Thrift stores are one of those great resources that many people don’t take advantage of. Not only do they provide an option to donate the many items cluttering up our homes to people who could actually use them, they also support the good works done by many charitable organizations.

Which makes Saturday, Aug. 17 the perfect day to get out and support a thrift store near you — it is National Thrift Store Day, after all.

Places like Goodwill and Arc Thrift Stores are great places to swing by on the day, and Wheat Ridge’s Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store, 5892 W. 44th Ave. is going all out with a full day of sales and special events.

“Our current manager says we’ve never had a total 50% off sale before, so we’re pretty excited,” said Carly Bolliger, marketing and communications coordinator for Family Tree, which Treasure supports. The nonprofit provides services designed to end child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. “This is our first year celebrating the day, and it’s a great way to support the work we do in a lighthearted way.”

In addition to sales, there will also be a door prize, games like tag the treasure (where participants guess the price of items), and frequent shoppers can bring a friend and receive an extra stamp on their shopper card. Plus, 90 Degrees Chocolate food truck will be on hand as well serving sweet treats.

Perhaps the best part of the event is 100% of dollars spent go to fund Family Tree’s work. The children and families the organization has worked with have been in horrendous situations and need the support of the community. They benefit from Treasure Trunk in another way — they receive vouchers to shop there for things like interview outfits and other necessities.

“It’s going to be a fun event and a chance for people to get to know us,” Bolliger said. “There’s still a lot of people in our community who don’t know about us but being hyper local like we are is really important.”

Find a thrift store near you and do some good. And learn more about Treasure Trunk at www.thefamilytree.org/treasure-trunk-community-thrift-store.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week —
Calexico and Iron & Wine at Denver Botanic Gardens

It’s always a nice moment when friends can join together to make something new together. Folk troubadour Sam Beam (better known as his stage name, Iron & Wine) and Arizona-based alt-rockers Calexico first worked together on an EP in 2005. And early this summer the performers rejoined for a full album, “Years to Burn.”

In support of the new release, the musicians will be performing at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.

As Iron & Wine, Beam has specialized in a lilting kind of acoustic folk rock that can absolutely flatten you with its loveliness if you let it. With influences ranging from jazz and indie rock to Tejano and country, you never know which direction Calexico will go. Together, they’ve made one of the most transporting albums of the year.

Get tickets and details at concerts.botanicgardens.org.

Under the Foothills Art Center’s big top

There are all kinds of great causes out there, and (unsurprisingly) I’m a big fan of supporting efforts to keep the arts alive in our communities.

So, I highly recommend checking out the Circus Under the Stars Gala, held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at, and in support of, the Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St. in Golden.

Sponsored by the Masin Group, CPA, the evening will feature everything from under-the-big-top foods with a gourmet twist to circus performers and cocktails. A highlight will certainly be the popular “Snatch & Dash” event. If your ticket is called you have a limited amount of time to select from over 40 works of art or experiences as your prize.

Proceeds from the evening directly support Foothills Art Center. For tickets and information, head over to www.foothillsartcenter.org/gala.

Brewing creativity at the Arvada Center

The Arvada Center’s annual Arts & Ales has become one of the choicest events for brew fans and is back for another showcase of some of the best in the west.

This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Unlimited beer tastes will be from 2 to 6 p.m.

Breweries like 4 Noses, Spice Trade, New Image Brewing and Landlocked Ales will be on hand, as well as live music from local performers like The Dylan Miles Experience, Rastasaurus and The River Arkansas. Attendees can sample the wares from food trucks, and as a new treat this year, breakfast food and drinks will also be sold.

On the arts side, more than 35 Colorado and national artists will be exhibiting and selling their work, alongside hands-on activities for children.

Details can be found at www.arvadacenter.org/events/artsandales.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.