TYBEE ISLAND is now A BETTER HOMETOWN COMMUNITY

A BETTER HOMETOWN – July 2010
By Chantel Morton, Better Hometown Coordinator

CONGRATULATIONS TYBEE!

Did you notice the headline?  That’s right!  Tybee is now officially a Georgia Better Hometown Community!  A HUGE thank you and congratulations goes out to the City of Tybee, business owners and residents for working together to see the fruits of our labor and commitment to preserve Tybee and be economically strong come to fruition!  I look forward to the continued successes we have with improvements for Economic Development within the context of Historic Preservation.  The Board of Directors and Committee members have been instrumental in this process and we will continue working with the community to maintain the quality of life through a healthy business corridor and to enhance the cultural experience while preserving this barrier island’s heritage.

Third Thursdays on Tybee took place again on July 15 at 5:30pm – 6:30pm and featured Jan Spillane. (below) She performed her bluesy, country style talents in the Lot at Tybee Oaks.  We will be taking a break this next month from our “Listener’s Delights” outdoors due to the heat, but will be picking them back up again in September.   We’re asking for community support to make them happen.  If you would like for Third Thursdays on Tybee to continue, and can lend your support to this effort, please contact me about a sponsorship or to learn how to contribute.

Also, mark your calendars for the next Historic Preservation Presentation – “Preserving Communities” on August 11th from 5:30pm until 6:30pm. It will cover Historic Tax Incentives and Local Preservation Planning. This presentation should be a valuable learning session for anyone attempting to restore historic residential or business property.  Look for more information soon!

Last month you read about the pilot ambassador program Better Hometown is launching –
“Tybee Island Information Providers.”  We still need local volunteers to assist visitors with questions about parking, shopping, dining, and sightseeing activities.   This is a wonderful way for you to volunteer, be social and share you knowledge of where you live.  Kids can even earn Community Service hours!  T. I. I. P. volunteers will work a three-hour shift, one time per week during peak season between 14th and 17th Street east side of Butler Ave.  An orientation will be held shortly so please call me if you can help!

Remember, while you are out enjoying this island paradise, “Buy Local Tybee”.  Tybee has over 35 cool spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger; more than 30 shops to find everything you must have from whimsical art to beach towels to traditional PB & Js, and personal services from banking to automotive care!  While you are enjoying the Island life, take advantage of the variety of natural and cultural experiences from the waterways to high in the sky. It’s all right here on Tybee!

Please, feel free to contact members of the Better Hometown Board of Directors or me
with suggestions, concerns, or to help. Names are listed here and contact information for the Board can be found on the City of Tybee Island’s website.

Here’s to you and the whimsy of Tybee!

Chantel
912.786-4573, ext.123
cmorton@cityoftybee.org

A Better Hometown

Greetings!

Third Thursdays on Tybee Grassroots Arts Program continues this month.  This listener’s delight is brought to you by Tybee’s Better Hometown Initiative.  These concert series are made possible by the City of Tybee, Georgia Council for the Arts, the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs/Leisure Services Bureau and generous contributors.  In February, the VIGUBA Trio shared their string playing expertise with you.  On March 18th, Lauren LaPointe (and Bill DeYoung) amazed those that came out to the lot at Tybee Oaks to hear Lauren’s nationally recognized vocals.  April will be the final performance of this series and showcases young musical talent.

On April 15th Lacey Caldwell will amaze you from 5pm until 6pm at the Tybrisa / Strand Roundabout.  Lacey is an award winning teenage vocalist from Savannah Arts Academy and we are pleased she will perform for you. That’s right!  Tax Day this year will have a free musical performance while you are strolling around Tybrisa and The Strand.

Residents, merchants and guests are all encouraged to take advantage of this Listener’s Delight while enjoying the outdoors!  With support and assistance from a variety of sources, we hope to continue the outdoor music on Tybee and the awareness that Tybee Island is an inviting and thriving arts community.  For more information, visit http://www.cityoftybee.org/BetterHometownProgram.aspx.

Last July your Better Hometown Initiative hosted a “Community Visioning Workshop” for businesses and residents.  April 14th from 5pm – 6pm will be the NEXT Workshop.
Everyone is invited to receive an update about items on which the Board and each of the four-point committees have been working given the input received back in July 2009.  Your participation and continued input is crucial.  It will help the board update each committee’s workplan for the coming months and continue their positive work with the city to keep Tybee the whimsical paradise to live, do business and visit!

Remember, while you are out enjoying this island paradise, “Buy Local Tybee!”  There are many ways to enjoy Tybee.  Tybee’s varieties of natural and cultural experiences abound from the waterways to high in the sky.  Plus, Tybee has over 35 hot spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger, personal services just right for you and more than 30 shops to find everything you must have from whimsical art to sunscreen to deli meat.  It’s all right here on Tybee!

Please feel free to contact members of the Better Hometown Board of Directors or me with suggestions, concerns, or to help.  Contact information for the Board can be found on the link to the Better Hometown Initiative from the City of Tybee Island’s homepage.

Keep enjoying the whimsy of Tybee!

Chantel
Better Hometown Coordinator
City of Tybee Island, GA
cmorton@cityoftybee.org

Tybee’s BHT Vision Statement (adopted 4-14-09):
To improve the quality of life for those that live, work and visit Tybee Island through a healthy business corridor andenhance the cultural experience while preserving the community’s barrier island heritage. The Mission of the Tybee Island Better Hometown Program is to: 1. facilitate efforts to revitalize, redevelop and enhance the business corridor; 2. create a sense of place and improve the quality of life for residents, business owners and visitors using the Main Street Four Point Approach; 3. encourage quality economic growth and development while preserving Tybee Island’s unique architectural heritage; 4. support and encourage the arts as a cultural endeavor and economic engine on the Island.

Don’t miss the 2010 “Community Visioning Workshop,” Wednesday, April 14th, 5pm – 6pm, City Hall Auditorium

Better Hometown Board of Directors: Cullen Chambers, Judy Malins, Stephen Palmer, Monty Parks, Shirley Sessions, Dick Smith, Peggy Stone, Patricia Miller Wann, and John Yarbrough.

Visit: www.cityoftybee.org/BetterHometownProgram.aspx.

A Better Hometown

By Chantel Morton,
Better Hometown Coordinator

February 2010

Happy February, Tybee!

Spring is right around the corner and Tybee has so much to look forward to this year! As we look forward to warmer and hopefully dryer weather, we anticipate the crowds to return, especially with “the movie” being released in April. Residents have been preparing for the season as have businesses by sprucing up their locations inside and outside.

Better Hometown Start up members continue to facilitate and assist with revitalization efforts and to work with businesses. Have you seen the new turtle wayfinding signs? The City of Tybee has been working with the President of the Tybee Arts Association who partnered with Tybee Island Customs for the design and creation of these signs. The Tybee Turtle signs will help people find their way around the island more efficiently. Banners messages hanging from the turtles will also assist people visiting and the City.

One banner message is “Show Respect. Don’t Litter.” This is a concern for many as we continue working together to keep Tybee clean. In another effort to help keep the Island clean the Design Committee implemented a trash container donation program a few months ago. Through generous donations made and city assistance, the Island will have a few additional trash containers in the corridor by March. Another banner message is “Pay for Parking.” Tybee is a pay to park community in order to keep critical island services available. This message will help with one of the parking concerns many have conveyed. Additional parking concerns continue to be addressed.

As we build a Better Hometown, members of the Design Committee and I have been meetings with City Officials and staff to seek and implement positive solutions before the season begins. Tybee only has so much capacity and we must work with what we have while preserving the sense of community and quality of life for Islanders. On another note (the pun IS intended!)…Mark your calendar for the Thursday following the Mardi Gras and Tie the Knot event filled weekend! Thursday, February 18 at 4:30pm will be the first “THIRD THURSDAY” ON TYBEE near the Tybrisa / Strand roundabout! February 18 is the first of three free family-friendly outdoor music concert series made possible through a Grassroots Arts Program grant awarded to Tybee’s Better Hometown Initiative.

Beginning at 4:30pm on February 18, the astonishing Viguba Trio will perform. This Trio will bring an enjoyable mix of jazz, tango, classical & pop music arranged for violin, guitar & bass. The music will serenade you until 5:30pm near the Tybrisa / Strand Roundabout! Then on March 18 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm, nationally known contemporary folk artist, Lauren Lapointe will amaze those joining the musical celebration in the lot at Tybee Oaks. The final performance for this series will be April 15 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Enjoy Tax Day this year with this free musical performance. The amazing vocals of sixteen year old Lacey Caldwell will charm those strolling around Tybrisa and The Strand!

Residents, merchants and guests are all encouraged to take advantage of these mini-concerts while enjoying the outdoors! With assistance from a variety of sources, Third Thursdays on Tybee will continue the awareness that Tybee Island is an inviting and thriving arts community. Look for the posters around town soon! For more information on these events, visit: www.cityoftybee.org/BetterHometownProgram.aspx.

Music. Artwork. Nature. These are just a few ways everyone enjoys Tybee. Tybee’s variety of nature and cultural experiences abound from the waterways to 178 steps up towards the sky. Plus it’s easy to BUY LOCAL TYBEE with over 35 hot spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger, personal services just right for you and more than 30 shops to find everything you must have from whimsical art to sunscreen to vegetables.

Please feel free to contact members of the Better Hometown Board of Directors or me with suggestions, concerns, or to help. Contact information for the Board can be found on the City of Tybee Island’s website.

See you around town!
Chantel
912.844.9771
cmorton@cityoftybee.org