Harry Potter Magical Ball with Barnes & Noble

December 9th at 7pm in Fresno, California and around the nation Barnes & Noble is hosting a Harry Potter Magical Ball. You are invited to come dressed as your favorite character and enjoy music, dancing, giveaways, and activities. I've attended other release parties for Harry Potter in the past and they are well organized and they have crafts. The release party for The Cursed Child included a sorting and that was really fun. They gave us buttons and magnets according to our houses. (For you curiosity, we have two ravenclaws and two gryffindors.)

Harry Potter Magical Ball
7pm-?
Villagio Retail Center
7849 North Blackstone Avenue Fresno, CA 93720
559-437-0484 

Christmas Tree Lane

Christmas Tree Lane is located in Fresno, California, and is its 94th year. Located in Old Fig Garden, you can travel down Van Ness Avenue starts at Shields and goes to Shaw, about two miles. 

The final walking night is December 13, 2016, from 6pm-10pm. I suggest if you want to avoid the crowds, get started right at 6pm. 

When its comes to little kids, I would suggest having a stroller or wagon for anyone four and under because between the cold, crowds, and distance they will slow them down quickly-mittens, gloves, scarves, blankets are needed. I like to park on a side street in the middle (like Holland) and walk to Shaw and back when I'm with little ones.

Bus rides during the walking nights are offered by Tree Fresno. Contact them at 559-221-5556.

There are some vendors who sell light up toys (so bring cash if you are interested) and glow sticks are pretty popular. Sometimes you will get lucky and someone will be selling hot chocolate. Santa, school choirs and more can be seen on the walking nights. (December 3rd was the last one).

Driving times: 6pm-10pm on Sunday through Thursday 
                       6pm-11pm on Friday and Saturday. 

When you drive there is a radio station committed to Christmas Tree Lane that plays Christmas music. You can also spot all of Santa's reindeer en route. Donations are accepted in two locations to help with the energy costs that come with the Christmas lights. 

Christmas Tree Lane is a free event and a holiday tradition for anyone in the Fresno, Clovis and surrounding areas. It remains open through Christmas Day.
For more questions visit http://www.christmastreelane.com

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Alternative- Better than the Gift Card

A special thank you to Lynndee Theson for this excellent guest post.

My name is Sarah Gonzales and I fully endorse this message.

Top gift ideas for the hard-to-shop-for people in your life.

The holiday season is upon us.  Some say it’s the most wonderful time of the year.  For me it is the most stressful time of the year.  That isn’t to say I don’t love the holidays, I am just one of millions of people who go out shopping for gifts each year and walk out of a store with more gifts for myself than the people on my list.  I know what I want.  Not when I am asked, when I see it in the store.  It’s a vicious cycle, when asked what would you like for Christmas the answer is “I don’t know”.  As soon as I step into Target though, I see all kinds of things I want.  This year, when making wish lists for my family I noticed instead of actual gifts, wish lists were filled with gift cards.  So I thought, there has to be something I can buy my family that is more personal than a gift card or money.  I came to a middle ground.  They aren’t really wrap it up and put a box under the tree gifts but they aren’t gift cards either.

Memberships

Memberships can make the best gifts.  Unlike some presents, a membership lasts an entire year.  This is my list of suggested memberships to give as a gift this year.

• Zoo membership
• Zoo memberships are great for families with kids.  My zoo membership not only gets two adults and all dependent age children admission into the zoo, I also get a discount at the gift shop and snack bars.  During special events members get special pricing as well.  Different Zoo’s may have more or less benefits so be sure to look into the zoo closest to you to find out what if offered.  Memberships are good for 1 year.  

• AAA membership
• You don’t have to be insured with AAA to have a AAA membership.  Membership benefits include roadside service, discounts at many hotels, restaurants, and car repair places, and a lot of AAA locations offer some DMV services.  There are three different levels of membership with the classic one costing $56 a year.  Classic membership comes with 5 miles of free towing, free gas delivery, and $60 car locksmith reimbursement.  This is a nice gift for anyone who drives.  Find out more about a AAA membership here.

• Rei membership
• For a one time fee of $20 an REI membership can be purchased.  This is the gift that really does keep giving.  Each year, members get a 10% back member divided on purchases made at REI throughout the year.  The divided is only good at REI but there are so many things to buy that it won’t be hard to pick something.  Other membership benefits include access to REI garage sale and member only specials.  Don’t know what REI is?  Check it out here.

• Amazon Prime membership
• I love amazon.  That is why I am a prime member.  A prime membership get you free two day shipping on many products as well as access to thousands of movies and TV shows through prime video.  At $99 at year that is less than $10 a month making it less than Netflix with many of the same programs and other added benefits.  Prime members can also borrow a book each month from the KIndle Owners Lending Library.  Interested in Prime?  Get more info here.

Wholesale Club memberships

Wholesale clubs are popular for small businesses and large families.  They allow customers to shop for everything from bulk food and beverages to furniture and electronics.  Memberships need to be renewed yearly so these can make great gifts year after year.

• Costco membership
• For $55 you can gift a gift a Costco membership good for a year.  It will allow the recipient to shop at Costco and get amazing deals on bulk items.  Costco has a pharmacy, optical department, tire shop, and a snack bar.  On top of all that, Costco has a very generous return policy.  Interested in a Costco membership for you or someone else?  Learn more here.

• Sam’s Club membership
• Sam’s Club is also a wholesale warehouse.  A basic membership is $45 and allows the member to shop in Sam’s Club and save lots of money by buying items in bulk.  Sam’s Club has an optical department, battery and tire department, and instant savings on products.  Find out more about Sam’s Club membership here.

Subscriptions

These days there are subscriptions for everything.  Some subscriptions allow subscribers to pay monthly for a service or product while others can be paid for a set amount of time like 3 months, 6 months, or a year.  Subscriptions are a perfect gift for anyone.  You just have to find the right subscription.  Here are some of my favorites.

• Netflix
• Netflix is a subscription service that streams many TV show, movies, and original content.  Plans start at $7.99 per month.  This can be a great way to give someone something you know they will use.  Netflix makes it easy for current subscribers to apply a gift code to their account so they will not be charged until the gift code has been used.  Buy a netflix gift card at most local retailers.

• Hulu
• Hulu allows subscribers to watch current episodes of TV shows the same week it is airded on television.  Hulu also has exclusive and original shows as well as some movies.  Hulu plans start at $7.99 with commercials or for $11.99 subscribers can watch Hulu without commercials.  Hulu gift cards can be purchased at many local retailers including Target, Best Buy, and Walgreens.  Just add the gift code to an account and don’t pay again until all the gift code has been used.

• Magazine
• Magazine subscriptions are a nice option since there are so many to chose from.  From current events, fashion, puzzles, entertainment, news, sports, cars, kids, parenting, and home you are sure to find something for everyone.

 

• Newspaper
• By choosing local newspapers you can get up to date news daily or choose to only get the paper on weekends or just Sunday.  Most Sunday papers will have ads and coupons.  This is an ideal gift for any couponers you may know.

• Box subscriptions
• Give someone a box subscription and they will receive a box in the mail with whatever you pick.   From nail polish and makeup to toys and food,  the possibilities are endless as more and more companies are using box subscriptions to create interest in their products.

Seasonal Passes

• Waterpark season pass
• This can be such an awesome gift for the summer.  Waterparks have lots of waterslides, a tide pool, a kids water play area, and snack bars.  They are great places to go for a few hours a day during the summer when it is really hot and stay active.  Passes are sold per person so it get expensive for large families.  This is a nice gift for parents to buy for their own kids.  

• Ski Resort season pass
• This is a great gift for people who like to ski or snowboard.  This is also one of the most expensive gifts on my list.  I’m sure lots of people would love a ski resort season pass but it is not in everyone's budget.

National Park Pass

• American the Beautiful Pass

Passes for National Parks make great gifts especially for people who are active.  The America the Beautiful pass is good for over 2,000 national parks and federal recreation areas throughout the United States including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Death Valley, and Yellowstone.  These passes can be purchased for $80 and cover entrance fees for a year.  To give you an idea of the value of the America the Beautiful pass, a seven day pass to get into Yosemite is $30.  For people that plan on going more than 3 times a year, this really pays off.  Plus is can be used for lots of other places.  Get more information at https://store.usgs.gov/pass/PassIssuanceList.pdf.

Don’t stress this holiday season about gifts.  Pick one of the useful gifts from this list and make gift giving easy this year.  Do you have a favorite gift to give or get?  Don’t hold out, share your thoughts.

Lynndee Theson

View more of Lynndee'swork at http://www.dystopianshuffle.com, http://realhousewifewithkids.blogspot.com

Clovis Children's Electric Christmas Parade

If you have been to the Clovis Children's Electric Christmas Parade you know it is very cold, but has fun lit-up floats. The parade is from 6:30pm-8:30pm on December 3rd. 

I found that when I went a while back with toddlers-I was unprepared. It was colder than I expected and we couldn't see well because it was surprisingly crowded. Bring gloves, scarves, and blankets in addition to dressing warm. If you are in it for the long haul, come early and camp out your spot. Some people begin camping in the morning, but 4pm-4:30pm is probably early enough.

Walking vendors often sell light up toys and headbands to help you join in the festivity.

This is a free event sponsored by the Old Town Clovis Kiwanis

Santa on the Train- a Fresno to Hanford and back again

Sorry this is last minute, if you can't make it, at least you can plan for it next year!

This is the message from the Facebook event.

Bring the kids to meet Santa at the Amtrak San Joaquins Station in Downtown Fresno on November 25! Santa will arrive at 10am for photos, hot cocoa and cookies. Then, go on an adventure with Santa on Amtrak San Joaquins! 

You can board the 710 southbound train with Santa at 11:44am – you will arrive in Hanford at 12:19pm! 
You can head with Santa to the Hanford Carnegie Museum to light the Christmas tree, too! 
If you bring a can of food with you, you'll get a free photo with Santa! Santa will be at the Hanford Carnegie Museum until 2pm. 
Look for Amtrak San Joaquins & Santa at the Downtown Hanford Christmas Parade at 6pm! 

Make sure you purchase your tickets for the 710 southbound train at amtraksanjoaquins.com - this is the train Santa will be on. If you're planning to return back to Fresno by train, don't forget to buy your return tickets, too. There are afternoon and early evening northbound trains from Hanford to Fresno:

717 northbound train departs Hanford at 2:47pm and arrives in Fresno at 3:22pm
719 northbound train departs Hanford at 5:05pm and arrives in Fresno at 5:43pm
703 northbound train departs Hanford at 7:46pm and arrives in Fresno at 8:23pm

Santa Claus Lane

Santa Claus Lane is a 16 house subdivision in Clovis, California, that coordinates their lights to music to put on a fun festive show from 6pm-10pm each night.

The first walking night is tomorrow, November 25, 2016, and this is a nice alternative if your kids are little and you are not up to the time commitment that comes with Christmas Tree Lane (first walking night Saturday,December 3rd, second and last Tuesday, December 13th). Other alternatives for walking and lights include Candy Cane Lane (aka Cindy Lane) and Huntington Blvd along with other smaller displays.

Happy Christmas!

Boo Fest at Sierra Vista Mall

Join the folks at the Sierra Vista Mall for the 2nd annual Boofest event!

Bring the family and enjoy this (free) community event from 4pm-9pm in front the of movie theater.

Spooky Pooch Parade @ 4pm at Center Court 

Costume Contest @ 6:30 pm at the Community Park

Movie in the Park after dark

Costume contests, carnival games, reptiles, face painting, bounce houses, emergency vehicles, Halloween photos, pumpkin decorating, and CANDY!!!!

After all the festivities make sure to stay for the Movie in the Park presented by Powell's Sweet Shoppe!

Sponsored by the Clovis Police Department, Powell's Sweet Shoppe, Pumpkin King, Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center, and Ryan Barnes Photography

1050 Shaw Ave, Clovis, California 93612

Questions? Call 559-299-0660 or email nkhan@woodmont.com

It's Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial day weekend in the tourist business is the first day of summer. Water attractions open among other things. Please make sure to pay some respects to your fallen service men and women and here's a few things happening around the San Joaquin Valley you can enjoy with your family.

Memorial Services

Wild Water Adventure Park
Island Waterpark

The City of Fresno splash parks are open!
The parks will be open daily through mid-October from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the exception of Tuesday when the parks will operate from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Amenities include interactive water features, misters, and cascades providing refreshing water play for children at no cost. Splash park locations include:

Dickey Playground
50 N. Calaveras Street
Fresno, CA 93721

Figarden Loop Park
4265 W Figarden Drive
Fresno, CA 93722

Todd Beamer Park
9797 N. Maple Ave
Fresno, CA 93720

Don't forget most farmer's markets like Downtown Clovis are now open, and the u-pick farms like Two Sister's U-Pick Apricots.

Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Salt Dough Recipe

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups warm water

Directions:

Mix flour and salt. Then gradually add water, finishing with your hands. Knead until soft: think playdough.

Roll out on a floured surface and cut with cookie cutters or trace kids hands with a pencil on the dough and cut them out with a butter knife in a sawing motion. You will need to smooth the edges. Cut holes before baking to hang the ornaments (the holes shrink only a little), or hot glue opened paper clips to the back of baked pieces.

Bake at 325 degree F for about an hour, or use a lower temperature (200 degrees) for longer to prevent bubbling. You can add food coloring to the dough or paint them with acrylic; we used nail polish last year.  

These are plain, but I like 'em.

Thanks Phyllis from Allrecipes.

$15 for $30 Christmas Tree from Bread Upon Waters

Bread Upon Waters, a non denominational ministry, 

located in Clovis, together with Valley Daily Deals is offering a deal for Christmas 

trees. Today you can purchase a $15 coupon for $30 

toward a Christmas tree. No cash back, one per visit.

Offers ends Wednesday December 21,2011, 11:59pm. You can choose from 

Douglas Grand and Noble Fir trees. 

They offer flocking and fire retardant on location. 

2250 Clovis Ave

Fresno CA 93612

559-917-3159
Clovis Ave & Santa Ana, behind Sierra Vista Mall

Hours: Open Everyday from 12:00-8:00 PM

Click HERE to get the deal. Expires 12/22/2011.

The Fresno Synced Christmas Lights Tour

Yay!  Mike Oz at the Fresno Bee took the time to do what I wanted to do, but hadn't got to; he documented the neighborhoods to visit that have their Christmas Lights synched to music around Fresno and Clovis. Click HERE for the article and directions.

A Christmas Story at 2nd Space Theatre Until December 18th

Tonight through Sunday night 2nd Space Theatre in the Tower District will finish its performances of A Christmas Story. Who can forget Ralphie and his dream of a Red Ryder BB Gun with a compass in the stock.
2nd Space Theatre
928 E Olive, Fresno, CA 93728

For more information call: 559-266-0660
Email GATHER@ROGERROCKAS.COM You can purchase tickets online http://www.WWW.GCPLAYERS.COM

The Christmas Patch in Clovis

Spraetz Holiday Landscape Environment, L P is hosting The Christmas Patch and Party Place in Clovis  on Pollasky between Fifth and Seventh. You can purchase a Christmas tree, ice skate, ride a carousel and more!

The Christmas Patch is open from 10am-10pm.

For more information call: (559) 593-8193

Hmong New Year 2012! Don't miss this unique cultural event!

The Hmong New Year celebration takes place on December 26, 2011 through January 1, 2012. Located at the Fresno Fair Grounds 1121 S. Chance Ave. Fresno CA 93703 events include Miss Hmong International Pagent. Hmong New Year includes over 30 food vendors, arts and crafts, 2 stages for entertainment and the latest in fashion, music, and film for Hmong culture. Come play the pov pob game (ball tossing game). The traditional clothing alone is fantastic. 
Attend from 8am-until 4pm or later daily. Let me assure you, you won't be disappointed. 
This event is completely unique to Fresno over 100,000 will attend.
We have the largest Hmong population in the USA.

Tickets cost $4 for six and over.
Five and under are free.
Seniors 65+ are free.
Veterans with ID are free.

 For more information click HERE or call:
Chong Za Her  (559) 487-1012
Charlie Vang   (559) 803-1026
Pao Fang        (559) 312-3024

Visit with Santa in Prather December 16th

This Friday December 16, 2011, you can visit with Santa in Prather  at the decorated Christmas tree on the north end of the CVS parking lot. Christmas caroling will take place and join in the fun with hot chocolate and cookies. Begins at 5 pm until 7 pm. Don't forget to pick up a Charlie Brown Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts! Dinner at the Pizza Factory alone would make the trip for flatlanders well worthwhile.

Thanks Pat.

10 Frugal Ideas for Surviving Gift Giving

1. One Gift from Mom, One Gift from Dad, One Gift from Santa.
2. Have siblings design and create homemade gifts for each other. Necklaces, decorate gloves...
3. Bake: take orders of everyone's favorite dessert or cookie and make them.
4. Price Limits for Spouses- It's the thought that counts. Consider activities you enjoy together as gifts instead of material things. Memories last longer.
5. Consumable Gifts- especially great for young children that have too many toys already- drawing paper, activity books, crayons, pencils, pens, bubbles, paint, etc. (most of which can be found at the Dollar Tree/99 Cent Store or in $1 aisles)
6. Buy Year Around- January will have some killer "after holiday" clearance- think PJs
7. $10 White Elephant- our family favorite. USB flash drives, ReWritable CDs, Flashlights always popular.
8. Collectible Gifts- does your child collect The Littlest Pet Shop, or does your husband collect comics?
9. Amazon.com
10. Follow a coupon blog or join a facebook group dedicated to saving money and sharing deals! Fresno Couponing or Fresno Frugal Finds.

Christmas Lights on Huntington Boulevard

Candlelight Christmas in Fresno
Until December 25th, take a walk down Huntington Blvd in Fresno between First and Cedar and see America's tallest living lighted Christmas tree. Santa will also be visiting nightly on Fifth street from 6pm to 9:30pm with a life sized animated reindeer!

Call 255-8622 for more information.

This a chance to walk if you can't make it to the last walking night on Christmas Tree Lane!
(December 13, 2011)

Holiday Lane (Cindy Lane) in Clovis

Located at Peach and Alluvial, Clovis is gaining a reputation for its Holiday Lane. Less crowded than Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno, Holiday Lane has room for walkers every night. They also have a local radio station you can tune into for holiday music, but make sure you pay attention when you drive in on Peach because I forgot the number by the time I wanted to listen to it.
I drove this year and the wait was tolerable, and there is no specific route, so that "frees" up your options for how long you want to stay. Next year I will walk with the kids for sure.

Fresno City Choral Ensemble Winter Concert in the restored Old Administration Building December 9th

Fresno City College's Choral Ensemble is going to "Sing in the Holidays" this Friday December 9, 2011. Come support them as they sing in the newly restored administration building. 
The concert begins at 7:30 and goes until 9pm.
Tickets are $8 for Adults and $6 for Seniors, Students, and Staff. you can purchase tickets online HERE or call (559) 442-8221. RSVP via Facebook HERE.

"Season of Lights" at the Downing Planetarium December 17, 2011

The Season of Lights will be held at 2pm and again 3pm on December 17th the Downing Planetarium will be focusing on winter traditions held by different cultures, including ideas about the Star of Bethlehem.
Admission: Students with ID and children $2.50, Seniors $4, Adults $5. Free parking in lots O and P.
The Downing Planetarium is located at:
5320 N. Maple
Call 278-4121 for more information.

This information came from the Central California Parent Magazine.