Children's Christmas Event: Homestead Museum, Industry, Saturday, 12/1

 

www.homesteadmuseum.org

 

 

Holiday Sonata Event: Uptown Whittier, Saturday 12/1

 

www.WhittierUptown.org

When should you line up for Black Friday?

Thanksgiving is one week away and CBS news is reporting that people are already lining up for Black Friday sales. It's really early to line up for Black Friday. I'm sure many people who have never experienced the wonder of Black Friday wonder, "What time should I line up?"

Last year I took notes about how many people were in line at certain stores in the chance that it would be helpful to someone out there.

With the exception of Kohl's all the stores mentioned are in Montebello, CA.

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE 2011
 

Tuesday before Thanksgiving: people line up at Best Buy with tents.

Thanksgiving Day:

6pm: Toys R Us 25 people in line. At Sears there is 1 person in line.

8pm: Toys R Us ~200 people in line. Sears has 5 people in line. I drive by Best Buy and see a long line and the several cars pulling into the parking lot.

9pm: Toys R Us opens. A limited number of people are allowed in a time, see note below. At Sears 6 people are in line.

10pm: Sears 10 people in line. Line to enter Toys R Us continues.

11pm: Shops at Montebello Mall open its doors. Line to enter Toys R Us continues. At Best Buy the entire parking lot for the shopping center is full. Shoppers are parking in the street and searching for the end of the line to enter.

Midnight: The stores at the Shops at Montebello Mall open, thousands of people shop. Line to enter Toys R Us continues.

3:00: Line to enter Toys R Us is gone, customers can now walk in without waiting. I heard from others in line that there were what seemed like thousands of people waiting in line at Best Buy.

3:45: Sears opens 15 minutes early, 200+ are in line to enter, the store allows a limited number of customers in at a time.

5am: The Shops at Montebello Mall is nearly cleared out of shoppers, many stores stand empty with sales associates waiting in doorways armed with flyers about their current promotions.

6am: At Kohls in Alhambra, CA store has been open a few hours and I am able to leisurely browse the sales floor. The items I want are available and the line to pay takes 5 minutes.

7am: CVS opens. There are only two customers shopping the Black Friday sales. 

 

 

Black Friday Shopping 2011 was much more organized than in the past:

Toys R Us: Customers and allowed to enter at 9pm and as we enter a sales associate asks, “Who is here for the TV? Who is here for the Xbox?” Customers who reply, “Me!” are given a ticket to purchase the item and can go directly to the registers. Only a few hundred people are allowed to enter the store. When the store reaches capacity the line to enter is stopped and customers are allowed to enter only as customers exit. Inside some customers rush over to the crowded electronic section while others leisurely browse the aisles. The line to pay is clearly defined by tape marked on the floor. One sales associate has the job of standing at the end of the line holding balloons so customers can see where to line up. I was about #200 in line, I know exactly what I want, I'm one of the first ones at the main registers to pay and I'm out of the store by 9:15.

 

Sears:  A manager asked for customers that wanted appliances to enter first and stand in an appliance line. She then asked for the customers that wanted electronics and asked them to stand in an electronics line. In each line there were about 5 sales clerks, as many as there are registers, each associate is assigned to work with each one of us. When an associate finished working with a  customer they worked with the next customer in line. It was a very calm.

Shops at Montebello Mall: My sister went to the mall just after midnight. She said Macy's was packed with people, the shoe department was a nightmare, as was the kid's toy area upstairs. The big advertised specials were easily found in the center aisles. The rest of the mall was kind of empty, some stores just had regular sales, but nothing special. She didn't have any trouble finding a parking spot.  In 2010 the Disney Store had a line to enter and the line to check out at the Children's Place was 45 minutes long.

Benefit from my experience and read my TOP 10 BLACK FRIDAY TIPS here.

 

Thanksgiving 2012: Montebello Pie Price Comparision Chart



Just in time for Thanksgiving! I've compiled a price comparison of the most popular pies available at restaurants in Montebello.
 

 

 

Pies at Broaster Kitchen.

IKEA: Black Friday Weekend, Toys 50% off!

IKEA is hosting a Black Friday sales weekend.

Here are my two favorite sales:

 

My kids love playing in any tent like contraption. They make tents out of the couch cushions and blankets at least once a week. The circus tent at over 3 feet wide and 4 feet high is roomy enough for a couple of kids to play inside. For only $8, it's a great gift for families with 2 or more children. The price is only available on Sunday, 11/25.

 

The soft toys were on sale for 50% off from Friday, 11/23 though Sunday, 11/25. I absolutely adore the IKEA soft toys. All are designed for imaginative play. There are puppets, play sets, stuffed animals, dress up hats, and dolls. This is a good time to shop for Christmas presents but also for any birthdays for the coming year. My personal favorite is the DUKTIG set of play food. There are five sets of play food, a fruit basket, vegetable basket, breakfast set, dessert set, and a fish set. All are on sale for $4 each. To see all the toys and soft toys IKEA offers, click here.

 

Play Food Sets from the DUKTIG collection at IKEA. Only $4 a set on Black Friday weekend.

 

For shoppers spending $100 or more at IKEA on Black Friday weekend, stop and have a meal in the restaurant. Save your restaurant receipt and the price of the meal will be deducted from your total at the register.

 

 

I love IKEA, not only for their sales but for how the store is family friendly. I see a trip to IKEA as a free fun family outing. To read about my previous trips to IKEA, read my previous post here. 

 

 

Free Diabetes Health Screening with $5 CVS Bonus!

Local CVS pharmacies are hosting Diabetes Awareness Events throughout the Los Angeles area.

Participants will receive glucose, blood pressure, and BMI testing, along with nutrition assessments, and consultations with health care professionals.

All participants will receive a $5 coupon redeemable at CVS pharmacies!

Click here for more information about the event.

Local health screenings are available at CVS pharmacies in Whittier, Downey, Montebello, and Pico Rivera. More screenings are available, check the calendar for dates, times and addresses.

Montebello Ponytail Girls Softball League: Sign up Information

New Play Area at the Shops at Montebello Mall!

Wow! The Shops at Montebello is remodeling the play area!

 

Sponsored by the Montebello Bus Lines the new play area will feature a replica Montebello Bus, a hybrid car, and other "green" elements for ages 4 and under to enjoy all year round.

 

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony, lemonade, face painting, balloon art, and free giveaways to the first 500 children.

 

The Grand Opening celebration is on Saturday, Dec. 1 @ 1:00PM.

 

Bingo at Don Bosco: Every Saturday Night

Community Rummage Sale: OLMM Church, Saturday, 11/10

Community Rummage Sale

Saturday, November 10

7:30AM - 3:30PM

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church Parking Lot

820 N. Garfield Avenue, Montebello

Shop or sell. Spaces are available for rent, call 323-725-7578, x313 for information.

Gift Card + Free Groceries Offer: Albertsons

Get a coupon for $5 in groceries when you purchase any multi-pack of gift cards at Albertsons.

Multi-packs range in cost from $30-$60. A coupon for $5 off your next grocery purchase will print out with your receipt at purchase. Last day to get this promotion is Monday, 11/12/12. The $5 off coupon expires one week after being issued.

Albertsons carries multi-pack gift cards for:

Applebees, Chilis, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, Starbucks, McDonalds, Cold Stone, iTunes, Best Buy, Game Stop, Regal Cinemas, AMC Theatres, Fandango, Visa, and MasterCard.

Trick or Treat: The Citadel Outlets, Wednesday 10/31

Trick-or-Treat

@

The Citadel

Wednesday, October 31

4:00 - 7:00 PM

 

Halloween Trick-or-Treat at the Shops at Montebello Mall, 10/31

Trick-or-Treat

@ 

The Shops at Montebello Mall 

Wednesday, October 31

5:00-8:00pm

"Join us for safe and spooky fun this Halloween. Fill your favorite treat bag with goodies from participating stores, while supplies last. Note: Please no masks. Guests will be asked to remove them."

I have a friend who has only taken her kids trick-or-treating at the mall. She says she loves it and feels that the kids are safe.

Wreck-It Ralph Event: Disney Store: Saturday, 10/27

Halloween @ Build-A-Bear: 10/26-10/28

 

Stop by Build-a-Bear Friday, October 26 - Sunday, October 28 for a Fruit Roll Up snack and a little fun!

Halloween Event: Montebello YMCA, Saturday, 10/27

Halloween Freebies for Kids @ CVS! Sunday, 10/21

Take your kids in costume to any CVS store this Sunday. An associate will take their picture and print it out with a fun Halloween border. Make a purchase and CVS will give each child a Halloween goodie bag too!

Sunday, October 21

1:00 - 3:00PM

CVS

Meet Gold Medal Olympic Water Polo Champions: Shops at Montebello, Sunday, 10/21

Congratulate the Gold Medal winning athletes!

Meet members of the U.S. Women's Water Polo team!

Sunday, October 21

2:00 - 3:30pm

Shops at Montebello

Bring your camera for photo opportunities, bring anything you want signed. All kids will receive a "gold" medal!

Lego Creationary Event: Toys R Us, Saturday, 10/20

Lego Creationary Event

Toys R Us

Saturday, October 20

Noon-2pm

 

Usually these events have a free giveaway such as a sample of the toy, a coupon, or poster. 

 Can you guess the creations in the photo? Answers are on the bottom of the post.

 

 

 

 

 

Giraffe, television, go-kart, stature of liberty, submarine.

Free Tinkerbell Craft Event: Jo-Ann Stores, Saturday, 10/20

 

This event was posted on the bottom of a Disney Movie Rewards email.

 

Visit http://www.joann.com/halloween for Halloween costume ideas

and click the link for a 50% off any regular priced item coupon.

Pumpkin Decorating @ Clearman's North Woods Inn: Saturday, 10/20

Pumpkin Decorating

Clearman's North Woods Inn

Saturday, October 20

Noon - 2pm

Free pumpkins and decorating supplies for kids while they last. No carving involved.

7247 Rosemead Blvd

San Gabriel

626-286-3579

Free Yogurt! Yogurtland Grand Opening: Monterey Park, Saturday 10/20

 

Free Yogurt from 11am-2pm & 8pm-11pm.

 

Yogurtland

Atlantic Square (Ralphs, Rite-Aide, Big5)

2102 S. Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park

323-722-8525

Halloween Celebration: Uptown Whittier, Saturday 10/27

Dia de los Muertos: Uptown Whittier, Sunday, 10/14

 

Dia de los Muertos Art & Music Festival

Uptown Whittier

Sunday, October 14th

10AM - 5PM

Miramar Air Show: Friday, 10/12 - Sunday, 10/14

 MIRAMAR AIR SHOW

 

Friday, October 12 - Sunday, October 14, 2012

8:00AM - 4:00PM

Twilight Show: Saturday 5:30-9:00PM

 

Free Admission
Admission, parking and blanket seating are FREE. "Blanket seating" means an open paved area where attendees can stand or sit on their own blankets or lawn chairs.

 

There is FREE Grandstand Bleacher Seating and Seating Discounts for all other preferred seating areas for Active Duty, Retirees, Reservists and their immediate families and Miramar DoD Civilians.

 

 

Click here for full schedule.

For directions, click here.

 

 

Albertsons Gift Card Offer: $20 in Free Groceries!

Albertsons' Gift Card Offer:  Purchase $100 in Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kohls, Applebees, or Starbucks(?) and get a $20 off groceries coupon!

 

Valid Friday 10/12 - Sunday 10/14 only. Limit one $20 coupon per transaction.

 

 

 

I'm planning on picking up the Kohl's card. I can pair it with the $10 off of any $30 purchase that comes attached to the newspaper or the Kohl's cash offer and extended my $100 as far as possible!

 

Beyblade Event: Toys R Us, 10/6

These events are fun for the kids. Usually they can finish all the activities in less than half an hour and there are usually some coupons or other freebies to go along with the event. For details click here.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Noon-2pm

 

Lego Bricktober, FREE LEGOS! Toys R Us: 10/27

These events are fun for the kids. Usually they can finish all the activities in less than half an hour and for this Lego event kid get to take home free Legos! For details click here.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Noon-2pm

 

Nickelodeon Activity Day: Toys R Us, 10/13

These events are fun for the kids. Usually they can finish all the activities in less than half an hour and there are usually some coupons or other freebies to go along with the event. For details click here.

 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Noon-2pm

 

 

 

 

Shop @ Christmas Boutique: Bosco Tech, 12/2

 

There are about 25 vendors.

The entrance to the craft fair is around the back.

 

 

Don Bosco Technical Institute

1151 San Gabriel Blvd.

Rosemead, CA 91770

 

 

 

Caine's Arcade Play Day: Boyle Heights, 10/6

GLOBAL DAY OF PLAY @ Caine's Arcade

 

Saturday, October 6

11-5pm

538 N Mission Rd, Boyle Heights

 

Last year a flash mob assembled to surprise Caine, a nine-year-old boy, who created several arcade games out of cardboard in his father's auto parts shop. You can watch the video here.

Since then a scholarship fund has been created to send Caine to college and Caine's Arcade has garnered worldwide notoriety.

This Saturday, October 6, on the one year anniversary of the flash mob, a Global Day of Play will be celebrated at Caine's Arcade.

The event will feature:

• DIY Cardboard Building for Kids and Adults
• LA Mayor and Caine will help open the Arcade around 1pm
• Caine's Arcade Games + New Games by Visiting Kids Designers
• $2 All Day Funpass to play Cardboard Games (500 turns!)
• Cardboard Art Gallery of awesome artists (curated by the Do ArT Foundation)
• Build a Giant Cardboard Labrynth
• Santa Monica Youth Orchestra with Homemade Instruments!
• DIY cardboard making workshops with Sidestreet Projects
• 3pm Participate in our 'Hi-Five' Parade for the Kids!

The event is free and open to the public, with the Mayor giving Caine a Cardboard Key to the City around 1pm.

Cowboy Event for Little Kids: Homestead Museum, 10/17

Athletic Wear Sample Sale, Great Prices: 10/5-10/7

Now open Friday 10/5 - Sunday 10/7!

This sample sale is awesome! Sizes from infant though adult XXL. Great quality clothing at low affordable prices. Athletic wear, hoodies, t-shirts, yoga pants, shorts, and more.  Very well organized. Cash and credit accepted. Located near the Montebello Metrolink station, ample parking.

The Hook Up Internet Cafe and Resource Center: Montebello

Nestled at the corner of Whittier Blvd and 10th Street is a newly opened resource center to serve the community. The Hook Up Internet Cafe & Resource Center offers resume assistance, job search services, textbook loan, study area, art and music sessions, Internet access, computers, and printing.

The center is run by Esperanza Ortega and William Valenzuela, an engaged couple who while participating in the Occupy movement at E.L.A.C. last year found that many students were homeless. Wanting to do something to assist their fellow students started the resource center.

There is no cost to use any of the services and special assistance is given to veterans and the homeless. The couple freely offers anything that individuals or families may need including food and clothing.

Currently the Hook Up is funded out of pocket by Ortega and Valenzuela who are in the process of acquiring non-profit status for the center. Monetary donations as well as donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, baby formula, children's books, textbooks, as well as clothing and shoes for adults, children, and babies are welcomed.

The Hook Up Internet Cafe & Resource Center

923 W. Whittier Blvd, Montebello

Monday-Saturday 8AM - 10PM

323-516-6382

 

 

St. Raymond's Halloween Carnival: Downey, October 26-28

 

12348 Paramount Blvd, Downey, 90242

For more information click here.

Free Legoland Tickets with Tire Purchase

If you are in the market for new tires for your car, you may want to get an estimate at American Tire Depot. They are offering 4 tickets to Legoland with the purchase of 4 new tires. Offer valid through October 31, 2012.

Single day admission to Legoland is $75 for adults, and $65 for children.

 

American Tire Depot

617 Whittier Blvd, Montebello

323-722-7462

www.americantiredepot.com

 

Job Fair: Commerce, Wednesday, 9/26

 

 

More than 100 retail and non-retail businesses hiring full and part-time employees were invited to the event, which attracted over 5,000 job seekers last year. Interviews may be scheduled on-the-spot and applicants should dress for success, with plenty of updated resumes on hand.

 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

10:00 - 2:00pm

Located at the Citadel Outlets

For more information call 323-887-4461

Dodger Ticket Giveaway!!!

Visit my Montebello Mom Facebook page for a chance to win 4 tickets to a Dodger game!

 

The giveaway goes live on Friday, 9/21 around 2pm!

Consignment Sale: Burbank, 9/20-9/23

I've never participated in a consignment sale but my friend, Yvonne, buys and sells at this sale.

 

She said that the sellers set the prices and the last day of the sale, many sellers mark their items for half price. Yesterday Yvonne bought a really great bed for her daughter that came with an attached bookshelf, bed frame, and mattress for only $110.

 

If you can make your way over to Burbank this weekend, you can pick up a Halloween costume, clothes for babies through teens, toys, and more for your kids that will beat any price you can find in retail stores!

 

 

lakidsconsignment.com

Harvest Moon Festival: Aracadia, Sunday, 9/23

 

 

 

 

Route 66 Rendezvous, Car Show: San Bernadino, 9/13-9/16

Route 66 Rendezvous

Friday, 9/14, 6-8pm

Saturday, 9/15, 10am - 9pm

Sunday, 9/16, 10am - 4pm

Classic car show and crusing along the streets of San Bernadino on Route 66. The free event encompasses 35 blocks of downtown and includes a Family Fun Zone, live bands, viewing of hundreds of classic cars, and free parking.

Click here to see a google map of the area.

Kids Eat Free Olive Garden Coupon: Hurry! Expires 9/16!

Get a taste of Italy this week with a Kids Eat Free coupon for Olive Garden.

The coupon expires Sunday, September 16 and is valid for two free kid meals, one meal per adult entree.

 

Olive Garden has five kid meal options on their menu. Check out the menu here.

Click here for the coupon!

Fiesta Patrias: Mexican Independence Day Celebrations

 

 

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at one of these family friendly events:

Fiesta Patrias Celebration

Friday, September 14

6:00 - 11:00 PM

Town Center Hall

11740 E. Telegraph Road

Santa Fe Springs, CA
562-692-0261

 

Mexican Independence Festival

Saturday & Sunday, 9/15-9/16

10:00AM - 10:00PM

El Pueblo de Los Angeles: Olvera Street