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This column is geared towards providing tips, information and support for moms in Severna Park and the surrounding community.
The presents are wrapped and now it's time to fill those stockings hung by the chimney with care. Here are a few suggestions to shop locally, get your stockings filled and still have time left over for a soak in the tub. 1. Subway—Gift cards and $2 subsGet a free 6-inch sub with purchase of a $25 gift card. If you get a gift card for a smaller denomination, kids can redeem these cards in December and get a 6-inch sub (meatball or cold cut) for only $2 through the rest of December.  2. McDonald’s—Winter Treat PacksThis promotion is not widely publicized, but both Severna Park locations are …
1. Boston Market Ditch the apron and let Boston Market do the dirty work for you.  From eating in or ordering a catered meal, your family can enjoy a homestyle meal, even if it isn’t from scratch.    2. Bill Bateman's Bistro For football fans that want to get up and go, Bill Bateman’s will be open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to televise the Ravens game.  With a limited menu, you can have a big group of friends around to watch the game without the hassle of clean up, or just hang-out with other fans if you are flying solo.   3. Honeybaked Ham There is more than just ham here.  You can also …
1. Big Vanilla Arnold – Zumbathon Featuring both Kids Zumba and Adult Zumba, Big Vanilla can melt extra calories away before the big haul.  When:  Oct. 21, 2011   2. Big Vanilla Pasadena – Boo Bash  What could be better than an in-water treasure hunt?  Get the details for Zumbathon in Arnold or the Boo Bash, occurring on the same night on their website.  Both events benefit St. Jude. When:  Oct. 21, 2011   3. Severna Park Community Center – SPY Spooky Splash Sign up your little goblins for a great night at the pool.  Sign up for Spooky Splash Jr. at 6 p.m. or Spooky Splash at 6:30 p.m.  Sign …
*Today (Oct. 1): Severna Park's Heritage Day Festival, Severna Park Community Center, Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, fun starts at 10 a.m. 1. Gary’s Gardens – Fall Celebration Each weekend in October, Gary’s has a moonbounce for the little ones and this year it’s FREE.  Other arts and crafts activities, such as pumpkin painting are available depending on the weather.  Call the store for details.  Good Through:  Weekends in October, Noon – 4:00 p.m.   2. Kinder Farm Park - Fall Festival This annual favorite includes blacksmith and sawmill demonstrations, scarecrow building and more.  Fees …
1. Franklin’s Toys – Storewide September Sale Now until Sunday, everything in the store is 20 percent off.  Receive up to 60 percent off selected items.  No gift wrapping during the sale. Discount applies to online purchases also. Ends: Sept. 25, 2011 2. Mount Vernon Book Festival Explore Baltimore for free this weekend to see hundreds of authors, book signings, live book readings, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, workshops, walking tours, storytellers and hands-on projects for kids, street theater, live music, and a delicious variety of food.  Check the website for details. When: Sept. 23-…
Due to limited availability and popularity, pre-registration is required for all events.  Go ahead, get the kids ready for fun and make your own reservation for dinner and a movie.   1. Rolly Pollies – Parent’s Night Out Alternating Friday nights from 7– 8:30 p.m.  Visit their website for pricing and details.   2. Ultimate Play Zone – Kid’s Night Out On the second Friday of every month, kids can have a blast when the parents are out on the town.  Includes a snack after Open Play and a kid-friendly movie.  Check their website and call ahead for dates and availability.   3. Severna Park …
1. Port Discovery – Target $2 Fridays General admission is just $2 per person from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.  Tickets must be purchased at the door. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance or combined with any other discounts or coupons.  Valid On: Sept. 16, 2011   2. Free National Park Day – Sept. 24th Get into any of over 100 National Parks without paying the usual admission fee.  Get details of the progam and a list of participating parks by state. Valid On: Sept. 24, 2011   3. Bruster’s – Sweet Rewards and Coupons The new Bruster’s at Earleigh Heights Plaza is open!  Sign up for their Sweet Rewards …
1. IKEA - Kids eat FREE! Kids choose one combo meal valued at $2.49. Children under 12 only. Child must be present. Limit one combo meal per child. No purchase necessary.  Valid at College Park and White Marsh locations. Valid:  Sept. 3 – 5, 2011   2. National Aquarium - $5 off General Admission During Grand Prix Weekend Save $5 on general Aquarium admission when you purchase online for visits between Sept. 1 – 5. Enter promo code GRAND at checkout to receive discount.  Scroll down further on the discounts page to get the skinny on saving $3 on parking. Expires:  Sept. 5, 2011   3. SPRFC -  …
1. Meredith’s Hair Design – Shampoo and Hair Cut for $20 Clip the coupon on page B12 of the August Severna Park Voice to get this deal. Expires:  Aug. 31, 2011   2. Starbucks – Treat Receipt Bring the receipt from your morning purchase after 2 p.m. and enjoy any Grande cold beverage (16 fl. oz) for just $2 (plus tax) at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada. Expires: Sept. 5, 2011   3. Kwon’s Tae Kwon Do – Two Week Trial with Free Uniform for only $19.99 Clip the coupon on page B10 of the August Severna Park Voice to get this deal. Expires:  Sept. 8, 2011   4. Mighty Spray Car…
1. Franklin’s Toys – Indoor Sidewalk Sale. Everything is marked down at least 50 percent and some items are 80 to 90 percent off.  The store will have an under $2 table, an under $5 table and an under $10 table, as well as some big items offered at very low prices. Good Through: Aug. 14. 2. Bath & Body Works – Free Signature Care Item with the Purchase of $10. Print and use the coupon for this deal for up to $12.50 in savings. Good Through:  Aug. 14. 3. Restaurant.com – $25 gift certificate for $2 with “HOT” promo code. Go to Restaurant.com to find local participating restaurants, such as …
Look no further to enjoy the last bit of summer with discounted baseball, pirate adventure, pampering and eating out in and around Severna Park. 1. Royal Elegance Spalon – 50 percent off One Hour Swedish Massage Save $40 and get ready to relax at Royal Elegance by purchasing a voucher at Chewpons.  But hurry!  The deal is only available until Sunday morning.  Voucher expires on Jan. 31, 2012. Expires: Aug. 7, 2011   2. Baysox for a Buck – $1 General Admission Enjoy a night of baseball for less by printing the coupon from the www.baysox.com website.  Coupon is available for printing beginning …
On a family vacation, these five apps will make life much simpler.  In fact, these apps are still useful well after you've come back home.   All of the apps are free to use and four are available for use with multiple smartphone platforms (iPhone, Android, Blackberry). The apps can also be used with portable computing devices (tablets, iPad) and online via the internet.  While on vacation without a computer internet connection, these apps have been lifesavers for yours truly. 1. Cozi (www.cozi.com)– Lists, Calendar and Journal This nifty app can help manage a packing list and a family …
Readers may remember the first listing of Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs in the area.  Here are a few more alternatives to keep the kids cool and busy. 1. Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church “Shake It Up Café” 921 Generals Highway, Millersville 21108 Contact: 410-987-4273 or visit www.baldwinmemorial.org When: July 25-29, 2011, 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. 2. Pasadena United Methodist Church  “Shake It Up Café” Contact: Check online for details, print registration or call 410-647-3090 When: Aug 1-5, 2011, 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.   3. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church – “SonSurf Beach Bash” …
1. Chick fil A - Cow Appreciation Day on July 8  Come fully dressed as a cow and get a free meal at any Chick fil A.  Each “cow” can get a meal.  Don’t want to go full cow?  Bring in some cow gear, like a purse or a hat, and you can get a free sandwich.  Valid On: July 8, 2011   2. 7-Eleven - Free Slurpee Day Visit the 7-Eleven convenience store on Ritchie Highway or Benfield Road on July 11 to receive a free 7.11 oz Slurpee! Expires:  July 11, 2011 (one day only) while supplies last   3. Severna Park Library – Free Baysox Tickets and Coupons Sign the kids up for the summer reading program …
1. Executive Wireless – Free Android SmartPhone with two year activation See details in the PennySaver magazine.  Get a free LG Vortex smartphone free after mail-in rebate and two year activation.  If you have a phone, you can use the coupon to get $10 off any accessory purchase. Expires:  Coupon expires June 31, 2011 2. Bow Tie Harbour 9 and Marley United Artists Theatre – Free or $1 Movies  Bow Tie Cinemas at Annapolis Harbour Centre is offering free movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for 9 weeks this summer.  Marley Station is offering a similar option with $1 movies for kids and …
1. National Parks - Free Admission Day Patch reader Kathie Hamlett contributed this tip.  Dad and the family can enjoy a visit to a National Park for free on June 21.  Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm for more info. Valid: June 21, 2011 2. Severna Park Lawn Service – 50 percent off mowing with purchase of mulching service Use the Money Mailer coupon and give dad a break from lawn care.  Call 443-994-4017 for a free estimate or more information. Expires:  June 25, 2011 3. Severna Park Lanes – Pizza, Pins & Pepsi Fun Pack Enjoy two hours of bowling, shoe rental and food for …
1. Maggie Moo’s - $3 Off any 8” Round or Sheet Cake Take the Cake and celebrate your grad with this printable coupon. Expires: June 30, 2011   2. Einstein Bros – Free Bagel Tuesday or Free Fresh Baked Treat Use the coupon in the mailer insert to get a free bagel with any beverage purchase on Tuesdays before 11:00am.  Or, try the Happy Hour option (no coupon!) and get a free fresh baked treat with any beverage purchase from 2:00pm to close.  Expires:  Coupon Expires July 5, 2011, no date listed for Happy Hour   3. McDonald’s – Free Small Strawberry Lemonade Use the recently mailed McDonald’s …
Check out these deals to stretch that spending dollar right here in town. 1. Fabu Salon – 52 Percent Off Haircut and Manicure Package Go to www.doubletakedeals.com and pay only $45 for a certificate valued at $95.  Save 52 percent on a haircut, shampoo, blow-dry and shellac manicure. Expires: June 24, 2011 (time to buy certificate - good from two days after purchase until June 24, 2012) 2. Gary’s Gardens – Earn Beau Bucks For every $10 in purchases from now through June 24, earn $1 in Beau Bucks.  Apply Beau Bucks for up to 50 percent of your purchases from June 25 – July 10 Expires: June 24…
1. Boston Market – 50 percent off a Family Meal, Memorial Day ONLY  Go to dealspl.us to print the coupon before heading to the restaurant.   Offer Good: May 30, 2011 only   2. IKEA – Eat for Free with Home Furnishings Purchase  Take the kids on a field trip to IKEA College Park this weekend.  Spend $100 on home furnishings and the whole family can eat in the café for free. Expires: May 30, 2011   3. Restaurant.com – 80 percent off Gift Card Purchase If you missed the last Restaurant.com deal, use the “FLAG” promo code to save a whopping 80 percent on restaurant gift certificates. Works for …
Get bottled water, salon service and a pizza for free.  Read on to get ant traps for only 99 cents and get fine dining on a dime.   1. Meredith’s Hair Design – Free Eyebrow Wax or Mini Highlights Use one of the three Consumer’s Eye coupons to get free eyebrow wax with a haircut, free mini highlights with any paid color service or $4 off any haircut.  Expires: May 21, 2011   2. Restaurant.com - Save 70 percent on any gift certificate purchase If you missed the last Restaurant.com deal, here is another one. Enter “PLATE” promo code and get a $25 gift certificate, which normally retails for $10 …

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