Free Week Long Gym Passes

I was talking with a friend yesterday about lining up week after week of gym trials.
To try out a free week at Curves, an all womens' gym. Click HERE.
Click HERE to sign up for a week long guest pass at Bally's.
Click HERE for a week at Gold's Gym.
Click HERE for a week at George Brown's Fitness.
If you check with local gyms you may be able to line up a couple more weeks!
Remember if you are a Fresno State student the recreation center on Shaw and Woodrow is completely free.

Thanks Shalee for the idea!

Restaurant.com $25 for $2

Check out Restaurant.com to see which restaurants in your area are participating, new ones are added all the time. Receive a $25 off coupon for $2 with the promo code SAVOR. Click HERE for the Fresno area.

Blossom Trail Art Exhibit

This is a great idea! What a way to support local artists and appreciate the beauty of the valley.

Here's a description of the event as mentioned by My Fresno Arts.net

"A Blossom Trail Art Exhibit featuring fine artwork by local artists is held during the month of March. The location of the Art Exhibit is just off the Blossom Trail itself and viewing the art is free.

The art will be exhibited in the Reedley Chamber of Commerce offices at 1633 11th Street in Reedley, Ca, and will be available for viewing during the month of March during regular business hours.

An artist reception is planned for Saturday, March 6th at 12:00 at the Chamber offices. The art exhibit will also be open to the public for viewing on that Saturday from 10:00 until 4:00.

One piece of art has been donated by a local artist and will be available to win through a raffle.

If interested in raffle ticket information or for directions contact the Kings River Arts Council. (559) 480-ARTS."

Click HERE to view the website.

New to Couponing?

For those who are interested in couponing or just starting out, My Frugal Adventures has started a beginners tutorial this week covering how to get the most out of shopping at stores like Walgreens and CVS. MFA is from California so most of the promotions and coupons in the newspapers etc. are the same. The Sassy Saver is a local (Fresno area) blogger who provides classes for free. The Sassy Saver also has a deal with the Fresno Bee that allows customers to receive the Sunday newspaper for about $28 a year which averages to 54 cents a Bee. If you save between 50 cents to $1.00 a week (and this is seriously shooting low once you start couponing- you'll see) then the investment will pay for itself over and over again. Click HERE to read about couponing with The Sassy Saver.

Free Dental Clinic in Fresno for Kids.

Saturday, February 27th there will be a Free Dental Clinic at Fresno City College's Health Science Building from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. This is primarily for students in Kindergarten up to 6th grade who attend Fresno, Central, and Clovis Unified School Districts. The following will be provided: Dental Exams, Sealants, Cleanings, Fluoride Treatment, Crowns, White and Silver Fillings, and Extractions. All of these services will be conducted by local dental providers at no cost! (FYI: Effective Jan.1, 2007 AB 1433 went into effect requiring all children must have a dental exam before their first year in public school).

All services will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. Educational Booths will be available as well as interpreters.

Thanks Brenda for the information!

Hurray for Freebies!

Happy Friday! Check out My Frugal Adventures Freebie Fridays post HERE! Good stuff. Free Photo Book etc. Thanks MFA.

Some other freebies include:
The Free Fragrance Deluxe Sampler from Victoria's Secret Pink Nation. If you are already a member just log on and print out your coupon and take it to the store or sign up, print out your coupon and you'll receive $10 off a purchase of $35. Click HERE. Ends March 8th, 2010.

Become a fan of Kids n Pets products on Facebook by clicking HERE and receive a mail in rebate for a free bottle of their product. I've used this product in the past while potty training and really thought it worked well, so here's your chance to try it out for free!

Click HERE for a Free sample of Lever 2000 for Costco members. You need your membership number. Thanks Saving with Shellie

For a Dove Hair Care Intensive Damage Therapy Free Sample click HERE.

Click HERE for a Free Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste Sample. These go fast so hurry!

Best Coupon sites for Moms

I've been navigating the Parenting magazine website entering giveaways, and I found this list of links to coupon sites that looks promising. Many of the sites I use regularly. To see this list click HERE.

Click HERE to check out the contests and giveaways.

Diapers.com offers $10 off a $49 purchase with free overnight shipping for new customers. One promo code for Diapers.com this month is BTFEB10 from Babytalk magazine.

Interesting Upcoming Events in Fresno

I've highlighted a few events featured on www.Fresnohub.com that I found of interest. To check out this website click HERE.

Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge
Millerton Lake, South Shore
February 28, 2009 , 12:00pm
Brave souls with warm hearts take a quick dip to raise money for Special Olympics by collecting pledges from family, friends and co-workers. Visit www.sonc.org/polarplunge to register.
Questions call 925-944-8801 ext. 215 or donna@sonc.org.

Annual Saroyan Writing Contest
Fresno County Library
January 6, 2009 through March 9, 2009
William Saroyan Society is accepting entries for its annual writing contest under the theme "Stories from Your Home Place". Entries with entry form must be received by 9:00 PM on March 9. Awards will be presented at a ceremony on April 23.
Saroyan Writing Contest c/o Fresno County Library 2420 Mariposa Street Fresno, CA 93721 Call Lydia Kuhn at 559-268-3411


American Legion Post 509 Yard/Garage Sale Event
3509 N. First Street, Fresno
February 28, 2009 through March 1, 2009, 7:00am to 5:00pm
An indoor yard/garage sale to benefit veteran programs. Open to the public. Food and beverages for sale during event. Buy goods or sell your goods (table rentals required). Concert ticket giveaways each day to lucky attendees.
Mildred (559) 250-8247 or Sandy (559) 269-2798 for additional details and table rentals.

I'm a huge fan of garage and yard sales, especially those who benefit local organizations. It's a wonderful way to prevent waste and recycle items and clothing that may otherwise end up in a dumpster. As the weather warms up, so with the yard sales! Check Fresno's Craigslist and you can map out your Saturday hunt with Googlemaps before hand (and save time and gas)!


Small Business Development Day
Fresno Exhibit Hall
March 5, 2009 , 8:00am to 5:00pm
The City of Fresno is offering a FREE Small Business Development Day. Small business owners can learn how to access capital, grow their business, and be successful, even in today's challenging economy. Register for this event at www.fresnostartup.com
Fernando Santillan (559) 621-8354; Email: fernando.santillan@fresno.gov; website: www.fresnostartup.com

Hollywood Video-Going out of Business Sale

Hollywood Video on Cedar and Shepherd in Fresno is going out of business. Sure they've got some great deals on movies and video games! Happy hunting!

8805 N Cedar Ave
Fresno, CA 93720
Phone: (559) 438-0942

Stride Rite Sale, extra 25% off already reduced items

My 18 month old had a couple of pairs of Stride Rite shoes size 4 and I've been very pleased at their structure, style, and durability. Get an extra 25% off already reduced items online with the code extra25off at checkout. Check out this sale HERE. Ends February 15th. You can also enter to win the "wash and wear" sweepstakes weekly for 2 pairs of machine washable shoes by Stride Rite.

The Grand Prize is:

"• The Whirlpool® DUET® Steam Laundry Care System
• 1 year's supply of Tide® stain release in-wash booster
• A $250 stride rite in-store gift card"

Enter weekly until March 13th.

Target Storytime

February 27th Target stores are offering a free storytime from 9-11am with readings from Dr. Suess, activities, and giveaways, to celebrate Read Across America. Call ahead to make sure your store is participating. Click HERE for details.
Thanks My Frugal Adventures.

Valentine's Murder Mystery Dinner Hanford

The Valentine's Murder Mystery Dinner in Hanford
Friday, February 12th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and also Saturday at the same time and is located at the Hanford Veteran's Hall in Hanford.

"'Murder at the Four Deuces', is an audience interactive Murder Mystery Dinner theater. Bring a date this Valentine’s weekend, and join us for fun, food and MURDER! Guests are encouraged to dress in 20's attire."

Tickets are available to adults 18 and older through the Hanford Department of Recreation for $25 each or may be purchased online at www.wishprojectinternational.org with a $2 convenience fee.


This is a community event benefiting WISH Project International.

Restaurant.com for Valentine's Day

Currently Restaurant.com is offering 80% of its discount coupons of $25 off. This means you can purchase a $25 off coupon for $2 with the code HEART at the check out. You need to be able to print your coupon and you can use it immediately. Click HERE to check out participating restaurants in your area. Remember that a minimum purchase is required to use the coupon. Most restaurants required a $35 purchase for the $25 off and charge 18% gratuity. So your lowest possible price would be $16.30. Not bad for two diners! Keep in mind these deals are per table as well, so if you are going out with friends they will be on your ticket as well.

Bath and Body Works Free Travel Size Item with Any Purchase

Bath and Body Works is offering a free travel size item from their signature collection with ANY purchase. Click HERE to print the coupon and it's good both in stores and online. It expires February 24, 2010.
Thanks Savings with Sadie.

Fresno MultiFaith Exchange

The incredible diversity of Fresno is underestimated by many people who have grown up here. Because of the tendency of people to stick to their own patterns and friendships, we sometimes miss out on the social, cultural, and religious opportunities Fresno provides. It's natural to be drawn to people with similar beliefs, but often we learn the most about ourselves through interaction with others. We are social creatures.

Today I had the opportunity to learn about the Fresno MultiFaith Exchange from Cheryl Gardner, a member. This is not simply a non-denominational group, but a group of religious people representing world faiths and the many facets within religions. I don't know how to express what a valuable role this group must play within a community to bring together friendships and understanding between faiths that may not otherwise exist. Imagine what could be learned from a forum where you can openly go to the source, those who practice their faith.

If you are interested, meetings are held monthly.
The next meeting is

Judaism
Sunday, February 21
3-5pm
Temple Beth Israel
6622 N. Maroa
(East side of street, south of Herndon)

Sunday March 21
3-5pm
Baha'i Faith
Baha'i Center of Fresno
2240 N, Angus (south of Clinton, east of Fresno St.)

Sunday April 18
3-5pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
2672 E. Alluvial(between Chestnut and Willow)

Sunday May 16
3-5pm
Sikh Faith
Nanak Sar Gurdwara
3038 S. Cherry (southeast corner of North and Cherry)
Both men and women wear head covering and remove shoes before entering the Gurdwara

Fresno Connections

Take some time to go through the blog network and really look into what people are doing in Fresno. I don't have time to truly do anyone justice, but 31 Days of Fresno had a clever idea and it's worth seeing her month in Fresno and the insights she gained on her discoveries. "Also cool is Central Valley Moms. Part blog, part forum, part AWESOME, CV Moms is a way for moms in the valley to connect, share and get through this adventure called parenthood together." This quote is from day 26.

If you are 20 something and new to Fresno, check out Bored in Fresno. This Meet-Up group organizes activities for all Fresnans to get out and about and make new friends.

Click HERE to view the website of a local magazine called
Totts, Fresno's Lifestyle Magazine for Modern Moms.

With surprisingly little effort you can probably find a hobby group to meet your interests by searching Fresno blogs. Many of the best activities tend to be word of mouth in Fresno because it can be such a disjointed community. Google hobbies or activities with Fresno as a key word. Try it out. Hopefully you find people you connect with. I've found however, working through the blog network, through blogs that people follow or are connected to, is a more efficient way of finding related blogs.

For example, my husband and I were members of Central Valley Reefers, a group dedicated to nurturing healthy salt-water environments and fish tanks. We joined activities and swapped corals, and other aquatic life to help prevent the harvesting of ocean reefs. We even did a group trip to Monterrey Bay Aquarium a couple years ago and got a behind the scenes tour of some of the fish tanks.


Facebook and Myspace are also convenient ways to share and find out about activities from friends to keep in-the-know locally.

Strong Moms

I posted about a month ago about pregnancy and parenting websites. Here's one provided by Similac called StrongMoms.com. When you sign up, there is an option for a promo code. Type in PARENTS and you have a choice between 6 months FREE subscription to Parents magazine, or 6 months FREE and another year for $5. Pretty sweet deal. Other offers may vary, but coupons and samples are probably a guarantee. So check it out, click HERE to join.

If you are expecting, you can print out a certificate for a free Similac diaper bag that works like a sling backpack. Present this certificate when you are being discharged from the hospital and hopefully they are participants and you'll get your diaper bag with free goodies inside. Click HERE to see the Benefits of Membership.

Hearts for Haiti Benefit Concert

Come support local musicians as the play to benefit the Fresno Chapter of the American Red Cross in aiding Haiti.
The Hearts for Haiti Benefit Concert will take place Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 7 pm at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union

$3 donation – Fresno State Student with Valid Id
$5 donation – General Public

Performances by JJ Brown, 40 Watt Hype, and HR7

Raffle prizes to win: Tickets to Sea World and Magic Mountain, Starbucks basket, Movie passes, Tickets to Fresno State Athletics games and more!

For more information call 278-2741

Photoworks $10 Mousepads and Free Shipping/ WinkFlash 100 page Flat Rate Book

Tomorrow, this Wednesday only pay $10 per mousepad you order and receive shipping as well. Use the code FEBMOUSEPAD. Enjoy! Click HERE for the website.


Winkflash is offering a good deal for photobooks. Starting at $12.95 you can order up to 100 pages for one flat price. Most sites will start you with 20 pages or so and charge you additionally per page. The promo code is ITSBACK. Receive 50 free prints for signing up. Click HERE to check it out.
Thanks Jen