The ReUse People - March 2006 NEWSLETTER

When Preparation Meets Opportunity
By Ted Reiff

Last year TRP set in motion a plan to open its first regional operation outside California. We spent three months researching the Seattle market and then another four months, with four trips to Seattle, proving the veracity of the plan. Two months ago, in January, we opened the region.

One day in mid-February, as I was planning my next Seattle trip, I received a telephone call from Kurt Buss, an industry colleague in Boulder, Colorado, saying he would like to become the TRP Colorado Regional Manager. He offered to bring with him Russ Callas, owner of Haul Away Recycling, Inc., an experienced deconstruction  contractor who salvaged over 30 houses last year. In addition, Russ offered to throw in two projects already in progress and two more scheduled to start in March and April.

Hmmm, I wondered. Should I return to the Bay Area after my Seattle trip, like it said on my Southwest ticket, or fly to Boulder and sign ‘em up?

You guessed it, I made the trip to Denver from Seattle (where I had trained four new TRP-certified deconstruction contractors) and over the weekend trained Kurt to be our newest regional manager and Russ to be the region's first TRP-certified deconstruction contractor. Then I helped Kurt inventory a 3,300 square-foot custom home and visited three additional job sites. 

Now for a quick digression: Years ago I had a business partner who refused to plan because he never wanted to be wrong -- honest, I kid you not. Fortunately I didn't listen to my partner. Instead I listened to Ross Perot (really!), who taught me that without a plan you couldn't adjust your direction to take advantage of new opportunities, since you wouldn't know where you were going in the first place. Politics aside, thanks Ross. I’m glad I took your advice and not my partner’s.    

Through planning and preparation, TRP developed the capability to respond to the Colorado opportunity when it arose. The result: on Monday, March 13, a Colorado crew will load a semi-truck with the following:

46 solid-core panel doors, with top-of-the-line hardware and jambs
36 dual-paned wood and vinyl casement and double hung windows
8 rolls of new carpeting
4 vanities with sinks and faucets
18 kitchen cabinets
2 new carrier gas furnaces with air conditioners and electronic air filters
1 beautiful wood stove
Additional dual-paned windows from another house
And  more!

New Inventory

Truck load sale. On Friday or Saturday, March 17 or 18 (call to verify), TRP Alameda will receive its first truckload of materials from Colorado. The contents of this load are described above, and will be sold on a first-come-first served basis.

Special of the Month

This month we are featuring our large selection of laminated countertops. Choose any size, any color laminate countertop and receive 30 percent off through April 15, 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

The Alameda ReUse Bazaar we will receive:

• All materials from a custom 1,700 sq-ft ranch home in Lafayette 

• All lumber from a custom ranch home in Alamo (in February we received the fixtures from this house)

• 100 percent of a custom 3,400 sq-ft home in Menlo Park -- a real beauty

• All fixtures from a 3,300 sq-ft, two-level home in Boulder, Colorado

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

• Hardwood flooring, doors, redwood staircases, wrought-iron works and other fixtures from a 5,000 sq-ft, 1930s Lake Arrowhead home

• The contents of a 5,000 sq-ft La Jolla villa (vanities, kitchen cabinetry, appliances, doors, windows, and carpet) owned by a prominent San Diego interior designer will begin arriving

• Excellent cabinetry, iron works, a player piano and other items from a 3000 sq-ft ranch style home in Studio City

• Modular kitchen cabinets and other contents from a 1950s 2,200 sq-ft beach house in Solana Beach

• The contents of a 3,000 sq-ft Rancho Palos Verdes ranch-style home

• Approximately 30 modular cabinets,10 appliances and miscellaneous fixtures from a San Diego triplex remodel

Also in Los Angeles, Silver Lakes Yards will receive:

• Vintage plumbing fixtures and steel casement windows from the Lake Arrowhead home (see above).

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Bazaar
2100 Ferry Point, #150
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 522-2722; 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 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.