Hey, mamas, don’t forget that Rhea Lana’s Spring Children’s Consignment Sale is coming up this weekend! Here’s the schedule:

• Thursday, March 4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (half-price sale)

The sale has everything from children’s clothing (ages infant through pre-teen), maternity clothing, children’s furniture, baby equipment, indoor and outdoor toys for all ages, children’s books, DVDs, video games and game systems (Wii, Play Station, XBox, Leapster, etc), puzzles, sporting equipment, and more.

And there’s a new consignment sale happening in Fayetteville this week! The Small World Kids Consignment Sale will be March 3, 4, 5 & 6. It’s at a great, convenient location in Spring Creek Center (corner of Joyce Blvd. and Mall Ave. next to Family Christian Stores). www.smallworldsale.com

• Wednesday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, March 4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., half-price sale
• Saturday, March 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., half-price sale

This story hit the evening news one day last week, but we wanted to publish it here in case you missed that report. There’s a new federal program that encourages consumers to replace their appliances. (It’s sort of like “Cash for Clunkers,” only this time it’s fridges, washers and hot water heaters.) If you’re in the market for a new appliance, you’ll want to know about this and take advantage of the cost-savings.

Here’s how it works: Customers must replace an existing unit with an eligible “ENERGY STAR” appliance from a participating retailer. (Metro Appliances & More is a participating retailer. Click here to see where they’re located.) The retailer will haul away the unit that you’re replacing and provide proof it was hauled away.

The idea behind the program is to help families save money, protect the environment, stimulate the economy and create jobs. Go to www.arkansasenergy.org to read more about it.

Here’s a list of appliances involved with this program:

• Refrigerator (rebate of $125)

• Clothes washer (rebate of $175)

• Hot water heaters (gas storage, gas condensing, gas tankless, heat pump) (Rebate of $200)
  

Program rules:

Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocated program funds are depleted. First-come, first-served status will be determined by the date the application arrives at the rebate fulfillment center. (That means you better mail it in QUICKLY so you can get your rebate check.)

Purchaser must be an Arkansas residential consumer, supplying a home address. (Business customers aren’t eligible.)

Households are limited to one rebate per appliance category per household.

Purchase must be made during rebate offer period.

Appliances must be installed within Arkansas state boundaries.

Only ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators, clothes washers and select hot water heaters at the stated rebate levels are eligible. Qualifying units must be listed on the ENERGY STAR website. (Click here to see it.)

Rebates are only available for replacement of existing units with new qualifying appliances.

Purchase must be made from a participating Arkansas retail location or participating vendor (like a licensed plumber.) Online purchases not allowed.

Rebate forms must be completely and accurately filled out and accompanied by proof-of-purchase and documentation from a participating retailer that the replaced unit was HAULED AWAY. Customers can also show proof of recycling in lieu of documentation from a participating retailer that the replaced unit was hauled away.

Rebate applications must be postmarked (postal mail) or submitted (electronically) within 30 days of purchase.

If you have any questions about how the program works, talk to anyone on staff at Metro Appliances & More. (Dave Wicklund is the store manager.) Their phone number is 479-750-2200.

Happy appliance shopping!

It’s Rhea Lana’s time! The Spring Children’s Consignment Sale is March 4-6 at John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers.

Main Sale Days Hours:

• Thursday, March 4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 5, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (half-price sale)

If you’re a mom-to-be, you can go HERE and get a pre-sale pass for Wednesday, March 3, from 6 to 10 p.m.

If you have spring and summer items to sell, the Rhea Lana’s website has been updated and is ready to go. They’re only accepting the first 50,000 items, so get moving if you’re interested (click here for more info).

If it’s your first time to get involved, they accept children’s clothing (ages infant through pre-teen), maternity clothing, children’s furniture, baby equipment, indoor and outdoor toys for all ages, children’s books, DVDs, video games and game systems (Wii, Play Station, XBox, Leapster, etc), puzzles, sporting equipment, and more. And for those new to shopping this huge resale, now you know the types of things you’ll be able to buy! It’s always so much fun to buy cute clothes, equipment and toys without breaking the bank. This is an upscale children’s consignment event business and they always make sure the resale items are top-quality.

BONUS: They’re adding two more computers to have six check-out lanes for faster purchasing.

Also good to know, Rhea Lana recently launched its new website! Check out the new, updated look at www.rhealana.com. Click on the cute picture at right to see what’s happening with Rhea Lana’s on Facebook.

FYI, if you want to earn the ability to shop first–so you get the best selection and the best bargains –you can always volunteer. They also need some volunteer husbands to help Moms-To-Be carry heavy items and help with security on Pre-Sale Night. (The two of you could work a shift together to equal two shifts.) If you volunteer to help sort on Saturday, you will also get your $9 Consignor participation fee returned.

Sign up online at www.nwa.rhealana.com then click on ‘Workers Needed’ to choose your favorite shifts on the schedule. Volunteer one shift for a Worker’s Pass or two shifts for an Early Worker’s Pass.

Rhea Lana’s consignment sales started13 years ago in Conway, Ark. It’s named after the founder and mama to three, Rhea Lana Riner. Today, Rhea Lana’s sales have expanded into nine states with a presence in multiple cities.

Have fun consigning, shopping or both! We’ll see you at John Q. Hammons soon!

Just a few more shopping days ’til Christmas, mamas! Why not make those last few gifts memorable — and local — for the special people who will receive them.

On Friday and Saturday, Ultra Studios (owned by designer Brooke Benham) at  118 W. South St. in Fayetteville will feature gifts from various local, independent designers at an exclusive Holiday Shopping Event. From gorgeous jewelry to yummy soaps to fashionable designs, check out some of the great handmade gifts you’ll have to choose from:

Ultra Studios Exclusive Holiday Shopping Event from Scribe Marketing on Vimeo.