Our tips for a tight 2009

It is holiday season and time for gift giving. As we all know, that can be fun, and expensive.

With that in mind, we offer our gift to readers this year: A guide of local life’s less expensive — cheap fun, cheap eats, cheap ideas.

Cheap fun:

CREATION STATION, Lynnwood:

It’s hard to describe exactly what Creation Station is to someone who hasn’t been there because there’s just about nothing else like it. Imagine going to a place where you can spend two hours creating things using the stuff they have lying around.

The store sells recycled materials and things many people might consider junk: glass tubes, pipes, doodads, tubes, balls, clips, thingys, widgets, and more. It also sells time: you can rent the back room for $6.95 and use whatever materials are available there to create whatever you want without glue, stickers, string or wire.

It’s a great place to take the kids, preferably kids older than age 4, says owner Frank Knight.

Lots of parents take their kids there for parties. The shop also sells some retail items such as colored masking tape, beads and more.

Where: 19411 64th Ave. W, Lynnwood.

More info: 425-775-7959, www.creationstationinc.com

THE CREST THEATER, Shoreline:

Movie enthusiasts should know about the Crest Theater in Shoreline for its fun, cheap thrills.

The Crest has been a stable part of what is now the Ridgecrest neighborhood since it began operating in 1949. Although you won’t see new releases here, movie-goers need only pay $3 to see second-run movies.

The Crest experience can be enhanced by spending some of the money that may have otherwise been spent on the price of a ticket on a bag of assorted candy, fresh popcorn or a beverage. Arriving early can help patrons secure the best, most comfortable seats. Don’t be intimidated by long lines during the weekend. Parking is available across the street from the theater.

Where: 16505 5th Ave. NE., Shoreline.

More info: 206-363-6338, www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Seattle/CrestCinemaCenter.htm

FUNTASIA FAMILY FUN PARK, Edmonds:

As we wrote earlier this year, if you can’t find something fun to do here, you just aren’t trying hard enough.

With laser tag, bumper cars, a “Fun Fortress Playland,” and tons of video and arcade games – and all without an admission price – the place is a different sort of Winter Wonderland.

Games are priced individually, but are reasonable.

When the weather improves, Funtasia also has bumper boats in their outdoor pool and gas-powered go karts on their 20,000-square-foot banked track as well as baseball and softball hitting cages.

Where: 7212 220th St. SW, Edmonds.

More info: 425-775-2174, www.familyfunpark.com

SPIN ALLEY, Shoreline:

Bowling is still a fun activity for everyone and still relatively inexpensive. Spin Alley Bowling Center in Shoreline always offers open bowling in a smoke-free environment. Adults and youth can bowl $3 games before 5 p.m. and $4 games after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Open bowling prices are $4 per game on weekends for all ages. Shoes are $3.

Don’t be embarrassed, bumper bowling is available, too.

Where: 1430 NW. Richmond Beach Rd., Shoreline.

More info: 206-533-2345, www.spinalley.com

Cheap eats:

FRANZ BAKERY OUTLET STORE, Lynnwood:

With bread loaves soaring in price, why not stop by this Portland-based company’s outlet store and get a bargain? They offer focaccia and a variety of breads at prices well below what you’d pay at a grocery store, and most of the time, the bread is hard to distinguish from oven-fresh.

Where: 430 164th St. SW, Lynnwood.

More info: 425-743-5799.

SHELL CREEK GRILL, Edmonds:

A night out at downtown Edmonds’ posh Shell Creek Grill is priceless.

That’s not hyperbole, either, it’s literal: Priceless as in ‘Pay only what you can afford.’

In mid-October, co-owners Brian and Heidi Petoletti stopped charging for all non-alcoholic menu items, which means menu items like the full rack of lamb (which used to run you $32.50) or the grilled duck breast ($23.50) could, in theory, be free.

When the bill comes, the old prices are still printed on your check, but there’s no obligation to pay them. The Petoletti’s have found that most people do pay, though, and they’re collecting 95 percent of what they would have collected under the full-price system.

But the rules are the rules, and a mouth-watering list of appetizers and a splendid collection of entrees make the Shell Creek Grill a wonderful option for diners everywhere.

Where: 526 Main St., Edmonds.

More info: 425-775-4566, www.shellcreekgrill.com.

COLLEGE CAFE, Lynnwood:

Those with a taste for gourmet food, but without the required pocketbook, can find culinary bargains at Edmonds Community College during lunchtime.

The College Café, run by students in the Culinary Arts program, features creative menus designed and cooked by students. A recent menu, for example, offered ling cod with lemon buere blanc and crème brulee.

Entrees include soup or salad and range from $6-8.

There are also cheap pastries and desserts crafted by students in the college’s baking program. The Café has restaurant-style seating in a renovated building and is open 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., with the last seating at 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday in Brier Hall 105. Reservations are recommended. Call 425-640-1405.

The college also offers weekly breakfast buffets in the College Café that offer $2 omelets and low-priced pastries.

Where: 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.

More info: 425-640-1405.

Cheap living:

THE LIBRARY, Lynnwood.

The library? It’s not just books and cranky, bespectacled librarians anymore.

You can find just about anything at your local branch — from movies and music to computer software and free Internet access. What’s more, you don’t even have to be at the library to access materials; you can download movies, music and audio books on your home computer for free. All you need is a library card.

“Folks don’t know about that,” Mill Creek managing librarian Darlene Weber said. “I find something new every time I access our (the Sno-Isle Library System) collection of downloadable materials.”

Fans of old, black-and-white movies already know the library is a gold mine, but you’ll also find popular television shows, like “Lost,” and cult favorites like the Hercules adventure series that gave birth to “Xena Princess Warrior,” featuring New Zealand icon Lucy Lawless.

Don’t forget to check out the various library socials, either. Recent offerings? A “Twilight” party, a murder mystery dinner, movie nights and other activities.

If inexpensive entertainment is what you’re after, the library is a must-do.

Where: 19200 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood.

More info: 425-778-2148, www.sno-isle.org

THE CAMPUS SALON, Shoreline.

Looking for a way to refresh your look without the costly salon tab? Let Shoreline Community College cosmetology students cut or style your hair, give you a facial, a manicure and other beauty services.

The college runs a Campus Salon and Training Center in Shoreline where students sharpen their trade skills on customers for a reduced price.

Haircuts range from $10 for a cut-and-go to $22 if you want it heat styled. (Long or curly hair costs extra). Hair coloring ranges from $25 to $35, with foils at $50.

You can also get a scalp treatment ($14), perm ($30), manicure ($12-$21), European facial ($25), leg waxing ($25) and more.

The Campus Salon is at 910 N 160th St. at 160th St. and Linden in Shoreline, off of Aurora Avenue North.

The salon is open 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Where: 910 n. 160th St., Shoreline.

More info: 206-542-5056.

THE INTERNET, Everywhere:

OK, fine, it’s obvious. But don’t forget that while the Internet isn’t always the cheapest place to buy, it will usually help you save.

So don’t forget to check for Internet coupons before you buy.

Here are a few good Web sites that offer cheap coupons for major retailers and grocers:

• www.bargainist.com

• www.couponmom.com

• www.smartsource.com