Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta 2010

Fruit or vegetable? Let’s not argue about it. At the peak of summer, nothing tastes better than a homegrown tomato. And if you’re as crazy about tomatoes as we are here at Cheap Central, you won’t want to miss this very juicy annual event. It’s cheap too!

The 2010 Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta takes place Sunday, August 22, from 11 am – 3 pm, at the Albuquerque Garden Center.

Presented by the Albuquerque Area Extension Master Gardeners, the fiesta offers  lots of activities for a $5 admission fee, and kids under 12 are FREE! (Or rather their admission is, I don’t suppose they’re growing kids beside the tomato plants to give away.)

Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta includes:

• Heirloom tomato tasting
• Plant clinic and gardening seminars with tips on growing tomatoes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Kids’ activities
• Music by the Alpha Blue Trio
• Fresh produce for sale

This event is sponsored by Montano Acura, High Country Gardens, Big I 107.9, and Jericho Nursery.

• When: Sunday August 22 2010
• Time: 11 am – 3 pm
• Where: Albuquerque Garden Center
• Price: $5 adults, free for kids under 12

Albuquerque Garden Center is located at 10120 Lomas Blvd NE, at Eubank.

– Tania

Jubilation Wine, Beer, and Spirit Tastings

Fancy a taste of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur? Or Sangre de Frambuesa (Raspberry Belgian) beer from Santa Fe Brewing Co? Free beer, wine, and spirit tastings at Jubilation Wine & Spirits this Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February let you try before you buy.

A good a place as any to start your Valentine’s Day celebrations (or commiserations if this year isn’t so sweet to you in the love stakes), Jubilation hosts two days of free tasting events:

Friday Feb 5 from 4 to 6 pm:
Santa Fe Brewery Beer Tasting and Valentine’s Day Spirit Tasting
Beer tasting of Santa Fe Brewing Co. 20th anniversary hand-numbered 750ml bomber series (price now dropped to $6.99), with a bod from the brewery to talk about all the stuff that ale-fans talk about. PLUS tasting of Pama Pomegranate Liqueur and Hypnotiq Vodka and Cognac Liqueur, and find out about cocktail recipes for Valentine’s Day.

Saturday Feb 6th from 2 to 4 pm:
Valentine’s Day Spirit and Wine Tasting
Jubilation’s first wine tasting of the year, PLUS sample Pama Pomegranate Liqueur and Hypnotiq Vodka and Cognac Liqueur, and hear about cocktail recipes for Valentine’s Day.

Jubilation Wine & Spirits is located at 3512 Lomas Boulevard NE, at the junction of Lomas,  Carlisle, and Monte Vista.

–Tania

Cheap Event: 2009 Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta

Fruit or vegetable? Who cares! At this time of year, nothing tastes better than a homegrown tomato. And if you worship tomatoes like we do at Cheap Central, you won’t want to miss this cheap event.

The 2009 Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta takes place Sunday, August 23, from 11:00am – 3:00pm, at the Albuquerque Garden Center. Presented by the Albuquerque Area Extension Master Gardeners, the fiesta offers a ton of activities for a paltry $5 admission fee (adults), and kids age 12 and under are FREE!

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect:

• Tomato tastings, including heirloom and rare varieties, plus tomato dishes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Informational seminars
• Farmer’s market with fresh produce for sale
• Garden and crafts fair with plants and crafts
• Kids’ Corner with free activities
• Tours of the Albuquerque Garden Center’s Display Gardens
• Live music
• …and much more!

This event is sponsored by Montaño Acura, High Country Gardens, Jericho Nursery, Big I 107.9, The New 104.7, and Progressive Talk AM1350.

Albuquerque Garden Center is located at 10120 Lomas Blvd NE (at Eubank), Albuquerque.

–Elizabeth Hanes

Friday Food Freebies and Deals for 7/10/09

Got a sweet tooth? A yen for fish? Or simply a yen for “cheap”? We’ve got all three covered!

• Free Baja Fish Taco Day: Well, yo-ho-ho and a baja fish taco! On Tuesday, July 14 (2009), sail on over to Long John Silver’s before 2:30pm to score a free fish taco. No coupon required, no rigamarole. Limit one per customer. Participating locations only. Nine LJS locations in New Mexico to serve you. (Thanks, Barb!)
• $10 off: Buca di Beppo offers this coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase. Simple. The offer looks to be good on carryout, as well as dine in, since the coupon doesn’t limit the offer. Valid through 7/21/09. There’s one Buca in the Q, and it’s over by Coronado Center.
• Free food tasting: Who knew Osuna Nursery did gourmet foods? We didn’t. But they’re hosting a tasting Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, from 11:00am – 3:00pm both days. Sample Jalapeño Candied Jelly from Third Coast Gourmet & Gifts, soup mixes from The Plentiful Pantry, and Artisan Chocolate Fudge Balls from Cocopotamus. Yum! In the North Valley near Osuna and Edith.
• Free pint of Starbucks ice cream (maybe): We added the caveat because this is a giveaway through Facebook. So, first, you have to be able to log in to Facebook (thereby eliminating everyone who doesn’t use the site). Second, they’re only giving away 800 coupons per hour (sounds like a lot, until you figure how many thousands of people are vying for them). Still, if you’re into the thrill of the chase or you just can’t live without Starbucks ice cream, this may be worth a shot! Every day through 7/19/09.
• Free wine tasting: Jubilation Wine & Spirits has been hosting several beer tastings lately, but finally here’s one for wine lovers. Tomorrow, 7/11/09, from 2:00 – 4:00pm, stop by Jubilation to taste “wines that are best to drink in the summer heat.” Varieties will include orvietos, torrontes, pinot noir, malbec, a sparkling wine, and several others. Located near UNM at Lomas & Carlisle.
• BOGO Sub: Check out this coupon for BOGO Quizno’s sub sandwich. Buy one combo meal, get a second sub free! Note it’s good only at the 4411 Montaño Rd location.
• Half off dinner: Here’s one for our amigos en el valle sur. Kathy’s Carryout is legendary! Use this coupon for 50% off second dinner with the purchase of one dinner and two drinks. ¡Qué rico!
• Half off beverages: We know some of our Twitter followers are Bad Ass Coffee Co. devotees, so here’s one for them. Use this coupon for half off hot, iced, or frozen blended drink with purchase of another. Scroll down the page for other Bad Ass Coffee Co. coupons, too! Located up in Bernalillo.

Hopefully that list, along with the separate post about all the breakfast foodaliciousness occuring at Chick-fil-A will hold you until next week!

–Elizabeth Hanes

Beer Tasting plus Prizes and Giveaways

Let’s clear one thing up right away: there will be NO beer giveaways! Sad, we know. But this event still rocks!

Just in time for 4th of July weekend, Jubilation Wine & Spirits is having a beer tasting, complete with prizes, giveaways, and a live broadcast by 94 Rock! Stop by today, Thursday, July 2 (2009) between 5:00 and 7:00pm to taste a slew of Odell Brewing Company beers, including:

• IPA
• Red Ale
• 90 Shilling
• Cutthroat Porter
• St. Lupulin
• and others!

Doug Odell has been brewing beer in Fort Collins, CO, since 1989. Besides crafting great brews, they strongly believe in green business practices and in philanthropy.

But we know you’re mainly interested in the free beer tasting. So, head on over to Jubilation and pick up some brewskis for Independence Day.

Jubilation Wine & Spirits is located in the university district at 3512 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque.

–Elizabeth Hanes