When you are in Savannah, make sure you stop by the art centers here.
When you are in Savannah, make sure you stop by the art centers here.
I go there about twice a week to read, eat a couple of cinnamon rolls and drink a few cups of their great coffee.
The atmosphere is a little funky and laid back -- they have classical music in the background and comfortable chairs and couches.
The staff is very pleasant and helpful. It's on the east side of Broughton St right next to Leopold's Ice Cream shop and across from the SCAD library.
I'll add a photo next week. Try it!
Mike from Savannah
The Ellis Square Project is moving along. For those unfamiliar with the project, a huge parking garage was built where Ellis Square used to be - now the garage has been torn down and underground parking is taking its place with Ellis Square being restored, creating a nice green park area as the entrance into City Market. City Market is an area where shops and art galleries and restaurants surround a park-like area on the west side of the city close to Bay Street.
I go by the project about twice a week and it looks like the next stage now will be the restoration of the square -- the underground parking is complete, but not open yet. The lage condo development called News Place is almost complete, also, which is going up in front of Ellis Square.
Restoration of Ellis Square will be a huge aesthetic improvement and will enhance the enjoyment of City Market. Savannah was already beautiful, with this development it will be moreso -- plus, the parking problem will greatly helped.
]]>
I was unsure whether i would like it. I'd heard about the crime and the odor from the paper mills and the bugs and all the negative stuff. And, in the beginning there was a bad odor from the paper mills and there were a lot of bugs. As for crime, I've never been affected by crime in Savannah.
The paper mills improved with pollution technology and I never smell that smell anymore, and the bugs and I have come to a harmonic agreement that if they stay outside we can co-exist just fine.
Downtown Savannah was just beginning to change when I moved to Savannah and all the action seemed to be moving to the southside and to the west. Well the southside and the west are still busy, but the downtown area has boomed as well. I have seen Savannah steadily grow and manage the growth in a way that is protecting its character. I am stuck in a quandary of a preservationist tendency and a dynamic spirit.
I love growth and I love the new, but when I look at the old architecture in Savannah I also want it saved and preserved. That's asking and expecting a lot but so far Savannah has managed to keep the two going with very little conflict.
One reason is that most of the developable land has been developed, so all the new construction is going south and west -- downtown Savannah is able to maintain its character and new growth is able to spread around it -- a very workable arrangement. However, the southside has been influenced by the character of downtown Savannah and much of the new commercial development is maintaing some semblance of the downtown style.
Tybee island has also grown since I moved to Savannah -- when I first moved here Tybee Island was still a sleepy little beach town, eccentric and eclectic -- it's still eccentric and eclectic but it has grown tremendously -- it grew too fast and now it's in a holding pattern waiting for a down market to move its way through. Tybee is still a bargain though when compared to other oceanside communties up and down the Atlantic. Tybee will always be small because it's just, well, small. But more restaurants and entertainment have changed it from sleepy to a little more active and fun for visitors.
One of the major changes I see in Savannah is the renovation of the Victorian district and Thomas Square Streetcar District from Victory Drive to around Forsyth Park. This area has the potential to create many trendy, interesting neighborhoods -- the renovation has been hot for a number of years now and it appears it will continue for a long time to come. There is a tendency now for people to want to move closer to downtown and this is driving the renovation.
However, the westside of Savannah in Pooler and Effingham County are still growing as well as people choose new subdivsions and quite communities outside downtown. All in all it has been fun to watch and be a part of.
It wasn't long after moving to Savannah that I fell in love and the love affair is still going.
]]>
I guess baseball is not as popular as it once was; however, for someone like myself who grew up with baseball and who began playing at age 7 or 8, then played every year after until I was almost 20, baseball is in the blood. As a kid a developed an interest in statistics through my love for baseball. I knew Mickey Mantle's batting average on a daily basis. I followed all the great players of the day, Rocky Colavito, Harmon Killebrew, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Al Kaline, Roberto Clemente -- I could go on and on.Later, when my two boys became of age, they developed an interest in baseball, and some of my greatest memories are of sweating profusely in 95 degree heat at a ballpark watching one of my sons play, cheering them, sharing with them the successes and failures -- it was if I was there on the field with them every game.
So, for me, it's a good thing that Savannah has a single-A minor league team, the Savannah Sandgnats -- this is the bare beginning of a professional career for a player and the pay is so low the main purpose of playing is still for the love of the sport. Last night I attended a game that turned out to be a good one -- tied in the 9th when the second baseman for Sandgnats knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle. It was good entertainment all around. They have in-between activities where they involve the local children in games like races around the bases.
They have refreshments and a bar for those who like a cold beer with their hotdog. The stadium is Grayson Stadium and is off Victory within Daffin Park, at the western edge of Ardsley Park and the nortthen end of the Parkside neighborhood.
Now you might ask, what is a sandgnat? Here is a link to help you understand the significance of a sandgnat. They aren't as bad as the article makes them out to be, just a minor nuisance at certain times -- most times you won't even know they exist .Once you live here for a while you will know all about sandgnats and how Skin So Soft can prevent them from bothering you. The most interesting thing about sandgnats is that come out only when the weather is perfect, say 78 or 79 degrees.
Going to a game every now and then is good fun and worth the few dollars spent. I'm glad Savannah has a baseball team, even if it is named after a small, annoying insect.
(photo from Sandgnats homepage)
]]>
One of the great things about Savannah is the ease with which you can walk around town. Oglethorpe had a stroke of genius when he designed the grid of squares throughout downtown Savannah, although then it wasn't "downtown" Savannah, it was just Savannah. Also, Oglethorpe had no way of predicting cars and the type of road congestion we experience today, but the squares are perfect for slowing down traffic and allowing pedestrians the comfort of walking and the feeling they are not overwhelmed or blocked from the city by traffiic. By slowing down traffic while drivers slowly go around the squares this allows drivers and pedestrians to develop a courtesy system where crossing over from one block to the next is commonly understood -- most drivers will stop when they see someone standing to cross, and there is a lot of waving and nodding going on between drivers and pedestrians.It also allows drivers the chance to slow down and take in all the beautiful landscaping of the squares and grand architecture which surrounds the squares. It works out very well and the pace is set to enjoy rather than to rush through. The slow pace and the scenic surroundings make Savannah a choice spot for vacationers. I can't find the article but recently Savannah made the top 10 in US cities as a vacation spot (Travel and Leisure magazine?) -- others included San Francisco and New York, so we are in pretty heady company.
Being a local, I enjoy the city on almost a daily basis (I live only five minutes from the heart of downtown). I watch Savannah as she changes and grows, hoping the growth will not change the unique character of the city. Savannah has a mysterious feel about it, a time-warp sense of going back to a different day and age, but it also has a modern touch that blends in with its history and old architecture. This precarious balance creates a tension that is palpable at times, and frustrating to some who misunderstand the historic aspect of the city and lingering mindset of an unhurried way of life.
Savannah is also becoming a city of art and rough-refinement, another mixture of raucousness and appreciation for beauty. The Savannah College of Art and Design is inself an influence of contrasts with green-haired, tattooed students particpating in SCAD's efforts to disseminate art and renovate old buildings into a present synergy greater than the new and old. Everywhere you look is the play of old and new creating something that struggles to transcend and "become". It's in the becoming that I find the reward of witnessing change and preservation work a compromise of community and uniqueness. It's difficult to describe, but it's fun to be a part of.
Forsyth Park was built as the end of Savannah at Gaston Street. It's now considered downtown with all the growth to the south. The amazing thing about Forsyth Park is that it's survived. 26 acres of prime real estate untouched! It now ends at Park Ave and some of Savannah's most beautiful homes are built around the park.The amazing feeling of escape you when entering the park helps me understand why no one could let the park be developed. It's an oasis of green, with a huge water fountain, statues, benches, walking trail, open field for sports, picnics, sun-bathing, frisbee throwing, events, etc.
Forsyth Park says a lot about Savannah's committment to preservation. It's named after John Forsyth who was a senator from GA and a secretary of state during the Jackson and Van Buren administrations. Being named after a politician may be its only flaw.
When visiting Savannah, if you would like to stay on the park, there is the newly built Mansion on Forsyth Park, and there are a couple of bed and breakfast inns.
Whenever I'm stressed out, I go to the park and walk around -- the hugh oaks and all the beautiful flowers get me centered again and ready to face the world renewed -- it has that kind of effect.
One of the grand historic styles you will see among the homes is the Richardsonian Romanesque -- very powerful and impressive. I'm just glad it was saved through the years -- as much I like progress, some things need to remain.
]]>
Speaking of River street, my wife and I had dinner with two other couples at Tubby's and then went to watch the dueling pianos at Savannah Smiles.Tubby's is upstairs from Huey's on River Street and provides live music and a great view of the river. Three large cargo ships passed by while we were eating and the streets were filled with tourists, locals and street musicians. The meal was good and the service was acceptable, the real joy of eating at Tubby's is the view, the people and the music.
After the meal and a little conversation we walked to Savannah Smiles which is further west down the river and on the Bay Street side. They started off with local pianists dueling with requests (an "official" request is one that comes with a buck or two). The local guys were good and played some great oldies -- they also can sing very well. About half way through the show a couple of pianists, one from Philly an one from Boston, took over and began to rock the house with much more energy. It's a fun place and we had a great time -- the musicians keep the crowd going and everyone gets into the spirit.
Local business results for river street, near Savannah, GA
| A. | River Street Inn- www.riverstreetinn.com - (912) 234-6400 - 129 reviews | |
| B. | River Street Sweets- www.riverstreetsweets.com - (912) 234-4608 - 16 reviews | |
| C. | River Street Riverboat Co- www.savannahriverboat.com - (912) 232-6404 - 3 reviews | |
| D. | Bernie's River Street- www.berniesriverstreet.com - (912) 236-1827 - 1 review | |
| E. | River Street Candle Factory- www.riverstreet.nv.switchboard.com - (912) 236-6336 - 10 reviews | |
| F. | River Street Gallery- www.riverstreetsavannah.com - (912) 234-7200 - more | |
| G. | Oyster Bar- maps.google.com - (912) 232-1565 - 7 reviews | |
| H. | Cobblestone Conch House- maps.google.com - (912) 232-5551 - 5 reviews | |
| I. | Riverstreet Trolley Stop- maps.google.com - (912) 238-4342 - more | |
| J. | River Street Market Place- www.quantumtour.com - (912) 495-0014 - more | |
 | More results near Savannah, GA » |
Here is a link to a map to give you a visual idea of where River Street is located in relation to the city of Savannah.
Savannah Map -- It also has links to useful information.
River Street is where a lot of the excitement is at in Savannah. There is always something going on and during St. Patricks Day there is a whole lot going on - 500,000-750,000 worth of visitors going on.
While you are there, you should visit River Street Sweets (audio) -- wonderful, wonderful chocolate and sweets of all sorts.
Once used mainly for trade, now tourists find it a favorite spot for shopping, eating and entertainment. Hutchinson Island, directly across the Savannah River was recently developed and is now a great place to stay with the new Westin there and a top notch golf course. A ferry transports across from Hutchinson Island to River Street.
River Street still has the old cobblestone street which gives it a unique feel, although I would suggest not walking in high heels. For locals it's still a good getaway, especially for those who live out in the suburbs and want to escape to something different. You will hear music all up and down the street and might even catch a festival of some sort going on. At any given time you'll see a giant cargo ship travelling down the river on the way to the port which is just a little further east along the waterway. Or you might see a cruiseliner coming in now that Savannah is on the route for some of them.
But, like I said, there is always something going on. It's a great place to start.
]]>I look forward to developing this. It will be fun. I love Savannah, so it will be a labor of love.
Mike from Savannah
]]>