Tracking sustainability news and events in Savannah, Georgia (and beyond)
May 2009
The Archives
-
05.22.09Jaywalking crackdown: What’s the goal?In his May 17 "City Talk" column in the Savannah Morning News, Bill Dawers wrote what I have been thinking: In the aftermath of a recent tragedy in which two visitors to the city were struck by a vehicle at an intersection devoid of either traffic or pedestrian signals, the police are going to start ticketing pedestrians, mostly local ones, who do not obey the directions at intersections that do have signals? Why not go after the downtown drivers who do not yield to pedestrians when they are legally required to do so? The incident he references is still under investigation, but ...
-
05.14.09Making bikes work by taking them thereIt happens every now and then. I'll be riding my bike to work and I'll pass another person, dressed business attire, getting into his or her car. Later, as I'm nearing my office, I'll see the same person exiting the car or cruising in search of a parking spot. It makes me wonder how many of my neighbors work downtown and could easily ride their bikes there. According to the 2004 City of Savannah Neighborhood Demographic Profiles report, there are 1,236 households in my neighborhood. How many of these contain at least one adult who is physically capable of a ...
-
05.12.09Passenger rail critic ignores massive autombile subsidyA letter to the editor in Sunday's Savannah Morning News points out some classic flaws in the way we think about transportation. The writer takes aim at President Obama's ideas for high speed rail with this comment: "High-speed rail" suffers from the same problems that afflict "fight rail" and most any other sort of "rail." The construction costs just can't be recovered by the revenues generated. If there was money to be made in "high-speed rail," private enterprise would be all over it. They aren't. Government thinks this is a good idea, but government isn't required to make a profit. Exactly. The ...
-
05.11.09RedeSIGN art project finds new use for old street signs, benefits good causeWhat becomes of old traffic signs when they are targeted by taggers, mangled by wayward motor vehicles or simply lose their reflectivity? Some signs suffering from these conditions — or that otherwise deemed unfit for continued service on Savannah streets — have been repurposed by Savannah artists, The redeSIGN Art Project, on display beginning today at 312 West Broughton St., was organized by New Moon of Savannah's Jake and Miriam Hodesh and in partnership with the City of Savannah, the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, and The Savannah Bicycle Campaign. The show will also serve as the venue for the monthly Green Drinks ...
-
05.08.09Start Early TomorrowGet your veggies at the Forsyth Farmers' Market (south end of Forsyth Park, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.), then head over to the Morris Center for Greenfest & the Savannah Urban Arts Festival.
-
05.07.09Concept of “taking the lane” confounds drivers and cyclists alikeThe Long Beach Cyclists blog, via streetsblog, offers the tale of a cyclist who was ticketed for obeying the law. Specifically, a law enforcement officer contended the cyclist was too far left in the travel lane. In California, like Georgia, cyclists are permitted to move left for a variety of reasons. Here's a passage from the Georgia Bicycle Law Enforcement Pocket Guide: A cyclist may leave the right-most side of the roadway when (1) moving as fast as other traffic, (2) passing another vehicle, (3) making a left turn, (4) avoiding roadside hazards, (5) where a lane is too narrow for a ...
-
05.06.09Historic Savannah Foundation 2nd Annual Preservation Wine TourCome see how they did it right! Get the chance to visit properties in the West Victorian Historic District, as preservation award winners graciously host individual wine tastings at each venue. Guests will walk from house to house and enjoy a sampling of two different wines in each. Light appetizers will make this tour a spectacular evening event Tickets are $50 per person. Call 233-7787 to reserve your ticket today, as space is limited. More information here.
-
05.05.09Green Drinks SavannahMore information here.
-
05.05.09Ogeechee Canoochee Riverkeeper Ogeechee Summer PaddleMore information here
-
05.05.09Buy Local Savannah May LuncheonThe topic for the May 28 luncheon is "Healthy is Good for Business," presented by Deborah Crespo RD and Dr. Heather Clark. More information here:
-
About
Transportation, land use, local farming and green building are all potential topics for Sustainable Savannah. The goal is to aggregate content about local events and projects, so there will be a central place to review everything that’s happening. The site is aimed at encouraging collaboration and information sharing between groups and individuals currently engaged in sustainability efforts. The site can also provide a snapshot of Savannah for green-minded people who are considering visiting or moving to the area.
