More than 250 artisans exhibit at the Renegade Craft Fair, selling jewelry, knitwear, prints, paper goods and more. Tomorrow and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. McCarren Park, Driggs Avenue and North 12 Street, Brooklyn. Free, renegadecraft.com
Oprah is a woman after my own heart. She loves a good bargain and is always giving something away on her talk show. This time, she's giving away a coupon for a free two-piece meal for that new Kentucky Grilled Chicken. You'll get two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit!
Go on, try it out. It's really free! Limited time only. Get more details on Oprah.com. Offer good at participating Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants only. You have until May 19th to redeem the coupons.
Update: The download time frame has now expired.
>> More details: KFC free chicken vouchers create frenzy in NYC
Did you know that the Campbell Soup Co. grows its own tomatoes for its tomato soup? I didn't until it launched the Help Grow Your Soup program this year, announcing that for the first time in the company's 100-year history, it is making its specially cultivated seeds available to the public. Read more about this great offer and score some free seeds ....
Love gardening? Check out my pal Jessica Damiano's Garden Detective blog.
Photo credit: Burpee.com
Register for this oil painting class, which starts Thursday, and is offered every Thursday for six weeks, 1-3 p.m. at the Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center, 39 Montauk Hwy., Blue Point, $25. Call about supplies, 631-363-5193.
Head to your local Target on Sunday and get a reusable Target tote bag with any in-store purchase while supplies last. Target and GE are celebrating Earth Day by giving away 1 million bags; each will include a coupon for $2 off a GE compact fluorescent lightbulb.
Today, March 20 is the first day of spring and Rita's Ice is giving away free 10-ounce Italian ice treats in your choice of available flavors from noon-10 p.m. at more than 500 locations in 17 states. New flavor for 2008: Birthday Cake Cream Ice.
Here are the Long Island locations:
Bellmore
2942 Merrick Rd.
Directions
Deer Park
2158 Deer Park Ave.
Directions
East Islip
105 E. Main St.
Directions
Huntington Station
107 Walt Whitman Rd.
Directions
Medford Commons
2717 Rte. 112
Directions
Oceanside
2791 Long Beach Rd.
Directions
Kids explore their creative sides as the Creative Art Space Foundation hosts an open studio for age 5 to 12, allowing them to work with paints and drawing materials. Kids 13 to 17 can participate in the teen program. From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Creative Art Space, 48-D Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook. Free. 516-596-4278 or creativeartspaceforkids.org.
Visit the International House of Pancakes for a deal you'll flip over!
The restaurant chain is celebrating National Pancake Day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. Stop by your local IHOP to pick up one free short stack (three) of their famous buttermilk pancakes. IHOP is asking that you consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network.
For more information or to find an IHOP near you, visit: www.ihoppancakeday.com
Psst! Don't go there trying to fill up on pancakes for the long winter. There is a limit of one free stack per person for a dine-in visit. Enjoy!
Thanks to fellow Newsday blogger Mark La Monica for the freebie reminder!
Lingerie experts find the right bra size for you at Bloomingdale's Intimates Boutique, Roosevelt Field. Then head over to the Estee Lauder counter for an iMatch consultation and a free 10-day supply of liquid foundation (no purchase necessary; one per customer, while supplies last); 631-425-6700. Feb. 12-15.
Try this knitting class, where participants will create knitted fingerless gloves on Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Keep Me in Stitches, 77 Smithtown Blvd., $20 plus supplies, 631-724-8111, keepmeinstitches1.com
Want free cosmetics? It's yours for the asking today at Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Carson Pirie Scott and Nordstrom.
The giveaway is the result of a 2004 legal settlement in a case that accused cosmetics companies and the retailers of price fixing. Although the companies deny any wrongdoing, the settlement requires them to give away $175 million in makeup to customers who purchased a product between 1994 and 2003.
No receipt? No worries. They're operating on the honor system. Customers claiming a free product will need to sign a form stating they're eligible.
The giveaway runs while supplies last, through Jan. 26. Any remaining items (like there will really be any) will be donated to charity.
Manufacturers involved are Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Guerlain, Chanel, Boucheron, L'Oreal and
A list of available products is posted at www.cosmeticssettlement.com.
Personal finance expert and author Suze Orman is offering a free download on Oprah.com for anyone needing advice on how to revamp their finances.
Her new book is called "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan: Keeping Your Money Safe and Sound," and she'll take your money questions in a Webinar on Oprah.com on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. EST. (Registration required) Hurry! The free Suze Orman download is only available on Oprah.com for one week.
On Election Day, many voters were met with long lines in chilly temps, watched lots of media hoopla, and endured endless predictions of who will win the White House. Does anyone have election fatigue yet? Well, as a reward for casting your ballot today, you're entitled to get a bunch of free treats!
Here's a sampling of what's free to voters:
Starbucks coffee -- Stop by your local Starbucks and get a free tall cup of brewed coffee (limit one per customer).
Ben and Jerry's -- Visit Ben and Jerry's between 5 and 8 p.m. today and get a free scoop of ice cream! Sweet!
Babeland -- Voting feels good! Babeland wants to make sure all voters go home with a free sex toy -- Maverick sleeve or a Silver Bullet. This offer is good at any Babeland location in New York until Nov. 11.
The {NewNew} York Street team has teamed up with crafters' marketplace Etsy Labs to host a sock monkey making workshop. Free.
Fresh Art is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. The sock monkeys we create this afternoon will be sold to raise funds to support Fresh Art's programs. All skill levels are welcome, though basic hand sewing skills are helpful.
Saturday, October 25, 2008; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
325 Gold St, 3rd floor, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11222
Ages 12 & up are welcome.
Please RSVP at rsvp@etsy.com for this free workshop.
Hosted by Fresh Art (www.freshartnyc.org), the NewNew (thenewnew.blogspot.com), and Etsy Labs (etsylabs.etsy.com).
Join us in Etsy's Treehouse room of the Virtual Labs, for an online workshop with AnnMarie Harris from Fresh Art for a chat about using crafts to fund your non-profit organization at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23.
Photo credit: Mikey the Sockmonkey created by Siansburys on Etsy.com.
Crafty Brooklynite Tammy Christian would like to invite DIYers to join her craft club called the Brooklyn's Phenomenal Crafter's Circle. Here's a word from Tammy:
Are you Looking for some fun? Then come out to a event with the Brooklyn's Phenomenal Crafter's Circle. This crafty group has a lot of fun going on. Past classes included rubber stamping, card making, soap making, and more. It's free to join.
To learn more about this craft group and join, visit: http://rubberstamp.meetup.com/461/
(Handout photo)
I received this open invitation to craft, and I thought I'd share it with you. Church of Craft is a group of women (and men) who get together to make all sorts of things in various public locations in New York City and other spots across the country. This is not your grandmother's craft circle. Check it out!
To learn more about the Church of Craft, visit its official Web site: www.churchofcraft.org or visit their Flickr group to see them in action: www.flickr.com/groups/churchofcraft
Event: Church of Craft monthly meeting
Sunday 10/5 2-6pm
at Etsy Labs!
325 Gold St., 3rd Floor (buzz #3)
Downtown Brooklyn
www.etsy.com
I only have two words for how I feel about the beginning of Fall: Wool & Halloween!
As happens every year around this time my craft yearnings develop in two directions:
a. having anything to do with yarn, knitting, crochet: I can't set it down. I look forward to long subway rides where I can knit uninterrupted and without any distractions.
b. Halloween is like my Christmas: I absolutely adore the spontaneous creativity coupled with the opportunity to dress up like something or someone you are not.
So bring your yarn or your costume plans and supplies or anything else that inspires you to use your creative energy.
Come craft with us!!
Our meeting will be the usual casual drop in affair, come any time, bring anyone, bring anything you are working on or come and just check out what everyone else is up to. Snacks are welcome.
Your Humble Servant,
The Very Esteemed Callie Janoff
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts on Thursday announced a new promotion to admit visitors free on their birthdays next year.
"Every guest gets in free to one of our parks on their birthday in 2009," Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said at a news conference in Manhattan.
Read more about this great deal and view photos of the Magic Kingdom.
Sept. 9: Heidi Klum signs autographs during a personal appearance to launch the Fall/Winter collection of “Heidi Klum by Jordache,” noon-2 p.m., at Bloomingdales, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, Manhattan.
Sept. 10: Frederic Fekkai offers free color and style consultations and advice on how to get that salon look at home with his new hair color system, 4-7 p.m., Bloomingdale's, 59th Street and Lexington Avenue,
Sept. 10: ULTA and In Style Magazine offer free skin, makeup and hair makeovers from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ULTA store, 3377 Hempstead Tpk., Levittown. Visit ULTA.com to receive an invitation, or call 888-266–1686 to RSVP.
Sept. 12: A Pea in the Pod, 7 for all Mankind and basq Skin Care treat mommies- to-be with hand and foot mini-massages, a personal jean fitting and style and skin care advice, 3-7 p.m., at Destination Maternity, 28 E. 57th St., Manhattan. Get a gift and a chance to win merchandise with your basq and 7 for all Mankind purchases.
Sept. 13: Push Play performs live and signs their debut album "Deserted," 4 p.m., at Bloomingdale's Roosevelt Field. Bloomingdale's donates $1 to Friends of the Arts, today only, with every pair of Y.E.S. denim sold.
For more shopping events, visit online: www.newsday.com/shoptalk
AP Photo
A Cheap Thrills reader e-mailed me this Web site for free photo editing software. Take a look ...
"This software is really good! Even if you already have Photoshop or some other system to edit your photos, check it out. It's free and there is nothing to download. Just upload a photo and play!
In addition to the usual photo editing (red eye reduction, cropping, contrast, etc.) you can add text and a bunch of graphics right to your photo. If you want to save what you do you just save it to your computer. Here's a photo of me at a friend's birthday dinner. Is this fun, or what? We all got crowns and tiaras and our names on our clothes, plus the name of the restaurant in the upper right hand corner." -- Eileen Bellomo
Photo credit: Eileen Bellomo/Handout
Google's more than just searches. Check out a whole banquet of other free goodies at google.com/options:
1. Get a handle on your life
Google Calendar: google.com/calendar
Keep track of appointments, share with friends, family or business associates -- or everyone in cyberspace. Set up reminder alerts that arrive via e-mail or cell text message.
2. Get the number -- free
Goog-411: google.com/goog-411
Here's another way to save: Call 800-GOOG-411 to get the phone number of a business, and it won't cost you a cent. Google even connects you for no charge.
3. Organize digital photos
Picasa: picasa.google.com/features/index.html
This downloadable product searches every corner of your computer for digital photos and helps you organize them into albums.
Women's magazine Better Homes and Gardens is offering a free online application that allows you design your very own cookbook. This is a great idea for anyone that wishes to preserve favorite family recipes and makes a special gift for the cook in your life. Don't have any recipes? No problem. Just use any of their recipes on their Web site. Get creative by customizing your cookbook with your own text and photos of your favorite dishes and then choose from a variety of cover designs to complete the look. It's free! Registration is required.
For more information, visit online: www.midwestliving.com/app/mycookbook/
Photo credit: Marge Perry/Newsday
A Cheap Thrills reader just e-mailed me about an offer of free tickets to see the Mets for people who donate blood this weekend at the Walt Whitman Mall. Here's more details:
Donate blood at the Walt Whitman Mall blood drive this Saturday, July 19th. Every donor gets TWO free Mets tickets. The drive hours are from 11 a.m. to 4:30pm. Donate blood, save lives, and get free Mets tickets. If you can't make it on Saturday, there are two other blood drives running this summer offering free Mets tickets to donors:
* Friday, August 8th at the Walmart in Commack
* Saturday, August 16th at Lighthouse Harley Davidson in Huntington Station
Note: You can only donate blood every 56 days, so you can only donate once at one of these drives.
For more information, call Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-933-BLOOD (800-933-2566) or visit online: www.nybloodcenter.org
Photo of "Mr. Met" by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
AdornIt by Carolee's Creations offers papercrafting products for scrapbooking and has been a player in the craft industry for around 20 years, according to their Web site. They are currently offering a free idea book to help you get a jump on your scrapbooking projects.
Visit online to sign up for the free offer: www.adornit.com/ideabook/
And while you're at it, check out some of the scrapbooking clubs that meet in the area:
The Sisterhood of the Scrapbook Club meets for weekly workshops in Freeport.
The Bellmore Scrapbooking Meetup has planned a for a full day of scrapbooking where you'll have lots of space to work on your projects.
In New York City, there's the NY Scrapbooking & Rubber Stamping of Upper Manhattan where you enjoy a variety of classes alongside some talented crafters.
Above: A handmade card using a copper foiling technique. Photo by Heidi Davenport
July 19: Shop til you drop Saturday at Shecky's Girls Day Out, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Southampton Historical Museum. Planners promise fashions from up-and-coming designers, free spa services, tons of samples and plenty of cocktails. It's free but you need to register at girlsnightout.sheckys.com; for $30, you get the goodie bag with products from the likes of Dove and
July 17: Sephora Soho celebrates it’s 10th anniversary with free skincare consultations, makeovers, and spray tans, noon–7 p.m. at 555 Broadway, Manhattan; (212) 625-1309.
Blogger Mark LaMonica is giving away free copies of the book "How the Other Half Hamptons" by Jasmin Rosemberg over at the Hanging in the Hamptons blog. Check them out and learn how you can score a copy. Tell 'em Cheap Thrills sent ya!
Photo credit: Hachette Books
Do you love Slurpees? How about a free one?
Well, 7-Eleven's participating stores are offering customers a free Slurpee to celebrate their 81st birthday on – when else? – July 11, 7/11/08, also known as 7-Eleven® Day!
As has been the tradition for many years, the company will celebrate July 11 with free 7.11-ounce Slurpee® drinks for customers visiting its U.S. stores. Special birthday cups will be available while supplies last.
Fun Fact: Long Islanders buy the most coffee out of all of its stores nationwide.
Pictured: 7-Eleven customers line up for Squishees, the Slurpee-like concoctions made famous on "The Simpsons." (Getty Images Photo)
-- Corris
Latina Magazine offers a day of free pampering -- makeup applications, hairstyling, mini-manicures, 10-minute back massages, July 12 from noon-5 p.m. at the Westin Times Square, 270 W. 43rd St., Manhattan; e-mail reservation (must be 18; include name, age and number of guests) to rsvp_newyork@latina.com.
This summer's Major League Baseball's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium is going to be a hot ticket. Not much of a baseball fan? No problem! Go for the free Bon Jovi concert in Central Park on July 12th. The complimentary concert is part of the festivities associated with the All-Star baseball game on July 15th. Bon Jovi currently has the #1 concert, according to Pollstar.
For tickets, stay tuned to their fan site: www.bonjovi.com/bonjovi or vist the MLB site for the concert: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/concert.jsp
Coldplay is playing a free concert at Madison Square Garden on Monday, with tickets handed out through their Web site, coldplay.com. They return for a show at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., Oct. 26, but ticket info is not yet available.
Check out Newsday's review of Coldplay's latest release 'Viva La Vida.'
Dads get a free small cup or cone of frozen yogurt all day Sunday, June 15 at TCBY locations.
Click here to find one near you.
This Saturday, I'm going to one of the biggest craft fairs in the New York area -- The Renegade Craft Fair. Yay! I'm very excited about this event!
This craftapalooza runs from June 14-15 at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn and boasts more than 200 vendors and makers of all things crafty and cool. The Renegade Craft Fair is the brainchild of Sue Blatt and Kathleen Habbley. The duo first took up crafts as a hobby and soon discovered there were no events specifically for the DIY craft community. Hence, the RCF was born!
DIYers and craft fans of all stripes swarm this annual craft fair to see what's new, support indie designers, and get inspired. I'll be there on June 14th, so kindly say "hello" if you're there too.
Don't miss this event!
For more details, visit: www.renegadecraft.com
At Port Washington's 18th annual Harborfest Dock Day and Craft Festival, the hardest decision will be whether your fun's on land or sea. Or have it all as the community celebrates its nautical heritage and heightens awareness of the environment. You'll find crafts vendors and area merchant displays; a children's fun park; musicians and other performers and a talent show; field day competitions; kayaking and stage coach and trolley rides; and cruises on Manhasset Bay. It's all happening Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Port Washington's picturesque waterfront at and around the town dock and lower Main Street. Free admission. 516-883-6566, pwguide.com.
On your way to work or school, pick up a free iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. Yep, you heard right! It's officially "Free Iced Coffee Day" today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating Dunkin' Donuts nationwide. Get a free 16 oz. cup of Dunkin' Donuts' original or flavored iced coffee.
And while you're getting your java fix, trot on over to McDonald's for a free Southern-style chicken biscuit or chicken sandwich. What's the catch? You must buy a large or medium drink today at any McDonald's to get the free, full-size chicken sandwhich. This offer is good from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.
My pal and fellow blogger the Garden Detective has the scoop on a tree giveaway through MillionTreesNYC. Click here to get more information.
Down with the dastardly plastic bag! New York City students want shoppers to go green and use cloth instead. So three students have designed eco-friendly canvas tote bags and you can get them today - for FREE!
Click here for more details. Tip of the hat goes to Lauren over at the Urbanite blog.
When environmental crusader Deron Beal first created the community recycling network called Freecycle, he envisioned people trading large household items such as sofas and desks. What he didn't expect was the wave of miscellany including old underwear and half-eaten packages of chocolate that has flooded the network. Freecycle says this all helps keep 400 tons of garbage out of landfills every day.
Continue reading this article about Freecycle and check out our living green section on Newsday.com.
Old furniture, china, coins and estate jewelry ... some pieces are legitimate, valuable antiques while others are, well, just plain junk.
Learn to spot the difference at a four-session appraisal series on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. through May 1, as the Ward Melville Heritage Organization brings antique dealers and experts to the Education and Cultural Center at Stony Brook Village Center on Main Street. Sessions cost $7 each ($25 for all four), which includes a free appraisal of one item per session. Call 631-689-5888 to register; visit wmho.org for the full schedule of topics and speakers.
-- FRANK LOVECE
OK, I have a secret to share ... I'm a Hannah Montana fan.
Yes, it's true! I'm a 32-year-old-woman who waits for my husband to leave the house, so I can watch a TV show meant for pre-teens and I think it's time I came out of the closet. Why? I just found out Miley Cyrus aka "Hannah Montana" aka "the cutest girl on TV" is giving a free concert on July 25!
Miley Cyrus and a great mix of other artists are part of the line up for the "Today Concert Series." Here's the roster:
Tuesday, April 1: R.E.M (in studio)
Friday, April 4: Raheem DeVaughn (in studio)
Friday, April 11: Bowfire
Tuesday, April 15: Naked Brothers Band (in studio)
Friday, April 18: Ashlee Simpson (in studio)
Friday, April 25: Paula Abdul
Friday, May 2: Neil Diamond
Friday, May 9: Mary J Blige
 |
| Miley Cyrus photos |
Friday, May 16: Surprise Reunion concert
Friday, May 23: Alanis Morissette
Monday, May 26: B-52s (Special Memorial Day concert)
Friday, May 30: Donna Summer
Friday, June 6: Chris Brown
Friday, June 13: Kenny Chesney
Friday, June 20: Rihanna
Friday, June 27: Coldplay
Friday, July 4: Ashlee Simpson
Friday, July 11: Rascal Flatts
Friday, July 18: Natasha Bedingfield
Friday, July 25: Miley Cyrus <-----------
Friday, August 8: Sheryl Crow
All the performances begin at 7 a.m. Eastern.
 |
| Dogs frolic at LI parks |
The free two-hour sessions will be offered twice a month and will include presentations by trainers, vets and other dog-related professionals. And if that's not enough, you leave with a free goody bag.
The first class is Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m., at 100 Carleton Avenue, Islip. You must RSVP to reserve a spot: 631-224-5640. Sorry, no dogs allowed (though kids older than 10 are welcome). -- Denise Flaim
See our suggestions for affordable, handmade designs for dog lovers. Also, check out Newsday's list of dog-friendly parks and beaches.
Thursday, March 20 is the first day of spring and for the 16th year in a row Rita's Ice is giving away free 10-ounce Italian ice treats in your choice of available flavors from noon- 9 p.m. at more than 500 locations in 17 states. New flavor for 2008: Birthday Cake Cream Ice.
Monique Lhuillier free? Now there are three words that you don’t see together. But on March 25 at Macy’s Herald Square store that’s exactly what fans of the designer will see. Lhuillier, whose bridal couture can cost tens of thousands of dollars, will be on hand to give tips on how to pick the perfect wedding dress and discuss her new line of tableware, stemware and giftware, which debuts at Macy’s that day. The designer created the chic, modern, for-everyday-use collection with the help of Royal Doulton, a century-old British brand. The event will be on the 9th floor and will start at 6:30 p.m. — Tania Padgett
Looking for something old, borrowed or blue? Check out Etsy.com, a crafter's paradise, for their amazing showcase of lovely handmade wedding designs.
Also, be sure to check out Newsday's Guide to Weddings on ExploreLI.com.
Now this is a deal you can sink your teeth into!
McDonald's is giving away a free McSkillet Burrito today and Friday with the purchase of a medium or large drink. To get one of your own, stop by any McDonald's during breakfast hours and be sure to get the drink.
Buen provecho!
Consider it "CSI: Long Island." Former police officer and sex crimes prosecutor Bob Biancavilla will give you an inside look at the real-life world of forensic science by explaining how DNA evidence is collected, analyzed and presented at trials. It's free to attend, this Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Long Beach Library (111 W. Park Ave., 516-432-7201).
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