January 29, 2009

 

Spring; Events; Free stuff; and web sites you'll love, and more
 
Spring. We love the sound of that word. Only 48 days to go.  And if you've been spending most of the winter in the frigid northeast, like The Three Tomatoes, then you're counting those days along with us.  Martinis help too, and thank goodness we've had our Intimate Conversations series to keep us warm.  This week's was sizzling, as the one and only Gael Greene candidly shared some of the stories from her amazing life as a journalist, restaurant critic, and best selling author, plus her favorite restaurants and how to save money when dining out these days.  We've posted some of Gael's comments, like where to get the best dim sum to celebrate Chinese New Year, and photos from the event.   But if you want the skinny on Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, and those celebrity chefs, you're going to just have to buy her memoir, "Insatiable Critic, Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess".  And don't miss our next warm wintry evening gathering on February 10th for an Intimate Conversation with singer/songwriter, Phoebe Snow, one of the best voices of our generation, as she talks about her journey from her hit songs of the '70s to today.  Get details and tickets here.  But first, read on, for our lastest giveaway, some of our favorite web sites, and a garden club that's doing big stuff for the environment.
 
Freebies, Giveaways, and Discounts
Last week we had a drawing for free tickets to two off-Broadway Shows, The Marvelous Wonderettes and Enter Laughing.   Our lucky tomato winners are:  Rhea Albert, Amityville, New York, Tobe Mason, New York City, and Betti Wettan of North Woodmere, New York.   But even if you weren't a winner, here's the good news.   You'll find great discount offers for these shows, and others at our new 3T Ticket Discounts section of our web site.  And you can enter this week's giveaway too.
 
This Week's giveaway, Liza Minnelli's new CD 
The Three Tomatoes had the chance to see Liza Minnelli's fabulous show at the Palace in December.  And now tomatoes everywhere can enjoy the music from her performance too with the release of her new two- CD set, "Liza's At The Palace...." featuring showstoppers such as "Cabaret," "Maybe This Time," and "New York New York".  Click here to listen to the CD.  
 
If you'd like to enter our drawing to win the CD, email us no later than Friday, January 30 at 5 PM.  And in exchange, please tell three friends to sign up for our newsletter.   Just send them to The Three Tomatoes. 

Web sites you'll love 
The good news about the web is there's so much there.  The bad news about the web is there's so much there.   So from time to time, we like to share web sites that we've come across that are funny, helpful, informative, or all the above.   And we invite you to share your favorites with us too.  Just drop us an email.  Here's our latest round of sites we like.
 
If you missed your favorite TV show, then you're going to love www.fancast.com.   This web site features full episodes of many of the most popular network and cable shows, (Desparate Housewives, Damages, The Office) and lots of day time shows too, like the View.  This comes in especially handy if you have a laptop, and your husband's idea of great TV is the Military channel and re-runs of Law and Order.  Now you can watch your shows in near proximity, and no more remote fights.
 
For dog lovers, check out www.woofreport.com .  It's a web site and newsletter that will lead you to the top dog blogs, websites, newsletters, magazines, pet stores and products for your furry friends.
 
Got a gift card or two you don't want and don't know what to do with?  Then check out
www.giftcardrescue.com.  They'll buy your unused gift card, or let you exchange it for one you want.  Or you can just go there to buy gift cards at discounted prices.     
 
Want to send an e-greeting card from the gang?  Then check out groupcard.com.   www.groupcard.com/landing/. 

Wondering how to get those croissant crumbs out of your computer keyboard, finger prints off your camera lens, or wine stains off your favorite blouse?  Then you're going to love www.howtocleanstuff.net.  It tells you how to clean just about anything.
 
Did you ever need a doctor in a hurry?   Well check out www.zocdoc.com.  You enter your insurance type, doctor's speciality, and voila you will get a listing of doctors that meet your critera.   But here's the best part, you can check their availability online and book your appointment from your keyboard.  And the site includes background on the doctors, and patient reviews too.   Very cool.   Right now it's only got NYC physicians, but they are planning to expand.
 
We're embarrassed to tell you how many old cell phones, computers, PDAs and other gadgets we have lying around our homes and offices that we have no idea what to do with.  Until now. Here's a web site, www.gazelle.com that will buy your old gadgets and gizmos, or they'll  donate the money to a charity of your choice.  Get paid to recycle.  Great concept.
 
Speaking of the Envirnoment
Everybody's talking 'bout it and now somebody's doing something about it.  The environment that is.  When The Three Tomatoes hear the words "garden club", we tend to think of little old ladies growing exotic roses.  Well not these days.  The Bedford Garden Club is sponsoring an environmental expo and summit this Saturday, January 31st, in Bedford, New York, that's all about educating us on what local communities can do to foster "sustainability".  They are anticipating up to 1,000 attendees.  To find out more about "What you can do, the path to sustainability", and to get tickets to this event, visit their web site.  It's all about grassroots efforts these days.  This is definitely not your mother's garden club.
 
Here's to Spring.  48 days.

'til next week,