FABULOUS, FUN & FRUGAL WEEKEND EVENTS! (Weekend of August 14)

FRUGAL & FUN FRIDAYS IN FORT WORTH ~ Each Friday, we post ideas for free (or almost free) weekend entertainment for you and your family. Here are this weekend’s tips…

WEEKEND FUN OPTION #1
FRIDAY NIGHT

Back-To-School “Flick-N-Float” at Keller Pointe…
See National Treasure ~ Book of Secrets
While Floating in Keller Pointe’s Water Park Pool!


Enjoy a fun-filled evening watching a favorite family movie… National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG). Be sure and bring your favorite water float for pool lounging as you take in the movie!


When: Friday, August 14, 2009, 8:15-10:15 PM

Where: The Keller Pointe Pool.
Find directions and other details for Keller Pointe here.

Fee: $5 Members; $7 Non-Members
$15 Member Family; $21 Non-Member Family

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WEEKEND FUN OPTION #2
SATURDAY NIGHT

Keller Concert in the Parks
Back-To-School Bash Featuring
Carly Patterson (former Olympic Gold Medalist)

Enjoy a free concert while you kick back and watch the sunset in Keller’s Bear Creek Park!

Former Olympic Gymnastics Gold & Silver Medalist, Carly Patterson, will be performing songs off her first album, “Back To The Beginning.”  Be sure to bring your blanket, lawn chair, and picnic and enjoy the fun family atmosphere. There will be bounce houses, concessions, games and lots of other free activities for families!

CONCERT DETAILS
What: For more details on Carly Patterson’s music, click here

When: Saturday, August 15, 2009, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Where: Bear Creek Park in Keller
(400 Bear Creek Parkway – For directions, click here)


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WEEKEND FUN OPTION #3
ANYTIME

Take a Driving Tour to take in the Views of
the Top 10 Rated, Most Inspiring Places of North Texas

A couple of weeks ago, the Fort Worth Star Telegram ran a reader’s poll on the Top 10 Most Inspiring Places to Stand in Fort Worth/ North Texas. (See the complete editorial here).  The winners are:

1. The Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

2. Looking downtown from the steps of the Amon Carter Museum

3. The Serra sculpture at the Modern

4. The New Cowboys Stadium

5. The Fort Worth Zoo

6. The Trinity River bridge north of the Tarrant County Courthouse

7. The Stockyards

8. Great lakes

9. Editors’ pick: Randol Mill Park, Arlington

10. Grand-prize winner: Tandy Hills Natural Area

I must concur with the wise voters of this poll (mostly…not sure I would call the Cowboys Stadium “inspiring”…I’d probably use the word “impressive” instead).  This is a great list and variety of places to “take in” for long time residents of Fort Worth and new visitors alike!   If you have not been to these spots (or need a refresher), take a tour and choose one or more of these locations to visit.  Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Thanks to FWRenaissance for pointing me to this list!

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WEEKEND FUN OPTION #4

The Cosmic Show Continues: FREE & Live From Your Backyard!
(a.k.a. The Perseid Meteor Shower) ~ Tonight through August 22

Take in the Perseid Meteor Shower, sure to sparkle the sky.

Plan a star-gazing party from the comfort of your own backyard (or for the best view, go to the edge of town to get away from the city lights). For more details on the Perseid Meteor Shower, go to my post on Wed. ~ click here.

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Enjoy! :)

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Heard it on the Radio (wo-oh-oh-oh…on the radio)…Managing the Money Maze, Show Review

I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ radio show, Revive our Hearts, on KVTT a couple of weeks ago.  <<If you are not a regular listener, you are missing out on a treat…you can find the radio schedule here.>>

During a 3-day series, Nancy re-aired a 2006 program about practical steps you and your family can take to make it through these stormy financial times.  This show is an excellent starting point for anyone who is trying to figure out where to begin to get their personal finances in order (not a lot of heavy financial talk…just good practical financial sense). Hard to believe it was recorded  3 years ago, as it is completely relevant for today (good teaching never gets stale, does it?)!

I  have wanted to share this show with others, and am so happy to discover that the transcripts and the actual radio show are available on-line in the show’s FREE archives (links below).

Following is an excerpt from the program as well as links to the transcripts/audio files…

Program Summary: Before the financial crisis settled in last fall, Nancy interviewed Jan Thompson, author of Managing the Money Maze. In this interview, Jan had the foresight to realize a financial storm was headed our way (and many in our country would  face challenging times).  Through this program, Jan provides, timeless, practical advice that everyone can apply to their lives…no matter the financial situation.

Program Excerpts (from Day 1): “Nancy: In recent years I’ve had so many friends that I’ve watched walk through major financial stress that just seems to suck the life out of their lives…I’ve seen people struggling with depression, with anxiety, with conflict in marriage. These are good friends, and I’ve watched them going through this. I began to seek the Lord about how we could address this subject in a way that would be helpful, in a way that could help people get not just the surface fruit problems, the symptoms, but the real heart issues. And the Lord brought to mind someone that I’ve known for many years but had never had a chance to have on Revive Our Hearts. Her name is Jan Thompson. Jan is a certified financial planner….She’s developed a lot of insights into God’s Word as it relates to good stewardship of God’s resources…

Jan: My mission is threefold. It is to educate, equip, and empower people to be the best trustee possible of the resources God’s going to give them to manage throughout their lifetime…

Nancy: You talk about the resources that God will entrust to people through the course of their lifetimes. Some of us are sitting here thinking, “Well, I’m not going to have any resources through my lifetime.” But you realize that’s not quite the case.

Jan: That’s not the case. In fact, one of the favorite groups that I enjoy speaking with (is college kids) . . . I actually got into this industry through teaching a college course called “Personal Financial Planning.”

I thought, “If I can get a hold of young people who are graduating from college equipped with a degree, hopefully prepared to go out and earn a living . . . no one has taught them how to manage the three and a half million dollars that the average wage earner is going to experience in their lifetime.”

Nancy: Three and a half million dollars?

Jan: That’s just at an average wage with three and a half inflation factor built into that through age 65.

Nancy: That we will have to manage.

Jan: That’s as a single person. If you get married you actually are doubling that. So you’re now at about seven million dollars that is going to go through your hands. As a business owner, would I hire someone to come in and manage my company if I knew I was going to be handling about seven million dollars—for someone who had had no training whatsoever, just had a passion and zeal to go out and do something?

So that gave me that passion to get involved on the college campus and start teaching this personal financial planning course, which I did for a number of years…”

You need to listen to the whole interview…good stuff.  Here are the links:

I hope you take the time to read or listen.  It will be time will spent…I promise.  :)

P.S.  If you are ready to do some more “unpacking” on personal finances, click on the Crown Financial or Dave Ramsey links in the column to the right under “blogroll”.

Enjoy! :)

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Cosmic Show Wednesday Night: FREE & Live From Your Backyard! (a.k.a. The Perseid Meteor Shower)

The Stars at Night are Big and Bright…
Enjoy one of the best meteor showers all year!

The Perseid Meteor Shower ~ Tonight (Wed. 8/12)

Take in the Perseid Meteor Shower that will sparkle the big Texas sky tonight, with a star-gazing party from the comfort of your own backyard (or for the best view, go to the edge of town to get away from the city lights).

What: The Perseids Shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at the peak (which takes place tonight between 11pm and the wee hours of 4am).  You will be able to see this without aid of a telescope (but perhaps not without coffee).  :)  Look up to the NorthEast.

Where: From the comfort of your own backyard OR head to the outskirts of town, away from city lights for best Perseids viewing.

When: Tonight, August 12 between 11pm-4am is the peak of the meteor shower show.  If interrupting your sleep tonight is not in the plans…not to worry…you should be able to see Perseids meteor activity from now until August 22 (same “bat time, same bat channel”).

More Info: To learn more about Meteor Showers in 2009, click here.  And for the serous Perseid viewer, follow the Perseid Meteor shower on Twitter with a group of “intrepid stargazers” in the UK, the Newbury Astronomical Society; they will be holding the first worldwide Twitter “meteor star gazing party”.

Enjoy! :)

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Oh, I Love A Parade…Don’t Miss the Elephant Walk and Buffet, Tuesday Evening ~ August 11 (FREE!)

Join the crowds in Sundance Square on Tuesday (August 11) for an Elephant Circus Party to celebrate the opening of the Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Festivities get underway at 7 p.m. with the arrival of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus clowns. Kids of all ages will delight in the zany antics of the amiable circus ambassadors!

Look for the Elephant parade to begin at 7:30 p.m., from the Tarrant County Convention Center, and arrive at the Square’s outdoor dining location at 7:40 p.m.

When: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 – festivities start at 7pm, Elephants arrive about 7:30pm

Where: Downtown Fort Worth on Main Street, between Third and Fourth streets (around Sundance Square)

Circus Details:  The “Over the Big Top” Circus Tour opens on Wednesday, August 12. Show dates and times for the circus are:

  • Wednesday, August 12 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 13 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 14 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 15 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 16 2:30 p.m.

For more information on the circus and ticket prices, visit http://www.ringling.com/

Enjoy! :)

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REMINDER: FREE Family Funday at the Amon Carter Sunday Afternoon

The Amon Carter museum, a local jewel of a spot, is offering a fun afternoon for the whole family with their program, “What a Wonderful World.” 

WhatThe Carter’s “Funday” program will offer FREE art-making and other fun activities for kids.  Discover how artwork is used to share stories, connect communities, and inspire our imaginations!

When:  Sunday, August 9, 2009 ~ 1:00PM to 4:00PM

Where:  The museum is located at 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard.  Directions and parking details can be found by clicking here.

Entrance to the Amon Carter’s Permanent Collection is always FREE (but donations are appreciated)!

 

Enjoy!  :)

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Get A Bit of the Emerald Isle ~ FREE Irish Celtic Music Downloads from Amazon

 

Amazon is offering a FREE Celtic Album download (10 songs) for a limited time. 

Artists include Susan McKeown, Tim O’Brien, Johnny Cunningham, Thomas Loefke, Norland Wind, and more.

To get your free downloads, click here.

Enjoy!  :)

 

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Cool Back to School Savings: 40% OFF AT BARNES & NOBLE

Barnes & Noble at Southlake Town Square is offering 40% Off their Toys, Games and Back to School Departments. 

Click here to get the coupons!

Note:  These coupons indicate that they are only valid at the Southlake Location.  If you are so inclined, you might call other locations to find out if these might be accepted elsewhere.

P.S.  I just discovered…Barnes and Noble now offers FREE wireless internet at all their locations.  I’m definitely adding this to my list of spots to park my “home” office. 

Enjoy! :)

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Weekend Agenda: Plenty of FUN Events In Store, Starting Tonight!

FRUGAL & FUN FRIDAYS IN FORT WORTH ~ Each Friday, we post ideas for free (or almost free) weekend entertainment for you and your family. Here are this weekend’s tips…
 

 WEEKEND FUN OPTION #1:
  Fort Worth South, Inc. Presents…
First Friday On The Green Outdoor Concert Event

    First Friday on the Green

Enjoy a fun evening with your family and friends with First Friday on the Green,  a FREE monthly live music series rolled out by Fort Worth South.  Bring your blankets and chairs (and even Fido if you want), and enjoy an evening of live music from two bands in a great setting.

Hungry? Enjoy one of the neighborhood’s fantastic restaurants beforehand or take in Chadra Mezza & Grill which will be selling their tasty fare at the event.

Where: Head to Magnolia Green Park  ~ 1100 Block of Lipscomb, between Magnolia and Rosedale (across the street from the Village Homes rowhouses)

When: Friday, August 7, 2009 ~ 7:00PM

How: In lieu of admission (which is FREE), you are encouraged to bring a school supply donation for the Southside Church of Christ Assistance Program (approved supply list at fwisd.org).

Who:  Fort Worth South, Inc. (FWSI) is the non-profit org behind the revitalization (and general hipness) of the Near Southside FW.

 ~:~

WEEKEND FUN OPTION #2:
Plan a Trip to Your Local Farmers’ Market
  

Farmers Market

Over the last few weeks, I have reviewed a few of our area’s farmers’ markets that specialize in selling locally grown produce.  These markets sell a variety of other treats, too…you can score fresh bread, goat milk cheese, fresh roasted coffee beans, hot tamales and homemade soap…all locally made. Pick one to attend Saturday morning and fill your frig with fresh produce goodness.

Links to past farmer’s Market Posts and information:

 Keller Farmers’ Market: Saturday, 8:00AM to 12:00PM in front of Keller Town Hall.  This week features live music and special guest chef demos. For more information, click here.

Cowtown Farmers’ Market: Saturday, 8:00PM to 12:00PM, West Fort Worth on the traffic circle.  For more information, click here.

Texas Certified Farmers’ Markets: To find more locations / details on certified markets throughout DFW and around Texas, click here.

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WEEKEND FUN OPTION #3:
  FREE Family Funday at the Amon Carter Museum, Sunday 1pm to 4pm

The Amon Carter museum, a local jewel of a spot, is offering a fun afternoon for the whole family with their program “What a Wonderful World” 

WhatThe Carter’s “Funday” program will offer FREE art-making and other fun activities for kids.  Discover how artwork is used to share stories, connect communities, and inspire our imaginations!

When:  Sunday, August 9, 2009 ~ 1:00PM to 4:00PM

Where:  The museum is located at 3501 Camp Bowie Boulevard.  Directions and parking details can be found by clicking here.

Entrance to the Amon Carter’s Permanent Collection is always FREE (but donations are appreciated)!

 

Enjoy!  :)

~:~

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Stop and Smell the Roses with $1 Admission to The Dallas Arboretum!!

I normally write about Fort Worth area happenings when making “frugal fun” recommendations, but this time I must venture to Dallas to one of my favorite spots…the Dallas Arboretum, as they are running a promotion that is too good not to pass-along to my FW friends…

 

 The Dallas Arboretum is offering $1 admission to all guests through August ~ it is normally $9.50 for Adults /$6 for Children
…quite a savings! 

At the Arboretum you will find something for everyone.  Against the background of easy-to-navigate gardens and gorgeous foliage design for the adults (tons of photo ops!), there are lots of fun things for the kids, too. 

Kids will have fun exploring the tee-pee, cabins and play structures in Texas Town and the Pioneer Village — both excellent places for parents to kick back as the kids explore frontier life.  Everyone will enjoy the Storybook Playhouses that are sprinkled throughout as well —there is even a fun pirate’s ship, a Dr. Seuss inspired play area, and a Hansel and Gretel playhouse!  Click here for the list of playhouses you will find.

What:  Through the month of August, admission is $1 (kids under 3 are free!).  Parking is $5.  For more info about the Dallas Arboretum, click here.

Where:  8525 Garland Road, Dallas  (For a map and directions, click here).

When:  Open Daily, 9am-5pm

Helpful Tidbits:  Pack a Picnic and some cool drinks OR plan to eat at one of the Arboretum’s restaurants/snack cafés.

P.S.  Take a look at the pictures from this mom’s visit to the Arboretum with her kids (click here), to get a quick glimpse of what is in store for your visit.

Enjoy!  :)

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Strrrriiiiiike Ticket Prices …Deep Discounts through September for Texas Rangers Baseball

The Texas Rangers have announced a ticket discount of up to 75% on Monday through Thursday games in August and September.

Enter DINGER as the coupon code on texasrangers.com to purchase Upper Box, Upper Reserved, and Grandstand Reserved tickets for $5 or Lexus Club Terrace, Lower Reserved, or Bleachers seats for $10.

The discounts will be available for the following games:

  • Monday, August 17 vs. Minnesota (7:05)
  • Tuesday, August 18 vs. Minnesota (7:05)
  • Wednesday, August 19 vs. Minnesota (7:05)
  • Thursday, August 20 vs. Minnesota (7:05)
  • Monday, August 31 vs. Toronto (7:05)
  • Tuesday, September 1 vs. Toronto (DH, 4:05)
  • Wednesday, September 2 vs. Toronto (7:05)
  • Monday, September 14 vs. Oakland (7:05)
  • Tuesday, September 15 vs. Oakland (7:05)
  • Wednesday, September 16 vs. Oakland (7:05)

Enjoy! :)

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Something Fun For the Little Ones…Get a FREE Autographed Picture of a Disney Character (Plus More FREE Goodies)

Surprise your Disney fan with a FREE autographed 
photo of their favorite Disney Character.

Ordering Your Free Autographed Picture Is Easy…

1.  Write a request for a photo.  Be sure to include:

  • The name of the character’s photo you would like (name of the princess, animal, fish, bug, car, etc.).
  • Your shipping address details (US only).

2.   Send your request to:

Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

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plus enjoy FREE Disney activities online for kids

Disney website

At  disney.go.com/magicartist, you will find bunches of fun games, coloring and art activities, customizable greeting cards, and even some special tools for school teachers and homeschool educators

So many great things to choose from…too fun!!!

Enjoy! :)

~:~

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Splish-Splash Savings at Keller Pointe Water Park Pool, Now through Labor Day!

Cool off from the heat and take a dive!

Now through Labor Day, Keller Pointe’s Outdoor Water Park is offering reduced admission to everyone!  All guests will pay the kid’s price and the family rate will be extended to all families (regardless of residency).

New to Keller? You’ll find directions and other details for Keller Pointe here.

Enjoy! :)

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TWO FREE TACOS at Jack in the Box on Tuesday ~ Muy Bueno! :)

JackinBoxTacos

Jack in the Box is celebrating Taco Tuesday by
giving away TWO FREE TACOS today (August 3)!

How:  To get your coupon for free tacos, click here.

Where:  To find a Jack in the Box location near you, click here.

Enjoy! :)

~:~

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FREE MOVIE NIGHT ~ Choose from AMAZON VIDEO ON DEMAND or REDBOX

Enjoy a FREE Night at the Movies from the Comfort of Your Home (and if you plan it right, you can get a FREE mocha, too)! 

 Two Options for getting a FREE movie:

AmazonOnDemand

Option #1: FREE Movie Rental from Amazon Video on Demand

 New to Amazon Video On Demand? As a first time customer they will give you a promotional credit of $4.50, just for checking them out.

How:  To sign up to get your free video, click here.

When:  As of this writing there is no apparent expiration date…
so enjoy at your leisure!

 

RedBox Kiosk

Option #2: FREE RedBox Rental, Today (8/3)

Get a FREE RedBox movie rental today by using code 27HZ4KT.  

When:  Hurry, as this code is only good today (8/3). 

Where:  To find a Redbox location and reserve your
movie selection,  click here.

Insider’s Tip:  To find more Redbox codes,  visit InsideRedbox.com.

Frugal Tip:  If you pick up your RedBox video at a McDonald’s with a REDBOX kiosk, today…you can ALSO get your FREE Mocha Cafe while you are there (until 7pm today)!  Click here for details.  Save your FREE Amazon movie for another day.

Enjoy!  :)

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LAST DAY REMINDER: FREE Monday McCafe Coffee at McDonald’s!

McCafe

Start the week with a FREE Mocha from McDonald’s!

Today is the last day (at least for a while) McDonald’s is giving away your choice of a FREE 8oz Iced or Hot Mocha…so be sure and stop by to get your week started off on the right foot!

When: Today, Monday August 3,  7am to 7pm

Where: All participating McDonald’s locations across the U.S.

What: No coupon needed, but to read the specific offer details (and all the interesting lawyer legalese), click here, then click the link at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy! :)

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