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?

You could win a french toast breakfast in bed, a photographer for you Gramma’s 100th birthday party, a night with Olaf, a potpurri of pickles, a massage, a reprieve from laundry, a cat-sitter, a week of dog walking, a chance to entertain guests with cherries jubilee, wine making lessons, soap making lessons, coffee roasting fresh before your eyes, free car washes from BARB, installation of that rain barrel you bought 2months ago and more!

There’s already over a dozen treasures we’ve set aside.  You could win a kooky attic find like a Wyoming license plate from 1937, antiques, a piece of local history and some architectural gems!  Click on the flyer to see more.  We’ll be sharing details and stories for each piece.
Let’s start with Lot#213…
This case of antique, painted label “Oscar’s Beverages” Pop Bottles.
Brewed and bottled in downtown Buffalo – this is a case of antique, painted label, Oscar’s Beverages bottles, many with their flavor caps (Cola, Gingerale, Grapefruit) and in a matching wooden case. These were retrieved from an attic during salvage operations. Oscar Beverages was founded by Oscar Greenberg, a Russian immigrant who came to Buffalo in 1911. He founded Oscar’s beverages in the late 1920s. These bottles seem to date from the 1930’s or 1940’s. What’s really special is that the frugal person who stored these away so long ago had no idea they were preserving Buffalo history.

Buffalo Bar & Grille
307 Louisiana St
cash bar & light refreshments

Don’t miss this unique opportunity.
All proceeds go toward Buffalo ReUse’s Community Programs.  Our goal is to raise at least $6,000 so that we can continue our community efforts and pay the remainder of our Americorps stipend for 2010.

Thank you for your support.
btw IF YOU have a talent we can auction off, please contact Danielle or Caesandra at volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

Join us on our porch @ 158 Eaton on Wednesday, September 1st from 3pm – 6pm, where we will be demonstrating two different recipes for canning tomatoes.  Our workshop will overview blanching, a common preserving and cooking technique, as well as sterilizing, packing, and sealing your jars.  A $5 donation is appreciated to help cover the costs for the workshop, and attendees go home with their own jar of ReUse Tomatoes!

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

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

The August Movie Night will be Friday, the 27th and we’ll make treats with fresh blueberries!

]]> http://www.buffaloreuse.org/blog/2010/07/movies-in-the-garden/feed/ 0 http://www.buffaloreuse.org/blog/2010/07/reuse-rainbarrels-are-back/ http://www.buffaloreuse.org/blog/2010/07/reuse-rainbarrels-are-back/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:16:10 +0000 Brad Kujawski http://www.buffaloreuse.org/blog/?p=2914 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.

• Our Rain Garden at the corner of Northampton & Michigan is very new! It was installed by National Grid employees as a corporate service project this past Earth Day 2010. The garden was designed by Matthew Dore of Buffalo Horticulture. Matt regraded the vacant double lot to guide rain water into the middle (like a shower drain) where a pergola was built surrounded by blueberry bushes. The lot also features a privacy fence using reclaimed flooring. The perennial flower beds have a backdrop of foundation stone.  Planters built from reclaimed hemlock floor joists double as seating along the sidewalk.
  Keep traveling down Northampton and
• You’ll discover a Bee Sanctuary which was once a vacant lot, but is now a warm blanket of yellow, amber, and bronze with summer wild flowers. (In the spring the lot was dotted with blues, pinks and purples). The wild flowers are native to the North East and are helping to fortify a sagging urban bee population.
• Our Children’s Vinery is truly unique!  It has an apple tree and six arbors supporting a variety of pole beans, melon, squash, tomatoes, eggplant and chard.  We have Mobile Victory Gardens donated by artist, Stella Maars which are growing herbs and pumpkins.  We’re just adding a teepee of morning glories.  We have experimental containers for growing potatoes and a strawberry patch which has delighted people of all ages!
• The Patchwork Garden is also a sight–50 different beds which neighbors, volunteers and groups have adopted!  Folks plant whatever they want in this community garden and they enjoy having a place to grow their own food and relax.  We host events like movie nights, cooking demos, art, performances and free gardening workshops in the garden.
• Just around the corner there is another style of community garden, The Cold Spring Community Garden on Southampton and Masten, managed by Dan Ash and Jessica Lang.  Their garden is a site where five houses once stood, but now there is an 8foot wall of tomatoes, several rows of vegetables and raspberry vines.  There are also fruit trees which will mature into a mixed bowl of cherries, plums, peaches, pears and apples!  Volunteers and neighbors work in the garden and are able to eat what they harvest.

Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into building these gardens and the whole reason is so people can come and enjoy them. We hope you’ll visit them soon.  Over the next 2years we hope that Northampton will showcase greenspace development and neighborhood stabilization.  It will be like a red carpet–only greener!  If you have questions or would like to get involved, please stop by our table at the Garden Walk/Talk this weekend!

a little gnosh, a lotta cool drinks and SUPER STEAMY GROOVES, by Fudgychewy.

Join ReUse at Mickey’s Bar and dance the night away at the Mickiewicz Adam Library

Friday, July 30, 2010
8:00pm – 11:30pm (maybe later)
612 Fillmore, Buffalo

Listen to some Fudgychewy grooves here.

We’re pre-selling tickets via our website/paypal and our store for $5
Please print your Paypal receipt

Your hard earned sweat and coin goes toward ReUse’s Community Programs–our free workshops for home repair and gardening, the tool library, the veggie gardens, street blitzes, neighborhood beautification and more–which helps us DO MORE!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: We need folks to work the door, work the drinks, kitchen help and cleanup.  Please email Danielle–volunteer {at} buffaloreuse(.)org