Starting next Tuesday, November 16th there will be a series of three public meetings to inform city residents about the new zoning code that the City of Buffalo is going to create over the next couple years.

As stated from the Buffalo Green Code website;

The new Buffalo Green Code will be the first opportunity Buffalonians have had in nearly sixty years to establish a new regulatory framework for the development of our neighborhoods.

Zoning is the tool by which we build our communities.  It determines what gets built and where.  It’s essentially Buffalo’s DNA.  The process to re-imagine the city’s future and write a code that matches the community’s vision will be an exciting opportunity for the people of Buffalo.  As this process gets rolled out, over a period of three years of serious work, encouraged that all citizens in every section of the city participate and take an active role.

If you do not know what zoning is, the question and answer section of the green codes website does a decent job covering the topic.  It definitely is a very important tool in creating and maintaining cities and is going to be a key part to Buffalo’s accrued success moving forward.

We have one of the most friendliest and enthusiastic cities out there and it shows as you walk up and down the streets of Buffalo, no matter what neighborhood you are in.  So please come out and continue the support and give your input on our City’s own future.  If you want something done you have to go out and do it.  Things don’t happen on their own. So come out and have a say next week, there will be three different meetings that are held to provide Buffalonian’s an opportunity to have a say in our promising future we all have known this City is capable of.

Tuesday, November 16th, 7pm.   Central Public Meeting

Buffalo Musuem of Science. 1020 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, NY,  14211

Wednesday, November 17th, 7pm.  North Region Public Meeting

Bennett High School. 2885 Main Street, Buffalo Ny 14214

Thursday, November 18th, 7pm.   South Region Public Meeting

Tosh Collins Community Center. 35 Cazenovia St. Buffalo NY 14210

Keep up with the Buffalo Green Code’s development by becoming a fan of their facebook page and signing up for the website’s newsletter. Issue #1 is already out. Follow this link to read more.

All this week we are encouraging all you ReSourceful Urbanites (and not so ReSourceful Urbanites…yet) to come by the ReSOURCE and drop off your best carving of a pumpkin. We will display them in the store all week leading up to our Saturday spectacle which will feature the Festival of Pumpkins.

Voting of the carved pumpkins will take place Saturday during the Festival of Pumpkins.. isn’t it ironic?  The winner of the contest will win either a hooded Buffalo ReUse sweatshirt or one of our Rain Barrels.  Winner decides what they get to walk away with after they are exhausted from an afternoon of fun with Buffalo ReUse.

As for the Festival of Pumpkins… This is a fun family event that is held in one of our many gardens.  It will start at 12pm and run till 3pm.  The festival will be held at our patchwork gardens which can be found at 320 Northampton, a couple lots down from the ReSOURCE.

Come out and enjoy a nice fall day this Saturday, the weather is suppose to be in the 50′s and sunny!

Some of the activities that will be happening are painting and carving of pumpkins and gourds, as well as fun games and contests such as guessing how many seeds are within a pumpkin… the winner will get a prize.  Guests are encouraged to come in costume!

Now that’s its getting colder outside quicker and quicker as the winter months approach us, why not come out and learn how to glaze your windows throughout your house.  This friday the 29th, at 1pm we will be hosting a workshop of reglazing windows.  It was previously mentioned that the workshop was going to be held at our Eaton St. location, but it will be held at the ReSource on Northampton.  The workshop will be held on the second floor of the store.

Reglazing stops the rickety noise of loose glass and it eliminates cold air/drafts from coming in (and hot air from leaking out).

This can help you save money on your heating bill and most importantly help you stay nice and cozy this winter season.

Come out this Saturday, the 23rd and creep up the stairs of the ReSource, sneak past the ghouls and goblins and grab a seat for our final movie of the season.  We plan on starting the movie at 7pm so come a little early to get situated and  get ready to be scared!

We’re showing a spooky movie this time.  Bring a snack to pass and a friend to squeeze during the chase scenes.  No need to bring a chair, we have plenty up there.

We are still deciding what we will be watching but also want your help in making this challenging decision.  Some of the things we are debating of watching are the Shining, The Evil Dead, Leprechaun, Candy Man, The Simpsons Tree House of horror episodes, Jeeper’s Creeper’s and Little Monsters of course…

So help us in making a decision, there’s just to  many for us to do it on our own.  Maybe we can even watch a combination of the above mentioned or write ins that we receive within the next couple days.

Come by the ReSource this week, we have lots of goodies for your do it yourself projects.

We recently just finished up a deconstruction on Colvin Avenue (Thank you to those who helped out) and we have a good amount of new used building materials.

Why buy new when you can buy old? History comes free with purchase…

We have lots of lumber; 2″x6″ and 2″x8″s that we have saved from the landfill. Most pieces are at least 10′ in length. Come by today and pick some up for your projects, before it gets to cold and snowy.

Another jewel that you would find in the store are these library ladders that were generously donated to us.  They would look really nice in your living room where you have your book collection.  Why not pick out your next read by sliding around on one of these ladders.

Check out these really hip painted mirrors that take you back down memory lane and the carnivals of your youth.  We have a big selection of these mirrors and they are sure to be gone quick.  How could you resist?  You can even get creative and put a couple of them in your next tiling project you have planned out. They would be a nice little compliment.

Buffalo ReUse’s membership drive is in full effect this week leading up to Tuesday’s (the 28th) annual member’s meeting.  Details can be found on our facebook page that is linked.

So far this month, Pat Burke won a free car wash from our over-sized rain barrel and Leslie McCain has won a cozy hooded Buffalo ReUse sweatshirt.  Last weeks lucky recipient Eileen Meglar is taking home a rain barrel for her yard!

The last prize for the month is going to be an autographed yearbook from the Buffalo Sabres.  It’s signed by defenceman Chris Butler.  Any new or existing members that sign up between the 20th and the 27th for a membership are eligible for this jewel of a prize.

Membership costs only $5 a year and one of the nice perks is that you get 15% off once a month on the last Thursday of the month from our ReSource.  Membership also allows you to have a say at our annual members meeting when they occur.  If that isn’t enough, by being a member of Buffalo ReUse it makes you eligible to join our tool library.  Details can be found from on the tool libraries website.  It works just like a regular library and yes even has late fees too! Don’t be scared, it isn’t much.  Check out the website for more information.

So far, So good for both new and renewal memberships.  We are  consistently getting new memberships as well as well as renewals as we approach our annual members meeting on the 28th.  It will be help from 6 to 8 pm at the Friends of the Elderly which can be located at 118 E. Utica St (sponsored by the Masten Coalition).

Membership in Buffalo ReUse is open to anyone who supports our mission.

Membership costs $5 for one year for an individual.

We have quarterly meetings in March, June, September, and December.

All throughout September, we are giving away prizes to certain members when they either renew their membership or just become a member for the first time!  This week we are going to be giving away a rain barrel to one randomly selected member.  You will be contacted by weeks end to be notified of your great prize!

The winners from the last two weeks are Pat Burke and Leslie McCain.  The first weeks was Pat and you are the lucky recipient to receive a free car wash from us via our Big Arse Rain Barrel that collects water runoff from our ReSource.  The second week we chose to give away a hoody to the winner and Leslie was the lucky member of this warm and cozy piece of ReUse merchandise.  To claim your prize please email Scott {at} buffaloreuse(.)org or call the office at 885-4131.

On Saturday, September 4, we will be having a workshop at the ReSource that will show you how to refinish wood.

Come by if you have ever been intrigued by that old piece of furniture but intimidated by the condition of the woods stain.

During the workshop you will be able to learn how to refinish wood items in regards to the tools that are needed for the project, the type of sand paper to use and the last part that is just as important, which is what finish to use on your piece.

The workshop will be held at the ReSource.  For those of you that don’t know, it  is located at 298 Northampton.  The workshop will be held outside weather permitting.  It will start at 10 am. No worries, if it is a rain out we will just take the workshop indoors at the store.

After you learn how to refinish wood, you can purchase one of our many old wood furnishings and give yourself a new diy project for the fall!

Come by this weekend and see whats new at the ReSource.  We are going to be featuring many great items that are new to the store.

Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying the weather outside.  Its the perfect time to fix up your patio or add those couple things it may be missing.  We have 10,000 square feet of  green soap stone that was formerly famous for being at the M&T plaza downtown.  We have many other different types of stone that just came in as well that would complement your yard.  Fresh off the streets of Buffalo we just got in pallets of Medina Sandstone as well.

As for the interior of your property, we have some really nice real deal tin ceiling that just came in that is very much affordable.  We could even show you how to refinish it and make it look phenomenal.  We also just got in a bunch of really cool retro lighting fixtures that would really spruce up your place.

Also this weekend we will be having a bathroom special going on.  You can get a built in tub, toilet and wall sink all for $90. You can’t beat it!  These are just some of the deals going on within the ReSource this weekend.

It also should be noted that we wil be having a massive sidewalk sale on saturday as well, in celebration of Southampton, Northampton and Eaton st being rewarded new sidewalks in the coming weeks.

Out on the sidewalk you’ll find…

• 100′s of new doors $25/each.
• 100′s of solid core doors from buffalo schools…very unique $50
• 100′s of square feet of vinyl flooring $20-$30/roll.
• select tin ceiling…only $1.50/square foot.
• file cabinets $15 each….WOWZERS!
• and much much more.

Come by…check us out!  All day 10 am until 6 p.m.  Just follow the signs.

This Saturday, August 21 Blue Sky Design Supply will be hosting an art show at its store from 4 to 7pm

Join them for fine art, eco design and light refreshments.  The featured artists will include Katie Fremgen, Justin Leavitt and Christopher Pierce.  You can come and enjoy their paintings, ceramics, photos and sculputures.

If you haven’t been down to the cobblestone district yet to check out Blue Sky Design I highly recomend that you head downtown to see what the this new eco friendly business is all about. There are a lot of good things going on around the area.  Not to mention they are a huge supporter of Buffalo ReUse and several of their furnishings were put together with materials from our very own ReSource at Buffalo ReUse.

You can visit their showroom, located at 95 Perry St. and one block east of the HSBC center.  Their showroom hours are as follows;

Wednesday: By Appointment
Thursday: noon – 7:30 PM
Friday: noon – 6:00 PM
Saturday: noon – 6:00 PM
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Closed