I'll agree with that- had a friend get married in the Dominican years back and out of the ones I tried, the Dominican cigars were the best. I liked it better than the $20 forbidden one that I may or may not have purchased.
I ended up with a Garmin Viofit (probably misspelled that) at the wife's office Christmas gift exchange/lunch. After four days of wearing it, I believe it's telling me I'm going to die soon. These things weren't designed for people with desk jobs. Or comfy couches.
Does Highland Hardware still offer classes on various topics? A couple years ago I really wanted to take a wood turning course.
Uncle Google found it: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woodworking-workshops-seminars.aspx
Find a local steel fabricator and ask if you can dig in their recycle bin. Should be cheap metal in various thickness. But the prices are usually pretty small..