The ReUse People - August 2006 NEWSLETTER

Lewis And Clark Would Be Proud
By Ted Reiff

Following in the footsteps of those venerable pioneers, TRP's investigation and research into the state of Washington has culminated in the opening of our third regional office, the first outside the state of California. However, in retrospect I think maybe Lewis and Clark had it a little easier, since they had a woman guide who made them stop and ask for directions.

In mid-May we hired Brad Gunn to fill the position of Seattle Regional Manager. Brad and his wife, Sharon, live in Renton, just a little southeast of Seattle proper. Three years ago, they added a new addition to their home and earned the highest green-building rating awarded by Built Green of Seattle. 

In addition to great enthusiasm, Brad brings to TRP solid management skills, construction experience, and a knowledge of green building techniques -- not a bad combination. Immediately out of high school, Brad was hired as a framer by a local building contractor and worked his way up to lead carpenter. After 10 years as a nail-driver he successfully switched careers and became a production manager in a growing electronics company. Most recently, he owned Sirius Optics, specializing in optical filters for telescopes used by amateur astronomers. He sold that company just prior to joining TRP in May.

Three contractors in the greater Seattle area have been trained and certified by TRP to salvage optimum quantities of building materials through deconstruction, thus allowing building owners to realize maximum tax deductions for their donations. These contractors, with the assistance of TRP, have already bid four projects. The first is expected to be completed in August. They are:

Greenleaf Construction, Inc.                                                                                                                                         
Attn: Jim Barger                                                                                                                                    
18305 Bellflower Road                                                                                                                                       
Bothell, WA  98012                                                                                                                                     
Telephone: (206) 786-3521                                                                                                                                       
Fax: (425) 774-4239                                                  

Kinesis Construction
Attn: Scott Davis
911 North 67th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
Telephone: (206) 789-7055
(206) 774-0592

American Environmental Construction
Attn: Chris Eckholm
P.O. Box  81005
Seattle, WA 98198
Telephone: (206) 267-0746
Fax: (206) 267-0753

A fourth contractor, Jon Alexander of Sunshine Construction, was also certified by TRP, but will limit deconstruction to Sunshine's own projects.

In addition, collaboration with local Seattle retailers of salvaged building materials will enable TRP to avoid the necessity and expense of shipping materials to our traditional markets in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Tijuana.

Special Event Reminder

If you want an excuse to visit a truly Midwestern city in full spring bloom, attend the Building Materials Reuse Association Conference, May 14 to 16, 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin. Visit www.ubma.org for more information.

New Inventory

Our Oakland warehouse has four pallets of flat terracotta roof tile. This is only the second time we have been able to offer this type of tile.

Special of the Month

This month we are featuring our large inventory of cabinets. Receive 25% off on all cabinets, except complete kitchens, with a copy of this e-letter through September 10, 2006.

Vehicle Donation Program

TRP is accepting donations of cars, trucks, SUV's, RV's, and motorcycles. Donating a vehicle is a simple process. You just pick up the phone and call. We do the rest. So if you'd like to get rid of an unwanted vehicle, phone now for a pickup. 800-574-0888. Or you can donate your vehicle online at www.vehiclesforcharity.com. Unfortunately, vehicle donations can only be made from the Bay Area counties plus Santa Cruz.

TRP is Looking for a few Good People

Go to our website www.thereusepeople.org, click on the tab "Opportunities" and look under the heading "Employment Opportunities"

Deconstruction & New Materials Update

In Northern California, the Oakland warehouse will receive:

• All the fixtures from a 3,000 square foot house in Alamo

• All materials from a custom Tiburon home, including a complete set of dual pane windows

• All materials from a beautiful 3,700 sq-ft home in San Anselmo, including great cabinets, doors and dual-pane windows

• All materials from a custom 1,750 sq-ft Walnut Creek ranch home

• Old growth lumber from a garage in Oakland

• All materials plus old growth Douglas fir lumber from a 1,100 sq-ft home in Atherton

• All materials from a 1,900 sq-ft post and beam Japanese-style home in Carmel

• All materials from a home in Oakland, including redwood siding and old growth Douglas fir framing

• All materials, including brick, redwood siding and old growth lumber from a custom home in Woodside

• All materials, including very attractive kitchen cabinets and hardwood flooring from a custom ranch in Danville

• All materials from a 1,300 sq-ft home in Menlo Park, including antique brick and pavers

In Los Angeles, the Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Store will receive:

• Premium dual pane vinyl windows, French doors and appliances from an 1,800 sq-ft Manhattan Beach home.

• Five tractor trailer loads of finished materials from a 14,000 sq-ft Rancho Santa Fe home, including beautiful French doors and top-of-the-line dual pane wood casement windows and cabinetry.

• Great hardwood flooring, Jacuzzi hot tub/spa, premium appliances and kitchen cabinets and more from a 6,000 sq-ft Pacific Palisades home.

• Materials from a 6,000 sq-ft home in Brentwood.

• Cabinetry and more from a 4,000 sq-ft ranch-style home Rancho Santa Fe.

• Breat C-Tile, Jacuzzi tub and other materials from a 4,000 sq-ft adobe framed home near the Fallbrook Winery.

• Hardwood flooring, nice cabinetry and dual-pane windows from phase two of a La Jolla remodel.

• Premium kitchen cabinetry, 3/4-inch oak flooring and other materials from a 3,000 sq-ft Brentwood beauty built in the 1940s.

• Premium lighting and plumbing fixtures, appliances, raised-panel doors, hardwood flooring and more from a lavishly appointed 6,000 sq-ft 1940s Beverly Hills home.

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
9235 San Leandro Street
Oakland, CA  94603
(510) 383-1983; toll-free 888-588-9490
Hours: Mon through Fri 10:00 to 6:00; Sat and Sun 10:00 to 4:00

Please visit our partnering warehouses in the greater Los Angeles area:

Habitat Home Improvement Store
17700 S. Figueroa (corner of 182nd), Gardena/Carson CA 90248
(310)-323-5665
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6: 00 p.m.

Silver Lake Yards
1086 Manzanita Street
Silver Lake, CA 90029
(323) 667-2875
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Directions: Manzanita Street crosses Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Go south 1 short block and turn right just before Santa Monica Boulevard.