Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

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.

On Saturday, December 4th Enmark will sponsor the Savannah River Bridge Run, a 10K, 5K, and 1/4 Mile Kid run.

The 5K, presented by Georgia Emergency Associates, will start on Hutchinson Island near the International Trade and Convention Center at 8:15 am. All participants will head west and go over the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, and finish in the Historic District near the Civic Center.  There will also be a 10K race starting in front of the Chatham County Courthouse on Montgomery St. at 9 am, taking participants through the Historic District and across the Bridge TWICE, also ending at the Civic Center.

For the hearty, there will be a Double Pump to combine the 5 and 10K races. The race will start on Hutchinson Island at 8:15 am with the 5K. At the end of the 5K, participants will head over to the 10K starting line by 9 am.

There are Team Challenge categories. Teams of five (5) can compete, with the time from all five competitors being used to award an overall team champion. Team divisions include: Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Masters, Women’s Masters, Military, Army Ranger Challenge, Military Spouses, and Family & Police/EMS/Fire Dept/DHS Teams.

Awards will be given to the top three males and females in each age category which are:

9 and under; 10-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-59; 70-74; and 80+.

There will also be a costume contest with awards for most creative person or persons who give their all for art and running. Costume contest prizes include $400 for 1st place; $200 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place.

HostSouth will present a Michelob Ultra Post Race party at the finish line which will take place until 11:30 am.

For information on registration and information call 912.355.3527 or visit www.SavannahRiverBridgeRun.com or  e-mail at  robert@fleetfeetsavannah.com .

Charcuterie refers to artisanally cured, smoked and dried specialty meats such as salamis and prosciutto cuts. Quite elegant, these unique delicacies are perfect for holiday or special occasions.

Thrive Cafe, an upscale, and certified “green” cafe, offers party and family serving sizes of local charcuterie with classical accompaniments of fruit, grain mustard, cornichons and baguette toasts.

rer example, they offer Benton’s smoky mountain country hams sliced paper-thin and wrapped around seasonal fruit; or Olli Salumeria Americana, an Italian style charcuterie from Virginia which is a special pork from renowned farms such as Ecofriendly and Caw Caw Creek-salamis from the Niman Ranch, a family-run, top-of-the-line sustainable farm. These items are not only healthy, but they are wonderful conversation pieces for your special events.

For more information call Thrive Cafe at 912-898-2131, or visit www.thriveacarryoutcafe.com .

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it’s time for some reflection on how lucky we are to be living here. I have friends who would kill to be this close to an ocean, to have these temperatures, and this lifestyle. I have a wonderful home on the marsh with a deck and lots of windows. I don’t have any curtains except for some sheers at my bedroom windows–I’m old enough to be able to do this. With age comes a certain right to do whatever the heck you like with your house.

I have great friends from all walks of life. I’m in a wine club, a book club and I personally know the Mayor. I can walk to the grocery store, to the pharmacy, to a shop for a quick birthday card or gift, to the post office, and to a myriad of great restaurants. Walk out my door in any direction, and I can be at the ocean in 4 minutes.

I have a great part-time job as a Concierge forTybee Vacation Rentals, the best rental company on the island. I also am a tour guide for Linda Odom’s Tales of the South, a first-class destination management company, and I do the music for Ms. Margery who owns the pre-school Discovery. 

My Mother needs 24-hour care and she is in Oceanside Nursing home, 5 min. from my house. It’s old and has some creaks here and there, but the care is great and my Mom is safe and secure with someone there all the time. I know them all by their first names and they know me. A local preacher, Mr. Laughner, whom I didn’t know well, was glad to come to the home to give my Mother and her roommate communion–something that comforted my Mother greatly. 

When I drive the Tybee Road I see all kinds of beautiful sea birds, my favorite being the Egrets. These white beauties dot the marsh grass like ornaments and they never fail to make me smile. The marsh itself is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, pulling me in to enjoy its beauty.

I take a painting class. I NEVER did well in art–C’s were my grades for that subject. But on a whim I joined the Arts Association and attended the first class taught by Denise Vernon. She had me hooked from “pick up your brush, dab it in some paint and go.” I have progressively gotten better and now paint my own Christmas cards and those for my husband’s business. (He’s the Tybee Handyman, Stephen Street.) I have sold several original paintings and I cannot believe it.

My husband’s business is full and productive. He’s respected, shows up on time, does the job and does it well, and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg. He’ll spend an hour on-line finding a part for a broken item rather than throwing that item away and buying a new one. This has saved his clients hundreds of dollars. A $3.00 part plus shipping takes the place of a $300 chair. His clients love him and he has found something useful to do as well as a niche here on Tybee.

This is our life and we are so blessed. Reflect, my friends, on what you have. Look around you and be thankful.

All the locals on Tybee Island, GA know that the best time to be on the Island is October, November and even December. The weather is terrific–in the mid-70’s with lots of sun (those months are the driest), there are balmy breezes, and while we love our summer guests, the island calms down a bit and you can enjoy it without long lines and crowded beaches.

We leave our windows open day and night and what a treat it is; we can hear the ocean, feel the night breeze, and enjoy low heating/cooling bills.

January and February are wonderful as well in a whole other way. While the temperatures are a bit cooler (in the 40s and 50s) they certainly aren’t in the teens or below! And if you are one of those people who like cooler temps, well, you will be in heaven. Put on a warm, fleece sweatshirt and some sweat pants and walk in the refreshing air along the beach. My ideal temperature is around 65 degrees–often we have those temps during these months. What a treat! And there’s no snow or ice to shovel and deal with.

Tybee Vacation Rentals is offering a special from now until February – rent 3 nights and get a 4th free. This is a great deal, and why not consider spending time here when it’s best! Call us at 912.786.5853 or visit our website at www.tybeevacationrentals.com.