Honoring Veterans and Military Personnel on Veteran's Day

Thank you to all our veterans and active service miilitary personnel for your service and dedication.

Photo copyright: Deborah Abrams Kaplan 2009

Free Airport Wifi through mid-January

I hate going to the airport with my computer and having to pay for wi-fi. Google and Virgin America to the rescue!

From now until January 15, 2010, they are sponsoring free wi-fi at 47 airports and on Virgin flights. San Jose is participating. San Francisco is not.

To find out the other participating free wi-fi airports (because you're going to have to return from another aiport), click here.

Free Meals & Deals for Veterans and Service Personnel

Several restaurants and stores are offering free meals and deals for military veterans and active service personnel in honor of Veteran's Day.

--Free entree at Applebee’s on November 11th
--Free doughnut at Krispy Kreme for veterans and active military personnel on November 11th.
--Outback Steakhouse offers veterans and active duty military a free bloomin onion appetizer and a free beverage.

Lowe's and Home Depot offer active, reserve and honorably discharged retired military personnel a 10% discount subject to some fine print.

Coming Up: Justin Roberts - singer

Get 'yer tickets for Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players.

Brief synopsis: rare West Coast performance. Sing along together to tunes like Meltdown, My Brother Did It, Taking off my Training Wheels and Stay at Home Dad. Listen to tunes here. See video here. Tickets are only $13 in advance (it benefits the Mountain View Parent Nursery School). Who isn't behind a preschool education?

We went last year - mucho divertido! (much fun)

When: Sunday, November 15 at 11 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. (each show is one hour)
Where: Foothill College’s Smithwick Theater (12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos)
Cost: $13 each in advance, $15 at door. Buy tickets here.

Get 'Yer Tickets - the Nutcracker

It's not too late to get tickets for the family-friendly Nutcracker ballet. This is by no means an all-inclusive list, so feel free to add your favorites by commenting below.

Here are a few places to start.

San Francisco Ballet - many shows throughout December. Six family shows where kids can get photos with dancers, and free snacks at intermission. Call for tickets: (415) 865-2000

Oakland Ballet Company - Shows December 24-27. Call (510) 452-9288 for tickets

San Jose Ballet - Shows December 10-27. Call (408) 288 2800.

City Ballet School - Four shows - December 12-13. Get tickets at the ballet school, or Fort Mason Box Office or call (415) 345-7575.

Ballet America in Redwood City - one day only, December 5.

Peninsula Ballet Theater - December 12, 13, 19 & 20. At the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Greet the dancers after every performance. Call 800-595-4849 or check website for tickets. Order in November for 10% discount.

Review: Tanque Verde Dude Ranch in Arizona

I grew up in Arizona, with two summers of horseback riding camp. The idea of getting my kids on horses is appealing. So is the idea of a dude ranch, where you not only ride horses several times a day, but someone else cooks for you and watches your kids.

Sitting tall in the saddle

Last time I was in Tucson visiting family, I spent a morning at Tanque Verde, a highly regarded dude ranch on the city’s east side. I’d written about dude ranches for magazines, but hadn’t yet actually had the experience. I dragged my seven-year-old daughter Dori with me – she was NOT excited about riding on a horse. I used my motherly charm to convince her to go, saying “they’re giving you a horseback riding lesson and you’re going to take it.”


Read the rest at Travel Savvy Mom.

Free Second Sunday at the Tech Museum in San Jose

Cool museum for free! Visit the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose the second Sunday of each month, for free!

This Sunday, November 8th is the date.