Northwest Arkansas moms, here’s another way to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping while giving back to boot! Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers is hosting The Giving Spree on Saturday, Nov. 15. For a $5 charitable donation you’ll receive a list stores participating in the sale that day.

It’s a great opportunity to support local community organizations while receiving exclusive savings from some of your favorite retail stores.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit thegivingspree.com and select the non-profit organization you’d like to support.

2. Make a secure online donation of at least $5 by Friday, Nov. 14 (Each donation is 100% tax deductible.)

3. Receive a list of exclusive offers from your favorite retailers that are only available on a special shopping day – November 15.

Click here to preview some of the great offers!

Thanks for the heads up, Shannon Jones!

You may have already noticed the signs along Walnut Ave. in Rogers, but just in case you didn’t, here’s the scoop: Linens N Things is going out of business - not just the Rogers store but the entire chain. At last check, most of the discounts were only about 10 to 40 percent off regular prices. But keep an eye on this sale, which will likely continue to offer deeper discounts as the final day of business approaches. (No word yet on when that last day will come.)

The day I scoped out the sale, the store was absolutely packed with shoppers. I asked the clerk if the chain was bought out by another company or competitor, but she said it was sold to a liquidation company. So it looks like “everything must go.” If you’re in the market for new sheets, towels, bath accessories, etc., you might want to keep this sale in mind and get there before all the good stuff is gone.

Wolf. Bosch. Thermador. Sub-Zero. Frigidaire. Viking. KitchenAid. These are just some of the brands to look for when you stop by Metro Builders Supply on Thursday to check out the sale prices on stoves, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers or other appliances. This private sale is technically for Metro Builders Supply’s preferred customers, but general manager Dave says we can invite Motherlode mamas to the store’s one-day only Semi-Annual Sale on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Consider yourself invited.

If you’re in the market for appliances, this is an awesome opportunity to find name-brand appliances at unpublished pricing levels. There are one-of-a-kind specials, scratch and dent, close-out, floor model clearance and warehouse clearance items available. PLUS no interest and no payments for 12 months on everything in the store (with approved credit, of course).

If you’re not able to stop by the store on Thursday, the sale will continue through Friday and Saturday (Nov. 7 & 8).

Metro Builders Supply is between Springdale and Lowell on U.S. 71B next to Lighting Emporium. You do not have to be a builder to shop there. It’s definitely mom-friendly and has a fabulous lay-out showcasing all the new appliances. The sales people know their products and offer great service. And did we mention the prices? Well, they’re always great, but this sale is downright unbeatable.

Speaking of the holidays, if you’re like the Motherlode mamas you get a thrill out of marking through all the names on your list in one fell swoop by buying everything in one place. If so, you’ll want to know about the ultimate shopping experience coming our way next month. The Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville (JARB) is sponsoring Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market 2008!

Specialized retailers from Northwest Arkansas and across the country will be selling their merchandise, so you’re sure to find something you can’t live without. There will also be a visit from the North Pole. Yep, Santa’s stopping by! That’s another thing to cross off your list: have a photographer take your child’s picture with Santa and you won’t have to make an extra trip. And the best part? The money we spend on tickets (only $5 bucks at the door and FREE for kids under 12) goes directly to the Junior Auxiliary’s service projects which benefit children in our community.

Here’s the vital information:

Location: Clarion Hotel and Convention Center

211 SE Walton Blvd. Bentonville, Ark.

Hours: Thursday, November 13: Noon to 8 p.m.

Friday, November 14: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, November 15: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets: $5 in advance or at the door

(Children under 12 are free)

Ticket Outlets: Kate Austin, Poor Richards, and B LaRue

For additional ticket information, call (479)256-9351 or www.jarb.org

The Junior Auxiliary of Rogers-Bentonville’s motto is “Care Today … Character Tomorrow”. JARB is a non-profit service organization dedicated to improving the community by addressing the needs of children, youth, and families through a variety of hands-on service projects. Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market is a major fund-raiser with all ticket proceeds supporting numerous service projects. For information on the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Inc., go to this website: www.najanet.org

Service projects include the following: Children’s Advocacy Center, Hygiene Packets, Head Start, Jason Foundation, Reading is Fundamental, Snackpacks for Kids (in partnership) and Scholarships

The national focus for 2008 is “Healthy Children, Healthy Futures”. For additional ticket information, call 479-256-9351.