Clear the Air is a recycling program which will give you $$ and more for getting rid of older cars, 1998 and older.  If you turn them in, you will receive 12 consecutive months of public transit and a refund of up to $1500 on a more energy efficient vehicle – or other rewards. The vehicle has to be bought at a participating Honda or Toyota dealer and is on cars up to 4 years old.

www.cleartheairprogram.org
Tel: 888-819-7330

In addition of receiving the offer of Clear the Air!, you could get extra credit from the Quebec’s government which offers a tax credit for the purchase or lease of a vehicle with a low fuel consumption or a fully electric car. If an eligible person buys or leases for a long-term period (minimum 12 continuous months) a recognized green vehicle before January 1st 2012,  they  may claim a refundable tax credit. Get all the information on the Québec’s income tax site for the year 2011.

Credit information available for subsequent years (2012 +) are on the Web site “Running on green power!”
http://www.vehiculeselectriques.gouv.qc.ca/english/pdf/action-plan.pdf

Aliments Papillon Foods, a by-the-pound store, now has a spacious, renovated, and enlarged store. They were so clever when they re-did their bins because they tagged the items with special diet labels:  wheat-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, sugar-free, organic, Kosher, nut- free, low sodium, fat-free, or even locally sourced .

In those bins you will find: herbs de Provence, toasted corn nuts, psyllium husks, jelly bellies, blackstrap molasses, 12 kinds of chocolate-making wafers, brown basmati rice, glazed fruits, probiotic cereal, Montreal steak spice, pickling spices, whole nutmeg, flax seed, buttermilk powder and chia seeds.

You can rent one of their 150 cake mold pans, and find many cake decorating necessities, and even buy pinatas. You may be looking for soy beverages, retro candy, or Japanese rice candy. For gluten-free diets, there’s a nice selection of: bread (even quinoa), pizza dough, cakes, cookies, pasta pie dough and frozen dinners. There’s an organic section now, gourmet groceries and chocolate letters ($2.39).

Location: 303 boul. St-Jean, Pointe Claire
corner: Autoroute 20
Tel: 514-697-5157
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-9, Sat 9-8, Sun 10-5

Star player Max Pacioretty will be doing autograph sessions at the 2 Lanctot Floor Design stores on Sept15 & 16. After your excitement of meeting him and the chance to win door prizes, take the time to shop in one of my favorite flooring stores.

Don’t be put off by the location – it’s only 15 minutes across the Mercier bridge, and the sheer volume (100,000 sq. ft.) of merchandise is worth the ride. The Lanctots have been around for 129 years selling floating and hardwood floors (look for the bargain bins starting at $.89), including condo solutions, ceramic tiles (starting at $1.25), about 500 area rugs, carpeting and vinyl flooring (lots of remnants too).

They’re known for choice and service, and their prices are low all year round. Other vendors are inside their building selling wallpaper, paint, bedding, blinds, furniture, kitchen cabinets, plumbing, windows and doors.

Dates and times:  Sept 15: 1-4 at the Longueuil location: 740 Jean-Neveu (Trans-Canada), Tel: 450-647-1571
Sept 16: 1-4 at the  St Isadore (Chateauguay) location:  148 Boyer,  Tel: 514-875-1954
Store Hours: Regular plus Sun 11-5
www.lanctot.qc.ca

A homegrown company, Arianne still produces the majority of their lingerie, dresses tops, pants, and loungewear at their facilities in Montreal.  Final clearances of samples, seconds, past collections, bras are only $10-$14.

A nicely organized event, all of the items are set out by size and price so you can easily find what you’re looking for.  The merchandise is hung up and items that are on tables, are well marked.  Fitting rooms with mirrors are provided.

You can find them on Facebook. Note that taxes are included in their prices.

Location: 1655 Louvain ouest
corner: Marche Centrale
Tel: 514-385-9393
Dates:  Sept 13-23
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.ariannelingerie.com

Beyond the Rack is an online sale site offering hot brands at low prices for women’s and men’s clothing including jeans, jewelry and watches, footwear, handbags, kitchenware, home decor and bathroom accessories . Online sales usually last for 2 days and merchandise is limited to whatever they scored. You have to be ready to pounce when you see something you like.  The time limit makes it feel like an auction creating an urgency to buy.

Since this is a Montreal company, we are about to get very lucky. If you think those online prices are good, you will now have an opportunity to go to their warehouse sale where prices will be up to 80% off.

Prices will be lowered every day and the brands may change over the course of the event, so come early and come often for: Jessica Simpson, William Rast, Seven, Rich & Skinny, Rock & Republic, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, US Polo, Ralph Lauren, Core Bamboo, Stokes and more.

All items are original current season merchandise, bought from authorized US and Canadian distributors.

Beyond the Rack was founded by a team of e-commerce veterans who combine over 40 years of brand and fashion merchandising expertise to offer the most desirable brands at a fraction of retail prices. Membership is free, requiring only a name and email address. You can RSVP on their facebook page.

Location: 9340 Cote-de-Liesse, VSL
Dates: Aug 23-26
Times: Thurs Aug 23  & Fri Aug 24: 10-9, Sat Aug 25:10-5, Sun Aug 26:12-5
www.beyondtherack.com

There’s a sportswear warehouse sale at Fana Sports in St Leonard which is featuring a selection of officially licensed Montreal Impact gear from the 2011 season. The company is a year round supplier to local soccer clubs and was the official uniform supplier for the impact last season. They’ve been liquidating that stock. Prices are: caps $3.95,  jerseys $17.95 and track suits $24.95.

Other soccer clothes (Legea, Tana, Givova) is clearing as well. Legea track suits at 70% off  are $19.95, backpacks are $8.95, soccer jerseys $14.95, soccer shoes $9,95, winter jackets $44.95 and balls start at a mere $2.95.

Location: 6140 Marivaux
corner: du Prado
Tel: 514-648-8888
Hours: Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5, Sun10-5
Dates: The sale will last til stock runs out

The best monthly sales of linens, etc. is the one held on Louvain St. in the Chabanel area. For bedding, curtains, comforters, pillows,  shower curtains, bath towels, mats, dishcloths, oven mitts, mattress covers, etc.

They offer great deals like cushions for $5,  curtains for $5 and comforters starting at $15.

Location: 100 Louvain
corner: boul. St-Laurent
Dates and times: Fri Aug 17: 11-6, Sat Aug 18: 8-1

On Thursday morning on CJAD 800AM, you can listen to  me  on the radio (or Internet) on the Tommy Schnurmacher Show. This is a call-in show.  We’ll be talking about buying for the Fall season and anything else you call in and ask me about.

Those of you with those important shopping questions, this is your chance to have me answer them.

Location: CJAD 800AM
Time: 11 am -12 pm
Date: Thurs Aug 16
www.cjad.com

Ugarit has taken over what you might have known as Foyer d’Artisanat Raymond (or Halcraft Canada). After 60 years, the company had hit a rough patch so a former employee scooped it up. Right now, anything with the old labels on it is being sold off for 50% off. Beads are going for $6 lb. The 60 years of inventory includes: buttons, artificial flowers, chains, pompoms, tulle, ribbons, paints, brushes, glitter, shiny balls, threads of all kinds, jewelry, wedding decorations, baptism, party supplies

For addicted craftspeople, getting right up to the source of supplies is a real high. With 3500 items to peruse, you wander through their warehouse of treasures to find – beads, ribbons, tulle, feathers, mini flowers, glitter, thread, card-making supplies, pipe cleaners, raffia, fun foam, pom poms, wax, cellophane, styrofoam, acrylic paint and an entire section just for jewelry making. Go get em!

Location: 9600 Boul. St-Laurent, suite 605
corner: Louvain
Tel: 514-387-8181
www.ugarit.ca or www.ugarit.com

Dans Un Jardin sells all those lovely aromatic things for your bath, bedroom and body. At their warehouse sales you can scoop up their products at great savings and you might be surprised that they offer men’s lines, some for baby and even special ones for pregnant women (calming ointment for breasts  milk bath,  firming cream, stretch mark cream and soothing gel for legs) .

Location: 1100 Boul. Marie Victorin, Longueuil
Dates and Times for VIP invites (and get an additional 10% off ): May 24: 8am-9pm
Dates and Times for General Public: May 25: 9-9, May 26 & 27 : 9-5
Tel: 800-363-3663 or 450-449-2121
www.dansunjardin.com