affiliates nationwide.
www.rebuildingtogethersavannah.org

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

http://www.geekthelibrary.org/
http://savannahmovietours.net/

Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. CEO Ron Higgins Featured in National Geek the Library Campaign

(SAVANNAH, GA)  Ron Higgins, president and CEO of Savannah Movie Tours, Inc., is the newest face of the Geek the Library’s popular “I Geek” campaign. Higgins is featured on video and television clips talking about his lifelong interest in ghosts.

“I grew up just four blocks from the Bull Street Library and went there often as a child, so helping support our libraries is an important priority for me,” says Higgins, whose Scary Ghost Tour drew the attention of Geek the Library campaign officials.

In August, a national film crew arrived in Savannah and filmed footage of Higgins at Colonial Park Cemetery. During the 30-second clip, Higgins talks about how he first became interested in the supernatural and describes how someone can identify if a ghost is present. The clip ends with Higgins saying his variation of the campaign’s popular catch phrase, “My name is Ron, and I geek ghosts.”

The I Geek Ghosts clip featuring Higgins was recently released online and has been featured on television. The clip may be viewed online at Geek the Library.

“Hollywood” Ron Higgins is a filmmaker and Savannah native who has been involved in numerous movies including “Forrest Gump,” “Training Day,” “Remember The Titans” and “Pearl Harbor.” He founded Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. in 2003 to give tourists a glimpse into Savannah’s rich movie history. Since then, he has expanded the company’s offerings to include the Scary Ghost Tour and Foody Tour Savannah. In addition to walking tours, many of the tours are conducted on a luxury, air-conditioned bus, which is equipped with state-of-the-art LCD screens. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 912-234-3440 or visit Savannah Movie Tours, Inc.

http://www.newellrecycling.com/
http://www.thecreativecoast.org/

Newell Recycling is pleased to announce that pieces of scrap metal from its Savannah shredder plant have been used to create The Creative Coast Alliance’s 2009 Innovation Awards trophies. The trophies will be presented at the Innovation Awards ceremony, Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m. at the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.

The trophies were crafted by Jerry Lancaster, president of Port City Metals, Inc. Lancaster used a mix of shredded auto scraps from Newell Recycling, as well as scraps of granite from Bella Terra Marble & Granite.

“Newell Recycling is a great example of a sustainable Savannah business operating and succeeding in Savannah’s creative coast,” says Fitz Haile, director of marketing, public relations and web for The Creative Coast Alliance. “Using their recycled materials for this year’s Innovation Awards trophies is a perfect fit for our event. What better way to say ‘you’re innovative’ than by crafting this year’s awards from-you guessed it-recycled cars?”

The Innovation Awards, which are presented this year by Lott + Barber, is an event that honors established local leaders, as well as up-and-coming key players who have demonstrated bold innovation in business, nonprofit, education, government and sustainability.

Newell Recycling, one of the largest recyclers and processors of recycled metals in the Southeast, recently celebrated the grand opening of its Savannah location in Garden City. The Savannah site features a Newell Shredder, which is capable of grinding the equivalent of 170 cars per hour into fist-sized pieces. In addition to automobiles, the shredder also processes appliances and demolition scrap. The technology allows Newell Recycling to separate the steel and nonferrous metals into a valuable, furnace-ready raw material for steel mills, foundries and smelters. The metal produced by the shredder can be converted into new metals more easily and cost-effectively than mining the earth, thus saving precious natural resources.

Founded in San Antonio, Texas in 1935 by Mr. Alton Scott Newell, a pioneer in the scrap metal industry who also invented the Automobile Shredder, Newell Recycling is recognized as a worldwide leader in ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling, research and technology.

http://www.sustainablefellwood.com/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The green affordable housing development Sustainable Fellwood has been honored in Southeast Construction magazine’s “Best of 2009″ awards. Sustainable Fellwood was named “Best In Category” for Multi-Family Residential.
The magazine editors noted that this year was especially competitive, with a record-breaking number of entries. The annual competition recognizes construction and design excellence in the four-state region that includes Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The pioneering mixed use, mixed income Housing Authority of Savannah redevelopment Sustainable Fellwood has garnered national attention for its commitment to efficiency and the environment, as well as thoughtful design for a livable community.

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.

Sustainable Fellwood, which serves as a principal component of the City of Savannah’s Westside Development Revitalization Plan, is widely considered a national showcase for environmentally-responsible community planning.
Catamount Constructors, Inc. is the construction company for Sustainable Fellwood. Residents began moving into Phase I, the first 110 housing units, in April 2009. Phase II, which will include another 110 affordable housing units, and single family homes, is planned to begin construction this fall Future phases will include a senior housing apartment building, followed by potential retail, medical and technical space. Construction on Phase I began in Fall 2008.

Sustainable Fellwood is being built with sustainable materials with high standards for energy and water efficiency. For example, pervious paving will be used where possible to allow water to naturally infiltrate the ground, reducing the impact on the neighborhood stormwater system.

Sustainable Fellwood is registered in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Neighborhood Development pilot program and will be guided by the Smart Growth Network’s principles for diverse, walk-able, distinctive, attractive communities. Sustainable Fellwood is also registered in the EarthCraft Coastal Communities through Southface Energy Institute.

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.

http://www.ldssga.org

http://www.ndss.org

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk Festival in Forsyth Park was a huge success, with over 3,000 walkers turning out to support families touched by Down syndrome. Savannah’s fourth annual Buddy Walk raised $62,000 this year for the cause. A second Buddy Walk, inspired by the LDSS Buddy Walk in Savannah, held in the combat zone of Afghanistan by Sergeant Samantha Allen-boasted the participation of over 300 soldiers who were unable to be present for the Savannah walk-raising an additional $3,000. Together, these walks garnered an impressive $65,000 in support of those with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk is held each year during October which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, to provide support and advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Over 300 Buddy Walks are expected to occur throughout the United States this month.

About the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society:
Established in 2006, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a non-profit family support group designed to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. The LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), a national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

These societies envision and promote a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community allow people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. http://www.ndss.org

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society now provides outreach to families in eight local counties. Families are encouraged to bring their children with them to meetings, which are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. These gatherings usually include a guest speaker as well as social time for families to meet and share with one another. For more information call John or Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505 or visit the website at http://www.ldssga.org.

http://savannahmovietours.net/

(SAVANNAH, GA)  Rebecca King has joined Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. as Vice President of Operations. In her new role, King implements the company’s policies and procedures such as quality control, manages day-to-day office duties, oversees scheduling and manages all employees.

Prior to accepting the position of Vice President of Operations, King worked for Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. as a tour guide. She previously worked in the tourism industry as a trolley driver and tour guide for Old Savannah Tours and as tour guide on boat tours in the Prince William Sound in Alaska.

King attended International University and the University of Alaska Fairbanks and received a massage therapy license from the Integrated School of Shiatsu in Fairbanks, Alaska. In addition to running her own business for five years, she served as district manager for Musicland Corp. in Alaska. King moved to the Savannah area in 2004, where she has been a fixture in the local tourism industry. She has also worked as a real estate agent for Keller Williams.

“The history and the beauty of Savannah is why I fell in love with it,” says King. “I am excited to work for Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. because we have something to offer people who come to Savannah-as well as locals-that no one else can offer.”

“Hollywood” Ron Higgins is a filmmaker and Savannah native who has been involved in numerous movies including “Forrest Gump,” “Training Day,” “Remember The Titans” and “Pearl Harbor.” He founded Savannah Movie Tours, Inc. in 2003 to give tourists a glimpse into Savannah’s rich movie history. Since then, he has expanded the company’s offerings to include the Scary Ghost Tour and Foody Tour Savannah. In addition to walking tours, many of the tours are conducted on a luxury, air-conditioned bus, which is equipped with state-of-the-art LCD screens. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 912-234-3440 or visit Savannah Movie Tours.

Distributed weekly on the CarriageTradePR Local NewsWIRE™ to the media.

(HARDEEVILLE, SC )  Osprey Lake Plantation is Jasper County’s first all-LEED housing development to be registered in the LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program. Osprey Lake Plantation is a unique lakefront community located less than 10 minutes from Savannah and 15 minutes from downtown Bluffton. Homes start in the low $200,000 price range.  An open house will be held in the fall. 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.
www.ospreylakesc.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) As more people are finding it harder to make ends meet, four Savannah families will get help repairing their homes this October. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of volunteers and area companies, the nonprofit group Rebuilding Together Savannah will fix up four houses in West Savannah near Sustainable Fellwood. The companies sponsoring the rebuilding are: Melaver, Inc.; Parallel Housing, Inc.; Progressive Redevelopment, Inc.; S&ME, Inc.; Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.; Long Engineering Inc; Lane Management, LLC; and Catamount Constructors Inc.
www.rebuildingtogethersavannah.org
www.sustainablefellwood.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) Buddy Walk Festival was held Saturday, October 3rd in Forsyth Park.  See Pictures: http://spotted.savannahnow.com/galleries/index.php?id=368988

(SAVANNAH, GA) EMMY-nominated journalist and filmmaker Michael Jordan is airing a series of half-hour reports featuring more than 2,000 Georgia Army National Guard soldiers serving in Afghanistan.  “A Call to Arms” includes stories Michael shot during three weeks in Kabul, as well as features on their families and loves ones at home.  The next episode airs on Sunday, October 18th, after the NFL game on FOX 28 in Savannah (roughly 4:30pm, though times vary).  Learn more and see previous episodes online at http://www.thecoastalsource.com/content/features/acalltoarms/default.aspx.  To see Michael’s other stories which have aired on CBS Atlanta, click on http://www.cbsatlanta.com/proudtoserve/index.html.

(SAVANNAH, GA & KABUL, AFGHANISTAN) The first ever Buddy Walk for Down syndrome was held in a combat zone October 2nd at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over $3000 dollar were raised. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOOTAGE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Tickets are now on sale for the second annual Innovation Awards to be held Thursday, October 22 @ 6pm, on Broughton Street. The Awards presentation will follow inside the Theater promptly at 8pm, honoring the best and brightest innovators in and around Savannah’s Creative Coast.  Tickets $60 per person.http://innovation.thecreativecoast.org/tickets

(SAVANNAH, GA) Cindy Meagher, Dir. of Client Solutions for The Sullivan Group recently spoke about Career Development at a Gulfstream Management Association meeting at the Cambria Suites in Pooler. To view more pics click here: http://spotted.savannahnow.com/galleries/index.php?id=368883

(SAVANNAH, GA) Thursday, October 22 from 3pm-6pm “Keep the Lights On” festivities will be held at Performance Initiatives’ Facility at 2021 Tennessee Ave. Minor League Baseball and Softball Academy will hold demonstrations and offer scholarships for inner city youth, Gosihn Jitsu , Olympic Weightlifting and Kid’s Cross Fit demonstrations will be held. This event is open to the community and has open registration for our tutoring, fitness and athletic programs. Kerri Goodrich, Program Director, (912) 507-7106, www.performancinitiatives.org

(SAVANNAH, GA) Light the Night photos http://spotted.savannahnow.com/galleries/index.php?id=368983

(SAVANNAH, GA) Walkers, hikers, birders, and nature enthusiasts are invited to join the Savannah Tree Foundation, project partner City of Savannah, and project sponsors Aquafina, the Alliance for Community Trees & the Home Depot Foundation from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the 3rd annual National Public Lands Day event at Bacon Park Forest on Saturday, October 10th, 2009.
Volunteers will help install back-country style natural walking trails in Bacon Park Forest. www.savannahtreefoundation.com or contact STF at 233-TREE

(SAVANNAH, GA) Thursday, October 22 from 3pm-6pm “Keep the Lights On” festivities will be held at Performance Initiatives’ Facility at 2021 Tennessee Ave. Minor League Baseball and Softball Academy will hold demonstrations and offer scholarships for inner city youth, Gosihn Jitsu , Olympic Weightlifting and Kid’s Cross Fit demonstrations will be held.  This event is open to the community and has open registration for our tutoring, fitness and athletic programs. Kerri Goodrich, Program Director, (912) 507-7106, www.performancinitiatives.org

(SAVANNAH, GA)  The Coastal Heritage Society is proud to announce the unveiling of a new website devoted to welcoming German-speaking visitors to Savannah and explaining Savannah’s German history-which dates back to the city’s earliest days.
www.willkommeninsavannah.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) Local Physician, Sam Young to give talk in Savannah October 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Savannah Midtown, 5711 Abercorn Street. Each talk will start at 7 PM and end at 8 PM.
Free to the public.”All Multiple Vitamins are Not Created Equal”   How to choose quality vitamins. Nutrition
1-800-920-9987 jsy29909@yahoo.com

(HILTON HEAD, SC) Local Physician, Sam Young to give talk in Hilton Head on October 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1575 Fording Island Road. Each talk will start at 7 PM and end at 8 PM and are FREE to the public. “All Multiple Vitamins are Not Created Equal”   How to choose quality vitamins. 1-800-920-9987 jsy29909@yahoo.com

(SAVANNAH, GA) “The world’s most obese and chronically ill nation is the United States of America.” says Sam Young, MD, a Family Physician specializing in Complementary and Nutritional Medicine, who will be giving a series of talks about nutrition and optimal dose vitamin therapy for the prevention of chronic disease. Big lecture, Saturday 10 October from 9:00am to 11:30am. Hilton-DeSoto Hotel, 15 East Liberty Street. 1-800-920-9987 jsy29909@yahoo.com
(SAVANNAH, GA) Martin Melaver to speak at the Georgia Tech Impact Lecture Series Oct 7. The IMPACT Speaker Series has brought highly successful business leaders from a variety of industries to campus to share their experiences and give advice to students and other entrepreneurs on topics ranging from “building a venture around intellectual capital” to “successful entrepreneurship in large organizations” and “socially responsible leadership”. http://ile.gatech.edu/programs/impact.html

(SAVANNAH, GA) How planning for a disaster helped The Sullivan Group go green http://carriagetradepr.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/human-resource-outsourcing-sullivan-group/

(ISLE OF HOPE, GA) The Isle of Hope Artisans will have their ninth art show and sale at the Isle of Hope Marina Pavilion on Sat. Nov. 14 the from 10AM – 4PM. There will be 21 artists showing their work which includes all aspects of art such as pottery, sculpture, embroidery, oil paintings, water colors and pen and ink drawings, photography, digital art, stained glass, wood art, jewelry and quilted purses. All of our members live on Isle of Hope. Refreshments will be provided by Cutters Point which will also have a preview of the art show at the coffee shop in Sandfly from Oct.31-Nov.12.

(SAVANNAH, GA) SKIRT will feature creative women in Savannah–artists, writers, musicians, etc.–and  how they stay inspired.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Breaking Down Barriers:  Progress for those with Down syndrome. http://mysavannah.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/down-syndrome-savannah-lowcountry/

(SAVANNAH, GA) WORKSHOP “HOW TO KEEP MORE OF THE MONEY YOU MAKE” Take control of your financial future.  Saturday, October 17, 2009, (Class 10am- 2pm) RSVP 920-2000

http://mysavannah.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=2406

(SAVANNAH, GA) Friends of Animals presents “Katta Doga Epsilon”, our 11th Annual Auction & Toga Party. To be held on Saturday, November 21st from 7p – 11p at Savannah Station.  $45.00 per person.  Toga optional.  Friends of Animals of the Coastal Empire, Inc. is an all volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that distributes funds from its annual auctions to existing non-profit animal rescue and welfare groups in our area.
For more information, please contact Chris Comas at 912.596.7704

(SAVANNAH, GA) Buddy Walk video

(CHICAGO, IL) Each year, the average American consumes a staggering 30 gallons of bottled water, and consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has tripled in the last 10 years. Yet most people who grab a bottle of water off the shelf have no idea what they are putting into their bodies.  To find out what is really in that bottle of water, read the following ARTICLE please visit www.smeraldina.us.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Charming light filled two bedroom one full bath third story condo, hardwood floors, high ceilings, two ornamental fireplaces and a kitchen with full size washer and dryer.  Includes one off-street parking space. 501 E Charlton St., Agent Annie Rockwell, (912) 844-5783 ann.rockwell@sothebysrealty.com

http://www.celiadunnsir.com/listings_detail.asp?listingID=1089

(Okefenokee) On October 23 – 25, paddle the black water swamp with Georgia Conservancy and our storied guide Cathy Sakas, host of GPTV’s, The Coastal Naturalist. They will be staying in the accommodating cabins at Stephen C. Foster State Park.
RSVP Bryan Schroeder at bschroeder@gaconservancy.org or
404-876-2900.

(SAVANNAH, GA)  UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

(SAVANNAH, GA) Photos from the Leadership Savannah Retreat at St. Simons http://leadershipsavannah.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/retreat-09/#comment-3

(SAVANNAH, GA) CASA Announces “Dancing with the Savannah Stars” LINE UP:  http://mysavannah.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/casa-dancing-with-the-stars-2009-nov-12/
Kickoff Party to be held October 6, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Loco’s downtown location.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The next presentation in the Food for Thought Series will be on Thursday, October 15, 2009, “Ten Proven Online PR Methods vs. Traditional PR” given by Marjorie Young.  You will learn how to increase your visibility and credibility online through proven PR techniques. RSVP by Tuesday, October 13th to be included for lunch. Sign up by email to Jane Jordan at jane.jordan@gatech.edu or by calling the office at 912-963-2551. MORE INFO

(SAVANNAH, GA)  Three weeks ago Lydia Ramsey was featured in the WSJ! Congratulations!

http://mts.typepad.com/blog/2009/09/dining-for-profit-recommneded-by-the-wall-street-journal.html

www.sustainablefellwood.com

www.rebuildingtogethersavannah.org

(SAVANNAH, GA) -  As more people are finding it harder to make ends meet, four Savannah families will get help repairing their homes this October.

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of volunteers and area companies, the nonprofit group Rebuilding Together Savannah will repair four houses in West Savannah near Sustainable Fellwood.
“We wanted to give back to the communities close to where we are building Sustainable Fellwood,” said Denis Blackburne, Chief Financial Officer of sustainable developer Melaver Inc. “The Rebuilding Together Savannah organization gave us the unique opportunity of doing exactly what we wanted to achieve. When I approached the development team I was overwhelmed by the collective positive response and generosity. The most exciting part is that it will be the individuals and employees of the sponsoring companies that will be carrying out the work.
“There is already excitement in the air,” Blackburne said. “Everybody wins in such community involvement.”

The work is done by volunteers and there is no charge to homeowners. The nonprofit focuses on health and safety concerns first, providing modifications for handicap accessibility or repairs the homeowner needs. The sponsors cover the cost of the materials and repairs.

“It changes people’s lives to have their home made safer and sounder,’ said Ellen Hatcher, executive director of Rebuilding Together Savannah. “It makes all the difference in people’s lives to have someone come in and fix things.” Some of the repairs are desperately needed and allow the homeowners to stay in their homes. Many are retired or handicapped.

“I think that what we do changes the homeowners’ lives and changes the volunteers’ lives as well,” Hatcher said. “You can see the difference you made. You know you helped.” Many volunteers keep coming back because they find the work so rewarding, said Hatcher, who volunteered for the group since 1997 and then took on the staff position two years ago.

The Rebuilding Together organization selected the four homes, and eight companies are co-sponsoring the rebuilding.

The companies sponsoring the rebuilding are: Melaver, Inc.; Parallel Housing, Inc.; Progressive Redevelopment, Inc.; S&ME, Inc.; Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.; Long Engineering Inc; Lane Management, LLC; and Catamount Constructors Inc.

Rebuilding Together Savannah is a volunteer organization that in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly, disabled, and families with children so that they may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence. Among the recipients are the elderly, the disabled, military veterans and families in need. Rebuilding Together Savannah is part of the national organization Rebuilding Together Inc., which has more than 200 affiliates nationwide.
www.rebuildingtogethersavannah.org

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

http://www.ldssga.org

(SAVANNAH, GA & KABUL, AFGHANISTAN) The first ever Buddy Walk for Down syndrome to be held in a combat zone will be happening October 2nd at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan. Inspired by the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk October 3rd in Savannah, soldiers serving over seas that are unable to be present for the Savannah Buddy Walk Festival will be walking in Kabul to raise awareness and funds to support families touched by Down syndrome. All proceeds generated will be directed to Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) and the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).

Coordinated by Sergeant Samantha Allen-stationed at Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan with a National Guard Unit out of Macon, Georgia-the event has generated great excitement among the troops, many of whom are walking in honor of a friend, relative, or neighbor that they personally know who has been touched by Down syndrome.

Sergeant Allen has a baby nephew named Jaxson who was recently born with Down syndrome. Five month old Jaxson Hurst-a Savannah resident who lives in Pooler with his family (mom, Shannon, dad, James and two year old brother, Brayden)-is Allen’s inspiration for launching the first ever Buddy Walk in Afghanistan.
According to Allen, she is impressed and encouraged by the resources and acceptance that individual’s with Down syndrome enjoy today, which she realizes is due in large part to the important work of advocacy groups such as the LDSS and the NDSS.

“I also have an Uncle who is 50 that has Down syndrome named Tony,” says Allen. “When he was growing up he didn’t have the type of support that those with the condition do today,” she says. “He in many eyes is a miracle because he’s lived as long as he has and can do as much as he can. Uncle Tony and my nephew Jaxson are my inspirations for the Buddy Walk here at Camp Phoenix,” explains Sergeant Allen.

About the back story:
Shannon and James Hurst (parents of five month old Jaxson Hurst) met in 2006 at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah while serving in the 3rd ID. They fell in love, got married and settled down in Savannah to start a family. When their second child Jaxson was born with Down syndrome in 2009, the Hursts’ immediately reached out to LDSS for support and began learning everything that they could about the condition to ensure that Jaxson would have the proper support to live a fulfilling and healthy life. They quickly learned about the upcoming Buddy Walk in Savannah and decided to get involved.

Shannon Hurst began discussing the Buddy Walk with her sister Samantha Allen. Allen, who is stationed in Afghanistan with the National Guard, was disappointed that she would not be able to join the family in Savannah for the walk. Sergeant Allen decided that she wanted to get involved to raise money and awareness among the troops and organized a Buddy Walk of her own in Afghanistan to honor Jaxson and others with Down syndrome.

About the Camp Phoenix Buddy Walk in Afghanistan:
Kicking off National Down Syndrome Awareness month, the Camp Phoenix Buddy Walk will happen in Kabul on Friday October 2nd at 10 AM. Hundreds of soldiers are signed up for the one mile walk. A stationary buddy walk wall will be posted at the track and soldiers are encouraged to bring a picture of those that they know with Down syndrome in order to honor them as they are celebrated on this day. Many of the soldiers at Camp Phoenix are from the southeast region. The event will be followed by a festival complete with BBQ, music, a dunk tank, pie-in-the-face, and morale events such as volleyball, football and a horseshoe tournament.

About National Down syndrome Awareness Month & NDSS Buddy Walks:
The Buddy Walk, introduced in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)-a national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome-was a major breakthrough in promoting the acceptance and inclusion of all people with the condition.

A nationwide campaign to raise awareness and funds for programs that support families touched by Down syndrome, the Buddy Walk enables NDSS affiliates to advocate for individuals with Down syndrome in their community, which has opened many minds and doors for people with Down syndrome.

The Buddy Walk started with just 17 walks in 1995, and increased over the years, totaling more than 260 walks in 2005. This year in 2009 the NDSS expects over 300 Buddy Walks to occur nationally during the month of October, which is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

About the LDSS Buddy Walk in Savannah:
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk Festival will be held Saturday, October 3rd in Forsyth Park. The fourth annual Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and costs $12 per person (which includes a t-shirt and a meal). The walk kicks off at 10:30 AM, and the festival for the whole family is from 11 AM to 2 PM, offering rides, food, games, music and much more. To register to walk, call (912) 728-8505 or log onto the website at www.ldssga.org.

Young adults and adults with Down syndrome, family members, friends, healthcare professionals, corporate teams, members of the community, and children are encouraged to attend and participate in the event. Bring a wagon, a stroller, and your dog-all are welcome!

About LDSS:
Established in 2006, the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a non-profit family support group designed to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. The LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), a national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

These societies envision and promote a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community allow people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. http://www.ndss.org

The LDSS now provides outreach to families in eight local counties. Families are encouraged to bring their children with them to meetings, which are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. These gatherings usually include a guest speaker as well as social time for families to meet and share with one another. For more information call John or Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505 or visit the website at http://www.ldssga.org.

How planning for a disaster helped The Sullivan Group go green

The Sullivan Group is a Human Resource Outsourcing company based in Savannah, serving clients primarily in Georgia and South Carolina.  While providing PEO, staffing, internet job boards and insurance services, we made the strategic decision to convert upgrade our PEO software at the beginning of 2008. We had been operating on the same platform since the PEO was formed in 1996, so the implementation process would affect every aspect of the business.

www.simplysullivans.com

This change initiated a complete over-haul of our server infrastructure. It allowed the Sullivan Group to become more proactive in planning for disaster recovery and other outages that could affect our business and clients. It also allowed us to retire many of our old servers and provide a better working environment for our internal staff and clients. The costs for implementation have very quickly paid off.

With the Sullivan Group based in Coastal Georgia, we are vulnerable to seasonal hurricanes.  Recent Hurricanes have missed us by a few hundred miles; they have hit the coastline north of us, near Charleston and south in Florida.  Our luck won’t hold forever. Disaster recovery is critical to keeping our business running and our clients happy. We service clients all over the region and would not directly be affected if a hurricane hit Savannah. Therefore, our systems need to remain operational. Our new software platform provides expanded web access so our clients and their employees have access at anytime, day or night.

Enter server virtualization.  What is server virtualization?  Imagine a car engine with all its moving parts and functionality sitting on top of a chassis.  Server virtualization is very similar to the chassis in a car and server virtual machines are like an engine.  Whether it’s an engine for a Ford Mustang or a BMW, the chassis will remain the same.  With virtualization, the hardware remains the same across each of the virtual machines (VM).   Virtualization provides an emulation of the host hardware to all guest operating systems within one physical server.

There are a number of different vendors now offering virtualization software. The entire IT industry has been transformed in the past couple of years.  This technology went from being very limited in its use to very widespread. With any new technology the skill levels of the external consultants and internal IT staff need to be considered.  The software has been primarily used to virtualize network servers but desktop virtualization is another area experiencing huge growth. Implementing a desktop virtualization solution was not something we initially planned for but in the course of the upgrades to our data infrastructure it was an easy transition. When we need to quickly test desktop configurations it is a huge time saver. Our management staff has also realized the benefits of desktop VM’s and we have moved the entire Sullivan Group, including our remote offices, to using virtual desktops.  All the desktops can be managed from a single console, and we can easily backup the entire desktop image and make copies of it. The virtualization software that we chose is based on open source software and this resulted in a by-product that is robust with enhanced security, high availability, high performance, and is comparably inexpensive.

In addition to the value, virtualization offers near bare metal performance with low overhead of resources since the VM hypervisor is just a thin a layer of software that actually runs the virtualization.  This type of performance trickles down to each of the VMs; the RAM, processing power, and network speeds increase. Another benefit and driving force was the expansion of our disaster recovery plan.  With our bi-weekly VM backups and our nightly data backups, we can restore to another physical server host with minimum downtime in the event there is a major business failure.  We also utilize high availability features which allows for uninterrupted end user experience if there is a component failure.  For instance, if the network card fails in one of the hosts, the software will redirect the VM to another working host without the user noticing a “blip” in network connectivity.  These products allow us to provide a seamless production environment for our users.

Our server infrastructure was similar to other small businesses.  As we grew, we repurposed our legacy hardware or bought new hardware when the need presented itself.  We had 15 separate servers running different applications on hardware that was purchased over 5 to 10 years.  Our backup policy kept our data safe and secure but if we had any type of large scale business disaster, it would have been difficult to quickly become functional again.  It would not have been easy to pick up and move 15 physical servers to our back up location.

Our new network infrastructure consists of four physical host servers with 10 virtual servers spread across these hosts. The ability to create virtual servers whenever one is needed is a great advantage to our IT department. We can test new builds of software and create test environments with just a few clicks of a mouse. The flexibility that virtualization brings to our business is critical for our success in moving forward. It is hard to imagine now how we worked with such a rigid legacy network and server environment. Just one of our physical hosts currently supports over 40 virtual desktops. We have four physical legacy servers left to convert to VMs. The current system is stable and runs multiple web servers allowing our clients direct access to the new PEO software.

With the new system in place we can essentially “pick up and go” when a hurricane is approaching or disaster hits.  Being able to load the VMs on an external hard drive makes our disaster recovery plan incredibly portable.  We can (if necessary) walk out the door with VMs in hand and set up at our office in Atlanta, or at the office of a company with which we have an informal space-sharing agreement in Savannah. Without virtualization, none of this is possible.

We’ve been asked, “Does it really work?” and we proudly say, “Yes.  Yes, it does.”  We had only been using the new system for a couple of months when on one Thursday afternoon we experienced a failure of a RAID card in one of our brand new servers. The virtualization and HA software performed exactly how it was designed to work. The HA software transferred the users and the data access to the mirrored server and the users did not experience any type of interruption.  The software we chose allows the transfer to happen automatically with no intervention or manual steps required by the IT staff. Often in IT, when a problem occurs, fixes are done in a hurry so users can carry on with their work.  These fixes may or may not be a permanent solution depending on the amount of time the IT staff has to correct the problem.  With this secondary mirrored host running the application, our IT staff can take their time to diagnose and fix the problem while production continues uninterrupted. This HA technology gives IT the time they need to properly resolve the issue.

Implementing virtualization software allows companies to reduce the number of servers running in their data closet;, this change helped The Sullivan Group go green.  Prior to virtualization, we were experiencing “server sprawl” which is the industry term for companies with servers that are generally underused and wasting space and energy.  It is generally recommended that new software be implemented on a separate server. Even a small company can house 10 or more servers after a few years. Smaller companies commonly do not consider the power and cooling requirements that is required for a data closet. With the reduction in the number of physical servers, we have seen the temperature in our server room decrease which has cut down the power needs and AC usage. Also, reducing the number of servers reduces the amount of physical space required in our IT closet. We can grow our business without the expense of more power to cool the room or even building a larger room.

Rob Jones

IT Director

And

Erika Simpson

Network Administrator

The Sullivan Group

9-22-09