Our friend and supporter Kevin Kegler, design professor at Daemen College, leader of our regular Friday service-learning crew, sculptor and all-around handy guy, is having an opening reception of his recent work:
Friday, February 27
6-9pm
Chow Chocolat
731 Main Street, Buffalo
Even though West side has wiped the field with our faces–literally–we can’t get enough of it. Ah,themimreeze.
Kevin hauling pigskin
Sunday, we’ll play at noon–meet us at the rear of the warehouse. Barb Gainer is bringing chili all the way from Erie; you’re welcome to bring something from your oven or pantry or the back of your fridge. We’ll have the cocoa kettle too! I’m not sure if there will literally be snow, so perhaps you should pad yourselves accordingly. It is only supposed to be “wrap” but somehow lots of folks wind up getting tackled.
Buffalo Basics is spicing things up this weekend, and hosting two FREE workshops at 153 Eaton on two different subjects!
Saturday, February 28th at 3pm, we will be teaching how to replace subflooring in our upstairs kitchen, where a past roof leak left major damage. If you have any water-damaged floors, common in kitchens and bathrooms, this workshop is definitely for you.
We’re still concerned about heating over at 153 Eaton, in fact even more so now that we’ve had our energy audit (thanks so much to those of you who came out Saturday!), so on Sunday, March 1st at 3pm, we will be glazing our windows. Glazing is easy, reduces heat loss from windows to half, and costs far less than completely new windows would! We’ve got plenty of windows for practicing!
Come over this weekend, invite family and friends, and kick off March right–with the skills to replace weak flooring and keep the cold outside where it belongs! Anybody interested in starring in some training videos? Look at these guys!
Permalink Comments (1) :: Community, How-To, Tool BARn, home ownership
and nothing but the poop! So help me.
Toilets come to the ReSource in many types and colors and styles and generally sell for about 25 dollars. Whatever the price, or how fancy or not, they all do the same thankless job – whisk away waste in a clean and a (relatively) odorless manner!
Since last winter the ReSource has grown in size, scope, and mission. Importantly, we now have functioning, lighted, and heated restrooms and no longer have to risk frost bite on our nether regions, trudging outside in 5 degree weather to use the porta-potty. So, in honor of our new facilities Caesandra asked me to say a few words about the humble commode.
One of the first dichotomies to develop in humans is our relationship with our poop. Babies learn the humor of poopies early on and (at least in males) it never goes away. Everyone poops, as the children’s book says, but no one admits it. However, even most adults snicker, except maybe the Queen of England, when toilet humor is invoked. This dichotomy is the basis of every 12-year old boy’s mantra: “he who denied it, supplied it”.
Q: Did you hear about Robin Hood’s house? A: It has a little John.
Like Rodney Dangerfield, the toilet just gets no respect, so I’m here to have a intellectual and serious discourse on the importance and merits of the commode – without snickering -Ok, a little snickering. I’m a guy after all.
The toilet is one civilization’s most important inventions. It’s not just an ideal locale for reading TV Guide; it’s critical in the establishment of human societies. Praise is always heaped upon the plow, the steam engine, and the printing press, while the humble toilet, which dutifully fulfills its task six to eight times a day for the average adult, is relegated to cheap humor. Read the rest of this entry »
Did you know that Buffalo has the 2nd highest heating bills of any city in the country??
This doesn’t have to be! Our old homes can be upgraded to improve their energy-efficiency and reduce heating costs, but we must first identify what the problems are and how they can be fixed. A professional technician will be joining us at 153 Eaton this Saturday, February 21st, at 3pm to do just that, by conducting an energy audit, and we are psyched to invite you over for the demonstration.
The auditing demonstration should last about an hour, and will be followed up with some great info about how to finance upgrades to reduce those heating bills, as well as plenty of time for questions. Please invite your friends and family to join us!
Warmly,
Whitney
buffalobasics {at} gmail(.)com
Permalink Comments :: Community, Environment, Green Collar Jobs, How-To, Money, home ownership
With over 100 individuals and organizations represented, there was no shortage of passion or ideas for how we can collaborate to create an agenda for the long term protection and preservation of our local environment.
You’re probably not surprised by Buffalo ReUse’s commitment to the environment, after all, we RECYCLE and REUSE houses. We have created an economic model to reclaim materials that would have otherwise been senselessly dumped in our landfill. Every ton of material we divert from the landfill represents a marked decline in the demand for virgin materials harvested from our forests, transported thousands of miles, and manufactured. This process is both energy intensive and environmentally destructive. By purchasing a locally reclaimed product you are making a conscientious decision to protect our environment, while also incorporating unique building elements into your rehabilitation or art project. Mother Nature is smiling!
At the ReSource, located at 298 Northampton Street, we want to inform and model other ways that folks can reduce their energy consumption, save money, AND protect the planet. In 2009, we intend to generate power from photovoltaic solar panels; collect rainwater for gardens; begin running our fleet on biodiesel; and install a green roof and rain gardens to decrease runoff and protect our water supply. In addition, we intend for the ReSource to be a destination for community engagement and education. It will be a place where folks can bring their friends and family to learn about Buffalo’s unique architectural history; celebrate the history of this region and discuss with others various ideas for making home improvements with an emphasis on style and character.
Volunteers with an interest in sustainability, alternative energy, and technology can initiate and become immersed in projects that will bring this vision to reality. Educators can share their wisdom and expertise by teaching workshops. Artists and designers can build interpretive exhibits at the store to educate the public and our customers about the importance of conservation and about Buffalo’s many unique assets.
PART III: Energy Independence IS Possible!
The Vision: To research, develop, and implement technology that will enable Energy Independence at the ReSource by 2010. In addition, we’d like to model best practices in energy conservation and creation, material reclamation and reuse and waste management. Finally, we’d like to create a destination for community education and training.
The NEEDS:
The STEPS to get involved:
Implementation: Kevin Hayes, Peter Riphahn, Ian MacDonald and Caesandra are leading the charge to develop the ReSource as a Destination for community engagement and environmental stewardship. Projects will be on-going throughout the year and implemented primarily with the initiation, energy, and expertise of committed volunteers like you.
Stay Tuned…for our final edition of TIME and TALENT: Part 4…”there’s so much to do, these things are just a few”!
Onward,
Michael and the ReUse Gang
Permalink Comments (1) :: Community, Dream It; Do It, Education, Environment, Green Collar Jobs, Store, Volunteers!
The ladies at BUFFALO BASICS want to invite you to their first, of many, neighborhood workshops.
Sanding Hardwood Floors
February 14th at 1pm or February 15th at 3pm (each workshop will cover the entire process, you do not need to attend both!)
At their lab/house, 153 Eaton, BFLO 14208
A few notes on workshops:
“Here is ‘opt out’ information so you can stop some of the junk mail — the sooner you do it the sooner it will stop or at least slow it down –The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends you call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com to take you off the lists for receiving pre-approved credit and insurance offers from the major companies. It’s quick to do and you’ll feel better, and as a bonus, your junk mail will be cut down.”
She added hugs and kisses, but I left that part out because it’s mushy.
Get it at Talking Leaves
The next UB Green Book Club Meeting will be 7pm on Wednesday, February 18th at the UB Green Environmental Library. This month, we will be discussing Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan.
One reviewer of Botany of Desire on Amazon.com writes “Polan is unusually talented at explaining complex ideas and he does so in a way that is fresh, fun, often funny, and surprisingly profound. Pollan’s section on Johnny Appleseed alone is worth the price of the book. The Botany of Desire is chiefly the history of the tulip, apples in America, cannabis, and the potato. This may not sound like the recipe for a really satisfying read, but in Michael Pollan’s more than able hands, it certainly is. If you enjoy gardening, history, or just plain old very decent writing, I expect you too would appreciate this excellent book.” Sounds like a good read, right?
If you are interested in reading Botany of Desire with us, please RSVP to Erin or Jim, eecala {at} buffalo(.)edu or 716 829 3535 by February 17th. If you are looking to purchase the book, Talking Leaves Books has copies available to our book club at a discount. Remember to support local businesses!
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