The Arctic Scoop - The Smokey Ice Cream

Warm weather is in and the perfect accessory is a sweet cold treat clutch to your right and a walking buddy to your left.  You can head straight to the back of the already long  line at Dairy Kastle for a cheap no frill treat, to the more sophisticated Comfy Cow for local homemade ice cream or to the Arctic Scoop for something entirely different.

If you haven’t heard of Arctic Scoop or been to it, you’re in for a treat. What sets the Artcic Scoop apart is that the ice cream is made fresh right in front you.  One minute it’s in its liquid form, a splash of liquid nitrogen later and it becomes freshly made ice cream right before your eyes.

Here’s how it works:
1)     Choose a size and a base, milk (premium or lowfat), yogurt or soy milk
2)     Choose a flavor or combine the long list of flavors listed.
3)     Choose your mix ins, these are things like fresh fruits, brownies, etc.  I believe you can choose up to 4.
4)     Pay and watch one of the staff turn liquid into ice cream.

The ice cream that comes out is fresh, smooth and made especially for you.  With so many flavors, the possibilities are endless and it’s so fun to see the smoke coming out of every creation.  I suggest skipping the soy milk base as the ice cream comes out icy and bland.  The store also offers smoothies, floats and desserts.

Want to make this place just a tad sweeter? Pinpoint Perks currently has 3 different coupons, a free waffle cones ($1 value), $3 off any $10 purchase (Monday – Thursday),  $1 off any $10 purchase (Friday - Sunday).  I went last Saturday and the owner just asked to see it on my phone.  I also got $3 off even though it’s not a weekday.  Two small scoops ($4.89/each) will only get you to $9.78 (they don’t count if you add the taxes).  Upgrade to a large ($5.89) and basically you get that upgrade for free with the coupon.

Artic Scoop is in the same shopping center as Barnes and Noble.  Stroll through the aisles of this book store and unplug for a while.  I find simple joy in actually holding a book in my hands, rummaging through pre-cell phone activities like board games and crafts, and reminding myself that there is still a world out there beyond the internet.

Free DQ Ice Cream!

I love a great deal so I will be sharing some of these on my blog.  Dairy Queen is giving away a FREE small vanilla cone to celebrate their 75th anniversary.  Here's an extra treat to go along with that free ice cream, 74 degrees and sunny on Monday! :) 

I suggest parking your car at Mid-City Mall, grab your free ice cream at the Dairy Queen nearby and take a nice stroll down Bardstown Road.  

Thanks to A.W. for this great deal!

Never Pay for Movie Tickets Again

Thanks to a lovely friend, we got two free tickets to a screening of Disney’s Cinderella earlier in the week, 7 days before the actual release date.  It was a nice weekday surprise and I must admit, it felt pretty cool to see a movie before everyone else does, for FREE.  

Studios will occasional do free screenings of selected movies in selected cities to generate public interest and allow the local press to see it first.  That means you'll get to see movies before they're open to the public, if you know where to look.

Where to get tickets
Sign up for a free account at these sites to get email alerts when free screenings become available.  They usually have links or instructions on how to get the free tickets.  The free tickets can be claimed at the site itself or it might take you directly to the movie studio's site (like Lionsgate) where you have to sign up again.  Once you claim your tickets, print, bring it to the movies, and enjoy!

Tickets go really quickly so get on it quick.  If you didn't get it, you can sign up to be on the wait list or you can also enter several sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets.

Here are several sites you where you can sign up for updates or enter your zip code to see if there's a free screening in your area:

• https://lionsgatescreenings.com/ - They do a lot of screenings in Louisville.  Sign up to get their emails. 
• The Owens Group - Like them on facebook to get codes for screenings for several studios they represent, especially in Cincy, Cleveland, Columbus, Indy & Louisville
• http://advancescreenings.com/ - This is the most comprehensive website 
• http://www.seeitfirst.net/ - For Disney Movies 
• http://www.gofobo.com/
• http://www.cinemit.com/
• http://www.getscreening.com/

Sign up for as many sites as possible to make sure you don't miss out on any.  You can also follow them on their social media page.  Here's an example of what it looks like from advancescreenings.com:

How to use your tickets
Once you get your free tickets (usually via emails), print and bring it with you to the theaters.  Keep in mind:

• It's first come first serve.  It's usually overbooked so you might not be guaranteed a seat. 
• Arrive at least 30-45 minutes early to get the best seats
• Bring your ID (they didn't check mine but bring it just in case)
• In most cases, there's no preview, so 120 minutes means 120 minutes
• Most screenings are on weeknights, around 7 p.m.