Let the garage sales begin

CARSON VALLEY, Nev.

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

Put on your comfortable shoes, grab a bag and hit the ATM because it's a big rummage sale weekend in Carson Valley. At least five organizations have rummage sales today through Sunday: Boy Scout Troop 495, Carson Valley Community Food Closet, Flip Flop Kids Consignment Shop, Carson Valley Lions and St. Gall Catholic Church.

Rocky Barth, parish secretary at St. Gall, said rather than being a competition, more sales encourage more shoppers to make the rounds of all the sales.

"We have people come from all over when we have our sales," Barth said. "I'll put a sign out that says to please visit the Lions sale on Saturday.

"Our big fall sale is Aug. 7 and 8, but we have to do this spring sale when we're overloaded. I hate to see this stuff go so cheap but we have to clean out our storage garage."

Packed in the church's storage area is enough to furnish a neighborhood: beds, mattresses, a tile cutter, recliners, dining room sets, desks, bikes, an electric scooter, toys, pictures, books, DVDs, linens.

Items in the storage unit have accumulated since the church's fall sale because nothing is left over " clothes go to the scarecrow festival, items go to Project Santa, the Cystic Fibrosis Society and the Elks Club.

Barth said the household items are washed and priced, the electronics are tested and the antiques are looked at by an appraiser.

"We sell antiques higher than you may get at a garage sale, but something appraised at $100 could go for $50-$75," she said.

St. Gall Catholic Church's spring rummage sale is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday in the church parking lot.

Karen Etnyre, one of the partners of the Flip Flop Kids Consignment Shop, is an organizer of the Flip Flop Kids consignment sale running today through Sunday. The sale features about 10,000 items from more than 100 families, in three different rooms at the Casa Bella Plaza in Minden.

The infant room includes bikes, strollers, pack-n-play portable cribs, toys, children's books and puzzles, carriers and baby monitors. The children's room has clothes and shoes for infants to teens. The women's room has ladies wear and accessories, some furniture and a large selection of maternity clothes.

"We have lots of baby gear, children's clothing and maternity wear," said Etnyre. "For new moms, this is the place to be."

St. Gall Catholic Church's spring rummage sale is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville. Information, 782-2852.

The Flip Flop Kids Shop consignment sale is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Casa Bella Plaza, 1644 Highway 395, Minden. Information, flipflokidsshop.com

Carson Valley Lions Club Great Garage Sale is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Highway 395 and Esmeralda in Minden. Donations of furniture, appliances, clothing and household items accepted the morning of the sale. Mattresses and box springs not accepted. Information, 782-7070.

The spring yard sale and bake sale is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Carson Valley Community Food Closet, 1255 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, 783-3711. Clothing, furniture, baby supplies, toys, horse tack, baked goods and craft sales.

A garage sale to benefit Boy Scout Troop 495 is 8 a.m. to noon Sunday in the parking lot at Big Daddy's Bicycles & Fitness, 1546 Highway 395, Gardnerville.