I wouldn’t ordinarily tell someone to go out and buy a book, but this one is definitely one I think should be added to every household.  It’s a great book for newlyweds or college kids or folks who are starting out on their own.  Why?  The book is full of useful, practical, environmentally friendly tricks and tips for day-to-day house keeping.
It’s a compilation from Reader’s Digest–I know, I know–Yes, that book your gramma has on the little shelf in the bathroom.  But think about all the stuff your gramma knows how to fix and organize and DO.  Think of how we have changed our mentality of thrift to going out and buying convenience or buying all kinds of single purpose tools.  Yet, we already have tons of stuff in our pantries and cupboards and junk drawers that could do a lot more if we only thought differently about their uses.
If you try to read it cover to cover in one setting, you’ll be overwhelmed–there’s over 2300 tips!  Instead, read it a little each night or thumb through it and read whatever bits strike your fancy.  There’s tons of photos, drawings, and sidebars which break up all the concentrated information.  You will be a greener Know-it-All in no time.  It has everything from cleaning to cooking, storage to organizing and repairing– making play-dough and more.  You will save money, buy fewer tools, you will use (and flush) fewer harmful chemicals down the drain, you will be more useful to others and you’ll be richer in experience!  Unfortunately, the library won’t let you keep it forever, so get it used from a used book store instead.

is available for you to view and download.
We met over 160 people at the Elmwood Arts Fest and we hope that many of them will become ReSourceful Urbanites!  Maybe we’ll see you at some of the volunteer workdays, DIY workshops or the Talent & Treasure Auction!

If you became a member in 2008 or 2009–your annual $5 dues are due again.  You can renew your membership via paypal or in the store at the register.  Become a member this week (thru Sep4th) and get your chance to win a free car wash from BARB (our Big Arse Rain Barrel)

For two years now, I’ve been sharing a little kooky idea to create a fleet of trikes that have the capability to water the newly planted trees, flower beds and planters throughout our neighborhood–using rain water! (see kooky napkin sketch at left).
The necessity of this hit home yesterday as I was driving up Dodge and noticed too many of the new trees look dry and knowing I don’t have an easy way to fix the problem.
We haven’t had much luck getting the Hydro Buffalo idea funded. I thought maybe “if I could just get it started” with a prototype–at least ONE trike, then riding that suped-up trike around could prove to everyone that it’s not just a kooky idea–it’s a GREAT kooky idea! and eventually we’d be able to expand the fleet.

Before you ask–YES, Blue Bike and Riverkeeper are aware of this idea, and we hope our collective audience is excited to help–we’re all in the same boat though. We need one adult trike to get us started! If anyone out there can donate a solid adult trike we can then weld a cart and get this thing rolling.  If you think you can help–please get in touch with Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org or call 716-885-4131

Here’s the other part of the proposal if you are “People who know People”
Read the rest of this entry »

Join Fancy & Delicious tomorrow, August 22nd, at 153 Eaton Street from 12-5 for our monthly bread workshop.

Arrive at noon if you want to knead and bake your own loaf of bread in our clay oven. There are still a few spots available. If you are not planning on baking, join us at any time in the afternoon to
enjoy some tea or coffee, and good company (the company is always good)!

There will be no special lesson or theme this month. All basic ingredients and supplies are provided, but if you want to experiment with any special flours or recipes, you should bring your own extras.
Instruction and guidance will be available for those who want it. The workshop is free, but we accept
donations to cover the cost of ingredients and to help keep the project alive!

Cheers,
Maura

–
Fancy and Delicious Baking Co.
153 Eaton St. Buffalo, NY 14208
fancyanddelicious.blogspot.com

ReUse is looking for the following donations:

donate your car…bonus points if it’s a small pickup or a diesel powered motor. with all the running around we do on a daily basis…we really could use a fuel efficient vehicle to assist with errands, estimating, and acquisitions…your donation is of course tax deductible.

no car?
donate excess or used tools to support our lending library? mowers, ladders,  power and hand tools accepted.

no car or tools?
how bout a GPS…we could use one to assist with the pickup route, getting to salvage projects, and green demolition estimating

no cars, tools, or GPS???
how bout a kitchen set, or a toilet, or a pile of hardware. Donations accepted at our store Tues-Sunday…or give us a call REUSE PICKS UP!…716-882-2800.

none of that?  how about piles of shredded tree, mulch, bales of straw–even old cow or horse poop for our ReDoo Compost!

ReUse Picks Up: Call 882-2800

REMEMBER:  Buffalo ReUse is a fully licensed, insured and equiped GREEN DEMOLITION contractor. We can take down your garage, barn, or house and everything we save is a tax write off for you! give us a call for a free estimate today…716-885-4131.

Peter and I visited a few of the Delevan Avenue gardens during the Garden Walk a couple weekends back. We were both super impressed with the gorgeous plants, colors, creative designs and SKILL of the gardeners who shared their beautiful spaces.  We also found a few resourceful urbanites who were sharing their reuse ideas!  One example is Jeff Wilson’s back yard patio space that gave broken granite slabs some knew purpose!  If you click on the photo link you’ll see some other great ideas. I know there are lots of clever examples of reuse in your gardens too; I hope you will share those ideas and photos with all of us.

Folks, there’s lots and lots of exciting activities for August.

You can download our calendar from our website–click on the calendar or link.

We are always in need of people to help with publicizing or organizing events so if you need volunteer hours (or your teen does) contact us and let us know volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

Many folks in our neighborhood already rely on public transportation or cycling for most of their needs, but some have long awaited Buffalo CarShare’s new truck for those bigger hauls!  Linda, from Grassroots Gardens, used it to pick up and drop off garden materials!
You can come and pet WOLF, CarShare’s big gray F-250 every Tuesday this August from 9am-1pm.  You can sign up as a member of the CarShare and have access to their other vehicles as well.

CarShare staff will be on-hand at Buffalo ReUse’s used building materials store, The ReSource, on Tuesdays from 11-1pm to explain all the details of membership, register you and get you access to a car when you need it.
We’re located at 298 Northampton which is right between Canisius and the Anchor Bar and near the medical corridor.

Governance for a NEW New York
The Coalition for Economic Justice to host State Senate Candidates Forum

What: An opportunity for the Buffalo public to interface directly with the State Senate Candidates in Erie County (58th, 59th, 60th and 61st districts) and to seek insight regarding candidates’ plans for the state.
When: Thursday July 29th, 2010 at 5:30p.m
Where: Allen Hall Theatre University at Buffalo – South Campus
Who: Coalition for Economic Justice, State Senate Candidates, Community, Faith, and Labor Leaders.
Why: The elections for State Senate will be held on November 2nd. CEJ seeks to promote opportunities for citizens to meet and learn more about the candidates that will directly affect the residents of Erie County and its communities. This forum will provide concerned citizens with a chance to hear directly from the candidates and to foster a dialogue between community members and elected officials.

The Coalition for Economic Justice and our allies are interested in how the candidates plan on addressing some of the major issues impacting the greater Buffalo area: sound economic growth and development, public accountability for government and enterprise, and providing good jobs to residents.

Dear Friends and Colleagues.

Come celebrate the launch of MicroBiz Buffalo’s new web incubator program!

On Friday, August 6th from 6pm-11pm MicroBiz Buffalo is hosting a Business and Baseball Bash at 237 Main St. Buffalo NY. Enjoy an exclusive view overlooking Coca-Cola field’s Friday’s night Bisons game and witness the spectacular fireworks.

All support of the event provides resources for local emerging entrepreneurs. Help build a strong economy in Western New York. Invest Locally!

See the Bisons from a new angle and learn more about MicroBiz Buffalo and its mission to connect local entrepreneurs to resources.

Find more details as the event approaches or learn more about what is going on at our facebook page or at www.microbizbuffalo.org.

Jerry
–
Jerry Turcotte,
Executive Director

MicroBiz Buffalo
Helping Buffalo Work, One Entrepreneur at a Time
237 Main Street – Suite 1200
Buffalo, New York 14203
www.microbizbuffalo.org