When life gives him lemons, Joe Vigliotti makes spaghetti.
He and his "homegirl" Clara Cash, who both plan to start at SFCC this January, couldn't make the first month's rent on their new apartment. So they're hosting a spaghetti dinner and yard sale this Sunday to help cover the cost.
The two moved in to a studio apartment at College Manor Apartments on Nov. 28, and after paying the deposit, they're about ,500 short for the ,534-a-month rent, Vigliotti said.
Technically, he said, they needed the money by today. He said he plans to borrow the money for now and pay it back with profits from the dinner and sale.
Vigliotti said he's never heard of anyone selling spaghetti for rent money before.
"I thought it was just a silly idea, but Clara's mom thought it was a great idea," he said. "She went out and bought us the spaghetti and sauce, so we're trying to make it happen."
There will also be garlic bread, he said.
The dinner and yard sale will be held at College Manor Apartments on Southwest First Avenue, near 13th Street, in Studio 121 beginning at noon.
Vigliotti said he hopes guests will pay ,5 a plate for the spaghetti, which he said he cooks several times a month.
The yard sale will include used possessions including a TV, a stereo, an Xbox and the board game Clue, he said. Mardi Gras beads will be sold for 50 cents each.
"We got more stuff," he said. "We're just trying to get rid of some stuff."
The two attempted to host the dinner last Sunday, Vigliotti said. He cooked two pounds of spaghetti and hung about 25 signs on light poles around town, but he said only a few neighbors showed up.
Vigliotti said he hoped 150 people would show up for this Sunday's dinner and yard sale.
"We're going to make some magic happen," he said.