Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

There’s nothing greater than sand volleyball, and on May 22nd, it will come to Tybee Island. This is a major event and will coincide with the Beach Bum Parade which takes place the day before.

The two-person team format will feature a purse of $5,000 and play will begin at 7 a.m. near the Pier and Pavillion. Pros and amateurs will play side by side with the pro division hosting 24 teams for the women and 24 for the men. There could be as many as 80-150 teams on the amateur side.

The entry fee is $100 per professional team, $50 per amateur team. Amateurs will begin play at 9:00 a.m. At noon, the playoffs will start with the championship finals getting underway around 4:00 p.m. for women, and 6:00 p.m. for men.

Winning teams can end up playing 8 full matches–all day; hence the name “Extreme Volleyball.”

Tybee was considered for the 1996 Olympic volleyball matches, but lost out to Atlanta’s private recreation facility. This time Tybee will host some of the country’s best. Contact the Greater Savannah Sports Council for details.

“Third Thursdays on Tybee” Continues

The Third Thursdays on Tybee Grassroots Art Program began in February near the Tybrisa/Strand roundabout next to the Walter J. Parker Pier & Pavilion. A panel of invited professionals selects the entertainment  for these free family-friendly outdoor music concert series. 

On May 20th enjoy Megan Panther and Darryl E. Van Horne from 5:30-6:30 at the Strand Roundabout.

On June 17th enjoy the ViGuBa Trio will play at the roundabout.

On July 15th Jan Spillane will perform at Tybee Oaks.

Look for other dates and times.

Residents, merchants and guests are all encouraged to take advantage of these one-set, one hour concerts while enjoying the shops, restaurants and outdoors during the late afternoons. 

These concerts are made possible by funding provided through the City of Tybee Island’s Better Hometown Initiative, the 2009/2010 Grassroots Arts Program grant, area organizations, private donations and many local businesses.   A portion of the Better Hometown Initiative’s mission is to “support and encourage the arts as a cultural endeavor and economic engine on the Island.”  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.  For more information, visit http://www.cityoftybee.org/BetterHometownProgram.aspx.

 Thrive,  a carryout cafe located on Whitemarsh Island, has become the first certified green restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.  Now certified by The Green Restaurant Association, Thrive strives to set an example for other restaurants to follow more green minded practices.  To become green certified Thrive Cafe was evaluated on the following: waste reduction and recycling, water efficiency, sustainable food, energy, disposables and chemical and pollution prevention.  Successfully passing the evaluation Thrive Cafe looks forward to continually adding and practicing more green minded practices each and everyday.  

So how is Thrive A Carryout Cafe Green?  Thrive Cafe pays for a full recycling program implemented in the Cafe.  All compostable scraps from the kitchen are composted by local garden Bethesda Garden.  Thrive uses as many local and organic ingredients as possible in all their prepared foods and is an active participant and shopper at the local Forsyth Farmer’s Market.  Energy Saving lights are used throughout the store.  Low Flow aerators are present in all sinks.  Eco-friendly packaging is also present and no Styrofoam is present in the store.  These are just a few practices that will make a difference when implemented in restaurants.  This is just the beginning of Thrive’s effort to become as green as possible and we look forward to steadily increasing our green practices and improving our corner of the world.

Thrive A Carryout Cafe has been in operation since May 2008.  Located on Whitemarsh Island, stop in for additional information or check out our website www.thriveacarryoutcafe.com

Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm the Tybee Tour of Homes will take place on Tybee Island, Georgia. This stellar event allows participants to visit some of the finest homes and condos in the area. A lunch catered by Sundae Cafe is included in the price of the ticket.

New for this year is an after tour happy hour at Huc-a-poo’s located at 1213 E. Highway 80 from 4-6 pm with proceeds to benefit Hope House. In fact, the entire event benefits the Hope House in Savannah, a home for girls in trouble who need a place to go.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the tour. Tickets are available on Tybeer at Gallery by the Sea, 1016 Highway 80, the Irene Sullivan Gallery on Tybrisa St., The Atlantic Beacon Gallery at the end of Highway 80 or the Hope House at 214 E. 34th St. in Savannah.

For more information visit www.tybeetourofhomes.com

Every year the Junkanoos, a colorful music group participates in the Tybee Island St. Patty’s Day parade. What is Junkanoo? 

Junkanoo first began as a temporary celebration of freedom for slaves who were given three days off at Christmas time. Donning scary-looking masks, slaves played homemade musical instruments (drums and bells) and cavorted about freely on the island.

The origin of the word “Junkanoo” is unknown. The most popular belief is that it’s derived from “John Canoe,” an African tribal chief who demanded he be allowed the right to celebrate with his people even after he was brought to the West Indies as a slave. Others believe the name is from the French “gens inconnus,” which means “the unknown people” and refers to people wearing disguises and thus being unknown.

Junkanoo’s roots can be traced to West Africa. In fact, other areas in the region that practised slavery — like Bermuda and Jamaica — had their own versions of John Canoe parades.

Junkanoo probably began in the 16th or 17th century. Around Christmas, Bahamian slaves were given a few days off. This allowed them to leave the plantations to be with their families and to celebrate the holiday with music, dance and costumes. In the early years, Junkanoo participants wore grotesque masks Continue Reading »