ReFind Furniture ReUse Exhibition

On June 11th, 2009 The ReBuilding Center hosted the ReUse Exhibition, a creative reuse showcase, in celebration of its 11th birthday.

Our beautiful birthday cake-donated by Bakery Bar

The ReUse Exhibition was an opportunity for community members to showcase their reuse projects inside the ReFind Furniture showroom. The projects represented wonderful diversity, ranging from coat racks and mirrors to tables, chess sets, and chairs. They all shared in common a commitment to creativity and materials reuse by using 99% salvaged materials and low-voc finishes.

"Buttermilk Reflections" by Sharilyn Service.

We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all of the folks who shared their reuse projects at the event. We would also like to send a very, very big thank you to all of the wonderful portland restaurants that donated food. We dined like Kings and Queens. Thank you : Bakery Bar, Porque No?, Laughing Planet, Fire on the Mountain, Pizza A Go Go, Grand Central Bakery, and Cupcake Jones!

Check out the slide show below to see pictures from this event, or visit us on Flickr!

Food Sharing Workshop

On Saturday, May 9th, Community Outreach of Our United Villages hosted a free Food Sharing workshop. 50 people attended the workshop and spent the day engaged in their choice of one service or skill building project. As a group, everyone reconvened to share lunch and reflections. Each project group reported back on insights gained, skills learned, and their most inspiring moments from the day. Below is a video of the day compiled by a volunteer videographer, Doug Adler. For more information and resources that were handed out at the workshop visit www.ourunitedvillages.org/foodsharing.html

Join us at the Women in Trades Career Fair

On Saturday May 16th individuals from ReFind Furniture and DeConstruction services will be participating in the Women in Trades Career Fair. This great event offers an opportunity to learn about careers in construction-related trades and to participate in hands-on activities. Attendance is free and no advanced registration is required.  Read more about this event below or visit http://www.tradeswomen.net/. See you there!

WHAT:
17th Annual Women in Trades Career Fair

Come discover high-paying careers in the construction-related trades during the 17TH Annual Women in Trades Career Fair. Participate in hands-on activities such as operating heavy equipment, framing a house, climbing utility poles, wiring light switches, soldering copper pipes, welding, exploring solar power, learning about eco-roofs and many other trades related learning activities. Everyone is invited. Attendance is Free. No advance registration is required.

Meet successful tradeswomen role models, including electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, line workers, plumbers, and more. Learn about apprenticeship programs and community college programs training opportunities.

Valerie Garrett from the Green Building Hotline will be giving two presentations on Saturday, May 16th: Green Building 101 at 10:00 am and Green Home Remodeling at 1:00 pm.


City of Portland will have a master recycler at their exhibit booth all day Saturday offering information on recycling, composting, green building, etc.

Attend a variety of free workshops, including five workshops focused on the green future of the trades:

Explore Wind Power with Local 48
Discover Solar Energy with NECA/IBEW
Tour an Eco-House with Home Depot
Find out about Electrogenerbike with Bonneville Power Administration
Learn about Eco Roofs with Greater Portland Roofers and Waterproofers

Fair organizers have also made changes to the way the fair is run that are eco-friendly, such as eliminating hundreds of plastic water bottles and purchasing re-usable aluminum containers for water and coffee and reducing the amount of paper used to produce the event.

WHEN:
9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2009

WHERE:
NECA/IBEW Electrical Training Center
16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR
Free Admission
Free parking
Free childcare
Free eco-shuttle provided from Gateway Transit Center.

ReFind Storefront Opening Party

On the eve of Thursday November 13th, ReFind Furniture celebrated the commencement of the long awaited ReFind Furniture Showroom.

Friends, supporters and contributors gathered to celebrate the new space and to enjoy a crisp, beautiful fall evening with food, fun and laughter. The festivities were a wonderul culmination of a few years (and especially a few recent months) of hard work by everyone involved. Check it out!




We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who contributed their resources to make the ReFind Storefront a reality.

Please accept our warmest invitation to join us for the "Grand Opening" of the ReFind Furniture Storefront on November 22nd from 3-5pm. There will be Junk to Funk fashions modeled from 3-4, raffle prizes at 4 and of course snacks and beverages to go around! While there is still much work to be done to complete this beautiful space, we hope you will join us in celebrating the exciting developments already made! See you there!