Friday Finds – November 21, 2008

Cara’s Finds

—Yummy free samples. Here’s a confession: Sometimes I’ll take the kids to Sam’s for a free lunch. I mean, hello… all those free samples can make up quite a meal! So I’ll definitely have to swing by there this weekend, because of the sixth annual “Holiday Taste of Sam’s Club.” Members and guests can sample this year’s best holiday entertaining foods, from appetizers to main courses and desserts. The three-day event runs from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 23, in 598 Sam’s Club locations nationwide.


Sara’s Finds

— Yay for Smart Girls! — SNL alum Amy Poehler and her buddies have started a web series called “Smart Girls at the Party,” which celebrates “how girls can succeed and make a difference, just by being themselves.” Each episode will feature an interview with a pre-teen girl who is made of awesome. The series is “presented by” Barbie, and we can debate how appropriate that is, but overall, I like the concept. The first episode features Cameron, a 10-year-old writer (and, obviously, a girl after my own heart).

Tela’s Finds

–Freepeats, the place where you can pass on your used baby gear to other local parents are giving theirs away (think a more-user friendly Freecycle strictly for baby stuff), is now open in Cincinnati! You can get a free membership until 11/30, which allows you peruse their online forum to peddle or find your baby wares. A special thanks to WMAG-reader Katie who helped bring Freepeats to the Cincinnati area!

—If you are bored at work during lunch (or at any point in the afternoon, really) check out The Working Lunch from Healthy Choice. This is a live improv comedy show where you control the action—tell someone to walk like a penguin, do a little dance, make a little love or get down tonight (OK, maybe not the “making love”). Think The Office meets Mentos Intern meets lots of laughs. It’s every day until November 26th from noon until four.

Susan’s Finds
— I can’t tell you how thankful I am that my sister-in-law is hosting Thanksgiving this year. That’s no easy gig. But if you are hosting (or just attending someone else’s like me) the big turkey extravaganza next week, check out this Thanksgiving planning center from Center’d. With content from Real Simple, the site offers tips, recipes, and ready-made plans to help make this turkey day a success.

— Before you buy the latest and greatest gadgets for your kids this Christmas, you might want to consult KidsTechReview.com. It’s a new review site by a dad and his 5-year-old son who dish about techy toys from brands like VTech, LeapFrog and Fisher-Price. Nice to have someone else (who knows what they’re doing) give these products the thorough review before you end up with a pile of crappy toys cluttering up your house.

— Cincinnati Readers: Mark your calendars for December 15. The Cincinnati Women Bloggers are hosting our first fundraiser event as a “Holiday Social,” at Pachinko’s on Main Strasse in Covington. We’ll ask for $10 donation to join the party, which includes a drink and raffle tickets. Vote here to decide which worthy charity will benefit from our event! All are welcome–you don’t have to be a Cincinnatian, a woman or a blogger to attend. Oh yeah, and if you have or know of a good raffle/silent auction prize, email me at actionjackson03@gmail.com. I’m heading up the prize committee!