Buy one, get one free at Starbucks!

http://www.starbucks.com/share/#/redcups

Buy one holiday drink, get one free. Nov 18-21, 2-5p.m.

Queen Mary free for military

Celebrate Memorial Day at the Queen Mary this May! The Queen Mary is offering free General Admission to all U.S. Military personnel, both active and retired, over Memorial Day weekend. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show. The offer is valid Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31, 2010.

“As the Queen Mary has a history that includes military service, it is only fitting that we provide veterans and active military members the chance to experience the ship and all it has to offer,” said Queen Mary General Manager, Uwe Roggenthien. The Queen Mary served as a troop carrier for five years during World War II so is herself, a military veteran.

Weekend activities include two song and dance tributes, Salute to America and WWII Swing Time Review, performed on the Sun Deck Stage each day, a balloon artist, magician, face painter, juggler and more.

Military personnel must provide their military ID during normal attraction operating hours - 10am to 6pm - to receive free General Admission. Parking not included.

While on board, guests can take one of the many guided tours including the Behind-the-Scenes and Historic World War II Tours and discover even more about the Queen Mary. Additional tours are sold separately. Also available are a variety of shops, seven restaurants and lounges and several exhibits. Finish off your day in the 1930’s-style Art Deco Observation Bar, as you enjoy a spectacular ocean and skyline view of Long Beach.

Free photo canvas offer

Another cool gift and this one is free (except for shipping). I ordered a canvas of one my sister's photos of Rachel. The 8x10 is free and shipping was $15.

I can't wait to see how it turns out. I would actually recommend using a vertically-oriented photo, because I'm not sure if they will change the orientation of the canvas for a horizontal photo.

This offer is actually for a free 8x10 or $55 off any size, so you can go bigger if you like.

Check it out here: The Canvas People

https://secured.canvaspeople.com/freegift

Japan America Kite Festival

Sunday, October 4
11am-5pm

Seal Beach's 13th Annual Japan America Kite Festival
On the beach at Seal Beach pier
Free

Southern California's largest kiting event. Japanese cultural activities include sushi provided by Toro Sushi, traditional Japanese candy art, and demonstrations of Taiko drumming. Sport kite demonstrations and kite ballet. Giant show kites. Children can make their own kite.

http://www.kiteclub.org

Free treats on your birthday!

Here's a list of stuff you can get for free on your birthday:

http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com

P.S. Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Family Artmaking Workshops - LBMA

Fridays, July 10 through August 28
1-3pm

Long Beach Museum of Art
2300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach
562-439-2119
Free

Ralston Family Learning Center
The summer schedule has changed to every Friday afternoon.
Come get your hands dirty and your brains engaged!

In these FREE drop-in workshops, adults and children will work together to create artworks inspired by art in the Museum's Collection or on exhibit in the Museum's galleries.

To see the list of events, go here.

http://www.lbma.org

Parents Night Out - Free!

Did you know Long Beach has our very own Shakespeare Festival? Yeah, me neither. :-)
And the best part is it's free. Find a babysitter and enjoy the show!

Julius Caesar

July 18, 19, 25, 26. August 1, 2, 8, 9.

At the Expo Building, 4321 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach.
Saturdays at 6:00 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM

Long Beach Shakespeare Company's FREE Summer Shakespeare Festival is back for its 11th Season!

Intrigue, conspiracy, murder... and a ghost! It's a power struggle--Roman style. On stage in the classic political thriller! William Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR . A glorious spectacle!

Julius Caesar is part of our annual FREE summer festival, so no tickets or reservations are required. However, if you would like to sit in our preferred seating area, please email us with the number of people in your party and we will hold a place for you. It's first come, first served seating, but the preferred seating area is limited in size, so reservations are recommended.

JULIUS CAESAR is playing July 18th through August 9th -- Saturdays at 6pm, Sundays at 2pm at the Expo Building, 4321 Atlantic in Bixby Knolls in Long Beach. It's festival seating: bring blankets or low-backed chairs to sit on. Bring a picnic or get a meal there! Food and beverages will be available on site!

http://www.lbshakespeare.org

Free Ice Blended at Coffee Bean!

Wednesday, July 1
3-7pm

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
6344 Spring St.
Long Beach



Offer applies to the winning 12oz Ice Blended® drink only (Instant Karma).

http://www.coffeebean.com

Movies in the park!

Starts Friday, June 26th through September 2nd
Various parks around Long Beach
Movies start at dusk
Free




The first week's feature is Kung Fu Panda
6/29 - Signal Hill
6/29 - Stearns Champion
7/1 - Somerset

The rest of the line up is here.

http://www.lbparks.org

Summer reading events at local libraries!

Various events will be going on all summer at our local libraries.


For instance:
Wed. 6/17 The Lizard Wizard at El Dorado 12:15pm
Thurs 6/18 Magician at North 4pm
Sat 6/27 Elementary Art at Dana 10:15am

For the whole list of events, click here.

http://www.lbpl.org

Free Hot Dog On A Stick!

Monday, June 15
5-8pm
Free

Hot Dog On A Stick
Lakewood Mall

You know you want one. :-)

http://www.hotdogonastick.com

Art at the Pike!

Sundays, June 7, 14, & 21
Noon-3pm
Free

The Pike
95 South Pine Ave.



Children's Painting Party inspired by Romero Britoo's work:

June 7: Kids can create whimsical garden sticks
June 14: Kids can paint a pet dish
June 21: Kids can create a special gift for dad

All painting parties will be located next to the Britto Sculpture Garden (on the corner of Shoreline Dirve and Pine Ave.)

The traveling art exhibition will showcase twelve of Romero Britto's vivid and whimsical monumental sculptures May 28 - June 21, 2009.

http://www.thepikeatlongbeach.com

Free Summer Movies - Regal Theatres

Throughout the summer
Tuesday and Wednesday 10am

Long Beach Stadium 26 & IMAX
7501 East Carson
562-429-3321

06/23/2009-06/24/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Igor (PG)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009 The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Nim's Island (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009 Horton Hears A Who (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009 Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009 Charlotte's Web (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Inkheart (PG)
08/04/2009-08/05/2009 Everyone's Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
08/11/2009-08/12/2009 Doogal (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

REG Free Family Film Festival Beginning June 2009!
When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!

Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.

Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

http://www.regmovies.com

Green Long Beach! Festival

Saturday, May 9
9am - 10pm
Free

East Village Arts District
Intersection of 1st Street and Linden Avenue

Four stages of entertainment with 64 bands, musicians, performers, artists, poets, speakers, kids activities, almost 100 booths and vendors, and 35 East Village businesses hosting an event or offering discounts to festival goers.

Organic foods and farmer's market. Workshops and classes held throughout the Village. Green parade at 3pm.

Bring your own reusable water container and tote bag. Bring your old cell phones for recycling (Village Cellular on 4th). Take the bus. Ride your bike to get a free tune-up. Bring your t-shirt after 4pm and get a $5 festival screen print.

http://www.greenlb.org

Free Mother's Day Concert

Sunday, May 10
3pm
Free

Bay Shore Church
5100 E. The Toledo
Long Beach

RSVP now for a free 90-Minute Mother's Day Concert of Professional Opera, Piano & Harp

This event is hosted by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (CAT) and is supported, in whole, by funds raised at their Long Beach Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Haute Dog Parades.

PARKING
Free lot on the corner of The Toledo & Granada Ave. We also encourage carpooling and public transit.

Repertoire

THE CONCERT WILL include: soprano solo of Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria" with harp; soprano/tenor duet of "Libiamo" from La Traviata; piano performances will include some Rachmaninoff Preludes. Tenor solos will include, "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz," from Das Land des Lachelns by Lehar; and "Recondita Harmonia," from Tosca by Puccini. Music subject to modification.

Limit four tickets per person. All seats are reserved, and we do expect a sell-out.

RSVP by sending an email to Justin@JustinRudd.com with your first and last name and number of guests in your party with the words Opera RSVP in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation.

Older children are welcome, but must have a ticket. As a courtesy to other patrons and the performers, please bear in mind that it is not appropriate for small children to attend this event where silence is a prerequisite for full enjoyment of the artistic experience. Babies in arms are not permitted in all cases.

http://www.justinrudd.com

National Train Day - Union Station

Saturday, May 9
10am-3pm
Free

Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Downtown LA

National Train Day is a celebration for all trainiacs, especially our little engineers. Bring your kids and enjoy appearances by The Radio Disney Road Crew where kids – and former kids – can enjoy music, a dance party, interactive games, and receive giveaways. Magicians, face painters and educational hands-on activities will also be onsite, including interaction with real Amtrak employees such as train engineers and conductors.

11:00AM - 1:00PM: Radio Disney's Rockin' Road Crew
11:30AM, 1:00PM & 2:00PM: Amtrak Ambassadors' Corner: Get to know the crews that make Amtrak run

Live music
10:30am - Chana
1pm - Matt Costa

TRAIN EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS*
10:00AM - 2:30PM: See the trains up close and personal with displays that include historic private cars, freight cars and Amtrak equipment. In Los Angeles, you can view:
Overland Trail
Scottish Thistle
GM & O 50
Steam Locomotive
Operation Lifesaver Wrapped Locomotive
Superliner Diner
Superliner Sightseer Lounge
Superliner “Empire” Sleeper
Surfliner Coach Car
* Train car equipment list is subject to change

http://www.nationaltrainday.com

Free Iced Coffee - Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Thursday, May 7
4-8pm

On Thursday, May 7th from 4-8pm*, enjoy a complimentary Iced Coffee at your neighborhood The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®!

For every Iced Coffee that we give away at our Southern California locations, we’ll donate $0.25 to Big Sunday, a leading nonprofit organization that mobilizes and empowers volunteers to help make their communities stronger, happier and healthier.

* Check your local store for closing times. Offer valid only at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® retail locations in CA and AZ, exclude Ralphs locations. Valid only on May 7, 2009 from 4-8pm. Offer applies to 12oz Iced Coffee only. No substitutions.

http://www.coffeebean.com

Free Comic Book Day!

Saturday, May 2nd
Check store hours
Free

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores.

Participating stores in LB:

PULP FICTION
4501 E CARSON STREET #104
LONG BEACH, CA
(562) 496-3343

AMAZING COMICS & CARDS
EMAIL: AMAZINGCOMICS@ATT.NET
5555 STEARNS STREET SUITE 103
LONG BEACH, CA
(562) 493-4427

METROPOLIS
16509 BELLFLOWER BLVD.
BELLFLOWER, CA
(562) 263-0277

http://www.freecomicbookday.com

Cinco de Mayo - MOLAA

Sunday, May 3rd
Noon - 5pm
Free

Museum of Latin American Art
628 Alamitos Avenue
Long Beach
562-216-4108

Join MOLAA as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with

Free Art Workshops for the entire family!
Storytelling throughout the day!
Performances by: Alina Mendez Dance Academy, Wilson High School Ballet Folklorico, Mariachi Relampago, Nueva Antequena, Paso de Oro Dance Company, Mariachi Divas

And a special performance by Lorenzo Negrete!

For more info education@molaa.org

http://www.molaa.org

Children's Cultural Festival

Sunday, May 3rd
Noon - 4pm

Long Beach Museum of Art
2300 E. Ocean Blvd.
562-439-2119

FREE gallery admission, music, storytelling, and craft-making booths from around the world. Live performances from artists representing a variety of cultures.

Metered parking available in the beach access lot on Junipero St, off Ocean Blvd, below the Museum.

Family-friendly food available for purchase from Claire's Café.

http://www.lbma.org