| Volunteer Shout Out |
The PDX Metro Habitat ReStore is now seeking Customer Service Assistants from 1-5pm on Thursday and Saturday afternoon. This volunteer opportunity will consist of, but is not limited to: greeting and directing customers to items, assisting with merchandising, maintaining the organization of the front desk area, and working on the register. We ask that you will commit to one shift a week or every other week. For questions about this position or about other volunteer opportunities, please contact me at the email address below.
Thank You!
Malia Tam Sing-Volunteer Coordinator
malia@pdxrestore.org
503.283.6247 ext. 3
Here are the current main needs of the new Clark County ReStore (both half and whole day shifts are available)
Customer Service Assistant: welcomes customers, answers questions, and provides assistance.
Stocking and Cleaning: receive new donations,pricing and stocking for sale.
Contact Janell Watt-volunteer coordinator
360-213-1313
or signup on-line: www.clarkcountyrestore.org
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A Peek at the New Clark County ReStore
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The New ReStore is SPECTACULAR. It is big and beautiful. Some friends and supporters got our first look at it on Wednesday. It is really impressive, and the new store's staff and volunteers have obviously been very busy getting it ready to open in a few weeks. "It was completely empty," explained Mark Haley, the store's manager. "We just started to clean and paint. It's been fun. We still have a ways to go." "We've had some awesome volunteers!" adds volunteer coordinator Janell Watt. Word is that the new ReStore will open in just a few weeks, with a major celebration/dedication in about May.
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Meet Volunteers Robin & Prince |
 This month, we would like to recognize volunteer Robin Dunitz. She works in the office answering phone calls about donations, and she helps put out this newsletter.. Robin was born in Santa Monica, California. She has also lived in Michigan, Massachussetts and Pennsylvania. She spent about 20 years as a freelance writer and photographer, writing mostly about art, adventure travel, and computers. Robin moved to Portland about 3 years ago with her son to be closer to her sister. She has been at the ReStore for about a year and a half, and enjoys working with the staff and knowing that she is helping a worthwhile cause. She is also a Master Recycler, and a Big Sister. Among her other interests are kayaking, gardening, her dogs, drawing, and the fate of the world. Thank you so much for being part of our team Robin! You are a huge asset to the Portland ReStore. We couldn't do it without you!
interview by Malia Tam Sing
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Deconstruction =
Responsible Demolition |
| According to the EPA, the United States generates 160 million tons of construction and demolition debris each year. 60% of it ends up in a landfill. 250,000 homes are demolished annually, releasing 1.2 billion board feet of potentially reusable lumber. However, instead, most of it gets dumped.
Back before 1930, deconstruction was the norm. In fact, building wreckers paid business owners because they were able to salvage so much reusable material. With the arrival of modern urban development, speed became the driving force. It was and is faster to just smash everything and then dump it.
Today's environmental consciousness has led to an increasing re-interest in deconstruction and salvage. Deconstruction is the efficient dismantling of a structure in order recover for reuse as much as possible of its materials. That obviously then lessens the need to access new resources. Nationwide there are more than 900 non-profit used building material supply stores. About 500 of these are HFH ReStores.
The demolition industry, which does $4-5 billion of business each year, has identified 14 salvageable building materials. Mainly, though, it focuses on just the three main ones: concrete, metal, and wood.
One obstacle to widespread deconstruction is that it can take twice as long to deconstruct as it takes to demolish. It depends on how easily the building can be taken apart. It helps, though, that more builders are "going green." In order to achieve LEED certification, they need to maximize their use of reclaimed materials.
Most of the information in this story came from an article in the New York Times Magazine, 9-28-08, called "This Old Recyclable House," by Jon Mooallem.
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| Renters' Handbook, 10th Edition
Now Online |
| The Oregon State Public Interest Group (OSPIRG) has been producing a Renters' Handbook for more than 30 years. It continues to be an essential resource for saving money and avoiding costly problems that can come up when renting a place to live. This new edition includes a handy checklist for first-time renters. It's now available online by clicking HERE. |
| Upcoming Events, Classes, & Tours |
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Better Living Show
Portland Expo Center
March 27 - 29
Friday, 12-9; Saturday, 11-9; Sunday, 11-5 * Home Improvement Ideas
* Advice on Energy Savings & Upgrades * Exhibition of Clean Energy Technologies
* Restorative Garden Environments
* Green Jobs Fair
* Flower Show featuring Native Plants
* Kids Activity Corner
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Please Give Us Feedback!
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Please let us know what you think of the ReStore Newsletter. Are you finding useful information and/or resources? Do you have ideas for articles you would like us to do? Are there aspects of the newsletter that you think need improvement. Please help us make this newsletter better. Contact robin@pdxrestore.org with your thoughts. Thank you!
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February 2009
$225 for set
Just $375!
