The Bluebird Patch

Superhero Science Night Saturday, March 22, 6:30-8:30 pm Super Hero Science Night at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta will help to kick off the Atlanta Science Festival! Science stations will be set up in each learning zone for facilitated hands on exploration and fun. Guest scientists include Grady Gearbox Gangstaz Robotics Team, the award winning robotics team of Grady High School. At the end of the evening everyone will come together for a Mad Science Show hosted by the museum’s Professor Labcoat. Come dressed as your favorite super hero and join us. Tickets are limited. Members $6.00/ non-members $15.00. Advance ticket purchase required call 404-527-3693 or purchase online.

  Sunday, March 2, 2014, Dr. Seuss’ 109th birthday, will mark the 16th year of the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America , an event that focuses on the critical need to instill a love of reading in our children. The event’s state sponsor, the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), in conjunction with The Children’s Museum of Atlanta , have once again planned an exciting kick-off for the week’s activities, which will be taking place in schools, libraries and businesses throughout Georgia. The official kick-off event will take place on Monday, March 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. at The Children’s Museum and will include a Read-A-Thon, where boys and girls (up to age 8) will listen to guest readers. Confirmed readers include State Superintendent John D. Barge. Activities will include bookmark making stations, a special “Meow Mix” featuring the Imaginators, The Museum’s troupe of actors and educators, and a Cat Nap Story Time. Parents should visit www...

City Welcomes Annual Spring Tradition February 28-April 6 Celebrating more than three decades of family fun, Atlanta’s favorite fair is returning to Turner Field! Beginning February 28 and running nightly through April 6, visitors can soar over 90 feet in the air taking flight on the new Flying Dutchman and scream while spinning on the “CLAW” enjoy all of the midway munchies the fair has to offer! Crowd favorites and kid-friendly rides such as the beloved carousel and twirling tea-cups will return, as well as the 45-foot “Ring of Fire” roller coaster. For more than 30 years, the Atlanta Fair has brought classic Midway entertainment to the Atlanta area.

THE B.A.D. Obstacle Challenge™, one of the world’s leading producers of Obstacle Course Challenges & Adventure Races and whose events benefit Autism Speaks, is kicking off its 2014 series when it returns to the Atlanta market on March 15, 2014.  This year’s race will be held on March 15 and feature over 30 unique, challenging, fun and badass obstacles sprawled across a 7K (4.4 mile) course set within the confines of Stone Mountain Park. Brian Sharenow, Race Director for the B.A.D. Obstacle Challenge™ series states, “We are very excited to return to Stone Mountain Park for our first race of the year and even more excited for the racers to experience not only a newly designed, badass course with double the obstacles that they conquered last year but also all of the new elements we have added to this race that will surely separate us from the other OCR races that take place in Georgia” Sharenow points out, “Being that the focus of our events is to raise awareness and...

70 local special needs children will be treated to LEGOLAND Discovery Center visit on February 28 for 100VE. PLAY. LIVE. Celebration On February 28, LEGOLAND Discovery Center will host 70 local children and their families as very special guests for an all-expenses-paid fun day with at the attraction, courtesy of Merlin’s Magic Wand . During the 100VE. PLAY. LIVE. Celebration, taking place 5:00-7:00 p.m., the Atlanta attraction will host children from the Down’s Syndrome Association of Atlanta and the Coralwood Inclusion School. This visit is part of a very special global event to celebrate the opening of Merlin’s 100 th attraction this year, and the children who will visit will be joined by thousands of others across the 22 countries in which Merlin Entertainments operate. In Atlanta, special activities will include a sweets station, serving cookies and punch, a “Spread the Love” booth for attendees to leave messages for Merlin’s Magic Wand and a themed group bu...

“The Candy Shop”  by  Brandon McCormick  is an a llegorical film that presents the  shockingly prevalent sexual trafficking of children  that is currently plaguing Atlanta.  Name : Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) documentary viewing, "How to Stop the Candy Shop" (Atlanta Speech School) Date/Time : 03-01-2014 10:30am – 12:30pm Description : The CSE/HT committee of the Junior League of Atlanta is excited to present the documentary, "Stop the Candy Shop" on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at the Atlanta Speech School, in the Love Auditorium, located at 3160 Northside Parkway NW.  Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., with the film beginning at 11:00 a.m. and the panel discussion commencing at 11:30 a.m. The committee is partnering with Street Grace, a local organization that works to end commercial sexual exploitation(CSEC) of children through awareness, ...

The Milk Life campaign reinforces milk's many nutritional benefits, such as high quality protein, and shows how starting your morning with milk can help power the potential of every day.    The visually impactful work spotlights everyday moments of accomplishment, achievement and enjoyment, showing milk with the latest in graphic and animation technology to bring to life how families who include milk's protein at breakfast make the most of their day.  According to Ad Age " Protein is "really in the news and on consumer's minds," said Julia Kadison, interim CEO of MilkPEP. "But a lot of people don't know that milk has protein, so it was very important to make that connection between milk and protein "   Taibi said his agency started working on a new concept with MilkPEP a year ago. He said the ads are intended to convey the power of protein after you drink milk.  One ad shows a little girl jumping in...

" WINK " sells stylish toiletry bags with luxury products from Soap & Paper Company inside. When you buy a WINK bag, one bag (filled with the basic toiletries) is donated to Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms across the U.S. If a parent is in that room, things are not good. These basic necessities are sometimes all a parent needs when confronted with a critically ill child. When In Need of Kindness. A loving WINK. Isn't that all we really need? A knowing smile, acknowledging nod or a comforting wink during tragedy or just everyday life. Life can be hard. We all need some kindness everyday.   Further, a portion of the proceeds will also go to their non-profit partner, The C.L.A.Y. Foundation , which advocates for CPR training, swim instruction, AED availability and a year round warm water swim facility. To purchase a Wink bag please visit: http://www.winkbags.com

  The Georgia Boy Choir and the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra will celebrate the 329th birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (March 21) with their first-ever collaboration on March 22 in Atlanta and March 23 in Roswell.  The concert, entitled Bach Birthday Bash, will feature choral and orchestral works performed on original instruments with boy’s voices, as conceived by the composer.  The concert will feature two of the most popular instrumental works of the 18th century, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and the Orchestral Suite No. 3 that includes the very familiar movement popularly known as “Air on the G String.”  The two ensembles will join forces for the Motet No. 3 in E Minor, Jesu, meine freude, BWV 227. The groups’ artistic directors, Julie Andrijeski and David R. White, will lead the groups in performances on Saturday, March 22 in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. at Peachtree United Methodist Church) and Sunday, March 23 in Roswell (4:00 p.m. at Roswell Presbyterian Church).

  Learn to Rule the Roost at Chicks in the City The Sixth Annual Chicks in the City is a daylong symposium on how to begin and care for your own flock of happy healthy backyard chickens. The rapid growth of urban farming and the desire for healthy eating led the Wylde Center to offer this full plate of classes that engage and inspire both the curious and committed audience. Sign up quickly – registration limited to the first 100 registrants and tickets always fly fast! Complimentary coffee and treats provided by Revolution Donuts! Contact  Andrea@wyldecenter.org  with any questions.    "Learning from our eggsperts, you can have happy healthy chickens while saving time, money and gaining access to metro Atlanta's growing chicken keeping community."     - Wylde Center Topics include: Breeds of Chickens by  Cara Guri of Golden Farms   Chicken Health and Wellness Baby Chicks -  Incubation and Care B...

Audiences will be swept off to fantastical faraway places this spring when “ 1001 Nights: A Love Story About Loving Stories” hits the stage at the Center for Puppetry Arts for a limited two week engagement, March 25-April 6 . Broadway musical powerhouse Robert Lopez, innovative New York company The Flying Carpet and puppetry experts Center for Puppetry Arts, join forces as a “dream team” to create the ultimate “family puppet musical.” In this celebration of brainy imagination over brawn, a princess uses her wits to save a kingdom from an evil decree as she spins tale after tale for a narrow-minded king.  Featuring genies, jesters, 40 thieves and other captivating characters, the princess’s cliffhanger stories keep the king—and audiences—on the edge of their seats.  This playful adaptation of the “Arabian Nights” fairy tales is recommended for ages six and up.

Join us at Fernbank Science Center for an epicurean forensics experience.  As a guest, you will attempt to solve a murder mystery using laboratory techniques while stimulating your palate with a variety of delectable chocolate dishes along the way! Culinary students from DeKalb County's Warren Technical School will serve specially-designed chocolate desserts as you solve the crime.  DEATH BY CHOCOLATE takes place as part of Atlanta Science Festival, Friday, March 28, from 6:30 to 9:30.  Adults only! Buy your tickets here.

There's a new fundraising event here in Atlanta that is meant to benefit our furry friends. Hooters sponsors events around the country, playfully dubbed “Hooters for Neuters,” aimed at raising awareness of the necessity and importance of spay/neuter procedures for pets. The fundraiser takes place Tuesday, February 25 th from 5-8pm at the Hooters at Cumberland location. There will be various pet adoption and shelter organizations represented at the event- one of whom is Canine Cellmates . They are a non-profit jail dogs program that pairs shelter dogs with carefully screened Fulton County jail inmates for an 8-week period, during which time basic command and potty training is given to the dog in hopes of making him/her a more attractive adoptee. The program is transformative for both dog and inmate and both parties reap the benefits of their time together. Hooters has generously agreed to donate $1 to Canine Cellmates for every flyer that is printed out and brought ...

I love all things lemony so when I decided to visit Dutch Monkey Doughnuts I knew exactly what I wanted to order. A lemon meringue donut. This doughnut has a tart-sweet lemon curd filling and toasted meringue on top to die for.    Dutch Monkey lemon donuts are the perfect little sweet bite. The simple yet powerful flavor combination really shines and satisfies the lemon-lover in all of us!  Dutch Monkey Doughnuts takes pride in offering doughnut that are made from scratch, individually fried, glazed, and decorated. The dough is made from fresh potatoes, buttermilk, flour, sugar, eggs, and live yeast. Their doughnuts have no preservatives, and are best eaten within 12 hours of when they are made.  Dutch Monkey Doughnuts have a partnership with a local men’s regeneration program, NoLonger Bound . They pick up any doughnuts we may have left at the end of the day. Visit their website to learn more about their greenhouse, professional print sho...

Shop For a cause: stella & dot by bluebirdpatch featuring stella & dot The Stella & Dot Foundation is committed to empowering women and children through economic and educational development. Purchase a Stella & Dot Foundation bracelet or charm and 100% of the net proceeds will go their partner charities. 

  "Make a Stand could not just raise money to end child slavery, but create a role model for all business."   The New York Times Make a Stand is a shining example of what one person can do . After seeing a photo of two enslaved boys, 8 year-old Vivienne Harr "made a stand" at her lemonade stand for 365 days straight.    Her moment became a movement. People around the world stood with Vivienne and helped her raise over $100,000 for Not For Sale. Remarkably, Vivienne surpassed her goal…after 173 straight days of selling lemonade . It captured hearts around the world—and redefined what each of us can do. The moment became a movement--and a better way of doing business. When you purchase Make a Stand Lemon-aid, you are voting for fair-trade business practices — and freedom for all. You are making a stand and having a positive impact on our world.   They give 5% of all gross revenues to hand-selected organizations that do leadi...

  This weekend only our friends at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament: Atlanta are offering a HUGE  discount on their tickets. Use code 25sale and get you Dinner and Tournament tickets for just $25!! This is HUGE!! You will never get the tickets this low. Consider celebrating Valentine's day a week early!  What a huge surprise would this be! Visit bit.ly/buymedieval to secure your seats! Follow Medieval Times, Atlanta on Facebook for more Loyal Royal exclusives!    *Valid only at the Georgia location February 7-9 . Upgrades, tax, gratuity & applicable fees additional.

RUN FOR A REASON - HELP HOMELESS PETS Strut your Mutt at the Georgia SPCA 4th Annual Run for the Rescues 5K, Fun Run and Festival . This event will take place in the beautiful Suwanee Town Center Park in the heart of Suwanee. We encourage everyone to bring their dogs for this run to benefit homeless pets. Come see B98.5FM's Jordan Graye. She will be doing live remotes at the event. In addition to the race, there will be a Festival at the Suwanee Town Center from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm . Enjoy food and beverage, arts and crafts, inflatables for the kids and treats for dogs, cats and runners alike. Vendors of all kinds will have samples and products for sale.

IKEA Foundation  has announced the launch of a new good cause campaign, 'Brighter Lives for Refugees', that will run in IKEA stores globally from  February 3 to March 29, 2014.    For every LEDARE (LED light bulb) sold during the campaign, the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.00 ) to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).  Funds raised by the campaign will help to provide much needed solar street lights, indoor solar lanterns, other renewable energy technologies and fuel efficient cooking stoves in UNHCR refugee camps in various countries including  Ethiopia ,  Chad ,  Bangladesh  and  Jordan . "Today, there are nearly 10.5 million refugees globally, around half of which are children. Some refugees have no choice but to live in refugee camps, where a lack of light after sunset can have a devastating effect on safety and security," says  Kerri Molinaro , President of IKEA Canada. 

Hands-on Activities, Unique Photo Opportunities and More Fernbank Museum of Natural History opens the critically-acclaimed new special exhibition Whales: Giants of the Deep on Saturday, February 15, 2014 . The exhibition opening day celebration event includes a variety of whale-themed activities suitable for all ages. Whales Opening Day Celebration activities take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include*: