The Savvy Shopper

What a beautiful day! The snow is melting and it seems as if Spring is trying its best to make an appearance.

With Spring right around the corner (hopefully!), now's the time to think about gardening. Many of the local nurseries and home improvement stores have their seeds for fruits and vegetables already available. If you're not one who likes to start from scratch, how about small fruit trees and plants ready for planting!

* The 2010 Rutherford County 4-H Small Fruit Sale is currently underway with orders due in to the Rutherford County Extension Office by Friday, March 5th. This year they are offering a wide variety of blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, grapes and apple trees.

For more information or to download an order form, visit http://www.rutherford.ces.ncsu.edu/ or call 828-287-6011. Plants may be picked up Wednesday, March 24 from 2-5 pm or Thursday, March 25 from 9:00 am -5:30 pm at the Farmers Market area on Fairgrounds Road.

* "March Madness" is in full swing at Fireside Books and Gifts. With each purchase you make during the month of March, you will receive an entry into their March month-end drawing for a $30 gift certificate! For more info on weekly specials and store events, visit them on FaceBook at Fireside Books and Gifts or on the web at http://www.firesidebooksandgifts.com/.

You can get started with your purchases by attending a reception for bestselling author J.T. Ellison on Friday evening, March 5th from 6-8:00 pm. Ms. Ellison is the critically acclaimed author of the Taylor Jackson (she's Nashville's equivalent to TV's Dexter!) series and was named "Best Mystery/Thriller Writer of 2008" by the Nashville Scene. Her latest release "Cold Room" will be available for purchase!

*Many of us are already beginning to think about Spring Cleaning (ugh!). So... here are some thoughts on that subject!

- New telephone books are now being delivered - so what to do with the old ones? Remember to place these outdated books in the "Paper" recycle bin for your trash pick-up or at the convenience centers. I use a large storage tub to place all my newspaper, cardboard, magazines and catalogs in. A quick "recycling center" can be made by using a wire storage rack that has at least two shelves. Then use storage tubs with lids and label them for plastic, paper, aluminum, etc. The tubs fit on the storage rack shelves nicely and you have an inexpensive, attractive recycling center!

- If you have something too good to throw away, but don't have any use for the item, why not advertise it on Rutherfordfreecycle! This is a website service set up for the trading of free items such as furniture, firewood, childrens' clothes, etc. Simply sign-up as a member by going to http://www.rutherfordfreecycle.com/ and follow the instructions. Surrounding counties such as Polk County have similar sites, as this is a nationwide program.

* Kid's Computer Corner will have an Open House event on Saturday, March 6th at 10:00 am. Located at the Union Mills Learning Center at 6495 Hudlow Road, the "Corner" will be open from 10-12:00 each Saturday. For more information, contact Loyce at 828-287-2191.

A BIG "THANKS" goes out to Tom Roberson of City Computer in Forest City for all his help in making this happen!

* Another rather unique recycling event taking place - The Town of Spindale has set up a recycling station in the Spindale House where residents can go and trade or recycle their current house numbers for new house numbers. The majority of residents in the town have been given new house numbers as a result of the E-911 system. In order to ease the burden of homeowners having to purchase new numbers, a resident suggested a recycling of existing numbers. What a great idea! Residents can trade house numbers at the Spindale House during normal operating hours. For more information, call 286-3466 or 286-3716.

If there is an event, new store opening, store special, etc. that you'd like me to mention in my blog, please send the information to me at bwatson@rutherfordncedc.com