Get Out Your Calendars: March 2011 FREEbees in Cleveland

Here’s this month’s list of ongoing, family-friendly events in the Cleveland area:

Art House--All Ages Family Open Art Studio on March 19th (the third Saturday of every month) from 1-3pm. Make individual pieces of family art works. Art house provides the materials.
Beck Center for the Arts--Come for Super Saturdays at the Beck Center, a FREE hands-on arts experience for children ages 10 and under on March 19th with Westfield Great Northern Mall, 9-11:30am in the Beck Center lobby.
Borders--Read Across America Kids Event, March 5th at 2pm: Stories, games, arts and crafts and more! Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Event, March 19th at 2pm: Enjoy a trivia contest, games, Wimpy activities, and more!
Chick-fil-A (North Olmsted location)--Bring your children in for FREE fun and activities every Tuesday for Family Night! When an adult meal is purchased...you will receive a FREE 4 count Kid's Nugget meal.
Cleveland Museum of Art--FREE admission every day; closed on Monday.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History--Visitors to The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will enjoy FREE admission on the first Thursday of each month, March 3rd, from 10 am until 5 pm.
Cuyahoga County Public Library--Storytimes, educational programs, games, crafts, and more! Visit their website to find out what’s going on this month at your local branch, and it’s all FREE!
Great Lakes Science Center--Free Tuesdays for Youth! All youth 18 and under can enjoy FREE general admission to Great Lakes Science Center on Tuesdays when accompanied by an adult.
Home Depot--Come build a #20 Joey Logano Race Car on Saturday, March 5th from 9am-12pm. Kids workshops are FREE “How-to” Workshops designed for children ages 5-12 on the first Saturday of each month.
Jo-Ann Fabrics—St. Patrick’s Day Make It-Take It on March 19th from 11am-1pm.
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center--Have a close encounter with the wildlife at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center during “Meet an Animal,” a FREE, family friendly, hands-on program select Saturdays at 3pm. Meet an Opossum on March 5th and a Turkey Vulture on March 19th.
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics--Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project select Saturdays at 10am. Build a Shoot Around Basketball (3/12) and a Fortune Teller (3/26) at the Clinics this month.
Michael’s— The Knack Free Family Event, Make It-Take It on March 2nd from 10am-noon. Join the Dr. Seuss® Birthday Celebration. Come make your own festive bookmark creations. While supplies last. Ages 3 and up welcome.
Pottery Barn Kids—Come every Tuesday from 11-11:30am for Storytime. All ages welcome. The Book Club Themes this month are Read Across America Day (Wednesday, March 2nd), Peter Rabbit (March 8th), and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Sunday, March 20th at noon & March 22nd).
Westfield Great Northern Mall—Come for the FREE sing-a-long and craft time sponsored by the Beck Center on March 3rd from 10-11am. Activities are geared toward ages 5 & under. This event is located at the Playtown on the first Thursday of every month.
Westfield SouthPark Mall--Will be hosting the WFamily Charity Movie Series at Cinemark Strongsville. A different family friendly movie will be featured the third Saturday of each month at 10am, which is March 19th. The cost will be to attend will be $2 per person (almost FREE). Tickets will be available the morning of each show starting at 9 a.m. in front of Cinemark Strongsville.

If you know of any that aren't mentioned, please let us know! Thanks, and enjoy!

Get a FREE Short Stack of Pancakes at IHOP, Today Only!!

Join IHOP on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., for National Pancake Day and receive one complimentary short stack!* In return for the free flapjacks, we ask you to consider leaving a little something behind for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. Thanks to our guests' generosity, IHOP raised more than $2.1 million last year.

The FREE Demos at Jo-Ann Fabrics in March

Saturday, March 5th
Yudu Screen Printer, 1-3 pm

Saturday, March 12th
St. Patrick's Make It-Take It, 11am-1pm

Saturday, March 19th
Papercrafting with Cricut & Gypsy

Print a coupon while you're at it and find a store near you!

Are You Getting Your FREE Papa John's Pizza??

We just got our second FREE large pizza from Papa John's by redeeming our Papa's Points! What about you?? It's totally FREE to sign up, and all you have to do is order online! See this previous blog post to find out how you can start earning your free pizza today!

FREE FryDay at Chick-fil-A on March 4th

Like the waffle fries at Chick-fil-A? Then, you’re REALLY going to love Friday, March 4. For those of you who haven't been there, they have a new squeezable ketchup packet that's become quite popular! Between 2 and 4 pm local time, ketchup lovers who ask for Heinz Dip & Squeeze and the Free FryDay promotion at ALL Chick-fil-A restaurants will receive a FREE medium order of Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries®, limit one per customer.

Hand Feed a Chickadee Every Weekend at the Brecksville Nature Center

Generations of visitors have experienced the thrill of feeding a free-flying bird that lands in your hand. Now it’s your turn! We’ll provide a handful of sunflower seeds and instructions. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. - noon at the Brecksville Nature Center.

Family Friday Night: Go Sledding in the Metroparks

February 25 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
North Chagrin Reservation
Old River Farm Picnic Area parking lot

Bundle up, grab your sled and join us on the sledding hill. While you sled, take in the beautiful sights and sounds of our surroundings. We will provide FREE hot chocolate to warm you up. Families of all ages are welcome!

Get a FREE Shirt at GAP

Special offer from GAP, valid 2/22-3/2: Buy any pair of pants & get any shirt FREE! See their Facebook page for details! Enjoy!

Creative and FREE Date Night Ideas

Outdoor/Active Dates
1. Take a walk near your home. Always a good option for some time to get some exercise and talk.
2. Go to the beach or a lake. Great choice for a quick getaway.
3. Pillow fight. When was the last time you tried this? The key is avoid being too aggressive!!
4. Go hiking. Nature and romance. What’s not to like?
5. Fly kites. All you need is a little wind, some string, a kite, and you’re set – relaxation and romance all in one.
6. Gardening. Even gardening at home can turn into a date when you work together.
7. Jog. Enjoy just being with each other. Take the time to talk as you cool down.
8. Go for a drive. Map? Who needs a map?
9. Explore an unfamiliar nearby town. Adventure awaits as you try visiting someplace new together.
10.Watch a sunset (or sunrise). Isn’t dating your spouse why God made sunsets in the first place?
11. Catch fire flies at dusk. Relive those childhood memories.
12. Build a snowman. A time-honored tradition for lovers everywhere!
13. Toss a Frisbee. Old stand-by, but oh, so easy to do.
14. Wash your cars. Water fights are fair game!
15. Snowball fight. Play fair. Enjoy some hot chocolate or cider afterward.
16. Star-gazing. A blanket and stars… who could ask for more?
17. Feed the ducks. You knew there had to be some use for those left over end pieces of the bread loaf, didn’t you?
18. Go on a picnic. Find a nice picturesque or quiet spot together. Watch out for ants!

Spectator Dates
19. Go bird watching. See how many different birds you can identify.
20. Enjoy a party with friends. A chance to hang out with friends and your spouse too.
21. People-watch at a shopping mall. Catch up on all the latest fashions, or lack thereof.

Food-focused Dates
22. Bake cookies. No experience required. See how your spouse looks with a dusting of flour on them.
23. Cook a special meal for the two of you. Change up some of the traditional roles and enjoy the prep, the meal and the clean up together.
24. Cook dinner for your parents. Score points with the parents and experience the fun of team-cooking.
25. Barbecue. Old stand-by. Try grilling something new.

Indoor Dates
26. Put together a jigsaw puzzle. A good excuse for spending an evening together with the television off.
27. Play board games. Learn a new game or take a trip down memory lane with the board games you played as kids.
28. Play backgammon. Easy to learn, and fun to play with plenty of opportunity to talk.
29. Play card games. Another way to pass the time together.
30. Listen to music. Kick back, relax and enjoy some tunes.
31. Attend a Bible Study. A study on the Song of Solomon anyone?
32. Attend church functions.
33. Creative writing (poems, short stories). Try writing a love poem to your spouse.
34. Go shopping together. Whether you buy something, or just try on everything in sight, this can be more fun than you would imagine.
35. Give each other massages. Get the stress out!

"Places to Go" Dates
36. Historical sites, tours, walking tours. Get in touch with the past as you talk about the future with your spouse.
37. Museums. The Art Museum is FREE daily, and the first Thursday of March is FREE at the Natural History Museum!
38. Parks. Larger than your backyard and filled with all kinds of options for fun.
39. Shopping mall. Whether you are buying or people watching, the mall is a fascinating place.
40. Public gardens. A slow stroll through the flowers does wonders for the soul.
41. Garage/estate sales. One person’s junk is another’s treasure!
42. Factory tours. Do they let you take those hats home?
43. Outdoor Concerts. There are plenty to be found in the area during the summer!

Ideas borrowed from Homeward Ministries. Check out their website for the complete list and other helpful information on marriage, family, and more!

Also, if you live in the Greater Cleveland area, click on the Date Night Idea label for some local events and activities that would make a great date night. Enjoy!

FREE Sizzling Saturdays at Whole Foods Market

Swing by Whole Foods Market (on Chagrin) in March for one of these events and sample some yummy food! And the best part is, it's totally FREE!!

Taste the Tropics
Saturday, March 5th from 1-3pm
Escape the weather with a taste of something tropical! Enjoy a variety of samples to brighten your mood (even if it won't melt the snow)!

St. Patrick's Day
Saturday, March 12th from 1-3pm
Channel your inner leprechaun this St. Patrick's Day and join us for a Sizzling Saturdays tasting focused on great Irish-inpired foods and beverages.

Wild and FREE Program at LENSC

Join our Level 3 Junior Naturalists for a wild and free program on February 27th at 3:00pm at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. Students will present several of our lesser know live animals, sharing the knowledge and skills they've gained through our Center Junior Naturalists classes. FREE for families of all ages. Visit their website for more information about this and other programs. Enjoy!

Check Out the FREE Make & Take Event at Archiver's This Weekend

Try the newest tools and techniques and take home three awesome projects for FREE this weekend at Archiver's, including a 12x12 page. Now through Monday, February 21st!

17th Annual Ice Festival in Medina This Weekend

The 2011 Ice Festival, February 18-21, will feature two ice carving competitions, on-going demonstrations, and the amazing Fire & Ice Tower. This family-friendly event, paid for by the generous sponsorships of local businesses, is FREE to the public. While most of the carving and demonstrations are done in the late afternoon and early evening, the sculptures will be illuminated at night. Aaron Costic, Olympic Gold Medallist in Ice Carving and owner of Elegant Ice, will place color-changing L.E.D. fixtures under each work of art.

Schedule of Events:
Friday, February 18
5:00pm Carving demonstrations
6:00pm Fire & Ice Tower (sponsored by Excalibur Auto Body)
Saturday, February 19
1-4pm Individual Carving Competitions
Sunday, February 20
11am-2pm, Carving competitions (winners at 3:30pm)
3:00pm Ice Prince and Princess Crowning (Medina Gazette)
Monday, February 21
Enjoy the beauty of the ice sculptures while wandering the historic Square

Visit the link for more information. Enjoy!

Get a FREE Subscription to Thriving Family Magazine

Thriving Family is a Focus on the Family publication that encourages, teaches, celebrates and inspires families to thrive in Christ. You can get 6 issues (1 year) absolutely FREE now by visiting this link. I'd encourage you to make a donation if you are able. Visit thrivingfamily.com for more information, and enjoy!

Make a FREE valentine craft @ southpark mall today from 12-2pm!

FREE Storytime at Target Stores

Come to Target on Saturday, February 26th for Dr. Seuss Storytime! Free at all Target stores from 9-11am.

Get Out Your Calendars: February 2011 FREEbees in Cleveland

Since the plethora of blog posts can sometimes be overwhelming to wade through, I've decided to create a list of events that happen each month. This can be your go-to guide for FREE ongoing programs, events, and activities! Since we're already a week into February, some events have already passed and won't be mentioned. Keep an eye out for a complete list for March at the end of the month. Happy planning!

Art House--All Ages Family Open Art Studio on February 19th (the third Saturday of every month) from 1-3pm. Make individual pieces of family art works. Art house provides the materials. Visit website for more details.
Beck Center for the Arts--Come for Super Saturdays at the Beck Center! Each month Beck Center offers free hands-on arts experiences for children ages 10 and under. February 19th is Orchid Mania! with Cleveland Botanical Garden.
Borders--Silverlicious Celebration: February 12, 2011 @ 2pm. Kids ages 4 to 8 are invited to join us for a special Pinkalicious celebration! NOTE: this is NOT a costume character event. Happy Birthday Elmo: February 26, 2011 @ 2pm. Elmo is celebrating on Sesame Street but we'll have fun without him! Best for kids ages 3 to 6. Visit the website for more details or to find a location!
Rink at Wade Oval--Open through February 21st on the weekends only. Fri & Sat 12-7pm, Sun 12-5pm. Admission is FREE, skate rental $3. Open President's Day, Feb 21st, 12-5pm.
Lowe's Build and Grow Clinics--Saturdays at 10am. Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Build a Music Box (2/12) and a Pull-back #48 Race Car (2/26) at the Clinics this month.
Chick-fil-A (North Olmsted location)--Family Night on Tuesday the 22nd is Princess & Pirate Night! Bring you children in for FREE fun and activities. When an adult meal is purchased...you will receive a FREE 4 count Kid's Nugget meal. Kids will also make an IceDream sundae.
Great Lakes Science Center--Free Tuesdays for Youth! All youth 18 and under can enjoy FREE general admission to Great Lakes Science Center on Tuesdays when accompanied by an adult. Offer does not include OMNIMAX Theater or Steamship William G. Mather.
Westfield SouthPark Mall--Will be hosting the WFamily Charity Movie Series at Cinemark Strongsville. A different family friendly movie will be featured the third Saturday of each month at 10am, which is Feb 19th. The cost will be to attend will be $2 per person (almost FREE). Tickets will be available the morning of each show starting at 9 a.m. in front of Cinemark Strongsville.
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center--Meet the Great Horned Owl on February 19th! People are intrigued by owls, especially the awesome Great Horned Owl. Come and see why. In this program, we will discuss interesting facts about the “Tiger of the Woods” while viewing one up-close and personal.

If you know of anything that isn't mentioned, please send your ideas my way!

The WFamily Charity Movie Series at Southpark Mall

In 2011, Westfield SouthPark will be hosting the WFamily Charity Movie Series at Cinemark Strongsville. A different family friendly movie will be featured the third Saturday of each month at 10am. The cost will be to attend will be $2 per person. As far as movies go, that's pretty close to FREE! Tickets will be available the morning of each show starting at 9 a.m. in front of Cinemark Strongsville.

WFamily Movie Dates:
February 19*
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19

Please check the website regularly for updated the movie listings and charities.
*The February 19th movie will benefit the FOP’s Cops & Kids Program.

Valentine's Day FREE Date Night Idea

Sweetheart Hike
Saturday, February 12, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Wolf Creek Environmental Center.

Bundle up and bring your sweetheart to enjoy a romantic stroll along the snow-covered trails at Wolf Creek. Upon your return to the building, you may delight in each other’s company, hot beverages, delicious treats and a cozy fire. The perfect after-dinner activity for couples looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Adults only please. No registration required. Hike is self guided and can be done anytime between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. FREE! For the complete Medina County Parks events calendar click:
http://www.medinacountyparks.com/

For other fun outdoor activities at local parks this week, visit here.

FREE Winter Activities This Weekend at Fight the Frost Festival

Saturday, February 12, Canal Way Center in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. Join in the fun to encourage Northeast Ohioans to quit hibernating and enjoy the winter season. The center staff has planned a fun-filled afternoon of FREE activities inside and outside. The “Fight the Frost Festival” features snowshoeing, winter hikes, nature crafts, bird watching, a puppet show, children’s nature music, and more. Plus, a great way to warm up will be sipping hot chocolate and munching on a few cookies. And while there, build and design a birdhouse with Earth Words Nature Shop. Choose from three different designs and use slotted natural wood for easy assembly. Earth Words will provide markers to decorate the birdhouse, twine to hang, and tips on where to hang it in backyards. Birdhouse kits are only $4. Canal Way Center is located on Whittlesey Way, off the East 49th Street entrance of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road in Cuyahoga Heights – just off the I-77/Grant Avenue exit. For more information, call 216-206-1000.

Visit this link to view other fun outdoor activities happening this week!

Get 3 FREE Bagels at Bruegger's Bagels on Tuesday, February 8th

Bruegger's is having a Birthday Bash on Tuesday, February 8th, and to celebrate they are giving away FREE bagels! Just "Like" Bruegger's on Facebook and print out your coupon for three FREE bagels on February 8th anytime from open until 2pm. Enjoy!