Richmond Bargains Blog

FRIDAY

LiveSky/Sky Watch (free) - The Ringed Giant Planets. Fascinated by the ever-changing night sky? Find out about the rings around planets like Saturn at this interactive planetarium show (6pm), then join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society on the front lawn as they share their telescopes for a look at the night sky (weather permitting) - 7pm
*6-8pm, Science Museum of Virginia

Clothesline Children’s Consignment Holiday Sale - This sale will feature quality holiday wear, boutique fall/winter clothing, toys, and large baby equipment & furniture
*3-8pm, Woodmont Recreation Center,2334 Traymore Road, Richmond 23235

SATURDAY

One Great Morning of Raking - Help care for the Japanese Garden by raking the fallen leaves. Please bring your own rake. Adults must accompany children. RSVP, 358-7166 x310
*9am-Noon, Maymont

Thanksgiving at Meadow Farm (free) - The year is 1863. The country was being torn apart by war. Sarah Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, kept petitioning the president to publicly acknowledge Thanksgiving. In 1863, President Lincoln made a Proclamation of Thanksgiving. Visit Meadow Farm and learn more about Thanksgiving and how it was celebrated 150 years ago. Information: 501-5520
*12-3:30 p.m. Meadow Farm Museum

Community Tree Lighting (free) - Join us for the Stony Point Fashion park Community Tree Lighting. We will light our 42′ holiday tree, kick off the season’s first MagicSnow show, plus enjoy holiday music and activities throughout the mall. Music will be provided by The Virginians Barbershop Chorus. Kids 12 and under will receive a free gift
*7pm, Stony Point Fashion Park in the Park District

SUNDAY

Olde Time Holiday Parade (free) - Hometown merriment starting at Thompson St. and ending at John Gandy Elementary School. Organized by the Ashland Kiwanis Club. Route 54 & Henry Street
*2:30pm, Ashland

If you dine out in Richmond, you should be registered with Upromise’s Dining Program.

Why? When you eat at participating restaurants, 4-8% of your total bill is automatically funded to your Upromise account. Richmond establishments include Zeus Gallery, Avalon, Caliente, Rowland, Julep’s, Bottom’s Up and many more! Check out the full list here. Some restaurants have additional terms, such as only offering rewards on weekdays. Read the program details for more information.

There are a number of other aspects to the Upromise program, but I think the dining rewards are the most lucrative if you eat out frequently. And I’m featuring them now because from November 17-30 (if you sign up for the promotion), Upromise is offering double the usual dining rewards - 8-16%!

Earn up to 16% for college every time you spend at least $25, including tax and tip, at participating Upromise Dining restaurants. To get your college savings, be sure to pay with a debit or credit card registered with Upromise.

Think Upromise doesn’t apply to you? Don’t you need to have kids?

Nope. You can use the money to pay off student loans, support a local school, save for a child not yet born (just name yourself for the moment), or even request a check!

Ready to register with Upromise Dining Rewards? Start here if you’re new to Upromise - there are a number of steps, many of which you can skip. To receive your restaurant rewards, though, you need to make sure you register the credit card you use for dining out and that you are signed up as a “Preferred Diner.”

Walgreens has a printable coupon for $5 off a $20 purchase, today and tomorrow (Saturday). I came out $8 ahead with my purchase, using the $5 coupon, plus a $1 and $2 manufacturer’s coupon to buy this month’s “Free After Easy Rebate” items:

Almay One-Coat Mascara ($6.99)
L’Oreal Age Perfect Radiance Perfector ($14.99)

Paid $14.83 with a gift card from previous months’ deals and should be getting $24.18 back on the card (including 10% bonus for taking the rebate as a gift card).

FRIDAY

Santa’s Arrival & Magical Holiday Tree Lighting (free) - Join us for the Grand Illumination of Santa’s 50 foot Holiday Tree! Santa will be joined by the holiday characters: The Gingerbread Boy, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Frosty, Toy Soldier, Dancing Tree and two of Santa’s Elves. Enjoy musical entertainment provided by Susan Greenbaum and The Salvation Army Band. Magic Wands will be distributed at Guest Services, while supplies last
*6pm, Short Pump Town Center Main Plaza

Petersburg Friday for the Arts (free) - Join in the fun on for Petersburg’s monthly (2nd Friday) celebration of the arts. Art exhibits, concerts, dining, & specialty events galore. There are 15+ arts venues and 7+ music venues. Locations are clustered in a walkable loop, or you can take the free Arts Bus
*6pm, Old Towne Petersburg, 10 E Bank St

Stories from the Vine (free, call for reservations) - Presented by Elegba Folklore Society. African and African-American folktales and narratives both entertain and inform by sharing ideas, cultural heritage, and lessons. Everybody becomes a part of the telling! Information: 328-4491
*7pm, Henrico Theatre

SATURDAY

SunTrust Richmond Marathon (free for spectators) - Whether you’re cheering for someone in particular or just looking for an excuse to party and cheer, check out Spectator Info for the details on what’s happening when and where
*8am marathon start, all around town

Biscuits and Bones (free) - It’s everything kids and canines, with a scavenger hunt, games, book signing, treats, and adoptable dogs.
*11 am-afternoon, Stony Point Fashion Park

SUNDAY

I’m a week and a half late with this, but through Saturday 11/15, Kroger is running a promotion of “Buy any 10 participating items, get $5 off your purchase.” Look here for the ad listing the included products.

There are lots of good deals, including rice cakes and hot chocolate for $.50 and Stouffers frozen entrees for $1.50 (all after discount), and a number of things free if you have the right coupons, such as Carnation Evaporated Milk, Scotch Lint Rollers, Deer Park water, Quaker Oats, Betty Crocker potatoes & Colgate toothpaste.

If you want to see the coupon matchups, here’s a good list, and for more discussion, visit Slickdeals.

I know you have at least one digital picture begging to be blown up.

Today and tomorrow, November 8, Walgreens is offering a free 8×10 print. All you have to do is upload your photo here (you do have to register), use code FREEPIC and choose in-store pickup. Voila, free & easy

I think everyone wore themselves out Halloween weekend! There’s not lots of action this weekend, besides a number of craft and gift fairs.

FRIDAY

First Fridays Artwalk (free) - Features Doctors of Jazz at Theatre IV. Almost 30 diverse art galleries, cultural sites, shops, and restaurants
*Approx 6-10pm see website for details and locations

Cinema Classics: Rudy ($1) - Tickets purchased at the door. Information: 328-4491
*7 pm, Henrico Theatre

SATURDAY

Ashland Train Day & Train Clock Dedication (free) - Celebration of the Town’s railroad heritage. Train Clock Dedication at 9:30am. Trolley and train rides, model train layouts, music and more
*9:30am-4pm, along the tracks in downtown Ashland

Nutcrackers Extravaganza (free) - The first opportunity to meet characters from The Nutcracker! The United States Postal Service (USPS) and Richmond Ballet will host a special dedication ceremony of this year’s contemporary holiday stamps, featuring local artist Glenn Crider’s nutcracker creations
*11am-1pm, Ballroom of the Landmark Theater

Blacksmithing: Too Many Irons in the Fire (free) - The blacksmith was a very important member of the 19th-century rural community. Watch and listen to the blacksmith as the iron gets red-hot, and the smith pounds and bends it into useful objects. Information: 501-5520.
*Noon-3:30 p, Meadow Farm Museum

Cinema Classics: Rudy ($1) - (see Friday)
*2 & 7 pm

Out of Town-
Urbanna Oyster Festival (free) - 75,000 people will enjoy the food and craft vendors, fire engine parade, marching bands, antique cars, shucking contest and people-watching.
*10 am-5 pm Urbanna

SUNDAY

Meat-a-holics of Richmond:

Perhaps you’ve already experienced the carnivorous nirvana offered by Texas De Brazil at Regency Mall, but have you signed up for TdB’s eClub?

Any meat lover worth his kosher salt should join, because it’s the best way to indulge you inner carnivore without paying an arm and a leg A full price meal costs $42.99, but I often receive eClub email offers to eat at 50% off. (The offers usually have a somewhat limited timeframe for redemption, like certain weekdays or before a certain hour)

Additionally, the eClub comes with a 25% discount for signing up, and a complimentary dinner (with the purchase of one at full price) for your birthday and anniversary.

Here’s the most recent offer from my inbox-

Our famous 50% savings offer is back! Just in time for Autumn and Thanksgiving, join us on Mondays and Tuesdays during the month of November and receive 50% off the full-dinner price and indulge in our gourmet salad area, seasoned meats and traditional side items. Offer also valid Thanksgiving Day! All locations will be serving the regular dinner menu and price, all day.

Offer valid, Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and ALL-DAY 11/27.

15% gratuity before discount will be added to parties up to 5 guests, 18% gratuity before discount for parties of 6 or more….

(If anyone would like me to forward this email to them, just let me know!)

If you aren’t familiar with the restaurant, check out the Richmond Times Dispatch review from ‘07, as well as this Denver Post article. I’ve eaten there once and it was delicious! However, I agree it’s a bit overwhelming, and I just don’t have the appetite to do justice to such a huge buffet.

If you’re planning to join the new Richmond BJ’s wholesale club near Regency, don’t wait until opening day; from now until the day before it opens in December, you can join for $35, which is $10 off the regular $45 yearly membership fee. In addition to the discount, you enjoy membership privileges between now and opening day at all other BJ’s locations (including Mechanicsville) and online.

Limited-time offer — join now and save $10 off the $45 annual Membership fee. And get 3 extra months — 15 total!*

Join now and you can start saving before the Richmond Club even opens. Your Membership is activated as soon as you sign up — allowing you to start shopping on BJs.com or at any BJ’s location, including our Mechanicsville, VA, Club.
And you’ll actually get more than 3 extra months because the clock doesn’t start ticking on your Membership until the Richmond Club opens.

For more BJ’s details, see previous posts here and here.

Sure there’s a lot to be said for civic responsibility and making your voice heard, but did you know your “I Voted” sticker is also valuable because it gets you free food?? Almost a whole days’ worth! So be in line to vote at 6am tomorrow (November 4) and you could enjoy the following “free for voters” menu:

Breakfast:
Free tall brewed coffee at Starbucks
Free star-shaped sprinkle doughnut at Krispy Kreme

Lunch:
Free taco at California Tortilla
Another free cup of coffee at Books A Million

Dinner:
Free chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A
Free scoop of ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s

Notes: Chick-Fil-A promotion runs from 10:30am-8pm, and Ben and Jerry’s is 5-8pm. Others are all day, as far as I know. Chick Fil A requires you to turn in your sticker to get your sandwich. You don’t need a sticker at Ben & Jerry’s.