Get 'Yer Tickets - Meshuga Nutcracker and Santastic

The Retro Dome is featuring two holiday shows - Santastic and Meshuga Nutcracker

The Meshuga Nutcracker uses the traditional Nutcracker score, with new lyrics and some Jewish songs too. Fun! It runs December 1-19, various times.

Santastic runs December 13-18 at various times. It's an original, new musical featuring your favorite holiday characters.


Get tickets on Goldstar for Santastic ($18/ticket) for certain shows. Get tickets at Retrodome for $24-36 each.

Focus Groups: Beer, iPhones, Mortgages, Vacations and more

I've been posting most of my focus group notices on Frisco Kids' Facebook page. But there are a lot today, so I thought I'd put them here. These are all with Plaza Research, a reputable group in SF. If interested, fill out the survey on the surveymonkey page, and they'll contact you if you fit and they want to interview you further. If the link doesn't work anymore, they've likely filled the study.

Sorry for the funky font/formatting below. It looked fine when I first put it in and hit "publish."

~Beer~
Wednesday, December 1st, 90-minute focus group in the afternoon or evening
Requirement: Males age 24-34 who drink craft/microbrew beers such as Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon, Sam Adams and Stella Artois
Incentive: $85.00-$100.00

If you are interested in the Beer study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q5TZBXN 

 ~Mortgages~
Wednesday, December 1ST, 90- minute focus group in the evening
Requirement: Males and females ages 25-54
Incentive: $125.00

If you are interested in the Mortgages study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XLGCRMG 

 ~iPhone Owners~
Wednesday, December 1st, 1-hour individual interview in the morning, afternoon or evening
Requirement: Males and females ages 29-49 who own a mobile device
Incentive: $100.00

If you are interested in the iPhone Owners study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7MKKXV9 

 ~Vacation~
Wednesday, December 8th, 2-hour focus group in the morning or afternoon
Requirement: Males and females ages 18-54
Incentive: $150.00 - $225.00

If you are interested in the Vacation study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H7NYYLS 

 ~Driver Behavior~
Wednesday, December 8th, 2-hour focus group in the evening
Requirement: Males and females ages 18-54
Incentive: $85.00

If you are interested in the Driver Behavior study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6YPY9KC 

 ~Long-term Care~
Monday, December 6TH  Friday, December 10TH, 90-minute in-home interview or telephone interview
Requirement: Caregivers of a family member or close friend and/or Care-Receivers who are planning their long-term care needs in the near future
Incentive: $150.00-$200.00

If you are interested in the Long-term Care study, please call our office at (415) 984-0400 and ask for a recruiter working on the ³Long-term Care² study. 
 ~Home Technology~
Monday, December 6TH  Friday, December 10TH, Online focus groups discussion over 3 days, followed by a possible 1.5-hour In-Home interview
Requirement: Males and females ages 18-55
Incentive: $150.00 - $350.00

If you are interested in the Home Technology study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8G2T2S3 
 ~IT Administrators~
Monday, December 6th  Friday, December 9th, 1-hour remote usability session or in-person interview in Mountain View, CA
Requirement: Males and females at least 18 years old who are the IT purchasing decision-makers for their company
Incentive: $150.00

If you are interested in the IT Administrators study, please click on the link below and fill out the survey:

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dDBENDdUbE1SUl8xNUlsYXNlNVVaRVE6MQ#gid=6

Get 'Yer Tickets - My Son Pinocchio

It's time for another fun Pied Piper Players show -this one is My Son Pinocchio - Gepetto's Musical Tale. For those who haven't been, this is a community production where local kids play almost all the roles. Parents do the costumes and sets - and it's quite good! My kids love these shows and I don't dread going. They're fun.

When: December 3-12
Where: Bayside Performing Arts Center in San Mateo
Tickets/Cost: Get tickets here or at the box office. Adult tickets are $16, kids tickets are $12.

Hanukkah cookies and crafts

Hanukkah is very early this year - it starts Wednesday night. I just saw these adorable and oh-so-easy Hanukkah cookies in the December, 2010 issue of FamilyFun Magazine.

They use Fig Newtons, with small cuts on two edges, and a thin pretzel for the holder. Then use icing to outline the dreidel and make the letters. My daughter is now dying to make them. Of course we sent all our Fig Newtons to my husband's office last month after no one at home was eating them. Sigh!

Here are some easy Hanukkah crafts to do with the kids:
Marshmallow dreidels
How to play dreidel
Make your own menorah
Thumbprint menorah
Make your own cut-out Hanukkah cards


Here are some Bay Area Hanukkah happenings.

Cyber Monday Deals

A few free shipping and other deals for today:

SNAPFISH
30% off everything, plus free shipping. Use code SHIPNSAVE at Snapfish today only.

KEPLERS BOOKSTORE
Support a locally-owned small business - free shipping on all books today at Kepler's in Menlo Park. You can order online.

KNOCK KNOCK 
If you're looking for funny and clever pads of paper and other type stuff, check out Knock Knock. Their pads of paper will make you laugh. My favorites are the Dysfunctional Family Bingo, the book Holiday Remarks and Replies for all Occasions, the Doctor Visit pad (not funny, but functional), the Rate a Date pad (fortunately I have no need for this but I have  some girlfriends who could use it). Normally free shipping starts at $50+ in orders, but today there's no minimum purchase. Enter code EARLYSTART at checkout. Thanks to June at Organize SF for passing this along.

KIDLANDIA
Some cute personalized maps, puzzles, and character items (Dora, SpongeBob, Veggie Tales) you can order for kids at Kidlandia. You can get $39 worth of merchandise for $19 today only on Plum District Deals. And plenty you can get without going over the $39 price.

THEATER
Bay Area on the Cheap and Goldstar bring you some holiday deals through December 4th.
-Three show mini-subscription to Berkeley Playhouse for kids' shows Narnia, Seussical and Pride. The subscription is $45 (value $99).
-Dicken's A Christmas Carol at ACT. Tickets are $7.50-$42.50 (value $15-85)
-Aquarium of the Bay individual membership for $30 (value $60)
-Smuin Ballet Winter and Spring two-performance series for $50 (value $100) in Walnut Creek or SF

RESTAURANT/DINING
Restaurant.com's deal through 11/30, is to get $25 dining certificates for $2. Use code DEAL during checkout. (We have the current code always posted on the right side of the blog).

Get 'Yer Tickets - Wizard of Oz

This should be a fun show for the kids. Linda's Musical Theatre Group (featuring students Kindergarten to 8th grade) are performing "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." This version has a dozen musical numbers on the grand stage of The Lindland Theatre at Riordan High School.  

Dates: Wednesday, December 1st at 6:30 PM and Thursday, December 2nd at 6:30 PM
90 minute performance with no intermission


Tickets: online  or at the door or call 415-373-0185
Print out your paypal receipt for entry! No tickets will be mailed.


Location: Riordan High School, 175 Phelan Ave, San Francisco. 

Deals of the Day: Spafinder cards, half-off Kodak books/cards, 50% off Simon & Schuster books

I had a hard time keeping up with all the deals offered this weekend. And I went shopping...not at all. Now that the weekend is ending (sigh!), I thought I'd post a few.

BOOKS
For the book lovers on your holiday list (or just for you), get $40 worth of Simon & Schuster books for $20 on Groupon. Buy through today on the San Jose site, or through Monday on the Seattle site. Choose from 35,000 titles, including the Joy of Cooking, Olivia Claus, Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea, Cake Wrecks, the Glass Castle, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and 34.994 more titles.

If you're new to Groupon, click here. If you're already a Groupon user, click here.

KODAK BOOKS/HOLIDAY CARDS
If you haven't ordered your holiday cards yet, or you want a photo book, get $20 worth of Kodak goods for $10 (plus they'll throw in four free accordian photo calendars. Buy through today and use through February 15, 2011.

If you're new to Groupon, click here. If you're already a Groupon user, click here.

SPAFINDER
If you're looking for an easy gift for friends, relatives or teachers, you can give a SpaFinder card. It's good at 5,000 spas - and they're the same cards sold at Costco. No expiration date. Through Cyber Monday, get one card full price at $100, get a second card 20% off. Use promo code RELAX.

FREE SHIPPING DEALS
Peet's Coffee has free domestic ground shipping through Sunday on $40+ orders. Use code 10HFS401E. Restrictions apply.




Kepler's Books has  free shipping on Cyber Monday.




For free shipping at other sites, check FreeShipping.org.

Coming Up: PBS Kids at Children's Fairyland

Miss Rosa and Mr. Steve from PBS Kids are making their only Bay Area appearance at Children's Fairyland in Oakland. Mr. Steve will perform his SteveSongs and stories, and Miss Rosa (whose real name is Jennifer.shhh...) will do her thing - apparently exploring new cultures and experience through the Spanish language. I don't have preschoolers anymore, so I wouldn't know first hand!

When: December 4, 2010 from 10:30-11 a.m.
Cost: included with regular admission of $7/person over age 1

Nutcracker Ballet Performances in the Bay Area

If you're looking for some Nutcracker tickets, check this comprehensive list for all the Nutcracker Bay Area performances in 2011.

Hanukkah Happenings in the Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO

Menorah Lighting in Union Square
December 1-9, 2010 Join with Chabad and their giant menorah in Union Square. The menorah will be lit each evening, with other festivities scheduled as well. See the list of Hanukkah lightings and times here.  The big fun day is December 5th, with crafts and music starting at 3 pm., and the lighting at 5 p.m. Free.

PENINSULA

Latkepalooza

Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 1-4 p.m. Free. 

Klezmer music, latke tasting, children's music, arts and crafts, storytelling.  Bring a coat to donate to the One Warm Coat Drive. It's at the PJCC (Early Education Center), 800 Foster City Blvd. Click here for more info on Latkepalooza.

Menorah Lighting - Burlingame

Thursday, December 2, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. Free. 

Check out this year's ice menorah, live music, latkes, jelly doughnuts and more. Enter the menorah contest! It's at Washington Park, 850 Burlingame Ave. For more info on the menorah lighting, click here.

Interfaith Families Pre-Hanukkah Party - Palo Alto

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 from 5-:30-7:30 p.m. Nominal fee.

The Palo Alto JCC is sponsoring a pre-Hanukkah party for interfaith families. You'll have dinner with traditional latkes, light the menorah, spin the dreidel and more. You'll get your own Hanukkah kit to celebrate the holiday at home. 

SOUTH BAY
Menorah Lighting with Chabad
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School (MP room) in Sunnyvale (1030 Astoria Drive). Free


Arts and crafts, candle dipping, lighting the ice menorah, hot cider, balloon twisting, music, latkes, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts),  Hanukkah "game show," food (nominal charge),
RSVP requested.

Meshuga Nutcracker

December 1-19, 2010, various times

Tchaikovsky's score combined with witty lyrics and traditional Jewish songs.

For a longer list of community Hanukkah events, see the calendar at the Jewish Community Federation site.


EAST BAY
Menorah Lighting with Chabad
Sunday, December 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Bay Center in Emeryville. Enjoy live music from the Rockin' Rabbis, latkes, gelt, an ice menorah, a sing-along and face painting.

Coming Up: Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The 2010 Dickens Fair opens November 26, running weekends through December 19th. There, you'll find
Since 1970, this fair has been part of the Bay Area holiday culture. What to expect:  "The bustling streets of London, immortalized for all time by the mighty pen of Charles Dickens, form the living backdrop of your excursion into Christmas Past. You are a living part of a Victorian Christmas card come to life!"


Explore London's Christmas shops, festive drinks (hot toddies, ale, champagne), six stages of entertainment, British (and other) foods, tea house with cucumber sandwiches, Christmas flowers, and lots of kids' activities too.


 Discounts: Get a $5/adult ticket discount on the website through December 5th. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get $2 off. For more discounts, see Celebrate-Family's post about it.

Tickets: Advanced tickets are $20-21 for adults, $10 for kids. At the door, tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for kids (under 5 are free). Parking at Cow Palace is $10.

Deal of the Day: Collapsible vases

VASES
These cute vases are collapsible, made of plastic. You have to actually see them on the website to really see what they look like. They store flat and make a good easy vase for teacher gifts, or carrying flowers to a friends' house. And they're reusable. Plum District is offering a deal today (it's the "everywhere" deal). For $12 - you get $24 worth of merchandise. The vases cost $8 each, so you could get three with the coupon (plus you pay tax/shipping) and they'll cost you $4 each.

NORDSTROM RACK
This popular deal ends tonight. Get $50 worth of items at Nordstrom rack for $25. One per person, which you must use by the end of the year.  There's aNordstrom Rack in downtown San Francisco, East Palo Alto and San Leandro. 

To purchase the Nordstrom deal, if you're new to Groupon, click here.  If you're already a Groupon customer,  click here. 

SNAPFISH
A lot of the photo printing companies have daily deals right now. Today at Snapfish, get free shipping on all orders over $25 (hello holiday cards!). Check out by 11:59 PST on Thanksgiving Day, and use code 1124MERRY.

Thanksgiving Weekend - What to do with the Family in the Bay Area

After you're done eating turkey, get out and have some fun in the Bay Area! Here are some ideas to get you started, either on Thanksgiving Day, or over the weekend.


LAUREL STREET ARTS
Friday, Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos lets you do your painting or glass fusing projects for product cost only (no studio fee). Plus, for every $30 gift certificate you buy, you can get a second for $5. These certificates are good after 1/1/11.

GREAT DICKENS CHRISTMAS FAIR
This Cow Palace event is open Thanksgiving weekend. Get your discounted tickets on the Dickens website.

CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS - GARDEN TRAIN EXHIBIT
This holiday favorite, the Garden Train Exhibit, just opened, and celebrates the 140th birthday of Golden Gate Park.


SF ZOO
The San Francisco Zoo has Feasts for the Beasts on November 27-28 - see what the animals will eat! .

MONARCH MADNESS
On Saturday, the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History holds its annual Monarch Madness Day, with hands-on butterfly activities, crafts, science, live music, free face painting, plant sales and more. It's from 11-3 and it's free.

FILOLI WINTER HOLIDAY
Starting Friday, through December 4th, Filoli Gardens in Woodside hosts Holiday Traditions with various events and meals, plus unique shopping. While not during the Thanksgiving weekend, it ends with the Children's Party on December 4, a fancy lunch and and visit with Santa plus some extras. Good event for Grandma to take your kid to (it's not cheap).

TRAIN OF LIGHTS
The Niles Canyon (East Bay) Train of Lights begins its holiday run on Friday night, through December 27th. More info here.


OUTDOOR SKATING
The rinks are now open. Go ice skating outdoors in these holiday rinks.

If you're looking for Bay Area restaurants open on Thanksgiving, check out the listing by Red Tricycle.

SF Kids.org compiled a list of venues opened on Thanksgiving day.

Looking for some Thanksgiving crafts for the dinner table? Check here. If you sign up for her email list, she'll send you an ebook with crafts and activities. There are some crafts on the site that you don't have to give an email address for.

Deals of the Day: Kiva loan, Nordstrom, Snapfish buy one, get one free book

NORDSTROM
Get $50 worth of items at Nordstrom rack for $25. One per person, which you must use by the end of the year.  There's aNordstrom Rack in downtown San Francisco, East Palo Alto and San Leandro. The deal is good through Monday, though limited quantities are available and they may pull it at any time.

To purchase the Nordstrom deal through Wednesday,  click here. 

KIVA
If you're familiar with the concept of microloans, you've probably heard of Kiva. The organization provides very small loans to business owners in other countries. They've been hugely successful in helping those funded improve their lives, and the payback rate is very high. Groupon has an interesting deal right now, where you can make a $15 microloan that will be essentially "matched" with an additional $10 by Groupon and other sponsors. Learn more about it here, or "buy" your loan credit. I just did it and am excited to look through the list to see who I'll fund.

SNAPFISH
Buy one 8x11" photo book, get one of the same value free through November 24th (they don't have to be duplicate books). Use code 1122MERRY  at checkout. Or get 25% off by using code MERRY2010 through December 31st.

Outdoor Ice Skating in San Francisco Area

Embarcadero Ice Rink - Justin Herman Plaza
(adjacent to Four Embarcadero Center and across from the historic Ferry Building)
Dates: November 19, 2010 through January 2, 2011
Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday – Thursday
10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday
See website for which sessions are closed for private parties.Session: 90 minute sessions starting on every even hour
Information: (415) 837-1931 or its website
Cost: $9/adults, $5.50/seniors/children ages 10 and under
Monday – Friday until 6:00 p.m. (50 cents more at other times)
Skate rental: $3.50
Discounts: group rates availableBirthday parties: $250, includes admission and skate rental for up to ten people, a decorated party area, birthday cake and soft drinks. Skating guests in excess of ten will be charged an additional $12.50 each.

Union Square Ice Rink 
Union Square, downtown San Francisco
Dates: November 10, 2010 through January 17, 2011
Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday – Thursday
10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday
Information: (415) 781-2688 and its website
Cost: $9/adults, $4.50/children ages 8 and under, Monday – Friday until 6 p.m.
50 cents more at other times
Discounts: for groupsSkate rental: $4, regular,$5 hockey
Buy in advance: online

San Jose Downtown Skating 
Downtown San Jose: 120 Market Street
Dates: November 19, 2010  through January 17, 2011
Hours: vary – check the website
Session: no set session –skate all you want, though no in/out privileges
Information: (408) 279-1775 and its website
Cost: $15/ age 11+; $13/ages 10 and under
Discounts: the website lists several.Skate rental: included in admission


find Frisco Kids on Facebook.

Coming Up: SF Zoo Thanksgiving Feasts for the Beasts

Gotta love the name of this event: Thanksgiving Feasts for the Beasts, at the SF Zoo.

The chefs from the zoo’s Leaping Lemur Café team up with animal keepers to create a smörgåsbord of special meals for the grizzly bears, chimpanzees, African Savanna Aviary birds and the meerkats. Each animal will enjoy a delicious silver platter meal and the chefs and keepers will be on hand to show visitors what the animals eat. They’ll also share the details behind these special Feasts for the Beasts and provide guests with their own similar “people food” recipe. It’s a feast fit for the animals and guests!


When: November 27-28
Grizzly Bears: 11:00 a.m.

Chimpanzees: 12:00 p.m.
African Savanna Aviary: 1:30 p.m.
Meerkats: 2:30 p.m.
Conservation Corner: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m

Cost: free with admission

Where: San Francisco Zoo

Top 15 Things I Learned at Disneyworld

1. Disneyworld’s Speedway is much more exciting if you let go of the wheel and don’t steer. But you may need an Advil after.

2. The Disney Magical Express bus from the airport is neither magical, nor express. But it is free.

3. There’s a reason there is no line for Splash Mountain when it’s 10 a.m. and 60 degrees.

4. If you tell your husband to pack the ponchos for Splash Mountain, make sure he actually does it.

Coming Up: Garden Railway in Conservatory of Flowers

The annual Garden Railway opens this weekend at San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers. The exhibit celebrate's the park's 140th anniversary!

The model trains and trolleys come back to the Conservatory of Flowers this weekend, through March, 2011. They'll wend their way through mini versions of the park's specialty gardens recreated in detail with hundreds of dwarf plants. Look for water features bringing Stow and Spreckels Lakes to life, and find a mini bison paddock. 

There are also replicas of 10 of the park's landmarks, created from recycled and repurposed materials. You'll find the Dutch Windmill, Japanese Tea Garden, the de Young Museum, the Music Concourse Bandshell, the California Academy of Sciences, the Carousel, the Stow Lake Boat House, the Chinese Pavilion, McLaren Lodge and the Conservatory of Flowers. 

When: Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Exhibit runs November 19, 2010-March 13, 2011
Where: Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park
Cost: $5-7 for adults, $3-5 for youth, free for kids 4 and under
Free for everyone the first Tuesday of the month!

Holiday Lighting Ceremonies - San Francisco

I planned on writing a post on holiday light and tree ceremonies in San Francisco, but Travel is More Fun with Kids did such a good job with theirs, that I'll just point you over there. Lots of fun holiday activities noted!

Deals of the Day: Nordstrom Rack, American Apparel and Starbucks

NORDSTROM
Get $50 worth of items at Nordstrom rack for $25. One per person, which you must use by the end of the year.  There's a Nordstrom Rack in downtown San Francisco, East Palo Alto and San Leandro. The deal is good through Monday, though limited quantities are available and they may pull it at any time.

If you're new to Groupon, click here. If you've already purchased from Groupon before, click here. 

AMERICAN APPAREL

Today's deal: get $50 worth of American Apparel clothing and accessories, for $25. There are American Apparel stores in San Francisco, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Berkeley and Santa Clara (plus Napa and Santa Cruz).

The deal is good through Sunday (though there's a limited quantity available, so the deal may end early), and you can spend the coupon through February 19, 2011. You can buy one for yourself, and one as a gift. There's a $50 minimum purchase required (though it will only cost you $25), and it's not good on sale items.

If you're new to Groupon, click here. If you've already purchased from Groupon before, click here.

STARBUCKS

Buy one, get one free holiday drinks from 2-5 p.m. at Starbucks through Sunday. Includes caramel brulee latte, gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, peppermint white chocolate mocha, various frapuccinos, peppermint hot chocolate, and more. Thanks to Cookies and Clogs for the tip.

Join Frisco Kids on Facebook.

Deal of the Day: American Apparel 50% off, Gingerbread House Building

AMERICAN APPAREL
Today's deal: get $50 worth of American Apparel clothing and accessories, for $25. There are American Apparel stores in San Francisco, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Berkeley and Santa Clara (plus Napa and Santa Cruz).

The deal is good through Sunday (though there's a limited quantity available, so the deal may end early), and you can spend the coupon through February 19, 2011. You can buy one for yourself, and one as a gift. There's a $50 minimum purchase required (though it will only cost you $25), and it's not good on sale items.

If you're new to Groupon, click here. If you've already purchased from Groupon before, click here.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE
We just bought our annual $10 gingerbread house kit. For the record, I hate these things, but the kids love them. Today at Plum District, you can spend $15 and go to Gingerbread Builders in Mill Valley, and they'll supply you with the goods, let you build it there, and clean up after you. Outsourcing!

Get the deal today at Plum District - supplies are limited. Purchase good during December.

Coming Up: Cat in the Hat Meet and Greet

If a giant human-sized version of the Cat in the Hat won't freak out your kids, bring them to Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo on Saturday, November 20th.

The 9:30-10:30 a.m. "meet and greet" is a promotion for KQED's animated TV series "The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That." Bring your camera (or just your cell phone) - your kids can pose for pictures with the Cat.

Coming Up: MOCFA Family Saturday

This is the third in a series of monthly Family Days during the exhibition, Volver: Mexican Folk Art into Play. Graphic artist and printmaker, Favianna Rodriguez, will be there. Kids can use the museum's linoleum block-cut ancient Mexican animal pictograms to make their own prints and masterpieces to take home. 


WHAT: MAKE IT @ MOCFA Family Saturday
WHEN: Saturday, November 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Museum of Craft and Folk Art (51 Yerba Buena Lane, SF)
COST: $5
AGES: 5 and up
.

Deal of the Day: 365 free Snapfish prints, discounts on Conservatory of Flowers, Cinderella Enchanted, hostess gifts, Bounce-a-Rama

SNAPFISH

Get 365 prints free with $10 purchase. To get the deal, put 365 4×6 prints in your shopping cart to print, along with a $10 purchase, and use code 2010MY365 at checkout. If you only want to print 100 prints, use code 2010MY100, or to print 50, use code 2010MY50. You will pay tax/shipping on the free  prints. Buy by November 20, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST 


HOSTESS GIFTS?
These look fun - irreverent gifts (games, toys, books, novelties) from the Imagineering Company. Spend $15, get $30 worth of goods. Buy today on Plum District Deals.

CINDERELLA, ENCHANTED IN BERKELEY
Savvy Savings is offering $16 tickets to the show Cinderella, Enchanted at Berkeley Playhouse. Tickets are normally $33 for this Rogers & Hammerstein musical. Dates: November 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., November 21, 2010 at 5:00 p.m., November 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., November 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., November 28, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Get the deal here by Thursday.


CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS
Get tickets for two people for $7 total ($14 value), or a $29 one year family membership ($60 value) to San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers today on Groupon. Use tickets by May, 2011 and activate membership by then. Buy today only. If new to Groupon, click here. If you're an existing Groupon customer, click here.


BOUNCE-A-RAMA
I haven't been to this place, but my kids love bounce houses. This Milpitas bounce house place, Bounce-A-Rama, has multiple bounce houses to choose from. Get two all-day passes for $15 ($31 value). They don't expire until next August, 2011. You can buy two per person. It's by the Great Mall in Milpitas. Buy today - if new to Groupon, click here - it's on the San Jose page. If you're an existing Groupon member, click here.

Coming Up: Baby Footprints Workshop

If you want to capture your child's foot or handprints for Grandma, check out the workshop below. Laurel Street Arts in San Carlos has two scheduled Baby and Me painting events.

When: Wednesday November 17 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 18 from 6-7 p.m.

RSVP: by phone for the event (650-591-1005) or just drop in and do it on your own. If you're dropping in with a group, it's helpful to let the staff know so they can prepare to have enough people on hand to help.

Who: footprints are best for kids younger than 12 months. Handprints at any age.

Other classes: for other holiday classes and ideas, click here.

Deals of the Day: Flying Lessons, Hotels, Ice Skating, Comedy Club

A quick run-down of current deals:

INTRO FLYING LESSONS
Get a 2 hour intro flying lesson for 2 people in San Carlos for $175 ($349 value) via Groupon. Classroom instruction plus airtime. Expires in one year.

SF VINTNER'S MARKET
Get into San Francisco's Vinters Market on November 20 or 21 for $20 (normally $40-50) where you can buy wine directly from 200 wineries. If new to Groupon, click here. If already a Groupon member click here.

FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO OR FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN
Stay at the Fairmont for a night, starting at $167 (4 packages available - 50% discount). Purchase via Groupon here.

ICE SKATING OUTDOORS DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE
Get admission and skate rental in San Jose's holiday outdoor rink for $8 ($15 value) via Groupon. If new to Groupon, click here. If already a Groupon user, click here.

ROOSTER T. FEATHERS
For an inexpensive night out, get this Groupon for $10 admission for 2 people ($36 value) to Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club in Sunnyvale. We went there once and had a good time. The usual two drink minimum applies inside. If new to Groupon, click here. If already a Groupon user, click here.

The Groupon deals expire tonight.

MARIN TURKEY TROT
If you're on the fence about getting up after Thanksgiving feasting and running, here's your incentive. Sign up for the Marin Turkey Trot and pay $13 now (versus $25 normal value). Read the fine print - you have to redeem the voucher by 11/17. Buy at Plum District Deals today.

Deal of the Day: Ice Skating Downtown San Jose

Lace up some (rented) skates and hit the ice in San Jose's down town outdoor holiday rink. This Groupon costs $8 and includes skate rental and admission ($15 value).Buy through Sunday night, and it's valid 11/19/10-11/24/10. Go on Monday, November 22nd at 5 p.m. and see Kristi Yamaguchi. See the rink hours here. Buy the Groupon here.

Girls Night Out - Evening with Amy Sedaris

Amy Sedaris is coming to Palo Alto - her San Francisco show is already sold out. She's billed as America's funniest hostess.Recently on David Letterman, the Today Show and the CBS Early Show, Amy presents her new book, "Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People."  This is not your mother's crafting!  It's crafting through the eyes of the zany, hilarious. Sedaris, who will educate and entertain with some of her best tips and advice for "crafting craftily."

Sedaris is a comedienne, playwright and actress. She performed in the legendary Chicago comedy troupe's Second City and Annoyance Theatre. Her best-known character is Jerri Blank, a middle-aged, former prostitute-turned-high-school student, featured on Comedy Central's cult series (and then movie) Strangers with Candy (a movie I actually didn't think was funny).

She's been on Rescue Me, Sex and the City, Shrek Forever and the upcoming Ass Backwards. She collaborated with Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello on the book, Wigfield, and she frequently appears on David Letterman. And yes, she is also David Sedaris' sister. Under the name "The Talent Family," she and David have written and produced several envelope-pushing plays including Stitches and One Woman Shoe.

What: An Evening of Laughter with Amy Sedaris - a Benefit for Breast Cancer Conections

When: November 17, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gunn High School, Palo Alto
Cost: $38 for one person and one book, $45 for two people and one book
Tickets: at Kepler's Bookstore in Menlo Park, or call (650) 324-4321, or online.

Family Art Day - make 3-D Turkey Sculpture

Two fun holiday art workshops coming up at Hidden Talent Art Studio in San Jose:

Fall Family Art Day Event: $10 per person
Sunday November 14th, 11:00am-2:00pm
Projects: A 3-D sculpture of a turkey! Fall Leaves stamp painting with oil pastel details on colorful paper!

Winter Family Art Day Event: $10 per person
Sunday December 5th, 11:00am-2:00pm
Projects: A 3-D Model Magic snowman sculpture or ornament! Oil Pastel and chalk pastel drawing of a beautiful winter scene!

Deals of the Day: Fairmont SF or Sonoma Mission Inn - starting at $167/night - and personalized jewlery

FAIRMONT HOTEL - SAN FRANCISCO AND SONOMA MISSION INN
Groupon's deal of the day is 50% off a room a the Fairmont San Francisco or Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.. Choose from four options ranging from $167-239 a night - taxes included.

Lots of fine print on this one: must use by 2/16/11. Valid only for the option you purchase, from 11/16/10 -2/16/11. Reservations required and are subject to availability. If you opt for a San Francisco stay 11/16 or 11/26, you need a two night minimum. It's not valid in San Francisco on 11/19-20, 11/26 (yes, that conflicts with previous statement that you need a 2 night minimum for 11/26), 12/3/10, 12/8-9/10,  12/31/10 and 1/11-12/11. It's not valid in Sonoma 11/25-27/10, 12/311/0-1/1/11. 


That said, if you have issues scheduling, Groupon has a policy on its website that says "Nothing is more important to us than treating our customers well. If you ever feel like Groupon let you down, give us a call and we'll return your purchase – simple as that." Buy the Fairmont deal here. You can buy it all weekend.


PERSONALIZED JEWELRY AND NOTEPADS
If you missed out on the cute personalized jewelry and notepads I featured a few days before, they're still valid on Plum District this weekend. They extended the offer. Click here for Plum District, or see my posts here and here.


AQUARIUM OF THE BAY
Get 2 tickets to the Aquarium of the Bay from Mamapedia for $13 ($25 value) - good for one adult, one child. One per household, use by April 30, 2011. Buy during the weekend.

Coming Up: Safari West Open House - Discounted Safari Tour

Our friends at Travel is More Fun with Kids posted recently about an upcoming Open House at Safari West in Santa Rosa. For those who haven't been (that includes me), this is a real safari experience. They're offering a one hour tour at a discounted price.

When: November 14 and 21
Several times available.

Check out the post for more info.

Have Old Computers? Give them to kids who need them

I just learned about Computers for Everyone, a nonprofit organization serving East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, that is refurbishing old computers (even those 5-10 years old), to give them to K-8 kids in the Ravenswood School District. If you have computers to donate, call (650) 847-5708 or email computersforeveryone@gmail.com. They also accept help refurbishing them as well as monetary donations.  Their Menlo Park office is open Monday to Friday, 9-5, and is at 3723 Haven  Avenue, Menlo Park, CA. if you want to drop your items off.


They'll be giving computers out on December 6th.


Find Frisco Kids on Facebook.

Deal of the Day: Personalized Jewelry

This Plum District Deal (San Francisco: East Bay) essentially gives you $30 off your purchase of customized jewelry. For $30 you get $60 worth of items at Posh Mommy. Items start at $50 and there are some cute things priced at $60 as well. Then it goes up from there. Gifts for a mom, kid and a few for dads too. Cute stuff.

Deal of the Day: personalized note pads and jewelry

I''m always on the look-out for cute teacher gifts - here's one I might take advantage of.

Mommy Pads and More - which admittedly is a rather unfortunate name with other connotations. For $15, get $30 worth of note pads, jewelry, note cards, stamps, etc. Get the deal today at Plum District. You can buy one for yourself and one as a gift - tax/shipping not included. You have a year to use it.

Coming Up: Justin Roberts concert for families

It's almost time 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 - it's a co-op). Who isn't behind a preschool education?

We've been to this concert before - very fun!

When: Sunday, November 14 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 or by mail (same link for info). Or at Linden Tree Bookstore in Los Altos.

Don't forget $2 in quarters for the parking lot's meter.