Looking for a gift idea? Do your friends or family members love to reuse, enjoy being thrifty, share the values of sustainability? ReBuilding Center Gift Cards can be purchased for any dollar amount. Gift cards are available at the warehouse. Or call 503-517-0953 to purchase over the phone. For more information, email: info@rebuildingcenter.org . Give the gift of reuse for the holidays!
Congratulations Central City Concern’s Community Volunteer Corps
Over the past few years Central City Concern’s Community Volunteer Corps (CVC) have become a staple volunteer group here at the ReBuilding Center and we look forward to hosting them every week. We were honored to have the chance to nominate them for the Volunteer Innovation Award at the 2012 Portland Trail Blazers/Hands on Greater Portland Heart of the Community Awards.
CVC’s clients are formerly homeless and participate in the program to build their resumes and skills and get back into the workforce. In the process, they have delivered more than 30,000 hours of volunteer services to numerous nonprofits in our community including well over 3,000 hours at The ReBuilding Center alone.
Watch the wonderful video below created for the event.
Sneak Peek: Spring 2012 Class Schedule
Our Fall/Winter class schedule filled up faster than ever and we know many of you are eagerly awaiting our spring schedule. The full schedule will be out at the end of next week and will include classes from March to June. Check back to sign up or Sign Up for for our classes and workshop newsletter and be the first to know! While you are waiting, here are a few of the most popular classes we will be bringing back this spring!
Introduction to Carpentry for Women 101
This hands-on workshop builds up a comfortable working knowledge with construction and woodshop principles. It covers safety, power tools, hand tools, and basic techniques. Students will build a simple product from reclaimed materials to take home their experience. For all skill levels
Introduction to Carpentry for Women 102
Builds on the basic skills you will learn from the 101 class. 102 goes further into specific tools and gives you an opportunity to use larger shop tools like the table saw, band saw, and drill press. For intermediate skill levels
Classic Window Repair and Screen/Strom Window Building
Restore classic wood sash windows to make them fully operable and more energy efficient. Then go in to detail on how to build your own wood screen/storm windows. Learn the whole process from layout to finish. Gain experience with tools like the table saw, and if you have a (small) window or windows you’re looking to restore in your own home bring in the dimensions and build a storm window to your specs. For beginner to intermediate skill levels
Building Bee Hives pictured above
Get hands-on experience on how to construct your own bee hives out of reclaimed materials, and discuss organic bee hive maintenance.
Custom Reception Desk for Local Yoga Studio
We have been busy in the ReFind Furniture workshop lately working on a variety of custom projects. We just installed a reception desk at the new Yoga Shala opening this month in SE Portland. The design was inspired by and created from ship lap which was used as an underlayment in building construction. Similar to how plywood is used today. ReFind Furniture is also creating display racks for the same location.
The image above, from one of our deconstruction projects, shows ship lap in its original use.
Two Homes Saved For ReUse
DeConstruction Services is in the middle of taking down two whole houses and one detached garage at SE Alder and 20th Ave. These homes, built in 1891 and 1924, are producing racks and racks of amazing lumber. You can find volunteers de-nailing it daily in the ReBuilding Center lumber yard.
The location is the future home of Buckman Court Apartments being built by Creston Homes, LLC. Another deconstruction project is in the works with Creston Homes, LLC. to take down an old building on E Burnside. Thank you Creston Homes, LLC. for your commitment to saving these buildings from the landfill!
2011 has been a great year. We are excited to see what 2012 will hold. Help make 2012 successful with your own deconstruction project. Contact us for a free estimate or learn more about our services at www.deconstructionservices.org.
Volunteers Are Key at The ReBuilding Center!
Each and every day ReBuilding Center volunteers help take in and sort donated materials. We would not be able to maintain the level of organized chaos that we do without the support of these wonderful and hardworking people. 2011 was a record year for volunteer service with a total of 1,866 individuals contributing a total of 19,018.5 volunteer hours! Over 580 people dropped in during our business hours to volunteer and over 1,275 people came with 55 different groups ranging from schools to businesses to other non-profits.
We want to give a shout out to Central City Concern’s Community Volunteer Corps who contributed almost 2,000 hours of service in 2011, as well as Helensview High School (374.25 hours), Hands on Portland (357 hours) and Cornerstone Transition Program (280.5 hours). Although most of our volunteers helped in the ReBuilding Center warehouse, we also had 4 great interns, a dozen fantastic trade show volunteers, and 8 dedicated ReFind volunteers.
Want to get involved in 2012? Join in on one of our Hands on Greater Portland after-hours work parties or stop by the warehouse any time during business hours to lend a hand. There are exciting changes in the works to make 2012 more productive than ever! Learn more about volunteering on our volunteer page or contact Rosie McGown at volunteer@ourunitedvillages.org or 503.467.4985.
Storm Window Savvy
We received a wonderful note this past week. Tracy took the storm window class we offered in September. After completing the three part workshop, she went on to create storm windows for her home. See what she had to say below…
I made one window in the class and recently completed 13 storm windows for my 1922 house. I am so happy that the original windows will be saved from this project and that the energy efficiency has increased. I also fixed an original dormer window that had rotting wood… I was able to take what I learned from the class (initially I knew almost nothing about woodworking) and build on that. The teacher was patient with my many questions. I am extremely happy with the finished product and know it will last for many years. - Tracy
Photo of the September Sash Window Repair and Screen/Storm Window Building class.
What do you want to learn this winter?
We have three winter classes that still have available spots. Sign up now to learn a new skill this winter and finally get that tiling project finished or give the gift of knowledge to a loved one with an interest in woodworking.
Tile It Workshop:
Tuesday, 01/24/12 – 6pm - 9pm and Wednesday, 01/25/12 – 6pm - 9pm Full
*New* Introduction to Woodworking 102:
Friday, 01/13/12 – 6pm - 9pm and Saturday, 01/14/12 – 10am - 2pm Full
•*New* Building Bee Hives
Saturday, 01/07/12 – 10am - 1pm and Sunday, 01/08/12 – 11am - 2pm and Monday 01/09/12 – 6pm - 8pm 1 spot open Full
Missed the class you wanted to take? Don’t worry a full schedule of Spring classes will be out in the upcoming months. Classes fill up fast, if you don’t want to miss the opportunity be sure to subscribe to our “Updates on new classes and workshops” newsletter.
In Case You Were Wondering…
How we determine what used materials The ReBuilding Center (TRC) accept
The ReBuilding Center accepts used building materials solely based on whether or not they are re-usable rather than how much they’re worth monetarily. If based on our working experience and industry knowledge, we can find a new home for a used item, we can accept it. There are donation guidelines (available on our website and hard copies upon request) TRC Salvage Specialists use to help determine what materials we can accept and those we cannot.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, federal law specifies tax-deductible donations must be in “good used condition or better.” Unfortunately, we can’t accept items damaged beyond reuse or used materials we can’t re-purpose. We also cannot accept materials containing hazardous substances, or deemed unsafe. On very rare occasions, we will implement a moratorium on a specific item when it’s overstocked. The moratorium will be lifted as space becomes available. (For example, we currently have a moratorium on fiberglass tubs.)Whether we accept an item or not, we’re always grateful for anyone’s efforts to try and save materials rather than just discarding them as waste. We’ll always do our best to recommend other alternatives over waste for anything we cannot accept.
If you have questions regarding an item you’d like to donate, please view our donation guidelines or call 503-331-1877. All donations must be accepted in person by a TRC Salvage Specialist or a representative of our free pick-up service. The ReBuilding Center diverts up to 8 tons of used materials each day for reuse thanks to thousands of people like you who make the extra effort to keep reusable materials out of the waste stream.
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!
DeConstruction for “Small Farm Incubator”
DeConstruction Services is finishing up a project just south of Sherwood, OR where a barn was deconstructed on a 58 acre farm. The property was purchased by Community by Design LLC, small farm incubator in an effort to explore alternate models of small-scale agriculture. close to the Portland metro area. The property will be tended to by multiple farming families who will operate independent small farming businesses. Their “overarching goal is to pursue a permaculture approach to farming and land stewardship.” Learn more about Community by Design LLC Community by Design LLC
The new owners worked deconstruction into their budget because they saw the value in the materials in the barn and did not want to see them wasted. The materials from the deconstructed barn will be saved and be used to rebuild a couple barns on the property.
After the barn was deconstructed you could see the full impact and beauty of the space. The property has a year-round creek (Rock creek) and pond, water rights for irrigation, a total of three lots and three residences, varying topography, ~17 acres of mature blueberries and a lovely view of Mount Hood.
Learn more about DeConstruction Services or schedule your own free estimate.
Fall Brings Volunteers to The ReBuilding Center
At The ReBuilding Center we host hundreds of volunteers every year. The number of volunteers tend to slow down in the summer but come October they are back in full force! We are excited this year to welcome back many of the schools we have worked with in the past. Helensview School (picture above) and Cornerstone Transition Program bring students once a week. Mt. Scott Learning Centers, Oregon Episcopal School, Gilkey International Middle School, to name a few, also will be back this month and last weekend we had a group of Alpha Kappa Psi members from Oregon and Washington helping out.
We would not be able to do what we do without their amazing support. Thank you!
If you want to help out, join us for a volunteer work party on the evening of Thursday October 20th from 6-8pm hosted by Hands on Portland. Click here to learn more.
Inspire and be inspired!
The ReUse Ideas Project is finally underway! Starting tomorrow (October 1st) you can submit a creative reuse idea to share with The ReBuilding Center community. These ideas will be complied and added to our ReUse Idea Library as well as displayed in the Community Resource Area and around The ReBuilding Center warehouse.
The ReUse Ideas Project was born from a desire to encourage people to engage in creative reuse. Creative reuse involves discovering new purposes for salvaged materials, such as turning a door into a table or using a chair as a planter. Creative reuse is a vital component of the ethos at The ReBuilding Center, where used materials often rely on the ingenuity of design to bring them back to life.
In addition to inspiring the community to incorporate creative reuse into their lives, everyone who submits an idea will receive a 10% discount on your next ReBuilding Center purchase as well as be entered to win a $25 gift card!
We currently have an array of projects available online. Including the Salvaged Wood and Pipe Table featured up top. New ideas are being added daily so come back often. Check out today’s featured project: Elevated Pet Bowls pictured above.
What type of projects would you like to see featured on our website? What are you most excited to share?
The ReBuilding Center Featured on Fusion
This past weekend The ReBuilding Center was featured on the local show Fusion. Fusion is a show that “covers everything about the Northwest home that makes it special.” Check them out on a Saturday morning on a local station or on their website http://www.fusionnw.com/.
DeConstruction Service Featured in the Oregonian
Did you catch the article about DeConstruction Services of The ReBuilding Center on the front page of The Oregonian’s Oregon Living section? If you want to hear about someones experience first hand with DeConstruction Services and learn more about the industry in Portland check this article out.
When we decided to remodel our kitchen, we chose deconstruction… The bids we got—deconstruction vs. demolition—were virtually identical, plus we wouldn’t have to pay for a trash bin. What’s more, we would receive a tax deduction for the (nominal) value of the items we donated to the ReBuilding Center.—Naomi Kaufman Price
Get a free estimate for you project on the DeConstruction Services free estimate page or contact us at decon@rebuildingcenter.org or 503.331.9875.
Have you used DeConstruction Services for one of your projects? Share your experience in the comment section below!
Portland Youth Builders Working Hard and Supporting The ReBuilding Center
On Friday a group of 12 from Portland Youth Builders came out to volunteer for 5 hours! The group unload miscellaneous items, lighting, and tile from carts and helped them find a temporary home in the warehouse. They also helped clean out the community tree cob structure and the front of The ReBuilding Center warehouse for a Portlandia shoot which happened later in the afternoon. Most of the day was spent de-nailing lumber from one of our DeConstruction Services projects that was recently completed.
We also had a group from Central City Concern’s Community Volunteer Corps helping out on Friday afternoon. We enjoy the company and hard work of CVC on a weekly basis.
What a group of fantastic, hardworking volunteers! Thank you!
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.
University of Portland Service Plunge Volunteers
Last Wednesday we had 29 students from University of Portland spend their morning volunteering in The ReBuilding Center warehouse. They helped de-nail wood, paint in the Community Resource Area, organize trim, molding, and tile. These 29 students were just a fraction of the 130 total who were out in the community spending their first days in Portland learning about, and supporting, the local community before school starts next week. In addition to this group of UP students, a group of 10 students from Reed College come out for a few hours last Monday and two more UP groups will be joining us in the upcoming week!
Volunteers are essential to the operations of The ReBuilding Center. We would not be able to maintain any sense of organization without their help, but more than anything else we love the fresh energy and welcoming volunteers into The ReBuilding Center family. Thank you to all of the volunteers who continue to help on a daily basis.
If you are interested in bringing a group of volunteers to The ReBuilding Center, or just want to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Rosie McGown at volunter@ourunitedvillages.org.
Volunteer as ReFind Furniture Workshop Assistant
ReFind Furniture is currently searching for a few more volunteers to assist with the creation of picture frames and other home furnishings for the ReFind Furniture Show Room. Volunteers play a vital role in the creative process and production of items. Use your skills and creativity to inspire the community to do their own projects with salvaged materials.
If you have experience with woodworking and would like the opportunity to continue to build your skills than you may be a perfect fit! You can learn more about the position here or contact Rosie McGown at volunteer@ourunitedvillages.org or 503.467.4985.
Make a Reclaimed Lamp Terrarium
Looking for a cool way to reuse that old hanging lantern taking up space in your garage? How about create a terrarium out of it!
Materials you’ll need:
Reclaimed hanging lantern
Potting soil
Rocks
Succulent plants
Tools you’ll need:
Pliers
Screwdriver
Instructions:
Remove hardware from a glass hanging lantern. Fill with rocks, potting soil, arrange succulents. Not only do the paned panels recall the look of traditional terrariums, but the piece also includes a convenient door — originally for changing light bulbs — which is perfect for the occasional rearrangement of the plants and rocks.
Adapted from:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/03/before-after-ariels-lamp-terrarium-lias-lamps.html#ixzz1GhyHxrGz
Like this re-use idea? Sign up for our monthly creative reuse idea newsletter here.