Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Coastal festival is for the birds ... and bird lovers


Coastal Georgia is known for many things, not the least of which is the abundance of birds that make their homes here. With its vast network of rivers, marshes and barrier islands, Brunswick and The Golden Isles provide habitats for hundreds of species of birds.

Learn all about them and
other coastal wildlife at the Coastal Birding and Nature Festival, Oct. 8-12. This year's festival includes a great variety of field trips and seminars, led by birding and nature exhibits from throughout the U.S. This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Don Kroodsma, who will share the glories of "The Singing Life of Birds."

Nature Day, Sat. Oct. 10 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, will include raptor shows, kids art activities, exhibitors, and more. Several area hotels are offering special rates for festival attendees. For more information, visit http://www.coastalgeorgiabirding.org/index.html

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Who's watching whom?

Do you know that our little section of the Georgia coast is considered a birding hot spot? Of course you do! Bird watching – or, birding – is a wonderful pastime that offers plenty of exercise and enjoyment with minimal impact on you or the environment. And you don't have to go far at all to do it.

There are at least a dozen good places to go birding in our area: Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation and the Earth Day Nature Trail in Brunswick: Gould's Inlet and the John Gilbert Nature Trail on St. Simons Island; Clam Creek and St. Andrews recreation areas on Jekyll Island and, of course, Little St. Simons Island just to name a few.

Each of these are spots along the Georgia Coast Birding Trail, which was established by the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources non-game wildlife division seven years ago. To see a map of the trail, go here.

The best place to get started on your birding adventure is Wild Birds Unlimited, located in the Pier Road Shops on Jekyll Island. These folks know their birds, and they are happy to share that passion with you. They'll help you find the good spots, help you pick the right equipment and suggest other local experts who offer guided nature walks, cruises and more. Call 635-3933 or visit them online.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Celebrate coastal history, culture at Glynn Art Fall Festival

Celebrate coastal Georgia history and culture, and enjoy contemporary works by many of the region's best artists and craftspeople, at the 40th Annual Golden Isles Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11, in Postell Park on Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island.

In addition to featuring works by more than 15o artists, the Association will present a program of Gullah-Geechee performances, workshops, demonstrations and storytelling. The McIntosh County Shouters, Gospel Messengers, Georgia Sea Island Singers, Youth Praise Group and storyteller Cornelia Bailey will entertain and educate during performances Saturday.

Yvonne Grovner, Master Basket Weaver, and Stanley Walker, Master Net Maker, will conduct workshops and demonstrations throughout the day. There also will be a special presentation by Denise White Fields of the African American Museum. Participating artists will exhibit in one of two categories:
  • FINE ARTS/GRAPHICS: Acrylic, Oil, Watercolor, Pastel, Charcoal, Pencil, Pen & Ink, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Photography
  • FINE CRAFTS: Glass, Jewelry (be specific), Leather, Metal, Pottery/Sculpture, Wood, Textiles, Fiber, Baskets, Wearable Art
This show is a juried event with cash awards for Best of Show, first, second, and third in each category.

Show hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. For more information, call Glynn Art Association at 912-638-8770 or visit them
online.

Stewbilee Rocks Downtown Brunswick Saturday Oct. 10

October is Festival Month in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia, with festivals, art shows and special events nearly every weekend this month. This coming weekend is no exception, as downtown Brunswick gears up for the fifth annual Brunswick Stewbilee at Mary Ross Waterfront Park.


This traditional small-tow
n festival brings together a lot of big-town talent to compete in the annual Brunswick Stew cookoff. More than 60 teams, representing local and regional corporations, government agencies, civic groups and other organizations, will face off in "Peoples' Choice" and professionally judged competition, for the honor of having their concoctions named "Best Brunswick Stew." Teams also will be judged for having the most creative presentation in their booths.


Saturday’s events begin at 8:00 am with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia 5K Freedom Run. This is the first year for the Club to handle the logistics of the Run. Interested runners and walkers can register online at www.brunswickstewbilee.com. Proceeds from the Run benefit local programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia.

The Pooch Parade is being organized by the Brunswick Women’s Club. All area pooches are invited to put on their finest dogwear and enter their owners in the parade. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes, and all registration money for the parade goes to local animal control and the Humane Society.

The Brunswick Stew Tasting Contest begins at 11:30 a.m. as more than 60 teams vie for top honors of the tastiest stew. Brunswick, Ga. "The Brunswick Kiwanis Club is again excited to work with many other community groups and businesses to bring a world-class event to Brunswick," said Shaw McVeigh, of the Brunswick Kiwanis Club, which organizes the stew tasting contest. “If you have a Brunswick stew that always receives praise, then we encourage you to come to our area and size it up against some stiff competition.”

Festival goers will have many activities from which to choose as they enjoy the Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee, including a classic car and motorcycle show, arts and crafts, and the ever popular "Junior Stewbie" fun zone for kids. Local and regional bands, including Malarkey, Marshgrass Bluegrass, WharfRatz, StringRays, OSKAR Rockhammer, and Dennis and the Menace, will perform in a free open-air concert throughout the day.

The Brunswick
Rockin' Stewbilee is sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System, The Brunswick News, Golden Isles Broadcasting, Comcast, H20 Creative Group, Brunswick Kiwanis Club and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the event support local charities including Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Isles, animal control, the Humane Society, and the United Way of Coastal Georgia. For more information on the Stewbilee, visit www.brunswickstewbilee.com.