The Bluebird Patch

    Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet. Plato   The greatest love stories and tales of romance are usually written by people who have to let go of someone who they deeply loved. This is the case of Fred Stobaugh, a 96 year old Peoria resident Fred Stobaugh, who recently lost his wife and partner of 75 years, Lorraine. One day Illinois based Green Shoe Studio ran a song competition they expected entrants to upload their finished tunes to YouTube. So when one person sent them a letter containing the lyrics of his song they were a little surprised.  Singer and songwriter Jacob Colgan remembers receiving Fred’s letter. “What made Fred's entry so special was instead of a video, it was a large manila envelope titled Green Shoe Studio Singer Songwriter contest.” It was an entry to his Studio’s songwriting cont...

$200,000 in Scholarships to be awarded to Hispanic College-Bound Students Back-to-school is always an exciting time for students across the country. As part of this significant moment,  The Coca-Cola Company  and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) are coming together with key retailers to announce the launch of  Share Possibilities.  This annual Hispanic Heritage Month scholarship program will award $200,000 in scholarships to help close the college attainment gap among Latino students.

  Get tickets to Disney On Ice using the promo code "BERT" and save $5...AND, additionally, $5 will be donated to Bert's Big Adventure! The show runs October 9-13 - get your tix here! http://j.mp/17Y1nBg   Established in 2002, Bert’s Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a magical, all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World® for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. To qualify for Bert’s Big Adventure , children must be between the ages of 5 and 12, live in “The Bert Show” radio listening area, prove financial need and have never been to Walt Disney World®. Following the annual trip, Bert’s Big Adventure provides year-round support through initiatives such as the Reunion Adventures, the Fairy Godparent volunteer program and additional charitable services. The trip and programs create a community of families that establish lasting friendships with others facing similar challenges. ...

Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest holidays in Metro Atlanta with sporting events, concerts, conventions and gatherings, visitors and residents will have plenty of fun-filled events to choose from. If you don't know where to go here's our list of the top 10 Labor Day Weekend events in Atlanta. 1) SEC or ACC? If you’re a fan of the Crimson Tide or the Hokies, sport your team’s colors at the Tech Tailgate or Bama Bash before heading to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game , and see the rivalry in action at Tailgate Town.   

-        Fan Days at the World of Coca-Cola are Aug. 27 through Sept. 3. General admission is $3 off for those who purchase tickets through the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game website using this link. Those attending the Braves vs. Marlins series at home that weekend can receive discounted admission to the World of Coca-Cola by texting promotion codes revealed during the games. While at the stadium during Saturday’s game, they also can play to win WOCC tickets and other prizes with the World of Coca-Cola’s Ticket Tank and Spin Man.

Time to Explore Gwinnett , Atlanta's playground, during Labor Day Weekend! 37 wonderful events happening this weekend. Where will YOU be? Download the weekend guide here.       http://www.gcvb.org/

Georgia SPCA is gearing up for it's 4th annual benefit bash "There's no place like home", on September 7th at the Gwinnett Center Ballroom. They recently released an updated list of their silent auction items in an effort to promote the event and encourage people to buy tickets to the fundraiser. They e ncourage EVERYONE to come dressed in their Favorite Oz Character but Casual Dress is fine. When you buy a ticket to this event it will not only help fund these programs, but will also help cover the care for over 1,000 dogs and cats that are brought to our non-profit shelter each year. It is our hope that you will sincerely consider this opportunity to make a difference for these animals. September 3rd is the last day to buy tickets.    The event will have food catered by Proof of the Pudding , music by Audiocake (DJ), and two celebrity guests: Pam Johnson-Bennett,  star of Discovery Channel UK’s new television series, Psycho Kitty and Tim Link,  hos...

  "As any dog owner knows, coming home to your dog is one of the most joyous events of the day – both for you and your dog". Hi, I'm Bella an 8 month old boxer mix with lots of energy and personality. I am very smart and have learned to sit and give my paw. When my foster Mom puts my food on the ground, I sit patiently and wait until she says I can eat. This is really hard for a playful dog like me but I am a real people pleaser and love to learn and explore new things. Squeaky toys make my day but since I am still a puppy, I can go through several a week. I will need an active family that likes to go on daily walks and a fenced yard so I can play. I love kids and other dogs, I am house trained and I really love car rides! If you think I could be a great addition to your family and your willing to continue my training, give my foster Mom Diana a call and we can set up a meeting!! 770 676 6052  Georgia SPCA dog and puppy adoption fees ...

  Volunteer event to be held at Dave n Buster’s Sugarloaf Mills on September 12th The 14 th annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service will kick-off with Volunteer Night at Dave n Buster’s on Thursday, September 12 th from 6-8pm . Gwinnett Great Days of Service is the single largest two day public service annual event in Gwinnett County, and one of the largest in the United States. Last year, over 90,000 volunteers combined efforts to complete approximately 400 projects. Projects are being identified across Gwinnett County to be completed later this fall. Whether you have served in the past, or are just learning about Great Days of Service, come to the kick-off to get connected to this year’s event.  From 6:00-8:00pm , volunteers are able to pick up a GDOS bracelet, registration information and enjoy light appetizers and a small program at the event. Participants can also purchase $10 game tickets where $5 will be donated back to...

  Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities have partnered with Color in Motion 5k in Atlanta on November 16! Register using promo code ARMHC30 to receive 30% off your registration fee for the month of September and support families at ARMHC!   WHAT IS COLOR IN MOTION 5K? Exactly that.... It is your moving body plastered in an explosion of vibrant color with all your friends!  How many times have you paid money to run around a few city blocks, drink a cup of warm Gatorade, eat a banana, and be given a t-shirt that you will probably only wear once every two months while doing yard work? Why not color outside the lines while being active, social, and a little wacky! The Color in Motion 5k gives you all these benefits plus unforgettable fun and heaps of memories!  By the end of the CIM5k your blank canvas will be brighter than ever--your clothes, health, and outlook on life will be changed for the better! WELL, HOW DOES IT WORK? ...

Soar into September at our 15th annual Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival. The weekend kicks off with the extraordinary Friday Night Balloon Glow and continues all weekend long. Watch beautiful balloons in flight or hop in a basket for your own tethered balloon ride. Saturday is filled with family-friendly events, including live music , beach activities , a Kids Zone and much more.  There's something for everyone with a classic car show , disc dog demonstrations, a pyrotechnic skydiving demonstration, as well as a 5K Race and Triathlon event. If you're a photography buff, you can sign up for our hands-on "Mastering Night Photography" course. Plus, you'll find drink specials and sports on the televisions at the Beach Bar as well as some of Atlanta's top-rated food trucks throughout the festival. Cap off the weekend with a final balloon glow Sunday night on Robin Lake Beach. With this exciting line-up of eve ts, surrounded by the natural ...

  Traditional Dominican Mofongo When you are raised in the Caribbean there are certain foods that you just can't live without. Mofongo and "patitas" pigs feet, are just two of my favorite guilty pleasures that I love to eat, but rarely can, since almost no one in Atlanta knows how to cook them the way they do it back home. Mofongo is basically g reen plantains that are fried, then mashed with garlic and crushed pork rinds. For me, mofongo is the equivalent of comfort food and is one of those things I like to eat when I'm feeling homesick. The mofongo at Versace's Dominican Restaurant in Lilburn, not only is absolutely delicious, but it taste as good or even better as the ones I used to eat back at the island.      Patitas de cerdo "Pigs feet" Versace's Dominican Restaurant is a family style cafeteria/restaurant, with a big dinning room and Caribbean music playing all day on the background. The walls are decorated with art depicti...