Hey good people! Welcome back to The Low. Over the last couple weeks, I’ve been telling you to be on the lookout for an update coming soon. Welp. Today’s the day. Let me start by saying I’ve thoroughly enjoyed delivering this informative and (hopefully) interesting newsletter to you every Tuesday, but we’re making some changes and it’s time I tell you about them. 

Today’s newsletter is the last you’ll receive for a while. We’re taking a tactical pause to reevaluate and figure out how best to serve our wonderful readers like you. In the interim, The Low will be living on Connect Savannah’s site. Content won’t be posted weekly, but whenever there’s something particularly exciting that I want to share with The Low audience, you’ll find it there. 

I sincerely hope that you’ve enjoyed the newsletter so far, and that you’ll continue to stick with me as The Low evolves. To be clear, this isn’t a goodbye. It’s more like a see you soon. We do plan to return to this weekly routine in the future, and when that day comes, you’ll be the first to know about it. In the meantime, feel free to revisit previous issues in our archive, and if you enjoyed what we’ve been doing here, tell your friends about The Low. 

So with all that said, here’s what this week has in store:

1. Celebrate black history and heritage at these happenings.

2. See who’s playing at the Enmarket Arena in February.

3. Find out what’s cookin’ at Thompson Savannah for Valentine’s Day.

4. Calling all book buffs! The Savannah Book Festival is coming soon.

5. Craft a compelling cover letter with these helpful tips.

Details await you down below. Thanks so much for reading the Low. 

— Chantel

Black history is an indelible part of the vibrant tapestry that is Savannah’s rich history. And throughout the month, there are some exciting and engaging events taking place to honor the culture, heritage and contributions of the African American community. Celebrate Black History Month in the Hostess City by attending these upcoming events. 

The Savannah Black Heritage Festival returns for its 34th annual iteration with programming and events happening throughout the entire month. This year’s theme is “The Festival Lives So Our Legacy Thrives,” and the festival will bring cultural and historical education as well as performing arts and entertainment to the local community. The Grand Festival Day is set for Feb. 18 from 10 a.m, to 5 p.m. at Savannah State University’s New Student Union. For a full schedule of events, visit savannahblackheritagefestival.org/.  

Our local Live Oak Public Libraries are celebrating Black History Month with a series of special programs and events in February. There will be panel discussions, community drum circles, storytelling and more. Additionally, Bull Street Library is displaying the award-winning exhibit “Go Down to Savannah: W.W. Law’s Negro Heritage Trail.” The exhibit will be available to view from Feb. 1 – 28. For more information, visit liveoakpl.org/blackhistory. 

The Savannah College of Art and Design invites the local community to travel across time on a bus tour centering visionary voices in Savannah’s African American community. The tours will depart from the SCAD Museum of Art on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite. 

Honoring Our Roots

On February 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Savannah African Art Museum is collaborating with the Bull Street Library Kaye Kole Genealogy & Local History Room to host a workshop that will provide tips and resources for tracing your roots. The workshop will include a brief discussion on the importance of knowing your roots, the resources that are available at the library and tips on where to start. The event will be held at the Bull Street Library.

There are a few exciting acts coming to Enmarket Arena in February. From legendary musicians to celebrated comedians, these are upcoming shows that you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for these fantastic February performances.

Don’t stop believin’ because renowned rock band Journey will play in the Hostess City on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.  as a part of their 50th anniversary Freedom Tour. Journey will be joined by very special guest Toto. It will be an electrifying performance that’ll have you rocking all night long. 

Comedian, author and podcast host Bert Kreischer is bringing his Tops Off World Tour to Savannah. The renowned funny man will take the Enmarket Arena stage Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Expect side-splitting stand-up that will leave you in stitches.

Genre-bending band of brothers Whiskey Myers will be in concert on Feb. 19 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. along with special guests Rival Sons and The Weathered Souls. If you like country, rock, blues, gospel, or all of the above, this is the show for you. 

Country music hall of famer Wynonna Judd is taking her final tour to Savannah. Joined by Brandi Carlile and Martina McBride, she will perform on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Look forward to your favorite Judds hits from through the years during this farewell performance.

For more information about these shows and tickets, visit enmarketarena.com/.

Love is in the air, so plan to enjoy fine fare at Thompson Savannah. This Valentine’s Day weekend on Sat. Feb. 11, the opulent hotel’s first floor restaurant Fleeting is offering a curated prix fixe menu that’s sure to satisfy. Treat yourself and your special someone to a romantic three-course dinner that includes champagne and amuse bouche for the fixed price of $125 per person. 

The first course is your choice of market fish crudo, lettuces and bitter greens, country ham carbonara or market vegetable crumble stracciatella. For the  second course, your options include confit half-duck for two, cocoa-rubbed filet, seed and spice-crusted market fish or south carolina polenta. Finish with a sweet Valentine’s dessert for two. RSVP today to reserve your table. 

Not everyone will be cuddled up with a significant other on Valentine’s Day, and that’s where Galentine’s Day comes in. Regardless of your relationship status, a brunch with your gals or other pals is always a good time. On Sunday, Feb. 12, Thompson Savannah’s rooftop lounge Bar Julian is hosting a special Galentine’s Brunch and donation drive benefiting Safe Shelter Center for Domestic Violence. 

Enjoy curated cocktails specials while a live DJ spins all your favorite girl-power anthems. You can receive a complimentary glass of bubbles when you donate an item.

The center is in need of ladies’ pajamas, slippers, robes, beauty supplies, perfumes, lotions and toiletries. Spread the love by giving back while enjoying a scrumptious brunch with your BFFs. For more information, visit barjulian.com/bar-galentine/. 

Taking place Feb. 16-19, the Savannah Book Festival (SBF) is fast approaching. The four-day celebration of the written word is expected to draw approximately 10,000 literary lovers, providing exciting opportunities to engage with 51 eminent authors presenting 46 different titles.

The participating writers represent a wide variety of literary genres. Each featured author was identified through a meticulous selection process conducted by SBF’s author selection committee. Books are recommended by the public, the committee and publishers from major publishing houses, resulting in a diverse festival that appeals to many interests.

“We have mysteries, thrillers, memoirs, young adult authors, science fiction, literary works and more. . . The goal is to provide a variety of genres, fiction and nonfiction, that will deliver, what we hope is, something for everyone,” said Tara Setter, SBF Executive Director, in an email. 

Setter is looking forward to hearing from all of the featured writers this year, especially Jack Carr, author of “In the Blood,” who is delivering the festival’s opening address on Thursday, Feb. 16. Carr debuted at the 2019 festival with his first novel “The Terminal List.” 

“He went on to become a New York Times bestselling author, with Amazon Prime producing a limited TV series based on that first book, starring Chris Pratt. It is quite exciting to have Jack return to the festival,” said Setter.

Another author she’s highly anticipating is Pulitzer Prize winner David Maraniss who has penned several acclaimed biographies. Giving the closing address, he’ll present his latest work “Path Lit by Lightning, The Life of Jim Thorpe.” Setter is also excited to hear from true-crime author Dr. Benjamin Gilmer; and Ilyon Woo, who shares an astonishing true story of a couple escaping slavery in her book, “Master Slave Husband Wife.” 

In addition to author presentations and book signings, festival goers will have opportunities to engage in thoughtful conversations with community members. 

“As Abraham Lincoln said, ‘A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others,’ That joint discovery allows us to open up conversations about our differences and our similarities and how they all work together to build this world we live in and how to improve its arc. Rachel Young Fields, our Board President, has reflected that reading holds the keys to solved and unsolved problems and that coming together to exchange ideas and share a love for the written word contributes to the betterment of our community and society,” Setter expressed.

She encourages locals and tourists alike to come out and take full advantage of the wonderful opportunities the festival presents.

“This February, it will be difficult to beat the beautiful, historic downtown area, a book in your hand and sharing a conversation over an idea,” she stated. “It is a time to expand your horizons and enjoy the magic of getting lost in a book. The Savannah Book Festival brings together our community and visitors to celebrate the art of writing and the love of reading.”

Setter closed by acknowledging the nearly 200 volunteers who make the Savannah Book Festival possible. 

“If you see a board member or volunteer, please thank them for their efforts. The Savannah Book Festival does not exist without these amazing individuals,” she said.

Tickets are currently available online. For more information, visit savannahbookfestival.org/.

In recent weeks, we covered how to make your resume stand out, and prior to that we went over a few tips to help you nail your interview. There’s one important piece of the employment-seeking process that we left out, and so this time we’re going to focus on the equally essential yet often overlooked cover letter. 

A cover letter is a brief document you enclose along with your resume to express your interest in an available position. It’s your chance to elaborate on the education and experience presented in your resume and identify how well your skills and qualifications align with the requirements of the job. 

You definitely want to do your research on the company you are applying to and include some of your findings in your letter. Evincing that you know something about the company can earn you brownie points with hiring managers, ensuring them that you’ve taken the time to dig into the company’s history, culture, values and goals. 

Using the same generic cover letter for every job you apply for is a critical mistake. While it’s okay to reuse a few sentences here and there, you’ll stand out to hiring managers if your letter is specifically tailored to the job you’re applying for. Use some of the language in the job description and demonstrate the ways in which your skills correspond to the duties and responsibilities listed in the description. 

Highlight your most relevant achievements and accomplishments from previous roles and provide figures wherever you can. If you had a measurable impact on an organization, hiring managers will want to know that, so be sure to share these results in your cover letter. Instead of simply telling hiring managers about what you accomplished, show them with figures and facts that serve as proof.

A cover letter shouldn’t be more than a page or two. You don’t want to overshare about every single thing you’ve ever done in every position you’ve ever had. Just highlight the most important and most relevant things that will be of interest to the hiring managers. Use action verbs and concise language to get to the point. 

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to write a compelling cover letter that will stand out to hiring managers. Start strong by demonstrating your interest and excitement. And finish strong by thanking your readers for their consideration and discussing next steps. You’ve got this!