Christmas Tree Lane last walking night Tuesday December 13

Christmas Tree Lane will be open until December 25, 2011. This Tuesday, December 11th is the last walking night. Be prepared to meet Santa somewhere along the walk and see if you can find all of his reindeer!

Every other night on Van Ness Boulevard between Shields and Shaw, cars are welcome to drive through (northbound only) and enjoy the lights and decorations that brighten the night. 

Admission is FREE, however donations are encouraged.
Christmas Tree Lane is sponsored by the Fig Garden Homeowners Association.

The lights turn on at 6pm until 10pm Sunday through Thursday, 6pm-11pm Friday through Saturday.
A tradition since 1920, come enjoy the Fresno tradition with your family!

Clovis Christmas Tree Lighting December 5th

Join the Clovis Major and Santa Claus as they come together to light the city Christmas tree! Bring your camera to get a picture with Santa while the Clovis High and Clark choirs sing holiday carols. Refreshments will be served. This FREE event starts at 6:30pm. Come early to the Clovis City Hall to make sure to see Santa arrive by trolley! 

The Clovis City Hall is located at 

1033 Fifth Street. 

For more information call Clovis Recreation Center (559) 324-2780

Clovis Children's Electric Parade December 3, 2011

December 3rd, this Saturday, come join your neighbors for the
Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade starting at 6:30pm in Old Town Clovis.
Bring the kids, dress warm and enjoy the parade of floats, animals, lights, and more!
This is a free event.

For more information contact the Old Town Clovis Kiwanis Club at (559) 250-3351

The Clovis Museum FREE Admission

The Clovis Museum is maintained by the Clovis-Big Creek Historical Society. When everything cools down outside I start look for indoor activities to get me out of the house for anything other than shopping, especially if I can bring the kids with me too. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-2pm and closed most holidays. Admission is FREE and donations are accepted.
Visit the website HERE.

The museum is located at

401 Pollasky Avenue
The Clovis Museum In Old Town Clovis
Clovis, CA 93612-1141
For more information call (559) 297-8033 or email
aclovism@sbcglobal.net 

The Curator and docents are available for presentations to schools and organizations by appointment.

Free Carriage Rides in Clovis: Saturdays and Sundays Until Christmas!

Oh, how romantic! I've been a lucky soul because most of my childhood I had a chance to ride a horse whenever I wanted, and frequently rode in buggies and carriages. A carriage ride has a magic all its own and now you can have your own FREE ride!
In Old Town Clovis, every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-4pm you can catch a carriage ride on Pollaski. (Boys great date idea, hint, hint)
Contact Business Organization of Old Town (BOOT) (559) 298-5774 for more information.
You can view the Fresno Carriage facebook page HERE.

Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House FREE at Your Local Library in December!

Nearly all Fresno County Libraries are participating in a FREE Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House activity for families and children. This Saturday Woodward, Auberry, Easton, Bear Mountain, Kingsburg libraries will be participating, click HERE to see dates and times. Even if your local library is not listed, it is likely still participating, just call or stop by and pre-register to make sure you get a spot! Also check for great holiday craft activities too!

San Joaquin River Parkway FREE Holiday Event December 3, 2011

This Saturday bring your family to enjoy Holiday Cheer at the River Center from 8am-3pm. This is a FREE event kicking off with a pancake breakfast from 8am-10am ($5), then gourmet soup and salad will be available for lunch. The Riverway Trust website boasts:

"This year we'll have live entertainment featuring music and dance, free refreshments, local community organization booths, crafts and games for children, and the River Store will be open for holiday shopping." I saw a picture with Victorian Carolers, WHAT! I hope I can make it!

The River Center is located at 

11605 Old Friant Road

Fresno, CA 93730

Call (559) 248-8480 for more information.

$50 Towards a Noble Christmas Tree for $25!

Valley Daily Deals along with The Patch at Spraetz's Holiday Landscaping is offering $50 credit toward a Noble tree (6' minimum) for $25. You may purchase two coupons. This deal ends Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 11:59pm. Click HERE to get the deal!

The Patch at Spraetz's Holiday Landscaping is located at

533 Pollasky
Od Town Clovis, CA 93612
(559) 593-8197
www.thepatchclovis.com

$30 for Keratin Treatment, Haircut and Style from Joylene Aguilar ($75 value)

Valley Daily Deals together with hairstylist Joylene Aguilar of Afterglow Day Salon and Spa is offering a keratin hair treatment, haircut and style for $30. You may purchase one per order. The offer expires November 29, 2012. Purchase before December 4, 2011, at 11:59pm. So you have time to decide if this is a gift for you or someone else. Click HERE for the deal.

Afterglow Salon & Spa is located at

7498 N. Remmington, Suite 105
Fresno, CA 93711
Call (559) 579-5979 for more details or visit online at
www.afterglowdayspasalon.com/

Katherine Maxwell Skin Care 1 Hour Massage and Custom 40-Minute Mini Facial ($49); Full-Face Waxing ($17); or Rock'n Decor Body Art Application ($25)

Living Social together with Katherine Maxwell Skin Care is offering three options that would all be great gifts! An one hour massage and 40 min mini facial for $49 ($100 value) and/or Full Face Wax for $17 and/or a Rock'n Decor Body Art Application for $25. You can buy two.

Katherine Maxwell Skin Care is located at  
1533 North Wishon
Fresno, CA 93728

Call (559) 273-4613 for more details.

The Fine Print Directly from Living Social:

"Limit two per person (Option A, B or C), up to two additional as gifts • Limit one per person per visit • Appointments are required and subject to availability • Merchant cancellation/re-scheduling policy of 24 hours applies; voucher subject to forfeiture • All services must be redeemed during one visit and used by same customer; cannot be shared • Other conditions apply • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON June 2, 2012"

Island Water Park Season Passes Unlimited $69.99, M-Th $49.99

Island Water Park Season Passes for 2012 are on sale right now for $69.99 for the unlimited passes and $49.99 for the M-Th passes. I signed up for the email list hoping to get a discount code.

Island Water Park is located at 6099 West Barstow Avenue,Fresno,CA 93723.

I don't know their membership perks, but for more information call (888) 633-7105. Click HERE to purchase your passes.

Wild Water Adventures Unlimited Season Passes $40 each until November 28th

Now is the time to buy Wild Water Adventures Gold Season Passes for the summer of 2012. Sign up for the email list and receive $10 off you your already discounted pass totaling $34.99! Members are able to enter the park 15 minutes early and a few free passes come with your pass, however they do have expiration dates. As a member you also receive free parking. WWA also has a day each week that allows you to bring a friend for $10 admission. Pretty sweet deal! So if the toy box is full, ask the Grandparents for passes! Children 2 and under are free. Offer ends this week, November 28, 2011. You can purchase them online, or in person from 10am to 4pm.(Although, they may be closed this week so call beforehand.)
Wild Water Adventures is located at 11413 E Shaw - Clovis CA 93619. 
Call 559-299-WILD (9453)
Click HERE to sign up for the email list. If they do not send you the discount code, I would call and ask for it.
Click HERE for more details.

UPDATE: Use promo code PREF2012 to receive the passes for $39.99. I never received my $10 off code in my email. The total cost is $40 per ticket with an online processing fee of $3. TODAY is the last day!

The Dollar Tree

Littlest Pet Shop made it to The Dollar Tree!

Don't forget you can buy these and the 99 Cent Store too!

 

These have real swimsuit material.

The puzzles are great, we got some as party favors and my girls LOVE them.

So nostalgic.

For your preschooler.

For you Junior- SAT Vocab Flashcards anyone?

They have great stocking stuffers.

These pictures are from The Dollar Tree located at Champlain and Shepherd. My only caution with shopping at dollar stores in general, is be picky. I know it's easy to say, "But it's just a dollar." Then you find yourself at the register spending $40 that would have been better spent on a tricycle, rather than trinkets that might be destroyed in a week. So I suggest you give yourself a limit, and keep in mind quality over quantity. Not to chastise anyone, just a friendly suggestion, since we all are budget minded this time of year.

Black Friday

I will be on vacation during Thanksgiving and I thought you might be interested in this website that will where you can subscribe and browse the store ads for Black Friday! Check it out, they will force you to enter your email before you can see the site, but after Black Friday you can always unsubscribe. Check it out HERE. Remember there is a world of coupon blogs out there too to help you out! You can always check out Fresno Couponing. Personally, I'm not a Black Friday shopper (too many people), but good luck to all those brave souls out there! Happy Thanksgiving!

Swim America Fall Day Camp November 21-23rd

Thanksgiving Pumpkinpalooza Day Camp starts tomorrow at Swim America! Ages 5-8 are invited to fun games and Thanksgiving activities, including a mini swim and gym experience. A snack is included, but bring your own lunch since day camp lasts from 9am-4pm.  The cost is $141 for all three days. For more information call 324-SWIM(7946) or click HERE. 

Swim America
1205 N. Willow Clovis
Clovis, Ca 93619

The Little Gym Fall Camp November 21-23rd

The Little Gym is offering Hip Hip Hooray! Day Camps from November 21-23rd from 9am-12pm.
Each camp is $30. Members receive discount pricing for multiple days. The children will participate in games and activities, including snacks and crafts.

The Little Gym Northeast Fresno
9525 N. Sommerville Dr. Ste., #109
Fresno CA, 93720

Call (559) 433-3434 for more information or click HERE.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Lights November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-23

Starting Friday November 25th every weekend from 5-8pm until Christmas, Fresno Chaffee Zoo will be celebrating the holidays with Zoo Lights. According to the website, "Go for a stroll through brilliantly lit pathways, take a photo with Santa, and enjoy live entertainment. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served."  Admission is available for members the cost is $4 Adult, $2 Child (ages 2-11) and non-members $5 Adult, $3 Child (ages 2-11) Children 1 and under are free. ZooLights is sponsored by K-Jewel 99.3FM, KYNO 940AM & MATT Construction. Click HERE for more information.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo November Camps

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is offering Day Camps this week November 21-23.
Zoo Adventure Camp
Monday "King of the Repitles"
Tuesday "Life on the Branch"
Wednesday "Boo with Labu"
Ages 5-11 are invited to come from 9am-4pm to enjoy activities that include a morning and afternoon snack, although lunch will not be provided. Each day has a different theme. The cost is $53 a day for members and $57 a day for non-members.

Cubby Camp is also available for preschoolers ages 3-5 with the same activities and a snack, however it only lasts 9-12pm. The cost is $32 a day for members or $36 for non-members.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is located at 894 W Belmont, in Fresno. (559) 498-5920



For more information you can check the calendar from the Central California Parent Magazine HERE.

U-Pick CSU Fresno Organic Student Farm Saturday December 10th

Join the CSU Fresno organic students at the farm for a pick-your-own this Saturday, December 10th! Come from 9am-11am and meet the students and staff, any them your questions and support the program. Cash only.
The farm is located on Barstow just east of Chestnut on the other side of the Gibson market.
This will be the last harvest of the season, possibly until late spring (May).

Come pick your own fresh organic vegetables at affordable prices! 

This crop includes: Organic arugula, beets, carrots, kale, rainbow Swiss chard, mustard greens, pumpkin, spinach, and turnips.

Free Flat Rate Shipping Boxes with USPS

You can order free flat rate shipping boxes (to be shipped with USPS only.) Click HERE. This is great timing for Christmas gifts you might be shipping to family and friends. With flat rate boxes the weight doesn't matter, just the size, so pack those babies as full as possible. Maybe I've just been lazy. With these boxes I can estimate better I think. Funny, they ship, your shipping boxes.          

League of Legends Free Online Game

League of Legends is a free online game that focuses on player versus player. If someone in your family plays a game like World of Warcraft that requires a monthly subscription and a fair amount of dedication, League of Legends is a nice alternative. It allows players to be play casually with friends online without worrying about getting their moneys worth. Growing up at the tail end of Generation X, I know how much video games have become a part of our entertainment culture. My husband and I play together and it provides us a great way to have a "date night" at home without paying a babysitter or for movie and a dinner we can't afford.

Freebies for Veterans and Active Duty Military November 11

Veteran's Day honors our veterans and active military duty and so do many restaurants and stores! Here are some participating retailers in the valley all you need is proof of military service. Some of these you may want to call before to make sure they are participating
Meals
IHOP Free Entree
Olive Garden Free Entree
Applebee's Free Entree
Chili's Free Entree
Famous Dave's Free Two Meat Salute
Denny's Free Grand Slam at Participating Locations
Subway offers vary Free 6" Sub
Hooters Free Wings Drink Purchase Required
Outback Free Bloomin Onion and Coke
Little Caesars Free Breadsticks
TGI Fridays BOGO

Red Carpet Car Wash-Free Full Service Car Wash at any of the four valley locations.


Many more discounts out there, but this should get you started!

Need Writing Help? English Tutoring by Sarah (me)

My mother is a retired teacher, and my whole life I have had the benefit of her shouting out grammar corrections when I speak. One the phone, if I said, "This is her," in response to someone wishing to speak to me, she would shout, "This is SHE!" across the house. I spent hours in her classroom after school reading and re-reading books bored to tears even though I knew them all already. As a result, I have been helping others with English since high school. (About 12 years) I've tutored all ages from 3-53 and especially enjoy teaching essay writing. (I was the outstanding political science graduate and Summa Cum Laude, [4.0 GPA])

This time of year many Seniors in high school are carefully composing their personal statements for colleges and universities around the country. 
If you are looking for some extra help and editing, I charge $20 to look over an essay, and $30 per hour to sit with your teenager and help them put together something that presents them well and makes them memorable.
You must think of these admissions officers like most readers: chained to a desk, in a hot room, under a bright light, with hundreds of essays to read. They maybe spent five minutes on your essay.
Make it easy on them, write an essay that will make them think, "Hey, I'd like to meet that person."

For tutoring in general, including phonics, SAT/ACT Prep, and more, my prices are about the same. I prefer to meet you in a library or at your home as long as other adults are present.
This includes the Fresno/Clovis/Auberry area.

Contact me via email fresnofrugalista at gmail dot com or call 559 977 6131.

Free Entrance to National Parks November 11-13th

National Parks will be offering free entrance the weekend of November 11-13th. That would include Sequoia and Yosemite. So if you're up for a drive, you can use your $10-$20 that would have needed for the entry fee on gas, food, or souvenirs! Don't forget a sweater and warm shoes! For details click HERE.