The website is called ToolGirl….more like Cool Girl (ba dum psh). I came across it while searching for ways to reuse wine corks, and was very impressed with the nifty projects Mag Ruffman features on her site.

One awesome idea is the counter made of books. It would be especially cool for a bookstore, though it would work anywhere. Let’s face it, everyone has a collection of hard cover books that they’re likely to never read again (especially with all this new e-book technology) so why not reuse them in a productive way?

Or, if you have kids who have outgrown their lego phase, how about this idea? Very unique and it would make a great conversation piece when you have guests over! It just takes a lot of patience…and about 20,000 lego pieces. But I would LOVE it if someone gave one of these ideas a try!!

Info here.

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“Social Dress Buffalo – The Past Reflecting the Future” June 18, 2010 – Sunday August 7, 2010
A Meet&Greet with Takashi including a presentation, workshop, and latex casting demonstration will take place on Friday, May 21, 2010 from 12-2 p.m. at Buffalo ReUse, located at 298 Northampton Street, Buffalo.

This will be a great opportunity for everyone to meet and learn more about the artist’s process.  We hope you can make it!  PLEASE NOTE:  Those with latex allergies are welcome to attend but are advised not to participate in the casting process, as pure liquid latex will be used.

Please see the following videos which explain Takashi’s project in Buffalo:
Takashi video Part 1 | Takashi video Part 2 | Takashi video Part 3

A major component of Takashi’s work is conversations with local activist groups such as Buffalo ReUse and PUSH Buffalo – organizations that have expressed interest in the project – that address the ideas behind the construction of this small-scale monument. Inspired by the simple solutions such as urban gardens and community-building activities, this project is intended to inspire a sense of togetherness and similarity of purpose within the community so as to foster empowerment among local citizens that may inspire creativity in local responses to this ongoing crisis.
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So far this week the weather has not been very conducive for biking to work, but we can hope that next week will be nicer – just in time for National Bike to Work Week (May 16th-22nd).

Some advantages of biking to work:
-It is energy efficient
-It’s a good source of healthy exercise (trust me, you don’t even think about it as “exercising” when you’re using it to get to work)
-You save travel money by biking (gas, parking, car maintenance)
-Great way to reduce stress
-Helps you to wake up and in turn, increases your productivity at work
-Makes for a predictable commute time
-Reduces air, water, and noise pollution

If you need more convincing, click here for 60 benefits of Bike Commuting.

Additionally, next Thursday May 20th from 8-10pm cyclists will “Merge into the Bike Lane” to celebrate Bike to Work Week at Merge Restaurant. Half off admission for those who ride their bicycle; a free bicycle valet will be available to park the bikes.

Food and Beer provided by Merge
Funky Grooves by DJ Cutler
50/50 and Bicycle Raffle

$20 admission but can be $10 if you ride a bike….

So get on your bike and ride!!!

It has been announced that President Barack Obama will be visiting Buffalo next Thursday as part of his “Main Street Tour.” Of course, we at Buffalo ReUse are more than eager to host the President for a short visit. We have sent out letters to everyone and anyone we can think of, but if you have some kind of insider connection or pull, or you’re actually Obama’s third cousin twice removed, please consider helping us make this dream a reality!!

Buffalo ReUse is eager to share vision and accomplishments for green job creation, social entrepreneurship, and community regeneration with the President.  Since our inception in 2007, we have worked tirelessly to create Buffalo ReUse because of our unyielding desire to improve the City of Buffalo, our passion and hope for livable communities, and our belief in the unique capacity of young adults in forging solutions to rebuild our communities for the future. We have leveraged the unique assets of our region to address the most pressing needs of our neighborhoods, and while our region is unique, we believe that our ideas can be implemented in many communities all throughout the country.

If you have friends in high places, please help us use this unprecedented opportunity to share our entrepreneurial ideas that can play a critical role in regenerating neighborhoods and creating more green and local jobs in the years to come.

Thanks to all our friends and supporters who diligently voted every day! We didn’t win first prize, but being a runner-up is nothing to sneeze at – a $5,000 grant for our community programs.

With nearly 200 members & 7 vehicles, Buffalo CarShare is ready to expand once again! As the ground warms, the non-profit organization is announcing a new vehicle hub located at the corner of West Utica and Elmwood. CarShare hopes to add 3 new vehicles this spring – including a truck – with the help of partners in the region.

The new hub on West Utica, the second on the Elmwood Strip, was made possible through a parking space donated by Horizon Realty, a property management company well known to the Elmwood area. The other BCS hub on Elmwood is two blocks south at Brent Manor Apartments.

As CarShare grows, it has cultivated partnerships with other non-profits such as Grassroots Gardens and the Massachusetts Avenue Project, which will help make possible the addition of a truck for use by these organizations as well as CarShare members. In addition, Buffalo CarShare looks forward to partnerships with area institutions such as the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and the area’s colleges and universities. In that spirit, the non-profit recently responded to a Request for Proposals for car sharing services from the University at Buffalo.

Join Buffalo CarShare tomorrow, April 1st, at 10am as they launch their new hub at Elmwood & Utica!

Watercolor Artist Jody Ziehm has transformed the children’s room in the Lewiston Library with images of vibrant, whimsical creatures, all reading books. What’s more, she’s painted these pictures on doors, and included vintage doorknobs from Buffalo ReUse! “I’ve always felt the library opens doors for people of all ages,” said Zeihm, explaining her inspiration.

View a slideshow of the series of art from the Lewiston Library here!!

AIAS Freedom By Design utilizes the talents of architecture and design students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through design and construction solutions. Vital modifications are made to enhance the homes of low-income elderly and disabled individuals by addressing their struggles with everyday tasks such as getting in and out of the shower, ascending stairs, accessing cabinets, and  opening doors.

The UB Chapter just finished this project for Gracie, a disabled woman in Niagara Falls. The group of students installed two grab/safety bars in her bathroom and replaced her original basement stairs which were far too steep. In its place, they built a winding staircase that leads to a new landing with better hand rails on either side of the stairs. Next stage: to replace the existing handicap ramp that is too steep.

These students are awesome, and they got all of their building materials from Buffalo ReUse

Over 100 exhibitors at the Buffalo Niagara Green Expo will help you GO GREEN in your home, body, garden, business, career, & community.

The Green Expo is a free event that will give you the opportunity to learn about the worlds of sustainable energy, weatherization and energy efficiency for buildings, green landscaping and gardening, holistic health, and so much more. (you know we’ll be there, come stop by our table)

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2010
10AM – 6 PM
Walden Galleria Mall

Visit the Bflo Niagara Green Expo website for more details:
http://buffaloniagaragreenexpo.wordpress.com/