Back-to-school shopping, for less as stores appeal to budget minded

Retailers already knew what I found out last weekend - it's time for back-to-school shopping, or in my case, back-to-college shopping. Kohl's and IKEA are appealing to the budget-minded this fall.

Kohl's discovered, in its back-to-school survey, that back-to-school shopping is expected to decrease by 25 percent this fall. They've responded with a daily deal online and shopping checklists online and in the store. For the college dorm room (or off-campus apartment), Kohl's offers a range of items marketed under the Student Lounge line, including the butterfly chair, pictured in denim, for $69,99; a blue double-shade lamp and round table, for $39 each, and a denim bean bag chair for $99.99.

Likewise, IKEA is trumpeting their even "lower" prices this fall. As an example, they are selling the KLIPPAN sofa for $249, about $150 lower than it sold for in 1985. They are debuting upgrades to the POANG chair, pictured at top in the new polyester webbing material for $99. It's now offered in a rocking chair style, which ranges from $149 up to $299 for the sheepskin cover model. If you're looking for cheap, really cheap, there's the faithful standby, the LACK line of tables, including the side table, pictured, for $7.99. They also offer shelving and coffee tables in the LACK line. It's a wood-based frame filled with recycled honeycombed paper, making it lightweight.

Caplan to talk about photography

About six weeks ago, we showed you some photography from ABC 7 weatherman Mike Caplan on these pages. Pictured above is one of a bee feeding on a flower that we didn't show you.

You can see even more of his work at the "Great Tastes Fine Art and Wine Festival" from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

Caplan is one of more than 90 juried artists at the show, and will be on hand to talk with visitors about his fine art digital photography.

Festival includes live music and a children's corner. See longgroveonline.com for more details.