Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 7-29

Activities

July 29. 7-9:30 p.m. Keyes Lexus of Valencia has free Jazz and Blues concert series every Friday night thru Aug. 27. This week: Artwork Jamal. Food & Beverages for sale (No outside food or beverages; no pets allowed.) Activities for the kids. Downtown Valencia in the street on Town Center Drive at McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita. www.valenciajazzandblues.com (Thanks, Kristi!)

July 29. 6 p.m. Free weekly jazz concerts at LACMA. This week: Kathleen Grace.BP Grand Entrance. No reservations needed.

July 30. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Latin Sounds in Hancock Park. (Free event every Saturday 5 pm–7 pm, May through September). This week: Edmar Castaneda in Hancock Park north of the museum.

July 31. 4 p.m. Free event at Levitt Pavilion. Kim Eung Hwa Dance Company. Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park, W. 6^th St. and S. Park View St., L.A. www.levittla.org

July 31. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. (Los Angles County Museum of Art). This week: Pianist Roger Wright. These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. If you don’t make it there, you can also listen online for free at: http://www.lacma.org/programs/SundaysLive.aspx#audio

July 31. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. FREE weekly concerts in the park. Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills. This week the group is Bruce in the USA – The World’s #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E St. Band.

August 1. 9 a.m. Get tickets for September free day for Huntington Gardens. Call 800-838-3006 or get tickets online at http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx.

August 2. 1:30-3 p.m. Afternoon science club on Tuesdays at Stough Canyon Nature Center in Burbank. $2/child, ages 8-12. (They let me bring my 5 year old, I just stayed with him). 2300 Walnut Avenue, Burbank. (Mapquest: Use 1500 Walnut Ave., 91501).

August 2. The Regency Valley Plaza 6 in North Hollywood offers movies for $1.50 all day on Tuesdays! $3 any other day. 6355 Bellingham Ave. North Hollywood, CA 91606. (818) 760-8400. Cash only, no outside food or drinks (they actually searched my purse!). http://www.regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=30

August 2. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Free evening at Kidspace Museum. This museum in Pasadena is a lot of fun for children and normally $10 a person, so this is a great deal! (It offers free admission the first Tuesday of the month from 4-8 p.m.) 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, 91103. (626) 449-9144. www.kidspacemuseum.org.

August 2. 28th Annual National Night Out! National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and public officials from over 15,000 communities in all 50 states, and Canadian cities and military bases worldwide participate in Night Out events. This is celebrated all over the valley. Listed below are a few locations:

Mason Park. 7 p.m. (Not sure if the food starts earlier. I would call to find out). Save the date for the next “Movies Under the Stars,” our series of free family-friendly movies screened outdoors in local parks, showing “Yogi Bear” on Tuesday, August 2 at Mason Park in Chatsworth. This movie night will feature public safety booths, free hot dogs and sodas (while supplies last) and lots of activities for kids.Mason Park, 10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth, (1 block north of Devonshire St.) For more information, call (818) 756-8501.

Events in our community will occur from 5 – 9 p.m. at Randal David Simmons Park (West Valley Park) at 6731 Wilbur Ave. in Reseda and 6 – 9 p.m. at Van Nuys Community Police Station at 14410 Sylvan St. (in the Erwin Street Mall) in Van Nuys (free hot dogs and sodas served last year).

August 2. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Summer Family Series at Descanso Gardens. For six Tuesday evenings, enjoy family-friendly music, theater and fairies. Bring a picnic (normally not allowed in the Gardens) and get ready for fun. Concert included with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. No reciprocal gardens admissions. Free parking. This week: The Summer Family Series concludes this week with the Elizabethan Festival, performed by Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum. Expect an evening of interactive theater performance and family fun, including dance.1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. (818) 949-4200.

August 2-3. 10 a.m. $1 summer movies at select Regal Theatres. Selected G or PG movies start at 10 am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity. PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING & SHREK FOREVER AFTER are playing at the Civic Center Stadium 16 in Simi Valley at 2751 Tapo Cyn Road. DESPICABLE ME & RAMONA & BEEZUS are playing at the Canyon Country Stadium 10 at 18800 Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. CLOUDY W/ MEATBALLS & GULLIVERS TRAVEL are playing at the Grand Palace Stadium 6 at 4767 Commons Way in Calabasas. Here’s the link for the full summer schedule: http://www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress/default.aspx

August 2-3. 5 p.m. FREE LEGO^® mini model build at the Glendale Galleria LEGO store, the first Tuesday of each month (and Wednesday as well this month!) One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. (I brought my 5 year old and he was able to complete the build without a problem). 2148 Glendale Galleria, Glendale, 91210. (818) 549-0733. Make sure to get there early (we arrived around 4:30) and bring snacks and things to do while you wait in line.

August 3. 7 p.m. Free children’s evening at Levitt Pavilion. This week: Rhythm Child. 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. www.levittpavilionpasadena.org

August 4. 5:30 p.m. Music on the Main jazz series at Descanso Gardens.This week: Bob Sheppard, renowned reed player with straight-ahead jazz, http://bobsheppard.net/index.php. Bring a picnic (usually not allowed in the Gardens.) Concert included with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. No reciprocal gardens admissions. Free parking. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. (818) 949-4200.

August 4. 6-9 p.m. Thursday night summer concerts at the Autry Museum (across from L.A. Zoo). See top Latin bands in a fun, casual, energetic setting on the Autry plaza. The taco bar opens at 6:00 p.m., and the museum and museum store close at 8:00 p.m. Complimentary dance lessons and a separate dance floor for kids guarantee fun for all! Adults: $10 / Students and Seniors: $6 / Children (3–12): $4 / Children under 3: Free. Purchase membership on-site and enjoy all nine Sizzling Summer Nights for free. This week: Ricardo Lemvo.

Upcoming Events

August 27. 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. Sister Act 2: The Musical. Performance at Hope Chapel of the Valley, 7930 Mason Ave., Winnetka. Tickets are on sale now for $10 (adults) and $5 (children under 12). You can purchase them on line at www.cpacstudio.com. My friend Randi and her daughter are part of the production.

Kristin’s Kickbacks List Week of 11-26

Activities

November 28. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. This week: Ruslan Biryukov (cello) and Pavel Petrov (piano) perform Handel: Passacaglia for solo cello, Cassadó: Spanish Suite, and Barber: Cello Sonata.

November 30. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall. Theme this week is music and dancing.

December 1. 9 a.m. Get tickets for January free day for Huntington Gardens. Call 800-838-3006 or get tickets online at http://www.huntington.org/default.aspx.

December 1. 7 p.m. Free Church Family Christmas at The Church on The Way, East Campus. The children’s choir presents a musical for the whole family.

December 2. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Last Mommy and Me Class at The Church on The Way for this year. For children under 5 years of age. Please bring a snack for your child. Theme this week: Celebrating Christmas. King’s Kid’s Bldg. on the West Campus. 14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. 818-779-8000.

Ongoing Deals

Anyone who is considering a membership to the Los Angeles Zoo can save $10 on the cost of the membership through December 31, 2010. Use promo code: 11010FFW www.lazoo.org

Get a free download of the Veggie Tales Holiday album The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree from Amazon.com. You can either download each song individually, or if you want the whole album at once, you'll have to download the Amazon mp3 software. Either way, it's FREE! There's no indication of how long this offer will be available.

Upcoming Events

December 3-4. Dec. 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2 Day Book Sale at the Mid Valley Library. Amazing used book sale with children’s books generally 25 cents! 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills. 818-895-3650.

December 5. 1:30 p.m. 27th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade. On Chatsworth St., from Petit Park Ave. to Zelzah Ave. Over four thousand youth participants representing 150 entries will be marching down Chatsworth Street Sunday, December 5th. This year's theme "Favorite Holiday Gifts and Presents." The Granada Hills Holiday Parade is the largest holiday youth's celebration in the San Fernando Valley featuring celebrities, marching bands, equestrian units, youth groups, drill teams and decorated floats.

December 5. 5 p.m. 5^th Annual Lighting of the Valley’s Christmas Tree at The Church on the Way Sports field. Free hot chocolate, live nativity, Christmas carols and more!

December 16. 6:30 p.m. Christian Performing Arts Center CHRISTMAS SHOW will be held at Houses of Light in Northridge. 19408 Londelius St., Northridge. $3.00 per person general admission. I went last year and enjoyed the show very much!

Kristin’s Kickbacks List Week of 8-27

August 26-29. Old Navy, Banana Republic, and The Gap Give & Get Sale! Take an extra 30% off your entire purchase with this coupon!! Enjoy 30% off and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society gets 5% of what you spend. Valid in-store only.

August 27. 6 pm. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA, no reservations required. BP Grand Entrance. This week: Mon David.

August 27. 7-9:30 p.m. This is the last week of the Keyes Lexus of Valencia has Jazz and Blues concert series. This week: Michael John & the Bottom Line. Food & Beverages for sale (No outside food or beverages; no pets allowed.) Activities for the kids. Downtown Valencia in the street on Town Center Drive at McBean Parkway in Santa Clarita. www.valenciajazzandblues.com (Thanks, Kristi!)

August 28. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build a school bus! The kids get goggles, an apron and a kit to build an item. They use hammers their size and get a patch afterward for completing the project.

August 28. 9:30-10:05 a.m. or 11-11:45 a.m. FREE Kids Rhythm Club Drum Circle. Drum Provided. No reservations needed. Event every Saturday morning at REMO Recreational Music Center, 7308 Coldwater Canyon, North Hollywood, 91605.
(1/2 block North of Sherman Way). Journey and explore music making through rhythm, song, and fun activities. Recommended ages for kids: 2 to 12, but all ages are welcome.
Parents must stay with children. (Thanks, Diane!)

August 28. 10 a.m. Big!World!Fun! Family Series at the Ford Theatre. This week features LA Opera. No experience with opera is necessary to enjoy Sing Out Loud! Artists from LA Opera offer interactive performances of opera’s greatest hits plus music from the theatre.PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES START @ 9AM – arrive early to make opera glasses with the Autry! 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. One hour-long music, dance and theatre aimed for children ages 4 to 10 and families. Children free, adults $5. Parking $1. Reservations required. To avoid handling fees, call the box office at 323-461-3673. This is outdoors and it’s okay to bring food.

August 28. 7-10 p.m. Last week at Warner Park: Movies on the Green. Movie begins about ½ hour after sunset. This week’s movie is: Star Trek (PG-13). Outdoor family movies are presented on Saturday evenings through August 28th and are projected on a 30’ screen with digital projection and 7.1 surround sound. 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills.

August 28. 6-8 p.m. Last of the free weekly summer concerts at Simi Valley Town Center. This week: August 28th: Grand Final Disco Night and Costume Contest! 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, 93065. (805) 581-1430.

August 28. 5-7 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA, in Hancock Park north of the museum. This week: Oscar Hernandez and the LA/NY Connection. Oscar Hernández is known as one of the most gifted pianist/arrangers on the contemporary Latin scene.

August 29. 6 p.m. FREE weekly concerts at LACMA. These one-hour concerts are presented free to the public on Sundays in the Leo S. Bing Theater. This week: Pianist Maria Demina and violinist Mitchell Newman perform Chopin: Fantasy in F minor, Opus 49, and Respighi: Violin Sonata in B minor.

August 29. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Last of the FREE weekly concerts in the park. Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. This week: The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz.

August 29. 7 p.m. FREE. Levitt Pavilion. Rhythmic Circus Presents: Feet Don't Fail Me Now--An innovative jazz production that features urban tap dance. 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena.

August 31. 10:30-11:30 a.m. FREE. Toddler story time at Borders at the Northridge Mall. Theme this week is getting ready for school.

August 31. 6 p.m. FREE. Kids’ Club at The Commons at Calabasas. Stoil Stoilov mixes magic and comedy. 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas.

September 1. 9 a.m. Get tickets for Huntington Gardens free day in October. Call 800-838-3006 or go online at www.huntington.org.

September 2. 10:30 a.m. The Oaks in Thousand Oaks. Enjoy music for children from award-winning Tia Cohen. 350 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks.

Movies

$4 Movie Ticket on Fandango.com (up to $12 value)
http://www.groupon.com/deals/fandango-email?/r/uu1117423
Highlights
· Convenient online redemption
· More than 16,000 screens nationwide
· Everyone likes movies
The Fine Print
· Expires Feb 28, 2011
· Limit 1 per person. Must register Fandango account. Valid for 1 ticket worth up to $12. Not valid for IMAX or 3D movies. Not for resale. No cash back.
· See the rules that apply to all deals.

Toy Story 3 is now playing at the discount theatres in Pasadena and Simi Valley if you haven’t seen it or want to see it again.

Simi Valley 10 Cinemas
http://www.simivalley10.com/
Matinee: $3.00 Evening: $3.75
Box Office: (805)526-4329
1457 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley CA, 93065

Academy Cinemas - Pasadena
1003 E. Colorado Blvd
At Colorado & Catalina
Pasadena, CA. 91106
626-229-9400
http://www.regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=8
Matinee Admission $2.00 Films starting at and before 6pm
Evening Admission $3.00 Films starting after 6pm
Wednesday Night Special! Movies starting at 6 PM and later are a great deal for you and a buddy! You and a companion get 2 admissions, 2 popcorns and 2 sodas for only $10!

Back-to-School Deals

There are a lot of back to school sales for school supplies right now. Check out this link Janet sent me for a great chart of sales at various stores. http://www.saveathomemommy.com/2010/08/school-supply-deals-822-28/

Photo Deals

Free 8x8 Photo Book from Shutterfly.com
Get a free 8x8 photo book with hard cover (offer valid for one-time redemption per member). Just choose some of your favorite summer pictures and make your photo book.
· Get a free photo book using code 8PBA91
· Offer ends September 1, 2010
· You'll love it. We promise. If not, we offer 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
· New photo book layouts help tell your story
· Printed on the highest quality paper.
· Free shipping on orders of $30 or more using code SHIP30
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books?PH=1&cid=FOC_082610

Picaboo is offering a FREE classic photo book during August. Just design your own photo book at Picaboo. Get it FREE with code FREEBK until 8/31. To design your book you will need to download Picaboo’s free software Make sure to design a large Classic, Classic Leather, or Classic Custom book by August 31. The total cost of your book (up to 20 pages) will be deducted from your order total. This is a $39 value and you just pay the shipping of $8.99. This offer is available to new Picaboo members only. The website is www.picaboo.com

Here’s another photo deal. Through 9/1, you can order 3 Free 5×7 Folded Photo Cards from Shutterfly (just pay shipping, just over $1). www.shutterfly.com I took advantage of this deal earlier in the year and made great Father’s Day cards for my hubby and dad. At checkout, enter code: SUMMERCARDS. Here’s how to order the cards:
· Create or Login to your account.
· Click on ‘Cards & Stationery’, then ‘5×7 Folded Greeting Cards’, then select other card style and upload photos
· Order
· Select ‘Send them Back to Me’ to avoid postage costs
· Change Quantity to total 3 cards, then ‘Add to Cart’
· {or you can order 1 each of 3 different styles!}
· When you’re in your shopping cart, click on the blue words at the top “Enter promo code”
· Enter & apply code: SUMMERCARDS

Frugal Girls list other photo deals out right now. Here’s the link: http://thefrugalgirls.com/hot-photo-deals

Restaurant Deals

Maggiano’s Little Italy now has a new option on their menu. For $12.95, you get a pasta dish to eat and another one to take home. Add a dessert for just $2 with the coupon available at the following address through 9/3/2010.
http://maggianos.fbmta.com/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=36507231545&storecode=165 You can also sign up online to receive $10 off your next meal, and discounts on your birthday, anniversary, and occasionally throughout the year. http://www.maggianos.com/

Here’s a deal at Wendy’s. Each store got 1,000 keychain cards to sell for a $1 each. Purchase the keychain and get a Junior Frosty (the small kids size) for free. On each returning visit to Wendy's present the card and you'll get a free Junior Frosty (when you purchase something). You can use it as many times as you would like through December. Limit one free Frosty per transaction.

Every day in August, from 4-10 p.m., kids eat free at IHOP. Buy an adult entrée, get a kids’ meal free.

Ongoing Deals

My friend Randi recommends the Carousel at the Santa Monica Pier. It’s $2 for adults, $1 for kids (I think) and is open everyday except Tuesdays. (310) 394-8042. Make a day of it and check out the Annenberg Community Beach House. It’s Santa Monica’s only public beach house, offering a pool and beach access. It’s normally $7 but go this Monday, August 30, and it’s only $1 per person! Passes go on sale at 9:30 a.m., pool entry is at 10 a.m. All members of your group must be present to buy tickets. Hours vary; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Mondays. NOTE: The pool is 4' to 8' deep. Due to the depth of this pool, children under 8 years old and 4' tall must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times. Children under 12 years must be accompanied and supervised by an adult in the pool area. Children requiring use of a diaper must wear a swim diaper in the pool. It looks like a beautiful place!

Upcoming Events

L.A. County Fair is coming Sept 4 - Oct 3, 2010. There are all kinds of deals, including the following during the opening weekend.

Opening Weekend $1 Specials – Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Sept. 4 – Monday, Sept. 6
Admission –$1, 10 a.m. – 1. p.m., regular admission rates apply after 1 p.m. Ages 5 and younger free every day. PARKING is $10 for general and $15 for preferred. Open on Labor Day, closed Mondays and Tuesdays for the rest of the fair dates.
Do you have any children in kindergarten up through 8th grade? The Read to Ride Program is a special reward program for kids who read books over their summer vacations. Kids will receive 3 free carnival ride vouchers for every 2 books they read and write a book report for. Check out all the details at this link: http://www.lacountyfair.com/2010/entertainment/documents/21ReadtoRide10.pdf

September 6. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boddy's Big Backyard Festival at Descanso Gardens. Inspired by the legendary parties that E. Manchester Boddy hosted in the '30s and '40s, Descanso celebrates Labor Day with music, food and flora. Enjoy a morning walk through the California Natives Garden at 10 a.m., then gather the kids for a special reading of "Teddy Bears' Picnic" at 12:30 p.m. Kick out the jams with the Mobile Homeboys from 1 to 3p.m., and either bring a picnic or purchase a BBQ lunch from Patina's gourmet chuck wagon from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All activities are free with admission. General $ 8. Senior/Students $ 6. Children (5 to 12 years) $3. Members and children under 5 free.

September 6. 12-8 p.m. Free admission all day to LACMA.

September 11 and 12. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7th Annual Thousand Oaks Arts Festival will take place at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and The Lakes. FREE admission and parking.

September 20 - 26th. SpaFinder Deal Days. Book early for SpaFinder Deal Days. SpaFinder Deal Days lets you enjoy spa, wellness or beauty services for just $50 prices or 50% off at spas, yoga and Pilates studios, fitness centers and more across the U.S. http://www.spafinder.com/dealdays?

September 25th is museum day! You can request a ticket for free admission for two people by going to this link. http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010