Last night we celebrated Savannah Internationalists as only we can, with creative style.  Yes, SICC is back and badder than ever.  Launching our first of four quarterly SICC’s, the Savannah International Cocktail Club boasted a large, jubliant turnout despite the dreary weather outdoors.  Churchill’s provided ample pub-style, happy hour specials and an appetizer buffet to a crowd that included folks from Brazil, Costa Rica, Holland, Italy, France, Sweden, Egypt, Syria, Poland, Chile, Slovenia, Tanzania, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and, of course, the US of A.  Yes, we had a wide array of interesting, fun-loving globetrotters that are now calling Savannah home in some capacity.  And, as we all know, being home to a large international community is a vital part of making Savannah a diverse, vibrant and creative city.

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Noteworthy from last night was Mariela Orellana, a SICC regular and President of Community Navigators & Interpreters, Inc., who came last night with her papers certifying her citizenship.  We know it’s been a long and windy road to get those so congratulations Mariela!

In the Fall of 2007, a lesser known body of Savannah power players was tasked by the Chatham County Commission to design a plan to further the Commission’s efforts to become “The Greenest County in Georgia.”  No small feat, the longstanding group of eco-savants (SEDA’s own Lynn Pitts, amongst them) – called the Chatham Environmental Forum (CEF) – assumed a grandiose role in accomplishing said distinction, and set to work developing a plan for implementation within the county addressing natural resources and energy conservation, enhancing ability to use local labor, talent and materials, and ensuring investment in infrastructure to build a high-tech, knowledge-based and creative local economy.

On Friday, CEF Chairman Larry Miles presented the draft plan to the County Commission amidst a crowded room of supporters, contributors and onlookers and enjoyed a warm and enthusiastic reception of the plan by the Commission.  “[Because of this plan], the quality of life will be better for all the citizens, municipalities and the county,” said Pete Liakakis, Chairman of the Chatham County Commission.  It is the hope of the Forum and the Chatham County Commission that their success in becoming the Greenest County in Georgia will become a model for other counties and communities throughout the state.