Have you heard about the Nature Exchange at the Chattahoochee Nature Center? This is one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets that shouldn’t be a secret. The Nature Exchange is a cool place where nature lovers of all ages can bring in their collections of shells, rocks, seeds (or almost anything from the natural world) and trade them for new nature items to expand their collection. Since the Nature Exchange opened in June of 2009, well over 3000 people have come in to trade and many more have explored the fascinating nature objects from around the world.
The real secret behind the Nature Exchange is that it’s all about getting outside and learning about nature. The trading value of an object grows based on how the item was responsibly collected, how interested the trader is in the object, how much the trader knows about it and on the effort they took to learn about it. Lots of fun learning tools, from microscopes to rock testing kits, are available to give you a learning boost.
You can learn more about the Nature Exchange at CNC by visiting their website at chattnaturecenter.org/nature-exchange. There you can get ideas about getting started and to learn about the new activities available each month. Better yet, grab your favorite pinecone or polished stone and come out for a visit. The Nature Exchange is included with general admission and is open during regular CNC hours- 10am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sundays.
The Holiday Ice Spectacular at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Transforms Into Icy Wonderland
What: The Holiday Ice Spectacular
When: December 16-24, 2010
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway
This winter, you’re invited to a seasonal show-stopper like no other with world-class skaters and entertainers setting the ice on fire at The Holiday Ice Spectacular. Join the colorful cast as they create a glittering world of holiday cheer December 16-24 and let the quick-witted humor and dazzling performances captivate as these outstanding athletes take to the ice-covered stage at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Henry, a charming, yet mischievous elf has decided (against orders) to let the audience experience the wonder of the North Pole. He and his wife will keep you roaring in your seats with their adult-friendly comic relief peppered throughout the show. You’ll see everything from a Hannukah celebration to an intricate line dance performed on skates. Humorous vignettes, a 12-minute bite of The Nutcracker and flawless skating filled with awe-inspiring catches and gravity-defying leaps will keep you entranced throughout the entire production.
“It’s exciting to be back home in Atlanta producing The Holiday Ice Spectacular during the most festive and reflective time of year,” says Jeb K. Rand, creator of The Holiday Ice Spectacular. “It was our goal to create a holiday revue that will redefine year-end traditions for years to come, and I believe our audiences will agree that we’ve done just that.”
The Holiday Ice Spectacular is the perfect way to spend a night out with your family, friends, or coworkers, and is just right for a delightfully surprising date. Tickets range in price from $25 to $89 and are available via Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com. Special VIP and group packages are also offered at select prices and discount levels. Want to spend a night out while giving back to two of Atlanta’s favorite non-profit organizations? Stay tuned for details about how your ticket purchase could give back.
Developed by Rand Family Entertainment, The Holiday Ice Spectacular is produced and directed by Cobb County native Jeb K. Rand, whose entertainment career began when he was just a small child with a passion for skating. A former nationally-ranked U.S. pairs figure skater, Jeb’s professional skating career spanned over a decade and included principal roles with Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, and Stars on Ice – Italian Tour. He and his wife and skating partner, Jen, were also featured in Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular from 1998 through 2005. His love for creating magical stories and shows that transform the stage provides the perfect segue into his current creative role as the President and Executive Producer of Rand Enterprises & Productions Inc, where he now serves as the creative force behind productions taking place around the world.
Showtimes: The Holiday Ice Spectacular will open December 16. Shows will run through December 23 with select matinee performances, including one on December 24. For more information or a detailed list of show times, please visit www.holidayicespectacular.com.
About Rand Family Entertainment: Rand Family Entertainment is a division of Rand Enterprises & Productions. Based in Las Vegas, Rand Enterprises & Productions is a full-scale entertainment production company specializing in original ice shows and events that combine skating and theatre. Since 1996, President and Executive Producer Jeb K. Rand has created, directed and produced critically acclaimed shows around the world. For more information, visit www.randproductions.com
GIVEAWAY! – presented by AtlantaMoms.com and TheMommyInsider.com
AtlantaMoms.com is giving 4 lucky readers tickets to The Holiday Ice Spectacular December 17th 8pm show – valued at $300!
2 lucky readers will win a 4 pack of tickets to the December 17th 8pm show AND 2 lucky readers will win a 2 pack of tickets to December 17th 8pm show.
Important: We are not able to choose which winners get 2 or 4 tickets. If you can’t go unless you get 4 tickets, please count on buying 2 extra tickets in the case that you win 2 tickets. You can buy tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
We will attempt to contact the chosen winners 1 time and will move on to a new winner if the winner does not contact us within 24 hours. Tickets will be mailed, emailed, or at Will Call the night of the show.
Entries accepted through December 9th.
How to enter:
Leave a comment telling us why you want to go to The Holiday Ice Spectacular and you are entered to win!
Extra entries:
Tweet about this giveaway contest to earn 2 extra entries and feature this giveaway on your Facebook page for an additional 2 entries.
Sample text: “I just entered to win tickets to The Holiday Ice Spectacular! You can enter to win here: http://ow.ly/3jsZO”
Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook too! Tell us in the comments what you’ve done so we can add up your entries.
After getting several compliments on my daughter’s outfit this morning I thought I would go online and find links to the pieces she’s wearing and share them with my readers. The main reason being.. that the clothes were so inexpensive and I feel obligated to share the incredible deals I got with my readers. 🙂 I can’t for the life of me though, find the sweater and long sleeve top Madelyn’s wearing. on the Carter’s website so I’m a little frustrated about that. I did find the OshKosh Vintage Dark Trouser Jeans she’s wearing on Target’s (I bought them in the store.. on a whim) website. I just love the way the OshKosh Vintage Dark Trouser Jeans fit Madelyn. The boot let style gives her legs plenty of room to wiggle while the waist is nice and fitted.
Toddler Girls' Genuine Kids from OshKosh Vintage Dark Trouser Jeans - bought at Target
Silly me..
A Carter’s store opened near me a few months ago, or maybe a year ago, but I hadn’t been in the store until recently when I went in to kill a few minutes before a Dr’s appointment. 30 minutes later I left with $60 less in my wallet and 10 new pieces for my 4 year old! How amazing is that? I can’t believe there was this gem of a store so close to me and I hadn’t even been. Silly me. I got Madelyn a pair of unicorn pajama’s, a sweater vest (photo above), 4 long sleeve tops, and four pairs of leggings for just $60.
I am a huge fan of online sample sale websites. Online sample sale websites like Totsy and Zulily offer exclusive sales on top brand name toys, clothes, and more, at scheduled times.
Here are a couple of adorable items currently on sale at Totsy.com
Crocodile Creek Butterfly drinking bottle - $5.75Envirosax Flower Power Green w/Flowers - $4.50
Atlanta-area Simon malls will deck the halls this season with plenty of holiday cheer and entertainment. Gwinnett Place Mall, Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, Northlake Mall, Phipps Plaza and Town Center at Cobb are offering a variety of special holiday treats for the whole family:
Santa’s Arrival: November 13 at 10 a.m.Visit Santa’s Winter Wonderland, presented by Subaru of Gwinnett, Select Comfort and A+ Financial Services, at Gwinnett Place’s Center Court and have your holiday photo taken with St. Nick!
Photoswith Santa: November 13 – December 24 in Center Court.Santa will be available daily; hours and photo package pricing available at www.simon.com.
Pet Photos with Santa: December 6 and 13, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Center Court.Bring your furry friends to have their holiday photo taken with Santa! All animals must be on a leash or in a cage. Please use the main entrance between Mega Mart and Sears to enter the mall.
Brunch with Santa: Saturday, November 20, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Lower level in front of Mega Mart. Kids will get some one-on-one time with St. Nick and enjoy holiday fun including a face painter, balloon artist and more! Brunch treats will be provided by Mega Mart. Simon Kidgits members can attend this event for $2; non-members can attend for $7 (cash only). RSVP as space is limited! Reservations will begin November 5; call 770-476-5160 or email skorenbr@simon.com.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program: November 26 – December 11 (Monday-Saturday), from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Gwinnett Place partners with The Salvation Army on their annual holiday Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. For more information, visit www.salvationarmytreeusa.org.
Girl Scout Troup #1409 is offering gift wrapping services in exchange for donations. Dates and times coming soon; visit www.simon.com for more information.
Photos with Santa: November 6 – December 24.Santa will be available daily in the Macy’s Court, mall level. Hours and photo package pricing available at www.lenoxsquare.com . The first shoppers to visit Santa will receive a special gift, while supplies last.
Pet Photos with Santa: December 5 and December 12 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in Macy’s Court.Santa will be available to take photos with your furry friends!
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting:The 63rd annual event kicks off with a show featuring performances by Katherine McPhee, Chuck Wicks and Macy’s Rising Star Bobby V., and includes a fireworks finale as the tree is lit! Crowds of more than 100,000 are drawn each year for the spectacular event as a special Thanksgiving tradition.
Macy’s Pink Pig: October 30 – January 2, hours may vary.Costs are $3 for 1 ride; $5.50 for 2 rides and $7.50 for 3 rides. Proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
The Gift of Giving: Lenox Square shoppers will have the opportunity to donate to a number of worthy causes this holiday season.
The Veterans Support Organization will be collection charitable donations November 25 – January 1 at the Main Entrance Valet.
Atlanta Union Mission is offering gift wrapping services in exchange for donations. Wrapping station will be on the Mall Level in front of Guest Services.Thursday – Sunday from November 27 – December 19; daily from December 20 – December 24.
Lenox Square’s Busiest Shopping Day of the Year, ‘Black Friday’: Friday, November 26, from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.Holiday fun greets shoppers on ‘Black Friday’ with festive activities, retailer sales and extended holiday hours.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program:November 26 – December 11 (Monday-Saturday), from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Lenox Square partners with The Salvation Army on their annual holiday Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. For more information, visit www.salvationarmytreeusa.org.
Sounds of the Season: December 1 – 3 and December 6 – 10, at noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m..’Tis the season for Lenox Square’s “Sounds of the Season” free concert series. Enjoy live holiday music performances by talented area groups including school, church and community choirs from across the metro area.
Santabration: Celebrate Santa’s arrival at Mall of Georgia by attending Santabration on November 6 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. in the Village Pavilion.Join us for run with Radio Disney, a holiday parade and more! Santabration is sponsored by Despicable Me, the Disney Store and Build-A-Bear. Visit www.mallofgeorgia.com for more details.
Photos with Santa: November 6 – December 24.Visit Santa at his holiday home in the lower level Nordstrom Wing. Santa will be available daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day; hours and photo package pricing available at www.mallofgeorgia.com.
Pet Photos with Santa:December 5,from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Bring out your furry friends to have their holiday photo taken with Santa! Please enter through the mall entrance between Nordstrom and Belk adjacent to Woodward Crossing Boulevard. *No exotic animals permitted.
Simon Kidgits Club Breakfast with Santa:December 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Food Court.Enjoy holiday crafts, breakfast, and personal time with Santa himself! Free breakfast for Simon Kidgits Club Members, while supplies last. Breakfast for non-members costs $5, which includes an annual Simon Kidgits Club membership. Guests wishing to attend must RSVP at Guest Services or email mmr4852@simon.com.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program: November 26 – December 11 (Monday-Saturday), from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Mall of Georgia partners with The Salvation Army on their annual holiday Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. For more information, visit www.salvationarmytreeusa.org.
Parking on Demand:Looking to take the hassle out of parking when doing your holiday shopping? Visit www.mallofgeorgia.com to sign up for Parking on Demand, a new program allowing shoppers to call-ahead or go online to make parking reservations for some of the best spaces at the center – just in time for the holiday season! Sign up for this program now to take advantage of the free trial period running through January 2.
Santa’s Arrival: November 20 at 12:00 p.m.Usher in the holiday season and help us welcome Santa to his workshop on the lower level of Northlake Mall’s Center Court with the help of the Radio Disney, DeKalb County Fire & Rescue, Lakeside High School Marching Band, Color Guard and other special guests.
Photos with Santa:November 20 – December 24, during regular mall hours in Center Court.Check Santa’s day-to-day schedules and photo package pricing at www.northlakemall.com.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program:November 26 – December 11 (Monday-Saturday), from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Northlake Mall partners with The Salvation Army on their annual holiday Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. For more information, visit www.salvationarmytreeusa.org.
Holiday Music in the Mall Series: November 26-December 20.’Tis the season for Northlake Mall’s “Sounds of the Season” free concert series. Enjoy live holiday music performances by talented area groups including school, church and community choirs from across the metro area. Find a list of performances along with dates and times at www.northlakemall.com.
“Thanks for Giving 2010” Center for Family Resources Food Drive:November 5 – 15.Join us in donating Thanksgiving food for 1500 Cobb County families. The donation barrel will be located next to Guest Services on the Upper Level Center Court, outside Macy’s Furniture Gallery. For more information on specific needs, visit www.TheCFR.org/ThanksforGiving. *Non-perishable food only.
Santa’s Arrival:November 5, from 6 – 8 p.m.Santa Claus makes his first stop of the season outside the Food Court Main Entrance! St. Nick will be escorted to his holiday home with live reindeer at 7 p.m., and during the event, there will be activities for kids of all ages. Plus, the first 200 children visiting Santa that evening from 7 – 9 p.m. will receive a Santa Hat (no purchase necessary), and all guests will receive a jingle bell necklace and other giveaways (while supplies last). Santa’s Arrival is presented by Radio Disney and Carl Black Kennesaw.
Photos with Santa:November 6 – December 24 in Center Court.Check out Santa’s day-to-day schedules and photo package pricing at www.towncenteratcobb.com.
Pet Photos with Santa: November 14 and 21 at 6:30 p.m., and December 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Center Court.Bring your furry friends to have their holiday photos taken with Santa! No exotic animals please. Please enter the mall through the main entrance between Belk and JCPenney.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program:November 26 – December 11 (Monday-Saturday), from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Town Center at Cobb partners with The Salvation Army on their annual holiday Angel Tree program, which provides new clothing and toys for children of families in need. For more information, visit www.salvationarmytreeusa.org.
Simon Kidgits Welcome Winter Party: November 13, 1-3 p.m.Celebrate the season with holiday crafts, activities and giveaways. Upper Level JC Penney Wing.
Simon Kidgits PJ Party with Santa:December 11, from 1 – 3 p.m.Santa’s stopping by to read stories to the children during this festive pajama party, hosted by Mrs. Claus! Milk and cookies included. Upper Level JCPenney Wing.
To learn more about Simon malls, including information on Simon Kidgits Club and holiday mall hours, visit www.simon.com.
Have you heard about the Nature Exchange at the Chattahoochee Nature Center? This is one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets that shouldn’t be a secret. The Nature Exchange is a cool place where nature lovers of all ages can bring in their collections of shells, rocks, seeds (or almost anything from the natural world) and trade them for new nature items to expand their collection. Since the Nature Exchange opened in June of 2009, well over 3000 people have come in to trade and many more have explored the fascinating nature objects from around the world.
Atlanta-area Simon malls will deck the halls this season with plenty of holiday cheer and entertainment. Gwinnett Place Mall, Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, Northlake Mall, Phipps Plaza and Town Center at Cobb are offering a variety of special holiday treats for the whole family: