Just about a year ago filming for “The Last Song” wrapped on Tybee Island. With it’s April 2010 premiere, businesses on the island kept their fingers crossed that the exposure would put Tybee on the radar. According to the Tybee Tourism Council it did. “Year to year we are up about 11 percent, so we have definitely had an up year,” says Lindsay Fruchtl of the Tybee Tourism Council. While the movie didn’t specify Tybee as its locale, the stars made sure the world knew where they filmed. Miley tweeted about Savannah and Tybee on Twitter. The stars themselves raved about Tybee as well in television interviews. One New York Times article tells the story of a Tennessee family who were forced to change their vacation plans after the Gulf oil spill. At their daughters urging the family re-routed to Tybee just because Miley filmed there. “I think a lot of the teenagers were telling their families and getting them to come to Tybee so it’s been good,” says Fruchtl. With Georgia’s enticing tax incentives, Nick Gant of Meddin Studios says interest in Savannah and Tybee is booming. “There’s consistently hundreds of projects coming through the region. Of those that are real, I would say about a dozen are looking at Georgia and about half of those looking at he City of Savannah also.” While it may seem like big budget filming has slowed since the filming of Robert Redford’s “The Conspirator”, Gant says he expects some big announcements in the near future. “I can’t say exactly where and when but I can promise you there will be a great Fall season for the city of Savannah when it comes to the film industry.” By the way, “The Last Song” pulled in almost 63 million dollars at the box office. The movie comes out on DVD Tuesday.

Copyright 2010 The Coastal Source

Ed and Lisa Wu Hartwell enjoying Tybee Beach

We’re so excited to host our second ever Tybee Throws a Fit festival. The idea was originally co-conceived by our very own Stacye Jarrell, owner of Oceanfront Cottage rentals. People all over Tybee Island are constantly active, and there are so many different activities to partake in. Constantly we are asked what there is to do on Tybee, and this is the perfect way to show them how many things there are to do. We were voted America’s #1 Healthiest Beach last year in the nationally acclaimed, Health Magazine. This just goes to show, it’s not only the beach, but also the people.
A couple months ago, when we hosted the first Tybee Throws a Fit, we had such an amazing time. Everyone met down on the pier and were led by Savannah’s very own Ruby Gettinger, from the Style network’s show, Ruby , in a great dance, exercise workout. We also had Michael Banks, creator of Body by Banks workout routine, really pumping everyone up and inspiring everyone to work out and have an amazing time. People of all ages and sizes enjoyed themselves as we learned different workout routines. Believe us, NONE of us got it the first time, but we all laughed and just kept on trying. It was really amazing.
This time, we’re aiming for even more people, and we have even more events planned. Lisa Wu-Hartwell, from the hit show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is a regular visitor of our island and she was so excited when we contacted her about helping host our labor day Tybee Throws a Fit! She’s going to show us her favorite cardio workout, that she uses herself, while also being in charge of the music that’s going to keep everyone upbeat and in the mood to really keep going.
After starting out with cardio, we’re moving onto all sorts of different ways to exercise. You can meet us at AJ’s Dockside Restaurant at 9:00 am to learn how to Stand up and Paddle. Don’t know how to do it? Neither do we! We’ll be doing it all, from kickboxing to learning how to belly dance on the pier in the morning! Probably very badly, but hey, that’s not the point. It’s getting out there together and having a great time. We hope to see each and every one of you bright and early on September the 4th!

http://savannahnow.com/accent/2010-09-03/tybee-throws-fit-and-dance-party

We went to my very first Taste of Tybee event here on the island. Wine, great food, fresh seafood, what’s not to love? It was set on our beautiful pier, on the south end of the island. The time was perfect, right at sunset, giving us the cool breeze off the ocean.
I tried food from so many different restaurants that I always have wanted to go to , but just never seem to get around to going by. One that was surprisingly good was Alligator Soul,from Savannah. They had samples of this amazing white bean chili, that would have been too spicy if it wasn’t for the baked tortilla strips on top. Then there was this amazing chicken salad from our very own new restaurant, Social. Not only is it super cute and stylish, but taking a look at their menu, which includes everything from sweet potato fries to tacos with duck, you can see it’s different and delicious! The chamber of commerce provided a variety of different beers, along with chilled white wine, which was great, really refreshing, especially in this summer heat.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Tybee Island is small, yet the events are still well organized and fun. Everyone seems to get into whatever they’re doing. Whether it be exercising at seven in the morning together on the beach, like they did for this years ,Tybee Throws a Fit, or dressing up like pirates for three days straight during Pirate’s Fest. Or even just socializing with everyone, while enjoying food and wine during an evening on the beach.
I can’t wait for next year!

September 5th, Tybee Pier and Pavillion will be the host to “The Landsharks” and the most Beautiful Firework display in Georgia! “The Landsharks” are a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band. Admission is Free and the Music starts at 7 pm followed by the Fireworks at around 9:15pm, followed by more music!

www.oceanfrontcottage.com

“We already have a rental staff and a maintenance staff so if we can just get connected with the other reception locations we could really help Tybee’s economy, ” says Jarrell. A movie set on Tybee Island could be back in business next year! If everything goes as planned, it could help the island become a wedding destination. After filming ended, Disney donated the church to the island historical society. However, the high costs to move the church and bring it up to code made it a no go for the the Tybee Island Historical Society.

A movie set on Tybee Island could be back in business next year! If everything goes as planned, it could help the island become a wedding destination. After filming ended, Disney donated the church to the island historical society. However, the high costs to move the church and bring it up to code made it a no go for the the Tybee Island Historical Society.

Tybee resident Stacye Jarrell is hoping to take over the project and make Tybee’s wedding chapel a reality.

“We already have a rental staff and a maintenance staff  so if we can just get connected with the other reception locations we could really help Tybee’s economy, ” says Jarrell.

She hopes to turn this one time movie set into a place that will draw weddings and meetings to the island.

“The building will be available for rent but we will have strict guidelines on occupancy, noise and parking,” adds Jarrell.

The Historical Society has offered to give her the church. However, the high costs still remain. Bringing the building up to code will cost over $600,000 dollars.

“There is no heating or cooling or electrical. You have to replace 2×4′s with 2×6′s,” says Jarrell.

Then you add on buying a lot, 33 parking places, two ADA baths, a bride’s room, a groom’s room and a small kitchen area for catering and that number gets even higher.

But Jarrell feels the financial investment will be worth it. “I can see us becoming a wedding destination. This could help Tybee’s economy during the slow season and the shoulder season, ” adds Jarrell.

Jarrell has applied for the loan and the Small Business Association has agreed to underwrite it.

City Council will vote on the issue at the January 14th meeting.

Jarrell says if she gets approval from City Council and the bank financing the project, she plans to have the chapel up and running by July 1st.

Jarrell is a Tybee resident and owner of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals. It’s a business that just might be the perfect companion for Tybee Island’s future wedding chapel.

Copyright 2009 The Coastal Source

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