Author: Site Staff

History was made on November 21 as the Metro Savannah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce celebrated their one year anniversary at the Coastal Georgia Center. welcoming more than two hundred local business leaders to commemorate the organization's milestone. Costumed dance performances entertained guests at the red carpet reception which was followed by the evening's award ceremony, featuring a delicious plated dinner of authentic Latin Cuisine prepared and served by Latin Chicks Restaurant. The event's key note speaker was Alex Salgueiro, owner of Savannah Restaurant Corporation, who delivered an inspiring speech about his journey from Cuba to Miami and Atlanta before finally realizing his dream of owning his own business. The Metro Savannah Hispanic Chamber is one of only two Hispanic Chambers in the State of Georgia, with the other located in Atlanta. Photos by Tracy Scarpati

The Andaz Hotel hosted their monthly Artist Salon on November 19, welcoming members of the Georgia Conservancy and Generation Green, who have joined together to discover innovative ways to conserve Georgia's natural resources. Guests to the November event were informed about the conservation efforts of these organizations while enjoying an intoxicating selection of fresh food prepared by Chef Lauren Teague and her team at the 22 Square Restaurant and Bar. This Salon was a bittersweet event for the Andaz team as it will be the last for General Manager, Matt Graham, before he heads off to Ottawa, Canada to open the newest location in the boutique hotel's collection Photos by Diane Dodd

The soggy weather in Savannah didn't put a damper on the crowd in attendance at the November Martinis at the Mansion event on November 19, as more than fifty guests turned out to the Mansion on Forsyth Park to raise money and awareness for Savannah's National American Business Club Inc., (AMBUCS.) Guests to this power networking event stopped to have their photo taken on the South magazine red carpet before heading up the stairs to Casimir's Lounge at 700 Drayton Restaurant where they enjoyed delicious five dollar martini specials while learning more about the non-profit's programs that are designed to create mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Proceeds from the evening's 50/50 Raffle went to benefit the organization's Amtryke Program, which provides therapeutic tricycles to individuals who are unable to ride traditional bikes. Martinis at the Mansion takes place on the third Wednesday of each month with the next event taking place on December 16 where the host will be the Savannah Harm Coalition. Photos by Tracy Scarpoti

Presented by Live Oak Public Libraries and the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs, The Savannah Children's Book Festival returned to Forsyth Park on November 14, boasting an impressive lineup of renowned and award-winning children's book authors and illustrators from around the country. Now in its twelfth year, the festival attracts children of all ages to celebrate the joy of reading with live costumed characters, hands-on activities, arts and crafts, live book readings and a variety of food and entertainment. More than fifty authors and illustrators attended the event including Kate DiCamillo, who is currently serving as the US National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. DiCamillo is the author of "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Tale of Desperaux," two bestselling books that were adapted into major motion pictures, and is only one of six authors to win two Newbery Medals in the award's history. Photos by Tracy Scarpoti

More than five thousand food and wine lovers flocked to the Georgia State Railroad Museum on Saturday, November 14 to sample the best cuisine and spirits in the Southeast at the Taste of Savannah, hosted by the Tourism and Leadership Council. This annual culinary celebration is the highlight of the Savannah Food and Wine Festival and features, hundreds of vendors, Big Green Egg cooking demonstrations, Georgia Grown Village, Celebrity Chefs, a Bartender's Challenge competition and book signings. Guests could purchase a VIP ticket which included, private on-site parking and early entry to the event along with exclusive access to the Board of Director's Lounge where they would find delicious food provided by Paul Kennedy Catering and festival sponsor, Publix. Now in its 3rd year, the SAVFW raises money for local causes including, the TLC Scholarship Fund which offers tuition assistance to students studying for careers in the field of tourism and hospitality. Photos by Lindsey Clark

Presented by the Tiffani Taylor Gallery and Heej Chung Art, the second Saturday Savannah Art Walk returned to the Historic District on November 14, featuring over thirty locations on the tour. Guests began at the Bohemian Hotel for a complimentary wine reception where they could meet the artists before heading off on a self-guided tour of the featured galleries and shops. Attendees could either walk to the locations on the map or ride in style on the Old Savannah Tours Trolley before reconvening at the Andaz Hotel for a final reception and gratis wine pour with raffle prizes. Photos by Danielle Jordan

Runners of all ages and skill levels put on their pajamas and headed over to Skidaway Island State Park on Saturday November 14 to show their support at the 6th Annual Trail of Hope fundraiser to benefit Covenant Care Adoption Services. Presented by Fleet Feet Sports Savannah and Dentistry for Children and Adolescents, the event offered racers a variety of courses including, 5K, 1 Mile, Pajama Run, Tot Trot and the quarter-mile, Teddy Bear Trot, where children were encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal along for the run. Prize were awarded for male and female runners in each race and age group and congratulations to South magazine's very own, Mary Thomas Pickett, for taking home 2nd place in the 5K Overall Female category Photos by Krystal Oblinger

More than four hundred guests arrived to the South magazine red carpet at the Lucas Theatre on November 12 to watch eight local celebrities compete for their mirror ball trophy at the 8th Annual Dancing with the Savannah Stars Finale. The contestants underwent weeks of intensive ballroom dance training with professional instructors in order to raise money and awareness for the Savannah/Chatham Court Appointed Special Advocates, who provide training to volunteers who serve as a consistent adult figure and voice for vulnerable children in our foster care system. Congratulations to all of this year's participants including, Allen Maricle, Amy Kaminsky, Brook Nash, Byron Meredith, Mary Haskins, TC, Deanna Corley and to the 2015 champion, Courtney Reich.

The Fifth Annual Rock N Roll Marathon Series raced into Savannah for the first weekend in November, attracting more than twenty thousand runners from all over the United States to the Hostess City. Dozens of streets were closed in anticipation of the race that began at 7am on Bay Street and ended at the Finish Line Party in Forsyth Park featuring, the Toyota Rock N Roll Concert Series headliner, Rascal Flatts. Saturday's unseasonable warm and humid conditions caused race officials to make the decision to divert runners along the course due to the health risk posed by over-exertion and a comprehensive heat plan was implemented. Photos by Lindsey Clark

The Savannah Music Festival presented its annual kick of concert on November 4 at the Ships of the Sea Museum to announce their impressive lineup for the 2016 Season. The evening's attendees enjoyed live music by the Paul Thorn Band before learning the exciting list of performers at this year's festival including, country music superstar, Dwight Yoakam live a the Johnny Mercer Theater. The SMF is the largest musical arts festival in Georgia with two weeks of live performances beginning on March 24 and continuing through April 9, 2016. Photos by Krystal Oblinger

The signature event for the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival rolled into the Port Royal Golf Club on November 1 as the Concours d'Elegance took center stage, featuring a showcase of the most elegant and flawless collection of classic cars in the country. Celebrating its fourteenth year in South Carolina, the Concours honored four significant milestones at its namesake soiree including, one hundred years of BMW, seventy five years of Continental, sixty years of the Ford Thunderbird and fifty years of the Shelby Cobra. Winning the coveted title of "Best in Show" was a 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial Phaeton, owned by Joseph and Margie Cassini III, and the People's Choice was awarded to a black 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540k, proudly owned by Tom Hill. Since it's inception, the Hilton Head Motoring Festival has become one of the fastest-growing automotive and Motorsports enthusiast weeks in the United States and is the only festival of its kind on the East Coast. Photos by Lindsay Payne

A sold out list of over four hundred guests arrived to the Telfair Academy wearing their best disguises on Halloween Eve to attend the inaugural Masquerade at the Mansion Fundraiser. Masked attendees hit the South magazine red carpet before heading inside to enjoy a special hour-long VIP reception for patrons who were treated to passed hors d'oeuvres prepared by Virginia College in addition to complimentary drinks by Johnnie Ganem Inc. The remaining crowd arrived at 9pm for the main event, featuring fire dancers, magicians, psychics and live DJ who kept the dance floor full all night long. This special black tie affair is the largest fundraiser of the year for the William Jay Society, the young professional arm of the Telfair Museums family. Photos by Lindsey Clark

An invitation only Soiree was hosted on October 30 to celebrate the long-awaited soft opening of the new 39 Rue de Jean French Brasserie and Bar, located inside of the Embassy Suites in the Savannah Historic District. Over two hundred guests attended the affair, taking full advantage of the exclusive opportunity to be among the first to preview the beautiful new space and sample tastings from the delicious menu before the official Grand Opening later in November 2015. Guests were treated to Champagne before making their way through a delightful maze of culinary offerings that included everything from a beautifully crafted Artisan Cheese display to a Raw Sushi Bar and more. 39 Rue de Jean is a part of the Holy City Hospitality family, who have expanded its list of fine restaurants in the Lowcountry and the new Savannah location is number five. Photos by Tracy Scarpoti