Neighborhood Free Days: Cal. Academy of Sciences. First up, 94110

Throughout the Spring, the California Academy of Sciences is offering FREE admissions for SF residents by zip code.

So, if you live in the 94110 zip code, you can get in for FREE May 1, 2, & 3, 2009. All you need to do is bring in a copy of your driver's license or a utility bill.

So what if you are not a Mission Hipster or a Bernal Babe? CLICK HERE to get a full listing of dates for all other neighborhoods.

Free: Yerba Buena Garden Festival: Sat. May 2, 1:00-2:30

This Saturday, May 2, the first of the 2009 Yerba Buena Garden Festival events takes place. Between May and October, the Festival presents nearly 100 programs in Yerba Buena Gardens, all FREE. These events are a great place to bring a blanket, a picnic lunch, the kids, meet up with friends and enjoy some really wonderful art programs right downtown. (Think Stern Grove without the crazy crowds and the need to get there at the crack of dawn to secure a spot!)

The first weekend event is Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu, a dynamic Hawaiian dance company, who will present an authentic hula program. This event will be its only full-length San Francisco performance this year and the company will feature a rich blend of traditional and contemporary forms of hula, showcasing a combination of signature pieces and audience favorites in the hula kahiko, hula 'auana, and hula mua styles. Performances are given in a “talk-story” format, incorporating narration and dance to provide a rich cultural context.

Visit the calendar (you can view events by type or month) - there is such a variety of events - music, dance, poetry, a circus act, etc.. Weekends, thursday lunch programs, kids programs, etc.


Yerba Buena Garden Festival
Saturday, May 2
1:00-2:30
Yerba Buena Gardens Esplanade: On Mission St. (btw 3rd & 4th)

Another Ann Taylor Sample Sale: April 26 & 27: Pickwick Hotel (downtown)

Another Ann Taylor Sample is going on today, Mon. April 26, & tomorrow, Tues. April 27, from 10am-6pm. Thousands of Spring & Summer Items starting at $3! They restock the floor throughout the day. It's mind boggling the bargains you can get.

All proceeds from the sample sale support A Miner Miracle, a local non profit whose programs offer clothing & image consulting to low income men and women seeking employment. The picture here is of one of their clients. Last year they served over 800 men & women.

The sale is being held at the Pickwick Hotel (across the street from A Miner Miracle Shop). If you shop at the sale, you can bring your sample sale reciept to the shop and get 10% there as well.

Happy Shopping. Remember, all money you spend at the sample sale or the store goes to this great non profit. SHOP - SAVE - GIVE.

Pickwick Hotel
85 5th St. (corner of 5th & Mission)

A Miner Miracle Shop
899 Mission St.

More Ice Cream: Baskin Robbins 31 cents! Wed. April 29

When I was a kid my family rarely went to Baskin Robbins. That's because there was (still is in fact) an old fashioned ice cream shop in town called Bischoff's that makes their own so really, there was no need to go anywhere else.

However, there was one in the Paramus Park Mall (New Jersey) and when we were there, I somehow would convince my mom to let me get a Baskin Robbins. I only had one flavor in mind. Pink Bubblegum. It had huge chunks of real gumballs in it.

Well Baskin Robbins is having 31 Cent Scoop Night, this Wednesday, April 29 from 5pm-10pm. The event honors America’s firefighters with a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program.

Here are the San Francisco locations:
570 Battery (btw Washington & Jackson)
2250 Irving (btw 23rd & 24th)
1539 Sloat (in that shopping center on your way out to the zoo)

Click here to find a location outside of the city.

Free Fire Dancing Show: Sat. 7:50pm Union Square

Bring a blanket and head down to Union Square Saturday evening at 7:50 to watch a free Fire Dancing Show. Its the Temple of Poi 2009 Fire Dancing Expo and its FREE.

I actually used to work with someone who did Fire Dancing and this show includes a real who's who in the Fire Dancing world!

Poi is a form of juggling using a ball suspended from a length of flexible material that is held in the hand and swung in circular patterns. Light that ball on fire and you have Fire Poi!

Check out the video below of a past performance.

FREE COOKIE!! Grand Opening of Anthony's Cookies!

This Saturday, April 25 from 1-3 head over to Anthony's Cookies to get a free cookie and help Anthony celebrate the Grand Opening of his new Mission District Gourmet Cookie Shop.

Anthony has spent the last 10 years working with numerous top notch professional bakers. He's worked hard, saved is cash and is venturing out on his own. Those who have tasted his cookies (I'll be one of them for sure) say it's pure heaven.

And guess what, it's a Local Independent Store! This city and economy needs people like Anthony to be opening businesses and who can say no to a warm, delicious, fresh baked cookie? Not me, that's for sure.

In the few short weeks they've been open, Anthony's Cookies are catching on quickly.
Check out what the Yelpers have to say here.

Anthony's Cookies
Saturday April 25 1pm -3pm
1417 Valencia Street (btw 25th & 26th)

Green Apple Books! Some Free and Some Practically Free!

I love bookstores. My husband and I regularly have our "date night" in a bookstore. Spending an hour or two wandering around grabbing a selection of books to keep us busy for the next few weeks... Its a perfect evening as far as I'm concerned.

Green Apple Books, one of our favorites, has been around for over 40 years. They buy, sell, and trade new and used books, cds and dvds. They have been voted Best Bookstore in the Bay Area many times over and have 4.5 yelp stars with over 670 reviews!

Green Apple Books has a "FREE" box for books they can not use. It's filled and emptied and refilled throughout the day, mostly by people whose books they could not buy for whatever reason. They also have children's books on "remainder" (as-new books at less than half the original price). The owner told me that on Sunday mornings, the store is always full of parents buying remaindered kids books on their way birthday parties. So much better than a plastic peice of crap.

So lets see..... free books, low cost children's books and a place where you can sell your used books. Oh wait, the best part: SUPPORTING A LOCAL INDEPENDENT STORE. The more and more I learn about the importance of shopping locally, the more I am convinced that it is the single most important thing each of us can do to help right the economic conditions we find ourselves in.

Green Apple Books & Music
506 Clement Street (btw 6th & 7th)
Sunday - Thursday 10 am-10:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 11:30 pm
Book Buying Hours: 10-6 everyday, Tues & Wed until 8

HUGE Kids Consignment Sale: Sat. April 25: 9-3pm

Twice a year, the San Francisco Parents of Multiples Club holds a HUGE kids consignment sale. I can honestly say that I have gotten at least 75% of my family's gear, clothing & toys there. I am not exaggerating.

The next sale is this Saturday, April 25 from 9am-3pm. Its a new location this time. The Event Center at St. Mary's Cathedral, which is located at 1111 Gough Street, between Geary Blvd. and O'Farrell Street. The entrance to the Consignment Sale will be from the Gough St. side of the building on the ground floor. Plenty of parking!

It is literally a sea of clothing, strollers (both single and double), car seats, walkers, safety gates, maternity clothes, high chairs, swings, costumes, toys, books, dvds, bikes/trikes, cribs, packnplays, etc, etc, etc. It is amazing to see. AND EVERYTHING IS PRICED TO SELL. Also, they are pretty strict on what they accept (batteries installed and working, no stains/rips what so ever, etc)

They open to the public at 9am. Then take a quick break from 12:50-1:00 and when they reopen at 1pm nearly everything is 50% off.

There is a $1 entrance fee. However, if you print and bring this flyer with you, that entrance fee is waived.

All proceeds from the sale support the SFPOM club.

Saturday, April 25
9am-3pm
Event Center @ St. Mary's Cathedral
1111 Gough St (btw Geary & O'Farrell)

Free Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream : TUES., APRIL 21

While I dream about salted caramel and honey lavender ice cream from Bi-Rite, I went to school in Burlington, Vermont and lived across the street from the original Ben & Jerry's shop, so I have a special place in my heart for them.

These days, Ben & Jerry's is well...overpriced if you ask me. But not tomorrow and man, the weather could not be better for ice cream.

Tuesday, April 21 is FREE ICE CREAM CONE DAY. Go to any of their shops between 12pm-8pm to get your free scoop!

Guess where I am taking the kids after school!

Click Here for Locations

More $5 Movies: Monday Nights - Roxie Cinema

I received a tip from a follower of this blog about another $5 movie night. Monday nights at the Roxie Cinema. All Monday movies are $5.

The Roxie is right on 16th between Valencia & Guerrero, so you can actually have a cheap date night with a $5 movie and the number of cheap eats in the area (taquerias, pakwan, arinell, sunflower, etc)

Click here to see whats playing.

Roxie Theater
3117 16th Street (btw. Val & Guerrero)

Open House/Happy Hour Every Friday at Speakeasy - KIDS OK!

Speakeasy is a local beer manufacturer (remember, support your LOCAL businesses!), that I hope you have had an opportunity to try. It's made right here in SF, but can be enjoyed across the country.

Every Friday, from 4-8, they open up their warehouse so you can drink directly from the source! This is a beer manufacturing facility - not a restaurant, micropub, bar. What does that mean for you? This is no frills, laid back, enjoy a damn good beer to wind down your week kind of place. What does it mean for me or any other parent? It means we can bring the kids since its not a bar. I miss happy hour so much, because it's hard to justify the cost of a sitter to get my early evening drink on! This solves that issue!

What else can I tell you:
Beer is $3 a pint (BARGAIN)
The local taqueria brings food for you to buy (this beer is strong, so eat up - and support another local merchant)
Mind Your Kids: Just cause they allow kids, does not mean everyone there wants to play with/watch/entertain your kids. Mind them as you know you should. They are still your responsibility.

SPEAKEASY ALES & LAGERS, Inc.
1195 Evans Avenue, Suite A
Every Friday 4pm-8pm

Dolores Park Movie Night Tonight! Free!

Grab a cozy blanket to watch this one. Tonight, and every 2nd Thursday of the month, there are FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES being shown in Dolores Park.
Tonight's movie (8:00pm) is Madagascar, starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock & David Schwimmer.

You can purchase popcorn there as well as tamales from Virginia, The Tamale Lady.

Check here, to see whats playing next month.

Dolores Park
8:00pm
Thurs. April 16

Free Jazz Every Friday: Bird & Becket in Glen Park

A neighborhood tradition since 2002, Bird & Beckett Books and Records in Glen Park presents FREE "Jazz In the Bookshop" every Friday from 5:30-8:00pm. The line up rotates and includes Don Prell's Seabop Ensemble, The Jimmy Ryan Quintet and the Henry Irvin Quartet.

Bird & Beckett is a great bookstore that does more than simply sell books and music, they provide lots of FREE cultural events in Glen Park as well (this jazz series, poetry readings, open mic, book clubs, Bloomsday celebrations, etc), so please SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE.

Did you know: That for every $100 spent in a locally, independently owned store, $68 returns to the community via taxes, payroll and other expenditures. Spend that same $100 in a big chain store (target, borders), and only $43 stays here. Spend it online, and none of it stays here. For more info on how important it is to spend your $$ locally, click here.

Bird & Beckett
653 Chenery (@ Carrie - off Diamond)
415-586-3733
http://www.birdbeckett.com

$1 Book Sale on SF Main Library Steps, this Wednesday

Now through October, the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library will host "Steps Sales" on the 1st & 3rd Wed of every month. The sale is located outside on the Larkin St. entrance of the Main Library. All books are only $1 or less.

That's probably less than what many of you, if you are like me, pay in late fees at the library! Even better, all proceeds from Steps Sales go to benefit the San Francisco Public Library.

SF Main Library
100 Larkin Street 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month (April through October)
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars: April 15, May 6 & 20, June 3 & 17, July 1 & 15, Aug 5 & 19, Sept 2 & 16, Oct 7 & 21

$5 Movies - Tuesday at the Castro Theater

Sorry about the lack of posts..... Spring break for the kids, folks in town..... Anyway, back to the savings:

Every Tuesday, all seats at the Castro Theater are $5 and they will be showing Classic Movies. The Castro Theater is the most beautiful movie theater I've ever been too, and the Wurlitzer performance before the shows begin give it that extra special touch. This Tuesday, April , they are showing the 1940’s film “My Little Chickadee” staring Mae West and W.C. Fields. preceded by the short film The Dentist (1932) in a restored 35mm print. I actually recall watching The Dentist with my grandfather when i was really young and even then finding it very funny.

The following Tuesday, April 21, features The Animation Madness of Max Fleischer. This collection from the animation pioneer collects his most popular creations in one program. Headlining is the 70th Anniversary of Gulliver's Travels (1939, Original 3-Strip Technicolor Print), preceded by the shorts Betty Boop in Blunderland (1933), Superman's Mechanical Monsters (1941), and Popeye Meets Ali Baba and His Forty Thieves (1937)

The Castro Theater
429 Castro (@17th St.)

Dress Yourself and Get A Free Gift at A Miner Miracle Shop

A Miner Miracle Shop (I've blogged about this amazing store before) is having a Mother's Day Promotion. If you are a mother, or you have a mother, you qualify! Simply spend $100 in the store between now and mother's day (its coming up!) and you will receive a free gift (currently, the gift is a really lovely watch that can be a gift to yourself or for a mom in your life). Tell them you heard about it here!

Now, if you have not been to A Miner Miracle Shop, you might not know the following:

1. $100 will get you a lot! The store carries new in season brand name clothes at 50-80% off retail, every day. They restock all the time. This week when I was there they had received a shipment from Eileen Fisher as well as their daily Ann Taylor loot. I also spied an Anthropologie top and a Banana one too. Last week I spent $91 and got a pair of pants, a top, a great black swing jacket, and a pair of earrings. I keep going back because I can never believe the bargains will still be there (and because every time I go they have new things there)

2. You are supporting a local charity! ALL proceeds from the store support a Miner Miracle's programs that provide clothing and image consulting to low income men and women seeking employment. You can dress yourself as well as someone else who can not afford to do so. How great is that.

3. It is super easy to get to, as it is located in the ground floor of the parking garage on 5th & Mission. When I went on Tuesday it was raining, but I did not even get wet. I went from car to store back to car. easy. You can also take Bart - only 1 block from Powell St. Station.

899 Mission Street (@5th)
Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm

Free Kid Activities - Exploratorium & Library

It's Spring Break Week - so everyone is looking for kid bargains. The following are FREE thing to do with the kids!

1. The Exploratorium recently opened a bunch of outdoor exhibits at Fort Mason between Aquatic Park the Marina District. The 20 exhibits investigate everything from water and wind to sound and light.

2. The SF Public Library: I feel like all the libraries I visit (glen park, noe, excelsior, west portal) have some great kids programs. You should regularly check the library's website events listing. Be sure to check out the "Special Events", some of them are great. Tomorrow the Bubble Lady will be at the Excelsior Branch (4400 Mission @ Cotter - recently renovated) at 11:30. On Saturday, there is a Bonnet Making Arts & Crafts activity at the Main Library (you can walk across the street also and take a look at the Patrick Daugherty exhibit I wrote about on Monday - also free.)

Great Price Fix e & No Corkage: Alamo Square Seafood Grill

Alamo Square Seafood Grill has been around about 10 years and their description on their website is spot on. It reads, "At Alamo Square, we specialize in fresh seafood in generous portions. In the last nine years, we have become a neighborhood favorite for a delicious meal at a great price." I could not agree more.

I went recently when my folks were in town and while we had a very ditzy waitress, (she was at least entertaining, you know, the kind that if she had been any better it would have been worse!) the meal was excellent. They have some great dining bargains that really make eating out enjoyable.

1. Every night from 5:30-7:00 they have a prix fixe for $14.50 (soup or salad, entree, dessert)

2. Every Wednesday night is No Corkage Fee (normally $12/bottle). It is such a great way to keep that dining cost down. Go to Trader Joe's and bring your own wine. (note, if you do that, you can not also do the prix fixe.)

When we went we did neither the prix fixe or the no corkage, and still we felt the meal was a good value and the seafood really very good. It's cozy and the wine list prvides plenty of options in the high 20's low 30's.

Alamo Square Seafood Grill
803 Fillmore St. (btw. Grove & Fulton)
415.440.282

Free Docent Tour of The Upper Crust - Civic Center

The San Francisco Arts Commission will offer a free docent-led tour of Patrick Dougherty’s large-scale environmental work, The Upper Crust on the first Tuesday of every month through November 2009.

Comprised of 18,000 pounds of freshly cut willow saplings, the sculpture is woven into the tops of the sycamores located on Joseph L. Alioto Performing Arts Piazza in front of City Hall. Tour will meet in front of sculpture.

Patrick Dougherty's work is very cool if you have not seen one before. If you've ever been to the SF Bay Discovery Museum, you've likely seen his work. In the back of the outdoor playground there is that willow maze (back by the spider's web). That's Patrick Dougherty, it's cool. I bet it will be very cool to watch as seasons change too.

http://www.sfartscommission.org/pubartcollection/

Civic Center Plaza (Polk & Grove)
12pm-1pm Every First Tuesday

First Free Days in San Francisco

Lots of museums offer 1 free day a month. Sure these days can get a little crowded, but it is free and some of these museums have a pretty steep entrance fee. Most often they are the first ____ of a month (for example, Asian Art Museum is free the first Sunday of every month)
Here is a listing:

First Sunday:
Asian Art Museum

First Monday: none

First Tuesday:
Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission Street (between 2nd & 3rd)
First Tuesday is “Pay What You Wish Day.”

de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park
Also: $2 discount on regular admission with Muni pass or transfer.

Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park
Also: $2 discount on regular admissionwith Muni pass or transfer.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA)
151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard)
Also discounted every Thursday evening: Half price admission from 6:00p to 9:00p.

Yerba Buena Center Galleries
701 Mission Street

First Wednesday
Exploratorium
at the Palace of Fine Arts

Always Free:

Cable Car Museum
1201 Mason St

Chinese Cultural Center Gallery
750 Kearny St, 3rd Floor

Museo ItaloAmericano
Fort Mason Center, Building C

San Francisco Fire Department Museum
655 Presidio Ave (at Pine)

Visitor Center & Hyde Pier at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
499 Jefferson St (at Hyde)

Wells Fargo History Museum
420 Montgomery St (between California & Sacramento)

$1.50 Draft Beers Daily 5-10: 901 Columbus Cafe

I love a Happy Hour that extends into the evening. The folks over at 901 Columbus Cafe are truly ahead of their time. They've been advertising this "recession" draft beer pricing since June!

Every day from 5pm-10pm you can get good draft beer for $1.50 (think Speakeasy, not PBR). That's a huge bargain. Also, the food is good and reasonably priced, the WiFi is free.... What more are you looking for??

901 Columbus Cafe (btw Chestnut St & Lombard St)

$1 Taco & $2 Beers Every Day @ El Toro Taqueria

While El Toro is not my #1 burrito joint (I'm an El Farolito girl myself), I have a feeling that I'll be visiting El Toro Taqueria pretty soon, especially with the wee ones.

Every day from 3pm-5pm, Tacos are $1 and Beers are $2. I know its kind of on the early side, but for those prices you can call it a late lunch or an early dinner.


El Toro Tacqueria
17th & Valencia

Mani + Nanny: Book a Pedi & Get 50% off A Mani

I love the concept of this place. Childcare while you get a mani/pedi. You don't even have to reserve ahead. Just drop in.

The wee ones (6 weeks-6 years) will have a great time with the nanny in a new (translation: clean) toy-filled playroom. You can watch them via the flat screen in the salon or through the one-way window. All the nannies have experience with infants, so even the littlest ones will be in good hands! Right now they are having a promotion, get a pedi ($30) and your mani is only $10 (a 50% savings) - mention Hand-Spring for discount.

I know, I know, you can get a mani/pedi for $18 at the place on the corner, but this is so much nicer and the kids are entertained. childcare is $10 for the first and $5 for the second/third/fourth.....Also, if you are a card holding member of GGMG, you get 10% off everything all the time!

It's a great way to get a little ladies time with your girlfriends without having to arrange childcare.
Brilliant, truly brilliant.

mani+nanny
1722-1724 Divisadero St
(415) 673-6264

www.maniandnanny.com