The sale - which will include how-to/technique books on subjects ranging from sewing, knitting and embroidering to drawing and painting - will take place in the store's classroom area during regular Saturday store hours, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Note: this is a fine collection comprising many hard-cover books, some of which would retail for over $100. Therefore, we will not be offering these at "blow-out" prices. Nonetheless, we think you will be pleasantly surprised to find some very nice, informative books at VERY reasonable prices! 

You know those three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. They have been taught to generations since the 1970s, yet there is still confusion about what they mean, how we can do them, and whether there are actually more Rs these days. In "Choose to Reuse" (1995), authors Nikki and David Goldberg define and describe the original 3 Rs, using auto tires as an example.

Reducing use of car tires can be accomplished by choosing to ride a bike instead of driving. Alternately, you might maintain your car's tires to extend their lives by checking tire pressure

Repurpose tires for backyard fun!

regularly and rotating them so they do not have to be replaced as often.

Tires can have additional lives through primary re-use (for the same purpose) and secondary reuse (in a new way). The best example of primary reuse is having them retreaded, in lieu of buying new ones, so the tires can continue to serve their original purpose. In secondary reuse, your worn tire can become an artificial reef in a local pond, providing habitat to its fish populations. Perhaps you had a tire swing when you were growing up, or knew someone who used worn car or tractor tires to contain raised flower beds. 

Recycling tires involves collecting them at a central point, sometimes shipping to a manufacturer, and reprocessing them for use in a new product. For example, tires may be washed and ground up or shredded as an ingredient in a new road surface. 

At The I.D.E.A. Store, we practice all three Rs. We take waste reduction and energy conservation measures daily. At check-out, you are asked whether you need a receipt. Your "no thanks" saves paper and reduces one of the store's operating costs. (Thank you!) Of course, the store is all about creative reuse, so almost all of the display fixtures are second-hand, and we set the example by making do with materials available at the store whenever possible.  Containers in which donations are received are either reused or recycled. Plastic bags that are not recyclable are used to contain the small amount of trash from the store. 

Here's a short list of additional Rs people have proposed: repair, repurpose, refurbish, restore, refuse and rethink. Personally, I think a fourth R should stand for "respect." In the coming weeks, you'll see new informative environmental facts around The I.D.E.A. Store, and our Art and Environmental Specialists are available for presentations to your group or classroom. 

Meanwhile, back on the tire track, check out these great ideas for keeping tires out of the waste stream:

* Transform them into colorful planters.

* More ideas for repurposing tires - and bunches of other stuff, too!

* Check out these clever repurposing projects, which include practical uses for old tires.

* Still more ideas for retired tires.

If you're looking for another way to support our schools this summer and you also happen to be an oenophile, you won't want to miss the July 21 wine tasting at The Corkscrew Wine Emporium in Urbana. The tasting will take place from 3-6:30 p.m. in the Corkscrew's Buvon's Wine Bar. The price of admission is $10, with 5 percent of all sales benefiting the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation. Special by-the-glass pricing will be available.

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation saw a need in the community to accomplish several things: 1.  Support the arts and arts education, 2.  Support environmental education in our communities, 3. Impact the environment by reducing the rate of waste disposal, 4. create a place for everyone to have access to quality materials and 5. Support itself in light of the difficult economic times.  So donate your discards and shop re-use.  Its about making a difference!

 www.cuSchoolsFoundation.org