The Bluebird Patch

Fundraiser to help purchase school supplies for underserved children ATLANTA, Ga.  (July 20, 2015) – Having the right school supplies can mean the difference between a passing or a failing grade. That’s why Publix Super Markets will offer the “Tools for Back to School” campaign Thursday, July 23 through Wednesday, August 12. Customers and associates are encouraged to donate $5, $7 or $10 which will be used to purchase much needed school supplies for local teachers, students and non-profit organizations assisting underserved children through Kids In Need, a program of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “ Our Tools for Back to School program grew out of the need to help students and teachers,” said Brenda Reid, Publix media and community relations manager. “Many families do not have the resources to purchase school supplies and many teachers spend their own money to buy supplies for their students. That’s why this program is so important. It supports families and clas...

We know from our time at college that school is expensive, so our friends at Zumper wants to help you out with a $1,000 scholarship. They’re looking for outstanding students who have helped their classmates or community in a tremendous way. Maybe you started a club that raised $10,000 for charity, or championed recycling and sustainable practices across campus. Whatever it is, we’d love to hear about it! Eligibility Any legal U.S. resident in high school or college who will be attending an accredited university or college in Fall 2015 is eligible to apply. How to apply To apply, please submit a short piece of writing, that includes the following:

Special savings and activities help local shoppers start the school year off right ATLANTA (July 21, 2015)  – School is almost back in session, and  Calhoun Premium Outlets,   Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, North Georgia Premium Outlets, Phipps Plaza, Sugarloaf Mills  and  Town Center at Cobb  are gearing up to help local shoppers stock up on all the necessities this season during Georgia’s 2015 Tax Free Holiday. On Friday, July 31  and  Saturday, August 1 , Atlanta-area shoppers can enjoy a state sales-tax exemption on school supplies, clothing, electronics and other back-to-school items. The deals don’t end there – Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, Phipps Plaza, Sugarloaf Mills and Town Center at Cobb will help shoppers save even more through retailer coupons and other special offerings available online at the Simon Retailer Showcase available at  simon.com . 

Fewer ZZZs Could Lead to More F’s Does back to school mean back to bedtime struggles at your house? According to Mattress Firm and pediatric neurologist Sujay Kansagra,  director of Duke University’s Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of   My Child Won’t Sleep,  if any of these phrases sound familiar, you may be unknowingly sabotaging y our child’s sleep – and school success – at bedtime.    1.      “ Tomorrow is a school day – bedtime is an hour earlier!”   Right before the first night of school, parents often move up bedtime by an hour or more. Children need longer to adjust to a new sleep routine. Move your child’s bedtime up by 15 minutes per day in the days – or weeks – leading up to the start of school, until you reach your school-year bedtime. 2.      “ You can watch one cartoon before lights out.”   While watching TV might seem like a good way to let y...

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Sugarloaf Mills. Local families invited to enjoy fall fashion, fun and freebies In celebration of Georgia’s tax free weekend, local families are invited to ring in the start of the school year with Sugarloaf Mills’ Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, August 1 from 1-4 p.m. Attendees will be among the first to view the latest trends in fall fashion from retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5 th , Neiman Marcus Last Call, Levi’s Outlet, Old Navy, Off Broadway Shoes, Kenneth Cole Outlet, Crazy 8, Gymboree Outlet and more! Planned entertainment and activities include music by DJ Kimber, fashion modeling and giveaways as well as a braid and ponytail bar, lip lounge and a selfie station. To help highlight Sugarloaf Mills’ Tax-Free Weekend deals and the latest in back-to-school trends, Audrey Hayes of Bluebird Patch Teens , Erin Haag of Mommy Octopus and Stacey Stegg of Macaroni Kid Lawrenceville will each host two fashion trend...

New Giant Screen Film Looks at the World’s Most Awe-Inspiring Humanoid Robots ATLANTA, July 16, 2015 – Summer break is winding down but Fernbank Museum is keeping the sunny-season fun going with an all -new family event ,  Brains & Bots Day . On Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.adults, teens and children will investigate the wonders of human and artificial intelligence through a range of entertaining activities bringing together all things bots and brains. Brains & Bots Day  will be one of Fernbank’s most interactive events of the year featuring extraordinary encounters with fascinating robots and opportunities to see real human and animal brains. Partners Robotic Explorers and Imagine That! will conduct live demonstrations with LEGO® EV3 and NXT robots and show guests of all ages how to program these incredible machines.  In addition, the Neuroscience Institute of Georgia State University will be back with...

Weekend outlook includes Animal Planet, bald eagle sightings and a birthday grand finale for America’s only twin pandas WHAT:  July brings thoughts of family fun, cool treats and American icons, and Zoo Atlanta visitors can look forward to all three. The weekend outlook features visits by Animal Planet; ice cakes for 2-year-old birthday girls Mei Lun and Mei Huan; and sightings of the Zoo’s newest family member, a bald eagle.   Animal Planet Weekend:  Animal Planet takes over the Zoo on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19. Highlights will include a Scavenger Safari Hunt; crafts; Animal Planet photo-ops; and screenings of Animal Planet’s “Big Cat Diaries.” Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.and are free with general admission.

Special Programming Adapted for Patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder ATLANTA (July 9, 2015)  – Building off its 2015 successes in presenting programming uniquely modified for patrons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the Center for Puppetry Arts is proud to announce a full slate of sensory-friendly programming to occur during its 2015-16 season. These modifications of the Center’s regular programming will allow guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder to experience sensory-friendly Family Series performances, museum exhibits and Create-A-Puppet Workshops™. Guests will be welcomed by staff members who have been trained in interactions with patrons with ASD. "Our commitment to integrate sensory-friendly programming into our season in a more intentional way reflects our desire to invite ALL patrons to find themselves at home in puppetry,” noted Aretta Baumgartner, the Center’s Education Director. “The judgment-free zone we're providing is a safe, comfortable way ...

With summer upon us travel abounds. Bathing suit – check; sunscreen – check; big straw hat – check. But don’t forget fido -  Barking Hound Village’s Owner David York can help REDUCE YOUR travel stress with these eight great tips. Leaving fido behind? The newest Barking Hound is located at 3080 Sylvan Road - just minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This 10,000 square-foot boarding facility keeps hounds happy with grooming services, luxury suites and all day free-play daycare. As a convenience to weary travelers,  Barking Hound Village  Airport offers extended hours from 6 a.m. to midnight to accommodate early departures and late arrivals with a separate entrance so not to disturb other overnight guests. 1. Before you travel, make reservations. If you need to arrange overnight accommodations, make sure the pet-only rooms are also non-smoking rooms. Also, request a ground-floor room. This is convenient for late-night potty r...

Locals are invited to learn take advantage of discounts, giveaways and a scavenger hunt July 7, 2015 (Duluth, GA) – Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Charlotte Nash, officially proclaimed July 2015 as the first annual Explore Gwinnett Month at the July 7 th , 2015 Board of Commissioners meeting. During July, residents are encouraged to discover new attractions, parks, restaurants, events and things to do in Gwinnett. “ We created Explore Gwinnett Month to encourage locals to get up, get out and experience Gwinnett. Our primary focus throughout the year is educating visitors on the offerings of Gwinnett, but oftentimes we talk to so many residents who are unaware of all the great things that Gwinnett has to offer. This is their invitation to explore,” said Lisa Anders, Explore Gwinnett Executive Director. A scavenger hunt leading participants to County parks, the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, Red Clay Music Foundry, Suwanee Sculptour and the Dulu...

Smash-hit musical livens up Lawrenceville as 20 th  Anniversary Signature Series debut LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (June 22, 2015)  – Jive along to the brassy beats of Beale Street in 1950s Memphis, where the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll reels in an aspiring R&B DJ, who just happens to be white,  to spark change in the deep South. Bringing powerhouse numbers to the suburban Atlanta stage,  Aurora Theatre  debuts its  20 th  Anniversary Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series  with the regional premiere of the hit-musical sensation  Memphis , playing  July 23- August 30, 2015 ! A co-production with Theatrical Outfit, this tuneful tale is sure to strike a chord with music lovers of all ages!  “ When you take a mega musical like  Memphis  and produce it in Aurora’s intimate theatre setting, what you get is an unparalleled experience of fierce emotion, dynamic theatrics and the ability for audiences to immerse...

Fourth of July Red Cross Blood Drives:  Be proud to be a donor at Mall of Georgia and Town Center at Cobb (July 3-5) WHAT:          Celebrate the freedom to give blood this Fourth of July weekend! The American Red Cross will host two blood drives at Mall of Georgia and Town Center at Cobb this Fourth of July weekend from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5. Why get involved?  Here are some quick facts about the process, courtesy of the American Red Cross: ·         Blood cannot be manufactured — it can only come from generous donors. ·         Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration and medical history, mini-physical, donation and refreshments. ·         Shortages of all blood types usually occur during the summer and winter holidays—so now is the time to give! · ...

Chick-fil-A® is issuing a cattle call! Mark your calendar for the 11 th annual Cow Appreciation Day on Tuesday, July 14, 2015. On that day, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide will offer a free meal to any customer who visits a restaurant dressed as a cow. Customers dressed "head to hoof" in cow attire will be rewarded with a free Chick-fil-A meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner), which includes an entree of choice, a side item and a beverage. For those too "chikin" to wear full cow costumes, Chick-fil-A will award a complimentary entree to customers partially dressed in cow attire, such as a cow-spotted purse, hat or other accessory.

Guests will receive special offer for donations benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ATLANTA  –   LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta  invites children to jump start the season of giving with its annual  Christmas in July  celebration! Families are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped and unopened toys to  LEGOLAND Discovery Center  and receive a  Kids Go Free voucher , valid with the purchase of an adult ticket! LEGOLAND Discovery Center will also match the donation with a LEGO® toy, all benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta! WHAT: Christmas in July at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta WHEN:             July 1-31, 2015 WHERE:        LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta:  Third Floor, Phipps Plaza | 3500 Peachtree Road in Buckhead HOW:               Bring a  new, unwrapped and unopened ...