This weekend is also the first weekend of the month. That means Bank of America cardholders get free admission to the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum of Art, and Milleniumgate.

On Monday, July 5th participating Arby’s restaurants are giving away free Junior Deluxe Roast Beef sandwiches. A drink purchase is required.

July 9th is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-a. Customers who are dressed as cows get a free meal. Downloadable paper cutout costumes are available at cowappreciationday.com.

Free Family Fun Camp continues at Bass Pro Shop. The Family Fun camp is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 6pm through July 11th.

On Saturday, June 26th The Mall of Georgia’s Movies Under The Stars features  Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  Musical entertainment before the free  movie begins at 6:30 pm.

IKEA has free meals for kids from now until July7 5th. No adult purchase is necessary. IKEA serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Swedish theme.

The Georgia Aquarium now offers free admission on your birthday.  Proof in the form of a valid I.D. or birth certificate is required.

For tooth grinders, Plackers has a free sample of disposable night guards you can order plackers.com. Shipping and handling is $2.99. 

Check It Out Reading is a summer reading program offered jointly by the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers. Kids who register and read five books by get a free ticket to both a Hawks and Thrashers game. (From fieldtripswithsue.com)

For updates on freebies and deals, follow valuesval on twitter.com

My Gym will offer discounts on classes and birthday parties and will be running other specials as well. Parents can learn more about the classes while kids play in the gym.   My Gym is located at 267 West Wieuca Rd. NE, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30342

Scoutmob.com has the following deals this week:

Monday: 50% off TAP (Midtown) -
Tuesday: 50% off Wasabi (Castleberry Hill) -�
Wednesday: 50% off Carroll Street Cafe (Cabbagetown)- Thursday: 50% off Coldbrew’s Sports Bar & Grill (Roswell)-     Friday: 50% off Demure Clothing (Westside)

Amazon.com has Forbes, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and others on sale. Some are as low as $4.99 for a one year subscription but subscribers much cancel the subscription after one year or it will automatically be renewed.

The Children’s Place is having a Five Dollar Days sale.  Kids’ shorts t-shirts and tank tops for $5.00.

Womanwithin.com is having a 40 percent off sale.  The store features plus sized women’s clothing as well as shoes and accessories.

Big Lots: Flip and Jazz video cameras for $25 while supplies last.  No rain checks.

Whole Foods Market is having a  Fill the Grill Sale.   $20 for 8 burgers, buns, cheese, Pasta Salad for 8 and a watermelon.

Spring Showhouse Final Day. Admission for $10.00 with this 11alive.com coupon

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.

Japadog is one of the most popular restaurants in Vancouver — and it’s a street-car vendor serving hot dogs.

I kid you not.

Oh, and did I mention the hot dogs aren’t just hot dogs? They’re topped with all sorts of Japanese sauces and condiments; it’s quite gruesome — until you eat it.

I’m a believer — although this photo was taken *before* I ate the hot dog. Afterwards, I was in that rare state of culinary satisfaction — thanks to an all-beef frank with onions, nori (the seaweed in sushi), and teriyaki sauce on top.

It’s the good stuff, attested to not just by me but also by world-renowned “famous people” Steven Seagal and Ice Cube (who, by the way, seem ripe to star in a CIA buddy comedy together, no?). And the folks in Vancouver love it — the main location has lines down the block, and the secondary one (the closer one to me) is picking up steam as well.

The video story aired on The Daily 11 @ 7; when it appears on the web, I’ll let you know!

These deals come around from time to time so don’t worry if you miss it, just an fyi.
(The chicken, especially is a frequent thing)

We are shooting an organic shopping story this Wednesday !

1 Tbsp Olive oil
½ yellow onion, diced
2 – 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 Zucchini – chopped
2 Yellow Squash – chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 – 28oz can whole tomatoes
½ cup black olives, halved
crushed red pepper to taste
Italian herb blend to taste, approx 1 Tbsp
1 lb ground beef

1. In a sauté pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat, our onto a paper towel covered plate to drain.
2. Heat a saucepan slightly over medium heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion, zucchini, yellow squash and garlic. Season with Italian herb blend, salt and pepper and cook until tender.
3. Add the ground beef to the sauce pan.
4. Roughly chop the tomatoes and add them to the sauce pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Add the olives and red pepper cook for another 5 minutes. Taste for flavor and season.

Pasta-
1. While the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box.
2. Place pasta in a bowl and ladle over the top.
3. Serve immediately.