Sebastopol Regional Library is holding their annual Fall Book Sale Wednesday, September 14th to Saturday, September 17th in the Forum Room at the library. The sale will include used books, antique books, records, CDs, DVDs, sheet music, cassettes, and more. On Friday everything will be 50% off, and Saturday will be $5 per bag of books.

Note: The sale will not include pocket-sized paperbacks or children’s books.

*Sale Dates

The Just Between Friends kids & maternity consignment event is coming up again starting Thursday September 8th and running till Sunday September 11th.  The first day is dedicated to a select group of people including military families, teachers, first-time parents & grandparents, and adoptive or foster families.  But the last three days are open to the public.  See the schedule for each day’s special events and times.

This is one of my most favorite family consignment events, and every year it grows larger in size.  Of course, it’s easy to also get overwhelmed because the sale is so huge.  So to help us out in getting the most out of this sale, I’m turning this blog over to Jennifer Hundley, a local mom here in Sonoma County AND the co-founder of the Northbay’s Just Between Friends sale event.

Tips to Getting the Most out of the Fall/Back to School Just Between Friends Kids & Maternity Consignment Event
by Jennifer Hundley

Preschool started one week too early in our household.  Digging thru my three-year-old’s closet revealed shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, pants two inches too short and more shorts!  Reality is, the Just Between Friends Fall/Back to School event this week can’t come fast enough (Sept. 9-11).  If you haven’t been to a JBF sale, get ready to be ABSOLUTELY FLOORED!  Imagine 27,000 square feet packed with bargains on clothes, toys, books, games, DVD’s, outdoor equipment, boutique items and well, just about everything you can imagine you might need for your growing family.  This isn’t just an event for preschoolers, but for expecting moms, babies, kids and preteens and it only rolls around twice a year.

Here’s my top 8 tips to maximize your children’s and maternity consignment sales event:

*Bring a List – 27,000 square feet full of 55,000+ items can be overwhelming. Look in your kids’ closets to see what they already have and what they need. The bargains are just too good.  Last thing you want is to get home only to realize you forgot to pick up rain boots or a warm jacket. Make sure you know your kids measurements (waist, inseam, dress length, arm length) and shoe size.

*Volunteer – Want first crack at the best selection and biggest bargains?  All you have to do is volunteer a few hours of your time and you’ll earn a pass to shop early!

*Head Straight to the Big Items 1st – These tend to go fast and you stand to save the most money on nursery furniture, strollers, bassinettes, pack n plays, bikes, car seats, etc.  Next check out the toys, bedding, books and DVD’s before scouting out the clothing.  The clothing is amazing, but there’s always racks and rack to peruse after you’ve laid claim to the big-ticket items.

*Holidays – think it’s too early to shop the holidays?  Think again…Halloween is next month.  Pick your little monster up a pumpkin outfit.  Why break the bank this holiday season? You can always find brand new and gently used toys, books, DVD’s, etc.

*Use that smart phone – Want to know if that BOB stroller really is a steal?  Free apps such as RedLaser allow you to scan the original barcode providing you with pricing and other helpful information.  I found a new Ergo carrier still in the box for 50% off at the last sale!  I wouldn’t have known what a bargain I was getting without this nifty (and fun!) technology!

*Shopping Bags/“Vessels” – Be green.  Bring a re-usable bag (or bags) to shop and to bring your bargains home in.  Laundry baskets with a belt or rope work great to pull your items instead of carrying them.

*Be Flexible & Plan Enough Time to Shop – Carve out some time to shop. Don’t put yourself in a rush or you may get frustrated. JBF is a big sale and you may have to wait in line to check out.  Be sure and wear comfy shoes!

Book the Sitter – You may find it easier to shop this event without your children.  If you must bring your kiddos, be sure and bring snacks and drinks for them.  The sale can be overwhelming to kids.

First time moms, grandparents, adoptive or foster parents, teachers/daycare providers/homeschool teachers and military all get to shop the presale.  SCORE!  However, if you want first dibs on some of those items like kids’ furniture or boutique clothing, you might consider volunteering.

Last sale I overheard a mom on her cell phone telling her friend “It’s just like Black Friday, but the deals are even better!”  This put a smile on my face as this is exactly how I feel about Just Between Friends!

Here’s a link to register:  www.jbfsale.com/northbay.  Got any helpful tips?  Did you find any great bargains at the last sales?  I’d love to hear about them, so do share!

Jennifer Hundley and her husband Matt organize the Just Between Friends North Bay events.  Jen is a native Sonoma County resident and a mom to a three and a half year old.  She and her husband are proud to serve their community via their consignment events and by volunteering for their local Active 20-30 service club.  When not working or volunteering, you’ll find Jen and her husband running after the seagulls in Bodega or playing at Howarth Park with their son!

The Just Between Friends Sale will be held at the Hall of Flowers building at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.  See the schedule for each day’s special events and times.

To see photos of past Just Between Friends sales, click here.  Here are some from previous events:

Shorts and capris are on sale at Nicole's

Nicole’s Fashion Boutique – 50% off all capris and shorts this Friday to Sunday. Take advantage of sales on brands like Rock Revival, MEK, and Lucky Brand. Selected other merchandise will also be discounted. 7 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma

Wee Three Children’s Store – Not exactly a Labor Day sale, but it is an ongoing sale through September 10th. The popular children’s store is clearing out the summer merchandise with a Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale! But you’ll want to get their fast to get the best deals. 1007 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa

Sonoma Silver Co – The store of some of the prettiest jewelry I’ve seen is holding a Trunk Show on Labor Day Weekend, showcasing silver jewelry from Bali, Italy, Thailand, and India. As usual, it’s held in the back courtyard, and will be filled with exquisite wholesale adornments. 491 1st St W, Sonoma

Friedman’s Home Improvement – Labor Day is being celebrated in a huge way by clearing out some of the summer merchandise. There are discounts on Ball jars, canning tools, screen doors, and compost crocks. My favorite discount? 50% off selected patio furniture! 4055 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa

Know of any other great deals for this weekend? Leave it in the comments!

Petaluma Regional Library is holding a Book Sale today (Tuesday) through Saturday, August 20th.  Today is Children’s Sale Day with the regular sale held from 2-4:55pm, and the half price sale going from 5-6pm.  General Sale days are Wednesday, August 17th (4-8pm), Thursday August 18th (10am-5pm), and Friday August 19th (10am-5pm).  New books will be added daily through Friday.  Saturday August 20th is Deal Day where all books are half price from 10am-3pm, and bags of books will be going for $2 from 3:10pm-5pm.

Cupcake, that trendy boutique for little ones and mamas-to-be, are clearing out their summer inventory in preparation for their autumn lines. So what does that mean for you? Awesome savings on some of the most adorable clothing out there! All spring clothing, shoes, and accessories are 30% off Friday August 12th – Sunday August 14th. Even maternity tops are making their way into the sale. But three days is not a long time to save some dough on your favorite designers, so be sure to head on over to either the Healdsburg store (107 Plaza St, Healdsburg) or the Santa Rosa store before closing time on Sunday (641 Fourth St, Santa Rosa).

What are you waiting for?  Go get adorable!

The sale has become a tradition in downtown Petaluma, and this will be it’s 28th year celebrating great deals and retail therapy. Saturday July 23rd, the one-of-a-kind stores all over Petaluma will be featured and highlighted, offering discounts of up to 80%.  The sale takes place on Kentucky St, Fourth St, Western Ave, Petaluma Blvd, the Golden Eagle Shopping Center, 2nd Street, the Theater District, and the stores in Putnam Plaza.  Participating stores will be marked by pink balloons.

See website for a list of participating vendors.

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma is holding a major Fourth of July sale that is sure to have your home blooming with beauty. All plants are 25% off from July 1st – July 4th! That includes all fruit trees, perennials, annuals, succulents, veggies, and more! So shower your home with some gorgeous foliage, hold a garden party amidst colorful blossoms, or have your veggie garden teeming in abundance. Honestly, can you ever have too many plants? And can you ever have enough?

If you have kids (or if you’re a big kid yourself), you are no doubt familiar with the fun and amusement park at Scandia Family Fun Center in Rohnert Park. This is the only place like it in Sonoma County – offering mini golf, arcade games and activities, batting cages, bumper boats, bumper cars, an Indy raceway, and food all in one location. It’s the perfect place to hold a birthday party, or to just have a place to take the family for some serious fun. And to make things even better, they’ve done away with tokens and started a points system that allows you to do everything with the swipe of a card. For example, 72 points will get you a ride on the Indy raceway, arcade games range from 1-10 points, and 20 points will get you 20 pitches at the batting cages.

And now with ShopSoCoDeals you can get 200 points at 50% off – only $10! But act fast, because this deal will only last through Tuesday June 28th.

I really can’t knock Big Lots. There is no hidden agenda that their main objective is to mark the lowest price possible on cheap stuff and sell as much of it as they can. From Made for TV products, to baby bibs, to hair brushes, toothpaste, and spray bottles – some things just don’t need to be high end to be totally functional. The store might not be in the most organized fashion, but it’s the place to go if you’re looking for the best deal possible. And let’s face it, why pay $20 for something at the grocery store when you can get it for 75% less at Big Lots?

Big Lots, who has a store on Mendocino Ave in Santa Rosa, is opening a new store in Rohnert Park come this November. It will be located at 575-605 Rohnert Park Expressway, neighbored by PetSmart and FoodMaxx in a space that was once occupied by a Sears furniture store several years ago.

Do you shop Big Lots? In your opinion, what is the best things to shop for there?

By now your kids have started singing the “I’m Bored Blues” as they experience some time off from school during summer break. And like most parents, you’ve probably run out of ways to entertain them a week into vacation.

How about taking them to Pump It Up in Santa Rosa?

Pump It Up has private indoor arenas filled with inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. The bounce area is well supervised with staff, and sanitized regularly. A favorite feature is “Pop-In Playtime” where you and the kids can drop by without any advance notice for some jumping fun Monday thru Friday, 10:00am to 11:30am or 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Weather too hot outside? Or maybe it’s unseasonably rainy? Perhaps there just really is nothing to do. Save yourself from having to hear another rendition of those “I’m Bored Blues” by taking the kids to Pump It Up.

Right now, ShopSoCoDeals.com is offering a discount of more than 50% on play time at Pump It Up.   For $10, you can receive 3 general admissions to use their facilities for 1 ½ hours of indoor play. Your child can bring two friends, or they can jump to their heart’s content in three separate visits.

To get your ShopSoCo Deal, CLICK HERE, or go to ShopSoCoDeals.com.