The ReUse People - June 2006 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Oakland Reuse Complex!
By Ted Reiff

The move is complete! The signage is up! The paint is dry and the warehouse is full! If you haven't visited our new facility at 9235 San Leandro Street in Oakland, you are missing out on the best reuse park in Northern California, if not in the Western United States. Not only can you shop in our new warehouse and adjacent lumber yard, you can take advantage of the deals offered by the ReStore of the East Bay Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and the Thrift Store of Saint Vincent dePaul, with whom we share the overall complex.

The Thrift store has great bargains on clothing, furniture, housewares and lots of other good stuff for you and your home. St. Vincent dePaul is our landlord, and the idea of a complex devoted to reuse was theirs. They got together with Habitat almost two years ago, and now Habitat occupies the front-left building. We were the late-comers to this party and just last month moved into the building on the front-right. The Thrift Store moved to the rear of the property and occupies an 18,000 square foot warehouse. The next planned addition to the reuse park includes several artists who create artworks from reused materials, including building materials. That should be exciting.

For those of you who are not familiar with Habitat, their mission is to build low-income housing for qualified families. They are an international organization with a great mission and an outstanding reputation. Habitat builds its signature houses from donated new materials. Excess materials are sold in Habitat ReStores and the proceeds are used to purchase property for more houses. The ReStore often receives and sells quality used materials as well.

As you know, TRP receives primarily used materials from deconstruction projects in its Southern California, Northern California, Seattle and Colorado regions. The blend of reused items at the Thrift Store, primarily new building materials at the Habitat ReStore and predominantly used building materials at TRP gives shoppers an unbeatable selection at competitive prices, once again proving that thoughtful collaboration is a win-win-win proposition.

Special Event Reminder

The recycling and reuse faire I announced in two previous e-letters is still on, but under a new name: the Re-Fresh Festival, a celebration of creative reuse and recycling. Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. The location is  9235 San Leandro Street in Oakland. This event is sponsored by The ReUse People, Habitat for Humanity and St. Vincent dePaul. There will be music, food, entertainment, reuse art exhibits, and a fashion show featuring recycled and reused items. No, the "man with the velvet crowbar" will not be wearing a window (or even a door, for that matter).  

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

Just in at the Oakland warehouse: 7,000 square feet of gymnasium flooring from Los Angeles. This floor is tongue-and-groove maple -- the real stuff.

Special of the Month

This month we are featuring our entire inventory of windows, including the beautiful dual glazed windows just received from Boulder, Colorado.. Receive 25% off on all windows with a copy of this e-letter through July 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

In Northern California, the Oakland warehouse will receive:

• All lumber from a custom 5,000 sq-ft home in Portola Valley

• All fixtures from a 1,500 sq-ft Craftsman home in Palo Alto

• A semi-trailer load of lumber from two custom homes in Boulder, Colorado

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

• Materials from a 2,500 sq-ft home in Solana Beach, including five sets of French doors, premium fixtures and quality oak hardwood flooring (mid June)

• Dual pane slider windows, premium light fixtures and more from a 2,500 sq-ft Corona Del Mar home

• Premium fixtures, including windows, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing and appliances from a 2,800 sq-ft home in Brentwood

• Premium fixtures, including windows, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing and appliances from an 1,800 sq-ft home in Manhattan Beach

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.