STREET BEAT

TRAVEL + LEISURE GOLF HONORS THE FORD PLANTATION IN RICHMOND HILL
Travel + Leisure Golf recently recognized The Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill, Ga., one of the nation’s top luxury communities and private sporting clubs, as one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Communities” for the third consecutive year.

The magazine provided The Ford Plantation with a special award certificate, which is proudly on display in the golf clubhouse. 2008 marks the third year that the magazine has recognized the nation’s leading golf communities in a special annual issue.

The Ford Plantation boasts a challenging 18-hole golf course designed by Pete Dye, who called the impressive layout “arguably my best Southern design.” The course features a Scottish Highlands and Lowcountry-inspired layout which offers a parkland-style front nine with trees and water, followed by a links-style back nine that opens onto dramatic marsh views.

SAVANNAH GOVERNNMENT WORKS TO REDUCE CITY’S CARBON FOOTPRINT
At a recent town hall meeting, City of Savannah officials discussed ways to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, which refers to the amount of greenhouses gas the city government emits each year. A committee is currently developing ideas to reduce that footprint, making the city more environmentally-conscious.

Mayor Otis Johnson and city council officials signed a pledge to make Savannah more eco-friendly. The environmental health initiative, which also includes a new curbside recycling program, is part of the city’s larger vision statement.

The city government hopes to serve as a leader by example, encouraging local businesses and residents to make adjustments to minimize the area’s carbon emissions and to pursue a larger green strategy for coastal Georgia.

OATLAND ISLAND EDUCATION CENTER DEBUTS RE-DESIGNED WOLF EXHIBIT
Oatland Island Education Center recently opened a newly remodeled wolf exhibit to the public, which now includes a special viewing area for visitors. In the past, visitors could only glimpse the animals from a wooden ramp located at a distance from the wolves.

A 900-square-foot cabin includes a glass-enclosed viewing area, which enables visitors to observe the wolves at close range. The new wolf enclosure is part of new Oatland Island director Chris Gentile’s efforts to improve the facility, which once served as a Center for Disease Control.

The response to the new wolf exhibit has been overwhelmingly positive. Gentile is already working on other improvements at Oatland Island, including a new cafe, which will open in 2009, and the addition of even more animals native to Georgia.

MERCER UNIVERSITY INDUCTS FIRST CLASS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAVANNAH
Last month, 30 students were officially inducted into Mercer University’s new school of medicine at Memorial Health University Medical Center. The students, who are part of the Class of 2012, were awarded white coats in an emotional ceremony.

Four men and women from Savannah are part of the inaugural class of medical students. Classes officially began in late August. Next year, 60 students are expected to be inducted into the second class at Mercer University’s school of medicine in Savannah.

Mercer University runs one of the state’s top medical schools for rising doctors. Savannah is the school’s second medical school campus in the state. New facilities will be constructed at Memorial Health, to complement the existing 240-student campus in Macon.