News briefs for May 20: Tech glitches cause concern

SCAD

A few technical glitches are creating some stress for students going into finals week, but they are easily remedied:

SCAD’s online security certificate expired at midnight last night but was restored as of this morning, reported the Information Management and Technology department. When logging into Explorer or Firefox, students and faculty should follow the short steps for “excepting” the certificate and they will be redirected to the MySCAD login page.

The single sign-on from MySCAD to Blackboard is not working and will require students and faculty to enter a user name and password to gain access.

According to a message sent out via e-mail earlier today, the user name is the number on SCAD ID cards, including the leading zeros, and the password is the MySCAD password.

Local

The Savannah-Chatham Public School Board narrowed its funding gap for next school year from $37 million to $4.8 million by eliminating 132 jobs and programs for at-risk students.

At the board’s meeting last night, members also recommended raising property tax rates, implementing two furlough days, creating a hub system for transport of special needs students, and cutting some arts and teen mother programs. The board will adopt a final budget at its June 2 meeting. The current version of the proposed budget is posted on the board’s website.

News briefs for May 18: Good jobs news for grads

National

While retail, manufacturing and advertising jobs remain unlikely to return to pre-recession levels in the near future, a job trend study by the University of California San Diego Extension shows growth in career sectors of interest to SCAD students.

Among the 10 industries showing the highest potential: mobile media applications development, embedded engineering for software development, sustainable design and building and feature writing for the web.

Primary races taking place around the country today could change the political landscape leading up to November’s midterm elections. Several key incumbents are in the fight for their political lives, including Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, the Republican-turned-Democrat, and Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat who faces an uphill battle against a more progressive candidate. In Kentucky, the Tea Party candidate, Rand Paul, squares off against Trey Grayson, the traditional GOP candidate. Georgia’s primary, which will determine gubernatorial candidates, is slated for July 10.

Real financial reform legislation has yet to reach a vote in either the U.S. House or Senate, but a Democratic Rhode Island lawmaker has proposed an amendment to the current version that would allow states to cap credit card interest rates. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s proposal would close the existing loophole that lets credit card companies establish headquarters in states with lax rules so that they can charge high interest rates.

Whitehouse’s amendment comes on the heels of the bill that passes the Senate last week (64-33) that limits the debit card transaction fees imposed by big banks.

Local

Following on the heels of SCAD Fashion 2010, Savannah Fashion Week opened May 17 and continues through May 21. Each day, boutiques and shops along Broughton Street in downtown unveil new merchandise and discounts as well as music, cocktails and more. The inaugural Savannah Fashion Show May 21 at 7 p.m., Jepson Center for the Arts, caps off the week and benefits AWWIN, Inc., a nonprofit that helps displaced single working women.

Beach patrols documented two loggerhead turtle nests on Cumberland and St. Catherine’s islands, heralding the start of sea turtle nesting season, which runs annually from May through September. More than 1,000 nests appear annually as leatherbacks, greens and loggerheads trek back to the place of their birth to lay their eggs. No nests have been reported on Tybee, thus far, but 10 were reported last year between the Little Tybee and Tybee islands. More than 20 sea turtles have been stranded on Georgia beaches this year, several gravely injured by boat props.

SCAD

Future prize-winning authors will read from Artemis, the undergraduate journal which features student fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays and screenplays, on May 19 at 6 p.m. at the Student Center. Selected works were chosen by a jury of SCAD writing professors. Refreshments will be served.

The architecture design studio will present [Fab]ricating Habitat: A Habitat for Humanity House Prototype Student Final Presentation, 2 p.m., May 20, at the Habitat ReStore.

A reception will follow at 5:30 p.m. Using materials donated by 3form, Chatham Steel and Elkins Constructors, the studio explores the abilities and limitations of digital fabrication within architecture using the building guidelines established by the housing nonprofit.

News briefs for May 10: Lettuce recall affects Georgia

National

The Federal Food and Drug Administration expanded the romaine lettuce recall to 23 states, including Georgia, which may have received E. Coli-contaminated products from distributors, Freshway Foods and/or Imperial Sysco.

Almost 20 cases of food-borne illness have been confirmed in Ohio, Michigan and New York. Another six are under investigation. The shredded lettuce grown in Arizona and shipped through Oklahoma was purchased by restaurants and other food service facilities and is not available directly to consumers; however, Kroger has pulled all grab-and-go salads which may have been made from the tainted greens. All lettuce originating from that farm and marked with “best if used by” dates of May 12 or earlier are being targeted.

Graduating seniors should rejoice: The U.S. Labor Department reports that new hirings and job openings edged up in March, a small indication that the jobs market is improving. The Small Business Optimism Index inched up to its highest rate since September 2008.

State

Armstrong Atlantic State University reported today that its Center for Professional and Continuing Education will most likely be cut as part of the across-the-board budget reductions being considered by the University System Board of Regents. The program widely used by the greater Savannah community includes classes for paralegals, SAT preparation, EKG technician certification, dancing and beginning computer, among others.

Local

Traffic officers will be out in full force on the Truman Parkway—today’s radar hot spot.

Commencement speaker and New Alumni Concert bands announced

Isabella Rossellini, international actress, model and filmmaker, has been named as the 2010 graduation speaker. Rossellini will address both Savannah and Atlanta campuses on May 29. She will address Savannah graduates at the Savannah Civic Center for SCAD’s 30th Savannah commencement ceremony and Atlanta graduates at the Georgia World Congress Center for SCAD-Atlanta’s fourth commencement ceremony.

G. Love & Special Sauce, Crash Kings and Galactic will perform at this year’s New Alumni Concert at Forsyth Park on May 28.

News briefs for April 28: Savannah hosts health forum tonight

Local

Help yourself (and your city) become one of the healthiest places to live by attending tonight’s Healthy Savannah Community Forum, 6 p.m., at the Savannah Civic Center. The forum will feature information on nutrition, wellness, kicking the nicotine addiction, fitness and other issues as well as allow you the opportunity to voice your opinion on how to make the city a healthier place. Learn more at their website

If you see a policeman nestled atop the Krispy Kreme on Skidaway Road April 30 – May 2, don’t fear that the world has gone mad. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and the Law Enforcement Torch Run are going to great heights to raise awareness and dollars for Special Olympics. Customers who donate money to the cause will get a sweet treat in return.

SCAD

SCAD’s advertising department has a few more trophies on its mantle. The team won the American Advertising Federation’s Seventh District National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) for the second time in four years. The advertising team, also known as “Twelve,” advances to the national level competition in June. SCAD also swept the majority of the regional ADDY Awards, the world’s largest advertising competition.

Fourth-year illustration major Kelsey Garrity won third place in the Teatrio Cultural Association of Venice’s 16th International Competition of Illustration. SCAD students were among six of the 24 finalists, who came from around the world. Competitors created an illustrated story with no text using the technique of their choice. The theme of this year’s competition, “The Cannonball Lady,” was aimed at readers aged 14 years.

News briefs for April 27: Hollywood sign gets Hollywood ending

National

The U.S. Department of Transportation will institute a new rule on Thursday that will prevent domestic flights from sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours when passengers are on board. Airlines that violate the rule can face up to a $27,500 fine per customer. Passenger advocates remain divided on this new rule, some applauding the DOT for its action while others expressing concern that the rule will lead to an increase in canceled flights.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner saved the fabled Hollywood sign yesterday, when he came through with the final $900,000 donation needed to purchase the 138 acres around the “H” to permanently protect it from development.

The national nonprofit conservation organization, the Trust for Public Land, led a year-long “Save the Peak” campaign to raise $12.5 million for the purchase. The iconic landscape will be donated to Los Angeles County for inclusion in an adjacent wildlife area that is home to endangered species and a beloved hiking spot because of its 360-degree view of the valley.

State

The Georgia Department of Labor awarded $250,000 to the Association County Commissioners of Georgia to fund the eight-week summer college internship program, which places interns in all 159 counties in the state. The program is open to both graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of majors. The Georgia County Internship Program is recruiting now.

Local

Catnip ‘n’ Biscuits, a dog and cat day care and luxury pet hotel, will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting at its location on 2615 Skidaway Road. The new facility will offer theme rooms and toddler beds for overnight stays. The day care features both indoor rubber agility floors and outdoor yards will artificial turf specifically designed for pets.

The Humane Society of Savannah/Chatham County will host its 10th annual Doggie Carnival May 2, from noon – 4 p.m. at the Forsyth Park fountain. Admission is free. The events features the pooch smooch, doggie derby races and the best dog trick and pet/owner look alike contests.

SCAD

Today’s SCAD Style must-see events:

Fashion publicist, reality television star and author Kelly Cutrone will discuss strategic branding and marketing in fashion at 3:30 p.m., Student Center.

Fashion journalist Derek Blasberg and visionary stylist and clothier Cameron Silver will give an insider’s view of style history at 5:30 p.m. at the Student Center.

Book signings will follow both events.

Playgirl magazine will be in Savannah over the weekend looking for candidates for the Campus Hunks issue, which will hit stands in September. The magazine will be touring other east coast universities, such as Princeton and Georgetown, before heading to the Midwest. If interested, potential hunks should send their photos to Daniel Nardicio, the magazine’s director of marketing.

2010 Sidewalk Arts winners announced

More than 600 students competed in the 2010 Sidewalk Arts Festival in Forsyth Park on April 24. The alumni and prospective students categories saw more than 100 participants each and nearly 100 participants competed in the first Cyberwalk Arts Contest.

The award sponsors this year were American Greetings, Gray’s Reef and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Savannah.

The following is a complete list of winners in each category:

Best in Show

Madison Burger, illustration, Macungie, Pa.; Sam Spratt, illustration, San Francisco, Calif.

Individual Student

First Place: Tori Spriggs, illustration, Spanish Fort, Ala.

Second Place: Gaby Esteves, painting, Sunrise, Fla.

Third Place: Cynthia Guzman, visual communication, Mexico City, Mexico

Group—Students

First Place: Debbie Chen, industrial design, Taipei, China; Ran Wang, design management, Beijing, China; Wen-Shan Huang, industrial design, Pingtung, China; Jun Yan, interior design, Guangzhou, China

Second Place: Wei Hsin Lai, industrial design, Taipei, Taiwan; Wan-Cheng Hung, arts adminstration, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Third Place: Sam Miller, illustration, Charlotte, N.C.; Elyse Robichaud, illustration, Windham, Maine

Alumni

First Place: Jeremy Caldwell, B.F.A., illustration, 2009, Savannah, Ga.

Second Place: Jordan Shapot, B.F.A., illustration, 2009, Citrus Springs, Fla.

Third Place: Hannah Jackson, B.F.A., illustration, 2009, Jacksonville, Fla.

Cyberwalk Arts Contest Award—Students

First Place: Lindsay Anne Rosenberg, illustration, Saginaw, Mich.

Second Place: Joan Olkowski, graphic design, Dearborn, Mich.

Third Place: Eunlee Cho, animation, Nairobi, Kenya

Cyberwalk Arts Contest Award—Alumni

First Place: Tran Ngoc Nguyen, B.F.A., illustration, 2009, Savannah, Ga.

Second Place: Nicole Seitz, B.F.A., illustration, 1994, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Third Place: Jade Taylor Nellans, B.F.A., illustration, 2008, Atlas, Mich.

Gray’s Reef Best Underwater Environment Award

First Place: Ryan Sanchez, illustration, Savannah, Ga.

Second Place: Jamie Gordon, photography, Seattle, Wash.; Mariana Ruiz, fashion, Miramar, Fla.; Corie Jones, art history, Palm Beach, Fla.; Kasandra Torres, photography, Miramar, Fla.

Third Place: Leslie Martin, animation, Cincinnati, Ohio; Chelsea Deering, animation, San Antonio, Texas

American Greetings Award

First Place: Casey Crisenbery, illustration, Lebanon, Ohio

Second Place: Jayne Morgan, painting, Birmingham, Ala.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church “Where the Spirit Meets the Art” Award

Victoria Burke, South Effingham High School, Guyton, Ga.

Drawing Minor Award

Chok-Bun Lam, illustration, Hong Kong; John Sutherland, illustration, Denver, Colo.; Clark Rogers, graphic design, Frankfurt, Germany; Moises Silva, interactive design and game development, Peabody, Mass.

Graduate Student Award

Cheng-Fang Lee, interactive design and game development, Taipei, Taiwan

Prospective Students – Undergraduate

First Place: Kendra Ashe, Rosman High School, Brevard, N.C.; Jennifer Fleming, Bryan County High School, Pembroke, Ga.

Second Place: Toan Nguyen, Groves High School, Savannah, Ga.; Shane Chapman, Rosman High School, Brevard, N.C.

Third Place: Adam Bryant, Richmond Hill High School, Richmond Hill, Ga.; Bethany Gill, Johnson High School, Savannah, Ga.

Best replica of a famous artwork: Kari Schneider, Bloomingdale, Ga.

Best use of color: Gabrielle Luppacchino, St. Vincent’s Academy, Savannah, Ga.

Best special effect or optical illusion: Alnesha West, Groves High School, Savannah, Ga.

Best nightmare: Olivia Israel, Rosman High School, Brevard, N.C.

Best comic hero: Cesar Bautista, Groves High School, Savannah, Ga.

News Briefs April 20: Ga. Council for the Arts gets reprieve

National

Another Bush-era policy has been reversed: The U.S. Department of Education has repealed a 2005 move under former President George W. Bush that weakened Title IX, the 1972 federal law that provided gender-parity in school athletic programs.

Under Bush, schools could justify not starting a new women’s sport based on non-responses to survey questions. In the DOE move, schools will have to match the proportion of female athletes to the proportion of women on campus, document the history of increasing sports for women, and prove the school has met the interest and ability of women to participate in athletics.

State

The Georgia Council for the Arts is safe for now. The state Senate included the Council in its version of the budget at a $1.7 million reduction from previous years’ funding, following protests by communities, artists and activists at the Capitol yesterday that depend on Council grants for arts programs and events. The House version of the budget eliminated the Council altogether. The Senate will vote on its version of the budget on Wednesday of this week then both versions will go to conference committee to work out the differences.

Local

Today’s radar hot spot: Bay Street west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

News briefs for April 15: Historic District Board approves McDonald’s on Broughton Street

State

The $17.8 billion budget approved by the Georgia House of Representatives on Wednesday eliminates the Georgia Council for the Arts, which awards competitive grants to arts organizations throughout the state. The $890,735 cut would make Georgia the only state in the nation without an arts agency. The Council for the Arts allocation in 2009 was under $2.5 million, half its budget in 2008. Only $250,000 would remain in the state’s budget for arts grants through the Department of Community Affairs.

Local

Savannah’s Historic District Board of Review gave its blessing on Wednesday to the proposed McDonald’s at 246 W. Broughton St. Architects for the fast-food chain altered their original designs to conform with the historic windows in the shuttered building on the corner of Jefferson Street that’s been vacant for almost 20 years. A new walk-up window that changes the character of the façade remains a concern among several board members and the Historic Savannah Foundation.

News Briefs for April 13: City’s crime drops during first quarter

National

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of on Earth Day, which falls on April 22, President Barack Obama issued a challenge to all Americans, calling on them to take action in their homes, schools, businesses and communities that together make a global difference.

The U.S. House of Representatives reauthorized funding for the Summer Youths Jobs Program, which will provide $18 million to the state of Georgia to address high youth unemployment. White House sources reported that last year’s summer jobs program created more than 200,000 jobs across the U.S. More than 40 percent of participants were African-American and 25 percent were Latino.

Local

The Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday that crime continued to drop in Savannah during the first quarter of 2010.  Citing cooperation between the citizens and the police, Chief-designate Willie Lovett said part one crimes  - auto theft, burglary, homicide, assault – fell by 17 percent overall, while violent crimes showed the most significant reduction, down 34 percent.

Next Page »