January 2010 Archives
Starting tomorrow, Jan. 30, the Great Skate Ice Rink in Irvine kicks off with the return of free admittance to Snow Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.For Snow Day, the park will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The park will have snow play, free ice skating, children's crafts, an ice skating show and other entertainment. There will be free ice skate and sled rentals. There is an $8 fee for parking.
After that, for an entire month until Sunday, Feb. 28, there will be free admission, skate rentals and parking. The ice rink will be open from Friday through Sunday.
Click here for directions.
(Photo by Gina Smith)
Hate doing your taxes or paying for it? The free IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program might be relief to your pain.Anyone who makes a low- to moderate-income, around $49,000 and below, may be eligible for the free program in which certified volunteers prepare your taxes.
Participating locations for the VITA program are usually at schools, libraries and the likes.
To get it done, bring the following:
- Proof of identification
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Current year's tax package if you received one
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year's federal and state returns if available
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
- Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
To find your nearest VITA program location, call 800-829-1040.
(Photo by Chad McDermott)
Center of Grinberg Method Practitioners in Los Angeles is offering a free day of health and wellness from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31.
Complimentary sessions include 20-minute Grinberg Method bodywork sessions, nutrition consultations -- as well as pilates, yoga, belly dancing and Grinsberg method movement classes.
Here is a schedule of classes.
The wellness day is at 3191 Casitas Ave., Suite 107 in Los Angeles. For information, call 323-823-5460.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and get a free piece of chocolate from Godiva every month.Sign up with Godiva's Rewards Club and you can redeem your monthly dose of free chocolate in-stores. Just show them your Rewards Club Card (you'll receive it in the mail) or give them your sign-up information.
As a club member, you'll also get a free gift each month when you spend over $10 and free standard shipping for one online order.
(Photo from Godiva.com)
Become a Facebook fan of Einstein Bros Bagels and you'll receive a coupon for a free bagel and shmear.
The coupon is valid it participating Einstein Bros Bagels locations.
The nearest Einstein Bros in the San Gabriel Valley is at 2400 West Commonwealth Ave. in Alhambra. For information, call the store at626-293-7100 .
Visit the site to find a location near you.
The coupon is valid it participating Einstein Bros Bagels locations.
The nearest Einstein Bros in the San Gabriel Valley is at 2400 West Commonwealth Ave. in Alhambra. For information, call the store at
Visit the site to find a location near you.
Bask in your love for music. The coveted indie record store Amoeba Music offers over 160 tracks on its Web site for free.
It's offers music from live in-store performances, bonus and unreleased materials, and more -- ranging in goodies from the likes of Old 97s to Asobi Seksu to DOOM.
The nearest Amoeba is at 6400 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.
It's offers music from live in-store performances, bonus and unreleased materials, and more -- ranging in goodies from the likes of Old 97s to Asobi Seksu to DOOM.
The nearest Amoeba is at 6400 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.
Los Angeles Flight Center is hosting its open house at El Monte Airport from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23.
There will be tacos, music, airplanes and two free raffles in which the winners will get to ride an airplane for a demo flight. The event is free.
Los Angeles Flight Center is at 4015 Santa Anita Ave. in El Monte. For information, call 626-579-5232.
There will be tacos, music, airplanes and two free raffles in which the winners will get to ride an airplane for a demo flight. The event is free.
Los Angeles Flight Center is at 4015 Santa Anita Ave. in El Monte. For information, call 626-579-5232.
Pacific Asia Museum is free and open to the public Friday, Jan. 22 and every other fourth Friday monthly.
Current exhibitions include "Sketches of China: Works on Paper" by Hyunsook Cho at the Gallery of Contemporary Art until Feb. 17 and "Fashion Domesticity, Weaving Desire: Visions of the Filipina" at In the Focus Gallery until Feb. 8.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. It is at 46 N. Los Robles Ave. in Pasadena.
For information, call 626-449-2742 or visit the site.
Current exhibitions include "Sketches of China: Works on Paper" by Hyunsook Cho at the Gallery of Contemporary Art until Feb. 17 and "Fashion Domesticity, Weaving Desire: Visions of the Filipina" at In the Focus Gallery until Feb. 8.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. It is at 46 N. Los Robles Ave. in Pasadena.
For information, call 626-449-2742 or visit the site.
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) is presenting a free "Travel Night" at 7 p.m. on tomorrow, Jan. 20 at the Los Angeles Zoo.
The event will feature a preview and GLAZA-sponsored vacations to Botswana/South Africa and Peru, which will be accompanied by professional guides as well as a L.A. Zoo expert or GLAZA host. The trips will focus on the exploration of each area's exceptional wildlife, plant life and ecosystems.
"Travel Night" will have detailed presentations about the trips, a Q&A session and refreshments.
GLAZA is a private, non-profit organization that supports the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The event will feature a preview and GLAZA-sponsored vacations to Botswana/South Africa and Peru, which will be accompanied by professional guides as well as a L.A. Zoo expert or GLAZA host. The trips will focus on the exploration of each area's exceptional wildlife, plant life and ecosystems.
"Travel Night" will have detailed presentations about the trips, a Q&A session and refreshments.
GLAZA is a private, non-profit organization that supports the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Every third Tuesday of the month, the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden in Arcadia offers free admission.
Tomorrow, Jan. 19, the Arboretum will be free to anyone who goes.
Normally, admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 and members are usually free.
The main grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Arboretum is at 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia. For more information, call 626-821-3222.
Tomorrow, Jan. 19, the Arboretum will be free to anyone who goes.
Normally, admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 and members are usually free.
The main grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Arboretum is at 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia. For more information, call 626-821-3222.
Ever touch a shark? Get a chance to free. Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is inviting the public for free to its Shark Lagoon Nights.
Shark Lagoon Nights, held most Friday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., begins today, Jan. 15. It ends Friday, May 7.
The Aquarium's lagoon will be open where you can pet bamboo sharks at its touch pools. The rest of the aquarium will be closed.
The Aquarium is at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach. Visit the site for directions. For more information, call 562-590-3100.
Shark Lagoon Nights, held most Friday nights from 6 to 9 p.m., begins today, Jan. 15. It ends Friday, May 7.
The Aquarium's lagoon will be open where you can pet bamboo sharks at its touch pools. The rest of the aquarium will be closed.
The Aquarium is at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach. Visit the site for directions. For more information, call 562-590-3100.
Enjoy a free Heritage Drink at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf from 4 to 7 p.m. on today, Jan. 14.
Stop by to get a free 12 oz. Cafe Mocha, Sunrise Ice Blended or Berry'd Treasure Ice Blended drink. There are no substitutions and one per person.
Participating locations are only for California, Arizona and Texas. It excludes San Francisco, Nevada, Hawaii, Ralphs, military bases, campuses and airport locations.
Stop by to get a free 12 oz. Cafe Mocha, Sunrise Ice Blended or Berry'd Treasure Ice Blended drink. There are no substitutions and one per person.
Participating locations are only for California, Arizona and Texas. It excludes San Francisco, Nevada, Hawaii, Ralphs, military bases, campuses and airport locations.
Celebrate National Pastrami Day with Togo's. The sandwich company is offering a free mini classic pastrami sandwich from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14.Get your sandwich while you can. Each location will only give out one to the first 100 customers.
A mini classic pastrami sandwich goes at $2.50 each.
Find a location nearest you.
(Image courtesy of Togo's)
Inland Empire Boot Camp is giving you the chance to attend its boot camp free for the entire month of your birthday.
If you haven't attended one of its boot camps before, you can sign up on the Web site this month to participate. Or, call Molli at 909-556-9325.
If you haven't attended one of its boot camps before, you can sign up on the Web site this month to participate. Or, call Molli at 909-556-9325.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play the guitar? Amazon.com is offering "Beginning Guitar 101" online for free.Season 1 offers lessons on first chords by Rob Schumann and season 2 offers lessons on strumming by Steve Rieck.
Check out the other free videos Amazon.com offers here.
(Photo courtesy of PhotoXpress)
To finish up the American Cinametheque's Medieval Film Festival, the Egyptian Theatre's Courtyard will be transformed into an Elizabethan village from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9.The event, hosted by Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, will feature food, merchants, performers and craft demonstrations. Entrance is free.
Egyptian Theatre is at 6712 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Call Renaissance Pleasure Faire at 626-969-4750 for info.
(Photo courtesy of Renaissance Pleasure Faire)
KLM, Royal Dutch Airlines is offering two free personalized luggage tags.
All you have to do is go to the site, fill out your information and you'll receive two tags within three weeks.
You can upload your own photo or choose from pre-selected images. The limit is two tags per person.
Once you give your info, you'll also be signed up for KLM's e-newsletter and you've got to refer at least one friend.
All you have to do is go to the site, fill out your information and you'll receive two tags within three weeks.
You can upload your own photo or choose from pre-selected images. The limit is two tags per person.
Once you give your info, you'll also be signed up for KLM's e-newsletter and you've got to refer at least one friend.
McDonald's has joined big names like Barnes & Nobles and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to offer free Wi-Fi at available locations starting mid-January.Find other locations in California (and elsewhere) with free Wi-Fi at www.wififreespot.com.
(Image courtesy of McDonald's)
Southern California Red Cross is hosting its annual friendly competition blood drive, Battle of the Badges, until Feb. 20.
When you give blood, you'll receive a Battle of the Badges t-shirt, a coupon for a free appetizer from Mimis Cafe and a voucher for two tickets to a Los Angeles Clippers game. For the tickets, there is a $5 processing fee per ticket.
Find a designated Battle of the Badges location near you and schedule an appointment at the Red Cross Donor Center, via the Web site givelife.org or call 800-GIVE-LIFE.
When you give blood, you'll receive a Battle of the Badges t-shirt, a coupon for a free appetizer from Mimis Cafe and a voucher for two tickets to a Los Angeles Clippers game. For the tickets, there is a $5 processing fee per ticket.
Find a designated Battle of the Badges location near you and schedule an appointment at the Red Cross Donor Center, via the Web site givelife.org or call 800-GIVE-LIFE.
Visit the Huntington Library in San Marino for free. Every first Thursday of every month, the Huntington offers free admission to non-member visitors if you reserve tickets.
Check the Web site for when the next Free Day at the Huntington is available for reservation. And since these tickets go out very quickly, the first day is the best day to reserve.
Tickets can be requested at the ticketing agency at 800-838-3006 or reserved online for two arrival times: morning at 10:30 a.m. or afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Check the Web site for when the next Free Day at the Huntington is available for reservation. And since these tickets go out very quickly, the first day is the best day to reserve.
Tickets can be requested at the ticketing agency at 800-838-3006 or reserved online for two arrival times: morning at 10:30 a.m. or afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Celebrate the (Japanese) new year in Little Tokyo at the 2010 Japanese New Year Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Jan. 1.
Japanese New Year, also known as Oshogatsu, festivities will take place at two locations - Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza.
Weller Court, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will host Koto and Taiko drum performances, a calligraphy demonstration on Japanese kites. It will also have a Japanese swordmanship show, folk singing and dancing, and more.
At Japanese Village Plaza, from noon to 4 p.m., there will be Taiko drumming, Japanese folk singing and dancing, and more.
There will also be food and gift booths, Mochitsuki, origami demos, kite making and Mochi giveaways (yum!).
Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and yours.
Japanese New Year, also known as Oshogatsu, festivities will take place at two locations - Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza.
Weller Court, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will host Koto and Taiko drum performances, a calligraphy demonstration on Japanese kites. It will also have a Japanese swordmanship show, folk singing and dancing, and more.
At Japanese Village Plaza, from noon to 4 p.m., there will be Taiko drumming, Japanese folk singing and dancing, and more.
There will also be food and gift booths, Mochitsuki, origami demos, kite making and Mochi giveaways (yum!).
Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and yours.
