PPS Kids Design Their Own Guitars

May 1st - May 8th was ‪#‎STEMWeekOregon‬, a movement to raise awareness and celebrate activities that involve technology, engineering and math (STEM)!

What better way to celebrate than to open our wood shop doors to over 170+ Portland Public Schools students to build their own three-string guitars?

Over the last two weeks we have hosted two groups of middle school students from West Sylvan and Cesar Chavez, who have engaged in a hands-on learning process. With two more block classes to come, we look forward to the opportunity to show the relevance of their lesson plans in a practical way. Using sustainable materials, the students will learn about design processes that apply to everything from architecture to software development!

Portland Public Schools is teaming up with ReBuilding Center to bring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) skills to over one-hundred-and-seventy seventh graders over the course of the month. Four groups of Middle School students will design and create their own three string guitar at ReBuilding Center and put new relevance to their lesson plans and put practical meaning to subjects learned in the classroom! If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please email ashley@rebuildingcenter.org.

We'd like to give big thanks to all of our volunteers, teachers, parents, staff, Black Book Guitars, WoodCrafters and Home Depot for all of your support to make this happen!

With Our Own Two Hands

We have a lot to celebrate this year. Although it did not go far enough, the Paris Agreement, within the context of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, was a giant step forward. For the first time ever, a clear international commitment was made to keep a significant portion of remaining hydrocarbons in the ground. Drafted in December 2015, the agreement “opens for signature” on Earth Day—April 22, 2016. 

Community members and organizations in Oregon have echoed the sentiment of the Paris Agreement by organizing to apply pressure on decision makers to move away from carbon-based fuels and toward a sustainable future. Thanks to these grassroots efforts, last month landmark victories were achieved to keep new LNG and coal projects out of Oregon.

And there’s been good news even closer to home. In February, Portland’s City Council passed a groundbreaking resolution to make deconstruction mandatory for all homes built more than 100 years ago that are scheduled for demolition (about 33% of single-family demolitions). The process of deconstruction will save millions of pounds of valuable building materials for reuse that would otherwise be put into the landfill. This new ordinance will reduce atmospheric carbon by roughly 800 tons per year while generating 20-25 new living-wage, permanent jobs. The ReBuilding Center is thankful for all who came together to vocalize your support for this resolution. Our DeConstruction Services department is excited to grow, and our store looks forward to offering more materials to the community!

These important policy developments, from the international to the local level, did not take place because politicians decided they were good things to do. They occurred because community members worked for them from the bottom up: we organized; we applied pressure; and, at long last, politicians acted. 

In the work we do and the incredible people we encounter every day at the ReBuilding Center, I am constantly reminded of the words of Desmond Tutu, painted on the front of our building: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

We invite you to join us as volunteers at the ReBuilding Center to be part of that change you want to see in the world—only together can we can create a sustainable community, environment, and economy. And so I will close with the lyrics fit for Earth Day from Ben Harper:

I can change the world
with my own two hands…
with our own
with our own two hands

or watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEnfy9qfdaU. If you haven’t heard it, it’s a great tune. Enjoy! 

Stephen Reichard
Executive Director

It’s National Volunteer Week and Earth Day is right around the corner! We’ve got a lot of volunteer opportunities for you in these next two weeks. Here is a list of volunteer opportunities to give back to the community and support environmental protection!

Table at the Fox Tower Sustainability Fair

Fox Tower is coordinating an event for eco-friendly, sustainable and local vendors. This would be a chance for you to spread awareness of the mission and goals of the ReBuilding Center to the business community in Portland and reach a wide range of people. This event will be held in the Fox Tower lobby April 21-22, Thursday and Friday; 11am-1pm.

Get exclusive tickets to events through volunteering with Wave PDX

We are excited to host some volunteers from wave this Thursday. Haven’t heard of them? They incentivize volunteerism through events where the only way to get tickets is by volunteering time in the community. Next month, Revolution Hall hosts Kurt Vile for an exclusive concert!

Glean materials from Metro Central

Work with us to visit the Metro Central Transfer station twice a week in order to keep usable building materials out of the waste stream! Twice weekly, we are organizing volunteer opportunities at the transfer station for those interested in sustainable waste management and getting a "behind the scenes" look at how we can help!

Available on Monday's and Thursdays from noon to 3pm, this project is looking for volunteers that can dedicate multiple trips in a row. Safety training and orientation on-site will be provided for your first shift. 

Spring and Summer Internships now open!

Every year, interns with ReBuilding Center take on amazing projects with our efforts to build communities with greater social and environmental vitality. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from a 3-6 month internship or a prolonged volunteer opportunity, consider working with us! Internship opportunities include: 

• Creative ReUse Library Curator
• Administrative Assistant Intern
• Volunteer Coordinator Intern
• Salvage Specialist Intern
• Volunteer Leader

Don't see anything that interests you? Let us know! We love to create opportunities for those committed to better world. Areas of interest where we have created internships in the past: 

• Community Health
• Social Justice
• DeConstruction
• Film/Photography content management

Monthly Volunteer Event

Thursday, April 14th, 6pm - 8pm

The second Thursday of every month is our after-hours volunteer event! It’s coming up quick, so grab your spot and get together with other volunteers from around the Portland area to enjoy a night of light-hearted material salvage. There’s a happy hour at StormBreaker Brewing to follow. Volunteers receive 25% off!

Help us reign in our Tile Area!

We are looking for a dedicated volunteer to take on our ever-growing tile area. Our wonderful volunteer, Bobby, has moved on to bigger and better things and we're looking for someone to fill her shoes. Check out the video we put together highlighting Bobby and her work with us!

The work done at the ReBuilding Center is all about creating opportunities for our community to become more equitable, vibrant, and sustainable. Volunteers like you are the backbone of our mission. If you have an interest in reducing waste, engaging in your community, and making a better world, come on out and hang with us - we'd love to see you!

Vanport Mosaic is hosting a film festival in May

The desire to come together to preserve & discuss the memories & stories surrounding the story of Vanport, as well as, learn how they’ve impacted us today is truly inspiring. Read on to see how tragedy can be a learning experience and a chance at community growth and understanding.

Talk about the building of community! “The Vanport Mosaic initiative is a response to a growing desire to honor the legacy of the Vanport community and the 1948 flood, which started an overwhelmingly homogeneous Portland and Oregon down the path toward interracial progress.” The initiative aims to document and tell the stories of those connected to Vanport.

This last month, the ReBuilding Center hosted Laura Lo Forti of the Vanport Mosaic. She led the workshop in discussion as they shared skillsets around oral history, storytelling and spoke about ethical issues that occur when telling other people's stories. They also worked on interviewing skills and video shooting. With these developed skillsets they are now ready to go out and capture the stories of Vanport.

In May, The Vanport Mosaic project will bring together many of these stories, as well as, others at Vanport Mosaic Festival 2016. This event will be held at the site in commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the flood that took place in 1948. The festival will include music, dance, theater, film, poetry, lectures, tours, an historical exhibit, and dance.

One participant in the recent workshop, Todd Fadel, summed up the experience with this statement,

“This project symbolizes and encapsulates something I’ve been trying to articulate for a decade - how can a portlander model consideration for the discarded voices of our community in a way that inspires a new thought process far from blame and guilt?”

Want to join in the discussion regarding Vanport and the Vanport Mosaic initiative? Check out their website vanportmosaic.org

Salvage Works Reuses Vintage Lumber from Deconstructed Buildings to Make Beautiful Furniture

- by Whitney Laucks

Salvage Works is owned and operated by brother and sister team Preston and Rachel Browning.  They opened their doors in 2010, and in 2015 were able to upgrade to a 25,000 square foot facility in the historic Kenton neighborhood.  Inspired by their mother, who was an architect that practiced green building techniques even before such customs had been given a name, these siblings decided to follow in her footsteps and reuse local, vintage lumber and turnit into something new and beautiful.  

All lumber that Salvage Works uses is reclaimed from deconstructed barns and houses.  Even though these historic monuments may be falling apart as is, by recycling their invaluable material the Prestons are able to keep Oregon history alive. This is wood that is simply unavailable otherwise, and this crew knows the story behind every incredible piece of furniture that they create.  For instance the beautiful bar from Swift and Union seen in the picture below was made out of the lumber from this barn in Canby originally constructed in the 1920’s. 

Everything is made by hand with skilled craftsmanship and a great of team people who committed, not only to reuse, but to the preservation of Oregon History.  Every Third Thursday of the month Salvage Works hosts a celebration of this kind of carpentry and sculptural work, usually accompanied by live local music and libations.

2024 N ARGYLE ST
PORTLAND, OR 97217
INFO@SALVAGEWORKSPDX.COM
503-899-0052
MON-SAT 9-6, SUN 11-4
MONTHLY THIRD THURSDAY ART CELEBRATION COMMENCES AT 6PM

Camp SCRAP informs children about Creative Reuse

At Camp SCRAP kids from first through sixth grade are given the opportunity to explore the vast opportunities of creative reuse. Each day participants are educated about the fun and inventive ways recycled materials can be used in new and interesting ways.  For instance, one child took an old CD case and turned it into a bird feeder.  There are portions of the day dedicated to scheduled activities lead by staff members. There is also always allotted time for free building to allow the campers to let their individual creativity run loose with access to a craft supply wall that has loads of materials to reuse. Areas that are predominately showcased are Collage/Assemblage, Sculpture, Drawing/Painting, and Sewing.

SCRAP also offers many other educational creative reuse opportunities. Preschoolers to College students can schedule field trips to SCRAP for a unique and hands on experience with reducing excess by reusing materials.  Students will take away an informed vocabulary of this concept as well a true understanding of how important these practices are and how fun and creative this process can be.  These trips are easily customizable based on age group, number of kids, special needs or any other additional requirements. If a field trip is not possible to organize SCRAP will happily visit classrooms to give a one hour tutorial on the amazing benefits of reusability.

Every year SCRAP partners up with one local school that is lacking in art funding to donate reused material and crafts.  They also offer education and insight on projects and activities.  In turn each year’s highlighted school documents their artistic endeavors to further inspire education in the arts and in creative reuse.  Previous schools that have been involved in this program include Rigler Elementary, Whitman Elementary and The Ivy School.

In 1998 a group of teachers were desperate to find a way to avoid throwing away leftover classroom materials each year and decided to incept SCRAP. They originally brought these items to a Portland Public School’s resource space, A Teacher’s Space, for other teachers and administrators to use.  This didn’t prove to be impactful enough, so in 1999 Joan Grimm and group of her peers applied for and received a grant from the Department of Environmental Quality to open a resuse center for the whole community.  We, the ReBuilding Center, were the first to donate a space for them to operate in.  In 2013 SCRAP PDX redirected over 140 tons of usable material from the waste stream.  In other words, SCRAP not only rules, but they are the arts and crafts equivalent to ReBuilding Center!

For more information or to sign up for Camp SCRAP or to learn more about SCRAP’s vision and educational opportunities please visit srcappdx.org

Take a Stand for Deconstruction!

TAKE A STAND FOR DECONSTRUCTION!

Wednesday, February 17th
City Hall
1221 SW 4th Ave.

sign up to testify by 1:30
hearing starts at 2:30

In 2015, 337 homes in Portland came down. Of those, only about 30 were deconstructed. The cost to our community, and to our planet, in terms of waste to the landfill, increased atmospheric carbon, not to mention the loss of valuable materials (that could have helped build a sustainable Portland) are calculable.

·      4,800 tons of materials sent to the dump

·      7,200 tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere

·      720,000 gallons of water wasted

·      4,800 tons of materials with a market value of more than $5,000,000 that could have been re-used or re-purposed to build a more sustainable Portland

In addition, the opportunity to create dozens of meaningful jobs with good pay and good benefits is lost.  

via ReBuildingCenter.org/Deconstruction-Services

On February 17the Portland City Council will consider a resolution that will mandate that all homes built more than 100 years ago must be deconstructed. The hearing begins at 2:30PM.

“The resolution would direct BPS to develop code language that:

Requires projects seeking a demolition permit for a one or two-family structure (house or duplex) to fully deconstruct that structure if:

1. The structure was built in 1916 or earlier; or
2. The structure is a designated historic resource.”

Demo permits per year built.

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Examples of Portland Homes built before 1916

Individuals who would like to testify should arrive no later than 1:30PM to sign up. Testimony will be limited to no more than three minutes, possibly two minutes depending upon the number of people who would like to testify. In an effort to testify within time limits, it is recommended that those who would like to testify should limit their remarks to just one topic.

I hope to see many of you there! Join us for happy hour drinks around the corner and deconstruct the Deconstruction hearing afterwards.

Stephen Reichard
Executive Director
The ReBuilding Center

---

Check the links below for more info:

Habitat for Humanity article, "Decon Incentives to be Evaluated"

The City of Portland's Bureau of Planning & Sustainability "Proposed Deconstruction Requirement Recommendation"

Vote for ReBuilding Center!

New Seasons Market has nominated the Rebuilding Center to be on the ballot for their #BagItForward event, which offers customers the option to donate their reusable bag credits (5¢ each) to a non-profit. Vote for us in the "promoting environmental conservation" category! This is a huge opportunity for us, and could make a huge difference for our independent organization and our mission to strengthen the social and environmental vitality of local communities. If you are a New Seasons Market shopper, please vote January 13th – 26th at any New Seasons Solution Center.

Filmed by Bike, Portland, Oregon Film Festival Inspiring Movie Submission Opportunity!

“WE ARE INSPIRING A CULTURE WHERE CYCLING IS WOVEN SEAMLESSLY INTO EVERYDAY LIFE.”– Ayleen Crotty, Festival Director

Filmed by Bike, Portland, Oregon hosts an annual, gigantic festival in May that you don’t want to miss! Throughout the weekend, Filmed by Bike hosts a Street Party, filmmaker Q&A sessions, dance parties, Brewery Tour Bike Rides with the Filmmakers, and award ceremonies.

“Filmed by Bike movie collections are an exciting mix of movies that showcase a true love for cycling. Everyone leaves the theater inspired to ride bikes.” - Filmed by Bikes Take advantage of the opportunity to submit your own movie (25 minutes or less) before January 20, 2016. Approximately 35 movies are featured at the Festival, and are then shown throughout the world to inspire others to get on a bike. Entry information can be found here.

New to PDX Event @ The Rebuilding Center

Friday, December 11th
6pm - 8pm
The Rebuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi avenue

Want to meet new people? Do you like to be hands-on? Want to promote reuse? Come to The Rebuilding Center's New To PDX event and join up with like-minded individuals and build a friend base here in your new city!  Local volunteers are a vibrant and wonderful part of the Rose City.  Meet some new folks and help keep usable materials out of the waste stream.  We meet up every second Friday of every month.

Home Repair Help for Cully Seniors

Article by Annelise Kelly

For over 20 years, Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) has reinvested in Portland’s neighborhoods, preserved their diversity and provided tools to help low-income Portland families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Other programs operated by the PCRI include:

• Homeownership Education and Counseling
• Homeownership Retention
• Financial Wellness
• Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
• Youth Programs
• Community Centers
• Community Information and Referral Services

More info on PCRI's website →

Friday Sale, Giving Tuesday + Holiday Tree Lighting

We’ve got some holiday fun lined up for you!

WE ARE CLOSED ON THANKSGIVING

but reopen the next day for a...

FRIDAY SALE

November 27th
15% OFF all light fixtures & glass shades
50% OFF all tile
Regular hours: 10AM - 6PM

then on Saturday...

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

November 28th
Mississippi Commons (between N. Failing and N. Beech St.)

• Starts at 5PM / live entertainment at 6PM
• Free treats, cocoa and teas provided by Oregon Deli Co., Townshend’s Tea Company and New Seasons Market
• Pick up your Holiday Passports - shop and dine on Miss. Ave. participating businesses for prizes and a chance to win the GRAND PRIZE.

After you've enjoyed a big sale, joined us in a community even, it's time to give back.

GIVING TUESDAY

December 1st

10% of proceeds from purchases made at the Rebuilding Center as well as many other business on Mississippi Ave will go towards Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School. We are proud to be a part of this opportunity to support our kids. Shop at The Rebuilding Center to raise funds for Boise-Eliot School on #givingtuesday! #Oregoniansgive

Trade Show Training: Wednesday, November 11th

Trade Show Training
November 11th
6:30pm to 7:30pm

Time Commitment: After training, 3 - 8 hour shifts available throughout the year. Each event is different and flexible, so let us know what works for you!

Once a year, we offer this training to those of you who enjoy getting out in the community and connecting with people at events. We go to Trade Shows, Fix-It-Fairs, Sunday Parkways, Environmental Expos and many other community events. Tabling at these events is all about building connections and sharing your experience with, and knowledge of, The Rebuilding Center. We have a great line-up of community events on the schedule and look forward to involving all of you in the community outreach and information sharing. 

You will receive an email reminder 24 hrs prior the the event. Sign up below:

Mississippi Avenue Ice Cream Social

Last Tuesday, the Mississippi Avenue community hosted an ice cream social for the public.  Participating organizations included the ReBuilding Center, Laughing Planet, Radar Restaurant, Mississippi Pizza Pub, Salty's Pet Supply, and countless others. Here are a few photos that highlight the success of the event:

Thanks to all who participated in making this event a success!

Photos: Sean O'Connor/Our United Villages

May 31: National Macaroon Day DeNailing

May 31st is National Macaroon Day! Help us celebrate the magic of this European delicacy while de-nailing lumber.

Team up with other volunteers to salvage reusable lumber on Saturday, May 31st. The event will kick off with a small information session and then we’ll get down to business.

Coffee and macaroons will be available!

Click here to register for the event!

See this event on Facebook.

We will meet at our storage lot at 751 N. Cook St (behind Grand Central Bakery on Fremont).

The lot is just a couple streets over from The ReBuilding Center warehouse.

Saturday, May 31
11am to 3pm

TRC Storage Lot
751 N. Cook St
Portland, OR 97227

The lumber you’ll be working with comes from DeConstruction Services, which offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to conventional demolition. Working by hand, our crews salvage up to 85% of a building’s major components for reuse.

DeConstruction of an average 2000 sq ft house:
• Preserves 2,400 gallons of clean water
• Saves 33 mature trees
• Provides 907 additional hours of work at a living wage
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 2.9 cars off the road for a year

Learn more about DeConstruction, or watch a DeConstruction time lapse.

In addition, the sale of donated items supports the Community Legacy Program - a free resource for sharing community-building stories, strategies and ideas.

Learn more about Community Legacy.

Creative Commons photo by mkream.

May 17: Living Legacy Story - Chinelos Dancers

Join us for this dynamic and vibrant event featuring, Orgullo Morelense Cemiac, a Chinelos dance group on Saturday, May 17th from 1-3pm.

Chinelos are the best-known Carnival dancers in Mexico and are easily recognizable with their elaborate costumes and distinctive jump-like dance. The Chinelos group, Orgullo Morelense Cemiac, was started in Portland, OR in 2009 by Alex Arenales as a way to teach his children about the customs and traditions of his hometown of Morelos, Mexico. Alex and his Chinelos Dancers enliven and build community in Portland through their vibrant cultural sharing.

This event will include a viewing of the colorful, intricate costumes at 1pm, as well as a live performance at 2pm.

The performance will take place at the Community Trees area at The ReBuilding Center, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave. Everyone is invited to this free community event.

This event is hosted by the Community Legacy Program of Our United Villages, a free resource for sharing community-building stories, strategies and ideas.

Saturday, May 17
1pm to 3pm

The ReBuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227

Arbor Month Event

April 2014 is Portland’s Arbor Month, and Our United Villages has a tour planned! You can see our event and others over at Arbor Month Activities Around Town.

Arbor Month - Tour & Discussion

Saturday, April 19th
1pm-2:30pm

Please join us for a closer look at the urban harvesting of lumber in the Portland area - from buildings instead of trees! We’ll also discuss how “waste” can be a resource, and brainstorm ways to all work together in building a vibrant and thriving local community.

Everyone will be meeting up for the tour at the community trees (in front of The ReBuilding Center warehouse). We hope to see you there!

The ReBuilding Center
3625 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227

JUNE 8: Discover The Commons!

Our United Villages invites the community to gather at The Commons on Saturday, June 8 from 1 to 4 pm.  We’re having a launch party for the Community Legacy Program—spotlighting community resources and a new gathering space at The ReBuilding Center.  We’re also celebrating The ReBuilding Center’s 15th birthday! Join us in celebrating this new community resource while enjoying refreshments and cake, live music, door prizes and a chance to meet your neighbors. Family friendly activities will include face painting and cake.  Thank you!

Read the press release here.

Reclaimed Building Material Transport by Bike Event!

On Sunday, February 24 and again Saturday, March 2, 2013 The ReBuilding Center initiated our first ever reclaimed building materials bicycle transportation event. Inspired by Portland bikers and motivated to take sustainability to another level, we worked with local bike enthusiast Ted Buehler and Shift to Bikes! to coordinate and safely move materials from a house hand dismantled by DeConstruction Services to The ReBuilding Center’s warehouse.  It was a blast and we look forward to doing it again! Thanks to everyone who participated!

ReFind Storefront Opening Party

On the eve of Thursday November 13th, ReFind Furniture celebrated the commencement of the long awaited ReFind Furniture Showroom.

Friends, supporters and contributors gathered to celebrate the new space and to enjoy a crisp, beautiful fall evening with food, fun and laughter. The festivities were a wonderul culmination of a few years (and especially a few recent months) of hard work by everyone involved. Check it out!

We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who contributed their resources to make the ReFind Storefront a reality.

Please accept our warmest invitation to join us for the “Grand Opening” of the ReFind Furniture Storefront on November 22nd from 3-5pm. There will be Junk to Funk fashions modeled from 3-4, raffle prizes at 4 and of course snacks and beverages to go around! While there is still much work to be done to complete this beautiful space, we hope you will join us in celebrating the exciting developments already made! See you there!

Mississippi Ave Ice Cream Social

Last Wednesday brought out tons of neighbors for the 8th Annual Boise Neighborhood Ice Cream Social. Over 30 local businesses came together to celebrate our neighborhood and pass out ice cream cones to whom ever wanted one. We went through almost 6 gallons of ice cream in one hour (and we were only 1 of 30)!

Ural Thomas came out with his band in The ReBuilding Center donation area and provided great entertainment while we gobbled up scoops and scoops of ice cream. Join us next year to celebrate and thank Boise Neighborhood. View more photos on Flickr.

A HUGE thanks to the Historic Mississippi Business Association and everyone who worked hard to make this happen.