Daily Loaf

World Pasta Day? Sheesh, another holiday rammed through the legal system by those Hallmark lobbyists. I guess I better start working on my homemade dried pasta sheets printed with happy pasta day sentiments now, so they’ll make it through the mail system in time for the big day. How will you be celebrating this important holiday.

You could just send people over to Buca Di Beppo in Brandon and let them do the work for you.

On Monday, Oct. 26, diners will receive a free Read the rest of this entry »

When you’re trying to stay within a budget, you have to weigh your entertainment options. Is it worth the money? Can I afford to bring a date, or go with a group of people?

None of that is a concern tonight. Read the rest of this entry »

We have a lot of museums in the area, but they’re not all cheap to visit. Admission costs vary, but even the less expensive admissions add up if you’re taking the family. Even if you want to go, sometimes the budget doesn’t allow taking everyone to an exhibit.

But you can’t use that excuse today. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want to know more about renewable energy and local sustainable products? Then the Going Green Tampa 2009 Expo will be right up your alley.

Held Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th at the USF Marshall Center, the Expo will feature a number of exhibits and workshops that will focus on sustainability and reasons why the Tampa Bay area would be a great place for a businesses who would be interested in green growth.

According to the Going Green Tampa Bay website, below is what is expected to be a part of the expo:
Read the rest of this entry »

Yarr, mateys! It be Talk like a pirate day, in case ye not be knowin’. To give ye some fun on this day o’ international piracy, LucasArts and Telltale Games be offerin’ up the first episode in their new restart of Tales of Monkey Island.

All you need to do to pick up your free copy of the game is to head on over to http://www.playlikeapirate.com, plug in your email address and a password (they mail an activation code to you, so don’t fake it – although do be sure to uncheck the “add me to your mailing list” option if you don’t want further emails) and enjoy some time adventuring on the high seas – for free!

Keep in mind, this is only good until midnight tonight (Saturday, September 19th) so don’t wait if you want a copy.

Wear yellow from head to toe and cluck like a chicken for a free 1/4 chicken value meal at Pollo Tropical today, September 15. Why? Just because.

I have to give kudos to this chicken chain for their constant and unrelenting free-food promotions. Finally, they’re rewarding the small percentage of people who look good in yellow and practice barnyard imitations.

Press release after the break: Read the rest of this entry »

While the Rays are wrapping up their season and the Buccaneers kicked off their year this past Sunday, another pro team is gearing up for another year. The Tampa Bay Lightning has opened its training camp, and that means freebies for fans. Read the rest of this entry »

Download the podcast here.

Get your very first taste of what is expected to be the beginning of some great changes in St.Petersburg. The newest party, G.L.A.S.S, begins 9.9.09 and will run every Wednesday night from 10-2 a.m. at Vintage Ultra lounge. The party will feature a variety of entertainment and interaction, and of course, most importantly, great dance-able music all night.

Two really exciting elements: Designer Go-Go Statues, in which two go-go-dancers/models will be outfitted weekly by local designers, and a Performance Art Cabaret showcasing local talent from around the bay. There will be ongoing drink specials, in addition to a “Wheel-O-Specials,” which will determine a new drink special every 30 minutes, and there will be giveaways from local businesses.
Read the rest of this entry »

That’s right, Domino’s Pizza will commemorate the latest triple number repeating date with free $25 gift cards to people celebrating birthdays on that vaguely historic date. Don’t think you need to buy the company’s ubiquitous and forgettable pizza with that free cash, though. Domino’s has also added Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes to their repertoire –

“oven-baked chocolate cakes, crunchy on the outside, with rich warm flowing chocolate fudge inside. Inspired by a combination of chocolate and textures, Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes satisfy chocolate cravings.”

But, this free food comes with a catch:
Details after the break – Read the rest of this entry »

In my attempt to join the athletic world, I attended a Rays’ game during the recent Red Sox series. I was joined by about six of my friends from college. We all collectively agreed to get the cheapest seats possible which was, of course, in outfield. During the fifth inning, I think, I decided to visit the concessions to buy a few beers for myself and friends.

Twenty-four dollars later, I found myself carefully shuffling along my row of strangers to get to my seat when suddenly I felt an energy in the crowd that I can’t describe. My inexperience with spectator sports is quite embarrassing, and what happens in the next moment is even more embarrassing. I looked up at my friends, who were now standing, facing me, with their arms in the air, shouting something I couldn’t understand. Read the rest of this entry »

How do you feel about didgeridoos? Have you ever seen one up close? Have you ever heard one? Do you have any idea what they are? Read the rest of this entry »

Want to see new conscious-eating movie Food, Inc. but strapped for cash from your big backyard garden summer renovation? Chipotle’s got your back.

At 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 30, at Tampa Theater, Chipotle Mexican Grill is sponsoring Read the rest of this entry »

Found on Facebook! Guaranteed to be a mad house but it’ll save $3 or so.

We’re making a change: your food not only tastes better, it is better. To celebrate, we’re inviting you to bring this invitation to a participating U.S. Starbucks store to enjoy a FREE pastry from opening until 10:30am on July 21st, 2009 with the purchase of any beverage*.

Coupon after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry »

I like Chick-fil-A as much as the next person, sometimes even craving the salty goodness that their nuggets deliver. So how broke are you and how far will you go to get a free Chick-Fil-A? Will you don a cow costume to get that delicious, deep-fried chicken for free? Certainly, you’ve done worse, right…

On Friday, July 10, in celebration of Cow Appreciation Day, go into any Chick-fil-A restaurant dressed as a cow and receive a free meal. Read the rest of this entry »

Only until July 12, Arby’s is honoring this coupon, good for a free BBQ Bacon Cheddar Roast Burger (or you can substitute a Roastburger) with any drink purchase.

Click here to download and print coupon.

Don’t know where your nearest Arby’s is located? Find out.

Stop by Dunedin House of Beer tonight between 7 and 9 pm to try free samples of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Bell’s Oberon, and Abita Purple Haze. House of Beer, Dunedin’s newest beer bar, will also be celebrating their grand opening next weekend, with beer specials, funky kegs, and the mayor of Dunedin as a guest bartender.

Bay area Domino’s pizza outlets will be throwing in a free 10-inch “American Legends” pizza with every purchase on Independence Day this weekend. If you’ve seen the commercials, you might know that these newish pies are geographically themed, resulting in unlikely pizza combinations like Buffalo Chicken or Philly Cheesesteak. That said, if you’re taking the easy way out and ordering in to conserve your playing with fire fun for M-80’s and Intergalactic Sky-Screamers, then by all means, take the freebie.

Okay, it’s been awhile since the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl victory in early 2003. But if you’ve spent a long time in Tampa, you remember all the years before that—orange uniforms, jokes and double-digit years of double-digit losses. Right now the team is competitive and missing the playoffs last year was a disappointment. I remember when a winning record—playoffs or not—was grounds for a parade. Expectations are higher because the team is better.
So if you’re ready for some football, the team’s annual Fan Fest event is this Saturday. Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

The folks over at Sonic have a new customer appreciation giveaway.  Wednesday June 3rd from 8pm to midnight, Sonic will be giving away free 10 ounce Root Beer Floats.

Go here to find a Sonic near you.

And since it seems we need it lately with the giveaways, the fine print (from Sonic’s website) is:
*FREE, while supplies last. For a limited time only at participating SONIC® Drive-Ins.

The Sarasata-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company Art of Fighting (AOF) is giving away two tickets to its next event, Rumble at Robarts 3, on June 13. All you need to do is visit the Free Shit section of Creative Loafing and fill out the web form. The fight card is set to feature fighters from Tampa and some international locations, as well as two high-caliber MMA pro’s: former TapOut show fighter and knock-out artist TJ Cook, who faces WEC vet Arriell Gandulla.

Here is a fight video of Cook:

Read the rest of this entry »

A Taste of Pinellas technically started yesterday (sorry), but you still have the rest of the weekend to enjoy the music and activities. They even have a Kids Zone so it’s a family-friendly event. Best of all, most of the fun is absolutely free. Read the rest of this entry »

Memorial Day is more than an extra day off (if you’re lucky). It’s an opportunity to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for their country. At the same time, it’s a chance to show appreciation for those active and retired service personnel who make daily sacrifices as well. And one way to show appreciation is to send some free stuff their way. Fortunately, some local businesses have put together a few nice entertainment options on Monday that are totally free for active and retired military. Here are a couple of good ones: Read the rest of this entry »

May 22 – Free craft beer tasting at Mazzaro’s Italian Market in St. Petersburg. Craft brew specialists will be sampling beers from upstart sensation Cigar City Brewery, as well as the new Levitation (a sessionable brew) from Stone Brewing, and a selection of beers by Southampton Publick House. Event runs from 1-5pm. Free Southampton glassware with purchase.

May 23 – Spring Beer Fest at Tank’s Tap Room. Free tasting featuring yummy brews from Tampa’s own Cigar City Brewing, Gordon Biersch, Bell’s, and many, many others. They’ll also be unveiling a new food menu, raffling gear for The Little Patrick Foundation, doing giveaways, and hosting games. Live music performances and Romel from the Havana Cigar Factory offering live cigar rolling demonstrations and specials. Festivities kick off at 2pm and continue to close. Call (813) 961-BEER (2337) for more information. Read the rest of this entry »

For a limited time, PF Chang’s will email you a coupon for a free order of their uber-popular, meat-filled iceberg Lettuce Wraps appetizer (with a purchase of an entree). The promotion celebrates the golfing skills of PGA tour pro Briny Baird, who “teed off… from 375 feet in the air atop the Omni Hotel and landed a golf ball inside a bulls-eye 230 yards below in the outfield of PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.” I imagine PF Chang’s never thought they’d have to pay up for the bet.  

Link for the coupon after the break.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nick Algee of 1Sky & CleanEnergy.org hit my inbox last night: Friday night May 15th is Pecha Kucha Night at the Roosevelt. WTF is that? I gotta say it is one of the more intriguing events to arrive amongst a tedious list of a gazillion emails I rather not read. Nick is a cool guy, with an important mission, so I read his emails first, and damn, I’m glad I did. This is tonight!

I also have to say Ken Cowart, Pecha Kucha organizer, is responsible for helping Tampa is move up on the way cool scale with this event, starting with the venue itself. The Roosevelt, owned by Joe Redner, is a 103 year old building in the throes of a massive green retrofit. A model of sustainability, it will serve as a showcase of 21st-century construction ideas. The Campus TV Project 3.0 at The Roosevelt is a place in which artists and other creative types can lease space and incubate new ideas.

So what is Pecha Kucha? Held in 195 cities around the world, I betcha I couldn’t find anyone except some architect geek types, sorry Adam, to tell me. Enter the Google Gods, a quick trip round the net to reveals that it was conceived by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. The first Pecha Kucha took place in Tokyo at Klein Dytham Architects offices at 8:20 p.m. on March 20, 2003, yes the time and date is very relevant, give me a minute, err 20 seconds to explain. Under the PKN rules, 20 presenters show 20 slides on a topic relative to urban design, with only 20 seconds to narrate each slide. As someone who has sat through many a dry, monotone speaker presenting such exciting topics as “Trends in Solid Waste” and “Measurement of Indoor Air Quality Toxins” , no joke it was at the same conference, not one of the middle aged men in the room was laughing. 20 slides in 20 seconds, is gift from heaven that lands Tampa on the map of a city on the upswing. Read the rest of this entry »

In an effort to draw attention to the plight of the honey bee, Haagen-Dazs is having a Bee-built Flavor Day on Tuesday May 12th.

From 4pm – 8pm (at participating locations) you can get a free single scoop of any of the Haagen-Dazs Bee-built flavors.

The only locations in the area are International Plaza and Countryside Mall, but I do not know if they are “participating locations.”

Read more about the honey bee crisis here.

Some people think it’s a bad idea to hunt for Mother’s Day bargains. After all, if there’s anyone who should get an expensive outing, it’s mom, right?

Wrong. Didn’t you learn anything from your mom– the one who told you to be smart with your money? Doing something with your mother—within the constraints of a sound budget—shows her that you actually listened when she tried to teach you the value of a dollar. There are plenty of things you can do on Mother’s Day weekend that offer both quality time for families and a great value: Read the rest of this entry »

In a thinly veiled effort to capture more of the health-conscious crowd (and a bit late in the game), KFC introduced an alternative to their iconic fried poultry – Kentucky Grilled Chicken. And they want you to try it… for free. Read the rest of this entry »

Creative Loafing interns Hannah Walk and Diana Ruiz visited the line outside IKEA Tampa 48 hours before its May 6 opening. Here’s their report — with video after the jump.

How long would you wait in line for a free chair? How about a chair from IKEA? If you’re the first people in line for IKEA’s grand opening, the 65-plus hours spent sleeping on cement and passing the time playing Apples to Apples are well worth it. IKEA officially opens Wednesday, May 6, but for these dedicated fans, the party started early.

Hagen Reams, 19, Shelby Gallo, 19, Justin Gallo, 21, and Ben Dziubek, 20, began their three-day escapade Sunday afternoon, but they’re not complaining. They’ve been passing the time reading Tucker Max’s I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, feasting on vending machine goodies, and attempting to sleep when news cameras aren’t in their faces. Read the rest of this entry »

Isn’t it nice to look up at the sky on a clear night and admire the moon and constellations? Maybe, but the truth is you won’t get to see much detail even if you have perfect eyesight. Plus, most people don’t know all that much about astronomy, so aside from picking out the Big Dipper (which I can’t even find) do you even know what you’re looking at?
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a place with high-powered telescopes to guarantee vivid images, and maybe experienced people around to tell you what to look for and exactly where to find it in the sky? Oh, and all this should be free, of course. Read the rest of this entry »

In order to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (which I didn’t know existed until recently), Saturday is Teacher Appreciation Day at the H.B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. The former Tampa Bay Hotel and National Historic Landmark is offering a special deal for teachers on May 2. So if you are (or you know) a teacher, you’ll want to check it out. Read the rest of this entry »

Break out your calendars, beer fans. Here’s the scoop on this week’s brew agenda –

Thursday, April 30th : Oldsmar Tap House welcomes Dan Gordon, co-founder and original brewmaster of Gordon Biersch Brewery. Come out for an evening of mingling – and drinking, of course. A variety of Gordon Biersch brews will be available on draught. 300 State Street East, Oldsmar

More after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

Just in time for Earth Day, one of the most eco friendly vodka’s out there, 360 Vodka, can be be yours for free (after a mail in rebate).

Here is the deal after the jump…
Read the rest of this entry »