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Here's a CALM news release:

Mothers and grandmothers, May 10 truly is your day at the California Living Museum (CALM), where you will be admitted for Mother’s Day at half price and have a chance to win a free CALM Family Membership, too. CALM, located between Lake Ming and Hart Park on Alfred Harrell Highway in northeast Bakersfield, will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring the whole family.

Be sure to browse through CALM’s gift store where you will find special nature-related items that we are sure Mom will love.

“Spring is an especially beautiful time of year at CALM,” said Director Tom Anspach. “Pack a picnic lunch, bring the whole family and enjoy the day.”     

We never forget good old Dad (and Grandpa, too). So, we are extending the same offer to them on Father’s Day, June 21!

For more information, call CALM at (661) 872-2256 or visit the Web site.

CALM is a combination zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum, which for 26 years has provided residence for native animals that because of injury or abandonment can no longer survive on their own in the wild.

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If only for your neighbors' sake, make it look like a chore if you decide to act on McDonald's latest offer for free specialty coffee. Because, apparently, that's what got us this second round of McCafes on the house.

Come May 1, the fast food chain is swinging through Bakersfield with a special van and collapsible outdoor cafe, giving away lattes, iced lattes, cappuccinos and mochas. They're the same drinks the chain passed out free around Bakersfield early last year, another example of Bakersfield's test-marketing expertise.

We did such good, hard work quaffing those espresso drinks that the company wants to thank us. And what better way than giving us more of the same?

So on the morning of May 1, the Mobile McCafe is setting up shop at Cal State Bakersfield. Then, between 5 and 8 p.m., the van will be serving up coffee at 19th Street near H Street as part of the Downtown Business Association's First Friday event. The next day, on May 2, the van will be stationed at Sam Lynn Ballpark from 8 a.m. to noon for the Northwest Baseball League Tournament.

Just don't look like you're enjoying it, or the company may get the idea we'd do this for free.

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The Chick-fil-A restaurant located at 5260 Stockdale Highway is giving away free chicken...again.

We really like these folks.

They're testing a new sandwich, specifically their Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich, by giving it away for free through Saturday, April 25.

Catch is you have to tell the cashier: “I can take the heat!” in order to get the freebie.

The silly catch phrase shouldn't be too tough for Bakersfield, which knows a thing or two about heat.

Here is the obligatory gushing from the press release:
 
“We are so excited that California was chosen as a test market for the new Spicy Chicken Sandwich,” said Justin Clark, franchise Operator of the restaurant.  “I think our customers are going to love it, so I wanted to give them a chance to try it for free – but only if they can ‘take the heat!’”
 
After a successful introduction in 2008 in Baltimore and Jacksonville, Fla., Chick-fil-A expanded its test of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich to include all of the chain’s California markets starting in April.

The hand-breaded sandwich is seasoned with a fiery blend of peppers, pressure-cooked in 100 percent refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttered bun with two pickle chips.  The sandwich starts at $3.25.

This is the Atlanta-based fast food chain's third round of freebies. They gave away free sandwiches a few days ahead of their grand opening in March to publicize their arrival, and upon opening awarded a year's worth of free combo meals to the new store's first 100 customers.

For more info on the latest, call (661) 327-5260.

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Tuesday is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s as the ice cream company celebrates its 31st annual giveaway at all locations — including the one at East Hills Mall’s food court.

Dessert lovers can pick up a free scoop between noon and 8 p.m. The company expects to give out 2 million scoops worldwide.
 

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P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. is giving customers a 15 percent discount on Wednesday, April 15 in honor of Tax Day, according to the restaurant.

“In the current economic climate, everyone deserves a break and that’s exactly what P.F. Chang’s is providing with our Tax Relief discount,” Rick Tasman, COO for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, said in a statement.

The Tax Relief deal includes all guests of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, including the location at 10700 Stockdale Highway, and applies to every order. On April 15 only, the entire bill will be discounted 15 percent.