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GREENSBORO — Tyanna Townsend's dream of opening her own beauty salon just came true.

The 29-year-old beautician held a grand opening of "A New You Salon Boutique" in Greensboro on Aug. 1 with lots of fanfare.

Fifteen models dressed in black -- 10 adults and five children -- pulled up in a stretch white limo, then walked the red carpet while flashing dazzling hairdos.

Jazz music by Cufflinx played in the background as guests sampled hors d'oeuvres, white fish and fountain lemon tea.

"It was elegant, classy and sassy," Townsend said. "It is so exciting."

Despite economic tough times, business has been brisk at her 2,000-square-foot plus salon and boutique in the short time it's been open.

Part of the reason?

"I would say we're affordable," she said. "We don't have high prices."

Her salon is at 1929 Coliseum Blvd., and the number is 632-0840.

Store hours: by appointment only on Monday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Moms in the Triad looking for good bargains might want to mark their calendars for an upcoming consignment sale.

Items from 200 consignors will include thousands of gently used children's items at Covenant Church United Methodist in High Point, which is hosting the event.

The sale is from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday (most items will be 50 percent off then).

Limited, free child care is available from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Other items for sale include maternity clothes, furniture, toys, bikes, outdoor toys, baby equipment, books and videos.

Proceeds will benefit local children's ministries.

The church is at 1526 Skeet Club Road in High Point.

More information at www.covenantconsign.com. The number is 410-5037.

You can also submit a question via e-mail to info@covenantconsign.com.

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Save a lot of dough on clothes.

Hanesbrands is having its annual clothing sample sale next week in Winston-Salem where everything is $2 to $7, or at least 65 percent off retail prices.

It includes samples, overstock, Internet returns and irregulars.

The sale will be in the Joel Coliseum Education Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

What you'll find: Socks, hosiery, male underwear, women's intimate apparel bras and panties, T-shirts, fleece including sweat shirts, plus-size clothing, athletic wear including sport shirts, shorts, jackets and sports bras.

Brands are Hanes, Champion, Bali, Playtex, Just My Size, Wonderbra and Barely There.

Examples of what you'll save: $2 for catalog and Inernet returns and irregulars; $4 for first-quality bras (regular $18 to $20); $6 for Champion athletic wear (regular $15 to $20 and up); and $7 for Champion sports bras (regular $20 to $30).

Directions to the Joel Coliseum Education Building are at www.joelcoliseum.com/directions.html.

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Nationwide discount retailer Dollar Tree has branched out with another location: 4636 Hicone Road in Greensboro.

The chain already has about 30 stores in the Triad area.

The stores sell household items such as glassware, dinnerware and cleaning supplies. They also sell candy, snacks, health and beauty products, crafts, teaching supplies, toys and party supplies.

To find the closest store near you, visit www.dollartree.com and click the "store locator" link on the top right.

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You can now get your Internet fix for free at Barnes & Noble. The bookseller, which has 777 U.S. stores including several in the Triad, had been charging about $4 for two hours of access. Not anymore.

Just grab a seat inside, flip open your laptop, and let the Web surfing begin. You can also freely download and preview any of the more than 700,000 eBook titles with hundreds of thousands of public domain titles available from Google. The Internet service comes from AT&T, which also offers free Wi-Fi at Starbucks but with strings attached.

At Starbucks, you must have a store card that has been used within 30 days. After two hours, you pay a fee.

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Attention shutterbugs: If you're in the hunt for a new camera to capture those all-important summer vacation snapshots, you should check out the latest issue of Consumer Reports.

That's because the magazine makes recommendations regarding which point-and-shoots give you the best bang for your buck in its September issue.

The Canon PowerShot (SD1200 IS Elph) ranked the highest among the magazine's four recommended digital cameras that fell in the subcompact category (those who need a camera that fits in a purse or pocket).

It's "one of the few point-and-shoots that can capture high-quality images in very low light without a flash," according to the magazine.

Staples, by the way, has that camera on sale starting today for $179.99 (regular $199.99).

Sale ends Saturday.

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Become Web savvy. Check out the Bargain Blog.

Also, subscribe to the weekly Bargain Bytes e-newsletter, which is free, at www.news-record.com/bargains.

You can also sign up for my Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/bargainblog.

Contact Mike Fuchs at 373-3465 or michael.fuchs@news-record.com