Savannah: The Creative Coast Alliance&#8217;s Blog: Relocated Thinking

www.thecreativecoast.org/innovation-awards/application

on July 31, 2008 at 09:35 PM

Inclusively speaking, Savannah’s got it.

It’s straight up Mendelian fact. (Oglethorpe was a procrastinator, it’s true.)

Luckily, I am a dude that can empathize. (I still haven’t turned in my math homework.)

Due to overwhelming demand (so far more than doubled applications from last year!) and numerous phone calls requesting an “extension”, we’re going to give you eager innovators the rest of the weekend to finish your applications for the 2008 Innovation Awards.

So breathe, sit back and relax.

Honestly, we’re just pumped to see all the enthusiasm. Looks like ya’ll are going to make this a good show…

New Deadline: August 4th, close of bid-ness.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Post the next Comment! (2 so far)

Categorized as: TCCa Stuff.

(viewed 708 times)

spot-Cay @ aya-Say (onight-Tay!)

Posted by

on July 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM

Its the last Wednesday of the month, and there’s nothing like a little pig-latin to mark the glorious one-two punch of hump-day AND cSpot.

cSpot this month (tonight, July 30) will be at Saya Lounge: a happenin’ cocktail spot on Broughton, downstairs from the newly grand-scaled DC2 Design (the LA-based design showroom and retail store).

And if you haven’t been yet, here’s your chance. It’s a kickin’ new sidestreet joint (highlighted by big ole’ Buddha heads, warm tones and tasty martinis) and it’s a great venue to have fun and enjoy the funky, braininess of Savannah.

Heck, you may even meet the business connection of your dreams. Example: TCCa met, courted and hired our former Marketing Priestess, Angel Ratcliffe (now at Paragon Design Group) due to a chance meeting at cSpot. Come to think of it, I met Fitz at a cSpot, and 1.5 years later I’m bloggin’ up a storm for him. Damn!

We’re also extending happy hour (5:30 - 7:30 pm) and bringing in Zunzi’s cultural culinary expertise to provide some cocktail hour munchies for our cSpotters. (Mouth is watering…)

Post the next Comment! (2 so far)

Categorized as: Creative, Events & Happenings, Groups & Clubs, Schmoozing, TCCa Stuff.

(viewed 554 times)

An INNOVATION Intervention: July 31 deadline (read: THURSDAY) for awards applications

Posted by

on July 28, 2008 at 01:10 PM

Good Monday, quirky Savannahians. As you transition back into the work week, Fitz wanted me to remind you to put one last thing on your calendar this week.

It’s a biggie: the deadline for applicants for this years TCCa Innovation Awards is fast approaching. In fact, it’s Thursday (July 31)!!

To refresh your Monday memory, the Innovation Awards (to take place on October 23) will honor regional business, education and community organizations that demonstrate innovation and outstanding achievement in education, business, community, government and sustainability. To date, we’ve seen applications from across the board - from janitorial services to transportation to fashion - so join the show and let us know why you’re innovative!

Consider this an INNOVATION intervention. Missing this deadline could be disastrous to you and your business’s long-term health (over-dramatization of facts).

You are the key players in this awards equation. Not only the eyes and ears of the Creative Coast but the true creators, innovators and entrepreneurial heroes. Don’t let a chance for deserved recognition (and a dang good time) slip away.

Post the next Comment! (2 so far)

Categorized as: Creative, Entrepreneurs, Events & Happenings, Local Bid-ness, Local Government, Quirkilicious, TCCa Stuff.

(viewed 1055 times)

I saw D’Sign: A new print and signage shop on Oglethorpe

Posted by

on July 25, 2008 at 01:57 PM

Since it’s Friday and everyone is feelin’ fine, we thought we’d take the opportunity to throw you a new-company-bone and introduce you to one of Savannah’s newest signage and printing companies: Sign D’Sign Savannah. Sign D’Sign Savannah is operated by the same guys who run Streamline Savannah, Dean Moesch and Coley Mitchell.

We talked to Streamline back when their corporate office in Ohio was considering a move to Savannah. Instead of the move, the two local Savannah boys (Dean and Coley) spun-off and created Streamline Savannah, a full-service business communication company, specializing in marketing, advertising, graphic design, web and interactive services, as well as signage, printing and promotional services. Almost a year later, they’ve done good and have now partnered with the Bluffton signage experts, Sign D’ Sign to create Sign D’Sign Savannah.

Welcome, guys.

P.S. Now that they’ve had a few months in their new diggs to make things purty, they’re sporting a swanky new showroom on Oglethorpe Avenue. Check ‘em out.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Post the first Comment!

Categorized as: Entrepreneurs, Local Bid-ness.

(viewed 1311 times)

Whoa. There is a gigantic life-sized chess board in Forsyth Park.

Posted by

on July 22, 2008 at 10:11 PM

“Only Miller.”

Really. At five-thirty this afternoon, I joined a motley crew of Savannah characters as Chris Miller (mustache and all) dedicated a gigantic outdoor chess board - pieces included - to the City of Savannah.

The “chess board” sits just south of the Forsyth Park fountain, using 64 hand-painted (by Chris) squares as its base. NICE.

Public “art”, for the public good. Papa Landry would be proud.

Having trouble viewing? Try the full sized slideshow »

This is cool & important for several reasons.

First of all, it’s just weird and unique. Lots of places have chessboards in parks, etc (which by itself is cool and hopefully something this may lead to), but not that many places have chess boards ON parks. It’s also - gasp - public art. The kind that you interact with, literally.

And at the end of the day, it’s just a neat example of a smart attraction (tourist or otherwise), and an education-level-agnostic (yea, you heard me) one at that. The dude that sells palm-frond roses? He was OWNING the board. Whooping everyone. It was great.

Post the next Comment! (23 so far)

Categorized as: Activism, Community Involvement, Events & Happenings.

(viewed 6592 times)

Hey, it’s the elephant calling. I’m still standing here.

Posted by

on July 18, 2008 at 12:59 AM

Let me just start out by saying: I don’t know a ton about this particular subject. I’m sorta new to this whole econdev game. But maybe that’s ok…I’m learning, and hopefully it gives me a “fresh” perspective.

Still, being an diehard enviro-nerd with a flare for the dramatic, when I read my friend and colleague Tommy Linstroth’s op-ed, it kinda made me think: “Mmm, dreams really do come true.”

Head of Sustainable Initiatives for Melaver Inc., Linstroth is one of Savannah’s most learned Champions of the Green. (Plus, he rocks earrings in both ears, Wisconsin style. What’s not to love?)

In the Savannah Morning News this week, Tommy Boy throws out the idea that the solution to this whole mega-site problem is – the New American City.

The mega-site, for those of you who aren’t that familiar (present company included), is the big ole’ hunk of land out on I-16 that the old Gubn’a prophesied would bring the German automotive manufacturing powerhouse (Chrysler) to our sleepy southern town. Only thing is, it turns out he was wrong.

Post the next Comment! (21 so far)

Categorized as: Econ Dev, Green, Local Government.

(viewed 815 times)

Primarily speaking, less than 20% sucks

Posted by

on July 16, 2008 at 01:15 PM

Short-story-long disclaimer: I am a 4×4 voter (someone who has voted in all four of the last four elections – including primaries and off-years). As a political science undergrad, voting is a moral imperative. It isn’t something that I take, or do, lightly. But almost more important than electing a given candidate of my choice is the simple exercise of voting.

Those of us here at TCCa, though completely politically asexual and nonpartisan, care about “the issues.” We work through political avenues locally (and at the Capitol) to create a more friendly environment for creative, knowledge-based businesses in the region and the state. That’s politics baby. And it’s clear to us as individuals that voting is one means by which to affect the change we so desire.

In addition to creative issues, I also can’t help but care about the political perspective on environmental issues. Many people in this community are concerned about poverty, school systems and crime. Many people around the state are concerned about losing their homes, gas prices and health care. I heard today that GM is laying off thousands of auto workers across the country. Those people will be pointedly concerned about unemployment. These issues are all inextricably linked to politics, politicians and who we vote for.

Post the next Comment! (7 so far)

Categorized as: Activism, Community Involvement, Local Government, Venting.

(viewed 524 times)

What do Landry, lavender, 24k gold and cheap dorm furniture have in common?

Posted by

on July 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM

This week, that’s what. And, it was a good one. I’m officially tired.

Tuesday, Charles Landry. The guy who, in front of a standing room only crowd at the Morris Center, filled us with visions of creative grandeur. Public art, mixed income development, and funky, original creative non-standardness everywhere you turn. It was awesome.

My favorite? The sewage treatment plant ( a little like ours, on creepy steroids) that funked itself up on the outside and and starting inviting the public inside. It started giving tours. Tours. And people came…in droves. A sewage treatment plant turned urban center. Creative and inspiring, in a gross left-over meatloaf kind of way.

Afterward I had the pleasure of eating dinner with Mr. Landry and a veritable cast of Savannah characters. It was enlightening, inspiring and ended at Pinkies. Again. (Thanks to Reed Dulany, Miller and Michael Brooks for pulling off an great end to the evening.) Not a bad gig, this whole Creative Coast thing.

Speaking of Sewage…Clean Green

Post the first Comment!

Categorized as: Community Involvement, Entrepreneurs, Events & Happenings.

(viewed 782 times)

Charles in Charge: Creative Cities expert lectures @ Morris Center

Posted by

on July 7, 2008 at 05:50 PM

Acclaimed author and authority on creative cities, Charles Landry, is heading to Savannah for a lecture tomorrow, July 8th at 7:00 pm at the Charles H. Morris Center. Landry comes to school us in the ways of creative city-building.

Stealing Jim Morekis’s opener to this week’s Connect Savannah cover story, simply put:

Charles Landry is one of the coolest people you probably have never heard of.

Best known for his books The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators and, more recently, The Art of City Making, Landry’s word works are considered THE guides to building a creative community. For those of you who know Richard Florida, the creative (albeit controversial) guru and author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who’s Your City?, you’ll get a kick out of ole’ Charlie… (If Florida is the guy who described what a “creative” city/economy is and why you might want one, Charles is the guy who wrote the book on how you actually build one and what they look like around the world).

A taste of his acclaim: