Birthday Party Smash Saves Cash
Only $99 for a birthday party for eight kids? You couldn't host a party at home for that price, which is why you shouldn't. For less than 100 bucks, Mountasia Family Fun Center
(253-4386) will hook up your eight lucky guests with one and a half hours of unlimited play (including choice of Lazer Tag, Rock Wall or Miniature Golf), 200 video game points and a slice of cheese pizza and soft drink. The birthday boy or girl snags a special ice-cream sundae, too. The catch: It's only available for a limited time, and you need to book the party Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays, of course).

Check it Out
Village Christian Schools' Open House is Saturday, February 6
Village Christian Schools is hosting an Admissions Open House that will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The formal program begins promptly at 10 a.m., with student-led tours, curriculum court, and complimentary barbecue lunch with faculty, principals and current patrons; 818-767-8382, ext. 209 www.villagechristian.org

Friday, March 5 to Sunday, March 7
California Kids Consignment
Sell your kids' stuff and shop for bargains. (Editors note: At last season's sale I bought a gorgeous brand-new dress from Saks - retailing for over $100 - for $10!). Held at 26336 Citrus Street in Valencia; www.calkidsconsignment.com

Friday, March 12 to Sunday, March 14
Dress on a Dime Women's Resale Boutique
Dress on a Dime is a three-day women's consignment sale featuring new and gently used name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories. Visit the website to get updates on sale times and location; www.dressonadime.net

Recycling: It's Good for the Candle and Good for You
Friday, February 5 to Wednesday, February 10
Once a Year Jar Recycling Event at Candleman
Recycle your empty or almost empty Yankee, Beanpod or Woodwick Candle jars and get 25 percent off Yankee, Beanpod or Woodwick candles in stock. Candleman is located at 28269 Newhall Ranch Road in the Gateway Village Center in Valencia. Call for details; 257-9420

Have Faith
The Greatest Gift of All: Jesus Christ
The greatest gift ever given was the free gift, given to us all by God Almighty, in the person of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Plainly and simply, God has provided a way for everyone to escape the penalty of sin, which is death, and instead receive eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is nothing that we have to do. There is no price to pay. Salvation is free to anyone who will accept God's plan for redemption. If you don't know Jesus, I urge you to find a good Bible-teaching church and learn about him.
Pastor Les Robinson of Burning Bush Church 297-2874 www.burningbushchurch.org

Love, Sacrifice and a Baseball Mitt
A Little League season long ago, my mitt fell apart. Mom didn't have extra money so duct tape was used. A day later, she took me to pick out the glove of my choice. She reached into her purse and pulled out two stacks of Green Stamp books. For months, mom had earned the stamps at the grocery store. She'd been saving for a food blender. Though mom never got that blender and I didn't advance in baseball play, I learned about love in a big league way. Minister Ray Davis of North Oaks Church of Christ
252-2298 www.northoakschurchofchrist.org

Myles McNamara

Tune in for "Aging with Power" Tuesdays at 11
Preparation is knowledge, and knowledge is power! In the quest to be help people become empowered, informed and prepared when faced with decisions about caring for an aging loved one - or when people are confronted with decisions regarding their own path - Myles McNamara will now host the "Aging with Power" radio show on KHTS AM 1220.

The show, scheduled for Tuesdays at 11 a.m., will primarily focus on seniors, but will, from time to time, address issues "from the womb to the tomb." McNamara, a certified senior advisor and owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care, plans on incorporating listener feedback into every show. E-mail your questions, topic suggestions or guest proposals to myles@agingwithpower.com or call 287-4200.

The Year of the Tiger
February 14 is Chinese New Year
by Xiao Wang
In 2010, February 14 marks the start of the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the most important holiday for Chinese families. It marks the first day of the lunar calendar, calculated based on the time the moon takes to go around the Earth.

Chinese New Year is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and the display of festive decorations - all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of spring.

Here are some fun ways to introduce your family to the excitement and cultural grounding of Chinese New Year:

Take a field trip to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to see Shen Yun Performing Arts, an inspiring and educational classical Chinese dance and music performance now touring 30 countries. The show runs February 5 to February 14 (www.laspectacular.com).

Search online for information about your Chinese zodiac animal and discover which famous people share your sign. Visit a Chinese restaurant and celebrate!