Atlanta has a new source for discounted designer clothing. Nordstrom Rack opened Thursday, April 22nd at the Buckhead Station Shopping Center. It’s located at One Buckhead Loop, Atanta, GA 30326. It’s in the same shopping center that’s home to a great TJ Maxx store that features The Runway, a special section with high end couture bargains.
Just a mile away, Filene’s Basement has a 30 percent off sale that ends Monday, April 26th. Filene’s also carries discounted designer and mid-priced clothing.
Also on sale this week: H&M stores are offering a 20 percent discount on your entire kids clothing purchase when you donate gently used children’s clothing. The promotion runs through April 28th.
Restaurant.com has $25 gift certificates on sale for $2. The checkout code is MEAL.
SCAD Style 2010 begins Monday April 26th. There are dozens of events that are free and open to the public, including lectures on vintage fashion, knitting, crafts and decorating.
Lowe’s Earth Day sale continues through Monday April 26th. Vegetable and Herb plants and seeds are Buy One Get One Free.
On Sunday April 18th, participating Target stores are giving away FREE reusable shopping bags. A purchase may be required. (How about a pack of gum?)
Scotia Salon in Roswell is having a Cut-A-Thon Sunday April 18th from 12 to 5 pm to benefit the Foster Care Support Foundation. Wet haircuts are $10.00. Scotia is located at 1055 Canton Street, Suite 120, Roswell, GA 30075. (770) 645-0811
Oxxo Dry Cleaners in Buckhead will offer a 60 percent off coupon on Scoutmob.com this week. The store is located at 3165 Peachtree Road, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 660-0023
Other Scoutmob deals this week:
Monday: 50% off Luckie Food Lounge (Downtown) -
Tuesday: 50% off Fuze Burger (Midtown)
Wednesday: 50% off Tavern 99 (Buckhead
Thursday: 60% off OXXO Cleaners (Buckhead)
Friday: 50% off The Village Jerk (East Atlanta)
Global Freight Liquidations in Norcross has a new shipment from a local warehouse club store. The stock includes baby items and clothing. Global Freight Liquidations has changed the pricing on its clothing: men’s and women’s clothing that retails for $50 or less is all priced at $6.95, kids’ clothing is $4.95.
Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day. Customers who bring a container from their current facial care products will receive a full size facial cleanser FREE at participating Origins counters in local department stores. For details go to Origins Facebook page.
April 17-24th is National Park Week. and entrance fees are being waived in National Parks across the U.S. In metro Atlanta the Chattahoochee National Recreation area is normally $3.00 but it is free this week.
Target Stores are kicking off Earth week with a free reusable shopping bag. The bags will be available in stores Sunday, April 18th while supplies last. Some stores may require a purchase. There will be other Earth Day events at participating Target stores as well.
Evos Restaurants in Atlanta are serving FREE organic milkshakes in biodegradable cups on Earth Day. The restaurant specializes in fresh, healthy food and has 3 metro Atlanta locations including one at the Prado Shopping Center.
Participating Pottery Barn Kids have Earth Day activities for kids at 11 am and 3pm Tuesday. The festivities include a free giveaway item kids can plant while supplies last. 
The Salvation Army is giving away gift cards: Donate some gently used clothing or household items by May 31st and receive a $10.00 gift card to use at Van Heusen, Izod or Bass retail stores. For dropoff locations go to satruck.org
On Saturday April 17th and Sunday April 18th the Boy Scouts of America Adventure Base 100 will be at Piedmont Park. Kids can try out a ropes course and other scouting activities.
You may have heard about the recent controversy that started when Tennesse mom Torry Hansen returned her 7 year old boy Justin to Moscow with a note indicating the boy was psychotic and she no longer wanted to parent him. The case has prompted Russia to come startlingly close to suspending its adoption program in the U.S.
Our family was one of the approximately 1600 who travelled to Russia in 2009 to adopt a child. Since today has been designated We Are The Truth Adoption Blogger Day by the Joint Council on International Children’s Services, I want to share our incredible experience, our beautiful and wonderful 3 year old boy,
and the devastating future more than 700 thousand not-so-fortunate Russian orphans face.
My husband Derrick and I did months of research before committing to adopt from Russia. We needed to find the right adoption agency for us and to do our homework about the medical and psychological conditions children who have been institutionalized face. In August 2009 we started mountain ranges of paperwork in hopes of adopting a little brother for our biological son and completing our family. Then, we waited, read and Googled.
Those of us in the adoption community normally throw around acronyms like RAD and FAS and book titles like Beyond Consequences and the Connected Child like they are every day household terms, because to most of us, they are. We are well aware children who have spent years in institutions are at risk for a multitude of problems, but also that many of them thrive and even excel when in the right environment. Derrick and I learned the first 6 months or even year could be a difficult adjustment for our family, and I met dozens of adoptive families in person and online who had plenty of advice. Experiences varied but there were no regrets. Most adoptive parents I know are familiar with adoption risks and how to best deal with problems that may occur. That’s our responsibility to our new child and existing family.
7 months later we received a set of photos 
and medical documents for Jhenya, a 2 year old boy who was relinquished at birth and had spent his entire short life in Baby House 2 in Chita, Siberia, a far away place where anti-government rebels called Decembrists had been exiled in 1825. He looked a little scary in some of the photos, had a blank stare in others, was playing with 
a few toys in others.
We prepared for the possibility our healthy looking son-to-be might not be healthy. We had his medical records carefully analyzed by a team of Russian adoption medical experts. We read the books on the attachment issues children face who have been ignored and neglected and how not being held or comforted can change a baby’s brain chemistry permanently. We read how children with Reactive Attachment Disorder can be violent, can lack the capacity to love, but also can be absolutely fine with help. Children can be amazing survivors.
We made two trips to Moscow and Siberia to visit the orphanage. Jhenya was incredibly adorable, even though he wore funny Eastern European girls clothes, sometimes practically rags.
We were in love with him at first glimpse. 
He, on the other hand, was scared of the American strangers though he loved our laptop, cellphones and snacks. He loved his caregivers and called them all Mama: Mama Nina, Mama Katia, etc. He was very happy in his orphanage because he knew no other life. After all, he was two.
We brought a terrified, wide eyed toddler home from Russia on May 23rd, 2009. We did the best we could with what are known as “Attachment Parenting” techniques: cocooning the family at home, limiting visitors, just playing and bonding. There was lots of hugging, kissing and affection and James Christian, (whom we still call Jhenya, his Russian name) slept in our bed at night, clinging to me for dear life. We loved him instantly and he very soon clung to us not just for safety and sustenance but because he loved us too. In about a month we felt like a normal family of four.
The adjustment period can be long and difficult with a post-institutionalized child. I consider ours short and relatively painless: sleep problems, a few tantrums, lots of touching, grabbing and experimenting with everything from appliances to makeup to dog food. ( Orphanages offer very little stimulation, very choices, and few glimpses of what the outside world is really like. ) It’s not unlike having a newborn and lots of patience is required.
Jhenya is a beautiful, bright, funny, healthy and adorable boy. 
He is loving and sweet, shy with strangers, eager to learn and full of smiles and giggles. His English is good and improving all the time. His mistakes are always so cute: “I need the help!”, “May I have a milk”, “I need paper toilet” etc. He and his brother Nicholas,5 are the loves of our lives and our family would not be the same without him. So far, we are a very fortunate family in that we did not have to dig into our arsenal of attachment therapy books or seek help for behavior, socialization or learning problems. Are we home free? Absolutely not. We are in our forties with two small children; the next 20 years will be fraught with challenges. Jhenya knows he is adopted but doesn’t fully understand. What will happen when he really understands his birth mother gave him up and kept his three older siblings? Scary stuff. But we’re in. Whatever the future holds, Jhenya and Nicholas are our sons. 
One percent of Russian adoptions in the U.S. are “disrupted”, which usually means being placed with another U.S. family, not put on a plane back to Moscow. But there are more than 50 thousand happy, thriving Russian children in the U.S. whose adoptive families love and cherish them. Some have issues. Many of us parents and our biological children have issues too.
To me, it is Dickensonian that there still exists a system where children are given up due to poverty and alcoholism and remain in spartan orphanages where there is medical care but often inadequate nutrition and little or no love. Seeing the orphans and their homes is heartbreaking, yet I also feel drawn to them. There are too many orphans for Russia to adequately take care of. They need us. And the 3000 American families waiting to adopt from Russia, with their eyes wide open about what to expect, need those kids.
I thank Russia for our son and for his loving nature despite his rough start. I hope and pray Russian adoption will continue for parents who are committed, prepared and realistic.
Wish you could see Augusta now. This town in Southeast Georgia that annually opens it’s gates to the world is making its transformation back to normal after an emotionally charged week that we won’t soon forget. It started with a press gathering for the return of the world’s number one player, who showed that even after a 5 month layoff to try and get life back in order, he is just a shot or two away from victory. We learned that 50 year old Fred Couples can still play this course, even in ECCO’s. I can relate. Turning 50 and suffering with falling arches will make you wear shoes you never dreamed you would wear. I am now a Rockport man !!. But the best was saved for last and today the Augusta National crowned a most worthy champion. Phil Mickleson wore the Green Jacket for the third time and showed rare emotion because his wife, who is fighting breast cancer, was able to join him at the finish today. A Hollywood script writer could not have done it better. Now the gates of Augusta National are closing , the patrons and golfers are all gone. Only a few international reporters remain, working strories to make their deadlines. We will head for I-20 east, and the trip back home.. What a week!!!
Parents of kids who have been bitten by the Master’s bug can take them for free golf instruction.
Participating PGA Tour Superstores have free golf clinics every Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 pm for kids 6 years old and older. In metro Atlanta, there are locations in Kennesaw, Duluth and Roswell. Call individual stores for more information and to register.
Georgia State Parks also have affordable golf for kids. The Highland Walk course at Victoria Bryant State Park has Junior Golf Clinics on April 10th, May 1st and May 8th from 3 to 5 pm. Clubs are provided. The clinic is $10.00.
The Main Street Hair Salon in Alpharetta is offering free conditioning treatments for a limited time. (Blow dry not included) Call for an appointment. (770) 343-8311
Oprah.com has a free book download. Chapters one and two of David Bach’s book, Start Over and Finish Rich are currently available. Look for Chapter three next month.
April 15th is Tax Day. To ease the pain, participating Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream locations are handing out free slices of Ice Cream Pizza. The concoction resembles pizza but is made out of ice cream. There is a location in Atlanta at 4468 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
Home Depot has a Do It Herself Workshop on April 15th. Women can learn how to paint using Martha Stewart’s line of paints.
Atlanta.momslikeme.com is hosting a Free Play Date at Kangazoom inflatable play place in Smyrna April 15th. RSVP on Atlanta.momslikeme.com.
Pollen got you down? Mention 11 Alive Ways to Save on any Friday and get a FREE exterior wash at America’s Finest Car Care, 1528 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA.
For more money saving tips follow Valuesval on Twitter.com
Having avoided crime reporting like the plague throughout my reporting career, I had never been inside the Atlanta Police Department’s Property Control Unit until Thursday. It is a warehouse ( in an undisclosed location) packed with televisions, computers, clothing, cell phones, tools and thousands of other items that have been stolen or are being held as evidence in pending court cases. There were even a few ATM’s!
Some of the items are later claimed by their rightful owners but thousands of others are auctioned off on propertyroom.com, a website started by a former police officer in 1999. The site, which is based in California, features items from thousands of law enforcement agencies across the U.S.
Propertyroom.com is similar to EBay but the payment system is different. Those who bid must register a credit card number first and the high bidder’s credit card is automatically billed. The website keeps a portion of the proceeds and returns the rest to the law enforcement agency.
Browsing through the site, I saw some pretty amazing deals on jewelry in particular as well as electronics and tools. But I also felt a little bad; I mean, most of this stuff was stolen from people who, for whatever reason, never got it back. It reminds me of the old “it fell of a truck” type of sale we used to see before internet sales became popular. Still, buying on propertyroom.com is perfectly legal; a judge has to approve each sale. And Lt. Van Hobbs, who oversees the unit, tells me Georgia law prohibits donating evidence items to charity (like the thousands of kids’ bikes stolen each year.)
The stolen property is sold at auction only after it has been in the property unit for 90 days and all attempts to contact the rightful owner have been exhausted, including a public notice in a local newspaper.
Each listing on propertyroom.com indicates the condition of the item. Some fine jewelry pieces even have appraisals. Sales are final in most cases.
Hobbs said if a crime victim spots their own stolen property on propertyroom.com and can prove it, it will be returned to them. The website also has a section where people can register the serial numbers of their computer, television and other household items. That way if their items are stolen and later end up on propertyroom.com the company will match up the serial numbers and return them to the original owner.
I wonder if many of the crime victims whose property is on the site got their insurance money and moved on?
Anyway, buying stolen property is legal and can be a bargain. (Buyer beware obviously) It is a bit icky, perhaps, but I’m tempted to browse and check it out. Before the story airs at 11pm.
What do you think?
Hello from Augusta, where around 12:40 this afternoon Tiger Woods got a round of applause for walking onto the Driving Range to be practice for his first round of competitive golf for 2010.. Nevermind that this first round of the year came at the grandest tournament of them all. The air of anticipation had been building all week, starting with Woods’ Press Conference Monday.Yesterday’s blast from Masters Chairman Billy Payne, sent shock waves through the Press Center here. Payne used a stern tone to show that while Augusta National is private, the all-male membership was not thrilled with his actions away from the course . By 1:40 this afternoon it seemed everyone at the Augusta National Golf Club wanted to be as close as possible to the first tee..Beside the big oak tree located behind the clubhouse a pathway had been cleared for Woods, and his playing partners KJ Choi and Matt Kucher along with the ever-present security detail to walk by on their way to the first tee box. The spectators cheers started to build as Tiger moved closer and you could see a smile come to his face, and he gently said “Thanks”. Regardless of where you stand , there’s no denying that this is where Tiger Woods belongs. Not because I said it, but because the fans said it. Tiger Woods is golf and today the fans at the greatest tournament of all proclaimed it.. I’m just glad to be able to say that I was her to see it..
Hello from Augusta, where it will be another day of Masters green mixed with the yellow haze of South Georgia pollen.This is the third day of practice rounds for Masters Week and the annual Par-3 tournament will be played later today. It is a great tradition here.. It is a laid back day when the golfers have fun with the gallaries and some of the greats like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who no longer play the tournament, will be on display..It is also a day we are used to seeing the golfers bring their families along..The children wear jumpsuits just like the caddies with their names on the back.It’s a part of the fun that makes for lasting memories.. Phil Mickleson loves this day, and yesterday told us how the pictures he takes of his family each year find a special place in his home. It has been well reported that Mickleson’s wife is fighting breast cancer. When asked about her yesterday, the two-time Masters Champion chose his words carefully, saying the long
term outlook is good,but for now it is a day to day battle. Mickleson wasn’t sure if his children would be able to make it to the Par-3 tournament today, but he was hopeful that they would be here..It’s head to believe that this is Mickleson’s 18th Masters Tournament.. I was here for his first, as a bright eyed college phenom from Arizona State.. You know what?? I hope Phil Mickleson’s family can make here too..
There are plenty of bargains to be found around metro atlanta this week. Too many to count, but here are some of my favorites.
BJ’s Wholesale Club is offering 11Alive viewers a free 60 day pass that can be activated any time before July 5th. BJ’s is the only warehouse club that accepts manufacturer coupons. They also carry clothing lines like Calvin Klein and Nicole Miller. Click here for the 60 day pass. I have always wanted to check it out! I used to belong to another warehouse club but didn’t seem to shop there very often so I didn’t renew my membership.
K&G Fashion Superstore has added some high end lines like Prada, Gucci and Armani priced at up to 70 percent off retail. (From Jessicashops.com) I am sooo there!
Atlanta based Carter’s and Oshkosh children’s retailers are now selling online at carters.com. Discounts are available to those who sign up on their Facebook page.
IKEA has lowered prices on furniture, cookware and hundreds of others items from this same time last year.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s buy one get one free ticket deal ends Sunday, April 4th but through April t 18th there is a Spring Break special: $5 off two tickets, or $10 off on a Value Pass for admission to the Museum and Imax Theatre. Normally Adult tickets are $15 and tickets for children 3-12 are $13. Visitors should ask for the Spring Break Special.
On Monday, Scoutmob will have a downloadable coupon for 50 percent off your entire purchase at Sam Flax Art Supply stores. Maximum discount is $25.00 off of $50.00.
Also this week ,Strawberries are a HUGE bargain at Publix: 4 for $5.00. And look for Easter Candy and baskets to go on sale everywhere! Grab your coupons and stock up! Check expiration dates on the bags and throw some in your freezer. My kids’ Easter baskets were full of clearance candy from Christmas and Valentine’s supplemented with Jelly Beans and Chocolate Bunnies. I spent around $5.00 total. 
I like having a plan. Even if it is a plan B.
Training for a marathon is like a high-wire act. It’s all about balance. Train enough to get strong, but not so much to get injured. It’s also about timing and trying to peak at the right time: race day. That’s why training schedules are specific. They don’t say go take a run today; it’s run 10 miles at 60-70%.
My timing and balance are WAYYY off, and I’m not sure what to expect. I had to pull out of the ING Marathon at the last minute, so now I’m planning for the Country Music Marathon in Nashville on April 24th. I’m excited about running a great race in a new city, but first, I have to get there.
I peaked back at the beginning of March, then tapered. Instead of running the ING marathon, I didn’t run at all for a week and a half. My first run back, I had to walk part of it, because I was so weak and exhausted. The Team in Training coaches helped me come up with a plan B, and I’m happy to report my runs this week have been awesome. My strength is back and I’m feeling great! I’ll feel even better if I have a good run this Saturday. It’s 12 miles this week, 16 next week, then 8 taper, and the race.
It wasn’t the original plan, but it’s a good one. . . hopefully.
