Over the years, since starting TRP, I have seen numerous examples of practical and innovative reuse by do-it-yourselfers and talented artisans determined to remodel, repair or create entirely new products from salvaged building materials. These people have taken used lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, fixtures and appliances and given them a second, third, or, in some cases, fourth life -- and they have saved money doing it!

I've seen photos of salvaged gym floors transformed into countertops and decking, old windows painted with vivid floral designs and hung as original art, and entire room additions built with nothing but reclaimed materials. Customers purchase these materials at our Oakland, Boulder and Los Angeles warehouses and then come back a few weeks or months later to show off snapshots of the finished products. While I always applaud such efforts, what I have not done up until now is share these inspirational ideas with the folks who visit our website and receive this e-letter. That's about to change.

Announcing TRP's first ever "Better Than New: A Contest for Reuse Fledglings and Fanatics," or just "Better Than New!" (for short).

By merely entering this contest, you are guaranteed a prize. First, second and third place winners will get heftier prizes, but every valid entry receives something. At the same time, you'll be helping me to showcase projects on our website that demonstrate the excellent work being done with used building materials. Here's how the contest works:

Simply e-mail to me, at the address below, up to four (4) before-and-after photographs of your project along with a brief description (up to 250 words) that explains the nature of the project and the types and amounts of used materials incorporated in the project. We will select the best of these to display on a special TRP website page. Include your first and last names and the city where you live. TRP promises to not disclose any additional information about you.

A three-person jury (one TRP contractor, one TRP advisor, and one TRP retail manager) will select the three winners and may recommend additional projects to be featured on the TRP website. Entries will be judged on:

1. Quality of design and execution (installation)
2. Replicability of concept
3. Clarity of description
4. Quality of photographs (If we can't see it well, we can't judge it fairly.)
   

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

Here's a recap of the 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

The Oakland warehouse has bricks, bricks and more bricks. 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 several gorgeous cherry wood cabinets from a deconstruction in Newport Beach. Check these out!

At the Oakland warehouse we're featuring lumber. Receive 25% off on any lumber purchase through July 15, 2008.

At the Los Angeles (Pacoima) warehouse receive 20% off on all toilets through July 15, 2008.

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 5,000 sq-ft San Francisco home, including paneled doors, granite counters, hardwood flooring, trim and paneling
• All materials from a 3,000 sq-ft Los Gatos home with new carpets, custom light fixtures, pocket doors, umpteen bricks and a seven-burner cooktop
• All materials from a 2,300 sq-ft Lafayette house, with exposed redwood beams and paneling, hardwood flooring and a custom kitchen
• The complete deconstruction of a 3,000 sq-ft custom home in Orinda will yield nice cabinets, vinyl dual-pane windows, six panel doors, T111 siding and pavers
• All materials from a 2,400 sq-ft home in Sausalito, with stained glass windows, 1x4 t&g redwood paneling and old growth framing lumber
• All materials from a 5,400 sq-ft Palo Alto house, with beautiful moldings, old-growth framing lumber and bricks
• All materials from a 600 sq-ft cottage in Rodeo, including 1x8 shiplap siding, t&g oak flooring and lumber
• All materials from a 5,200 sq-ft Palo Alto house, with T111 siding and oak cabinets
• Great kitchen cabinets and lots of brick from a 3,600 sq-ft remodel in Orinda
• Nice kitchen cabinets and dual-pane sliding patio doors from a 600 sq-ft remodel in Walnut Creek

In Los Angeles, the Pacoima warehouse will receive:

• All materials from a 2,500 sq-ft 1959 Rolling Hills Estates home, including French doors, oak hardwood flooring, solid wood kitchen cabinets, appliances and three sets of bath fixtures
• All materials from a 2,366 sq-ft Santa Monica house, built in 1935, including hardwood flooring, pedestal sinks, French doors, interior raised-panel doors and kitchen appliances
• Lumber from a 975 sq-ft beach bungalow in Venice
• All materials from a 5,200 sq-ft house in Newport Beach, including cherry wood doors and bookcases, jet bathtubs and new kitchen cabinets
• All materials from a 2,000 sq-ft home in Chula Vista, including beautiful display cabinets, new office furniture, dishwasher and dual-pane vinyl windows
• All materials from a 2,400 sq-ft Coronado home, including beautiful kitchen cabinets w/granite countertops, beveled glass French doors w/Baldwin hardware, like-new 5x5 jet bathtub, dual-pane slider windows, plantation shutters and hardwood flooring

In Boulder, the Lafayette warehouse will receive:

• The complete deconstruction of a ranch-style house, including commercial-grade kitchen appliances, cabinets and granite counter tops
• A 1-story ranch style house, including oak flooring and solid sawn floor joists

The Chicago warehouse will receive:

• All materials, except original brick structure, from a 9,000 sq-ft estate built in 1921, including all appliances, bath fixtures, solid oak doors, oak floors, oak cabinets and casement windows
• All materials from the complete deconstruction of a 2,500 sq-ft early 1900s Wisconsin farm house, including original doors, trim and exterior cedar siding

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.