Starbucks - Free Pastry Coupon this Morning!

Until 10:30am today, Starbucks is giving away a free pastry with the purchase of a beverage. Go to the Starbucks website to print your coupon.


www.starbucks.com

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Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum - A Fun Place to Go

Do you live in the metro Phoenix area or will you be visiting soon? If so ...

The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum holds over 3000 minerals, rocks, fossils and mining artifacts exhibited in a peaceful, cool, downtown building – this morning it was a great escape from 104 degrees (and climbing!) at 9:00am. One of the exhibits bears the name of former Arizona Governor, Rose Mofford. Mofford, the daughter of a miner, was born in Globe, Arizona and has shared much of her personal collection with the museum.

The highlight of the museum for most young children is probably getting to take home three rocks from the wheelbarrow in the last room of the tour. The children accompanying me also really enjoyed the food display made from rocks and the glowing-in-the-black-light minerals. All ages can find something to appreciate here and this museum is a bargain to explore; adult admission is just $2 and everyone 17 or younger gets in for free.

The mission of the museum is: to educate Arizona’s citizens about our mining and mineral heritage and to demonstrate that minerals are the cornerstone of Mankind’s existence; that minerals have aesthetic value; and, that minerals have functional value.


Since the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum does not take very long to tour, you may want to visit the Phoenix Carnegie Library or the State Capitol Museum – both are within walking distance on Washington Street


The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum is located at 1502 West Washington Street in downtown Phoenix; the building was formerly the El Zaribah Shrine Temple and it is now known as the Polly Rosenbaum Building


For more information:
http://www.admmr.state.az.us/General/museum.html

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Zoo bargain through August - Go wild this summer!

What a surprise to step up to the admission booth of our world class zoo and find out that the five children with me could enjoy the 125 acres and approximately 1200 animals, reptiles & birds for free all summer. While the Phoenix zoo has offered summer discounts in the past, this year children under age 12 get free admission through August; that is a most outstanding summer deal!

The Phoenix Zoo, originally called the Maytag Zoo after the founder Robert Maytag, opened in 1962. The notoriety of our zoo and its connection with the community was significantly increased through Ruby, the painting elephant, who died in 1998 due to complications of childbearing. But, the zoo has continued to hold its outstanding reputation and engage the community through successes such as saving the Arabian Oryx from extinction (started project in 1962), welcoming Stingray Bay (2006) and the soon-to-be Komodo Dragon exhibit (2010). It seems that each time we visit the zoo, there is something new under construction.The zoo is a great summer excursion because it is so much fun and it also provides important learning opportunities for all ages.

If you’re in the mood for fun, learning and a bargain at one of the nation’s top zoos for kids with a world-wide reputation for excellence … go wild and visit the Phoenix Zoo this summer.

** Adult admission is $16 (and you can also buy a membership for access all year)

** The mission of the zoo is to inspire people to live in ways that promote the well-being of the natural world.** Did you know that it is illegal to touch a desert tortoise? If a desert tortoise becomes frightened, it may “drop its water” and then be in dire need of finding water in its dangerously dry, desert surroundings. For this reason, never touch a desert tortoise and it is best not to approach them at all; if you scare them, you may actually be scaring them to death. The life expectancy of a desert tortoise is 50-80 years.

** Since the zoo is free for children this summer, you may have a budget for the train, carousel or kettle corn?

** The Phoenix Zoo is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.

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The original version of this article was published on www.Examiner.com on June 4th, 2009

Today Only - 50 cent Iced Coffees at Dunkin' Donuts

Is it 100 degrees in Phoenix yet? It's supposed to get there so it's a perfect day for a bargain Iced Coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. Go to any Dunkin' Donuts today, April 21st, and you can enjoy one of their chilly coffees for just two quarters ... you might be able to find that in your couch or under your car seat on the way!

Thanks Dunkin' Donuts!

PS - We just got home from Dunkin' Donuts ... Ivy was generous and used her money to buy our whole family a treat. So, that means I still have any money that is left in my couch or under my car seat ~ thank you, Ivy!

Freeeeeeeee & Fun - Books +

Early in my college life, I got headaches when I walked into libraries; I don't know if it was fear of the Dewey Decimal System, not being able to have a Diet Coke at my side or dusty stacks but .... I have changed my mind. I love libraries! And, they are freeeeeeeeee.

Today I multi-purposed and took my daughter to our new neighborhood library so that we could explore the books & videos and check out the state of the art meeting rooms available to the public. There is something nostalgic about old libraries and something super sophisticated about the new ones; if you live in, or visit, Peoria (AZ) be sure to stop by our Sunrise Mountain Branch on Lake Pleasant Parkway for a first class experience in literature and more.

If you have young children, you'll want to attend one of Madam Paculi's storytimes. The library has free WIFI for your laptop and lots of terminals, too. The seating options near the indoor/outdoor play area are designed so that everyone can enjoy the library in their own way; I saw some moms holding children on their laps reading as others sat reading their own books while their children ran with bare feet through the grassy circle. The books & more concept has come a long way since the days of "shhhh!"

Oh, what a bargain!

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PS - Did you see the movie Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler? If so, do you remember the part where he wants something for freeeeeeeeeeEEEEEE? We keep repeating that line in our household and laughing.

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PPS - This week Tamarha, my forever friend & co-author of the original Fun Places to Go with Kids in Metro Phoenix, told me that it is the 50th anniversary of Strunk & White. Tamarha, what do you think Strunk & White would think of my atypical grammar & punctuation?

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Libraries of the World


International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
www.ifla.org/VI/2/p2/national-libraries.htm

National Libraries
www.nationallibraries.org

Libraries of the United States of America

American Library Association
www.ala.org

Library of Congress
www.loc.gov

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Susan, Taxes & Tea Parties - Listen!

Today I was going to comment on the tea parties occurring around our country before writing about the close of tax day. But, then ... I heard Susan sing.

To me, Susan's performance has the potential to simultaneously offer each of us a brilliant flash of wisdom, chills that accompany perfect music, the awe of true love and ... hope.

Listen to Susan's gift that is spreading around the world ...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU

Susan Boyle - we thank you.

Easter Sunday - Today!

Happy Easter!

Easter Traditions

Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; forgiveness and the promise of heaven are gifts of today.

The Easter Lilly is native to Japan.

The tradition of the Bunny is associated with fertility and brightly colored eggs have been said to represent the colors of Spring.

Books for Today:

A Bible

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann (2007)

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