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400 DAYS COUNTDOWN
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We're renovating 1685 West 13th Sign up to receive ** GLOSSARY OF BUUB TERMS |
11 Volunteers for Demolition
9 Landscaping Task Force
1 Architect
All of the hazardous waste was delivered to the Glenwood Hazardous Waste collection depot. It turns out the ballasts from the florescent fixtures do not have to go there, they are regular trash, but they took care of disposal. Copper wire was hastily removed from the ballasts before they were carted off. Five five gallon partial cans of paint were taken to Forrest Paint for recycling. It was good to get all that material OUT of our increasingly tidy building. There are still some full containers of things that could be passed on to someone with a boiler system.
As additional ceilings and joists were removed, the boards were de-nailed and stored in Room A. Wire stripping continues but we did find out it does not have to be cut into three foot lengths. There was a lot of disused conduit and iron pipe ousted and carted to the metal dumpster. The most exciting item for the metal dumpster was an 8 inch in diameter pipe from the boiler system. It had to be cut into several pieces of 100+ pounds each to get it to the dumpster. When the crew was unloading it off the dolly the sound was deafening in the Project Office where a meeting was taking place.
The Landscaping Task Force met with Architect Gary Moye and then Gary met with Ed Zack for a quick walk through and discussion of the design drawings. They resolved framing and layout floorplan issues and worked out a procedure for coordinating architect and framing design issues.
The Landscaping Task Force chaired by Judy Sawyer met for an hour with the Architect. It was basically a question and answer, brainstorming, and mission statement drafting meeting with lots of ideas floated. Some of the buzzwords were: aesthetics, fruit, children, sustainability, inviting, vision, gorgeous, productive, inspiring, city approved street trees, EMX line, raised beds, grass, dead leaves, water, dirt, parking, playground, native plants, ornamentals, more urban setting, education, low maintenance, etc. A subgroup will meet next week to draft a mission statement and then the group as a whole will establish a menu of possibilities for landscaping to incorporate into our overall vision. The architect asked that the group develop a program outline and to think about "what is your scheme" - and whether the goal is to create an oasis or a landscape that relates to the surroundings in the neighborhood. He explained some concepts of how relating to the character of the neighborhood and street might be accomplished and how to stitch into the local environment and the need to explore the means for getting things done. Lots of enthusiasm.
We were sorry to hear that one of our stalwart volunteers, Anna Sontag, had a bicycle accident this morning which resulted in a shattered left wrist. Not good and we send her good wishes for mending. She will visit an orthopedic surgeon at Slocum in the morning for a determination of how to treat it. Right now it is downright painful, swollen and no fun! There is hardly a day at the BUB without Anna working in some capacity and we are going to miss her cheery presence on our crew.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Landscaping ---- low maintenance and sustainability --- with an education component. Concept, program, context and the means to make it happen."
REMINDER: No dinner at Fortune Restaurant this Friday - we will return there next week.
Same as Yesterday for those people who might only read this occasionally and might have missed it: We are winding down the demolition portion of the project and will transition into construction on Monday, October 4 at 9 AM. First comes laying plates to support vertical walls. Ed Zack will introduce the concepts and procedure for shaping rooms, etc., and is putting together a crew of people who can commit to a regular schedule - not necessarily every day all day. Regular hours are 9 AM to 4 PM daily. Please contact Ed prior to next week if you want to be included in the Monday training or are interested in being part of the construction crew- 541-729-4500 or edwinzack@ambermanta.com.
Definition of "regular schedule": Letting Ed know that you can commit to 1, 2 or more days a week, for a morning or afternoon, two hours a day or once a week, etc., so when he schedules work he will know how large a crew he will have on a given day.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
(for questions or suggestions directed to the Building Project Oversight Committee - BPOC)
Days Left #346 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
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8 Volunteers - 4 Visitors
We are winding down the demolition portion of the project and will transition into construction on Monday, October 4 at 9 AM. First comes laying plates to support vertical walls. Ed Zack will introduce the concepts and procedure for shaping rooms, etc., and is putting together a crew of people who can commit to a regular schedule - not necessarily every day all day. Regular hours are 9 AM to 4 PM daily. Please contact Ed prior to next week if you want to be included in the Monday training or are interested in being part of the construction crew- 541-729-4500 or edwinzack@ambermanta.com.
Today the last of the ceiling in the old Emerson Lounge was ripped out and the Ferrari (above) was used to eject a large portion of the sheetrock ceiling (with dots) from the Sanctuary. Wire strippers were on hand and some of the copper was taken to Schnitzer to determine if we are cutting and bundling it correctly. I won't tell you how much we sold because it might give you an unfair advantage in guessing how much we will have by November 1.
Using the three urinals or two toilets in the men's restroom is somewhat difficult now that all of the walls have been removed and the water has been shut off. The floor is about the only thing untouched so far. It will be next!
A rolling cart was loaded with a sink, florescent light fixture and ceiling fan and parked on the front sidewalk in an attempt to sell off some of our surplus. No takers yet, but we will keep rolling it out there. There is also a somewhat crude (garage type) wood bookcase out there with everything else. Each individual item is priced at $10.....maybe tomorrow. Some bundled florescent tubes were put out with a Free sign and they disappeared quickly.
The planer was buzzing away and more than half of the oak flooring from the stage is all cleaned up and beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful - we have affectionately been referring to our new building as the BUB - for Butt Ugly Building. Today it was pointed out that we have already transformed it into something entirely different than where we started 54 days ago - we have many volunteers who love being there and can't wait to show up whenever possible. It was suggested we still call it the BUUB - just change the letters and say it stands for Beautiful Unitarian Universalist Building.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Actually from Monday - After working for a vigorous four hours the two 19 year olds said to me - "Grandma, we are leaving now, we want to go to the gym!" That's not how most of us feel at the end of a shift - we are more likely to say, "I am leaving now - I want to go home for a nap."
NOTES FOR THE DAY: Remember - no Chinese dinner this Friday.
One of our crew is looking for a used American made minivan. The one he is presently driving has 250,000 miles and the mechanic says, "don't fix it - drive it until it dies." It is not too far from needing an obituary. If you have one for sale or know someone who does, let me know. At least a 2005 model is preferred.
On Saturday, I expect the eastern half of Eugene will be gridlock for the gridiron spectacle at Autzen Stadium. Even though the game doesn't begin until 8 PM, the early birds will be flocking to the parking lots for tailgate parties. If you don't want to get caught up in all that, you are invited to come to the quiet side of town for a little aerobic exercise and some green grapes at the BUUB.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
(for questions or suggestions directed to the Building Project Oversight Committee - BPOC)
Days Left #347 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
12 Volunteers
We now have three stripping stations - no waiting! Especially needed is someone to cut some wire in three foot lengths. Entries in the copper contest are dribbling in with the deadline still being Midnight, Friday, October 1.
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The lobby area has been transformed. Based on drawings from the architect and the adjustments in entries to offices, etc., the love seat used by the strippers was moved. A general quartermastering took place first thing. Some of the leftover theater seat parts were removed, and approximately 250+ POUNDS of nails were moved to the Schnitzer dumpster, The weight of the nails actually helped flatten the ductwork underneath. The ballasts and florescent bulbs were stripped from some side panels of the old batwing and they will be recycled to BRING and elsewhere. We are losing more and more of the outdated light fixtures which isn't such a good thing with shorter days, but new lights will be strung soon so we can all burn the midnight oil.
The walls of the men's restroom went down, and all the vent pipes were carried out. One was so large and heavy that it took three grown men to drag it down the hall to the Schnitzer dumpster. As plaster, ceiling joists and ducting came out of Room G (old Emerson), the 21 foot long 2x6 boards were expertly de-nailed and hauled to Room A. It was quite comical to watch, as the twisting and turning around doorways and corners, down the hall, squeezing through tight spaces, keeping an eye out for hanging chads and other obstacles as they were maneuvered by the two man or one man/one woman crew. By golly, they got the job done.
Architectural drawings arrived with only some minor tweaking necessary before laying the groundwork for framing. The assault on the boiler room continues. The main part to be removed is estimated to weight one ton (she says greedily, $$$$ signs in her eyes). We received another check for the latest dumpster full of metal - 6,360 pounds sold for $477.00. Now get this - our experienced, sometimes aging, but ever enthusiastic volunteer crew has now removed 14,360 pounds of metal which sold for $1,032.40! And we are working on a metal only dumpster already more than half full. The pump to remove freon froze, so that job could not be completed, but when the freon is gone, all the rest of the ducting can come out, and it is heavy stuff too.
Every day there are small joys and big surprises - like finding that someone quietly and without fanfare made the First Balcony spotlessly clean. The person responsible, smiled and said, "sorry I didn't wet mop it."
The Ferrari continued several tests drives and practice runs for first time operators. The last of the Scottish Rite paint supply was sorted and most has found a home. All the leftover chemicals have an appointment at the Glenwood Toxic Waste Collection Depot at 11:15 AM on Thursday.
Please note - There will be no dinner for members of the Demolition Task Force and Chop Suey Society at the Fortune Chinese Restaurant this Friday due to scheduling conflicts. We will return on Friday, October 8.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"You have done a Hellacious amount of work." This from an experienced contractor visiting today.
"I really like the food at this restaurant." One day the workers threaten to strike because of no green grapes and the next day they are bragging about how well they are fed. Thank you Break (Room) Dancers for the variety and volume. Two dozen hard boiled eggs appeared in a carton with a lively hand drawn cartoon that gave us all a good laugh.
Judie
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SPECIAL REPORT FROM ED ZACK (aka, El Viejo)
Monday
evening, 27
September 2010
Dear friends,
This report from the B.U.B. celebrates the 50th day of the project. We have completed 1/8 of the time scheduled until we move into our new church building.
This week sees the transition from demolition to construction. There will still be the finishing-up of the deconstruction projects (the mechanical space and “the Balcony”, Toilet One (Mens), the final charge at the carcass of the boiler, etc.), and the de-bricking of the chimney. However, the construction phase will be starting this week.
By weeks end, we should be done laying out the architect’s plans onto the concrete floor with pink and red duct tape. This will help orient everyone to the new floor plan, allow us to make sure that the plan works in reality, and to allow the Wood Squirrels to start combing the stacks of salvaged lumber.
We will start framing the walls for the library/meeting room, minister’s study,
DRE Office, and an (assistant minister’s future) office. These rooms will be carved out of the space between the women’s bathroom and the lobby (the long room on the east hallway). This will be the shakedown project for the framers. The system we develop will be repeated over twenty times throughout the building. As the crew relies on volunteers it will take a while to figure out a flow that fits who is available to what we are doing when. After framing the walls, we will work out the particular style for the light chutes for the skylighting in each room. Again this will take time figuring out the most pleasing solution to the specifics of a complex relationship of planes and angles for a variety of roof angles and depths.
Some specifics: The new [and final] identification of the rooms will be developed now. The various rooms (many of which no longer exist) have been renamed at least three times. All this confusion and change in demolition will hopefully shift into clarity as the rooms start to emerge and the floor plan becomes apparent.
There will be a significant amount of moving material around during this phase, especially initially. Normally, a building under construction (let alone deconstruction) does not have finish lumber (planed paneling, oak flooring, moldings and casings, , dozens of doors), rows of plywood, heaps of 2 x 4s and 2 x 6s, two pianos, an organ, several hundred chairs, dozens of tables, etc. on the job-site. I appreciate the willingness of the volunteers to schlep and sort this material, and I am impressed by the labor- and time-saving ideas, shortcuts, and alternatives that are generated.
I am excited about this new focus of the project. I am absolutely confident in our ability to do this project, and do it well. We have been doing it from the first day. I know that there will be problems appearing in the course of the next 350 days, and we will have to make hard decisions, and we will be bone-weary of it all at times. Despite this, we will build this church. We will do it as a community, with principled goals, and with open hearts. I have already seen this in action day after day. There is nothing this congregation can’t do.
I am so proud of you, each of you, and our congregation for this leap of faith. Every one of us is doing a part, contributing to our dream becoming our new reality. When I walk through the quieted building, I see the results of this labor of love. The sheer quantity of the work that has been done fills me with wonder. Indeed, everyone who has walked through the door expresses amazement at what we are doing.) So much has been accomplished in this short fifty days. And then I reflect on the quality of the work, the integrity of the effort to do it right, and I am filled with admiration and joy. I am so honored to be working with you. It is a joy to be doing this with you. I have built buildings for most of my adult life, and I have organized volunteers for a decade, but this is different.
Last week, a visitor, after walking through the project, said to me: “I get it. I really get it now. This is not a job. This is not work. There is something else happening here.”
Exactly.
(Wire) Stripper Bonnie Ed Zack
Days Left #348 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2010
13 Volunteers (including two 19 year olds)
There was so much activity at times wheelbarrows that were competing for the traffic lane to the dumpster. More of the sheetrock ceiling, ceiling joists and ducting came out of the old Emerson Lounge, the custodial room east wall disappeared, most of the ceramic tile wall in the men's restroom was smashed and removed, and the Ferrari was buzzing around the Sanctuary. Most of the banks of florescent ceiling lights and more ducting came down in the Sanctuary. If you have seen the photos of some of the machinery from the First Balcony, you might remember the large fan housing removed last week. Today it was put on a dolly and wheeled to the Schnitzer dumpster. And speaking of dumpsters, the one for non-usable debris is bulging and will likely be replaced tomorrow.
The 19 year olds tackled wire stripping and some of the heavier stuff got done. They had a great time working away at a variety of tasks and plan to return tomorrow. They think we offer neat food at Mamma's Table. Speaking of which - just as the afternoon crew was taking a much deserved break, we discovered there were NO GREEN GRAPES! Just as the final vote was being taken on whether to strike, a major walk off was avoided when the Break Room Dancer of the day brought a fresh supply of grapes and string cheese and saved the day. By 6 PM, all the grapes had been consumed. They seem to be especially welcome during hot weather, when workers need hydrating and a boost. Rumor has it the "Dancer" was driving a white Prius. That could be any one of several UUs. All of the recently donated juices have been helpful too. And the brownies got eaten too.
It was determined while digging up gravel that the dirt underneath is river run loam - and you can't find better topsoil than that. It will be saved for future use.
Don't forget to enter the Copper Guessing Game - just three more days until the deadline. Send your entry to judie310hansen@comcast.net.
Activity in the boiler room continues, with measurements being taken to see how much will have to be taken apart to fit the parts and a forklift through the double doors. More 21 foot long boards came out of the Emerson Lounge and were de-nailed. An attempt was made to map out some of the rooms with tape, but we are waiting for updated drawings from the architect to assure accuracy.
The former building owners left many cans, bottles, and containers of hazardous materials - cleaning supplies, paint and thinners, oil, grease, weed killer, deodorizers, etc., which had been stored in Room A. These were all sorted and boxed up to go to the Glenwood Hazardous Waste unit or Forrest Paint for recycling on Thursday. All of our own supplies or spare parts for the "howitzer" are now sorted and stored, making a lot more open space in Room A.
All of the oak flooring was moved to Room A and is set up for planing tomorrow.
We could use a couple of plastic garbage cans or tubs for storing wire, just in case you have an extra lounging around your house.
Kirk Taylor has been taking photos of workers at the BUB. If there is anyone concerned that their photo might show up on the church website please let us know. We have been careful to not identify anyone in any of the photos, but realize there are some who prefer to not be included.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"No green GRAPES? We are going to strike! We are all walking off the job!"
Judie
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Days Left #349 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2010
10 Volunteers - 11 Visitors
It's always nice having visits from congregants. Gives the volunteers an opportunity to share the joy of getting so much accomplished and to show off our handiwork. One group arrived at the perfect time - right after our project manager was thinking, "this week is when we are going to need to contact the person with the diamond tipped chain saw." The visitor was the person who offered that very saw several weeks ago! Saved a phone call. The Break Room Dancers of the Day brought brownies which were almost polished off by the late afternoon crew taking their last sit down before cleanup began.
The rafters in the old Emerson Lounge have produced 2x6 inch by 21 foot boards and many odds and ends of 2x4s for de-nailing. Other boards too short for reuse were perfect for firewood. The plaster ceiling came down and a painted cupboard type wood box showed up in the dumpster. I have no clue where it came from or what it was. Bright yellow and green - must have been something from a Duck fan.
Thanks to the crew that once again moved the piano, organ, miscellaneous furniture and crutches, etc., into old Room 9. They have been in and out of that room at least three times. The 18 gold chairs got moved to the back of the stage for the fourth time. All part of our 16 part puzzle. Before ducting could be dropped from the Sanctuary ceiling, all the furniture and porcelain sinks had to be moved out of harms way.
More gravel digging was done and the "sand box" is filling up. A grandson got training on the electric lawnmower and cut the grass along the eastern property line. There are three new boxes of free firewood (watch for nails). All of the concrete stepping stones were loaded into car trunks and are gone. Insulation and old conduit were sorted and carted off. Another mile or two of wire came out of the conduit and the strippers were busy as bees, with a new recruit getting private lessons on stripping.
The Ferrari scaffold could be heard beeping and chirping away as it toddled backward, forward, and up and down. We are now so used to the clang of falling duct work that we don't even flinch any more.
Yesterday I had the wrong name for the group - it is actually "Demolition Task Force and Chop Suey Society.
Tomorrow's menu includes more aerial dynamics to remove ducting, de-nailing boards, digging gravel, and marking off rooms so that vertical framing can begin. We can use help bundling like size boards and wood squirrel training is available.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"If I get injured, I sure hope there is no blood. I don't want to see my name on that injury board." A hematoma doesn't count, even if you can't walk on that foot or wear your normal shoe! It does still warrant sympathy and an ice pack.
"I love this thing." Yes, I know, that was the quote yesterday, but Ed Zack just can't wipe a smile off his face when talking about how easy it is to work on the aerial scissor scaffold and especially how safe it is.
To respond to me about something in these posts, please use judie310hansen@comcast.net. An email sent to 400days gets a delayed delivery because these daily reports are a blog rather than a list serve.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
(for questions or suggestions directed to the Building Project Oversight Committee - BPOC)
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Days Left #350 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2010
11 Volunteers
Despite the above showing 11 volunteers, our ranks are shrinking. Two of the 11 were related to lawnmowers, one was office work, two were kitchen cleanup, and the majority were the wire strippers. Thanks especially to the wire strippers - just when they thought they might be getting to the bottom of the barrel, another mile or two of wire showed up. And speaking of wire, we now have five entries in the "guess how many pounds of copper" contest. The deadline for entries is in 5 days.
Remember the blue rolling scaffolding that threatened to collapse under the load of de-nailed lumber several weeks ago? Tonight it got straightened by two grown men jumping on it. Reminded me of the joke about how many UUs does it take to do such and such...... In this case one stood on the far end to keep it from bouncing up as the other one jumped on the other end. The "Genie Quick Stand" is now ready for business.
Tomorrow the schedule begins at 11 AM - and the primary project will be dropping the remaining ducting in the Sanctuary and Room C. There is still smashing to be done of urinals and ceramic tiles in the men's restroom and removing the ceiling and joists in the old Emerson Lounge. On Monday the freon will be taken out of the air conditioning units and then they will be dismantled so more of the First Balcony can come down.
Being able to use the aerial scaffold made the removal of high stuff a breeze. The grid for the batwing in the Sanctuary came down, along with three Hunter 48 inch fans. (The fans are FOR SALE for $30 each - new this model would cost well over $300 so this is a bargain!) Much outdated conduit was removed. See me for details.
You have heard of the n-puzzle - also known in various versions such as 8 puzzle, the 15 puzzle, etc. I played with them in the 1950's. It has a frame with numbered square tiles in random order with one tile missing. Well, the job ahead of us for rebuilding the new church is a lot like that. We have already been moving lumber, tools, and furniture from one space to another as we dismantled everything. Just like the object of the puzzle to place the tiles in order by making sliding moves that use the empty space, we will be moving everything from where it is at the present time, to provide open space for building walls and creating new rooms.
Ed Zack and Jake Walsh spent several hours working on the sequencing and figuring out a plan of where to put all that beautifully stacked lumber, cabinet doors and shelves and dollies with folding chairs and tables when work begins to turn Room A into three classrooms for example. We are in recruitment mode. The schedule will be more formal. They are especially interested to know who will be available as a framing crew. If you are able to give them a general commitment of time and want to get some training please let one of them know. After Judy Sawyer and an assistant tape the outline for rooms, the vertical walls can go up. The sequence will begin at the east end along the south side of the building and work west.
Part of this plan will be to train "wood squirrels" so that when the framers say they need a 2x6 board 6 feet long they can send you to the wood pile and you will come back with the right kind of board in the proper length, etc.
TODAY WAS DAY 50! and I sure understand how everyone took advantage of perfect weather for putting the garden to bed and doing fall cleanup on a sunny day. I was cutting brambles, deadheading flowers, and pulling weeds myself. Now that demolition is winding to a close, it is time to get geared up for getting framed! We have a GRAND OPENING celebration is 350 days, and we need to be ready.
Ed Zack is having entirely too much fun on the aerial scaffolding. He could be heard all afternoon mumbling about how much fun it was to drive, how handy it was to be able to reach the parts of the batwing, how easy it was to lower the fans to the floor, etc. Jake said he treats it like a Ferrari! Best of all it is so much safer than being on a ladder or even on traditional scaffolding.
Everyone involved in this project has a new endearing name -
The Demolition Task Force and Chop Suey Club!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
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"I love this thing." -- referring to the new aerial scaffold.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
Days Left #351 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
8 Volunteers
It was a bit of a quiet day with our "regular" volunteers all focusing on specific areas and El Viejo catching up on paperwork and making phone calls to arrange for deliveries, etc. I'm such a ninny I hadn't even noticed that the Schnitzer dumpster that was full disappeared yesterday and a new one was delivered. It already has a good assortment of metal in it. Through the diligence of volunteers in loading the "trash" dumpster, things stay compacted and we are able to get a lot of material into it.
A "sand box" has been constructed in the back parking lot to store the dirt and gravel being dug up from behind the building. There is some discussion about whether the depth is six inches or twelve, but there is plenty of digging left to do. If you are thinking of digging, it might be a good idea to bring your own shovel, since we have only two so far.
Two strippers worked on wire - only 6 more days until the contest closes. It's not too late to submit your entry and guess how many pounds of copper we will have to sell by November 1. If you don't have an entry form, just send me an email with your estimate. (judie310hansen@comcast.net) The defunct electric lawnmower was picked up and donated to Next Step Recycling. All of the small pieces of broken up concrete were hauled wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow load to the dumpster. There are still some very nice irregular slabs for thyme garden stepping stones. Free to a good home.
The highlight of the day was the arrival of a hydraulic aerial platform scaffold! When in full lift position, the floor of the platform is 22 feet off the ground which means it is very easy to reach the ceiling in the sanctuary and every other high place we need to reach. In the "old days" when El Viejo last operated one of these gizmos, there was an actual steering wheel, but this one has a joy stick. So throughout the day, he was doing demonstrations and getting used to the feel of the equipment. At dinner he mentioned that for every four hours a volunteer works, they get to have a 15 minute ride. Someone asked if you had to have a pilot's license to operate that thing. Another said they think Ed acts like it is the Indy 500.
No serious demolition was done on the boiler itself, but never fear, considerable sorting of brass, iron, steel, and aluminum parts was accomplished before dinner. Speaking of dinner, we had 10 join for food and conversation. It's a fun way to end the week and catch up on the progress and hear of plans for the weekend. We discovered that when you order wonton soup you get two quarts and even with everyone sharing, there is still some to take home. El Viejo's fortune cookie read: "Your efforts will be favorably acknowledged.!"
The projects on board for tomorrow are ripping out the ceiling in the old Emerson Lounge, digging gravel, and moving, moving, moving furniture and building materials. You can expect to hear the beep, beep, beep of that aerial platform as it buzzes around the building.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
The quote for today is a bit different - it was the opening words for the Building Project Oversight Committee last night, and is from the current UU World Magazine. The full article appears on page 33 "The Spirituality of Service" by Erik Walker Wikstrom.
"Work devoted to something greater than yourself lifts you out of the narrow sphere of individual concerns, enlarges your perspective, and provides context for the joys and concerns of your own life. It's a reality check, bringing us constantly back to the truth of our Seventh Principle, in which we affirm the interconnected web of all existence. No lay leader gets to act alone. It means working for and with a group of people who have intertwining needs, hopes, fears, and expectations, all to help fulfill a common mission that binds them together. What better opportunity to learn over and over again that we are mutually interdependent? Lay service means claiming your own strand of the interdependent web while honoring the needs of others. It means being a firsthand witness to the power of diversity united in a single mission."
Judie
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Days Left #352 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
10 Volunteers
I inspected the men's restroom to see whether all of the wall tiles had been removed - and indeed they still have not. If you have always wanted to smash something to smithereens, here is your chance....and while you are at it, you can also smash the three urinals in the same room.
We are reaching the end of demolition and will soon begin rebuilding walls along the south side of the building as we establish offices and several classrooms. To give a general idea about where those walls go, a crew will be marking outlines for rooms with tape.
Thanks to the folks who came to remove every last nail in the oak flooring from the stage. That was a beast of a job because oak is such a hard wood. Late this afternoon, Tom Snyder stopped by to lend an antique nail pulling tool to the jobsite - it is an early 1900's model and looks like it can do the job handily.
The Building Project Oversight Committee met this evening and discussed timelines, budget, sequencing, and what will need to be cut from Phase I because of money constraints. There are top priorities and absolutely essential elements. The estimated cost of remodeling is $150.00 per square foot. Based on available money and a 17,000 square foot building, we have approximately $50.00 per square foot in the budget. This means not much in the way of cabinetry and only having modest trims and concrete floors. We are indeed fortunate to be able to serve as our own general contractor, to have so many big ticket power tools on loan, and for the 100+ volunteer work force, but everything that is required to bring the building up to code for our occupancy permit adds up quickly. Everywhere possible, we will use the lumber stored in Room A - it is a treasure trove - but we need all new light fixtures, ADA and other plumbing fixtures, heating and cooling mechanicals, permit fees, and the rest of the traffic impact study. As you can imagine, there will be much juggling with the money we have. The bottom line of tonight's meeting was that "thrift in particular will need to guide everything we do." We are in discussions with the Capital Campaign Committee to find creative ways to generate more money during Phase I.
We have sold just about everything from the building that we can. Some of the items we put on Craig's list didn't sell and are still looking for a home. We have the donated Sisiutl carving priced at $6,000, and in order to sell it we hope everyone in our listening audience will talk it up to your friends, etc., because I expect the way we will find a buyer is through word of mouth. It is presently hanging over the front door of the BUB to provide high visibility.
The serial numbers on some of the heating equipment, plus the howitzer have been shared with commercial equipment companies that rebuild such things and sell them. We hope to sell them to raise more money.
To get a really good idea about what has been going on this past week, check out the 40 new pictures taken by Kirk Taylor and posted at http://tinyurl.com/2dugvm4 . The captions are terrific! Thanks, Kirk, for recording so many wonderful images. What a wonderful part of our history!
Don't forget dinner tomorrow at 5:30 PM at the Fortune Chinese Restaurant. Come as you are - dinner is no host.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"If we take out anything else, we will have a wind chill factor."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
Day #353 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
9 Volunteers
Lots of sorting and cleaning up - shoveling concrete fragments out of the beer room (still plenty of large concrete pieces for recycling). Toilet #1 is declared demolished. I didn't personally inspect it, so I assume that means all the smashing of ceramic tile is finished.
All of the oak flooring on the stage was removed and we now need skilled and unskilled de-nailers. The oak is very hard and nail pulling is more difficult than it was from cedar. So come on down and test your strength!
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Wire pulling continues. We have three entries so far in the contest to estimate the amount of copper to be sold. The numbers cover the full spectrum of conjecture. Of course it is a shot in the dark at best considering there are so many different types of copper being found. Some of the regulars at the BUB have been hesitant to enter because they are afraid if they win people will think they have an advantage. Not a chance. We haven't weighed any of it and it will likely keep showing up from the recesses of the building until we add it up on November 1.
The freon removal representative came by to see what all he had to work on. When asked "what equipment will you bring?", he replied, "all the equipment we have." There are a number of different sizes, shapes, and types of mechanical units to work on and he was quite fascinated by all of them.
Boiler dismantling continued and one new volunteer suggested it could be removed with a fork lift rather than taking it apart with a blow torch first. And then he said he had a fork lift he can loan us. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of specialized tools that at least one of our members doesn't have.
Found: We still have not found the owner of the gray Field & Stream wool shirt with a pair of sunglasses in the pocket. It was left at Momma's Table on Labor Day Monday. The pumpkin pie gifter yesterday was Melinda Johns -- very tasty. Today I actually got a piece before it disappeared.
New Projects: Meeting with the architect on Tuesday, we determined that the ceiling and ceiling joists in the old Emerson Lounge stretching east to the women's restroom are to come out. That means we have more sheet rock tearing out for the Neanderthals in our volunteer corps. And bring your picks, shovels and wheelbarrows to help dig out six inches of gravel to make way for new footings on the NE side of the sanctuary.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Do you have a widget to keep me from being electrocuted?" (According to Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, a widget is a: doohickey, gizmo, thingamajig.....or tool. In this case, a tool slightly larger than a ball point pen that will detect a live electrical connection and sends out a beeping signal to let you know to not touch a hot wire. A very handy widget to be sure.)
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#354 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
10 Volunteers
In looking at the information from Schnitzer Steel, I was amazed to see that we have sold exactly 8,000 pounds in those two dumpsters. I heard a rumor that we expect to make $100,000 selling steel—it would sure be nice, but the number needs to have two zeros taken off the end. We will definitely sell at least $1,000 worth.
More and more pieces were removed from the boiler and the next major steps will require a blow torch. That should be fun to watch. Most of the tongue and groove oak flooring from the stage was carefully removed and de-nailed. No word yet about where it might be reused in the building, but that is the plan. Thanks to the "Chair-man" we have one more theater seat and it has been sold to a checker at the 29th & Willamette Market of Choice. She has begged me to please find her one.
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A 12" pumpkin pie, more green grapes and about a dozen small yogurts were added to Mamma's Table. Just a reminder - in keeping with our Green Sanctuary guidelines and certification, we are using the stainless steel eating utensils, glasses, china plates and bowls and cloth napkins in our kitchen. We don't need paper cups, napkins, plates, or plastic utensils. There is an assigned person who puts food, ice and water out every morning and someone who arrives at closing time to wash all the dirty dishes and take the laundry home. There is a gray plastic bin near the table where all the dirty dishes should be placed. I didn't get any of the pie and nobody was there who could tell me who brought it, but it looked terrific and was more than half gone by 4 PM.
The Building Project Oversight Committee met with Architect Gary Moye for two hours this afternoon to look at his revised design reflecting as many of the ideas and requests possible that were shared during his interviews with program staff and committees earlier this month. Our mechanical consultant was also present to discuss placement of HVAC systems and some existing fans, etc., over the kitchen for fresh air exchange and night cooling. Other items related to storage, the lighting systems, need for room darkening, revised office space, additional space for bicycles, and the configuration of the stage and sanctuary seating. There are a number of challenges to make it all fit.
It was determined we will need to dig up about 12 inches of gravel in that grassy area behind the northeast corner where new footings will be poured. There is also a rectangular slab and a section of sidewalk that will need some sledgehammer work. We might save that for the first cold day when it will feel good to work hard to keep warm!
There are amazing large wheels that ran fans in one of the air conditioning units - great art pieces. They are saved and will NOT be sold for scrap.
Thanks to Anna Sontag for designing an entry form for the Copper Weight Estimating Contest. The form appears below - only nine more days until the deadline.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Architect Gary Moye to Bob Kaeser during a tour of the boiler room:
"You look like a steam fitter."
Bob's response: "More like an un-fitter."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
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#355 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
12 Volunteers
From our statistician
Number of individual volunteers - 120 (includes Break Room Dancers)
Number of Volunteer Hours: 2,313
Cumulative Volunteers for Past 45 Days - 602
The concrete floor in the beer room was broken up, exposing the original floor at the same level as the rest of the building. The broken pieces would make excellent stepping stones in a creeping thyme garden. Is there anyone in our listening audience who would like to have them? Please let me know ASAP. If we have no takers, the concrete slabs will be put out near the curb marked "FREE".
Lost: Our "Chair-man" came to put together one last theater seat with the assorted spare parts, but every single person in the building looked high and low and in between for the can of nuts and bolts that hold them together. It is a light colored coffee can type with a plastic lid. If anyone has seen that can, please let us know.
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Great news! We received two checks today from Schnitzer Steel paying us for the first two dumpsters - $555.40! And those two loads were mostly duct work and conduit. The material we are putting in the Schnitzer dumpster now is much heavier... she says gleefully.
Speaking of steel - the First Balcony crew was delighted to find the balcony floor swept yesterday, making work conditions greatly improved. Two weeks ago when El Viejo crawled around up there checking to see what had to come out he was asking: "How are we going to do this?" He thought the large HVAC units would have to come out in one piece. Not so. Today one of the behemoth air conditioners was taken apart - the housing was about seven feet across (Serial #14545). Each time a new hunk was going to be pushed over the edge you would hear "B E L O W!" That's when you knew you wanted to be out of the room. The noise was formidable, and the cloud of dust was nothing to sneeze at. There is almost enough room to walk around up there now.
In addition to brute force projects, wire stripping and office work continued. Oh, but back to brute force - the tile in the exhibitionist restroom was attacked with a sledgehammer. I hear it is very satisfying work, but safety glasses are a good idea because the tile tends to shatter in every direction. Wheelbarrows full of tile and sheetrock were carted off to the dumpster.
A 21 foot long 6" x 6" beam arrived at the BUB this morning and was painted a familiar dark brown stain that seemed to match all the trim of our 40th and Donald Church. Hmmmmmmm, I wonder why? It turns out that further settling of the ground underneath the support post and concrete on the northeast corner (near the steps leading to the office) has caused a fissure to widen, and a crew will be attaching additional support tomorrow morning. Room C at the BUB is large and has all those handy saw horses to use as the perfect work space for painting a beam that large.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: Spoken with tongue in cheek.
"Since this is a church, we all wear our Sunday clothes to work....It's hard on them."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
PS If you are responding to me, please use newhome@uueugene.org rather than 400days - it is more direct.
#356 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2010
17 Volunteers
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Our volunteers are getting younger and younger - I believe a wire stripper today was age 5! Get 'em while they are young, that's our motto....Our #1 wire stripper was on the job this afternoon and still has the magic touch. I hear that an entry blank for the contest to guess the number of pounds of copper extracted by November 1 will soon be available on Mamma's Table. The deadline for submitting an entry is October 1 - just eleven days to go. Another half mile of defunct wire was removed from the attic.
The First Balcony section was removing mongo bolts from HVAC equipment and between that dropping to the concrete floor and the roto hammer work in the "beer cooler" room, things were a few decibels above the comfort level. And even using the roto hammer, the concrete floor was not cooperating, so only a small section was removed in the process.
Yet more of the men's restroom is missing, and Ed Zack says it is "becoming more of a case of exhibitionism for those brave enough to use it." I guess those de-nailing were feeling insecure with not many boards to work on. More of the firewood disappeared, but I forgot to check to see how much is actually left for the taking.
The 14 foot long Sisiutl carving donated to us as a fundraising source was hung on the front of the building today. Special signage will be added noting that it is for sale, the price, and history to avoid confusion. Thanks to Ray Losey of Portland for this generous donation. He and his father, Rex Losey, carved the image commemorating the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. Rex Losey was a well known Native American carver who donated his art of totems and other large carvings for public places around the Northwest. The back of this sisiutl is also carved with images noting the influence of Russian settlers who introduced coins used for trade in the Pacific Northwest, from Alaska to northern California. The asking price is $6,000 with proceeds going to the new building fund. This large art piece would make a statement whether mounted on the side of a building or put on posts over a driveway. Stop by and check it out. Kirk Taylor has taken photos of the Mt. St. Helens side for your viewing pleasure. The link is at the top of this page.
In other news, Music Director Tom Sears inquired whether it is possible to hold a special concert with a 90 voice choir in cooperation with another Eugene congregation on April 17. He was given a positive "yes" as long as the room could be in rough shape and not in it's final finished form. Talk about putting pressure on our volunteer labor force! It sounds very optimistic to me, but I realize we can do anything we set our minds to.
QUOTES OF THE DAY - from today's sermon by Rev. Alicia Forsey:
"Don't overlook the benefits of swinging a sledgehammer to tear down a wall -- for anyone feeling angry or needing exercise."
"The beauty of this space will be difficult to let go. The Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene is in a place of promise and possibility for fulfilling and living out your mission. People will arrive who will say, 'I have been waiting for a space like you have created here.'"
Judie
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#357 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2010
9 Volunteers (plus add one to yesterday - she forgot to sign in)
Today we honored Carol Armstrong by attending her memorial service led by our major duct smasher Jake Walsh. We created a small alter in the lumber storage area with some special things and a photo of Carol.. She would have enjoyed the smell of the freshly planed western cedar that Jerry and Janet Russell created this afternoon. Thanks Jake for your mixture of humor, stories and music to complement the memories shared by Carol's friends and family. It was a lovely service.
One person wrote in the volunteer log that she was "puttering." There is a lot of that happening and some days I come home and wonder what I accomplished beyond puttering. But truth be told, all that puttering is very important - it might be pushing a broom or wheelbarrow, emptying the trash, rounding up the recycling or taking home the compost. Volunteers have spent hours moving tools and organizing the lumber storage area or pulling wire. I was amused to see all the toilet paper from the men's restroom out in the hall - at least 50 feet from the toilet - now there is a challenge.
The person hanging out in the "first balcony" section cut out and dropped more duct work in the morning. He was dressed all in green and yellow, including kerchief. When asked if he was supporting the U of O team for today's game, he said he had gotten dressed in the dark and thought the kerchief was dark blue. By 6:30 PM, this same person was covered in soot from head to toe. All afternoon there were strange noises coming from the boiler room as large pipes, faucets, controls, motors, and coverings dropped off the boiler apparatus. The dismantler was singing! I was in awe of the diligence taken to remove anything with brass fittings from other metal pipes so they can be sorted and sold. In most cases it took brute force to loosen fittings frozen into place for decades. All at the end of a long day working in tight, hot, dirty places dismantling the beast.
Break Room Dancers delivered ginger snaps, cheese nips, cherry tomatoes and string cheese. Yesterday's goodies included fair trade coffee, fresh plums, and green grapes. Thanks for taking such good care of the volunteers.
We found the perfect "prize" for the person coming the closest to estimating the amount of copper to be recycled. Just 12 more days to send in your entry. I discovered that I make a lousy stripper. I could not get the hang of it and after working for almost an hour with another rookie, we managed to finish one 25 foot long piece of wire. So we returned to puttering.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
El Viejo (Ed Zack) had taken a well deserved three day break and commented: "You can't believe what it's like to come back after being away even just three days! Everything is neat and tidy and way more got done than I expected for week days. This building is levitating."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
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#358 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
12 Volunteers
Additional miscellaneous wire was taken down from the attic area - some of the multi-colored strands would make interesting jewelry. Sue Craig took home some of the copper wire to experiment with making jewelry. Our number one stripper declared at dinner that she was not willing to clean very thin wire containing low grade copper.
The south wall of Room A was removed this afternoon which means that the men's restroom has no ceiling, walls, stalls or lights. I think the sinks and urinals still work, but there isn't much privacy. Attempts were made to further organize and sort lumber in Room A. Almost every piece of it has now been moved several times. We are getting lots of exercise.
The helter skelter pile of firebox-length wood was sorted and stacked this morning and is free to a good home. If you plan to haul it away, it would be a good idea to bring containers. There are nails in some of it, but much is clean, and all is unpainted.
Jake Walsh was quite a sight when he emerged from taking down duct work from the area above what we affectionately refer to as the "balcony," in Room B. He found it much easier to work inside the ducts, but incredibly dusty in the belly of the beast. He resembled a coal miner, and that was after he said he had "washed off most of it." No wonder he opted to skip dinner at the Fortune Restaurant. Speaking of which, there were six at dinner, and we had such a good time we sat and talked for two hours. There were many pearls of wisdom shared - one from Chuck Wagar was especially wise. "The reason we don't have lightening in Eugene is because we don't have any lightening bugs....." groan... Speaking of Chuck, he destroyed our 18 days without injury when some falling sheet rock hit him and drew blood.
For the duct removal project, Jake was using a sidegrinder, pneumatic chisel, and power shears to tame the beast. The remains of the day were carted off to the Schnitzer dumpster. And I was wrong yesterday when I reported that the one metal dumpster was full when it was removed. Schnitzer came to get the empty one because they needed it for another job site. The boiler demolition continues. Most of the things that come out or off of it defy description. I just know it is all metal and requires a variety of tools and considerable brain power to get the job done.
Kirk Taylor continues to post many photos on a special website from his almost daily visits to the job site. Be sure to check them out at the link above.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"Today must have been payday because so many people showed up to work."
"It's amazing how everyone is in such good humor, despite getting so dirty and working so hard."
"When you see the "You Betcha We Can!" sign at the BUB, don't think Sarah Palin has taken over.....we are actually taking 'You Betcha' back from her."
Tomorrow many of us will be attending the memorial service for our friend Carol Armstrong at 1 PM. The work hours will be slightly adjusted - Work will begin at 7:30 AM and be closed from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. We will reopen at 3 PM and close late.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#359 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
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7 Volunteers
There were wire strippers and nail pullers, plus one person's diligent effort to remove an assorted medley of wire in the area that was once an attic. Looks like computer, phone, speaker, doorbell, television, and bundled wire. It is piled in a heap waiting for the strippers. Meanwhile, back in the boiler room, the beast continues to get broken down into little pieces. A jumble of pipes, valves, faucets, meters, hinges, boxes, doors, and frames littered the floor until wheeled off to the dumpster. All very heavy, she says, with dollar signs in her eyes. One full Schnitzer dumpster was carted off today with another not far behind.
Someone did a splendid job of organizing all the odds and ends of brooms, shovels, dust pans, clamps and levels.... no longer stacked against the wall waiting to be knocked over by a passing wheelbarrow. They are neatly hung on nails in the old registration area. It makes it easy to see what we have to choose from, and keeps the hallway safe and clear.
Kay Crider and Marina McIntire sent an e-mail to all the Break Room Dancers asking them to sign up for specific days to keep a steady stream of tasty treats for volunteers. Many days over the next two weeks have been chosen. Today we actually were of the green grape groupies, with an abundance for tomorrow. We opened the last bag of Oreo cookies late this afternoon. The Green Sanctuary Committee is putting together a Landscaping Task Force to work on fall planting and other outdoor projects. If you love outdoor work, contact Judy Sawyer.
Help Needed - We need someone with a pick up truck or large trunk to transport the defunct electric lawnmower to Next Step Recycling. They take any kind of electrical device and are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. If there is a fee, please see me for reimbursement.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
A sign on the quickly constructed coat rack in the Project Office: "Please, Judie, do not sell this coat rack." -- generated after I sold all the old coat racks to the Applegate Regional Theater in Veneta.
Name tags, but not all of them "We have acres of duct work."
Mother: "Are you sure that door isn't too heavy for you to lift?"
Daughter: "Nope. People pay money to get this kind of exercise."
DON'T FORGET: Friday night dinner at the Fortune Chinese Restaurant - 5:30 PM - No Host - Come as You Are.....
17 days without blood
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#360 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
8 Volunteers
It was a bit of a low key day with more wire stripping, moving wood, de-nailing, and removing a pile of old wiring from demolished rooms. Yesterday the formica counter holding the sign-in area was gone, and today the wall that held the counter was missing. Most of the duct work dropped over the weekend has been flattened and stacked in the dumpster. A small trickle of water from the boiler room tank is trying to create Lake Bub, but has slowed down so much it evaporates enroute over the sidewalk. The two large, heavy, awkward, beefy, cumbersome, elephantine, massively weighty doors from the front of the boiler were removed and lowered to the floor using a come along. Back in the beginning of time, El Viejo told us we would be moving big things like the Egyptians to save our backs, and today's effort reflected that wisdom. Working alone, Bob Kaeser continued dismantling the beast!
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The pile of boards cut into firebox lengths is about waist high, and several people have taken advantage of it being available and free. If you would like to have some, I recommend you bring large cardboard boxes ( apple boxes are good). Just in case you are worried, none of our prime lumber is being cut up for firewood. Most of it was in odd lengths with lots of nails. We have several members who heat their homes almost exclusively with efficient wood stoves, so it is good the material can be used.
Yesterday when the UUCE birders were having breakfast at Marie Callender's, I noticed the ladies restroom had the exact same toilet paper dispensers as the ones we removed out of the defunct restrooms at the BUB, and one was missing the top decorative panel. I asked the manager if he would like to have a couple of spares for repairs, and he was thrilled. Today we dropped off two (one still in the box, but vintage style). There was a different person at the counter and he looked at me like I was nuts when I handed him toilet paper dispensers, but said he would let the manager know. I was hoping I could trade them out for a fresh lemon meringue pie....no such luck.
Kirk Taylor has posted another 29 photos from yesterday. Check them out - especially his captions at the linkat the top of the page.
LOST AND FOUND: Gray flannel shirt and gold sweatshirt that says USA left Labor Day on the back of a kitchen chair. Also, a gray shirt with ethnic pattern and a lime green shirt left sometime this week waiting for their owners on the sign-in table in the lobby.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"Are you here to take pictures or do some real work?"
(Remember, some folks have unseen physical limitations and we appreciate any type of effort made related to the creation of our new home, whether it be brute force physical labor, sweeping floors, taking photos, creating an office filing system, providing food or inspiration, or mowing the grass. )"Thank you, each and every person who is so open-heartedly contributing to this project of love and hope." - Ed Zack
PS: Just a few green grapes left, but thankfully they are on sale this week at 99 cents a pound.....
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Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#361 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
14 Volunteers
De-nailing, de-nailing, de-nailing, de-nailing! Dawn until dusk. Wire stripping, wire cutting - on and on it goes. Smashing and flattening duct work to feed the Schnitzer dumpster. It is filling up at a good pace. Just when we think we have all the lumber stacked exactly where we want it, we get orders that there is yet another wall to be taken down, so board by board it was moved from the south wall of Room A to the center of the room. Good thing all the theater seats were moved out of that spot. Two of the 8 foot table tops found in the attic a while back got new pipe legs and are set up in Room B and are holding all the hand tools previously stored in the lobby. Since there is no longer a counter for the sign-in sheets, a special table was brought in for that. We need a road map these days.
The architect was on site today with some consultants and also had a walk through with Ed Zack regarding the redesign of the stage area. Still no hot water in the dishwashing area. Water from draining the large tank in the boiler room was seeping out under the door, making its way to Lake BUB. The office staff was in for some filing and statistical work. Break Room Dancers dropped off GREEN GRAPES and salami.
My UU friend from Portland, Ray Losey, arrived about noon with an 18 foot long carved old growth western cedar plank. It was carved by him and his father in 1980 commemorating the eruption of Mt. St. Helens on one side and the early Russian influence along the west coast on the other. Ray is donating this piece to our church for us to sell to raise money for the new building fund. It is valued at $6,000. Based on the rings in the tree that was harvested, it was 480 years old. The Mt. St. Helens design features a sisiutl (two headed dragon with a humanoid feature between), with volcanic ash clouds and fir trees. It is a lovely art piece that I will be writing more about and we figure out a way to display and market it It will be on display at our new building to take advantage of the high traffic area and visibility. This piece has the power to bring in some new funding from outside our own church community.
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QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"When I spend a couple of hours working at the new building, I sleep really well at night."
"You folks have really done an amazing amount of work in a very short time."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#362 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
14 Volunteers
There was a steady team of de-nailers working, which was a really good thing. They moved boards this afternoon so long they had to be creative in figuring out how to get them around tight corners and into Room A. Mission accomplished! The buzz saw ripped long boards into firewood size and generated quite a pile. We cut it up, but we don't deliver it to your stove.
No duct work dropped today. Room B was rearranged to some degree and the lobby got cleaned up. Over time, a lot of tools jumped out of their storage area, so they got coaxed back in and moved to Room B. Joists and rafters were taken out of the reception area and we no longer have a phone booth. Part II of the grass was mowed and wire stripping continued.
The plumbing connection between the dishwashing area and the boiler tank was re-routed and when I left about 5:30, Ed Zack was doing a high wire act with footing on the water heater. By the looks of the water in "Lake Bub" the last of water must have been drained from the large boiler tank. There are all kinds of strange things showing up in the metal only dumpster as pipes, housings, straps, etc., come out of the boiler room. And the best part of all? They are all very heavy and we are paid by the pound!
The Break Room Dancer czarettes met this afternoon to plot and scheme about how to procure green grapes and snack food. Things that are individually packaged seem to be eaten first. We know this is excess packaging, but is preferable to having to throw out food that gets stale when left out all day. Kay Crider is sending out a note to all those who have been supplying food with the goal of setting up a schedule and preference for the type of goodies Dancers can donate. Kay will pinch hit as the coordinator for a couple of weeks and we will share who puts food out in the morning and washes the dishes in the afternoon.
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QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
Quote for the day from a nail-puller. Camus got it wrong - Sisyphus is no myth! However, the final line of Camus's essay still pertains. "The struggle itself...is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." -- George Carroll
Thanks to Bonnie Richman for sharing a poem written by her brother, Larry Richman. It related to house wrecking, but could apply to our wrecking party as well:
THE JOYS OF HOUSE WRECKING
Builders are a sorry lot.
They start low, they follow rules.
Wreckers start at the top,unroofing under the sun,
releasing prisoner nails
to the society of grass below,
flying Frisbee shingles some drudge lugged up
to random lodging in the kudzu's throat.Like those ten-year old surgeons,
rubber-gloved and skittish
behind the shadowing sheet,
who lift to the howls of friends assembled
all manner of junk from the patient's gullet or gut --
sausages, a mop, old swords, or a large fish --
I strip away sheathing
and haul from the attic
all unretrieved shards, hulks, husks,
the comic bones of incompetent beds, raggedy rags,
a grey mattress brain with a low IQ.
All turn in the air.
All fall down.
Gravity plays my game.Now ceiling bone connected to de...wall bone,
wall bone connected to de...floor bone,
now hear the word of de
wrecking bar.
It talks loud, it talks the house down
in a hurry of plaster and soot.
Liberate that lath. Hoist a joist.
Free that window---it's been framed!In my joy under the sun,
I follow the head of my eight-pound sledge,
I follow no rule but the rule of break,
bury the bits in the cellar,
turn back time to a zero house.
And I sing in the sun and wonder
how the Big Wrecker can wait.
***
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#363 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2010
9 Volunteers
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We need more nail pullers! In order to make room for removing duct work from behind what looks like a "balcony", the de-nailing room and equipment storage (wheelbarrows, ladders, etc.,) will be moved tomorrow.
The boiler has been de-fanged by turning off the electric power, gas, and water. One large door and an assortment of bells and whistles have been expunged. There is an automatic transformer in the boiler room rated at 20,000 watts! Must be left over from the old Eugene airport runway lights. If you drove through the north parking lot this afternoon you would have seen a very large puddle created from the drain hose of the large water tank connected to the boiler. Unfortunately, that tank and the hot water for washing dishes were on the same line, so tomorrow an adjustment will be made to get water back to the kitchen. But never fear, the normal hand washing double sink still had hot water and the dishes were washed.
It was interesting seeing the wall in the men's restroom that Jeanne-Marie Moore demolished with a sledge hammer. Thankfully, it was a double sided wall, so there is still a bit of privacy left facing the hall. The very last ceiling to be taken out during the demolition phase was completed today (Room 5).
Our leader spent most of the day on paperwork and assembling an Aesthetics and Logistics task force to begin preparing for our transition to the new building next year. In coordination with our interim minister, Alicia Forsey, and the architect, the task force will set procedures and vetting of everything that is moved into the new building. These preparations need to start now so the move doesn't sneak up on us. Ed met with Alicia on Saturday and worked through her ideas for the design of the sanctuary space.
Kirk Taylor has posted a number of new photos from yesterday on the web. There are some great images. The link is: http://tinyurl.com/2dugvm4
The amount of duct work volunteers removed yesterday was inspiring. They are working in a warren of machinery and valves. Wire stripping continues, with several people attacking it every day. The saw is set up to cut the oversized boards into firewood lengths. It disappears quicker that way. Three galvanized tubs and several plastic ones appeared for storing cut wire.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Elliot McIntire was carrying a pick axe through the dining area. I said, "that doesn't look like a croquet mallet to me." He responded "you should see how far I can hit something with this thing...."
"Jeanne-Marie is an animal with a sledge hammer!"
13 days without blood
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#364 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2010
18 Volunteers today
Clanging and banging was deafening as more four foot wide duct work reached the floor. By day's end Rooms 3 and 4 are cleared. At times the area in front of the metal dumpster resembled a tumbled down city in disarray, but smashing, jumping, and brute force reduced and flattened it. Stripped wire was cut into acceptable lengths - makes it easier to store and that's how Schnitzer accepts it. Two tubs were added to store the wire. The "howitzer" in the room behind the kitchen no longer has any electricity and as soon as the professional technicians come to remove the freon and other liquids, it will be razed bolt by bolt. Right now it looks like something in a naval shipyard!
The old custodial room is history and the ceiling rafters and wall joists in the reception area and old office (near the safe) became fodder for the de-nailers. Things are beginning to look deceptively neat and tidy. Despite constant quarter- mastering, the dried glue from carpeting continues to work it's way into a very fine dust, the result of rolling wheelbarrows and volunteers in closed toe shoes tediously dragging duct work outside. As a result, close inspection of surfaces finds grit. We could not pass a white glove test, but thanks to everyone's diligent sweeping, it looks terrific and is a safe work environment.
The grass was mowed and two of the small shrubs from the church planter were re-planted at the BUB.
We have decided to have a contest and hope you will all want to enter. Entries must be emailed no later than October 1, 2010, and sent to me at judie310hansen@comcast.net. You can have only one entry and there is no fee to enter (unless of course you want to make a special donation to the Capital Campaign Fund *grin* Make checks payable to UUCE with 'cap campaign in the memo line.). The contest will see who can guess how many pounds of copper we will have by November 1. The reason we are setting the deadline so early is because we are afraid you might sneak into the building to see how much there is and have an advantage in guessing.
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It's time to check the filters on your furnace - the sizes we have available:
6 cartons of 20x20x1
4 cartons of 16x20x1
1 carton of 15x20x1
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Who ate all the green grapes?????"
"These brownies are to die for."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#365 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2010
From our Statistician: 10 Volunteers, 12 at Fortune Inn for Dinner, 11 Injury Free Days*
480 workers signed in to date, 103 Individuals, 1920 Accumulated Volunteer Hours
Today is day 365 - ONE YEAR TO GO!
Ed Zack was amazed at the amount of work accomplished - all of the duct work was removed in Rooms 1, 2, 7 and 8. It is huge stuff - four feet across and long sections. Green grape break. Sections were so big they had to cut a new interior doorway to move them out to the dumpster. Volunteers dismantled approximately 120 lineal feet of it. Just in case you are feeling left out, there is approximately 500 more feet to be removed. Green grape break. After taking out the ducts made more room, they added a plywood floor on the rafters to make it easier to move around. In addition, Bob Kaeser has been diligently making the aerial work area safe by removing sharp objects and other obstructions. This procedures is lovingly referred to as "de-fanging." Green grape break. The next challenge will be dismantling the behemoth HVAC machinery. Each day the building keeps opening up, and there is almost no more sheetrock to knock out. Multiple boxes of HVAC filters were found in the attic - assorted sizes. After we determine whether any of them fit the HVAC system at church, we may have some available to sell or give away. Dumpster #9 was hauled away.
The paper products were removed from old restroom dispensers and some landscaping and weeding was accomplished. Our #1 stripper was filling buckets with cleaned wire. Cross bracing was installed along the remaining walls to give them stability while the ducting is taken out. I worked at home bringing the illustrated journal up to date and plan to bring copies of "Journey to Our New Home - Book Two" to church on Sunday. Many green grapes were consumed at the BUB.
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At dinner at The Fortune this evening, we raised our glasses and gave a toast to Carol Armstrong. Attendees spanned eight decades. We meet for a no-host dinner every Friday at 5:30 PM at the Fortune Chinese restaurant at 1775 West 6th. Everyone is welcome even if you have not been able to volunteer.
Things we need:
(1)Large plastic tubs with handles for storing cleaned wire. Put your name on them so we can make sure you get them back.
(2) The name of the person who brought home made chocolate chip cookies to the Labor Of Love Potluck. Some were left over and brought to the BUB - they were incredible and the volunteers need a second taste test.
Quotes of the Day:
"Today copper. Tomorrow? -- Who knows?"
When one of the duct workers was asked, "How's it going today?, he responded "Smashing!"
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
*There has been "no blood" since George Struble's encounter with sharp metal.
#366 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
Ten Volunteers, many who showed up before 9 AM. At least 150 boards went through the planer, the custodial/garden room on the west end of the building was cleared out (and what interesting things we found), and once the room was cleared the shelves came out and most of the wall was removed. The big push was necessary because that was the last place with sheetrock to be taken out, and the dumpster full of sheetrock will be picked up first thing tomorrow. The Schnitzer Steel dumpster is about full but we know we will need a second one before Monday, so tomorrow there will be two parked on the east side of the building.
Someone brought in a HUGE spray painted cardboard sign that reads: YOU BETCHA WE CAN!! It is leaning against the roll up window to the kitchen in Room C. We do love being motivated with positive reinforcement from our secret pals.
If anyone out there has money to invest, I would suggest buying stock in GREEN GRAPES.....Eight people ate three pounds today. Oh, except for the three loose ones in the bottom of the bowl. Thank goodness our workers are addicted to fruit rather than bacon or something else that might make our arteries snap.
We have a few things to give away:
Many sizes and shapes of florescent bulbs. (Which reminds me - I thought Ed Zack was not spelling fluorescent correctly, but in checking Webster, I found that both of us are correct. ) There are also several light bulbs that are 1,000 watts and some that are dark blue. I suppose we could use the 1,000 watt ones to light an entire room so we can see the nails we are pulling out - I will have to ask that question before we give those away. Also available, a small mirrored medicine cabinet - like we had in bathrooms in the "old days" before walls were covered with mirrors and everything was stored in drawers.
Nail pullers are keeping up with all the joist and rafter wood, and the table was clear of new material at day's end.
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Just past closing time, while the day's end quartermastering was being done, a young man on a bicycle came to the west end door and asked, "When is this thing going to be operational?" Chuck Wagar replied, "in about a year" and the guy answered, ""Well all righty then...." He lives in the neighborhood, goes by all the time and was very interested in all the activity.
The pile of wire to be stripped gets larger every day, even with one or two people working on it. Come on down!
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Two women running boards through the planer......"I'm not sure we know how this machine works." Answer: "You just have to wiggle more." It just doesn't get any "planer" than that.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#367 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2010
11 Volunteers today. Thanks to Chuck Wagar for serving as Captain and for managing to take down the lighting track so it could be picked up by the Applegate Regional Theater for use in their new group in Veneta. The sale of furnishings from the building has brought in a total of $3,270.
Volunteers removed ceiling rafters from Rooms 7 and 8, the sheet rock and insulation from the old administrative offices, and removed nails from a mountain of rafter boards. One stripper was cleaning copper wire.
Even though this is not tax season, we are gearing up for a major push on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday working on our de-duct-ions (translation: we could use lots of help cleaning and smashing duct work pulled out and lowered to the floor throughout the building). We have experienced people who will be crawling around in the attic to get the ducts removed, but that is only part of the job. Bring gloves and sturdy shoes and be prepared for noisy days of clanging and banging. Great photo opportunities as well.
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More program staff and committee representatives met with Architect Gary Moye and his assistant Patrick Hannah in the social hall at church today from 10 AM to 5 PM. It became apparent that some adjustments are necessary in our thinking about space allocations for offices, storage, classrooms, storage, the lobby, storage, and equipment. Topics covered - wiring, need for an intercom, phones, outlets, wireless, dry counter space, privacy for handling money, good lighting, and daytime security. Also, sound systems connections and flexibility for microphones, hanging mikes and looking into a loop system for classrooms to aid hearing impaired population....all simple enough for volunteers to operate. Most of the items on the Safety Committee list are required by code and are a part of the plan, except for a three day supply of food and drinking water in case of a disaster. It would be helpful to have some idea how many people plan to bicycle to church so we provide enough bike racks, etc. The current plan calls for the bike area to be covered but not enclosed. Several groups mentioned wanting to have a washer and dryer (does that mean those taking laundry home will be put out of work??) Everyone needs display areas and bulletin boards.
There was discussion about space for adult religious education, dimmers in rooms and blackout capability for showing films or power point, the availability of a large screen, break out rooms for small group discussion, storage space for curriculum and supplies and a movable lectern. The location of a library was mentioned. A new name tag system handy and attractive, space for pamphlet rack, kiosk, mailbox system, and the place for coats and umbrellas was brought up. Religious Education calls for seven classroom for ages infant through high school with partial carpeting on the concrete floors for classrooms with tiny tots up to about kindergarten age. It would be helpful to have sinks in all rooms and the RE refrigerator in that part of the building for easy access. A water fountain would be nice, multiple plugs in the wall, and a check-in and check-out station were suggested.
This is only a partial list, but this information and that stated in interviews last week or shared with BPOC members will be taken into consideration as the architect and his staff further refine the design, keeping in mind that we have a tight budget and in order to get the building ready for occupancy in 366 days, we will have to get a working plan in place very soon to be ready for the electrical, mechanical and plumbing work. Everyone was asked to come up with a combination of things absolutely necessary or on their five year wish list. I haven't distinguished between the two in my narrative, but just wanted to give a general idea of the topics discussed.
I couldn't let the day pass without noting the loss of Carol Armstrong who died at her home this morning at 4 AM. Carol visited the new building on August 26 and told us how excited she was for those working on this project and how much she would have loved to be a part of the demolition crew. As an active member of both the Green Sanctuary and Social Justice Committees, she often spoke of all the wonderful work we will be able to accomplish in our larger, downtown location. So as you help tear out the old and rebuild the new, think of Carol and her vision. We will miss her spunky presence and energy.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"I am working myself to death pulling nails."
She: "We are having hot dogs for dinner, but we have only one bun." He: "I don't mind having mine on bread." She: "We don't have any bread." Some people spend so much time at the new building they have no time to buy groceries, or cook....they shall remain nameless.
7 days without blood
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#368 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
8 Volunteers - I bet everyone else was sitting at home watching it RAIN! Our Tuesday morning birders got caught in the rain at Fern Ridge, but nobody cared.
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The last of the drapes on the stage, the track they ran on, and several light panels were taken down today, and along with chandeliers and costume racks, will be sold to the new theater group in Veneta. BPOC had a meeting with architect Gary Moye and his assistant Patrick Hannah for several hours this afternoon. Gary was intrigued by the oak hardwood floor on the stage and will work on ways it might be used elsewhere in the building. He reported to the Committee the input he has received so far from program staff and committee representatives about space needs and talked about some adjustments needing to be made related to storage with built-in recycling collection stations being an example. Tomorrow he meets with the other program staff and committees. His staff has verified the site dimensions for parking and is researching ways to accommodate the minimum spaces needed to satisfy the City code. A combination of accessible van, compact vehicles, and standard size cars or pickups.
Working with both HVAC and electrical consultants, Gary is waiting for more specifics on space needs and placement for the HVAC mechanicals and new ducting systems. Based on the need to be comfortable under a variety of circumstances in various time slots during a 24 hour period, he has determined that trying to use a night flushing system will not work for air conditioning, so a more conventional cooling system will be needed. They are still aggressively pursuing daylighting options and plan to use natural ventilation as much as possible.
As most of you know, both BPOC and the architect have said Phase I would stay within the existing footprint. Based on need for electrical panels, heating mechanicals, and storage space for folding tables and chairs, etc. adjacent to the sanctuary and social hall, the design now calls for an extension in the northeast portion of the building. If you are familiar with the site, this is where the patch of grass is on the north side next to the boiler room. The addition would extend north and east. In addition to the interior space, there would be a roof extension for covered bicycle racks and trash receptacles. An overhead garage door opening would allow for outside rentals to deliver equipment directly from the parking lot rather than using the main entrance. Both the boiler and the "howitzer" (behind the kitchen) and a chimney would be dismantled. Gary suggested using the bricks from the chimney to create a planter on the east end of the building.
Questions asked were: How much concrete has to be cut for new water and sewer lines, how will we heat the warehouse of a building this winter, and how many trees will we need to plant and where. All good questions to be answered as we go along. I have to save some goodies to reveal in future reports. *grin*
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Work done in the building by volunteers today were office work, taking down stage stuff, quartermastering, removing joists, and stripping wire. Three women worked on stripping copper wire and have perfected the system even further. Schnitzer Steel is presently paying $3.00 a pound for copper and we have close to 50 pounds stripped and another hundred pounds to go. And as we continue to tear things out, there will be even more. It's kind of like sitting in a sewing circle. You can work and talk as you strip wire - either sitting down on the love seat or standing. Schnitzer also said "the check is in the mail" (about $275.00) to pay us for the first load of metal we recycled. We should have at least three more loads, and another dumpster of steel is just about full.
A question was raised about whether we could let a family in need park a vehicle on our property and have a member of the family do volunteer work in exchange for electricity or food, etc. Unfortunately, the answer is no. Not only does having a stranger show up disrupt the rhythm of the work, but it is very important to remember that this is a construction site, not yet a church sanctuary. Many people have brought expensive tools to the worksite and there are too many doors in the building where tools or other valuable items could be walked out the door without anyone noticing. We have a huge safety and liability issue in general, and we need to make sure that tools do not disappear. Each time a stranger comes by to look at theater seats or other items for sale, they are escorted into and out of the building and not left to wander about. It takes the diligence of all of us to keep the work site safe and secure.
Report from our statistician - as of today - 99 individual volunteers!
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"We can afford it"
"We have acres of ducting to take out."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#369 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2010 Labor Day
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15 volunteers today. I was pleasantly surprised to see that so many showed up on Labor Day and amazed at all that got done. Jean Coberly has been tabulating the number of volunteers and hours worked. So far 432 people have signed in (many daily) and have worked a total of 1710 hours. There have been 92 different individual volunteers when we add in the Break Room Dancers.
The Brotherhood of Ducts was busy clearing pathways in the joists to easily drop more duct work in the next few days. All four layers of ceiling were removed from Room 1, and the ceilings and walls for Rooms 1, 2 and 3 were ripped out, de-nailed and stored. The ceiling joists of the men's restroom are gone. Found in one wall was an 8 foot long copper pipe and some DeMoley note pads. That 100 plus pound metal water heating cylinder that has been in the hallway for weeks was finally loaded into the Schnitzer dumpster. Plaster from half of the wall in Room A was removed. A new hook was mounted between the front doors for the wire strippers. We can honestly say we have hookers in addition to strippers, hustlers, carpetbaggers, movers and shakers. Thanks to Jean Coberly, Ed's office is perfectly organized with warranties and instruction manuals at the ready. A spare table and rug from the minister's office at 40th & Donald was moved to 13th and Chambers, wrapped and stored for future use. One volunteer created light strings to help brighten work areas and dark corners.
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LOST: A heavy duty hammer with a blue shaft, marked with red and yellow tape and the name Hosokowa written on it. Could you please look through your tools to see if it ended up at your house?
WANTED: Croquet mallets and balls to help expand our ability to have a really cool multiple team game! We know many of you must have long ago lost the wickets and yen to play, but just couldn't bear to throw out those colorful wooden balls and mallets.
ATTENTION: From Marina McIntire - for the time being, please turn off the bubble machine of food for volunteers. Between the generosity of Break Room Dancers and leftovers from the Labor of Love Potluck on Sunday, we have more than enough food right now. Marina will send out a note when she needs more food delivered. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS RESPONSE!! If you are looking for an icy treat, be sure to check out the freezer - there are several things tucked away that need to stay frozen, and there is additional perishable food in the fridge. In case the ice bucket has melted or is empty, there are more cubes in the Schwan's ice cream gallon containers -- sorry if you thought you were getting ice cream!
Kirk Taylor continues to snap lots of photos of the work in progress - He notes - 400 Day project - 36 new pictures taken Saturday are on http://tinyurl.com/2dugvm4
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QUOTES OF THE DAY:
Rather than individual quotes, I am sending along a guest editorial written by Anna Sontag - thanks Anna for sharing your thoughts. Anna is a member of the Board of Trustees and liaison to the Building Project Oversight Committee.
From Anna -
The Work Party at 40th and Donald, site of our present sanctuary, the “Grande Dame” or fine old lady, was much fun. Serendipity during my work task brought insights and opportunities -- part of the magic inherent in our community.
I much appreciated the BPOC’s update, which had so much information and promise to offer. Experiencing our Volunteer Coordinator, Ed Zack, master of reasoned communication and information, overcome with emotion, or, to be specific, passion for the power of community, could have outweighed the message he was conveying. Overall, as I heard it, both he and Dave were saying, “Yes, this is working and it will succeed beyond our (wildest) dreams!”
Ed, a contractor for thirty years (or more) and a volunteer coordinator since then, repeats that never in his experience, or in his wildest dreams, did he ever even hope for a crew like the volunteers at the demolition and soon to be construction on Chambers Street. The attitude, the ability to be safe, to be undaunted, courageous, inspired – and to experience so much joy and community in the process – touch him deeply, as we now know firsthand. The congregation’s work together – as laborers and contributors of food and funds -- is indeed an opportunity that is bringing the example of true community and hence, as our atheist leader Gil has put it, of the embodiment of the sacred. And Ed and Gil aren’t the only ones who notice. Spend a day or some hours on site – and you may get dirty clothes, and maybe use a new muscle – but you will also come away twenty years healthier deep inside.
The magnificent “bones” of the building are one wonderful surprise that has “come to light” in this process [incredible huge curved beams throughout the building]. What has also come to light are the magnificent bones of the congregation. I remember Elliot reminding us when Reverend Ames announced his departure: our congregation is the essence of this church, and we are strong , good, vital, and healthy. We are, in our present engagement together, proving ourselves also to be powerful, heart-ful, courageous, and deeply bonded. We are a congregation with much to offer this building, each other, and the community.
Let us celebrate our congregation. We have brought Reverend Alicia here, and even in her first offering to us, the “grace” she said before our lunch Sunday, we witnessed her demure and awesomely powerful leadership. We are strengthening our relationships and our integrity after a challenging period in our history. We are being accountable for our share in recent difficulties. The Board and COCM have given and continue to give this heartful and mindful consideration, as are congregants informally and possibly more formally in the future -- and through that we are becoming even stronger. We are deepening our experience and skill with nonviolent communication and thereby able to share more authentically and lovingly.
The volunteer crew has gotten more done, saved so much money, created a new green example for the larger community by salvaging and preparing for reuse so much material – that we have more time to do the preparation for our move there, in just over 370 days, and we can accomplish more before then.
There are wonderful green choices we can make when we have the funds, and there are more levels that BPOC can add to the first phase, when (okay, “if”) the Capital Campaign manages to secure more of the money that has been promised for future years. The cost of starting and stopping a project is tremendous, and the more we can do during this phase, the dollars we can spend during this phase will go that much further. The BPOC can – and will -- finish what is planned in this phase with the money it has -- *and*, if more funds become available, we can enhance the work of this phase. Early or extra contributions will make us that much more comfortable, green, and ready to serve the spiritual and social justice needs of the community.
Are you counting on interest from the funds until you release them? We may find a way to give you the same or better interest. Do you have only “a little” money and feel it is insignificant? Every contribution is a big one, especially as the congregation moves together in this effort. Remember how we came to the “plate” (j’adore ces doubles entendres!) in our stewardship challenges last year and this year? Do you have an urge to send a check? Great! Make it out to UUCE and in the info line write “Capital Campaign – extra gift.”
One aspect of the work that didn’t get highlighted yesterday is the administrative space. Although the church prefers contributions not to be designated, (the Capital Campaign is reviewing a policy about that) I bet many congregants want the office space to be as people-friendly as possible. Maybe we could do that part of the expansion, with, say, an extra $50 grand. We now know that removing the outside wall would be free! And we could do the construction of the raised beds, too. What do you want? Together, we will make it happen.
Don’t believe it? Come on down to the project at our new site, where we are developing the foundation for our children and their children, to grow and thrive. Yes, we CAN! You betcha, we can!
Anna
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#370 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
We had no "official" volunteers today for a work party....but we did have four "regular's" who were there to greet the 35+ people who came to visit and check out what we have been up to for the past 30 days.
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This morning all our regular work crew was at 40th & Donald helping get our beautiful tree house in the woods ready for the church year, and as Ruth Ross mentioned on Share, some 62 people came to work from 9 AM to Noon. (That's how many signed up.) It was a beehive of activity. It was lovely getting to finally see and hear Alicia Forsey who gave the blessing and joined us for lunch.
Dave DeCou and Ed Zack gave a brief update on what has been accomplished so far and highlighted some of the discussions with architect Gary Moye and what energy saving ideas are being explored. Chuck Wagar transported a good bit of left over goodies from the potluck to the new building - mostly cookies and the rice pudding, part of a pie, and some pound cake. It will be appreciated by volunteers this week.
Since we didn't actually do any work, there isn't a lot to report except there is a growing interest in the croquet course in the Sanctuary and Room C. I was able to defend my title in the first game of the afternoon, but was the last person to get eliminated by Winnie's powerhouse swing in game two. The course will remain set up and we should probably all check to see if there are lights on late at night, just in case Ed Zack sneaks in there to practice. Eventually we hope to get at least 12 people playing at the same time. The obstacles are a special challenge. Today balls were wedged between the toilets again, under the piano, air compressor, extension cords and wheelbarrows. If by chance they make it to the hall, they roll a very long way off course. It has been proven, by a 15 year old that you can bank a ball off the wall and it will spin and unexpectedly sail right through a wicket.
Okay, I know you are soon going to get sick to death of hearing about croquet, but since it was a slow work day I at least had something to write about.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"Good one, nice shot" .... "This is day 378" ... "This is day 371" ...... "Judie gets confused and messes up the number of days" "Today is day 370"
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#371 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
13 Volunteers Today - It was reasonably quiet on the job site, except when more duct work came crashing down. Nail pulling, wire stripping, and removing of joists above the old women's bathroom were accomplished. Back in room 7 as the ceiling was removed, it revealed a total of four layers of material - sheetrock, then paneling, then acoustic tile, then plywood. Talk about peeling the onion!
I heard there was at least one donut with peanut butter and chocolate consumed, and the balcony ceiling came down. After working at a gallery and seeing a fantastic sculpture depicting a nest made out of nails and other metal objects, there was some plotting and scheming about how we could create something from our expected 20 gallons of pulled nails! Anyone out there want to work on that?
Some time was spent getting the building ready for those who want to come tour tomorrow. Quartermastering, especially with brooms and magnet nail finders was in order, to say nothing of flattening and hauling the taken-down duct work. We are happy to report there have only been 9 on-the-job injuries in the past 29 days. One of the four people we are holding theater seats came to pick them up today. And the theater group just getting started in Veneta called to say they do want a number of items we have left to buy. All good news.
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QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"We are using the Sherlock Holmes method of demolition - by deducting things....."
"Big beam or not a big beam - that is the question." Turned out to be an infill disguised as a big beam.
At 6 PM, when all was quiet in the building, everything quartermastered, tools put away, dishes done, perishable food in the fridge, El Viejo muttered.....innocently.....how about a game of croquet? He is known for his croquet prowess, but two unsuspecting Hansens thought why not. Neither of us had played croquet since childhood, it might be fun to see if we still knew how. The croquet course at the new building is rife with obstacles. Ladders, wheelbarrows, sinks, toilets, air compressors, a piano and organ, doorways and long halls. If you aren't careful, a ball could end up in the hall and roll all the way out the door, up the ramp and into a dumpster. I hadn't ever heard about the deal at the end where someone becomes "poison" and can knock you out of the game in a nano second. The game stretched on and on as we discovered that the swirl of carpet glue can send a ball off course and into left field or the rough. At one point El Viejo had to stand in two abandoned toilets in order to hit his ball. Several times he knocked my ball several hundred feet off the course. But at the end of the game, when the dust settled, I was victorious and declared the winner of the first official croquet tournament! Always a good sport, El Viejo presented me with a beautiful maple croquet ball that I can decorate and call my very own.
The course it set up and we will be having games tomorrow. After we spend all morning spiffing up our beautiful church and grounds at 40th & Donald with Labor or Love, I hope you will come for a visit at 13th & Chambers.
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#372 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2010 Labor Day Weekend
13 Volunteers today and 13 joined dinner at the Fortune Inn....but not necessarily the same 13. My day was spent at 40th & Donald helping facilitate interviews with Architect Gary Moye and his assistant Patrick Hannah. This week and next, program staff and committees are meeting with Gary and Patrick to share their preferences and needs relating to space in the new building, including electrical, mechanical, and storage. Today the groups represented were music, archives, fundraising, green sanctuary, accessibility, Sunday service, and rentals. The words of the day were storage, storage, storage, flooring, and air conditioning.
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Gary and Patrick shared the direction they have been going in relation to natural light and passive cooling, and how they hope to design a building to meet our needs. They heard concerns about too much light exposure for archives or fabric, what kind of ropes, pulleys and rods are needed for parties and art, how nice it would be to have at least one door that could be opened electronically by pushing a button and the importance of having non-meandering paths in pedestrian areas. There was a discussion about different sound needs for speaking, singing, and concerts and whether we could have space for not only a bride's dressing room but one for the groomsmen as well. We talked about how to design the food line for major potlucks and how to accommodate name tags and all the groups who like to solicit support on Sunday mornings at tables and how many bulletin boards we might need. The need for van-width accessible parking spaces was mentioned and the hope they are close to the door. There was a split opinion on whether to project material on a screen during the Sunday service so those of us who are hard of hearing cand understand what was going on, but also be sensitive to those who would run screaming from the building at the sight of things projected on a screen. Gary and Patrick took copious notes and discussed how the information gained from the interviews will be balanced or incorporated into the final design. Next week they will meet with additional program staff and committees.
Meanwhile, the volunteer crew worked at reducing a mountain of fallen duct work into a flattened mass of sheet metal and had it neatly stored in the Schnitzer dumpster at the end of the day. Gil Osgood said when he left about 3:30, the duct work was several layers deep and three dimensional, so he couldn't believe it had all been cleaned up before dinner. We have discovered there is brittle plastic water pipe throughout the building that replaced metal pipe at some point. Today another one shattered when bumped resulting in the water being turned off. I heard there was an impromptu bucket brigade, with one person up on a ladder catching the gushing water in buckets and then handing them down until the water main could be turned off. Some people will do anything to cut down on the dust!
One person was rumored to be clipping "things" with sparks flying. This same person said at dinner that we are doing an "intentional demolition" and there would be no croquet after dinner. The joists in the dismantled women's restroom were removed and the toilets are gone - supposedly in some safe place until we actually get to play "smashing toilets." We didn't have enough participants last Saturday. (In proofreading the next to the last sentence above, it sounds like we removed all of the toilets - not so, just in that one women's restroom.)
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After the Labor of Love festivities at 40th and Donald on Sunday, there will be a work party at 13th and Chambers for anyone who wants to work a little more. In addition, this would be a good time for a tour of the building. If you haven't been there recently, come on down, and see what has transpired! Two rules - no open toe shoes and no pets. The building will be open soon after things close down at church and we would love for you to come see the progress made in just under a month. Three copies of all of the 400 Days emails written so far will be available on Sunday for those without Internet. If you know someone who might enjoy a copy, please let me know.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
As noted earlier this week, Bonnie Richman is stripping for the church (copper wire). When I asked her how many miles she stripped today, she said: "Miles to go before I sleep....."
Jake Walsh shared a construction adage with Gil Osgood: "Any tool close enough to be useful is in the way."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
#373 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
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12 Volunteers today. Lots of new food delivered - a large box of pears and apples, dips, cookies, popcorn, and a lovely loaf of homemade banana bread. Time to stock up on a few more green grapes, just like every other day. By 8:30 AM, Ruth and Ken Ross were using that new electric lawnmower for grass and weeds. The last of the volunteers left about 6 PM and as I sit in the hallway waiting for the Building Project Oversight Committee (BPOC) meeting to begin at 7, I am looking at a dumpster almost full of sheetrock shards that look like they got the end of a sledgehammer today. I’m sitting by the door because most of the lights are turned off and having so many nooks and crannies would make it too easy for someone to slip in here unannounced. Even with no people inside, there are interesting noises as the building relaxes after a day of activity.
Work completed included taking down joists in Room E, taking ceilings out of Rooms 2, 7 and 8, and de-nailing all the lumber generated from the tear outs. I haven’t a clue which rooms those are and I don’t expect my readers to either, but the more technical members of our work crew need to know so they don’t destroy something we need. More red "danger" tape was strung on pipes and wires to keep us safe. Husband Ed and I got our tetanus shots this morning and I hope those working at the site are up-to-date on theirs. We sold those odd shaped wood display gizmos that nobody could figure out how to use. A woman who didn't want theater seats asked about them. We have to be careful we don't sell everything that isn't nailed down!
I stayed home to work on the church illustrated journal telling the story of this great adventure. I had to laugh reading back over the furor generated from naming meeting rooms a few months ago. When we had rooms to meet in, it seemed like a good idea. Now three months later those rooms have no tables, chairs, walls, ceilings or lights!
We had a productive BPOC meeting tonight. One quote from opening words: "There's nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing away." That sure describes what volunteers are doing, day after day. In his update, Ed Zack reported work is going well and everyone is having fun. Only cautionary note is having to curb enthusiasm when instructions are not carefully followed. Each job has a sequence, and if things are done out of sequence it can have a bad result related to safety. He outlined three upcoming jobs that will push the boundaries of most volunteers, but now that we are about half way through the demolition portion, crews are getting more skilled and are used to working in teams. Nope, no sneak preview on what those jobs are. You have to wait. The energy of the building is incredible, and he has realized that he "doesn't have to pull the boat through the swamp alone because everyone is helping pull the boat." On Sunday, after the Labor of Love potluck, BPOC will give a brief update, including some photo images for those who haven't been in the new building to see the transformation. A few copies of these 400 Days emails will be printed as handouts for those without Internet.
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Remember the woman who stopped yesterday and bought six theater seats? She is the daughter of the woman who cut's Ed Zack's hair. By the way, we have no more theater seats to sell.
Quotes of the Day:
"I love the wheelbarrow. It is so satisfying getting a good run up the ramp and dumping a load of sheetrock."
Today was Ed Zack's day off, but when he signed in briefly he wrote the following: "I'm here, but I'm not."
Don't forget - tomorrow night (Friday) is a no-host dinner at The Fortune Inn for Chinese food. 5:30 PM --- I heard there might be a croquet challenge in the new building following dinner. The course and wickets are ready and waiting!
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
** Dinner at Fortune Inn Restaurant on 6th St at 5:30 PM for workers, AND (currently) non-workers. Come listen to our tales of the week.
#374 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
10 Volunteers today. All asbestos removal work is now complete. It has tested clean and we will be getting our asbestos free certification in the mail. This is all good news. We will miss the joyful crew, always ready with a smile despite working in tight quarters with uncomfortable protective gear. Mounds of food arrived today - thanks to the Break Dancers! Juice, chips, crackers, M&Ms, green grapes, gourmet cheese, dry salami, and bananas.
The ceiling in Toilet #1 was taken down today, providing a tad less privacy in the men's room. Nail pulling continued and more clean lumber resulted. We are looking for creative ways to utilize some of the odds and ends we have found in the building. There was a stack of about 20 curved wooden panels reminiscent of the boards used for winding up clothesline in the old days. We decided to use them to wind up all of the extension cords that were piled up and they are now all neatly wound and stacked thanks to Ed Hansen. Additional plaster was removed and carted off to the dumpster. We took a break from flattening sheet metal duct work. The grass was cut as far as possible until the electric mower bit the dust. A late afternoon trip to Jerry's produced a new one.
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Further inspection of the dimmer box uncovered yesterday revealed it to be a 41 amp system large enough to blow up the electrical system - and in fact one side of the innards had been blown out. The dial face and small "steering wheel" will be saved as a possible addition to the children's playground equipment.
Found Objects: We still have two red plastic gasoline cans (a one gallon and a two gallon) that need homes, plus a large plastic flexible funnel. If you can use them, let me know. One goodie that showed up is a commercial sized baking pan, perfect for macaroni and cheese for 20 people. I never did find out where they found it - some where in the attic.
It was a red letter day for selling theater seats. A total of twelve, with the last customer arriving about 5 PM and buying six. She said she had driven by the last two weeks and finally decided to stop and see how much they were. With another person putting a "hold" on the set of three we use for display, that leaves only two more left to sell. We are still trying to figure out a use for the decorative metal parts left over from the theater seats. We also have seats and backs, but we ran out of arms. Whatever is left over will be offered to MECCA.
Bonnie Richman is our #1 stripper.....she figured out a way to efficiently clean copper wire for recycling and made headway on the hundreds of feet piled in the lobby.
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"I have a new appreciation for anything with wheels."
"I have never generated so many dirty clothes in my life."
Judie
newhome@uueugene.org
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And a Message from Ed Zack
In preparation for our "Labor of Love" Sunday and the BPOC report to follow lunch, Ed Zack has prepared information for all to see. We hope this will help answer many questions, but also let you know the depth of commitment to this project. Ed appreciates each and every volunteer, and believe me we all appreciate him! -- Judie
On Sunday, 5 September there will be the annual Labor of Love at our church at 40th and Donald. I will be there at 9am as I hope many others will be so we can once again take care of our dear grand old lady who has been a haven to this congregation of seekers for almost a half a century.
As a consequence, there is no work party at the BUB (Butt Ugly Building) on this Sunday, 5 September. Indeed, there will be only one other day in the next 375 days on which there will be no scheduled work party, and that will be the final Labor of Love at 40th and Donald just before we move into our new home.
On Sunday, after the work party there will be a potluck, with a blessing by our new minister, Rev. Alicia Forsey. During this time the BPOC will give an informal presentation of what is happening at the BUB. As a context to the hoped-for discussion, dialogue, and questions, I offer this Report to the Congregation at the end of the 25th day of our 400 day adventure:
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By the Numbers:
1/16th = the part of the 400 days already used. We have traveled one-sixteenth of the way. There are only 375 days left.*
>100 = number of individuals who have already worked on the project.**
2 = the number of 5 gallon buckets filled with pulled nails. The third is filling rapidly, but this is only a portion of the nails. Belatedly I urged their accumulation as a testament, a monument to the dozens of de-nailers who daily reduce piles of salvaged material with often newly discovered skills.
1000 = officially, the number of hours donated, so far. (This is not correct; it’s not even close. I know that the real number is more accurately twice, perhaps thrice, that.)
0 = number of serious injuries. The emphasis is always on safety. I am unapologetic for the inflexible enforcement of job site safety rules. We have had approximately ten “honorees” on the List of Fallen and Injured. All are the expected minor punctures, scrapes, cuts, and bruises. A safe, clean, and organized work site is the starting point. Every person quartermasters themselves, and the site, and the work.
34 = number of rooms in BUB that have been prepared.***
10 = number of electrical panels (exclusive of main disconnect panels) in the BUB. Panels A, B, C, CC, D, E, F, G, H, and J were located (at last). [Panel I has never been located and may not exist.] One volunteer meticulously traced, identified, and mapped every circuit in these panels as well as every plug-in, light, and switch in the building. Absolutely invaluable.
6 = number of workers in the crew of Atez Asbestos Abatement, supervised by Miguel. They have worked tirelessly and are impressive in their professionalism and hard work. The process should be done tomorrow (Wednesday) as we tentatively have scheduled a walkthrough. All areas impacted have been tested by an outside lab and passed.
100s = number of ideas, procedures, improvements, and insights that the volunteers keep coming up with. I am impressed with the resourcefulness and cleverness of the solutions by the crew to the myriad of problems, questions, and situations that daily, nay hourly, crop up. ****
>80% =
percentage of congregation who voted to become a program church
percentage of congregation who voted to move from our beloved old church,
percentage of congregation who voted to buy the BUB
percentage of congregation who voted to proceed with the architect's plans
Also, this is the percentage of the "wish list" of the congregation and its component stake holders that will actually occur. We do not have a budget that will allow us to accomplish everything that we want to have in our new home. So > 80% is the prudent goal for the congregation's identified needs and dreams that will be satisfied by this first Phase, the preliminary, spartan effort to get us into our new home in September 2011.
* As for the questions of “When is ______ happening?, I can only answer: “Yes. Absolutely.” Every aspect of this project is moving so fast and changing so quickly that a precise, fixed, timetable is impossible at this point. Remember that the BPOC only found out our budget number ($600,000.) on Tuesday, 3 August. We then had a summit meeting with the architect to figure out what that sum could cover. Two days later we had volunteer orientation and the 400 days started. Plans are being drawn expeditiously as we balance what the congregation wants, what works, and what the budget will cover. That is why I am encouraging, nay flogging, the volunteers ever harder: to stretch the dollars in the modest budget to cover ever more. The parts and their inter-relationship are in motion. The whole process is in motion. Indeed the process is motion.
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** Any list of workers is doomed to incompleteness and inadequacy. It is difficult to outline the scope of support for the project. This partial list gives the flavor of what is happening at the BUB: Nail pullers, sweepers and vacuumers, strawberry deliverers, (paint and mastic) strippers, lumber stackers, egg boilers, paper workers, key-makers, duct demolishers, recyclers, coffee cake makers, supply buyers, doyenne of doughnuts, sheetrock smashers, inventory takers, electrical gurus, disassemblers and assemblers, photographers, phonecallers, wheelbarrow pushers, Craig’s List queen, recycled cloth rag procurers, garbage sorters, rug rippers, back patters, tile thrashers, metal mashers, kitchen Momma, nectarine goddess, loading ramp builders, food makers, paneling planers, dot demolishers, tool cribbers, labelers, high wire artists, wire strippers, chair builders, surplus items salespersons, schedulers, paneling deconstructors, movers and shakers, blog writers, sign makers, cheerleaders, bandagers, office maven, pizza deliverers, dishwashers, delivery truckers, ride sharers, plywood sorters and stackers…
*** This preparation (which is best imagined as “peeling an onion”, for we are stripping away ever deeper layers, to the core, the “bones”, of the building) involved, but is not limited to the following steps: Hundreds of pieces of furniture moved, inventoried, then stored (or sold). Scores of old florescent fixtures removed and replaced by work lights. Walls stripped of vinyl wallpaper. Thousands of square feet of acoustical tiles removed from ceilings…and walls. 650 24” x 24” acoustical tiles given to Lord Leebrick Theatre for immediate reuse. One thirty cubic yard dumpster filled meticulously with only acoustical tiles sent to be pulped, not land-filled. Thousands of feet of metal gridwork recycled. Hundreds of square yards of carpeting removed. Some recycled/reused. Scores of theater chairs unbolted, (and some reassembled), inventoried, and sold. Hundreds of square feet of stage risers dismantled, with the materials salvaged. 100 feet of drapery and stage curtain and track removed and donated to VLT. Dozens of walls and ceilings stripped of plaster. The demolished plaster, filling a 30 cubic yard dumpster, was ground up and recycled, and the tonnage fee was waived because of the total recycle. (Another is being filled now.) Hundreds of square feet of HVAC ducting has already been disassembled, flattened, and recycled through Schnitzer Steel. The second dumpster arrived today and will be filled by Friday? I expect two or three more dumpsters of sheet metal to be filled. Several (4 - 6) thousand lineal feet of 1 x 6 (and 1 x 4) tongue-and-groove vertical grain old growth fir paneling was salvaged. This treasure was discovered behind paint and cheap paneling. It has been stripped and then run through a planer. We hope to reuse the paneling in the new (east) entry...
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Several hundred lineal feet of cabinetry have been demolished, and the materials salvaged and stored. Hundreds of feet of defunct conduit removed and recycled. Thousands of feet of miscellaneous molding and trim has been salvaged, de-nailed and stored. Piles of scrap, unpainted wood given for firewood. Thousands of glue dots from the acoustical tiles have been chipped off the walls in the sanctuary (Room D) and the stage to save the otherwise useable plasterboard beneath. Several thousand lineal feet of 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 framing lumber from partition walls have been salvaged, de-nailed, and sorted. Tens of doors and jambs removed and stored for possible reuse. Dozens of short pieces of framing lumber given to a community garden for vegetable beds, also an old 8 foot table for potting. The dozens of small rooms, cubby holes, attic accesses have been explored and cleaned, and their miscellany sorted for recycle or sale, or trash.
**** I am having difficulty finding the limits of the abilities and talents of our congregation. Every problem that appears, every question that arises, every need that presents itself finds its resolution from within the resources, individual and collective, of the membership. People keep stepping up. It is uncanny how well this process is working. I find myself continually using the word: Unbelievable. Because the volunteers daily exceed my prudent expectations of what is possible to be done, I have become confident that we can “peel the onion”. I mean the entire onion, i.e., we will do all the demolition and preparation, and yet more I frankly did not expect that a volunteer crew could do what they have done, and done it so well, and so quickly. The energy and spirit of this congregation, made manifest in the quality of the work and the extent of the progress, is exhilarating and deeply satisfying to me.
Edwin Zack, Volunteer Co-ordinator
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Unitarian Universalist Church
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