February 28

Local Art Show to Benefit Savannah’s Humane Society

The Savannah Mall's ongoing relationship with the Savannah College of Art and Design's Illustration Society is going to the dogs. This Sunday, February 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. the Mall will host a gallery opening entitled "Artists for Animals" to benefit Savannah's Humane Society. Students from SCAD's Society of Illustrators Club have created originals and prints specifically for the event. All works will feature animals and will be up for sale, with 60% of the proceeds from each sale benefiting the Humane Society, In addition the Humane Society will be holding an adoption and donation drive at the Mall with adoptable animals onsite.

According to Nancy Richards, assistant director for the Humane Society, they are accepting donations of many kinds. "The thing we need most is money because that allows us the flexibility to use the funds to fill whatever need we have at the time, but we know times are tight for people. We always need used but clean blankets and towels; Purina or Pedigree canned and dry dog food and any brand of wet cat food."

Art prices will range from $35 to $100 for prints, with originals fetching more. According to Senea Crystal, marketing director for Savannah Mall, "We have worked with SCAD's Society of Illustrators in the past with great success. It has been a wonderful way for us to support the community and fulfill our mission as the community mall." Crystal continued, "The talent of the students is outstanding and for them to be able to use those talents to benefit this worthy cause is a win-win for everyone."

Students will accept requests for commissioned portraits of family pets with a commitment to donate 60% of those proceeds to the charity. "Pets have become like children today" said Crystal. "They offer us such comfort in this great time of uncertainty."

The SCAD Illustration Department was ranked as one of the top five innovative programs by Applied Arts magazine in the October 2008 issue. According to Karen Swartz, gallery director for the Illustration Society, the organization has approximately 50 active members. "The Society is a student run group, dedicated to providing its members with activities to showcase their work and opportunities for education that will help with future careers in illustration," said Swartz. An animal lover with two cats, Swartz is excited to participate in the show, especially since the Humane Society needs extra help with the poor economy. "I will be presenting two pieces at the show and am excited to support this wonderful cause and hope to raise a lot of money for the Society," said Swartz.

After Sunday, the show will run weekends Friday to Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. until March 21. T * Lovely from 97.3 Kiss FM will be on hand for a live broadcast during the event.

For more information or to request permission to videotape or photograph for newscasts or publication during the opening, please contact Savannah Mall Marketing Manager Senea Crystal at (912) 927-7467 or

*The attached image was created by artist Lizzeth Huerta Priego


ABOUT SAVANNAH MALL
Savannah Mall is a one million square foot shopping mall that opened in July 1990 in Savannah, Georgia. With new ownership (2007), today the mall has four anchors of Bass Pro Shops, Burlington Coat Factory, Dillard's and Target. There are approximately 100 stores, including a new Victoria’s Secret, Gap/Gap Kids, Lane Bryant, Texas Roadhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Bath & Body Works, Claire's, Cold Stone Creamery, Foot Locker, Spencer's Gifts, and more. A food court is on the upper level of the mall and features a carousel, the only permanent carousel in the Savannah market. At the newly expanded Center Court a variety of different functions take place from fashion and flower shows, educational art exhibits to Santa Claus at Christmas. Telephone 912-927-7467, 14045 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419, Email ; http://www.savannahmall.com
ABOUT THE HUMANE SOCIETY
The Humane Society for Greater Savannah is a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that receives no government funding or taxpayer dollars. The organization is funded solely by private donations, its Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop and special events. The shelter typically handles 3,600 animals each year who are surrendered by their owners for various reasons. Adoptable animals are treated, cared for and placed in adoption where they stay until homes are found for them. The shelter has a 12 member Board of Directors and over 200 volunteers who help at special events, work in the thrift shop and/or walk dogs and socialize cats. For more information about the Humane Society, go to http://www.HumaneSocietySAV.org or call 354-9515.
ABOUT SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
The ranking highlighted universities where educators are preparing students for the changing world of design. With more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university in the United States, the Savannah College of Art and Design is uniquely qualified to prepare talented students for professional, creative careers. SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution that offers a choice of degree programs in 42 different majors, plus 52 minors. Students can pursue their degrees at campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, in Lacoste, France, and online through SCAD-eLearning. The career preparation of each student is nurtured and cultivated by nearly 500 full-time professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience.

Named one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Graduate Schools" by U.S. News and World Report, and one of the nation's "Most Interesting Schools" by Kaplan-Newsweek, SCAD confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Urban Design degrees.

February 13

LET’S DANCE, SAVANNAH!  at Savannah Mall: Dance to Your Heart’s Content on February 27, 2010

SAVANNAH Georgia (February 13, 2010) -- February is Heart Month and coastal
Georgia health professionals are raising awareness with a repeat of last
year's HOT "Let's Dance, Savannah!" at Savannah Mall on February 27th (11AM
- 4PM).

"Dance is, indeed, exercise and a fun way to incorporate regular physical
activity into your daily routine," shares Cristina P. Gibson MPH, director
of the Coastal Health District. "Heart disease is the leading cause of
death in the United States and in Georgia. Women are at significantly higher
risk for heart disease than men."

Gibson recommends exercise as one way to stave off heart disease. "Thirty
minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day. Sixty minutes per
day is recommended for children. Other heart disease-avoiding measures
include eat healthy, be tobacco-free and get checked for blood pressure and
BMI (Body Mass Index)."

The public is invited to Savannah Mall's Center Court on Saturday, February
27th, 11AM-4PM. Free dance demonstrations and classes, healthy snacks, blood
pressure checks, BMI measurements, blood glucose testing and bone density
scanes. Register for the raffle of an iPod Shuffle/iTunes Gift Card Prize
Pack.

The day's activities and instructors include the following:

11-11:30 AM ZUMBA with Grace Jasinski
11:30AM-12PM USA Dance/Moon River Dancers (Ballroom)
12- 12:30PM Savannah Tango
12:30-1 PM Silver Liners
1-1:30 PM Abundant Life Worship Center Dance Ministry (Mime/Step/Lyrical)
1:30-2 PM One Spirit Dance Academy (Ballet)
2PM-2:30 PM Maxine Patterson's School of Dance (Jazz)
2:30-3 PM Savannah Children's Theatre (Musical Theatre)
3-3:30 PM Abeni Cultural Arts (African Dance)
3:30-4 PM Lotus Dance Company (Egyptian Belly Dance)

Partners with the Coastal Health District for this event include the Chatham
County Health Department, CVS, Community Cardiovascular Council, and the
Armstrong Atlantic State University's Health Sciences Department.
For more information, please call 912-644-5209 or 912-484-1885.

About the Coastal Health District

The Coastal Health District serves Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn,
Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties in the state of Georgia. Its mission is
to assure conditions in which people can be healthy and to provide
leadership in the prevention of disease and injury. Savannah District
Office, 24 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd., Savannah, GA 31416, Phone (912)
644-5200; Fax (912) 644-5220 -- http://www.gachd.org .


ABOUT SAVANNAH MALL

Savannah Mall is a one million square foot shopping mall that opened in July
1990 in Savannah, Georgia. With new ownership (2007), today the mall has six
anchors of Bass Pro Shops, Burlington Coat Factory, Dillards, Target and
A.C. Moore. There are approximately 100 stores, including a new Victoria
Secret, Gap/Gap Kids, Lane Bryant, Texas Roadhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Bath &
Body Works, Claires, Cold Stone Creamery, Foot Locker, Spencers Gifts, and
more. A food court is on the upper level of the mall and features a
carousel, the only permanent carousel in the Savannah market. At the newly
expanded Center Court a variety of different functions take place from
fashion and flower shows, educational art exhibits to Santa Claus at
Christmas. Telephone 912-927-7467, 14045 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA
31419, Email ; http://www.savannahmall.com