Cybelle’s Belly Dance Corner – July 2010

Introducing Cybelle’s “Belly Dance” Corner

By Deedee Coover

The Belly Dance world is a small, but growing community in Savannah.  Over the years, it has taken on a new appeal, showing up in fitness classes, fitness videos and even on exercise television channels.  This is very exciting but,  at the same time, worrisome to me.

I, Cybelle, am a seasoned Belly dancer and educator of this art. one of the oldest and meaningful displays of beauty and everyday life. And in the 13 years of studying, researching and learning all its benefits, I find that many people take on videos and teaching from sources that don’t always help the student to learn the correct posture, or how to execute a move, so that they don’t get hurt.

Many students with pre-existing conditions, i.e spinal, knee, hip, injuries or surgeries, require hands-on guidance in order to understand how their particular scenario changes the way they will make that shimmy and shake work!

Belly Dance is organic and can be an effective form of exercise and stress relief, not to mention a great self-esteem booster…if done correctly.

Women and men of all ages and shapes can benefit from this workout that concentrates on the minor musculature, or inner smaller muscles.  When you work these little guys, they pull in the larger muscles, thus revealing a great body shape and a strong core.

So, think about it before you begin, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for Belly Dance, be honest with your teacher and tell them ALL of your physical issues, and find out who your teacher is, where they learned and how long have they been practicing.  All of this will assure that your experience of shaking, shimmying and dancing, is a rewarding experience.

I will be back with more interesting facts, information, and health-related articles in the near future. In the meantime, I would love to entertain any questions you may have regarding this topic and similar health-related topics.  I may be reached on cybelle@cybelle.com.  You are also welcome to visit my website, Cybelle’s Belly Dance to read more about me, classes and upcoming performances.

Classes will also return this fall, so get ready to belly dance your way to a better body, mind and spirit!!!!

Cybelle

Dell Hoyt and the South Carolina Broadcasters Assure a “Hot August Night” at First Friday for Folk!

An Open Invitation from Hank Weisman & The Savannah Folk Music Society

FOREVER FOLK
By Hank Weisman

The 170th “First Friday for Folk Music,” the Savannah Folk Music Society’s monthly showcase of local and touring folk musicians, will be on August 6th and it will be a hot show. Featured will be Central Florida’s balladeer Dell Hoyt and Charleston’s outstanding old-time duo, the South Carolina Broadcasters. The show begins at 7:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church at 520 Washington Avenue. It’s smoke-free, alcohol-free and family-friendly. There is a recommended donation of $2 per person. Beverages and fresh baked goods are available for purchase at nominal prices.

Dell Hoyt’s rich blend of folk, blues, country and comedy bring back the old ways while his contemporary styles remind of the 1960s and today.  With a musical background in folk, blues, gospel, jazz, rock and country, this versatile entertainer has a talent that ranges from his original “Cries” about Florida’s endangered species to the ‘rousing’ “Somebody Touched Me.” This traditional folk singer/songwriter with smooth vocal styling and warm finger-style guitar or driving banjo is a person with a love of American and Irish music evident in his performances from the traditional “Bonnie Lass of Fenario” to the more contemporary “Who Will Watch The Home Place.”

In the early 1960s, Dell Hoyt began “playing out” in the Orlando, Florida area with Savannah Folk Music Society president Hank Weisman. Both were still in high school when they formed “The Helmsmen” and started to appear at Orlando’s “The Folksinger”, Winter Park’s “Carerra Room” and other local schools, clubs and functions. The two reunited at a First Friday thirteen years ago and now have another chance to appear on the same stage. In the summer of 2007, Ivy Lindley and David Sheppard joined together to form The South Carolina Broadcasters, an old-time duo featuring fiddle, banjo, guitar, and close harmony singing. They specialize in the songs of the Carter Family and traditional Appalachian mountain music. They present professional, lively and entertaining performances that showcase their musical ability. From raucous clawhammer numbers, to traditional Cajun two-steps (sung in French), The Broadcasters never disappoint with both something familiar and something new. Audiences always clamor for more. The South Carolina Broadcasters have performed at numerous notable places including Spoleto USA, the legendary Bill Well’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor in W. Columbia, S.C. and Brooklyn’s Jalopy Theatre.  The South Carolina Broadcasters were named “Traditional Duo of the Year” by the S.C. Old-Time Music Association for 2009.

With the annual Savannah Folk Music festival coming up the second weekend in October, the art guitars and autographed instruments are rolling in for the “Noteworthy Art” auction  that helps make the Festival free to the public. A Pete Seeger signed banjo and Doc Watson signed guitar are featured items. Guitars painted by local artists provide a colorful and creative selection for home décor. This year’s Festival features Karla Bonoff and Otis Taylor. Lots of great events, like the Festival, are planned for this Fall.

For information about SFMS, call Hank Weisman at 912-786-6953. Visit: Savannah Folk Music Society on the web.

(Below: samples of some of the fabulous artwork already submitted for this year’s Savannah Folk Music Festival)

Spotlight on Small Business – July 2010

Tybee Island Social Club

Exciting New “Green” Dining Experience: Enticing, Eclectic!

Editor, Cynthia Kinkel

Nashville native, musician Kurtis Schumm has been playing music on Tybee for the past five years, and restoring old houses. He says he’s always been an entrepreneurial spirit with an artistic bend. Schumm’s also a self-taught chef with experience preparing food for small groups. “I really love to cook!” he admits.

Sarah Lanier is an interior designer who used to own a furniture business with her own line on down on Liberty Street in Savannah. When she and Kurtis met they decided to blend their talents into one venture. Both loved food and the idea of combining healthy cuisine, art, music and merchandise under one roof was very appealing.

While living in Atlanta several years ago, Sarah had been impressed with Taqueria Del Sol on Howell Mill Road. “I loved the easy atmosphere of that place,” she says, “and their food is wonderful.” She and Kurtis decided to try their hand at creating a similar styled eatery on Tybee.  The plan was Sarah would work on the floor design, the decor and the furniture; Kurtis, the lighting and artwork, and of course the music and the food preparation.

They found an investor and set to work on the building. Finally all the planning and hard work paid off last month when the doors of the Tybee Island Social Club opened wide to the public and Tybee’s newest eatery was off and running. The owners say the reception has been great, and the place has been getting rave reviews from locals and visitors for service, entertainment, and the menu.

“We specialize in freshness – everything is made from scratch using local ingredients whenever possible,” explains Schumm. “We prepare menu items from local proteins (meat, foul, seafood), organic produce, and two out of the three beers on tap right now come from Georgia – Sweetwater 420, and Terrapin Sunny Wheat (with a touch of Savannah Bee honey).”  By the way, all Social Club cocktails are made with freshly squeezed juices, fresh herbs and spices, too.

Not only are the owners into fresh and local, they’re promoting a responsible, “green” approach to business as well.

“We practice ‘substantiability’ in our daily routine, and we’re really into recycling what we use – aluminum, cardboard, glass – you name it,” says Sarah. “And we encourage patrons to ride bicycles. We ride, and we’ve got plenty of space and racks outside – we’re even thinking of offering a discount to patrons who cycle over here.” Seems like a great idea for a location with limited parking, and Schumm and Lanier say it’s working. The new covered eating porch outside the front door is also most convenient for restaurant guests who stop by to grab a quick bite. Movies are shown in this area as well.

Inside, ordering is done from a central location up front, and food is then brought out to the tables. There are several dining areas, and also a full service bar with a closed circuit TV.  They offer wine tastings every Wednesday evening ($35) that pair exquisite vintage wines with tasty food bites – island clams, beef tenderloin.

Live entertainment is provided on the weekends. Right now the line-up starts on Thursdays with
The Accomplices, an accomplished acoustic trio featuring an upright bass, guitar, and drums; on Friday, a group from Statesboro named Savannah Avenue plays funky reggae and jazz. Saturday’s “catch of the day” music scene usually brings Kurtis in to play, and Sunday’s feature is Trainwrecks guitarist, Jason Bible, usually solo.

Social Club also offers “nightly specials,” and no taco item is over $4.50.  Any taco item may also be converted to a salad, and Sarah says this is catching on fast. One of the most popular tacos is their “steak taco” with lime and tequila marinated skirt steak, aioli garlic and fresh 100% baby arugula; another delicious and tempting favorite is the “ceviche starter” at $5.99 which consists of local seafood, avocado, lime, red onion, cilantro and Savannah Bee Honey with chips.
One of the most requested items on the menu is their side plate of “collards” which is a new twist on a southern favorite, described as “bacon-hugged with a bit o’ heat” for $2.50.

They also offer fresh salsas, guacamole, or creamy queso dip with chips, desserts and for kids 12 years and under, there are chicken fingers or mini corn dogs served with sweet potato fries, and a drink for only $3.99 – a great deal for families on a limited budget. The serve butter beans and black beans, too.

Kurtis says he learned the secret of creating the perfect sauce long ago from an Italian lady and friend who told him never to use water – “Only wine or stock to do it right,” he adds. “I’ve learned to trust my instincts.” He and Sarah both seem to be of the same mind, as are the members of their kitchen and wait staff. Kurtis describes them (above) as musicians and artists, and creative types, sensitive to the overall mission of the restaurant. “We believe in sustainability,” Sarah says, “and we’re working together to accomplish it.”

Sounds like a great concept to top off a very positive vibe! Bravo!

Tybee Island Social Club

1311 Butler Ave.
Tybee Island, GA 31328
912.472.4044

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How ‘Bout That – July 2010

It’s not the heat, it’s the stupidity…
by  Junie Merkle

“You can stand here with me if you want, but you’ll have to agree not to talk about the heat.”

Do you remember who said that to whom in what movie? I’m going to talk about the heat while you collect your thoughts.  Because my brain seems stuck on hot, hot and humid, humid, humid, everything else seems secondary.

Just driving the dog to the dog park and sitting on a bench in the shade, while the dog and his friends lounge in the shade, wears me out.  It would help my mood if I didn’t get the head sweats the moment I step outside.  In addition to being cranky and lethargic, I have hair that is alternately flat and frizzy or both.  Fright Night!

People with good hair have an unfair genetic advantage.  In addition, these lucky souls usually are the ones whose clothes look crisp while the rest of us wilt and wrinkle.  (Spoiler:  Here comes the answer to the opening question.)  When William Hurt said the above words to Kathleen Turner in “Body Heat” (1981), she was wearing a spotless white dress and her hair was perfect AND she was standing on a pier during a searing heat wave in Florida.

Poor William Hurt, such a likable guy, is struck stupid by the heat wave (and this was before central air conditioning was common) and by her allure.  I always sympathize with him, with his bad hair and worse luck.  For a while he had fun, though, like spending some time in a bath tub with ice cubes and Kathleen.

Now through August is the perfect time to watch or re-watch this movie. It will make you appreciate your air conditioner even more.  People of a certain age remember when fans and standing in front of the refrigerator were the only relief. I believe it was in the 70’s when my parents finally put a window unit in their bedroom.  As the oldest, I often baby-sat.  As soon as they left, we would “prepare the igloo” as baby sister described it and hang out in there.
Of course, that was before televisions in the bedroom were common, so it was kind of boring.
But I digress.  Back to the movie.  I’ve watched “Body Heat” many times.  Every time I harbor this slight hope that William Hurt will figure everything out before it’s too late.  But he never does.  It’s too hot for him to think clearly.

There’s not much hope for the rest of us either when it’s 102 in July.  It’s going to be a long, hot, stupid summer.

Until next month,
Junie

America’s “Healthiest Beach;” One Year Later Celebrities Visit

America’s “Healthiest Beach” One Year Later – Celebrities on Tybee!

Lisa Wu and Ed Hartwell Pay a Visit…

Hosted by Oceanfront Cottages ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Lisa Wu Hartwell and her husband Ed visited Tybee in May, escaping their hectic schedules in Atlanta where they’re shooting season 3 of the Real Housewives, movies and Ed’s calendar project). While staying at one of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals homes, they found time to work out together, run on the beach and do some jet skiing. (On the Left)

Mughelli Pays a Visit to Tybee…

OVIE MUGHELLI Foundation,“Our Future is Green!”

Atlanta Falcons’ fullback Ovie Mughelli recently visited Tybee and vacationed at one of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals exclusive island homes.

Atlanta’s #1 Eco-Athlete and founder of the Ovie Mughelli Foundation says he had no idea there was so much beauty and tranquility off the Georgia Coast such a short drive from his home in Atlanta.

In May, Mughelli teamed up with Stacye Jarrell for an eco-conscious press conference to help raise awareness of the importance of preserving coastal areas like Tybee Island. Pictured above are Lannie and Stacye Jarrell, Ovie Mughelli and Tybee City Councilman, Paul Wolff.

The idea is to teach children and their parents about buying locally grown organic foods, recycling, reducing the use of gasoline-powered motorized vehicles and leaving less of a mark on the environment.

RUBY GETTINGER VISITS…

Left: Style Network Star and Emmy Nominee Ruby Gettinger poses with Sean and Ele Tran of Ele’s Fine Fusion Restaurant on Wilmington Island displaying a deliciously healthy dish prepared by “Chef Sean,” for a gathering at Stacye and Lannie Jarrell’s home on Tybee.

Gettinger appeared with her trainers Shazi & Drew Edmonds owners of Train Me 24/7 and Olympic Trainer Michael Banks star of Body by Banks.

“Tybee Throws a Fit“ was sponsored by zoelifestyle.com to pump up attendees on July 2nd at The Tybee Island Pier and the north beach side from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

All Photos by Chris Hornaday at http://www.chrishornadayphotography.com

Trainer Michael Banks Featured…

Below right, Banks  joined Ruby Gettinger, Shazia and Drew Edmonds during the “Tybee Throws a Fit” event on July 2nd, 2010.

(More to come in the July edition)

Michael Banks: bodybybanks.com
Shazia & Drew Edmonds: trainme247.com
For more information visit: tybeethrowsafit.com

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