How would you like some extra time this holiday season to actually enjoy the holidays? How would you feel if you had all your holiday gift shopping (and wrapping!) done before Thanksgiving…and saved money…and supported your local community? No, it’s not wishful thinking, it’s the 2nd Annual Check ‘Em Off Green Holiday Event at the Marshall Community Center on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

This event features over 50 local businesses, vendors, artisans and crafters with the goal of helping you check everyone off your gift giving list; while at the same time helping support our local community, protecting the environment, and saving you time and money! “You might purchase a tool caddy made from reclaimed fence wood or a handbag made from un-recyclable chip bags. Maybe you’d like to purchase an “experience” like a guided fishing tour or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. This event will have something for everyone on your list-even that person who seems to already “have everything.” The packaging will be minimal or non-existent and you know you’re supporting your neighbors and your community with your purchases.” One thing you’re sure NOT to find? “Cheap crap from China.”

New this year, Vancouver Green Drinks is partnering with Clark County Live! to bring you the “Discovery Booth” offering gift certificates for local experiences at discount pricing. And, while all the booths are filled at the Check ‘Em Off Green Holiday Event, if you are a local business you can still be a part of this event without even having to man a booth! The Discovery booth will help you stay at your business while someone else sells for you. For more information on the Discovery Booth, contact Mitch Canton at 360-818-4418 or contact us here.

After you’ve shopped, drop into the sustainable wrapping station and have your gifts wrapped while you enjoy a hot chocolate or a bite to eat. Then, just sit back and enjoy the time with family and friends this holiday season.

The Check ‘Em Off Green Holiday Event will be open from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E McLoughlin Blvd.

A little over two years ago, we tried to bring an internet coupon daily deal thingamajig (that’s the technical term) to the ‘Couve. The technology wasn’t there to run an efficient, productive program. The process was too manual, the redemption too difficult and the rewards too limited.

Fast forward to today. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, “It’s Deja Vu all over again.”

See, since Labor Day we have been, well, laboring, on a revised Daily Deal program specifically for Vancouver and Clark County. And it’s time to turn the switch. Later today, we will launch “Live! Deals“. We’ve tweaked. We’ve tested. Heck, we’ve tossed and turned. But it’s time.

Since Day One – over 1,000 posts and three years ago. We have been all about Local. Local stories, about local people, local places, and local merchants. We have worked tirelessly to featured the People, Places, Activities and Events that make Vancouver USA and Clark County so great. We hope you’ll support the local merchants that we feature on Live! Deals. We have always believed Vancouver and Clark County were big enough, with a strong enough community, to make this work.

The Vancouver – Clark County market  is a dynamic, vibrant community. Support of our local businesses will keep it that way. We hope our Live! Deals program will help bring fantastic deals to our readers and will generate well-earned business for our local merchants… those on this side of the River.

New Discount Coupon: Yes We Cran! The new seasonal foods are on the menu at Burgerville and I was lucky enough to be chosen for the November Tasting Tuesday.  The Turkey Burger with Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa was “berry” good!

Click here for a downloadable coupon from Burgerville, good for free fries and drink to go with the Turkey Burger.

The National Park Service announces this special event where entrance fees to all 391 national parks will be waived, including Fort Vancouver. Tough economic times call for economical fun, and it’s tough to beat America’s 391 national parks for family time, fresh air and more.

Applebee’s Restaurant is saying “Thank You” to Veterans and Active Military men and women by offering a free meal today, Veterans Day, November 11, 2009.

No coupon needed, click here for more details from Applebee’s.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy

New Discount Coupon:  Orange Chicken is one of my favorites!  Get a free entree with purchase of a two or three entree plate.  Gotta hurry, this offer expires tomorrow, 10/27/09!

Click here for printable coupon from Panda Express.

New Discount Coupon:  Just had the pleasure of dining at Sweet Tomatoes (12601 SE 2nd Circle, just off Mill Plain and SE 126th Avenue) and it was delicious! Huge Salad Bar, Fresh Soups, Breads, Muffins, Pasta, Fruit and Desserts!

Kids (12 and under) in their costumes eat free at Sweet Tomatoes (all Vancouver/Portland locations) on October 29th through October 31st, with a paying adult.  Come on, you know the kids would wear their costumes everyday if they could, now you have a tasty excuse to let them!

New Discount Coupon: What’s better than Burgerville on a crisp Autumn day? Burgerville and a coupon!Free upgrade to a “basket”.

“Apples are in season and in their honor we are serving our Haute Dog with Apple Slaw and our Apple and Peppered Bacon Turkey Club.” Free basket upgrade with the purchase either the “Dog” or the “Club”.

Click here for printable coupon from Burgerville.

New Discount Coupon: Bills Chicken and Steak House has been owned and operated by the same family since 1965 and features a selection of chicken, steak and seafood items. Located at 2200 St Johns Blvd, Vancouver; 695-1591

They are offering $5 off a Lunch or $7 off a Dinner coupon.

Click here for printable coupon.

New Discount Coupon: Want a new feeder, but don’t know what to do with the old one? Bring it in to the Backyard Bird Shop and they will donate it to a school, garden club, or other non-profit, and give you a 20% discount on a new one!

“If you trade in an unwanted feeder, we’ll donate it and give you 20% off the purchase of a replacement. Backyard Bird Shop donates scratched and dented feeders to schools, neighborhood garden projects and other non-profit organizations through the year. If you’re a school teacher, community garden organization, or volunteer of another non-profit who might be interested in re-using some of these feeders, give us a call. We hope there will be plenty to share by October 31, when the “Discounts for Dawgs” program ends.”

For more information, including locations and phone numbers, visit Backyard Bird Shop on the web.