Bargain Alert and Good Cause: We Give Books

This is totally awesome. 

We Give Books is a website that allows you to read children's books for free online with your little ones.  And for each book that you read, they donate a book to a literary cause (choose from one of their options) so that kids who wouldn't otherwise have access to books can get them.  There is no downside.  Please do this.

http://www.wegivebooks.org/

Bargain Alert: Free Food and Discounts from Panda Express

Thank you, again, to Hip2Save for this gem.  On January 23rd, Panda Express is giving away FREE Firecracker Chicken Breast - no purchase necessary.  Then on January 24th through February 14th, they're giving away any free entree (excluding shrimp) with the purchase of a 2-entree plate, or you can get 10% off any purchase. 

You'll have to bring the coupons, though, available here.

Bargain Alert: Fun Free In-Store Event at Michaels on Saturday

Thanks to my fav savings blog www.hip2save.com, I found out about this cute event for the little princess(es) in your life. At the Fancy Nancy: Make-it, Take-it class in stores on Saturday Jan 21st 10:00 AM-Noon, kids can make their own tiara and hear a story.

Here's the store's website.  You'll have to click the little arrow on the right side of the page under store events to see the Fancy Nancy event. 

It looks like they have a lot of these in-store events throughout the month that appeal to all different ages.

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Casa Flores in Tracy

I'm loving all of the Groupons that are available in our area lately (with the exception of the Jamba Juice Groupon - see the updated post about that).  And here's another one I just learned about (and bought!)

For $10, you get $20 to spend on food and drinks at Casa Flores Mexican Restaurant.  It's valid at 8 locations, including the one on Tracy Blvd in Tracy (but not the ones in Manteca or Modesto, in case you're planning to go there).  I haven't been to Casa Flores before, but with a 50% discount, I'm definitely going to give it a try.

Go here to get all the details and to purchase the Groupon.

Zumba in Mountain House

If you're like me and love Zumba, or if you haven't tried it but are looking for a fun way to get your exercise in, you should check out the Zumba classes in Mountain House.  Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 PM in the gym at Wicklund school and they're $3 each or $20 for an 8 class punch card.

The proceeds from the classes benefit all three schools in Mountain House.  So you're getting fit, at a great price, and our schools benefit. 

It's only fitting that this event is very family oriented, being in Mountain House.  Kids come along and hang out while their parents Zumba, or if they're brave enough, they can join-in and Zumba, too!  I really think this is a great alternative to people who don't feel like they can pay for a gym membership (since you only have to pay when you go), especially if they also would have to pay for a sitter or kid care at the gym every time they wanted to work out.

My step-daughter has been looking forward to going back and participating next time (she didn't want to last time, although she regretted it).  Unfortunately, I don't usually get home early enough, and I haven't yet convinced her dad to take her... but I'm getting close!

Here's a map to the school if you're not familiar with the area.

Good Cause: Eating at Baja Fresh Today Benefits the Bethany School Foundation

Thanks to the Mountain House Wiki Community Events Page for letting me know about this event just in time.

If you eat at the Baja Fresh at 1875 W. 11th Street in Tracy today, Thursday, Jan 19th, between 2:00 and 9:00 PM, and you present this flier, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bethany School Foundation.

Bethany School is an Elementary through Middle School in Mountain House.  It's currently the only middle school in Mountain House, and because of this, the Foundation benefits many of the school-aged kids in Mountain House. 

Here's a link to the Bethany School Foundation: http://www.bethanyschoolfoundation.org/

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Qdoba Mexican Grill is Back Up!

In case you missed it last time, I just noticed that the Groupon for Qdoba Mexican Grill in Tracy is back up: $7 for a $14 voucher.  You can purchase it through tomorrow.  

I still haven't used mine, but let me know if you've been there and how you liked it.

You can get the Groupon here.

Bargain Alert: Groupon for 2 Medium Whirl'ns Frozen Yogurts with 2 Toppings Each for $5 (Update: Not Available in our Area)

Here's another Groupon that we can use close to home!  I just received an email from Groupon apologizing because this isn't available at Jamba Juices in our area and they'll be issuing refunds to those who purchased it.  Sorry about that!


For $5 you can get two Medium Whirl'ns Frozen Yogurts with two toppings each from Jamba Juice.  I didn't know that Jamba Juice had started selling froyo.  But since my step-daughter and I love frozen yogurt, we'll definitely be getting this one.

Get the Groupon here.

Bargain Alert: Livermore Rummage Sale January 28th

When I was looking at the LARPD website, I also saw that their monthly rummage sale is on January 28th 8:00 AM to Noon.  I believe they're held monthly on the last Saturday of the month.  I've been to it once and, although it wasn't huge, I would say it was definitely worth a visit, and I'll probably go again soon. You can also rent a space and sell your own stuff.

Here's the flier for January. 

Livermore Area Recreation & Park District's Winter/Spring Programs Catalog is Now Available

Every few months, I look forward to LARPD's new catalog of classes and programs.  It's filled with great activities for kids and adults and they're usually at great prices (or at least cheaper than private lessons and classes).  There are always too many classes that I want to take, so my family and I usually attend one or two per year.
 
There are any kind of classes imaginable, and some you never would have thought of in your wildest dreams.  Last year, my step-daughter took a kid's Zumba class, that she really enjoyed. (I've since discovered that kids can participate in the Zumba classes in Mountain House, but I'll post more on that soon.)  Another fun thing that my sister told me about is the Friday Fun Night, which allows you to drop of your 5- to 10-year-old off at the community center so that you can have a "date night" (or just a break).  It's only $15 for 3 hours and it sounds like a great time for all.

I'm going to look a little deeper to pick out which classes we might take this season.  I'll update you on the ones that I think look the best, and are the best deals.

Find the full catalog here: http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/brochures/Winter_Spring_2012_Brochure.pdf

And you can find the LARPD website here: http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/ 

About Mountain House - MountainHouseLiving.com

I love living in Mountain House.  There's something so unique about our neighborhood.  It's quiet, family friendly, and living here reminds me of a simpler time.  There is a really nice website about Mountain House, that includes information on new home construction, home sales and community events.  I recommend you take a peek.  We have really great community events that you can attend, even if you don't already live here, and you may just find yourself loving it so much that you'll want to stay.

http://mountainhouseliving.com/

There's also a great Facebook Page, which will keep you updated on the latest Mountain House News.  Like it here: https://www.facebook.com/MountainHouseCA

Bargain Alert: $20 for Paintball Package for 4 in Livermore

For $20 you can purchase this Trubates deal which is good for a $120 paintball package for 4, including equipment rental, although air and paint are not included.  I thought I'd share this one because it can be used in Livermore, off of Stanley Blvd.