Free Annual Safety Checkups for SDG&E Customers

We all want to make sure we are saving money and that our equipment is running properly during the winter months, so take advantage of FREE annual safety checkups on gas furnaces and other appliances if you are a SDG&E natural gas customer.  To schedule, call 1-800-411-7343 or visit www.sdge.com/serviceorder and have your account number handy.

Have You Visited Bernardo Winery Lately?

There is plenty going on all the time at Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo. It has quickly become one of my favorite spots. There is wine tasting daily as well as onsite dining and village shops to enjoy. Visit their Farmers Market every Friday between the hours of 9 and 12. Take a tour and enjoy a wine tasting on Saturdays.  Enjoy live music on the patio every Sunday. Have lunch on the beautiful patio at Cafe Merlot.  Bring your camera when you visit, the grounds are lovely! www.bernardowinery.com.

Model Home Furniture Outlet in Vista

I was excited to read about this one in the paper today...there is a furniture outlet store called Model Home Furniture Outlet in Vista at 1463 W. Vista Way in Vista (off Hwy 78 between Emerald and Melrose). It was started by a designer and it features hand-selected items once used to stage multi-million dollar custom homes.  It features pieces a bit larger in scale than what you might find in most furniture stores.  You'll find one-of-a-kind pieces.  Quality is tops and prices are reasonable.  Call 619-370-8526 for more information. Store hours are Tues-Friday 11am-4pm and Sat/Sun from 10am to 4pm.

Register with National Do Not Call Registry for Less Telemarketing Calls

It only takes a moment- put a stop to irritating telemarketer calls by registering your phone number(s) with the National Do Not Call Registry. If it has been a number of years since you did it last, it's probably time to do it again. 

Geocaching, a Fun Family Activity- by Guest Contributor Alison Kennedy

I want to thank Alison for writing this explanation of Geocaching for Around The Town. I have talked about Geocaching before and suggested it, but I wanted you to hear from someone that does it, loves it and knows what she is talking about. Thank you so much, Alison! Alison is an Around The Towner and works in marketing with Outreach, Inc. She is also the pastor's wife at Oak Hills Church in Vista.

Many people have never heard of it - Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world. Cheap and fun entertainment for the whole family!

Anyone with a smart phone or GPS can participate for FREE. Visit geocashing.com for a free account and print out the coordinates to plot with your GPS device. Or, simply get the iphone app. Here is video about how to use the iphone app. There is a free version and a paid one. I recommend spending the money to get the paid version as you will get more geocashes when you search an area.

Over 1 Million geocashes have been hidden – even inside Disneyland! There are many places in North County that are great for geocashing. For beginners, I would recommend starting at Oak Riparian Park off of Lake Blvd in Oceanside and venturing down to Lake Calavera. There is an amazing one at the top of the mountain near the labyrinth.

Geocashing is even fun when you are travelling. Finding the geocash may lead you to beautiful places you would have never gone to! Click here to see all Geocashes in California – search by city.

When you find a geocash you open it and sign your name in it. If the geocash is a larger one it will contain small objects – take one and then replace it with one you brought. Click here to see Basic GeoCashing 101.

Let us know how your adventures go! Happy Geocashing!

Jersey Mike's Comes to Vista (Hwy 78/Melrose)

Yeah! Jersey Mike's has come to Vista! I have long been hearing raves from friends and family who have already tried Jersey Mike's, so I was happy to see that it was coming to town at Melrose Drive and the 78 (in the plaza just down from the courthouse). It was so nice to meet franchise owner Phil Jones who set me up with a sweet #13- The Original Italian composed of Provolone, ham proscuittini, cappacuolo, salami and pepperoni.  The sandwich was made ala "Mike's Way" which means it was topped with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spices and an olive oil and vinegar blend. I thought I better go for their specialty, and I can say it was really a wonderful sandwich that I would definitely go back for. Welcome Jersey Mike's and Phil I wish you great success in our community. Hey everyone, get out there and give them a try! Tell them Around The Town sent you. : )

Salty Sisters in Vista- Fantastic Gourmet Caramels and Toffees Infused with Sea Salt

Have you been to Salty Sisters in Vista yet? They have the most wonderful caramels and toffees with sea salt. They have many new additions including chai spice caramels covered in white chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt (tastes like Christmas). Also try new salted caramel sauces including salted whiskey, salted tequila, chocolate and vanilla bean.  

 

 

2 Complete Dinners, Including Wine at The Armenian Cafe in Carlsbad Only $25!

You do not want to miss this deal for The Armenian Cafe in the Carlsbad Village, right on the 101. TWO complete dinners that include a glass of wine, soup, salad and entree, all for $25! The food is out of this world and if you time things right, you can even catch a belly dancing show...it's a lot of fun!  http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-4368919-10872943?url=http%3A//www.groupon.com/deals/the-armenian-cafe-4

Groupon Has Gift Cards!

Did you know that the wildly popular online deal site Groupon offers both physical and e-gift cards? You pick the dollar amount and your recipient will get to choose their own gift! How cool is that?  Choose your own delivery date and add a personal message!  http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-4368919-10872943?url=http%3A//www.groupon.com/giftcards

Online Shopping Tips

Shopping from home is wonderful, isn't it? I love it! There are so many deals to be found online and here are a few tips to help you make the most of your shopping experience:

1. In most cases, you should rarely, if never have to pay shipping. If you do not have a free shipping code, be sure to google your store plus free shipping codes. Example "Kohl's free shipping codes." You can also try www.freeshipping.org.

2. For more digital discounts, google popular sites such as www.RetailMeNot.com , or www.coupons.com.

3.  Check a couple of price comparing sites to make sure you are getting the best deal.  Try www.PriceGrabber.com or www.bizrate.com.

4. Follow your favorite brands and stores on Twitter and Facebook for exclusive specials.

GOOD LUCK!

Bed Bath & Beyond Takes Coupons for EACH Item in Your Cart

This is a reminder to some, and new information for others. When shopping and Bed Bath & Beyond, they take a coupon for each and every item in your cart. Their coupons are everywhere...in mailers, in the paper, in your Entertainment Books, in your favorite magazines. Their usual coupons are either save 20% on one single item, or save $5 off a $15 purchase.   Most people believe they have to pick and choose one coupon, but apply any coupons you have to your total sale to save huge! I used mine just yesterday when stocking up on Keurig K-Cups. Did you know they even take EXPIRED coupons? It does not matter if the coupon expired 2 years ago, they will take it. Here is another wonderful piece of information...if you were shopping at this store and did not have coupons on you (I ALWAYS keep some in my wallet, just in case), bring back your receipt at a later date with your coupon(s) and they will cheerfully do a price adjustment. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/default.asp

Spirit Airlines Has Begun Daily Flights to Cabo

Spirit Airlines began it's daily flights between San Diego and Los Cabos, Mexico yesterday!  The daily flight is scheduled to depart Lindbergh Field at 10:10am and arrive at 1:15pm local time.  The return flight will leave Los Cabos at 2:15 and arrive in San Diego at 3:15pm.  Prices have been announced to be much more reasonable than those previously offered by other carriers and could go as low as $100 per ticket at times.  The flight is one of several new international routes from Lindbergh Field, which used to have very little service to other counties. 

Vista Teen Outreach- Hunger Hurts Food Drive

Hunger Hurts for Vista is in motion with a BIG food drive right now. Drop locations are Kings Stationer (631 S. Melrose, by Courthouse) and Sport About ( 1310 E. Vista Way). They are trying to put a food pantry at 10 schools (middle & high schools) in Vista for local teens in need- there are so many that are homeless and hungry, something that does not meet the everyday eye. If you are looking for a service opportunity in your community, they are also looking for people to adopt a school and be responsible for picking up preboxed items and fill and refill the pantry as needed. Types of food they are looking for: Peanut butter, canned soups, chilis, cans of stew, canned fruit, water-canned chicken and meats, ramens, granola bars, snack packs, saltine crackers, jerkys and beef sticks, manwich, boxes of mac and cheese, bread, and assorted hygiene items. P.O. box 2761, Vista 92085 or call 442-222-9024. You can also email local contact Debbie at dmedrano51@att.net.

** The organizations that adopted Rancho Buena Vista High School and Madison Middle School in Vista's food pantries will be outside of the Shadowridge Albertson's on S. Melrose Drive (11-3) and Ralph's at the corner of Cannon and Melrose (11-2) on Saturday, October 27th collecting food for those specific pantries if you would like to contribute. 

Mortony's Pasta House in Vista is Now Closed- New Restaurant Z Cafe to Fill Spot

Sorry to have to share this news with you. Mortony's Pasta House in Vista is now closed. If you have a daily deal certificate for the restaurant, please contact the company that issued it for a refund- it won't be a problem. The restaurant was sold to Z cafe which has a great menu.  Best wishes to the Mortony's gang on future endeavors.

 

Save Half at It's Greek to Me (Vista)

Save half on delicious Greek food in Vista at It's Greek to Me. You pay $5, but get $10 in food and drink.  http://nctimes.upickem.net/r/7E3gbtcTjNP?r=990630

FREE Kids Haircuts (K-6th Grade) at J.C. Penney on Sundays Beginning November- Make Your Appointment Now!

Did you participate in J.C. Penney's free haircuts for kids in August? The program was so poplular (over 1.6 million haircuts were given away FREE), they have decided to bring it back on Sundays only beginning November. Sure to be a popular event, I suggest making your kids' appointments early. The only requirement is that they are in grades K through 6.  Enjoy!  www.jcpenney.com.

Second Around The Town Mixer a Fun Evening!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our second Around The Town mixer at California Fruit Wine Wednesday night, September 26th...we had a GREAT time. If you weren't there, you were missed! Spectacular food was served up by Epic Eatz and California Fruit Wine had some new selections for us- my favorite was the Apricot. Better yet, the Apricot mixed with Plum.  Lots of prizes were won by attendees and everyone had a good time...until the next one my friends!  Cheers!  Barb

Save Half on Family Entertainment with DoubleTake Deals

Not only can you save half on wonderful San Diego restaurants (many of my favorites), DoubleTake Deals is also a great place to save half on places like Boomers, Invasion Laser Tag, Paddle Planet and more! Check out their deal today!  http://www.doubletakedeals.com/?ref=~barb.98A7B8

Vista Teen Outreach- Hunger Hurts Food Drive

Hunger Hurts for Vista is in motion with a BIG food drive right now. Drop locations are Kings Stationer (631 S. Melrose, by Courthouse) and Sport About ( 1310 E. Vista Way). They are trying to put a food pantry at 10 schools (middle & high schools) in Vista for local teens in need- there are so many that are homeless and hungry, something that does not meet the everyday eye. If you are looking for a service opportunity in your community, they are also looking for people to adopt a school and be responsible for picking up preboxed items and fill and refill the pantry as needed. Types of food they are looking for: Peanut butter, canned soups, chilis, cans of stew, canned fruit, water-canned chicken and meats, ramens, granola bars, snack packs, saltine crackers, jerkys and beef sticks, manwich, boxes of mac and cheese, bread, and assorted hygiene items. P.O. box 2761, Vista 92085 or call 442-222-9024. You can also email local contact Debbie at dmedrano51@att.net.

More on Daily Deal Sites

Are you a daily deal site junkie like me? Personally, I LOVE them, and don't know what I did before them!!!  People ask me all the time which ones are my favorites, and it's hard to say because it changes. Most sites go through hot and cold phases. Two that are pretty much on HOT all the time for me are Groupon and DoubleTake Deals.  As you know, subscribing to these sites can save you a bundle, but it can also make a mess of your email inbox in a hurry. A service I provide on Around The Town is going through these emails every day and trying to pick what I think are the very best deals to present to you. Some days there are a few to tell you about, other days nothing.

If you do see a deal posted on Around The Town and plan to purchase it, would you please do me a favor and go through my links (rather than direct with the daily deal site itself) to place your order? In some cases I earn a referral or a small percentage of the sale. It does not cost you any extra, but it helps me with the expenses I incur providing Around The Town as a free community service, doing giveaways, etc. Thanks!  Barb

Boomer's Awards your Kids for Good Attendance and Grades

Boomer's awards your kids for good attendance and grades! Check it out!  http://www.boomersparks.com/site/vista/pricing.html#kr

Visit the Historical Rancho Buena Vista Adobe in Vista

Tucked away near Wildwood park, Vista's historic Adobe features tours, school field trips, scout programs and much more. Visit the Art Gallery and experience the creative works of regional artists. Adobe hours are 10am to 3pm Thursdays through Saturdays. The Adobe is also the perfect venue for weddings and special events. call 760-726-1340 x 1575 for rental information. You can find the Adobe at 640 Alta Vista Drive. www.cityofvista.com.

Score Some Spending Money, Take Your Clothing to Consignment Shops

Recently I went through my closet and removed everything I was not wearing or that no longer fit me and made two piles- one for charity donation and one to take to consignment stores. Though I am the first to admit it takes a little work to do the latter, for me it was a big payoff. There are so many good consignment stores in our area, but I chose two in the same block in Carlsbad Village- Clothing Cottage and Double Take. Clothing Cottage (call to make an appointment) paid me cash immediately by buying what they wanted, and Double Take (walk-ins ok) took what they wanted and put it on a 60 day consignment contract. I was encouraged by the "haul" I made and was happy with the new found cash I received to shop for new items. If your kid's clothes are in good repair and still fashionable, you can find plenty of stores to turn their clothes in to as well. Tips for bringing your clothes in: make sure everything is clean, stain free, fashionable and in good repair. Call your store to find out if you need to make an appointment or if they want you to bring items in on a hanger. Good luck!

New Military Discounts at Westfield Plaza Camino Real Mall

Military, Westfield Plaza Camino Real thanks you for your service and is offering some wonderful discounts for you when you present your military ID and shop.  Look for the Military Discount decal at participating stores, and check this link for a complete listing of businesses offering discounts. 
http://www.westfield.com/plazacaminoreal/news-and-events/military-discounts

Buy and Sell Used Textbooks with Barnes and Noble

High prices paid with quick cash back for your used textbooks, get your quote right here online. Buy your new textbooks at a sharp discount- up to 90% off.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/frames/selltextbooks/index.asp?r=1&cm_mmc=Member-_-Merch-_-091216_MM01_Textbooks-_-na

Are You Taking Advantage of FREE Coupons?

Any day, any time, you can go to Around The Town's main blog page or web page and find the banner ad for coupons.com. To choose your own free coupons and print, simply click on the banner ad and make your selections. Only print the ones you want. find coupons for major brands and popular products.  Come back as often as you want- the supply is always changing.

Check Out Mirabella Care, Inc.- A Newly Formed Company to Assist The Aging

A newly formed business, Mirabella Care, Inc. was brought to my attention recently, and I wanted to share with you their valuable services to seniors.  Owner and operator Marcie Laws, inspired by watching her own family navigate the coordination of care and services for her ailing grandfather, began Mirabella Care, Inc. to fulfill the need for quality, affordable, and trustworthy care solutions for senior citizens.   Anyone dealing with an aging or ill family member knows the needs can be great, but there is not always a means to meet those needs. In comes Mirabella Care, Inc. who is offering services such as:  companionship and well-being visits, in-home safety assessments, assistance with insurance forms, meal prep and delivery, assistance with personal documents and bill paying, help with errands, medication reminders, laundry services, assistance with utilizing technology and more to seniors in San Diego county.  Check out this local business and keep them in mind should the need arise in your life or that of a loved one, friend or neighbor. 

Join Around The Town on Facebook

I thought I'd put out a little reminder:  many of you have subscriptions to my blog but don't get my facebook updates. Others of you get my facebook updates, but aren't subscribers to the blog. The two are very different with their postings, so please join both if you don't want to miss out on anything. On the blog, simply put your email address in the box on the top right, and hit subscribe (then you must click on link in follow up email confirmation), and on facebook, look up Around The Town (use this hyperlink) and click the "like" button. Oh, and be sure to share with any friends or family you think might be interested (facebook's "share" and "suggest to friends" buttons work great)! Thanks! Barb

Fun San Marcos Park

Sunset Park in San Marcos is a fun place to spend the day. "It's amazing, there's nothing like it in North County," said one Vista resident. Features of the park include a six hole disc golf course that surrounds the perimeter of the park, with tee-off areas and chain-basket goals, a lighted soccer arena, an off-leash dog park with fenced area for large dogs and a separate fenced area for small dogs, a spray-pad water feature (kids, bring your bathing suits for water play), two playground areas with a new generation of playground equipment, two reservable shaded picnic areas, basketball and volleyball courts, one mile of wide concrete trails through park, a concession stand and a resident caretaker. Sunset Park is on Puesta del Sol between Tilly Lane and Poinsettia Avenue.

Consider a Separate Email Account

If you are a frequent reader of Around The Town, you know that I advocate joining the email lists of many establishments in our area. Doing so, you will always be alerted to the great deals being offered, as well as receive valuable e-coupons. But I also realize that these emails can clog up our inboxes. Consider opening a separate email account, a free one of course (I use Gmail), for this very purpose. It will be kept separate from all your important daily business and correspondence, and you can check it as you have time.

$10 for $20 at Vista Icebox Too Deli

It's hard to find a better sandwich than the ones served up at Vista Icebox Too Deli. Their bread is nothing short of magical! With this Saveology deal, you can make your deli dollars go twice as far. Your voucher costs  $10, but you  get $20 worth of fresh salads, sandwiches, soups, frozen yogurt and more!  I am always sure to have one of these on hand myself!
https://www.saveology.com/shares/1839528

Krikorian Premiere Club Card

Have you ordered yours yet? If Krikorian is not your primary theatre, check yours for their own loyalty card- most theatres offer one. I am going to tell you the advantages of Krikorian's card, as that is my theatre of choice. I have talked about it before, but if you haven't taken the approximately 2 minutes it takes to order one online at http://www.krikoriantheatres.com/, please take a moment to do so. Using your card helps you earn rewards such as free food and drink items as well as free tickets.  Show your card both when purchasing your movie ticket and every time you order at the concession stand to earn points.  Enjoy other perks like free popcorn on Wednesdays, and waived fees for tickets purchased on Movietickets.com.  For something that is free, the benefits are big, and who doesn't like something for nothing? Check it out.

Regal Movie Crown Club- Deals for Movie-goers

I have long praised the concept of joining your theatre's movie club as there are so many benefits available to you for taking a quick minute to sign up. I have told you about Krikorian's program many times in the past, http://www.kptmovies.com/rewards/, now take a look at what Regal has to offer http://rcc.regalcinemas.com/CrownClub/appmanager/rcc/CrownClub?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=CROWNCLUB. Don't see another movie without using your card and earning valuable points!

Free Grocery Coupons Newly Reset

On Around The Town, there are always FREE, printable grocery coupons available to you on products such as Hormel, Country Crock, Snapple, Lunchables, Starbucks, Pampers, Revlon, Claritin, DiGiorno, Yoplait,  Betty Crocker, Dentyne Ice, Off, Old El Paso, Jose Ole, Alexia, Kraft, and hundreds more. The start of the month is the perfect time to check them as they refresh and reset with fresh products. You can access them any time and print only the ones you want in the convenience of your own home simply by going to Around The Town's main blog page, and clicking on the impossible to miss coupons.com banner ad in the side column. Start saving big today!

Psssst, Pass It On!

Good morning Around-The-Towners! If you can think of a friend that might benefit from reading the tips in Around The Town, would you do me (and them) a favor and forward your daily update to their inbox? They can also look up our website directly at http://www.barbaroundthetown.com/. To get the same great daily updates that you do, they simply need to fill in their email address and hit subscribe on the blog's homepage. Don't forget, Around The Town also has a facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BarbAroundTheTown where different and unique information is posted. If you get one and not the other, you might be missing out on the latest deal!

Buying The Best Watermelon for Your Dollar

Nothing screams summer like a nice, fresh watermelon. It is full of vitamin C and A- good for your immune system.  It also provides potassium, and lycopene.  At only 46 calories per cup, it won't hurt your waistline either.  Are you like me and you have no idea what makes a watermelon "the best?" I found some helpful tips in this month's Better Homes and Gardens that might help. 

1. Look for a creamy yellow spot- that means that the fruit was allowed to rest on the ground and fully ripen before being harvested.  No spot? It was likely picked prematurely.
2. Look for high density.  The heavier the fruit, the juicier the slices. 
3. Look for uniform shape.  Don't worry about size or roundness, but do look for fruit that's symmetrical.  Irregular shape hints at poor growing conditions.

Enjoy!

CityPASS for Vacation Fun

Looking for a way to have fun with the family, but still stretch your dollar? Check out CityPASS and zero in on the top must-see attractions, saving you 30-50%. CityPASS has done all the hard work of researching and negotiating the deals for you. Check out CityPASS for Southern California, Hollywood, San Francisco and other memorable cities. Buy it at the first attraction you visit or at http://www.citypass.com/.

Free Service Reduces Your Junk Mail

Here's a great way to take a step towards becoming more green, and to reduce the junk load in your mailbox at the same time. Less paper to deal with means more time to concentrate on summer fun! Tired of the excessive catalogs that clog up your mailbox? Resolve to try Catalog Choice- this free service will notify the catalogs of your choice of your desire not to receive their catalogs. You make the list, they do the work. I have done this myself- it takes a while to kick in, but eventually it does work. Check it out. https://www.catalogchoice.org/

Seniors Eat For Less at Souplantation Monday-Thursdays between The Hours of 2 and 5pm

Souplantation restaurants is offering seniors age 60 and over an all-you-can-eat meal and beverage for only $6.99 from 2pm-5pm Mondays through Thursdays.  http://www.souplantation.com/

Creative Uses for Bounce Dryer Sheets

These tips came from Around The Towner, Barbara- and I thought many of them might be quite useful. Here are just a few of my favorites:

1. To eliminate odors, put Bounce sheets in your vacuum cleaner, closets, under your car seats, in linen cupboards, athletic bags, laundry baskets, shoes and garbage cans.

2. Bounce sheets are great at repelling bugs, bees, ants, mosquitoes and rodents- so put them in a pocket when you are in the great outdoors, or around trouble spots at your home.

3. Rub a bounce sheet on your shower door and it will dissolve the soap scum.

4.  Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

5. Use your Bounce sheet to magnetically attract pet hair.

Beer (Friday) and Wine (Saturday) Tastings at Bev Mo!

Would you like an expert's opinion on the best beers and wines and help customizing labels to your personal tastes? If so, Bev Mo can help you out!  I visited the Oceanside store on Vista Way and they host beer tastings for $1 on Friday evenings between 4 and 7pm.  On Saturdays from 1-4 a sommelier will be on hand to go over wines with you. Beverages will be paired with cheeses, salamis and crackers.

Tide Pools to Explore in San Diego

When is the last time you explored San Diego's tidepools? Here are a few options that are certain to please:

Swami's- located on the Pacific Coast Highway- you'll know you are in the right place when you see the gold domes of the Self-Realization Center.  Go down the  stairway to the beach below.  Often seen at these pools are brittle stars, octopi and sea hares.

Cardiff State Beach- Just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive and off the Pacific Coast Hwy, there is a tide pool area by the bluffs at the south end of the parking lot.

La Jolla Cove-  Below the Museum of Contemporary Art you will find rocky shores and reefs with tide pools.

Sea Hare- but I don't recommend kissing them!

Claim Your Free Credit Report

By law, you do not have to pay to check your credit report. Federal law gives you the right to review your credit report for free once a year. You can access this FREE report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Your score will not be lowered by checking. Only "hard" inquiries (applying for a loan, etc.) can lower your score.

Opting Out of Credit Card and Insurance Offers

If you are not interested in credit card and insurance offers that clog up your mailbox, take the simple step to opt out by contacting the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry at www.optoutprescreen.com or (888)567-8688.

Paperwork- How Long Should You Keep It?

In most households, paper build-up is a major problem, mostly because we don't know how long we are supposed to keep things. Here is a guideline to help you in your decisions:

Credit card receipts and statements- 45 days

Paycheck stubs, retirement plan and savings statements, credit union or bank records, bills- 1 year

Tax records- 7 years

Statements showing IRA contributions and legal correspondence- Forever!

*Some documents that you would normally keep for no more than a year should be kept longer such as receipts that validate a warrantee or will be used for tax deductions, or bills that might provide evidence of an item's value if it's stolen or destroyed. If in doubt, keep it.

More Information on Scholarships

At Around The Town I like to keep you up on all the scholarship opportunities that I hear of...because it can truly break the bank to send your kids to college these days! Here is a helpful article from North County Times on finding scholarship information and opportunities. If you want to search for other scholarship information that has been posted on Around The Town and is still current, put the word "scholarship" in the "search this blog" box on Around The Town's main page.

First of Month- New, FREE Coupons Reloaded Today

You always want to check coupons.com at the beginning of each month. Why? At the beginning of each month, coupons reset and reload and there are lots of new coupons to score. You will want to go and print yours while supplies still last. You can access these totally free printable coupons ANY time through Around The Town. Simply go to my main web page or blog page, then click on the coupons.com banner ad. Select the ones you want and print away! Save a bundle on your groceries! I save at least 50% on my grocery shopping each trip by combining sales prices with these valuable coupons.

Search This Blog Tool

Hey Around The Towners, have you ever tried using the "search this blog" tool box in the right hand column of Around The Town blog? Do you remember hearing of a deal written about on the blog but don't know how to find it? Just use the "search this blog" box and it will pull up all previously mentioned postings. Try it today, it's a really helpful tool, meant to make your life easier. If all else fails, feel free to shoot me an email and I will track down the information for you, but just wanted to remind you about this handy tool.

Are You Using Your Theater Loyalty Card?

What is your favorite theater, and are you using their loyalty card? I have encouraged movie goers to sign up for their favorite movie house's card (you can do so online), but while many of you might have signed up, you have left your card at home, so you miss out on valuable incentives. This last week I used my Krikorian Premiere card and received free popcorn on Wednesday, and I also earned a free movie ticket with my accumulated points. Can't go wrong there! My answer to always having my cards and coupons on hand....BIGGER WALLETS! Mine is seriously bulging! I encourage you to go shopping for a bigger wallet so you have everything you need with you at all times to take advantage of all the savings out there! See you at the movies!

SDG & E Custumers Get Recycling Rebate on Your Old Working Refrigerator

SDG&E customers, convert your old working appliances into cash. They will pay you recycling rebates of $35 for your old working refrigerator and $25 for your working room air conditioners, when recycled along with a qualifying fridge or freezer. Another perk is that these appliances will get picked up from your house free of charge. To see if your appliances qualify or to schedule pickup service call 1-800-599-5792 or visit www.sdge.com/recycle. Be sure to have your SDG&E account # handy when you contact them.

Legoland Water Park Opens March 10th

It's that time of year again and the Legoland Waterpark will be open for the season on March 10th. Check out this great video for details about the park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIbgh0MA8JM&feature=youtu.be, www.legoland.com.

FREE Gas Furnace Annual Checkup for SDG&E Customers

Schedule an annual checkup of your gas furnace by calling SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343 and they will send a service technician to check and adjust your gas furnace for proper operation...for FREE (if you are an SDG&E customer, of course). They will check your heater, clean it if necessary, change filters and check for any carbon monoxide leaks. If you’d like to get this service for your home, please call them at 1-800-411-7343. Better call soon, their schedule gets filled up fast! We have done this for both our heater and air conditioner, and they have provided thorough and competent services and the price is right!

Free Printable Grocery Coupons Available on Around The Town Every Day

When is the last time you checked the FREE coupon offerings out on Around The Town? You can access coupons from coupons.com at any time of day by going to Around The Town's main blog page or web page, clicking on the coupons banner ad in side column, selecting the ones you want and hitting print. There are hundreds available including: M & M's, Land O Lakes cheese, Lloyd's BBQ products, Nature Made vitamins, Kellogg's cereals, and many, many more.

Geocaching- A Fun Family Activity

Geocaching is an outdoor game that uses a GPS receiver (or a phone that has one built-in). It's an inexpensive, interactive experience that has players finding and hiding containers called caches. It's a scavenger hunt, with a high-tech twist. You can sign up for free at http://www.geocaching.com/. Enter your zip code and how many miles you'd like to venture from home (or from the town you are visiting). Press Go and you'll find a slew of listings- often hundreds or nearby caches. A quick summary: Caches are containers that have been hidden by fellow geocachers- anyone can do it. The person who initially hides the cache posts its GPS coordinates on geocaching.com, which is how you know where to look. Caches are everywhere- there are 900,000 worldwide! Most smart phones these days have a GPS system which makes this activitiy easy, or you can buy one, such as the Geomate.jr ($70) which actually comes preloaded with about 250,000 geocache coordinates. The Garmin eTrex H ($100) is also a popular choice. *Note from Barb: We have not tried this yet as a family, but have friends that have been hiding and searching for geocaches for years and LOVE it.

Cash Back on Dining with MOGL Program

I have recently heard of this program, MOGL, but have not checked into it too extensively at this point. What I can tell you is that if you like to eat out regularly and would like to be involved in a cash-back program for your participation, it is worth checking into. You register your designated credit card, dine at participating establishments and get 10% back on your card. The program is picking up speed in San Diego and other cities and you will be surprised to see lots of fine restaurants partnering up with MOGL as the word gets out. Use my link and you will also start your account with $5 just for signing up. http://www.mogl.com/

Print Valuable Grocery Coupons on Around The Town

I hope you take advantage of the coupons available to you on coupons.com which you can access any time, any day from Around The Town. You can always click on the banner ad available on Around The Town blog (on main page) or on Around The Town's web page. Normally at the end of the month you see the supply start to dip a bit, but I checked today and there are still some SUPER coupons left which include: Select Harvest soups, Pillsbury Sweet Rolls, Johnsonville sausage, M & M's, Uncle Ben's rice, Yoplait, Garnier Fructis, Snapple, Carmex, Hormel Chili, Hormel bacon bits, Hormel chicken, Ball Park hot dogs, Oscar Mayer Carving Board meats, Bagel-fuls, Athenos products and more! Please check in often and print all the coupons you can use.

Cleaning Tips for Energy Savings

Get the most for your energy dollars by doing a little cleaning.

1) Clean door seals on your refrigerator and freezer and oven to prevent leaks. Replace seals that are loose, cracked or torn. One way to check for tight sealing gaskets is to close the door on a dollar bill- if you can easily pull out the dollar, you may need to replace the door gasket.
2) Unplug your refrigerator and carefully vacuum or dust dirty condenser coils.
3) Replace disposable filters on your air conditioner or heat pump, or hose down permanent filters every month or two, as recommended by manufacturer.
4) Clean lint and dust from the outside condenser coils of your a/c or heat pump by spraying them with a detergent and water solution and hosing them down.
5) Clean a/c equipment and vents of indoor and outdoor obstructions, such as furniture, weeds and debris.
6) Dust or vacuum fans to make sure they work properly.
7) Remove built-up lint and dust from the clothes dryer exhaust duct, the outside dryer exhaust terminal, the back of the dryer itself and behind the lint screen.

Shop with Purpose- Art N Soul on 101 in Encinitas

I discovered a fun store when out and about on the Coast Highway in Encinitas called Art N Soul on 101, and they sell an eclectic mix of art/jewelry/paintings/treasures, all created by local artists. Very fun place! The best part about this store is that it is staffed by all volunteers, and after the artists and the rent are paid, the remainder of all profits go solely to support local charities such as the Community Resource Center, the Store front Shelter, A.R.T.S. and Guitars in the Classroom. The store also gives local artists a unique platform and opportunity to showcase their works. So shop Art N Soul on 101 to both support the artists of your community as well as some great charities. You can find the store on the Coast Hwy, between the big Encinitas sign and the Lumberyard Center. While there, you can find a great mix of shops in the surrounding area, including the new Whole Foods Market. http://artnsoulon101.jigsy.com/

Rid Yourself of Unwanted Catalogs Today

A great 2012 resolution? Cut down on mailbox clutter and help save the planet at the same time! Catalog Choice helps you clean up your mailbox and save a few trees in the process. Sign up for this FREE service- simply list the catalogs you no longer want to receive, and they will handle everything for you! How cool is that? http://www.catalogchoice.org/

Don't Forget to Register Your Starbucks Cards

Many of you no doubt received a Starbucks card or two this holiday season. If you did, this is a reminder to set up an account with Starbucks and to register your cards. Not only does registering your card protect you should the card be lost or stolen, but you also earn rewards for each purchase you make on your account. Don't miss out on valuable Starbucks perks! https://www.starbucks.com/card

Sonic Happy Hour

Sonic celebrates Happy Hour EVERY day between 2 and 4pm. Get half-priced drinks and slushies! Perfect excuse to treat the kids, eh? 101 Main St., Vista.

Save Money All Year Long- Mark Your Calendar and Save

Ever wondered what the best time was to get the greatest deals on the products you love? Here is a quick cheat sheet:

August: Most summer gear- expect to see items from grills to bathing suits
Sept: Back to school deals- Office supplies to computers
October: New home appliances- New models come out, snatch up last year's model
November: Holiday Sales
December: Seasonal Items
January: Sheets and Linens- check out white sales
February: Winter Clothes
March: Small electronics- New models come out, so grab last year's
April: Cookware and other household items
May: Yard Sales and Flea Markets heat up
June: Gym memberships
July: Big Sales that revolve around holidays such as 4th of July

New Subscribers, Please Click on Confirmation Link

Lots of new subscribers lately- I like that! Many of you are in my records as "unverified" because you signed up for daily email updates, but did not complete the second step in the process...clicking on the confirmation link that was sent immediately to you via email after you signed up. This process must be completed in order to receive your daily updates. Please check your email inbox. Welcome! Also, please come visit and "like" Around The Town on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/BarbAroundTheTown