Weekend Outlook - November 12-14, 2010

Economoms' recommendations for the best budget-conscious family activities in the Maryland region for the weekend of November 12-14:

Bobby Flay at Wegman's: Okay, so this one's for mom more than anyone else, but use it as an excuse to kill two birds with one stone .... grab your groceries for the weekend, while also checking out one of the most popular chefs in the U.S.! The event includes signings and FREE tastings of samples from his new book, "Bobby Flay's Throwdown! More Than 100 Recipes from Food Network's Ultimate Cooking Challenge." Wegman's in Hunt Valley, Friday, Nov. 12 at noon. Tickets are FREE but required.

Afternoon with Andy: This one's for the kids! Join children’s author/illustrator James Warhola for a special reading of his newest book Uncle Andy’s Cats. Following the reading, Warhola will autograph copies of his books. Before you leave, stop by the studio for special hands-on art-making activities, including a workshop on blotted line drawings, which Warhola's uncle, Andy Warhol, popularized in the 1950s. The Baltimore Museum of Art, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2-5 p.m. FREE!

All Aboard! Take a Mini Locomotive Steam Train Ride: This is your last opportunity of the 2010 season! And temperatures are forecasted to be mild this weekend ..... Do you need any more reason to visit Leakin Park with the fam and hop aboard their mini trains? There's also a picnic area if you want to make a full day out of it! Sunday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. FREE!