Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

Thrive Cafe, the first and only “green” certified restaurant in Savannah and Tybee is offering an organic Valentine menu for the big day. Here’s a sample of the fare being offered.

Starters – local Chareuterie platters for two; spinach parmagiana local oysters
Entrees – local Frali Gourmet Black and White pasta Arrabiatta; crabcakes; Cornish hens; beef Daube
Sides – rosemary scented Dutchess potatoes; green beans amandine; Arugula, beet and blue cheese salad
Dessert – flourless chocolate torte with fresh strawberries; Savannah honey pear tartlets; raspberry lamingtons; lavender cupcakes; organic champagne.
Wine – Badger Mt. Biodynamic Organic Wine Selection

All selections and more will be available for take out Monday, February 14th. Call 912.898.2131 for your order or visit www.thriveacarryoutcafe.com for more information.

I’m a  Yankee; but more than that, I’m a damn Yankee–I came and stayed.

That’s the popular saying they have down here about Yankees: you’re a Yankee if you visit, but you are a damn Yankee if you stay. When I married my husband, I knew I would live in Georgia, specifically in Savannah. He always wanted to retire there and planned accordingly, so when we met and decided to marry, that was really part of the deal. So we came to Savannah in 1998 and lived in the Troup Square area. It was wonderful; we had a beautiful, historic townhouse, could walk to everything, were in the hub-bub of activity, and had good neighbors. We lived there 2 years, and while all was nice, something was missing.

Then we visited Tybee Island on a weekend and knew it was the place for us. I fell in love with its beauty, its beaches, its people, and its slower pace. It’s small, but it’s large. It’s the beach for a whole state, and the closest beach for many others, including Cincinnati, Ohio where I am from, so we moved here.

I can’t believe that I actually live on an island, and that if I walk out of my door in any direction, I can stand on the beach in 4 minutes. Our restaurants are great; some are funky, some are gourmet, some are homey. We have some great shops, and Savannah is 20 minutes away. I earned my tour license and I give tours of Tybee and Savannah, and love every minute of it. We’ve made great friends of all ages. We belong to a wine club; I am in a book club; I volunteered at the YMCA for 2 years; I’m a concierge at Tybee Vacation Rentals. I never fight ice and snow, yet we can have fires in the fireplace; and spring comes early here-if we’re lucky, it can start in February. I have flowers in my yard 10 months of the year. The only drawback is that my grandchildren and family are in Cincinnati, but in 9 hours, I can be with them–only a day away.

Yes, I am a damn Yankee, but one that appreciates Tybee Island, loves it, takes care of it, works for it, plays on it, and lives on it. Come to Tybee and see what I mean. Call us at 877.468-1654.

On March 12, 2012 Savannah and the world will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts. A Savannah native, Ms. Juliet Gordon Low started the now famous group in her carriage house with 18 young girls, including her niece, Daisy. From that small group a world-wide, worthy organization came into being and made a difference in hundreds of lives.

Were you a Scout? Why not make plans to come to Savannah to celebrate. Get your old troop back together and make it a girl’s weekend. Visit the founding place, Juliet’s girlhood home, her haunts, her homes and her churches. Hear her stories, feel her presence in her gardens and see her art.

Tales of the South can put together a great weekend for your group that focuses on Scouting. And you can stay at the beach which is only 20 minutes away from Savannah, and get the best of both worlds. Tybee Vacation Rentals can set you up in a home or condo that no matter where you stay, you are only minutes from a beach and only 20 minutes from Girl Scout history. Go to www.tybeevacationrentals.com and check out our site, or call us at 877.468.1654 and talk to an agent.

Savannah has its first (and only) certified “green” restaurant which includes a catering business. Known as Thrive, the restaurant’s owners have had tons of experience with VIPs such as Bill Gates, Kevin Spacey and European Royalty, and at such venues as the Cannes Film Festival and Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

They just released their new menus for 2011 and are they delectable! They offer fare from an All American BBQ to Tropical Menus and Low Country Boil, to Quiche, Crepes, and freshly baked goods. You can try the Tuscan Herb Roasted Ashley Farms Chicken, Slow Roasted Cuban Style Pork, Vermont Cheddar Mac & Cheese, an array of desserts to die for, and all accoutrements in between. They also handle any special requests and diets, including Gluten-free, lactose intolerant, vegetarian/vegan/raw, lowfat, allergies, and they will take your own creative ideas and make them into a reality for your dining pleasure. They can cater for a party of 12 to one of 100, and you can visit their cafe for dine-in or carryout.

This first-class, gourmet cafe and catering service should be on your short list to try. Visit them at www.thriveacarryoutcafe.com or call 912.898.2131.

The Savannah Sand Gnats have released dates for their 2011 season. The affiliate of the New York Mets, the Gnats begin their season on April 7th in Charleston, W. VA. The home opener is at Grayson Stadium at 7:05 on April 15th against the Greenville Drive. It is the first game in a nine-game homestand, wrapping up April 23rd with the Gnats’ second annual Hometown Heroes Day.

Standard game times will be 7:05 pm, Monday through Friday, 6:05 pm on Saturdays and 2:05 pm on Sundays. Saturday games will be followed by fireworks.

The gnats are offering season seats, which guarantee seat holders the best seats, guaranteed giveaways, VIP parking passes, discounted merchandise in the team souvenir store and more; half-season seats; and Flex Plans, which include 10 undated general admission tickets all available for $50 for a $20 savings. Call 912.351.9150 for more information.