http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/milbloggers-invited-to-blogworld-expo/

Dana Valdez, a military wife for many years, writes to use about a free Web site that offers grocery coupons, internet discounts and local community coupons called www.CommonKindness.com.

“I know firsthand how difficult it is to stretch your budget to be able to afford what you need and to give back to the causes and charities that you support and love,” Valdez said.

CommonKindness shares 60% of profits or 20% of revenue, whichever is greater, with the causes and charities that you are passionate about.   

Learn more about CommonKindness in this Fox Business News interview: http://www.commonkindness.com/uploads/pages/FBN_09-15-2009_07.49.40.wmv

Love pets?

Spouses of active military members are now eligible to attend Animal Behavior College (ABC), a vocational college specializing in animal-related career training, with full tuition funding provided to them by the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA).

 The program opens up portable career opportunities, such as a professional dog trainer, veterinary assistant or groomer.

Over 130 animal lovers have enrolled in Animal Behavior College’s animal career training programs using MyCAA funding since the college received approval by the MyCAA in early August.

“The program gave me the flexibility to deal with the military aspect of my life; it’s a career that you can take with you anywhere you go,” says Michelle Blackwood, ABC Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT). Blackwood, whose husband is currently deployed in the U.S. Navy, enrolled in ABC’s Dog Obedience Instructor training program to become a Certified Dog Trainer last year. She currently teaches group dog training classes part-time to help supplement the family’s income.

Up to $6,000 is allotted to each eligible spouse of military members in order to pay for their education, training, licensing or certification.

Click here to learn more about the program.

If you live within 1.5 hours of New York City — you could be in for a treat!

Good Housekeeping is trying to find a deserving member of the armed forces to be a part of their holiday special, “Good Housekeeping’s Happy Holidays.”

Ideally, they are looking to find a female member of the armed services who has recently returned from deployment overseas and is looking forward to celebrating the holidays this year at home with her family.

Please e-mail editorial@milspouse.com so we can hook you up with the producers!

Six Flags has been hosting Military Appreciation Days at 12 parks during the month of September. Two of the parks allowed military families and the general public to send greetings to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan via Freedom Calls, a state-of-the-art video conferencing, telephone and internet service that connects troops to their loved ones at home free of charge.

Six Flags Over Georgia will offer free admission to active service members — you must present your current military identification cards at the ticket windows. Put it on your calendar for this weekend:

Sept 26 – Army: Park open 10:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.

Sept 27 – Marines: Park open 10:30a.m. to 7:00p.m.

Our friends over at AWN want you to know you about the Household 6 contest!

You can compete to receive a Family Manager University Scholarship and serve as Army Wife Network’s 2010 Household 6. With the Family Manager Coach Certification comes new means to grow an exciting home-based business, nurture yours and other military families, and give back to the Army Wife Network and Family Manager community.

“Strong Families Build A Stronger Country,” says Kathy Peel founder and CEO of Family Manager Coaching.

Submit the entry form by September 30, 2009.

Ben Frank fought to keep shared custody of his two children while he deployed with the Utah Air National Guard, and won when a bill was passed in the state legislature: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705327980/Utah-law-is-big-relief-for-military-family.html

Rep. Tim Cosgrove said the intent of the bill was to ensure military parents don’t lose their custody rights when they’re deployed. Frank wanted to make sure his sons maintained their routine of visiting his home and building relationships with their step-siblings.

What are other states doing? Have you faced this issue?

Military spouse Drake Coplen wrote an editorial in her local paper asking for help when her husband was denied R&R during his third tour in Iraq:

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20090905/OPINION03/909050305

Has this ever happened to you or your family? Do you have any suggestions for where she can take action?

'Top Chef' at Nellis AFB

Another guilty pleasure! Last night (Wed., Sept. 2) BRAVO’s “Top Chef” contestants visited Nellis Air Force Base outside Las Vegas, Nevada. The challenge: to cook for 300 Airmen and their families.

You can read about the dishes they created here: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-6/thunderbirds

Or tune into BRAVO to catch a repeat airing this week. New shows air every Wednesday at 10 p.m.

This morning we talked to contestant Bryan Voltaggio, who’s sister served in the Air Force for seven years. Check back with MilSPOUSE.com for our one-on-one interview next week!

Breaking news! Military Spouse has joined Facebook and wants you to become a fan: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Spouse-Magazine/242960515598

(We know, we know — it’s about time!) Connect with your favorite publication and other military spouses to get updates, news feeds and exclusive photos.