<![CDATA[Cactus Kelly Foraging - Newspaper Articles by Kelly Athena]]>

<![CDATA[Cactus Kelly Foraging - Newspaper Articles by Kelly Athena]]>Sat, 23 Aug 2025 03:11:04 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Sailing the Globe to Raise Coral Reef Awareness]]>Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:05:05 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/sailing-the-globe-to-raise-coral-reef-awareness

See http://www.theadventuresoftarka.com/ for current information on Bryan Rolfe's sailboat journey.
Click on the two photos above to read the article.

]]><![CDATA[Keeping Families Together in Mexico]]>Sun, 10 Sep 2017 19:21:14 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/keeping-families-together-in-mexico

Full article here: http://www.ahwatukee.com/community_focus/article_5e40a0d2-8de0-11e7-86a8-636f2b023f8e.html

]]><![CDATA[Bargains for Everyone]]>Wed, 31 May 2017 18:39:14 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/bargains-for-everyoneBargains for Everyone

Some people go to find clothes and household items, some go to supplement their income, some go to make a living. No one knows what they'll find. It's like treasure hunting. No matter what, everyone loves a bargain, and a church rummage sale is the most likely place to find a wide selection of bargains in one place.

Luis Rodriguez, of our neighboring state of Sonora, drives to Phoenix twice a month to pick out quality used goods for his resale business in Mexico. He was there before the gates opened at a recent rummage sale held by St. Benedict's Parish at St. John Bosco School in Ahwatukee. He used one of the big wagons provided for shoppers to carry his selections: camping gear, sports equipment, tables, shoes, and clothes. He squeezed his items into his truck as tightly as possible before moving on to more garage sales. Then he drove the six hour trip back to Hermosillo. The locals there will be happy to pay pre-owned prices for things they could otherwise not afford.

Eileen Sipes, of the Ahwatukee Foothills, shops at the rummage sale held at St. John Bosco School every year. She enjoys the plentiful selection of clothes, costumes, and household goods.

I spoke with a cheerful young volunteer, Flavia Bamuhiiga, as she helped organize a clothing table. She moved from Fort Portal, Uganda, to Ahwatukee last year and is working full time as a nurse. "My uncle, Father Bob, sponsored me in coming to America. I love my new country."

Pastor Bob Binta mingled with the shoppers sporting a bright orange Suns Jersey emblazoned across the back with "Father Bob." He warmly greeted everyone he saw. I was saddened when he described his battle with stage four lung cancer to me, quite a surprise to him since he has never smoked.

Hali Outhred, another Tukee resident, found shoes, blouses, a dress, sweater, Ann Taylor jacket, glass pitcher, umbrella, Japanese parasol for stylish sun protection, like-new leather backpack/purse, two pairs of reading glasses, five towels, and two silk scarves, for $13. "I've had a great time. I just love everything I got. I've never seen such a huge amount of stuff at one sale!" she said in her charming Aussie accent.

Rhonda Morrison, the owner of Ahwatukee Music, was there buying supplies for her business and a few household items.

An avid E-bay seller, John, found a vintage wooden train for $5 and sold it online for $100 that afternoon.

I fared well at the rummage sale also, finding two pairs of sneakers, a sun hat, cloth paints for my scarf-making habit, two ornate vases, an unused large wallet which will perhaps keep me more organized, a stainless steel wastebasket with foot pedal and self-closing lid, a silk handkerchief to add to my collection of tree-saving hankies (no paper tissues needed), new socks, a belt, and work gloves (can't get enough with my gardening hobby). Total bill: $17.

See you around the neighborhood!

Please contact garagesalegirl@kellyathena.com with news on upcoming garage sales or other sustainable events.

]]><![CDATA[Garage Sale Newspaper Articles I've Written for Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper]]>Thu, 25 May 2017 22:59:44 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/garage-sale-newspaper-articles-ive-written-for-ahwatukee-foothills-newspaperHere is a link to my Garage Sale column in the Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper. Enjoy!

]]><![CDATA[Ahwatukee Garage Sales and Sustainability]]>Fri, 14 Apr 2017 20:43:42 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/ahwatukee-garage-sales-and-sustainability

COMING UP SOON: Why all those jam-packed trucks and trailers are heading to Mexico with garage sale finds!

Read my articles in the Ahwatukee Foothills Newspaper by clicking here!

]]><![CDATA[Garage Sale Girl]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:13:30 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/garage-sale-girl3716063Wild, Weird, and Wacky Stuff at Garage Sales

Where can you find a hairy purse, a life-like griffin to wear on your shoulder, see a 14' tall boojum tree, and a paper cactus? Garage sales, of course! Read more here . . .

M.B. Williamson, my garage sale cohort, and I
showing off our wacky purses at a garage sale
while Patty, M.B.'s Blue Heeler, waits patiently.

A cool and creepy shoulder puppet griffin I bought for $1 and later sold for $175.

This boojum tree must be at least 14 feet tall. The owner planted it 30 years ago in his Old Ahwatukee front yard. He wishes to remain anonymous. A relative poses in front of the boojum and totem cactus.

Back yard at the Boojum tree house with beautiful grapefruits, tangelos, and pony tail palm. They graciously gave me tangelos and grapefruits from these trees. Note the huge Pony Tail Palm on the right!

]]><![CDATA[February 10th, 2017]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:12:00 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/february-10th-20174581665<![CDATA[Garage Sale Girl]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:05:20 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/garage-sale-girlPatty, the Blue Heeler

Patty has been entertaining yard sale crowds for 10 years in Ahwatukee. She wears a lei and sunglasses to arrive in style with her partner/dog mom M.B. Williamson. Read more here . . .

M.B. Williamson and Patty, the Blue Heeler, dancing at a garage sale

M.B. and Patty give high fives while entertaining at a garage sale

]]><![CDATA[February 10th, 2017]]>Fri, 10 Feb 2017 20:05:06 GMThttps://www.kellyathena.com/garagesalegirl/february-10th-2017