Free lattes--Fridays

McDonald's in the greater St Louis area are hosting "Free Latte Fridays"--get a free latte at participating McDonald's. Lattes are available in caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, and sugar-free vanilla. I would advise calling your local McDonald's before you go to make sure they're participating!

Free coffee--Jan 28

Panera Bread is offering free coffee all day on Wednesday, Jan 28, as well as free samples of their new breakfast menu. To find a participating store near you, click here.

Fireproof--Jan 23 and 24

There are two free screenings of the movie "Fireproof" starring Kirk Cameron this weekend. Here's the synopsis of the movie:

"Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it's his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it's another story. After seven years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare. While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents' newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. But can he attempt to love his wife while avoiding God's love for him? Will he be able to demonstrate love over and over again to a person that's no longer receptive to his love? Or is this just another marriage destined to go up in smoke? "

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church--7pm both nights
4355 Butler Hill Rd.
St Louis, MO, 63128

Donations will be accepted to go towards St Louis Backstoppers but there is no charge for the movie nor are you required to give a donation, so if you're looking for a cheap date night this is it! Childcare will be provided (again, for free). For more information, please call 314-892-4408.

African Heritage Annual Exhibit--Jan 18-Mar 7

The St Louis Artists' Guild (Two Oak Knoll Park, St. Louis, MO, 63105)will be presenting the annual African Heritage Exhibit from January 18 through March 7. The theme will be on the African American Family. The African Heritage Exhibition will focus on the need of a strong family foundation within the African and African-American community. This exhibit will feature three St. Louis-based artists that are either of African descent or born on the continent of Africa. This show will offer an awesome range of styles and techniques and the subjects will speak to all who universally believe that a strong nation depends on strong communities, which depend on strong families. Admission is FREE.

The gallery is open noon to 4pm, Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays and holidays. For more information, call 314-727-6266.

Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge--Jan 17-18

This weekend, come view the eagles up close at Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (10950 Riverview Drive, St Louis, MO 63137). The following activities will be available:

• Educational eagle program repeated every 20 minutes, 10:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.
• Viewing scopes on the Bridge for close-up viewing of eagles
• Re-enactors will interact with the public and acquaint visitors with aspects of Lewis & Clark’s 1804-06 expedition the Corps of Discovery
• Educational displays at the IL entrance include a replica of the boat used by the Corps of Discovery courtesy of the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL & the Lewis and Clark Society of America (Saturday only)
• Get your photo taken in the replica of an eagle’s nest

Don't forget to bring your binoculars and dress to stay warm. In consideration for other guests and for the wildlife, please do not bring any pets.

Free parking is available at two satellite lots in Missouri, the Missouri Welcome Center at Riverview and I-270 and North Riverfront Park, off of Riverview south of the waterworks. A FREE shuttle will be available from both locations. Parking at the Missouri Bridge entrance is $5. FREE parking is available at the Illinois Bridge entrance. Note: most of the programming is at the Missouri Bridge entrance and in the middle of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

For more information call 314/436-1324 #107.

Delmar Loop Ice Carnival--Jan 17

Celebrate winter in the Loop with the Loop Ice Carnival! Check out the live ice carving demonstrations, 5K and 10K frozen buns runs, putt putt pub crawl, temporary tattoo scavenger hunt, ice slides, s’mores roast, trolley car tour with Frosty the Snowman, winter sports movies, fire performers, Ice-Breaker with Sledgehammer, live artists, performance groups and more. Plus, don't miss out on the FREE money--collect ice cubes from stores throughout the Loop. One thousand ice cubes will have a $1 coin inside!

There will also be performance groups from Washington University including an a capella group and a drum line. And of course, unless you go shopping, everything is free!

St Louis Symphony--Dec 16

Tonight is yet another FREE St Louis Symphony Orchestra concert in Tower Grove Park. This concert is part of the Symphony Tuesdays at Piper Palm House and will be held indoors, so don't let the cool weather keep you home!

The concert starts at 7pm and will feature Music for Voice and Strings. As mentioned, it is in the Piper Palm House (4256 Magnolia Ave) and limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 314-286-4432.

Big Band Christmas--Dec 6 and 7

The 25th Annual Cherokee Antique Row Cookie Spree offers shoppers free cookies, candy, and hot cider while they hunt for unique holiday gifts December 6-7, 2008 from 10AM-5PM. Featuring Live Music from "Cool Blue Jazz" at 2114 Cherokee both days from 1-4PM.

Located in the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District, home to Antique, Vintage and Specialty Shops, Art Galleries, Restaurants, Mansions & Museums! Enter to Win a Miller Ham.

The sheer variety of the stores along Cherokee begs for a visit. Don't miss this opportunity to check out one of the hidden gems of St. Louis!

The Loop Holiday Walk--Dec 6

On Dec 6, from noon to 6pm, stroll on over to the Delmar Loop for plenty of holiday treats! While the shops are obviously hoping you'll buy something, you can also just wander through sampling lots of goodies and enjoying the beautiful holiday decorations.

Here are a few of the freebies:

Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Get your picture taken with everyone’s favorite snowman, Frosty--free if you bring your own camera! ($2 if you want a picture taken and don't have a camera!)

Cold Stone Creamery
6662-B Delmar
Sample holiday cakes, pies, and ice creams and enter to win a free cake for your holiday gathering!

Faces in The Loop
6265 Delmar
Face in the Loop will have candy canes and hot cocoa to warm you up!

Little Shark Athletic Company
6176 Delmar
Taste Clif recovery hot chocolate and electrolyte hot cider!

Noodles & Co.
6310 Delmar
If you're in the Loop for lunch or dinner, get a free dessert at Noodles & Co. with the purchase of a regular size entree, soup, salad, or trio!

Melting Pot
6683 Delmar
Try some delectable Melting Pot hot chocolate, sure to take the chill off!

St. Louis Bread Company
6630 Delmar
721-7995
Taste some of Bread Co.'s amazing holiday breads and pastries!

Ziezo
6394 Delmar
Warm up at Ziezo’s Holiday Russian Tea Party. Try traditional Russian tea created from a vintage recipe, served spiked or not, depending on your preference and home-made Russian desserts and chocolates.

In addition, many stores are offering free gifts with a purchase.

All That Glitters--Dec 5

Clayton will be kicking off the holidays in style with a FREE event in downtown Clayton on Friday, December 5, from 6-8pm.

The City of Clayton, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and Clayton business owners welcome all to the festivities on December 5 in downtown Clayton, which will include carolers, horse drawn carriage rides and chestnuts roasting on open fire and the finale--a fireworks display at 8pm in Shaw Park.

For more information, call 314-802-7763.