Come one, come all

You are invited to something new and exciting (or at least new): my going-to-Bolivia moving sale / open house / fundraiser, on September 9 and 10.

What/why: An opportunity to drop in, catch up with friends, catch a bite to eat (there will be snacks and hors-d'oeuvres), and help me unload some of my household goods before I move to South America this fall. All proceeds from the sale will go toward the community libraries program I'll be working with in Bolivia.

Where: 1116 Billings Court SE, Apartment 2A, near the intersection of M-6 and Kalamazoo Avenue in Grand Rapids. (Although this is just a street in an apartment complex, you can a get decent map at mapquest.com.)

When: Friday, September 9, 4:00-9:00 p.m. AND Saturday, September 10, 3:00-7:00 p.m.

How is this going to work? The things in my apartment will be divided into three categories: not for sale (no tag), for sale (white tag), and available for three-year lease (pink tag). (By “lease” I mean that you give a small donation to the cause, at your discretion, and are willing to give the article back when I return in three years.) Examples of not-for-sale items are my bike, as well as the washer and dryer (and anything else belonging to the apartment complex!). For sale will be items ranging from glassware to a loveseat with a pull-out bed. For lease will be most of my books, some furniture items, etc.

I hope you can make it! If you know of college students or others who are looking for some household goods, feel free to invite them. And even if you don't intend to buy anything, stop by to hang out and grab a bite to eat--I'd love to see you.