Great Night, New Years Eve Party for Families: Irvine

Great Night!

Family New Year's Eve Event

Saturday, December 31, 2011

5:30- 9:30pm

Music, dancing, food, games, activities, and fun for the family! Free admission, $10 parking.

Click here for more information.

Drive-In Movies: $10 Carload, Tonight only!

Once a year the Santa Fe Spring Swap Meet turns back into a Drive-In Movie again!

$10 admission per carload!

Gates open at 6pm. Despicable Me starts at 7pm, and stay for Nanny McPhee Returns at 9pm.

Pack dinner, bring popcorn and entertain the whole family for only $10!

AM Radio required to hear the movie.

Located off the 5 Freeway at Alondra. About a 15 minute drive from Montebello.

IKEA: Kids Eat Free, 12/26-1/1/12

Limit one meal per child per visit. No adult purchase necessary. Kids under 12 only. Child must be present.

I love IKEA, it's so much more than a furniture store. They offer a kids play area with huge ball pit and one hour of free childcare. Kids can collect stamps for every visit to the play area, after 6 visits they receive a free gift. Kids can bring in newspaper to recycle and earn stamps to receive a free git. During most holiday seasons IKEA offer children a free kids meal, no purchase necessary. There is also a cafe near the check out where ice cream cones are sold for $1.

See photos and read details about a visit to IKEA Covina here.

Free Lunch Program: Holifield Park, through January 6

Here is a menu of what is to be served this month:

Friday 12/23: Chicken Nuggets, pear, berry juice, milk

Tuesday 12/27: Hot Dog, banana, apple juice, milk

Wednesday 12/28: Rib-b-que sandwich, orange, berry juice, milk

Thursday 12/29: Corn dog, apple, organge juice, milk

Friday 12/30: Grilled chicken sandwich, pear, berry juice, milk



Winter Field Trips for Kids with Montebello Parks & Rec.

To attend any of the following events visit one of the parks listed on the flyer and pick up a field trip waiver form. The pick-up/drop-off location for all events is at the Cathy Hensel Youth Center across the street from Montebello City Park.

Free Youth Baseball Clinic: Saturday, 1/21/12

www.MontebelloBaseballAssociation.com

Montebello-Commerce YMCA: No Joining Fee! Save $75!

Give a gift membership to the YMCA this holiday season

and the $75 joining fee is picked up by the Shops at Montebello mall!

Available now through December 24.

Shops at Montebello Mall: Dollars for Scholars, Freeway Promotion

Due to the 60 freeway closure, the Shops at Montebello

is holding an incredible

Dollars for Scholars

offer this weekend.

100 Points for every dollar spent! Receipts can date back to September 15, 2011.

Please go shopping at the mall and rack up the points!

For details click here.

Knotts Berry Farm: Toys for Tots Promotion: Free Admission with $20 Toy Donation

Knott's Berry Farm, Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Now - December 18.

Here's how the promotion works:

• Guests can purchase a toy for $20 from a temporary shop set up outside of the Knott's entrance and hand it over to the marines as a Toys for Tots donation in exchange for a ticket to Knott's Berry Farm. 
• Guests also have the option of buying tickets online for $20, and Knott's will donate the toy for them.
• Guest who bring their own toy valued at $20 to donate are given a voucher for a discounted $20 admission.

I appreciate that Knott's Berry Farm is running this promotion, but when I saw the toys they were selling I was disappointed. The toys Knotts offered for sale are not worth a full $20. They are off brand toys that look like they'll break within a few uses, and there was a limited selection to chose from. The toys offered are not toys that I would purchase for my children.

If you want to take your child to Knott's Berry Farm for only $20 a ticket then this is a way to go. However, for $65 you can get a season pass that is good from now until 12/31/2012 with no blackout dates.

TIP #1: Try to take the kids during the week, the donation weekends tend to be extremely crowded, especially the Camp Snoopy area.
TIP #2: A few years ago Knott's extended the Toys for Tots promotion by a few more days without much notice, if you can't fit a visit into your schedule by December 18, you may want to call to see if they've added more days.

To buy a ticket online or review other Knott's Berry Farm ticket offers, click here.

Albertsons Holiday Open House

Open House

December 16, 17, & 18

Hot Cider & Cookies

Holiday Samples

Special Holiday Event

Saturday, December 17

10:00am - 4:00pm

For Kids: sugar cookie decorating, ornament decorating, coloring, and photos with Santa

For Adults: holiday recipes, free wine bottle wrapping, and more!

Albertsons

2469 Via Campo Street

Montebello, CA 90640
(323) 888-2250

Send your Expired Coupons to Military Families living overseas!

For the cost of a stamp you can help military families living overseas by mailing your expired coupons.

Use this link to read how the Krazy Coupon Lady collects coupons and ships them overseas for military families.

She and her volunteers do all the work, you simply send them your coupons!

Skating Rink: Uptown Whittier, now until 12/17

Skating sessions are 30 minutes each.  Price is $7 per person Monday-Thursday and $10 Friday-Sunday, includes skate rentals. 

For more information click here.

Montebello-area Christmas Trees Prices 2011

It's time to go Christmas tree shopping!

Here are the prices from Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Costco, and the

local family-owned Christmas tree stand, Robles Christmas Trees.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Costco

Noble Fir 7-8' $44.99

_______________________________________________________________________________

Home Depot

_______________________________________________________________________________

Wal-Mart

Douglas Fir 4' $24.88

Douglas Fir 5' $29.88

Douglas Fir 6' $34.88

Noble Fir 3' $19.88

Noble Fir 6-7' $44.88

Noble Fir 7-8' $59.88

________________________________________________________________________________

Lowe's

Noble Fir 2-3' $19.98

Noble Fir 7-8' $59.97
_________________________________________________________________________________

Robles Christmas Trees

Albertsons Parking Lot on Via Campo/Wilcox

Noble, Fir, and Grand from 2 - 8 feet tall. "Grand" trees are similar to the Douglas Fir but the branches are denser and drape in a nice bell shape. It has a stronger smell, doesn't dry out as fast, and the needles are longer and shiny. It's a beautiful tree.
Each tree is tagged with the price and information about the tree. Trees start at $20 for a smaller tree, and 6-7 foot trees run about $45 (These are 2010 prices, I'll publish and update next time I visit).  

__________________________________________________________________________________

There are some "Cut your own" Tree Farms in the LA area if you want to try your hand at using a hand saw. I found this list in a recent AAA magazine.

• Chamberlain Choose and Cut, Claremont. 909-626-0243
• Nancy's Ranch, Santa Clarita. 661-255-6943
• Peltzer Pines, Brea, Irvine, & Silverado. http://www.peltzerpines.com/
• Christmas Conifers, Nuevo, Bloomington. http://www.christmasconifers.com/
• Wickerd Farm, Menifee. 909-286-8288
• Casazza Christmas Tree Farm, Etiwanda/Rancho Cucamonga. 909-980-2908
• Don Lugo FFA Tree Farm, Chino. 909-591-3902, ext. 4579

Montebello Winter Day Camp: 12/19-1/6, 7:30-5:30

Free Picture With Santa: Grand Central Market, Saturday, 12/10

Kids 13 and under can get a free picture with Santa and a free goodie bag this Saturday 12/10 at Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A. (317 S. Broadway) from 11am until 2 pm.

Make it a day of Downtown Holiday Fun!  After your picture and goody bag, walk 2 blocks south to Pershing Square and enjoy the Holiday Festival from 11 am to 7 pm.

Don't want to drive or pay for downtown parking?  Board the Montebello Bus Lines Route 40 along Beverly Blvd. and get off across the street from Grand Central Market.  To return home,  catch the bus next to Pershing Square on Olive Street.

Cool Presents for Guys

Hello, this is Mr. Montebello Mom guest writing today’s blog post.  I received some positive feedback on my “Stocking Stuffers for Guys” article, so I decided to do one on presents for those special guys in your life.  For this list, I have kept the prices of the entry level units between $25 and $120 so that a nice present will not break the bank.  So forget the neckties and cardigans and check out my list of Cool Guy Presents.

Knives!

tactical knives: very manly!

The clothes might make the man, but a good knife makes him even manlier.  Every guy should have at least one good quality all-around pocket knife.  My personal preference is a “tactical knife”: a folding knife with locking blade and a pocket clip.  Don’t settle for some “Made in China” knife; get a good brand-name like Benchmade, SOG, Gerber, Spyderco, Case, Victorinox, Kershaw or Buck.  The best local place to get a quality knife is Ross Cutlery, located at 310 S. Broadway in Downtown L.A. Or check out Smoky Mountain Knife Works (www.smkw.com), a reputable on-line dealer of fine cutlery. Expect to pay between $50-120 for a good piece. 

Lowes has this unit for $80

Cordless Drills

Black and Decker (B&D) makes some of the best units.  Look for at least 12 volts, and a kit that comes with a removable battery and separate charger instead of the charger that plugs directly into the drill.  Lowes has an 18 volt B&D unit that comes with 2 batteries, a charger and a bag for under $80. 

sears.com unit for $85

Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners.

Great for cleaning up after projects, or sucking up the water in the bathroom floor after your toddler stuffed the toilet with grocery bags and flushed it 5 times.  Lowes has a 16 gallon, 6.5 hp. Shop-Vac unit for $109.  If you are looking for something smaller; Sears has a 6 gallon, 2.5hp unit for under $40.

Sale: $100 mechanic's tool set at Sears

Hand Tools

When it comes to quality hand tools, Sears’ Craftsman is the best you can get at the retail level.  Most are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty.  Every guy should have at least a basic “mechanic’s set” with wrenches, screwdrivers and a socket set.  This week (12/4/11) Sears has a 154pc set for $100 and a 182pc set for $140.  Both come with a tool box.

Portable Tool Boxes

3-drawer steel tool chest $79

Guys have tools, and we need a place to put them and keep them organized.  Sears has this 3-drawer steel unit for under $70.  Similar unit in plastic goes for about $50. Lowes has a great unit for about $30.

Harbor Freight Tools

My dad calls them the “cheap tool store”.  Although I usually don’t purchase their hand tools for everyday use, this is a great place to get specialty tools that will only be used for one or two projects.  I have been impressed by their product variety and value for your money.  The closest one is located at 3660 E Foothill Blvd in Pasadena, or online at www.harborfreight.com.  Check the Sunday paper coupons for an insert full of specials at the store, like an air compressor for under $40. 

Hopefully this list will help you pick a great present for the special guys in your life.  Remember: giving him power tools is a great way to encourage your guy to do that project you’ve been waiting for.  If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact us at montebellomom@gmail.com  Happy Shopping!

Free Gift Card Offers and Costco Gift Cards, 2011

Make your dollar stretch farther this year. Here are gift card offers for the 2011 holiday season that offer extra perks the buyer. I'll update the list as I come across more offers.

Del Taco: Purchase a $10 gift card, get 2 free regular tacos. Purchase a $15 gift card, get 2 free chicken soft tacos. Purchase $25 in gift cards, get one free combo meal. $50 in gift cards, 2 free combo meal and a frisbee (online only). $100 in gift cards, get 4 free combo meals, a frisbee, and a beanie (online only).


BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse: Buy $50 in gift cards, recieve a free mug. Buy $75 in gift cards, recieve a free mug and a holiday suprise card. Buy $100 in gift cards recieve a set of four mugs and a holiday suprise card. Surprise card is valid after 12/25/11 and is worth $5-1000  in purchases at BJ's or a trip for two to Vail, Colorado.

El Torito: Recieve a $20 certificate with every $100 purchase of gift cards.  Certificate valid through 6/30/12.

Barnes & Noble: Free $10 eGift card with a $100 gift card or egift card purchase. Offer valid through 12/4/11. egift card delivered on 12/26/11.

Mobil Gas Stations: Free $10 gift card with $100 in gift card purchases. Register your gift cards online by 1-15-12 to recieve a $10 gift card by mail. Purchase at an Exxon or Mobil station now through 12-31-11. Limit two $10 gift cards per household. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

 

 

AMC Movie Theatres: Receive a $5 Concession Card for every $30 you spend on AMC gift cards. Only available in theatres while supplies last. The Concession Cash card is valid 24 hours after activation through 2-29-12. While supplies last

Mimis Cafe: Free $5 coupon with every $25 gift card purchase. $5 coupon is valid for a future visit.

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant: Purchase $50 in gift cards, receive a $10 reward card to use 1-1-12 until 2-28-2012, purchase at restaurant locations only.

Marie Callender's Restaurant and Bakery: Buy $25 or more in Gift Cards and receive a Holiday gift voucher worth $5 off a $20 purchase redeemable from 1/1/12 through 1/31/11.

Outback Steakhouse: Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 Bonus Card. Bonus card valid 1/1/12 through 2/10/12. Offer valid until 12-31-12.

Applebees: Purchase $50 in gift cards, receive a $10 Bonus Card that is valid through 2-29-12.

Red Robin: Purchase $25 gift card and receive a $5 Bonus Buck that is valid through  1-1-12 through 2-29-12.

California Pizza Kitchen: Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive a $20 Reward card that is valid 1-3-12 through 3-6-12.

T.G.I. Fridays: Spend $25 on gift cards and receive a $5 Bonus Bites card.

Benihana's: Receive a $10 promotional card with every $50 in gift card purchases. Offer valid through 12-31-11. Promotional gift card valid from 12-12-11 through 3-31-12.

Qdoba: Receive a $5 voucher for every $25 in Q-Cash Cards. See the ad below.

Gift Cards Available at Costco: Montebello

• 24 Hour Fitness, 2 Year Membership $319.99
• Vegas.com $100 Gift Card, $79.99
• Spa Finder, 2 - $50 gift certificates, $79.99
• AMC Theatre: 2 pack Movie Ticket Vouchers, $15.99
• Regal Entertainment, 2 Ticket Vouchers, $15.99
• See's Candies, 2 - 1 pound chocolate gift certificates, $26.99
• Universal Studios Hollywood, 5 days for $59, valid for one year, some blackout dates,  $59.00 Limit 6.
• California Pizza Kitchen 2 - $50 gift cards, $79.99
• Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ Restaurant, 2 - $50 gift cards, $79.99
• Specialty Restaurant 2 - $50 gift cards for Luminarias, Monterey Hill, The Odyssey, Proud Bird, The Castaway, more, $79.99
• Ruby's Diner, 2 - $25 gift cards, $39.99
• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 4 - $25 gift cards, $79.99
• Cold Stones, 10 - $3.50 gift certificates, $24.99
• Jamba Juice, 5 - $10 gift cards, $39.99

Free Holiday Greeting in the Pennysaver!

Call 1-800-995-3333 to place your message. Fax it to 760-599-1505. Tweet your message at #pennyshout. Or mail it to: Attn: Holiday Greeting/Private Party, P.O. Box 1689, Vista, CA 92085.

Deadline Thursday, December 15, 5pm.

The PennySaver is delivered every Wednesday. The greetings can be found on the first few pages.

Snow Day: Glendora, Saturday, December 10

Snow Day

December 10, 2011

11am-2pm

2100 E Rte. 66, Glendora

Tree Lighting Ceremony: Santa Fe Springs, Saturday, December 3

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, December 3

5-7pm

Santa Fe Springs City Hall

Corner of Pioneer & Telegraph

Outdoor Skating Rink: Pershing Square (downtown L.A.), Nov. 17-Jan 16 2012

The Downtown on Ice skating rink is now open everyday (including holidays) until January 16, 2012 at Pershing Square: 532 S. Olive St. in Downtown Los Angeles.  The price is $8 per person including skate rental, cash only.  Skate rental sizes are available from a toddler's 6 to a man's 15.  Attendants recommend that any adult skating with a toddler be a skillful skater.  Underground parking is available on-site with discounted rates when you show your skating receipt.

Or, take Montebello Bus Lines Route 40 along Beverly Blvd and get off at Pershing Square.  Click here for a $1 off skating coupon from Montebello Bus Lines.

Skating Session Times

See above for skating session times.  The 10 am session is only good on Friday-Sunday

Some of the special Holiday-themed events at this site include:

• "It's Christmas, Snoopy" sneak preview performance on Tuesday, November 29 at 4pm.  This is a sneak preview of the skating spectacular show at Knott's Berry Farm.

• Winter Holiday Festival: Saturday, December 10, 11am-7pm.  Santa and his reindeer will make an appearance, along with snow, train rides, crafts and other free activities.

• Rock Around the Rink: Free skate on Friday 12/16 and Saturday 12/17 at 8 pm.  Free skating sponsored by The Sound 100.3.  For more information visit www.thesoundla.com

• Menorah Lighting Celebration: Tuesday, 12/20 at 8pm

• Kwanzaa Celebration: Thursday, 12/22 at 8 pm

For more information about Downtown on Ice visit http://laparks.org/pershingsquare/.

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Movies: Get the DVR ready!

The ABC Family Channel has its 25 Days of Christmas schedule available. Holiday themed and family friendly movies are showing everyday now through Christmas day.  View the schedule here and set the DVR for family movie night.

Movies include holiday themes such as The Santa Clause, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and the Polar Express. Disney favorites including Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, Up, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Aladdin, The Incredibles, A Bug's Life, and Ratatouille. All day marathons of holiday classics and Harry Potter are scheduled on weekends.

Old Town Monrovia Holiday Events 2011

Knotts Berry Farm: Police & Fire Dept. Tribute Days: Free Admission

For more information visit: http://www.knotts.com/public/admission/prices/deals.cfm

IKEA Black Friday Weekend 2011

One of my favorite stores, IKEA is having a Black Friday "Weekend" sale. Kids Eat Free all weekend and if you buy a couch you get 15% of the purchase price back as a gift card! To see the ad click here.

Pasadena Tree Lighting: Friday, 11/15, 6pm

This looks like fun! Bring a new toy to donate and get a free picture with Santa 6:30-9pm only. Write a letter to Santa and recieve a personal reply. Visit http://www.onecolorado.com/fun_treelighting.php for more information.

Pictures with Santa 2011 @ Shops at Montebello Mall

Thanks for stopping by!

Please refer to the current Santa Photo Price List for 2012...click here.

Sportswear Sample Sale: near the Montebello Metrolink Station

My family came across this sample sale during the summer and it was amazing! Sizes XS-XXL. Infant - Adult. I bought a girl's hoodie jacket for $3! Organic cotton onesies and baby caps for $1. Adult pants $10, T-shirts $4. Very well organized. Quality merchandise.  Credit cards/cash accepted. No try on rooms.  On Flotilla between Garfield and Vail, near the Metrolink.

Tree Lighting: Americana at Brand (Glendale), Thursday 11/17

Americana at Brand: 889 Americana Way, Glendale

Grand Illumination: Uptown Whittier, Friday, December 2

For more information click here

Electronic Waste Collection: Santa Fe Springs, Saturday 11/19

Electronic Waste Collection

Saturday, November 19, 2011

9am-4pm

Santa Fe Springs Christian School

11434 Otto St, Santa Fe Springs

For more information call 562-321-9313

Nutcracker Craft Boutique: Brea, November 18 and 19

 Brea Nutcracker Craft Boutique

Friday, November 18, 9am-6pm

Saturday, November 19, 9am-4pm

Brea Community Center

695 E. Madison Wy, Brea

Admission: $2

Over 250 vendors of arts, crafts and food for the holidays.  For more information click here.

Muppet Craftational Event: Disney Store Montebello, Saturday 11/12

Guy Stocking Stuffers Ideas



This is Mr. Montebello Mom guest writing today’s blog post about stocking stuffers for guys.  While we pay special attention to big ticket item shopping for the kids and significant others during the holiday season, smaller items tend to be relegated to the back burner.  You can always go with the old standards: a box of See’s Candies or a giant popcorn tin.  However, if you are thinking about mixing it up a bit this year, here are some great low cost stocking-stuffers ideas for the guys in your life.  These also make great presents for co-workers and as "emergency presents" for the occasional distant family member who drops by unannounced on Christmas Eve . 

Office Depot flashlight: $4

First we have the Office Depot 9-LED flashlight for under $4.  Guys love flashlights, and you can never have too many of them.  Kids love them too, which makes these a great stocking stuffer for all ages. 

keychain multi-tool: $4

I picked up several of these small keychain multi-tools at Office Depot for $4.  The best part is that you will be hearing for months about how your gift saved the day when they needed an emergency screwdriver/pliers/cutter. 

2-piece headlight: $6

A close cousin to the flashlight is the “Headlight”, the flashlight worn around your head with an elastic band.  We know the women in our lives think we look like total dorks when wearing them, but few things come in handier when repairing leaky faucets or working on the dark crevices of our vehicles.  Home Depot has this 2-piece set for under $6.  One for dad, one for son!

Leatherman Wingman $25

The Leatherman Multi-Tool is hands down, bar none, the ultimate guy gift that does not feature an internal combustion engine.  Every guy needs one, and should have at least two or three.  Home Depot has this model for $25, which is an excellent deal considering they usually go for over $50.  When purchasing full size multi-tools, please don’t settle for Made in China knockoffs; go with Leatherman, Gerber or Victorinox and you will have a happy guy in your life. 

The Home Depot in Commerce (Telegraph and Garfield) has a great section of tool gift sets near the cash registers for under $20, many of them under $7.  Any of these would make an awesome present for any guy over 12.

These low-cost gift ideas will allow you to be a Christmas hero to all without breaking your wallet.  Happy shopping!

Bella Thorne at Citadel Outlets, Sunday, November 20

At Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Drive, L.A.

Pico Rivera Craft Boutique, Pico Rivera, Thursday, November 17

Pico Rivera Craft Boutique

Thursday, November 17

9am-1pm

Pico Rivera Senior Center

9200 Mines Ave, Pico Rivera

Unique items, crafts and gifts!  For more information click here.

Book Sale: Montebello Library, Saturday, November 12

Montebello Friends of the Library Book Sale

Saturday, November 12, 2011

10am-3pm

Montebello Library

1550 W Beverly Blvd, Montebello

Cookie Judging Contest: Monrovia, Saturday, November 12

Cookie Judging Contest

Saturday, November 12

2pm

Paint N Play

418 S. Myrtle, Monrovia

Bring a dozen of your home-made cookies and see if you have what it takes to be Top Cookie!  For entry form: http://www.oldtownmonroviaca.com/index.html.  Entries submitted by 2pm, judging begins at 2:30pm.