From my cell phone: culver's on 28th st is also offering a free 1 scoop sundae or short concrete mixer to all mothers who bring their child(ren) in on sunday.

Coupons to Use This Weekend

Here's some coupons that might come in handy...

Free Slice of pie for moms on Sunday
Free gift at Avenue May 8th - 10th
Free rootbeer float at A&W with any purchase

Fun, Cheap & Free Events for the Weekend

If you're not into the library or concerts than maybe one of these events will peak your interest. I will not be posting at all this weekend since I will be out of town. So please enjoy one of these fine events on my behalf.



Beer Garden Birthday Party - Meanwhile Bar
-Saturday, May 9th / 6pm-2am
-$3 pints of Oberon & $3 glasses of champagne all night
-FREE vegan wings and root chips courtesy of Brickroad Pizza
-1005 Wealthy st. se (233-1679)


Meanwhile Group Bike Ride - Meanwhile Bar
-Sunday, May 10th / 4:30-7:30pm
-Free


High Fidelity movie & costume contest - Wealthy Theatre
-Friday, May 8th / 8pm
-Tickets are $4.50 advance or more at the door


International Folk Dancing - Wealthy Theatre
-Friday May 8th / 7pm
-Free entertainment
-1130 Wealthy SE (459-4788)


Fulton St. Farmers Market
-Fridays & Saturdays 8am-4pm
-Free and Fun


Zumba
-McFadden's
-Friday, May 8th / 5:30pm
-$5 cover
-58 Ionia Ave. sw


Earth First Road Show - DAAC & Wilcox Park
-Friday, May 8th @ 7pm - The DAAC 115 S. Divison
-Saturday, May 9th @ 10:00am - Wilcox Park
-Vegan Potluck at Noon
-REALLY REALLY FREE MARKET from 1:00 to 5:00



World Fair Trade Day at Global Gifts
-Saturday, May 9th / 10am-5pm
-Free samples of fair trade goods
-2055 28th st se (245-2225)



Eastown Picnic in the Park - Wilcox Park
-Saturday, May 9th / 11am-5pm
-Robinson rd. & Norwood Ave.

-Live music and kids activities



Family Workshops - UICA
-Saturday, May 9th / 12-3pm
-41 Sheldon blvd. se (454-7000)
-$7 per family



Build & Grow Clinic - Lowe's
-Kid's workshop - they'll be building a planter
-Saturday, May 9th / 10-11am
-Free



Michael's Mother's Day Arts & Crafts
-Saturday, May 9th / 1-4pm / Bead event -there will probably be a cost for the supplies
-Sunday, May10th / 1-4pm / Decorate a cookie for mom - this will be free



Apple valley neighborhood sales - 3 mile & Leffingwell area
-20 homes participating
-Friday and Saturday / 8-3pm


Spring Jubilee - Breton Village
-Tons of fun activities for kids and adults
-FREE!
-Saturday, May 9th / 11am-3pm

Library Events for the Weekend

Even though I'll be out of town this weekend I'm not leaving you high and dry. Here's a list of events you can check out at area libraries...

East Grand Rapids KDL - 746 Lakeside Dr. SE (647-3880)
-Fancy Nancy Mother Daughter Party
-Bring your favorite stuffed animal and dress fancy
-Saturday, May 9th / 10am
-Free + snacks and activities

Caledonial KDL - 240 Emmons St. (647-3840)
-Gyo-Ta-Ku Fish Prints - arts workshop
-School age children
-Free but they say there is a waiting list for this one

Plainfield KDL - 2650 5 Mile Rd. NE (647-3930)
-Fancy Nancy Mother Daughter Party
-Bring your favorite stuffed animal and dress fancy
-Saturday, May 8th / 10am
-Free + snacks and activities

Walker KDL - 4293 Remembrance Rd. NW
-E-mail for Seniors
-Saturday, May 9th / 10:30am
-Free class on how to use e-mail

Making Comics: Understanding Graphic Literature
>West Side Branch
713 Bridge NW - 616.988.5414
Friday, May 8 / 4-5pm
>Yankee Clipper Branch
2025 Leonard NE - 616.988.5415
Saturday, May 9th / 4-5pm
>West Leonard Branch
1170 Leonard NW - 616.988.5416
Saturday, May 9 / 11-12pm
-All FREE!
-For kids 12-18

Yankee Clipper Branch - 2025 Leonard NE - 616.988.5415
-Comic book talk with author/illustrator Ryan Hipp
-Saturday, May 9
-Free
-Parents and families welcome

Music for the Weekend

Since I will be gone all weekend I thought I'd blog for the whole time and just break it up into categories...if I can. So this post is all about music around town this weekend.

Rocky's Bar & Grill - 633 Ottawa nw (356-2346)
-"The Moonrays" : Instrumental Surf Rock
-Friday, May 8th / 7:30-9pm
-All ages
-No cover

Schuler's 28th st. - 2660 28th st. se (942-2561)
-Mid-Life Crisis
-Friday, May 8th / 7:30pm
-All ages
-FREE

The Landing Lounge - 270 Ann st. nw (363-9001) *Radisson hotel*
-Dun Deal
-Friday and Saturday, May 8th & 9th / 8:30-1am
-No cover

Amway Grand Plaza - Who doesn't know where this is???
-Mid-Life Crisis
-Pre-race concert for 5/3 riverbank run
-Saturday, May 9th / 6:30-7:30am
-FREE

Friday Nights at the GRAM - 101 Monroe center (831-1000)
-Mark Kahny Trio
-Friday, May 8th / 5:15-7pm
-$5 which include music, art forums, exhibits and oh yeah, fun

Save A Lot Doubling Coupons!

I had a blast today shopping at Save A Lot on Alpine. They are accepting manufacturer's coupons and doubling them. Here's some deals I got:

1. Bounty Basic paper towels $.99cents
-$1 off 2 doubled = $2 off 2 makes them both FREE
2. McCormick's Grill mates $.79
-$1 off or $.75 off = FREE without even needing doubled
3. Multigrain Cheerios $2.50
-$1 off doubled = $.50 for a box (this coupon was from a free booklet I got)
4. Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner $1.99
-$.75 off doubled = $.49 per bottle
5. Hershey's Dark Chocolate Sugar Free bag of candy $1.79
-$1 off doubled = FREE
6. El Monterey Taquitos $2.99
-$1 off doubled = $.99 a box

I came home and went through more of my coupons trying to remember other items I saw at the store that I knew I had coupons for. So hopefully I'll be going back tomorrow. So if you have the chance I'd head over there with your stash of coupons and see what kind of deals you can find.

I do not believe that all Save A Lots are doubling. What I would suggest is taking all your coupons with you to your local store and see if they are. The safest way is to call and ask for a manager and see if they are. Sometimes the cashiers don't even know if they are. So definitely ask for a manager.

Block Sale at Lake Bella Vista Neighborhood

Here's another biggie for you guys to hit a bunch of sales all at once. It's happening May 8th from 9-5pm. This is in the Rockford area so it's a little north of the GR area. You need to head towards Myers Lake Rd just south of 9 mile. Then turn to go west onto Cannon Farms Drive. You can check out a craigslist ad for one of the sales here.

Schuler's Free Concert

Mid-life Crisis will be playing at Schuler Bookstore on 28th st. Friday, May 8th. This is a FREE concert and is a great way to kick off the weekend.

2660 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616 942 2561

FREE e-book for Moms

The Mother's Guide to Self - Renewal is available for download here at no cost to you. This is written by life balance expert Renee Trudeau. It is only available to download between May 8th-10th but you can sign up now to have the link sent to you on one of those days.

Michael's Mother's Day Craft

Friday is going to be Frame Day at Michael's for their Mother's Day craft. You can purchase one of their $1 wooden frames and then use their supplies to decorate it. This would be great to add a picture of the kids with mom inside it once it's done. This class will be from 6-8pm. Mom is going to have a great big stash of gifts this Mother's Day!

2 More FREE Magazines

Here's a couple more to add to the growing list of FREE subscriptions...

Town & Country
SLAM

ONE at the EGR Library

Here's a blurb from their website...It only takes ONE to make a difference. Come to the library and enjoy international food, participate in earth friendly projects, get healthy and continue becoming the best ONE that you can possibly be. We want you here! For grades 5-12.

This event is FREE and open to the public.
May 7th 3:30pm (sorry, I forgot this earlier)
746 Lakeside Dr. SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Map to branch
(616) 647-3880

Michael's Mother's Day Craft

Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without a card. Michael's arts & crafts store is there to help your little ones create the perfect card. May 7th from 6-7pm bring them to any Michael's store and they'll get the chance to make the card for FREE! I don't believe registration or supplies are necessary. Hopefully you've been going every day this week to have a masterful collection of crafts for Sunday. There's still more to come so check back every day to see what else Michael's will be crafting!

Spring Film Festival

The Wyoming branch of KDL is offering a Spring Film Festival on Thursdays and you can catch the movie 9 to 5 with Dolly Parton on May 7th at 1pm.

3350 Michael Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 647-3980

Caffeine Cinema For Teens

Enjoy a cup of coffee or soda after school and watch a weekly movie with other teens at the Wyoming KDL. All movies rated PG-13. For ages 13 and up. It looks like this week they will be showing Freedom Writers.

3350 Michael Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
(616) 647-3980

Mayor's Bike Ride

Tonight is the Mayor's Bike Ride at the John Ball Park. Mayor George Heartwell will lead the way on a .8 mile family ride at 6pm and then a 4.8 mile road ride at 6:30pm. You'll be able to check out exhibitor tables from 6-8pm that will offer information on bicycle safety, safe bicycle commuting and area bicycle activities. In order to participate in this ride you must wear a properly fitted helmet and be in reasonable physical condition.

John Ball Park
300 W. Fulton St.
456-3168

Michael's Mother's Day Craft

And the fun continues! On May 6th you can bring the little ones over to Michael's for their week long Mother's Day craft time. From 6-7pm kids will get the chance to make a personalized coupon book. I do not see anywhere on the ad about registration or purchasing supplies. But if I'm wrong please let me know.

FREE Magazines

Here's another list of Magazine subscriptions you can get totally FREE!

Macworld - 6 issues
Foreign Policy - 1 yr.
Working Mother - 1 yr.
Kiwi - 1 yr.
Forbes - 1 yr.
Golf Digest - 1 yr.

Freepeats Comes to Grand Rapids!

Freepeats.org is an online site that you can join to get and give baby/kid items for FREE. You can also get some FREE coupons from this site. I have yet to explore it fully but I wanted to mention it now because if you register before May 15th you can have a lifetime membership for FREE. Usually it costs $4.95 to join. So scamper on over and check it out. This is like a freecycle and FREE Craigslist just for the little ones.

Comic Book Workshop

This will be held at the Ottawa Hills branch of GRPL and here's what they have to say about it..."In celebration of National Comic Book Week, author/illustrator Ryan Hipp will provide a fun-filled, hands-on comics workshop, showing kids how to put words and pictures together to tell their stories. He will share valuable tips and secret tricks on how to make comics. For teens 12-18."

May 6th
6-7pm
Ottawa Hills Branch
1150 Giddings SE
616.988.5412

Just For Car Enthusiasts

Culver's seems to be doing a lot of unique things lately and they're at it again. Starting May 6th and continuing until Labor day they will be having a Car Cruise. Lots of old cars that look brand new and are quite cool. This will happen every Wednesday from 5-9pm. And to give you another special reason to go there they are offering 1 scoop cones for just $1! Not bad if you're on a budget. To find the Culver's nearest you go here.

FREE Fruitea at Arby's

If you haven't got a chance to try one of these drinks than tomorrow is the perfect time. On May 6th you can head into Arby's and tell them "I'm parched. Fruitea me please." and they will give you a FREE one! Arby's is starting a special Wednesday FREEBIE promotion that will go through August. I'll be posting every week about what you can get so be on the lookout.

Remembering the Depression

With our President calling this economic time the worst since the Great Depression maybe it would be wise to revisit that part of history. There can be a lot to learn from people of that day. The Rockford branch of KDL is hosting an event called Remembering the Depression on May 6th at 11am. Here's their description of this event, "The 1930s was a time of devastating unemployment, Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and the Golden Age of Radio. Share your memories or learn from others as we discuss life during the Depression." Registration is required and this is for adults only.

140 E. Bridge St.

Rockford, MI 49341

(616) 647-3940

The uica is hosting wgvu's independent cinema series at 7pm on tuesday. They will be showing "ask not", a documentary about gays in the military. No cost!

Michael's Mother's Day Crafts

Michael's Arts & Crafts store is having kids craft time every day this week to celebrate Mother's Day. For Tuesday, May 5th they will be making a paper flowers boquet from 6-7pm. I don't see anywhere where it says you need to register or pay for supplies so I think this will be just a fun FREE time and will also give the kids a cute Mother's day gift.

FREE Redbox Rental

Here's the code for today - bt73h9

FREE Taylor Swift Download

Act now to get your FREE download of Taylor Swift's song "You're not sorry". This offer is only good while supplies last.

FREE Sunglasses!

Charlotte Russe is offering a pair of sunglasses for FREE when you bring in your May issue of Seventeen or print off the homepage to the website. This FREEBIE is only happening on May 5th! So don't miss out! Charlotte Russe can be found in the Woodland and Rivertown Mall.

Knitting Night at CP Library

If you'd like to give knitting a try but not sure where to start then head over to the Comstock Park KDL on May 5th from 6:30-8pm. You'll find other people who are into knitting and you'll be able to try it for yourself since they supply the tools to do so. This is a great FREE way to learn something new.


3943 W. River Dr. NE
Comstock Park, MI 49321
(616) 647-3860

Kids Art Workshops at the Library

The Rockford branch of KDL is offering an art workshop for kids on May 5th. Kids can come by at 6:30pm and make a textile collage by layering a variety of fabric shapes and textures on a thick collage board base. This is for kids of all ages and does not need registration or money to do it.

140 E. Bridge St.
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 647-3940

FREE Customized Hallmark Card

I didn't notice the end date on this offer before so I'm catching it on the last day. Hope it works out for you.

Hallmark.com is offering a FREE 5x7 folded card that you can have mailed directly to your mom. Because I'm late on this you should beware of it being late. I'm not sure if they would put the deadline at a time that would make them late but just in case.

Go to Hallmark.com and CREATE a 5x7 folded card and when you head to the checkout use the code CARD4MOM. There is no charge at all, not even for shipping. And you can have it sent directly to your mom. Today is the last day for this to work, though so be speedy and get creative!

Cinco de Mayo Special at Salvation Army

I'm a huge fan of Salvation Army. I usually go to their Saturday Night Madness sale where the colored tag of the week makes those items just $.49 cents. As I was walking in to their sale this past Saturday I noticed that they are having a Cinco de Mayo sale. On May 5th you can stop by any Salvation Army location and purchase any 5 general clothing items for $5. That makes even sweaters and jeans just $1! I like the $.49 cent sale but the nice thing about this one is that you won't have to look for a color tag. All the general clothing will be included. Good luck finding the sweet deal!

FREE Whitecaps Tickets

I seem to be stealing this one from two different sources - A blog I subscribe to, Big Binder and Maranda at Wood TV 8. But here ya go... Starting on May 4th you can turn in a gently used glove to any Fifth Third bank location, the YMCA or at the Fifth Third Ballpark and they will give you two FREE tickets to a White Caps game. This is a sweet deal if you are a garage sale junkie and want cheap tickets or if you're like me and just happen to have a couple lying around the house that don't get used. You can check out either of the links to read more about where your used equipment will be going.

Williams-Sonoma Technique Class

Williams-Sonoma in the Woodland mall is having their normal technique class on Monday night. This week's class is Strata, Frittata and More. Here's their description, "Eggs are not just for breakfast but are a cost-conscious option for brunch, lunch and even dinner. This class will uncover the secret world of eggs as main dishes - from easy frittatas to make-ahead stratas and more."

I would call ahead to let them know you're coming...956-2297

Mother's Day Craft Events All Week!

Bring your kids to your nearest Michael's craft store every day this week to make a new craft that they can take home for Mother's Day. I'll be blogging each day about the next event so be on the lookout. Monday, May 4th will be a corsage that will last a lifetime. The event starts at 6pm and goes for an hour. It doesn't look like their is any registration necessary or any supplies that you need to bring. The ad did not mention either for tomorrow. So enjoy the FREE fun time!

Staples Career Stimulus Program

If you are job hunting and would like to catch a small break then head over to your local Staples store to get 20 FREE copies of your resume and 40 business cards. This offer is good until June 13! It may not be much but every little bit helps!

Aerie FREEBIE for May

This month at the Aerie store in the Rivertown Mall you can get a FREE F.I.T. workout towel and an elastic hair tie. I did this last month and it's super easy. Just head to the store and tell them you want to sign up to be on their A-list. I'd go in when it's a Thursday so you won't have to make extra trips. They'll put you on the list and give you your monthly FREEBIE, as long as it's a Thursday. You won't ever need to purchase anything and you can get something FREE every month!

Another Double Coupon Week!

Kmart is offering another double coupon week through Saturday! It's not as good as the last time, though. You can only use coupons up to $.75 cents. But there still might be some items you can snag for free or cheap. If I see any great deals I'll try and let you know. I snagged so much FREE stuff the last time that I was beginning to wonder if they'd let me back in the store.