10 movies in the Theater for 5.00, that's it! 5.00 for 10 movies, now that's a DEAL!!

KIDS SUMMER SERIES!

A selection of Family Friendly Films at ONE GREAT price!

Cost: $5 per person (under 3yrs is FREE)

$5 covers ALL MOVIES in the Series (Must purchase tickets at the box office)

Doors Open at 9:00AM

Movies at 9:30AM

Available at Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions (Mon- Fri - must select 1 day), Lake Havasu, Poway, Mission Marketplace, UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk and Apple Valley (Tues-Wed - Must select 1 day)

Any Questions, or for LARGE Groups - Please contact Julie Bravo at 760.597.5777 X19

	Yogi Bear Week of May 23-27 at Surprise Pointe, Scottsdale Pavilions and Lake Havasu Week of June 13 - 18 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of June 27 - July 1 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Shrek Forever After Week of May 30- June 3 at Surprise Pointe, Scottsdale Pavilions and Lake Havasu Week of June 20 - 24 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of July 4 - 8 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Diary of a Wimpy Kid Week of June 6-11 at Surprise Pointe and Lake Havasu Week of June 27 - July 1 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of July 11 - 15 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Ramona and Beezus Week of June 13-18 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of July 4 - 8 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of July 18 - 22 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	How To Train Your Dragon Week of June 20-24 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of July 11 - 15 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of July 25 - 29 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Despicable Me Week of June 27- July 1 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of July 18 - 22 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of July 25-29 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Megamind Week of July 4 - 8 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of July 25 -29 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of August 8-12 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Week of July 11-15 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of August 1-5 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of August 15 - 19 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Alpha and Omega Week of July 18 - 22 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of August 8-12 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of August 22-26 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk
	Tooth Fairy Week of July 25-29 at Lake Havasu Surprise Pointe and Scottsdale Pavilions Week of August 15- 19 at Mission Marketplace and Poway Week of August 29- Sept. 2 at Apple Valley and UltraLuxe Anaheim at GardenWalk

Surf Dog Competition-FREE family fun!

6th annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition Saturday, June 4, 2011 Dunes Park/Beach 700 Seacoast Drive Imperial Beach, CA 91932   This was a blast last year! My kids and i enjoyed this event tons!! If you can make it, it's worth the drive.  Hang 20!!  Doggie dudes are Back and carving up some serious tubes!!  This popular competition where they don't make fun of dog paddling is an extension of Loews Loves Pets program at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. The photos make the surfing looking fantastic, the reality is that the waves are fairly mild just off shore and getting the dogs to ride the board doesn't always come natural.  Many jokes abound about hanging 10 (20), putting your toes to the nose, and other such doggy humor. The event is a blast to watch. This year’s event will benefit San Diego County schools. The Loews Coronado Bay Resort, with the help of our surf dog heroes, has set a personal goal to donate $10,000 to San Diego County schools through DonorsChoose.org this year. Schedule:  10 to 10:30a.m.- Practice sessions by San Diego’s premier surfing school, Coronado Surfing Academy   11 a.m.- Event Begins Heat One: Small Surf Dogs (40 pounds and under) Heat Two: Large Surf Dogs (41 pounds and over) Heat Three: Tandem Surfing (dogs and humans)   1 or 2 p.m.- Awards Ceremony Judging Process: Each dog/team will have 10 minutes to catch their top two waves, and will be scored on confidence level, length of ride and overall ability to “grip it and rip it.” The Coronado Surfing Academy will provide surf boards and assistance during the competition. General admission is FREE. Registration: If you have any additional questions, please call 619-424-4416.

The California Surf Museum in Oceanside is free every Tuesday! Also, note that kids under 12 are always free, seniors and students pay $1, and regular adult admission is $3.

They have interesting exhibits on the history of surfing and also special events.

The California Surf Museum is located in downtown Oceanside, CA. CSM’s goal is to preserve our surfing heritage for the enjoyment of future generations.

It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays in conjunction with the sunset market held on the pier Thursdays.

312 Pier Way, Oceanside, CA

FREE trip to and fro to Catalina Island ON your birthday.

If you have been longing to visit Catalina Island, it probably has not escaped your attention that it is really expensive to go those 22 miles across the sea right now!

But now Catalina Express has a way to make it cheaper.

The company is offering you a free trip back and forth on your birthday, between now and April 2012, in honor of its 30th anniversary.  There are no taxes or extra fees to pay.

This is only good for a departure ON your actual birthday and you have to bring ID to prove it. You also have to register in advance online to get a voucher to bring to the office.

Click here to see more about the Catalina Express birthday deal

This is a very nice deal.

Tickets for the other members of your party run in the $70 vicinity, depending on where you wish to depart, but if you belong to the AAA auto club, click here for a Catalina Express discount coupon. You must show your AAA card to use the coupon.

You can call (310) 519-1212 or go online for more information.

Locations where you can board Catalina Express:

• Downtown Long Beach Landing
• Long Beach Queen Mary
• San Pedro
• Dana Point

And check out this free “day pass” that will give you Catalina discounts while you’re there.

Memorial Day Weekend: FREE Family fun! Fiesta Hermosa

May 28-30, 2011   10 am to 6 pm

For the past 39 years, the Hermosa Beach has produced Fiesta Hermosa, the ”largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California”. Over 270 artists and crafters are featured, including painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and handicrafters. The festival takes place every Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) in downtown Hermosa Beach.  

People flock to Fiesta Hermosa each year for not only the art fair, but for the Music – which is always of the highest caliber. There are two stages featuring live music – one at the Main Stage on the Pier and another in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden. The Main Stage features the finest “tribute bands” performing the classic rock of bands such as Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, and Crosby Stills Nash &Young, to name just a few. Rock n’ roll, zydeco, country western, and rhythm and blues are showcased in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden

Fairgoers rave about our Food Court, which offers 18 different kinds of ethnic food choices. Everything is delicious – from roasted corn to Thai, Greek, and Mexican food, to tri-tip sandwiches and barbequed sausages, to the Hermosa Beach Lifeguards’ famous fish tacos. Handmade guacamole, crepes, and shaved ice creations are also popular with the crowd. And where else can you find cotton candy, caramel apples, fresh squeezed lemonaide, and funnel cakes?

The Kiddie Carnival features a 30 foot slide, mechanical rides, rock climbing wall and bungee jump, and games for kids from 3 to 10 years old. Pony rides, a Petting Zoo, and facepainters are sure to delight the little ones. 

At the event, we produce the Annual Dog Costume Contest which features the best beach fashions and local canine contestants competing for prizes supplied by the Petcare Company and local veterinarians. You won’t want to miss the fun at the main stage, starting at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday morning.

For maps, what to wear, videos and more go HERE

Veterans Wreath Ceremony on the USS Midway.

Veterans Wreath Remembrance Ceremony

9:00 AM - 28 May 2011

Kick off Memorial Day weekend at an inspirational ceremony onboard the USS Midway.   It’s a great way to educate today’s youngsters about the contributions of the men and women who have served America in uniform.
It is free to the general public. 
The keynote speaker is Rear Admiral John Sadler, Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces.
Featuring:
• Moving wreath ceremony where youngsters chosen from the audience, active-duty personnel and veterans will present biodegradable wreaths over the side to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism will participate.

• The opportunity to meet, thank, and take photos with young men and women serving in uniform

• Presentation of colors by an award-winning high school ROTC program

Fast Fact: The USS Midway is the Persian Gulf flagship for Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Stay abord and enjoy the museum, normal charges apply. See website for more details.

 

5/27-30/11- GARDEN GROVE - Strawberry Festival. FREE family fun!

Last year we went and had a BLAST!!  We even entered our littlest one in their Berry Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant , we didn't win but I have to say we thought she was the cutest strawberry Princess there! It was fun trying too.

If you like strawberries you will be in complete HEAVEN!!

It's a great way to spend Memorial weekend. (5.27-30.11) at the GARDEN GROVE Strawberry Festival as they celebrate their 53rd year! 

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is not only one of the largest community festivals in the western US, but also one of the oldest.  The festival became and has always been a charitable event benefiting local organizations. In the past 50 years over $4.5 million has been donated to hundreds of non-profits. 

Throughout the years, the world’s largest strawberry shortcake (which local paper reported to have weighed as much as 500 pounds), has been the centerpiece of the festival’s opening ceremonies. Free slices go to anyone whose in attendance at the opening ceremonies. Learn more here about the 10 celebrities who will be dishing out this year's cake.

This Four day event will keep you and your family busy with many things to do and see such as carnival rides (over 30 of them!), largest strawberry shortcake, parades, talent contests, kareoke, marchings bands, clowns, bands, contests, vendors and lots of food. 

Admission is FREE, wristband for carnival rides is approx. $25 - 40. 

Location: Main and Euclid, Garden Grove, CA.  click here to learn more about the events of the weekend.

Help name a SEA worm in honor of World Ocean day (June 8th)

World Ocean Day Celebration:

World Ocean Day Celebration:
Name a New Species of Deep-Sea Worms Discovered by Scripps Oceanography Scientists

Celebrate World Ocean Day by helping Birch Aquarium at Scripps and researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, name two new species of deep-sea worms. One name will be selected from the public at large and another will be chosen from a K-12 school.

Suggestions can be submitted through May 25 on Birch Aquarium's website, aquarium.ucsd.edu, or at the aquarium during its monthly SEA Days event on May 21. Scientists from the Scripps Marine Invertebrate Phylogenetics Lab, which identified the new species, will select three finalists for each worm.

Scripps scientists, in association with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research  Institute, discovered the worms living upon whale carcasses that had fallen to the ocean floor off Monterey, Calif. These "whale falls" spawn unique communities of marine animals that can feed off the carcass for decades. The  worms, which measure only a few centimeters in length, are part of the family Hesionidae. Only 10 hesionids have been described from the deep sea, and only one has been described from a whale fall. In total, Scripps scientists discovered six new species of worms on whale falls.

For more information about the new deep-sea worms, and to submit a suggested  name, visit http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Education/World_Ocean_Day/

If you want to vote for mine, I'd love it! Mine is "Vicsoncityus"  It's the combo of four names of people who are important and special to me. :-)

All this talk about fun to do with the kids, but what about FIDO?

Did you know there are 14 dog parks in Orange County?

Each year cities add space for Fido and his friends to play, free of leashes. Now take the kids and Fido and go have some fun. don't forget the camera!

The Register has mapped municipal dog parks across the county. Visitors can send us photos from their dog-park experiences and we'll add them to the map.

E-mail photos and some details to Pets Editor Samantha Gowen at sgowen@ocregister.com. Please include "dog park" in the subject line.

A few rules about dog parks:

• Dogs must be off-leash to avoid tension among the animals.
• Dogs in heat are prohibited.
• Most dog parks offer areas for small or large dogs.
• No food is allowed inside the dog parks.
• Please clean up after your own pet.
• Dog parks are funded by nonprofit volunteers. Check at your city dog park to see how you can help to keep the parks clean and operational.

OC Greek Festival- May 20-22, 2011, Kids under 12 FREE, so is parking!

OC Greek Festival St. John's Greek Orthodox Church

You have to try the food...For those of you not familiar with Greek food here are the ones you NEED to try. Gyros: Soft pita stuffed with hot lamb, yogurt and onions. Feta Fries: Fried in olive oil crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, covered in feta cheese, garlic salt and lemon juice. Moussaka: Baked minced lamb, sliced eggplant, and tomatoes. Baklava:  Arich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. Melomakarona: honey-soaked cookies. Chocolate Trigona: Layers of filo shaped into a triangle, filled with ground walnuts, dipped in chocolate. Fee tickets, free bus shuttle, great music and dance what more could you ask for. 

This year the OC Greek Festival at St. John's Church in Anaheim is bigger and better than ever. The church recently acquired adjacent property and has has expanded the Greek Festival to include carnival rides. St. John's now hosts the largest Greek Festival in the southland. The Greek Festival is all about food and there will be plenty on hand. While you dine you can watch traditional Greek folk dancers and dance groups. 

The OC Greek Fest will be held on: May 20, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm- Saturday, May 21, Noon – 11:00 pm- Sunday, May 22, Noon – 10:00 pm

OC Greek Festival St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church 405 N. Dale St., Anaheim

Admission: $3.00 Regular Admission BUT click on coupon above for one FREE admission. Children Under 12 FREE.  Free to all Military, Police and Fire Personnel (with ID) Seniors Admitted Free. Parking and Free Shuttle (to and from OC Greek Fest) at Buena Park Mall—Dale St. and La Palma Ave.—Shuttle Stop located behind Wal-Mart.

  

For a printable flyer and coupon click here 

 

Anaheim Children's ART FESTIVAL-FREE

CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF ART IN ANAHEIM!

We went to this last year. This was one of my very first FREE day trips with the kids and I was impressed!! There was soooo much to do. Hours of fun. It was a warm day and the only thing I would have changed was the heat or brought some more water with me. :-) The kids got to make, create, learn, have fun, build, and had so many little art project that got hung on the fridge it was cool! So, GO!! Have fun and maybe you'll see me there this year...

The Anaheim Children's Art Festival is this Saturday, May 21st  from 10am to 4pm.

The carnival will be held on the Center Street Promenade between Harbor and Anaheim Blvd in Downtown Anaheim.

This event is ideal for the entire family and features storytelling, art/craft projects that are "hands on"  for every age group, arts, crafts, music, dance, exhibits, puppets, kiddie carnival and so much more. There is also a chalk drawing contest that is a big hit with the kiddos. The children will also be able to experience many hands on projects that include, drawing, puppet making, clay, paint and more!

Two stages will be located at the Festival – local groups that do a variety of entertainment will be featured. Musicians, puppets, bands, vocal groups, and dancers will perform all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The best part is that parking, admission, entertainment, and pretty much everything else except for carnival games and food is FREE!

For more information and a map click HERE.

Here's one that you can enjoy all year long for one low price.

The Ocean Institute has become nationally known for its hands-on marine science, environmental education and maritime history programs. More than 110,000 K-12 students and 8,000 teachers annually participate in the Institutes 61 award-winning, immersion style programs. To learn about oceanography, science, and California history, students voyage onto the ocean, study in labs and live aboard tall ships or in the chaparral, where they can feel and taste the salty sea spray, sort through live specimens, observe migrating whales, collect scientific data and investigate the culture and world around them. On weekends, they open their doors to the public for a sneak peek into how ocean science, history, and literature are used to inspire life-long learners! 

You can become one of their "Members" and You can make a difference...by becoming a supporting member of the Ocean Institute. Membership gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to increase understanding and awareness of the ocean environment and helping to protect its future, while receiving numerous benefits, such as free admission, discounts, and special events. Ocean Institute members also receive valuable discounts  throughout the community, thanks to the generosity of our partners. There are levels of support tailored to both individuals and organizations.

Here's the great part...for 60.00 you, another named adult and allllll your kids can receive...

Basic Membership Benefits

• FREE ADMISSION all year long to our OEC Weekend Program
• Advance notice and early registration opportunities for Ocean Institute events and programs like Tall Ships Festival, Summer Camp, and other special events
• Complimentary Admission to our Artist by the Sea lecture series
• Yearly member-only cruises & sails aboard the RV/Sea Explorer & Spirit of Dana Point
• Subscription to Ocean Institute e-newsletter
• Subscription to Ocean Institute quarterly newsletter, Ocean Voyager
• Valuable discounts with our Community Partners
• Ocean Institute member decal
• Support the Ocean Institutes conservation and education programs
• Full or partial tax-deduction 

For another 40.00 you can be a Sea Star Member ($100)

Benefits for up to 2 named adults and their children get:

    * All Basic Benefits, Plus

    * 2 Complimentary R/V Sea Explorer passes

Ocean Institute- 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr. Dana Point, CA 92629  Phone: (949) 496-2274

Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am-3:00pm

Admission:  Members: Free,  General Admission (13yrs +): $6.50, Youth (3yrs - 12yrs): $4.50, Kids (2yrs and under): Free

For additional information click here

FREE nature hike at Casper's park in SJC Every Sunday.

Nature Hike- 9:00 am to 10:00 am 

Join our Park Rangers Sunday mornings for an easy 1 mile hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes the visitor through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. A wide variety of plant and animal life is found in these areas. Comfortable clothing, hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, sturdy shoes and insect repellent are recommended. You can then enjoy the park after you hike. Pack a lunch and enjoy a Sunday afternoon picnic.

Event Fee: Free

Parking Fee: $5.00

Age: All Ages

Casper's Wilderness Park

33401 Ortega Hwy.( P. O. Box 395)

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

949.923.2210 or (949)923-2207

To learn more click here

Special Instructions: Please check with the park during inclimate weather 949.923.2210

FREE Orchid Repotting class

Armstrong Garden Center near you:

Orchid RepottingSaturday, May 21, 9am
Get your orchids to rebloom. We’ll cover orchid basics and show you how to replant your orchids.


Free Garden Classes are held at all Armstrong Garden Centers locations. No registration needed. Simply show up ready to learn.

FREE 18th Annual Sicilian Festival in San Diego.

18th Annual Sicilian Festival

Price: Free to the public

Address: India Street, between Cedar and Date Streets, in the heart of Little Italy, San Diego

Phone Numbers: 619 469-2206

5/22/11 The music, dance, culture and cuisine of Sicily come to the streets of San Diego's Little Italy on Sunday, May 22, 2011, 10 am-6 pm, as part of the 18th Annual Sicilian Festival celebration on India Street.

The highly popular FREE family event features authentic Sicilian food and entertainment, surrounded by the colorful ambiance of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego's vibrant downtown district.

Four stages will feature a wide variety of Sicilian and Italian entertainment. At noon, a parade of dozens of costumed dancers, musicians, and representatives of the Italian organizations in San Diego will waltz through the streets carrying flags from the different regions of Sicily and Italy.

Food booths will line the streets to satisfy the hungry crowds by serving up authentic Sicilian cuisine. Tarantino's Sausages, the Festival's presenting sponsor, will be on hand to offer their renowned gourmet sausage sandwiches, joining many of Little Italy's restaurants that will offer up their own Sicilian culinary specialties. Festival visitors will also be able to relax at two Peroni wine and beer gardens, or shop among the many booths offering Italian-themed artifacts and services.

The Sicilian Festival is the perfect venue for families with children. All children's activities are FREE, and include a large inflatable slide, puppet theatre shows, face painting, children song and dance productions, and many other activities to keep the bambini entertained throughout the day--without emptying their parents' pocketbooks!

Half off Tuesdays at Dana Wharf! Half off Wed. coming soon!

Want to beat the heat this summer and get out on those crystal blue waves?
Here’s some great information on deals from Michelle McCann at Dana Wharf:
We offer a special 2 for 1 every Tuesday on all of our fishing and whale watching trips. You can do a 2 hour whale watching cruise for only $14.50, a 2-hour catamaran adventure cruise for only $19.50 and a 5-hour fishing trip for only $19.50! We do this special all year long!
We also offer another deal on Sundays. Here’s the info:

KIDS FISH FREE!  Every Sunday 12:45pm – 5:45pm  Join us every Sunday (right after our Free Kid’s Fishing Clinic) for our 12:45pm 1/2 Day Fishing Trip and kids fish free! One child will get a free 1/2 Day Fishing Trip (a savings of $25) per paying adult! Rental gear is included for the kids too! A savings of $12!
You can check out our info on their website at http://www.danawharf.com

Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival & OC Boat Show

Costa Mesa

Saturday - Sunday, May 21-22

OC Fair & Event Center , 100 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa

Tickets: Admission: $10. Active-duty military with ID and children 12 and younger are free.  Parking: General $5, Preferred $8. You can find discount tickets all over town.

The Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival teams up with the Orange County Boat Show to offer a unique event featuring everything for the saltwater sportfishing enthusiast and hundreds of new boats, marine accessories and a sportfishing pavilion for serious offshore anglers.

2011 California Strawberry Festival- Oxnard

Strawberry Festival

Oxnard- Seriously, I know some of you are thinking that's a long drive from So. Cal. BUT this event is worth it. It's the biggest and best STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL in California (IMHO). It's about 2-2.5 hours of a drive and so this would make a GREAT daycation. Get up early get there when it opens at 10am and stay, pack a lunch or eat the many choices they have there, enjoy, and be home in time for the kids to be in bed. Have fun!

May 21 & 22 - 10:00 am - 6:30 pm

Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard

Tickets: $5-$12; 4 and under FREE

Strawberry pizza anyone? Official Berry Blast Off Recipe Contest, The Star Berry Hunt,Strawberry Pie Eating Contest, and Strawberry Tart Toss are just a few of the fun things to see and do. 

More than 50 food booths offer everything from strawberry pizza and strawberry nachos, to strawberry kabobs, strawberry funnel cake, strawberry flan, cotton candy, strawberry beer, wine and more. Whether it’s shortcaked, chocolate dipped, ice blended, or funnel caked, strawberries are THE celebrated fruit.

A delicious destination for family fun, the 28th Annual CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL gets underway May 21 and 22. Among the nation’s top outdoor events, the Festival serves up a menu of delectable strawberry delights, along with concerts on two stages, Strawberryland For Kids with free rides and attractions, gooey contests, 200+ Fine Arts & Crafts booths, the Strawberry Promenade with cooking demonstrations, the Green Scene, and more…

Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day- FREE!!

MOTA Day 2011
The twenty-second anniversary of Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day promises to be special, and
we invite the public to tour the five museums located along the celebrated Arroyo Seco in
Los Angeles and Pasadena for a free day of fun! Hours: Noon - 5 p.m.

This year’s MOTA Day theme is “Hats” and guests are encouraged to wear crazy, fashionable and sporty hats as they tour all five museums.

Remember, MOTA Day ends promptly at 5 p.m. with last entrance at all museums at 4 p.m. When making plans to visit, arrange your time appropriately.

Get a free pancake breakfast

If you are one of the first 50 people to give blood at this May 21 American Legion Boy Scout event in Mission Viejo, you get a free pancake breakfast!

That’s pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee.

And, if you’re not one of the first 50, then the pancake breakfast is only $5 and the money goes to a good cause. And you can still give blood anyway and then feel good about yourself afterward, right?

This event is May 21, 2011. Breakfast is 7-11 a.m. The blood drive is from 8 a.m. to noon.

They would like you to make reservations to give blood, which will go to help patients at the UCI Medical Center.

Click here to see a flyer on the American Legion Saddleback Valley Boy Scout pancake breakfast and blood drive in Mission Viejo

Get free ice cream at Haagen-Dazs on May 10, 2011

Get free ice cream at Haagen-Dazs on May 10, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. at participating shops. Details on Facebook but you do not need to have a log in to participate.

Mission Viejo Mall
608 The Shops at Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

To see other locations and learn more click here.

Do you have a budding scientist or engineer? If you do, or if you always wanted to know what NASA JPL is all about, then you do not want to miss out on JPL’s annual open house on May 14 and 15th. This free event is open to the public and perfect for the entire family.
This popular event celebrates JPL’s accomplishments with exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory’s ongoing research and space exploration. Many of the Lab’s scientists and engineers are on hand to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets, how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how researchers are searching for planets beyond the solar system.
Admission and Parking are free. There will be many hands on activities for the little ones. Mark your calendars and make sure not to miss out on this.  To learn more about this  head here.
What: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab Open House
When : Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th from 9am to 5pm
Where: 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit.
Enjoy!!!!!

‘Saturdays Off the 405′ at The Getty

Free Music Series Returns

To learn more click here

 

Saturday, May 7 - 6:00-9:00 pm

Getty Center, Museum Courtyard - FREE

aturdays Off the 405 is back again this month with a new mix of free outdoor performances by lively bands, along with DJ sets to open and close the night. Once again this year, there will be free spotlight talks that offer mini-tours of the galleries throughout the evening.
Starting off the new series on May 7 is Long Beach-based indie-pop band Avi Buffalo….

Kids Ride Free to Celebrate 40 Years of Amtrak buy ticket now til May 6th!

Amtrak is turning 40 this year and to help celebrate, we're letting our youngest fans on board for free. So if you book a trip now through May 6, 2011 and travel May 1 through June 9, 2011, your family can join in the celebration, and your kids will ride free.

For forty days, you can let your kids experience for free how Amtrak has changed the way people travel for the last forty years. And before they go, visit the Amtrak Kids Depot, our new website dedicated to our younger riders.

It's a great place for your kids to stop in and learn about Amtrak. And while they're getting excited about riding the train, you can be excited about them riding for free. So bring the family and join us for our 40th Anniversary celebration.

 

To learn more click here

Free Admission to the Skirball Cultural Center every Thursday

Free Admission to the Skirball Cultural Center every Thursday

Every Thursday from 12:00 - 8:00 pm

Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles

Thursdays are free at Skirball Cultural Center. Hailed by The New York Times as “a lesson on how to connect the eye to heart and mind,” the Skirball Cultural Center has established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions, and among the most prominent cultural venues in the United States.

Its mission is to explore the connections between four thousand years of Jewish heritage and the vitality of American democratic ideals. It seeks to welcome and inspire people of every ethnic and cultural identity in American life. Guided by our respective memories and experiences, together we aim to build a society in which all of us can feel at home. 

To learn more click here

National Public Gardens Day

National Public Gardens Day

May 6, 2011

The third annual nationwide celebration of botanical gardens, arboreta, and other public gardens takes place the Friday before Mother's Day. See more here.

In support of National Public Gardens Day, Better Homes and Gardens is offering magazine readers a free admission coupon for two to visit a public garden on National Public Gardens Day, May 6, 2011.

The coupons will be valid at all participating public gardens on that day only.  Readers can obtain the coupon on the Better Homes and Gardens website at BHG.com. An ongoing list of participating gardens can be found here.

Go to bhg.com/freegarden for the coupon.

FREE port of Long Beach harbor tours!!

One of the best ways to learn more about the Port of Long Beach is with a close-up look from the water. (View a 1-minute or 5-minute video.)

Free Community Tour Dates 
The Port offers harbor tours from May to September on the first and third Saturday of the month and the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Seating is limited. 

Reservations 
Tours will be posted one month in advance, on the first work Monday of each month at 8 a.m. For example, the May cruises will be posted and reservations made available at 8 a.m. April 4.

When available, click on the "Reserve Seats" button below to make a reservation. If the tour is full, and zero seats are available, click the "Standby" button to be added to the standby list. Those on the standby list will be notified by phone if a seat becomes available. 

Click here to learn more  

FREE Rose Care for Beginners class

Armstrong Garden Center near you:
Rose Care for BeginnersSaturday, May 7, 9am
It takes just minutes to care for your roses so they will bloom all summer long. We’ll give you quick and easy tips that any “brown-thumb” can do.

National Train day event!

Do you or someone one you love like trains? I have an almost 5 year old who LOVES them. So he's in for a treat cause on May 7th in LA. There is a FREE event in honor of National Train day. 

Join us in Los Angeles and rediscover the kid in you!

• California Missions Exhibit
• East Meets West Exhibit
• State Partnership Display
• Amtrak High-Speed Rail Display
• K-9 Unit Demonstrations
• Amtrak: Dining the Rail Way
• Train Equipment Displays
• Model Train Displays
• Amtrak 40^th Anniversary Display
• AmtraKids Depot
• Live Entertainment

Don't miss your chance to see model trains, train equipment displays, special exhibits and other exciting attractions:

more info. here.