2012 London Summer Olympics

Posted on July 18, 2011 by *Geekette*

During the 2010 Winter Olympics I enjoyed writing (one on the 2010 Winter Olympics and one on 2010 Olympics resources for parents, teachers, and kids). With the one year Open Weekend countdown starting in London this weekend, July 22-24, 2011, I thought this was the perfect time to start blogging for the summer Olympics!

When: July 27 through August 12 | 2012

Following the Torch

On May 18, 2012, the Olympic Torch will start the 70 day journey from Greece to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. During the trip, it will be handed off by 8,000 different people, each with their own inspirational story!

Review each hand off location of the journey here
December 2011, the Olympic Torchbearers committee will let the nominees if they’ve been selected as one of the 8,000
Learn about the winning 2012 torch design here (designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerb who won the design contest)
FAQs here

Olympic Social Media Stars

Olympic Social Media Stars	Twitter	Facebook
London 2012 Olympics	@london2012	Become a Fan
London 2012 Festival The world’s leading artists in the UK’s biggest ever festival	@london2012fest	Become a Fan
Wenlock Official mascot of the London 2012 Olympic Games	@iamwenlock	Become a Fan
Mandeville Official mascot of the London 2012 Paralympic Olympic Games	@iammandeville	Become a Fan
Olympic Official account of the Olympic committee.	@olympics	Become a Fan
Seb Coe Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee and Olympic gold medalist.	@sebcoe	See how he convinced the Olympic selection committee to choose London for the 2012 Summer Olympics here! Decision awarded July 6, 2005!
London 2012 Torch Relay 8,000 inspirational people across the UK will be chosen to carry the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay.	Email Updates	Become a Fan
London 2012 Games Maker Learn how to become one of the 70,000 volunteers and help make the games happen!	The journey to becoming a London 2012 Games Maker is a long one, so please be patient. Log in to the Games Maker zone regularly for news and updates to the status of your application, and get to know the thousands of other London 2012 Games Maker fans here on Facebook along the way.	Become a Fan

Olympic Park

Since winning the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, a previously lower end, industrial and contaminated section of London has been transformed into the perfect athletic setting for the summer games. Below are some pictures courtesy of the London Olympics press:

2012 London Summer Olympics - Olympic Park

Designs showing how the Olympic Village will look when complete. The Athletes’ Village will accommodate athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

2012 London Summer Olympics - Athletes Village

An artist’s impression of how the Aquatics Centre will look inside during the Games.

2012 London Summer Olympics - Aquatics Center

A CGI rendering of the 80,000 seat Olympic stadium is unveiled, on November 7, 2007 in London, England. Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell noted the focus of the project is based around legacy for the area, which is currently one of the poorest in London.

Summer Games Feature 26 Sports

The London 2012 Olympic Games will feature 26 sports.

Sporting Events Schedule:
http://www.london2012.com/olympic-schedule

2011 Kids Summer Reading Programs

Posted on June 5, 2011 by *Geekette*

Free stuff for reading? Yes please! Check out this list of retailers and local libraries offering incentives for kids to read with their families or on their own this summer! Beat the heat and reap the rewards, literally! In no particular order here are a bunch of great programs!

Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading program encourages kids to read by asking them to download a journal, read 8 books, and then pick a FREE book at the nearest store near you. Now through 9/6/2011!

Downloads:

Borders book store is offering you a free book after the 10^th book read! Now through 9/5/2011! Download the reading form here. You get to pick which 10 and Borders is offering a great selection of freebies to choose from (see complete list of freebies here!)

Even Chuck E Cheese is getting in the spirit by offering this reading calendar in exchange for tokens!! Print our calendar here.

From now until 10/1/2011, you can join the HEB Summer Reading Club and after reading 10 books you’ll get a cool prize!

After printing out the form (download here), mail it in to this address:

H•E•Buddy® 2011 Summer Reading Program,

10530 Sentinel, San Antonio, Texas 78217

Download your summer reading log from Half Price Books here and spend your summer keeping track of all the great books you read! Start turning in completed logs between July 25^th through August 7^th and receive $5 Back to School Bucks reading rewards cards!

Scholastic if also offering freebies in their summer reading program here. Log your minutes to win rewards! This is by far the most modern and technologically filled summer reading program. Your child will sign up for an account where they log the hours they read each day. Meet the reading challenge each week and win FREE downloads and other prizes.

FREE Summer Events for Kids | 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by *Geekette*

Find out how to keep your children entertained for FREE this summer! This blog post contains tons of places that are offering FREE events for your kids to participate in this summer. Don’t forget to check out my post on how you can get free stuff, just for reading to your kid here!

National Park Service

Don’t forget to check for “Free Entrance Days” where you and your family can enjoy nature, for FREE! Also check out offers by local parks who offer visitors other incentives! Check out all their events here for details, by state/date about fun, free activities!

Don’t forget to follow them on Twitter – @NatlParkService. Kids can also sign up to become “Web Rangers” and become part of a community with their own Ranger Station!

AMF Bowling

Join the AMF eClub will get your 10 FREE games, exclusive monthly offers, birthday offers, and news of upcoming events and promotions!

Kids Bowl Free

Find a local bowling alley that’s participating in the “Kids Bowl Free” summer program that offers 2 FREE games of bowling, all summer long! Specific details of the program are listed here. Simply register at your local bowling alley to take advantage of this incredible offer!

“This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.”

Brunswick Bowling

Kids can bowl FREE every day this summer! Use the Student Ball pass for FREE bowling, all summer long! (We did this last summer and brought a lot of different friends each time!) Sign up for great coupons for yourself too!

Regal Cinemas

Now playing – FREE family movies! Starting at 10am every Tuesday AND Wednesday, enjoy FREE tickets for the entire family. Showing movies like “Doogal”, “Wallace and Gromit” (one of my favorites!!), “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”, and many more, shows vary by movie theater!

Cinemark Movies

Although not free, it’s pretty close! Each movie ticket is $1 OR you can purchase all 10 movie tickets in advanced for $5!! Check out for your local theater’s listings.

Stores Offering Crafts and Activities for Kids this Summer | 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by *Geekette*

There are tons of FREE and discounted things for your kids to do this summer! Take advantage and don’t pay retail! This blog post consists of all the fun activities we do during the week and on the weekends! Most of the programs we participated in last year. Also make sure to check out my blog post about 2010 Summer Reading Programs for Kids (to learn how to get free books, t-shirts, and gift certificates to reward your children for reading over the summer!) Some of the activities were mentioned in my blog post, 6 Kid Activities for the 6^th Day of the Week!

Bass Pro Shop

I hope you have one nearby, they offer great activities over the summer (and throughout the year!) They will be offering FREE/Fun activities and make your own crafts! EVERYTHING is FREE! Activities include crafts, shooting galleries, casting ponds, family workshops, making s’mores, photo opportunities (FUN!!), shooting range, merit badge workshops, and more!

When: June 5 – July 11

Time/Day of the Week(s): Tues/Thur (at noon) OR Sat/Sun (at noon) { Schedule }

Cost: FREE

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics

Make sure you check out my recent blog post about these quality activities that occur every other week! Your child will enjoy getting the free Lowe’s apron, goggles, and hammering away at the wood craft of the week!

When: Indefinitely, not just for the summer!

Time/Day of the Week(s): Every other Saturday, next event is 6/12/2010, after that is 6/26/2010 – starts at 10am and supplies go FAST! { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Home Depot’s Kids Workshops

Another fun, FREE activity, Home Depot activities are very similar to Lowe’s. Really quality crafts! Have made a wooden airplane, treasure box, pirate ship, and more!

When: Indefinitely, not just a summer thing!

Time/Day of the Week(s): First Saturday of EVERY month, starts at 9am – get there EARLY! { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Lakeshore Learning Store

Another really quality craft activity, this one is fun and can kill a couple hours! After making the craft, walk around the store and play with all the displays set out on Saturday for kids to experiment with. A fully stocked kitchen, put on a puppet show, go fish, and much more!

Also, on special holidays they sometimes offer multiple crafts! Great gifts for grandparents! They also encourage parents to participate if you’re feeling particularly crafty.

When: Indefinitely, not just summer!

Time/Day of the Week(s): Every Saturday from 11-3pm…try to not just show up at 2:45pm when they’re trying to clean up. The San Antonio location brings out supplies as long as there are kids which I’ve always appreciated. { Schedule }

Cost: FREE!!

Target Arts + Cultures

Target is supporting the Arts by offering over 2,200 FREE and reduced-price events sponsored by Target! Click on the link to find events near you!

Pottery Barn Kids Book Club

When: Indefinitely, not just for the summer

Time/Day of the Week(s): Tuesdays at 11am-1130am { Schedule }

Cost: FREE, after 5 visits get a FREE gift!

2010 Summer Reading Programs for Kids

Posted on May 29, 2010 by *Geekette*

This summer when your kids start to get bored, remind them that they can make money and get lots of fun free stuff, simply by reading a couple minutes each day! We participated in a lot of these programs last year and had an incredible time!

Across the nation, Half Price Books is offering their “Feed Your Brain” summer reading program from June 1,2010 through July 31, 2010! This is a GREAT deal! If your child reads 15 minutes each day a week, you can pick up a $3 gift card! We made this a Saturday tradition, turning in our reading log and picking out a new book or two (from the children’s clearance section!)

Information for parents/teachers here
Feed Your Brain reading log (printed copies also available in-store!)
Official flyer to help spread the word at work!

Scholastic Summer Challenge

Official website
Word Girl is the Ambassador of Summer Reading

Barnes and Noble is also offering a FREE book for every 8 books you read this summer!

Download their passport and choose from a list of books for each reading level!
Here is a list of all the books your child can choose from
Educators download this reading kit
Parents can get additional information from this parent kit

Children can return their completed kits from May 25 through September 7^th!

Borders Summer Reading program double-dog dares you to read 10 books, record the names, and bring the printed form to any Borders store for a FREE book!

*For kids 12 and under, starts 5/4/2010 and lasts through 8/26/2010!

Pottery Barn Kids Book Club is every Tuesday from 1100am to 1130am. Visit 5 times and your children will receive a free gift!

Bookworm Wednesdays from National Amusements is offering FREE admission to select children’s film after presenting a book report to participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas, or Cinema De Lux box offices! Checkout their locations. Print this form to complete the book report with your child.

HEB Buddy is also offering a summer reading program! Read 10 books and return this form by October 1^st for cool prizes from HEB Buddy!

San Antonio Public Library wants you to join the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club! From June 15^th through August 31^st, you’ll get a certificate and FREE book for every 15 books you read!

WoW: Google, You Talking to Me?

Posted on August 19, 2009 by *Geekette*

Website of the Week (WoW): https://www.google.com/voice

Quick Bit: Imagine being able to pick your own number (mine ends in “BLOG”) that forwards to all of your personal, business, and cell phones. Depending on who calls determines which prerecorded voicemail they’ll hear. Unknown numbers will get a standard response, employees will get announcements for the day, family will get yet another.

Let’s say someone leaves you a voicemail and you’re in a meeting? Imagine that the service then transcribes the voicemail and sends it to you in a txt or email. The information is important for your husband’s travelling plans and without having to interrupt your meeting, you forward the email version to him. Too good to be true? Not for Google!

Although it’s invitation only right now, sign up to make this mobile fantasy a reality! (I have one account for my blog and one for my personal use and each took about a week to receive the activation link.)

Google Voice (an enhanced version of the original GrandStation site) offers a generous array of incredibly cool features! Although some are highlighted below, view the complete list here. Answer the call on your computer, switch midway to your cell phone.

The transcript service is not perfect but I’ve used it several times with very accurate messages. I like how you can setup multiple voicemails, groups, forwards, and email conversations immediately, I also like how it keeps track of the different call logs. I think it’s incredibly functional, especially for small businesses that would like to route calls in the best way possible. Even allowing particular numbers to reach a specific “message of the day” would be beneficial to many groups.

Google Supports the Troops: http://www.google.com/militaryinvite (loved ones overseas can now communicate for free to US numbers – call from computer to cells phones and send text messages.)

$$$-Saver(s):

Conference in multiple callers
Free calls to US & Canada phone numbers
Send/Receive/Store texts
FREE mobile apps – call for free from cell phone instead of using minutes

*One thing I would’ve liked for it to allow was registering for SMS texts from websites…5 digit numbers you text to subscribe to receive coupons from does NOT work right now. I’ve commented on their blog and customer support forums, you should too!

Time-Saver(s):

Listen to voicemails as they’re being left, pick up midway through voicemail!
Automatically transcribes voicemails – read past voicemails, forward to a business partner in email
Listen to voicemail online or via normal phone
Personalize voicemails – greeting based on caller groups
Forward to multiple phones
Record entire conversations or start halfway through

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ (view search results nothing official looking…)

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GoogleVoice

Blog:
http://googlevoiceblog.blogspot.com/

University Bowl 101…

Posted on July 29, 2009 by *Geekette*

At University Bowl, take advantage of the free student bowling program. Students bowl their first game free, Monday through Friday, 9am-12pm. Make sure you print out the consent form first. Shoes are required but available for a discounted rate – $2.25 per pass holder.

Also make sure you join them on Aug. 5^th for Customer Appreciation Day! From 5pm-7pm, bowl for FREE! First come, first served, limit to 2 games per person! Shoe rentals for only $1.79!

Want to hear about all the specials in the future? Become a fan on FB and join their mailing lists.

If you give a mouse a cookie…

Posted on July 22, 2009 by *Geekette*

The Magik Theater located in downtown San Antonio only produces plays based on children books. I know they visited my daughter’s public elementary school to preform “School House Rock” and they also visited her private summer school program to give another theatrical performance.

Seating 600 parents and children, the list of performances are rich and fun. They recently announced the return of the production, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”, which we were wait listed for when we waltzed up, expecting to get a ticket to the show on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. They did find us a seat but suggested in the future either purchasing the tickets online or coming on a slower day (weekday or night). Times normally range from Mon/Tue-Friday from 9:45 and 11:30, with additional showings on Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 2pm. Plenty of options for everyone.

Up-coming shows include “The Kid who Ran for President” and “The Nutcracker: A Holiday Comedy.” After the show, kids have a chance to buy souvenirs and get their programs signed by the enthusiastic cast members. We normally buy the shirt from the show to support the theater and then ask the cast members to sign it. (They’ve always had sharpie markers – bring a camera though, GREAT Kodak moment.)

They also have a small snack bar and you can eat during the performance. There’s a balcony but don’t sit up there if your kid is the kind to want to jump…

Especially if you’re looking for a place to entertain the kiddos, out of the heat, head to the Magik Theater while its showing from July 29 – August 15!

There’s also a very nice park, right outside the theater, covered with a lot of trees. It has swings, slides, and many forts, a very clean, large, and comfortable downtown playground and picnic area.

Follow on FB and Twitter to get the most up to date news, their mailing list also includes summer camp information! Look for the “Buy one, get one FREE” coupon in your Entertainment book (buy 2009′s for ONLY $7.99, normally $25!!!), every school’s favorite fundraiser!

***Final note: Is your child’s birthday coming up and you’ve already done the Chuck E. Cheese thing? Create a magical time and bring the party to the theater! With 3 options, your child will enjoy the play with their friends and have everything set up with the supplies you bring when the show concludes. Pay a little extra and even get costumed cast mates to make cameos!

Be a kid for $10…

Posted on July 16, 2009 by *Geekette*

My favorite coupon for Chuck E. Cheese, find it here. Best deal – $10 for 100 tokens (normally would cost $25) and a meal deal – Large Pizza, 4 Drinks, 40 Tokens for only $18.99!

Notable FREE stuff this week online and/or in-store

Posted on July 12, 2009 by *Geekette*

FREE Tote Bag from Worl d Market (Folow on Facebook or Twitter)

FREE Mocha Mondays – free 8 oz mocha (or 7 oz iced mocha per person, per visit) @ McDonalds every Monday until August 3rd! Follow on Twitter.

FREE Chili Dog or Small Cone July 14th from 5pm-8pm @ Wienerschnitzel!

FREE Amazon E-Books for download.

Fee FREE Summer weekends – National Park Service will offer three fee-free wewekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking afforable vacations to visit their national parks. Additional offers by local parks. June 20-21, July 18-19, August 15-16 waived entrance fees!

FREE ABCs of Safety Coloring Book includes 28 pages of activities (not just coloring, connect the dots, word de-coders, etc.) to go through with your children. Not only will it kill time during the long summer break but also educate your children on the ABC’s of safety.

Passport to Adventure!

Posted on June 25, 2009 by *Geekette*

Those of you familar with the uber-outdoors retailer, REI, knows how important being outside is. Did you also know what an interactive website they have?! Got kids? Download this Passport to Adventure geared towards kids 5-12. After they complete the journal they can send in for their free own special prize – “binoculars or a whistle that turn into other cool tools including a compass, magnifying glass and more!” The website also offers numerous other printable activities, great for exploring outside. You can also click on their interactive map to find family friendly activities, across the US.

Kid-approved* summer activities…

Posted on May 31, 2009 by *Geekette*

*Based on the approval of one 6 year old girl…but I think you’ll agree.

The only ones who look forward to the summertime are educational professionals…everyone else knows that for 2 and a half months, everything entertaining you can do with your children will be done within the first week. After that, creative juices stop flowing as freely.

This summer, instead of dreading the summer schedule, use this post as a guide to family-fun, found in San Antonio (and wherever chain establishments exist.) Use it also as suggestions for searching local places in your city!

Check here for the best valued Chuck E. Cheese coupons (click on the link with the “Best Daily Deal” sticker). 100 tokens for $10 (normally you’d pay $25 for that many…) You’ll also get this coupon the first time you register on Chuck E. Cheese’s website, also print out reward calendars and certificates worth more FREE tokens. During my last visit I asked about weekly programs and they didn’t know of any…

The City of San Antonio’s Park and Recreation Department offers cost-effective summer programs to keep your kids engaged and outdoors. More information on the San Antonio Youth Sports – this website has Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and other kid organization game schedules…also has information about golf camps and other clinics.

Weekly summer activities throughout the week:

Family Summer Film Festivals:

Regal Entertainment Group – Family Festival Film Festival at 10am on Tuesday s and Wednesdays take your kids to the movies, for FREE!
AMC Theaters – Summer Movie Camp $1 admission…all proceeds go to charity! Shows start at 10am on Wednesday. During this time you can also get the AMC KidsPack (drink, popcorn, candy) for only $3!

Peter Piper Pizza is celebrating schools out with Summer Kid’s Days, every Tuesday from 11-1pm…$3.49 gets you 2 slices of pizza, a drink, dessert, and fun activities, different themes each week.

Incredible Pizza offers a different deal every day…check out their website (sign up for their mailing list too – they’re pretty good coupons!)

*This place gets CRAZY busy…go earlier in the day or during the school year for the most enjoyable days…

Bet you wouldn’t have guess this! Bass Pro Shop has an entire summer calendar of fun activities – every Saturday and Sunday from 12-6pm! Different crafts every weekend, you and your child can make a lure, birdhouse and leather keychain! Free s’mores cookout! Free casting pond to learn fishing skills, workshops (offered Tues/Thur/Sat/Sun, free pin for each 30 minute workshop you attend…different workshops from 3-7pm, check schedule), laser shooting, photographs – everything is FREE!! They even have a kid’s website! While in-store don’t forget to pick up your FREE summer guide, 48 pages of everything you need to know while outdoors.

Check back for new posts – I’ll keep the activities coming!

Top 8 ways to get free stuff by just reading to your kids…

Posted on May 29, 2009 by *Geekette*

I was one of the lucky ones. Whenever I wasn’t reading my dad asked me why not. I read all the time now, I cannot wait to get to the library and read more. Over the summer, while you’re trying to entertain your child who was recently release from school…without spending too much money…consider these 8 great options:

1. Half-Price Books offers Feed Your Brain – kids 12 and under can earn $3 gift certificates a week (June 1^st through July 31^st) by reading (or being read to) 5 times a week, 15 minutes each time…download the English/Spanish reading logs.

2. HEB – HEB Buddy 2009 Reading Program read 10 books over the summer and mail in the reward form by August 9^th to get your FREE kids t-shirt.

3. San Antonio Public Library -here’s another reason the public library system is so good – Deep in the Heart of Texas. The SAPL summer reading program allows you to sign-up and keep a reading log – for every 15 books checked out and read you’ll get a FREE paperback book of your choice.

4. Border’s - Reading Challenge asks you read 8 books to get a FREE coupon for 50% off selected awesome items your child will love! Here’s the website with more information!

5. Pizza Hut – Book It! website (sponsored by Pizza Hut) offers a FREE parents’ guide for summer reading fun. Includes links to printable calendars, the top 10 books your kid should read this summer, and other games and resources to help the summer fly by.

6. SAPL - library FREE events that your kids will love! Performances from the Magik Theater onsite (“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” – great time!!!), plenty of summer reading kickoff parties, and activities for all kinds of ages.

7. Barnes & Nobles - Summer Reading with Percy Jackson & Olympians works like this…read 8 books, and keep the summer journal. Once you’re done, bring it into any Barnes & Noble between May 26^th and September 7^th for a coupon for a FREE kids book!

8. SAWS – the San Antonio Water System offers H20 Heroes a section of their website committed to educating kids up through high school about water conservation and how important water is to our society. H20 University offers tools for parents and educators for different age levels. Meet the heroes. Download FREE printable activities. Get a FREE bookmark just by asking your librarian about water. Q&A from the H20 Heroes.

Not only will these 8 reading activities get you free stuff ($24 bucks from Half-Priced Books alone!!!) but it’ll keep you and your kid(s) busy for hours and hours!

Geekette Bits

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Tag Archives: summer

2012 London Summer Olympics

Following the Torch

Olympic Social Media Stars

Olympic Park

Summer Games Feature 26 Sports

2011 Kids Summer Reading Programs

FREE Summer Events for Kids | 2010

Stores Offering Crafts and Activities for Kids this Summer | 2010

2010 Summer Reading Programs for Kids

WoW: Google, You Talking to Me?

University Bowl 101…

If you give a mouse a cookie…

Be a kid for $10…

Notable FREE stuff this week online and/or in-store

Passport to Adventure!

Kid-approved* summer activities…

Top 8 ways to get free stuff by just reading to your kids…