Several of our artist friends are exhibiting at the huge BEYOND | IN WNY 2010 art extravaganza this weekend:

Dennis Maher – lover of all things deconstructed, and we don’t mean words and sentences and paragraphs . . .

Carl Lee – our favorite filmmaker; his exhibited work will be familiar to demolition fans . . .

JM Reed – photographer, real estate broker and supporter/advisor of Buffalo housing activists such as ourselves . . .

All three are exhibiting at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center at Buffalo State College. Opening reception is this Sunday, 2pm to 4pm.

Tis the season for re-assessing goals.
Summer is ending.
School has started.
For a large majority of Buffalo that means parents shifting attention to their own kids and their development.  For most college students, this season means buying books, meeting people, making baby steps toward a hopeful future and an awful lot of thinking.  In a nutshell, most of us are turning inward and beginning to hunker down.

For ReUse, this time translates to a dip in volunteerism–we definitely see fewer volunteers from now until the Spring.  However, our workload remains constant–there are still things to build, fix, grow, clean, weed, experiment, move, learn and improve.  There’s still lots to DO. Unfortunately, as the weather gets even colder it means fewer people will be working on outdoor projects which translates to fewer residents donating material.

But we’re still here and we’re still working.  As you write down your checklist of things to finish before the cold weather starts, I hope that your checklists include some of the following:

1. Schedule ReUse to come pick up your curbside treasures before your bulk trash date–call Cerrina at the store–882-2800 and she’ll take care of you. (We can also come get it after the bulk trash date, but it means you should keep it in your garage etc.)
2. Sign up with Danielle to be on our Volunteer Opps mailing list so you can get updates on the hundreds of little ways you (your kids, your neighbors, your students, your co-workers, your frat-bros) and your brother’s wife’s second cousin on her mother’s side–was her name Yvonne or Yvette? can volunteer–email Danielle at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org
3. Call Caesandra and learn how you can intern with ReUse and get some real experience–managing, troubleshooting, organizing, leading and investing in your self and this community.  716-885-4131
4. Talk to Brad and Scott about which DIY projects you hope to tackle before the end of the year so they can plan a gardening or home repair workshop for your needs.
5. Grab some business cards from Kevin at the store so you can give them to your friends.
6. Ask your contractor or handyman what he does with the left over supplies and tools from projects–does he throw it in a dumpster or could he bring it to ReUse and get you a tax break.
7. Visit us before you go to Home Depot or Lowe’s for that new sink, new toilet, new counter tops, flooring, lighting, gutters, stone, block, windows and more.

What are you waiting for?

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.

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 »

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.

You are probably seeing more and more rain barrels popping up in gardens, driveways, and backyards — if you haven’t found one for yourself yet, look no further.

And if you do not yet know: rain barrels can make a huge impact on our local ecology by conserving rain water, slowing water runoff, and preventing pollution and debris from being carried into our waterways and municipal systems.  Installing a rain barrel allows you to catch clean, untreated water that has fallen from the sky and hold it there until you need it — taking a bit of the burden off your tapwater, and the municipalities that make it.  If everyone in the city did this, think of the difference that could be made!!!

You will most likely see rain barrels all over if you are out and about for Buffalo’s Garden Walk this weekend, so if you get jealous and have the urge to keep up with the Joneses (or just want to water your garden or wash your car), you can get yourself a rainbarrel from our store at 298 Northampton for just $30.

We hope you’ll join Michael Gainer and others as we share really inspiring examples of community building and neighborhood improvement efforts from around the country–even some from other countries!

This is an opportunity to throw off the cynicism and see how regular people lead the way in creating thriving neighborhoods.  You are the best person to start making a difference because you know your neighborhood and the kind of neighborhood where you want to live.

Gracious Hostess, Prish Moran, is allowing us to meet with you at her cafe, Sweet_ness7 –from 6-8pm Tuesday, July 20th.  We really hope you can make some time to be inspired–bring a friend or a new face!

(oops Caesandra put the wrong date on the printed calendar) It’s THIS SATURDAY–July 10th!!! >From noon-4pm at the corner of Vermont & Normal.
If you want to participate in the Really REALLY FREE MARKET, Here’s the rules:
Bring what you can–it can be a song, a dance, books, CDs, artwork, art supplies, plants, baked goods

• NO Sale
• NO Barter
• NO Trade
• Everything must be FREE

You can take whatever is offered
This is the ultimate form of reuse.

A message from Jason Crane, executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition (and Green Options Buffalo):
New York State’s ‘Complete Streets’ Bill Is In Jeopardy—We Need Your Help!

TAKE ACTION:
We’re asking you to make one phone call, with a one-sentence appeal: “Please amend the ‘complete streets’ bill (Assembly Bill 8587-a) so that it matches the version passed in the Senate on June 17.”
Assemblyman David Gantt’s contact info:
District Office: 585-454-3670
Albany Office: 518-455-5606
GanttD {at} assembly.state.ny(.)us

(June 22, 2010) — In Albany, bicycling advocates are working overtime to help assure the passage of a Complete Streets law—sweeping legislation that will create more livable, bikeable and walkable communities across the state. This proposed law would direct the state Department of Transportation to consider bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in the planning and development of state, county, and local roads and other transportation facilities. NYBC is working closing with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, AARP and other groups to get this legislation passed.

On June 17, the Senate passed the bill 53-3. Unfortunately, Assemblyman David Gantt of Rochester has amended the Assembly version of the bill in a way that would render the legislation nearly useless. Assemblyman Gantt’s amended bill covers only state roads, meaning that more than 90% of the roads in New York State would not be covered by the law. Additionally, of the 21 most dangerous roads in the state, as defined in a recent study by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, only 6 would be covered under Assemblyman Gantt’s amended version of the law.

The only way to get this process back on track is if we can get bicycling advocates — particularly those in Rochester, where Assembly Gantt is based — to make their voices heard!
Thank you for supporting Complete Streets in New York State!
Sincerely,
Jason Crane
Executive Director
New York Bicycling Coalition

You may already know gazelle.com I promise, it’s not the guy with the orange tan and ponytail.
It’s a site that will take some specific types of electronic gear–ipods, iphones, laptops, computers, external hard drives, even movies and they give you cash. Get paid for being a responsible consumer?! That’s amazing!
You can also donate part of your refund to charity–be responsible and generous with their Gazelle for Good program!  If your job or office is upgrading their company issued technology–maybe this is a way they can give back.
Search the site for charities that interest you OR allow me to suggest one! Buffalo’s Tool Library would love to benefit from your electronics cleanouts!  Checkout the gadget drive that we created for funding our Community Programs http://buffaloreuse.gazelle.com