In the June e-letter I announced "Better Than New," a contest involving before-and-after photographs showing remodeling projects (yours, I hope!) accomplished with used building materials. This month, I'm expanding the contest to include other interesting projects besides those that involve construction and remodeling. To learn why, read on...

It all started with a phone call from a law firm in Albany, New York. The caller wanted to place an order for 50 used bricks. I laughed and asked if she could not find 50 used bricks in all of Albany. She explained that the firm needed the bricks in the Bay Area, not Albany, and had found TRP on the Internet. The firm was representing the plaintiff in a liability suit and wanted the bricks shipped to a testing laboratory. Intrigued, I took the order.

The laboratory, near Walnut Creek, needed the delivery before 8:00 a.m. on a Tuesday. As it happened, TRP Regional Manager Ron Whittaker and I were driving to Sacramento the same Tuesday, so we decided to leave early and make the delivery ourselves.

At 7:45 we arrived at the back entrance to the laboratory and were met by one of the employees who asked us to stack the brick next to a large scissor lift, a four-wheeled apparatus with a 4x8 platform on which workers can be lifted to various working heights -- up to 40 feet in this case. Turns out the lab planned to drop the bricks from the height of a three-story (brick) building to simulate the incident that allegedly caused the plaintiff's injuries. Instead of falling on a person, the bricks would land on a very sophisticated dummy so the resulting "injuries" could be documented in detail. Wow, what a story.

Ron and I, both former engineering students, immediately thought of the annual watermelon drop at UCSD's Revelle College, which was started by a physics professor in 1965 and still marks the end of every school year. It also started me thinking about other uses for salvaged building materials. For novelty, dropping bricks on a dummy sure beats the familiar brick and board bookcase. Here are a few more creative ideas:

How about bathtub races in a lagoon, or light fixture globes as fishbowls? Recently, the girls kicked the devil out of the boys in the national soapbox derby, so maybe the guys could start a kitchen cabinet derby using unmodified kitchen cabinets lying flat on casters with the doors opening upward like tank hatches.

Toilet bowls as planters is a little old, but why not use toilets as theater, seminar or conference room seats. A person could store belongings conveniently (and safely) beneath them in the bowl. Shower heads could be used as lawn sprinklers. Picture individually designed heads sticking up about six feet to create a whimsical sculpture garden.

Using windows as picture frames is a bit blasé, but how about as an alternative to the ubiquitous security camera? Simply insert a window in the wall nearest to the retail cash register or exit door and project a hologram of a person behind it. Would-be thieves will think they are being watched. Here's another idea: a backyard greenhouse constructed entirely of sliding patio doors.

Ok, now it is up to you. Send in photos and a descriptions of your projects. And remember the bricks and the dummy. You are not restricted to "normal" reuse.

Here's a recap of the contest rules and instructions:
1. First and last name of entrant
2. Name of city
3. Up to four (4) before-and-after photos
4. Description of project, up to 250 words
5. Email entries to tedreiff@thereusepeople.org., subject line: "Better Than New"
6. Deadline: September 1, 2008

A TRP jury will select three winners. Entries will be judged on:
1. Quality of design and execution (installation)
2. Replicability of concept
3. Clarity of description
4. Quality of photographs

In addition to recognition on the TRP website, photos of winning projects will be featured in the TRP booth at West Coast Green in San Jose, September 25-27.

Prizes (redeemable at any TRP warehouse)
First: $200 gift certificate
Second: $100 gift certificate
Third: $50 gift certificate
Every valid entry: $25 gift certificate

The Oakland warehouse has both new and antique bricks by the thousands. If you've been planning to build a brick patio, retaining wall or planters, now's the time.

The Los Angeles (Pacoima ) warehouse has just received two truckloads of lumber. Great savings for all your building needs..

At the Oakland warehouse we're featuring our abundant collection of windows. Receive 50% off on any window purchase through September 15, 2008..

At the Los Angeles (Pacoima) warehouse receive 50% off on cabinets through September 15, 2008.

.At the Boulder warehouse we are having a giant "lost our lease" sale. That means liquidation, folks -- everything goes. No reasonable offer will be refused.

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

In Northern California, TRP's Oakland warehouse will receive:

• All materials from a 2,300 sq-ft Lafayette house, including Viking dual-glazed windows, new cabinets, paneled doors, and roof-mounted solar pool heating system
• Select materials from a 1,200 sq-ft, Palo Alto home, including redwood paneling and trim
• All materials from a 2,800 sq-ft Atherton home, including Andersen dual-glazed windows, abundant pavers, custom cabinetry, Thermidor oven/cooktop, SubZero refrigerator and Miele dishwasher and washer/dryer
• All materials from a 4,000 sq-ft Orinda house, including custom cabinetry, Andersen windows, slate pavers and 16 architectural columns
• All materials from a 3,000 sq-ft custom ranch home in Los Altos, with shiplap redwood siding, dual-pane vinyl windows and single-panel doors

In Los Angeles, the Pacoima warehouse will receive:

• All materials from a very well maintained 2,300 sq-ft Santa Monica house built in 1940, including oak hardwood flooring, kitchen appliances and cabinets, chandelier and several brass tables and pole lamps
• Lumber only from a 4,000 sq-ft Beverly Hills home built in 1961
• Abundant materials from the major remodel of a 2,480 sq-ft West Hollywood house built in 1927, including a Gaggeneau oven, quality cabinets/island, solid raised-panel interior doors with premium Baldwin brass hardware, six sets of exterior French double doors, two pedestal sinks and a whirlpool tub
• All materials from a 3,500 sq-ft La Jolla house, with clay tile roofing, hand-carved entry doors, oval jet tub, Maytag front-load washer/dryer, beautiful kitchen cabinets with granite countertops and raised panel interior doors
• Select materials from a 3,000 sq-ft Vista remodel, including concrete columns, blue granite pavers and flagstone, and slate-style concrete roofing tile
• All materials from a 5, 400 sq-ft Imperial Beach house, including nice kitchen cabinets and bath vanities with granite countertops, beautiful wood carved stairwell railings, hardwood flooring, office desk and jet tub Note: Habitat for Humanity in San Diego will receive some of the San Diego materials.

In Kansas City, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will receive:

• All materials from a 5,793 sq-ft house built in 1954, including oak hardwood flooring, solid-core doors, casement windows with curved tops and kitchen appliances
• Select materials from a 1,300 sq-ft house, including oak hardwood flooring, windows and fixtures

The Chicago warehouse will receive:

• All materials from a 9,000 sq-ft 1920s Lake Michigan estate, including leaded glass windows, stone columns, oak hardwood flooring, green roof tiles, solid wood kitchen cabinets and two courses of old Chicago common brick and buff-face brick
• Abundant materials from the gut rehab of a 6,000 sq-ft three-story greystone, including original carved wood staircase, solid oak floors, doors, lots of old growth lumber and thousands of old Chicago common brick
• Materials from the gut rehab of a 6,000 sq-ft coach house, including original maple hardwood floors, six-panel solid wood doors and lots of old growth lumber

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

TRP Los Angeles (Pacoima) warehouse
11017 Sutter Avenue
Pacoima, CA 91331
(818) 897-2798
Hours: Tues through Fri 10:00 to 5:00; Saturday 10:00 to 4:00

Boulder Warehouse
10500 Isabelle Road
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 666-8094
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Please visit our partnering warehouse in the Los Angeles area:

Silver Lake Yards
1086 Manzanita Street
Silver Lake, CA 90026
(323) 667-2875
Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment
Directions: Manzanita Street crosses Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Go south 1 short block and turn right just before Santa Monica Boulevard.