American Girl Fashion Show to be Held in North Fulton Next Week

The show is the only American Girl sanction show in Georgia this year.

Roswell Dance Theatre is in the final stages of preparing the only American Girl Fashion Show in Georgia this year to debut at the Roswell DoubleTree Hotel ballroom, March 1-3. The American Girl Fashion Show is a fun and educational event for girls and their families, friends and favorite dolls. Young ladies are invited to come dressed up like their favorite American Girl doll, which are sold locally at Alpharetta's American Girl Boutique & Bistro in North Point Mall.   Audiences will enjoy a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions for both girls and dolls, presented by 100 local 6- and 10-year-old girls in a tea-party style setting with elegant refreshments and dinner. Live commentary will give the audience girl-…

• Photos (1)

Get Out: Jazz Peformed Live, Bring One for the Chipper and Recycle Your Tree

Here are some of the highlights of this weekend's events in Alpharetta, Milton and the surrounding area.

Alpharetta Girl of the Year 2013 Debut Live Music at Menchie's Windward Live Music Every Friday at TWISTED TACO Milton's Bring One for the Chipper 2013 Youth Technology Learning Center (YTLC) Lego Robotics & Technology Classes Girl of the Year 2013 Scavenger Hunt Joe Gransden at The Velvet Note Johns Creek Recycle Your Christmas Tree on Saturday NY Times Bestselling Author to Speak at Prince of Peace Roswell Safe America Drivers Ed. Class Roswell Budokan Open House Night Hike at Chattahoochee Nature Center Cumming Forsyth Continues Christmas Tree Recycling Cocoa Loco 5K Garage Sale Huge Garage Sale Gainesville Dian Fossey Exhibit Duluth Atlanta Ballet: Cinderella Peachtree Corners Peachtree Corners City Hall Open House    

• Photos (2)

Under 12 Tennis Champs in Alpharetta Get Chance at Unique Prize

One lucky girl went home after competing in the USTA Girls 12 and Under National Championship Tournament held at Windward Lake Club.

A Florida girl who was in Alpharetta for the USTA Girls 12 and Under National Championship Tournament won something she didn't expect – an American Girl doll dressed in a tennis outfit. The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) gave away an American Girl doll to one athlete during the tournament that was held from Aug. 5-10 at the Windward Lake and Tennis Club.  The Alpharetta CVB said there were 140 rising tennis stars from around the U.S. who competed in the tournament this year. Among the young athletes was Jimena Rodriquez Benito from Key Biscayne, Fla. whose name was drawn to win an American Girl doll dressed in a tennis outfit. Benito was not familiar with the American Girl brand before entering the contest, but was excited…

• Photos (2)

Contest Winner Will be An American Girl VIP

The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau is taking entries through Aug. 31 for a girl, three of her friends and chaperones to enjoy a visit to the city and its American Girl store.

One lucky girl will be a VIP at American Girl this year as the winner of a contest offered by the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The “Be an American Girl VIP!” contest includes a two-night stay in a two-bedroom suite at the Residence Inn Atlanta North Point hotel where a special girl, three of her friends and two chaperones will enjoy an exclusive weekend they won’t get anywhere else. The American Girl VIP will receive her very own American Girl doll, a special behind-the-scenes tour of the American Girl Boutique and Bistro, a private celebration space that includes a delicious meal with signature pink and white cake and ice cream, special goody bags, doll tiaras for each girl and a fun table activity. Each girl will also…

• Photos (1)

Amercan Girl Keeps Bringing Newnan Girl Back to Alpharetta

Girl wins gift card to American Girl store and tickets to Kelly Clarkson concert at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

Rachel Cox of Newnan will be back to Alpharetta after being selected as the winner of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “Share Your Awesome American Girl Experience” promotion giveaway. Participants were asked to share an experience in writing, video or photo of their experience at the American Girl Store in Alpharetta. Cox and her family visited several attractions in the Atlanta area during her spring break trip of 2008, but the highlight of her trip was a visit the North Point Mall, where she first stepped foot into the American Girl store. “Being able to walk around and see all the amazing dolls, clothes and accessories was a fun experience for me, but the icing on the cake was having lunch with my two favorite dolls who …

• Photos (2)

Frugal Family

Kids Activities At Local Businesses Are Free This Weekend

Here are 5 places to take the kids this weekend without hurting your pocketbook.

Keeping the kids busy and happy can sometimes get expensive. Thankfully there are some local businesses ready to help occupy the kids and let them get creative. There are activities and events happening this weekend that the kids are sure to love and the best part is that these are free, or close to free.  1. Michaels in Alpharetta, Cumming, Roswell, and Johns Creek Deal: Kids can come and make a T-shirt tote bag between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. or a  yarn doll from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Michaels on Saturday. For more information, see their website. Good Through: This is a one-day event. 2. Lowes in Johns Creek, Cumming and Alpharetta Deal: Bring the kids to build their very own carnival hoops game for free at Lowes this Saturday at 10 a.m. Sign up …

• Photos (1)

Leap Into March With Great Deals At Local Stores

Here are 5 great deals for your family to enjoy in the week ahead.

Each week Patch comes up with great deals for local families at big corporate stores as well as small locally owned stores. Here are five current deals we found at the larger stores. Be sure to come back on Friday to see what small business deals North Fulton has to offer.  1. American Girl Deal: Girls can meet an American Girl book author and get her autograph on Sunday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The event is free.  Good Through: This is a one-day event.  2. Kohl's Deal: Use this Kohl's coupon and save 15 percent on everything. It is valid online and in stores.  Good Through: The coupon expires on March 4. 3. Old Navy Deal: Use this Old Navy coupon and save 20 percent off of anything at the store.  Good Through: The coupon expires March 1…

• Photos (1)

Frugal Family

Familes Can Save on American Girl, Smurfs This Week

Here are 5 great deals for your family to enjoy this week.

Each week, Patch sets out to find your family 5 great deals for you to enjoy. This week, we have found some fun activities for you all to enjoy without spending too much money. The kids will love to go make the craft at American Girl, see the parade or go to the Smurfs movie. Parents will love the discount on dinner tonight and the savings at the mall on back to school clothes. Whatever you decide to do, always look for discounts before you go.  1. Smurfs Special Needs Movie Screening Deal: Families can take the kids, including special needs children, to this screening of the movie and not worry about them bothering other movie guests if they like to talk or walk around during the movie. Special needs children and their siblings are free …

Beat The Heat With Kid Friendly Deals

Alpharetta and Milton businesses offer several kid friendly activities that are cheap or free to do.

The weather says that it will be in the 90s this week and thunderstorms will be present. If ever there was a great week to find activities to do with the kids indoors, this is the week. Here are several places families can go to have fun this week without spending a fortune.  Head out to the movies. On Monday, Studio Movie Grill will be playing Madagascar 2 at 11 a.m. Adults are $2 and kids are $1.  Slip over the border into Cumming on Tuesday or Thursday to the Movies 400 theater. They will be playing Diary of A Wimpy Kid at 10a.m. Admission is free and popcorn and drinks are $1. If moviegoers bring a canned good or a school supply, the popcorn is free. Regal 8 Cinema is showing Diary Of A Wimpy Kid on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Everyone pays $…

• Photos (1)

Frugal Family

Frugal Family: Cheap Fun For Memorial Weekend

Here are 5 great deals for your family to enjoy this coming weekend and into next week.

Each week, Patch sets out to find five great deals for your family to enjoy. These deals alternate between activities, restaurants, shopping and fun but the theme is always the same. They will always be focused on your family saving money close to home. Whatever you do with your family, always check for coupons and the best rates and never underestimate how much fun your family can have together for free.  1. Alpharetta Art In The Park Deal: Come to downtown Alpharetta to Ole Milton Park on Highway 9 at Milton Avenue on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. or on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. to see local artists display their work. This free event showcases over 35 artists that include photographers, sculptors, painters, drawers, jewelry …