March New Home News

March 31, 2011
Days Left: 163

The inside plumbing was inspected and we passed with flying colors!  85% of the open concrete cuts for plumbing have been filled.  A small dump load of additional gravel was delivered late in the day.  After you volunteers finish filling the holes with gravel, concrete will close up the plumbing cuts on Tuesday.

The concrete for the new addition was poured and it was a perfect day for it to dry, with El Viejo on hand after 5 PM to make sure no deer or raccoons walked through  and left their footprints.  He may still be on watch!

The competition between two framing crews on finishing Rooms 6 and 7 is at a dead heat!  There are walls and part of the ceiling taking shape.  Across the corridor, a volunteer was standing on the open ceiling joists worked at  getting extra light on the subject.

The registration sheet indicated that volunteers demolished sheetrock, moved dirt, de-nailed boards, moved dirt, dismangled shelving, moved gravel,  ate doughnuts, moved gravel.

Yesterday, husband Ed took a photo of a yellow and black gizmo and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out where it was located or what it was.  Today I found it - attached high on the beam between the west end of the social hall and the corridor.  Turns out it is a laser leveler!  It is being used to see if the track for the folding door is plumb.  Happily, it is.  It looks like a security camera installed to be sure volunteers are earning their pay.

FRIDAY PRIORITIES:

Move gravel  (surprise, surprise)

Organize warehouse

Drill holes for rebar grids in plumbing cuts

Form a team of fire block installers - using screw guns

Sweeping, sweeping, sweeping and many lower priority chores.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

There was an unofficial wager about how many volunteers would answer our many faceted plea last night. “Darn you, Mark, you are right on target.  I thought we would have 23.”

Standard work hours are 8 AM to 5 PM - there is something for everyone - skilled or otherwise.  The two visitors today plan to come back tomorrow to volunteer - one is “tool friendly” and the other is “handy with putting words together.”  The coffee pot is always on and there is free food thanks to the Break Room Dancers.  Momma’s Table is sporting a large bouquet of daffodils.

REMINDER:  There will be Chinese dinner at 5:30 PM at the Fortune Inn, 1775 West 6th Avenue tomorrow evening.

_______________________________________________

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Days Left: 164

4 Volunteers  (Not Enough!)
6 Contract Framers
8 Visitors/Guests
1 Architect
2 Concrete Guys
1 Electrician
2 City Inspectors
1 Wood Gatherer

WE PASSED STORM DRAIN INSPECTION AND CONCRETE FORM INSPECTION!

The building is a pig sty - mud everywhere - inside and out - we need help!

If you are on just about any list serve for the church, you have received a plea for help from Judy Sawyer.  But if not, all of the jobs we need help with are listed at the end of this blog.''

The NE new addition has all of its concrete forms and the new foundation will be poured tomorrow.  There is a storm drain nearby that is plugged and needs to be liberated so the water will drain off the parking lot.  There are actually two drains that need to be cleaned.  We also need someone to go over the parking spaces with the magnet to pick up nails, screws, and wire.  I had my fourth slow leaking tire in the last three months after picking up nails or screws.  I am on a first name basis with Les Schwab!

There is fresh lumber stacked in the old boiler room ready to create a three foot wide mezzanine to hold HVAC and other utility items.    Tomorrow all of the indoor plumbing will be inspected.

Outside tomorrow we need people to shovel gravel back into the ditch to cover drain pipe prior to the concrete being poured.  Hey, the weather is supposed to be beautiful - come on down!

Room 3 framing - happy - done!
Room 4 framing - happy - done!
Room 5 framing - partially done, waiting to be finished.
Rooms 6 and 7 - two crews working - both rooms are identical - the contract framing teams have a competition going to see who can get their room done first.  In order for all this framing to get done, the architect worked with Jake most of the day moving lumber.

The kitchen ceiling was raised an inch and a half where it was sagging and the strong backs are installed.  The jacks and support posts are gone and Momma's Table is back where it belongs.  Dishes were washed - I can tell the weather is warmer - most of the dishes were drinking glasses.

The "Simpsons" are now stored in the safe - there were empty shelves available and they are closer to the framing action.

NEEDED:   A pickup truck and driver to move more lumber to storage, and take the worm bin to BRING.  The sooner the better.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "Even if you can only crawl to the work site, we can find something for you to do.  We do not have enough volunteers."

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Days Left: 165

Monday, March 28, 2011
Days Left: 166

8 Volunteers
4 Contract Framers
1 Architect
3 Visitors
1 Electrical Engineer
1 Church Treasurer
1 Wood Gatherer

The Ditch Witch was put to work and there is beautiful white drain pipe in the trench.

The old drain pipe went at an angle, and the new one goes around the perimeter of the new addition.  Forms for concrete will be built on Tuesday,  the new pipe will be inspected Wednesday,  and we expect to pour concrete on Thursday.

The Michelangelo Mudder is a perfectionist about everything he does - today he totally rearranged the dumpster!  Others had thrown things in willy nilly, but the restructuring means the dumpster can contain a lot more material.

More wheeled carts were constructed - different shapes and sizes.  Little square ones for square power tools, long rectangles for things like the chop saw, another for the table saw, and as they are needed in different parts of the building they are just pushed around.  Several more carts were built to move lumber. And speaking of lumber, the piles are going down almost as fast as the boxes of nails. We are going to have to buy more lumber.

The contract framers are making great headway - today the doorway and ceiling to the men’s restroom were done. The ceiling, soffits, and a closet in Room 3 were done. Another floating wall went up above the sink and kiddie toilet plumbing to allow for a water test when the plumbing inspector  arrives.  

In the kitchen, it looked like a cyclone hit. Mamma’s Table got moved closer to the dishwasher to clear the way for some posts with jacks to prop up a sagging kitchen ceiling.The excessively heavy heating and air conditioning  equipment that had accumulated during the first 50 year history of the building was a little much for the support beams, so the ceiling had a sway back. It got a new “hogback” beam. I got so excited about all the activity while I was doing dishes that I dropped and broke a glass and coffee cup! Dishes and concrete don’t mix. Just call me Butter Fingers.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

Sunday, March 27, 2011
Days Left: 167

6 Volunteers
5 Visitors
1 Architect

Short work day today — church and the Ralph Fishrup Memorial Service. The drumming was wonderful.

At the BUUB all of the scraps of plywood and blocks used to pull out the fork lift were picked up, cleaned  and stored.  A de-nailer was busy on the lumber that formerly held up the Panel A electrical box on the stage.  

Bushes were clipped near the digging site and a volunteer started construction on additional lumber carts with wheels.  One cart will hold the table saw and other power equipment.  There seems to never be enough carts with wheels.

There was more tweaking of the plans - and what that means is that the architect walks around the building and asks many questions about each room and it's proposed use.  Like asking what the level of intimacy is needed in the infant and toddler room.  Is that a place where a nursing mother might need privacy, is it helpful to have a baby changing station, etc.  That is just an example of questions I made up, but if you think about closets, offices, and rooms it helps plan the infrastructure, cabinetry, etc.  Input at the basic level.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 
"What is the address of the new building?  1685 West 13th."

TOMORROW - We need more diggers.  Sanding beams can be done after 4 PM.  There is other work as well, but I had company for dinner and didn't talk to El Viejo to get an updated list.

Saturday, March 26, 2011
Days Left: 168

7 Volunteers
1 Architect
3 Visitors

A big thank you to Sue Craig who worked until 9 PM last night high on the Ferrari sanding beams!  At least she had no competition for a Ferrari at that time of night. 

Working on the beams any time after 4 PM and on weekends is ideal because all the subcontractors are not working those hours.

Today there was more sanding, wire stripping and gravel moved from inside to outside.  All of the lumber on the south side of the sanctuary was sorted and we found additional molding and trim.  It was bundled and is ready to go to storage.  All that is left of the 2x4's is sorted by size and neatly stored on  the wall brackets and floor of the sanctuary.  

Electrical panel A, that used to be on the stage (that is also gone), was dismantled and is being gutted for spare parts.  Bushes were trimmed where digging is happening.

I keep forgetting to thank the rogue dish washers.  There is hardly a day when dirty dishes are waiting at 4 PM.  

One of the visitors is new to our congregation.  She lives close by on City View, has her own tool box, and plans to become one of our "regular" volunteers.  She had been out for a walk and decided to stop by for a tour.

SUNDAY JOBS:  (We realize many will be attending Ralph Fishrup's memorial service).

Diggers - to locate more of the old drainpipe and make a trench for the new.
Sanders - to remove paint from the sanctuary beams

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

"Send in the diggers."   
"We are doing some sexy tweaking."  
"No credit for who said it."

We are very sorry to learn of the death of Linda Yeager's husband, Michael, from a heart attack this afternoon and extend our sympathy.

_______________________________________________

Friday, March 25, 2011
Days Left: 169

15 Volunteers
5 contract framers
1 architect
1 acoustical engineer
1 future framer
16 for Chinese Dinner

There is a new header over the entrance between the social hall and chapel and the walls are up.  The heavy duty beam that was blocking the entrance is gone!  All of the trim lumber was moved to the warehouse for storage and only the framing lumber is left.  The knee braces are almost down - a few will be left to store lumber until it is used.  Three large worm bins (a.k.a. Judy Sawyer's Coffins) are complete with lids and rounded corners.  Magnet Man covered the floor in the sanctuary picking up screws and nails and spent the morning sweeping up dried mud and sawdust.

The framers went gang busters again today - there are new walls on the west end of the social hall on each side of the new entrance.  The ceiling in Room 3 is 3/4ths done.  About 20% of all ceiling work framing is done.  It's like there is a hole in the bottom of the nail box.  An additional 80 square feet was created in the Administration office, and that's in addition to the 14 square feet we mentioned about a month ago.  If you have not been to the BUUB in over a week, be prepared to not recognize the place.  Between all the new framing and the removal of excess furniture and lumber, the place is awesome.

The fork lift was liberated!  How many UUs does it take to liberate a fork lift - Twelve.

A small crew spent the day doing further organization of the storage warehouse.  We purchased some  commercial grade shelving from the current renter of the warehouse which helped store some of our stuff and will be usable in the new northeast storage addition.  The operative word was "sorting."   One major conduit is out near the stage area and there are five to go.  Although we have said some strippers are territorial, in this case there is major stripping to be done, so "come on down" and help strip copper wire.  It can be like a quilting bee.  The culinary arts brigade continues to provide tasty and nutritious food.

Ten heavy duty pallets arrived, but we could use at least ten more.  But they do have to be heavy duty to  hold five inch thick sections of old concrete driveway.  On Monday, we will rent a Ditch Witch to dig the drainage trench for the NE addition.

WORKERS   NEEDED:

         B E A M  S A N D E R S            G R A V E L   M O V E R S
      P I P E   F I T T I N G  M O V E R S          S W E E P E R S

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

"Have I not told you the demolition is done? ---- "Many times."  (And at dinner we learned there is still more.....)

Two people working side by side at the BUUB:  "Wow! -- We are like a machine."

Fortune Cookies:  " You will be involved in many humanitarian projects."  and "Your hard work is about to pay off."

Thursday, March 24, 2011
Days Left: 170

9 Volunteers
5 Contract Framers
2 Contract Plumbers
1 Acoustical technician
1 Architect
8 Visitors
2 Library Committee Representatives

3:45 PM - "We Have A Set Of Permitted Plans!  
They Are Stamped, Perforated And Stickered!!!!!  
They Had Very Few Red Lines And We Are Off And Running."

When El Viejo called to say the plans were approved, I could hear the excitement and pleasure in his voice.  He said he had a "wad" of plans under his arm.  Back at the BUUB he declared he was so happy he felt like running around the building - and probably would have if he weren't recovering from a bad cold.

The amount of framing done today was impressive.    The din from hammering was deafening most of the day, and by day's end the ceiling and soffits in the chapel were almost done, the ceiling and soffits in Room 4 were done,  Room 3 has all the walls up  and the ceiling will be done tomorrow.  Things are beginning to happen.

The plumbers finished installing all the plumbing for the new men's restroom, have the site ready to put in the pipes for the kiddie sinks, and are about ready to do the pipes for the ADA restroom and more sinks.    A lot of dirt from the holes for plumbing was moved outside and some extra pipes were moved to the boiler room.  The excess insulation was also moved.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Days Left: 172

15 Volunteers
4 Contract Framers
2 Contract Plumbers
1 Architect
2 Visitors

There is so much going on at the BUUB that I need to eat Wheaties before writing this daily report.  I passed through twice and was amazed at all that was accomplished in the three hours between.  

Because of so many framers, more platform scaffolding is on site.  Some of the ceilings are straightforward and a platform works best.  When they are working on angles for skylights, etc.,  the scissor lift is better.  The chapel ceiling and all of the west end rooms are getting more and more defined and filled in.  Many of the 2x4 scraps are being utilized as we watch the lumber piles go down.  

The stage is now completely gone and it was meticulously swept clean.  Every last board and piece of plywood from the stage (demolished on Sunday, Monday and Today) was completely de-nailed, sorted and stacked on a rolling cart, ready to be reused.  A volunteer dropped off food and had planned to come back and tear out the last wall of the stage.  When he came back an hour and half later there was no sign a wall even existed.  Turn your back and you lose your job.  Our volunteers are very efficient!

WORK FOR TOMORROW:

Move fire suppression pipes
Dig in soft dirt for new drainage system for north side addition
Insulate attic above kitchen and put down flooring
Sweep, sweep, sweep

QUOTES OF THE DAY:  

"It was fun watching Bob do pirouettes around the parking lot with the fork lift."

"The noise level was astonishing"
"Smells like new wood."
"When lumber piles start going down, I get really excited."

Monday March 21, 2011
Days Left: 173

14 Volunteers
2 Contract Plumbers
4 Contract Framers
1 New Volunteer
1 Architect
2 Visitors

Note: Until we get all the holes filled around the plumbing, we do not need anyone to haul gravel away from the pile on the north side of the building to repair driveways, etc.  Once we know we have enough, we will let you know.

The stage is no more!  The conduit was removed and a wire stripper arrived and produced 15 bundles of copper wire.  Insulation and 1x4 boards were hauled to the attic over the kitchen and a pile of lumber was de-nailed.  There is more to do.

Additional framing went up and the fork lift was busy tearing up the  north sidewalk.

The old dumpster was hauled away and by 6 PM tonight, the forklift had moved enough 5 inch thick concrete to pretty much fill the new one.  Most of the slabs moved weighed in excess of 2500 pounds and sure made a resounding thud when dropped into the dumpster.  A concrete cut was made in the social hall to accommodate a support post.

Plenty of de-nailing for tomorrow, along with cleaning up the gravel and sidewalk area.

There is some cleanup needed around the area where the stage was demolished and all the fire suppression pipe has to be stored along the east wall.

There were a number of photos taken today - and I hope soon to be able to share them. So much activity we had to wash the dishes TWICE!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:   This from one of the people who came for the tour Sunday afternoon:

I said it on Sunday and I'll say it again...Ed Zack's just not excited, involved or articulate enough for the job. LOL!

This was my first experience inside the new building, and it totally blew me and my girlfriend away. There's just nothing short of being there and hearing it directly from Ed that can communicate the scope of where the building has been, where it is now and where it's going.

It's a long-hidden and shrouded building who's beauty is slowly being revealed. My girlfriend kept remarking about the grand and majestic sweeping beams that serve as the roof's only necessary structural support. And the chapel plans gave me goose bumps.

When we arrived at the building shortly before 2pm, there was a stage in the sanctuary being dismantled. When we left shortly after 4pm, it was nearly gone. We quickly got the sense that if you blink you might miss something happening.

It was our pleasure to setup and secure the Internet connection properly. There really IS something for everyone to do at the new building no matter when you're there.

_______________________________________________

Sunday March 20, 2011
Days Left: 174

10 Volunteers
13 Newcomers for Tours
1 Architect
3 Visitors

The day began with Dennis Reynolds in the pulpit at church, giving a preview of the sermon he will deliver to the powers that be at 10 Beacon Street who determine whether he is UU ministerial material. He is that and more and we are proud of our home town Eugene guy. Good luck Dennis on March 31 at 4:15 PM.  Dennis said he wasn't sure how to pronounce BUUB, so he just calls the new building BUUBBA. We aren't sure what the extra B and A stand for.  He visited the BUUB on Saturday and spoke of how proud he was of the congregation for having done all that volunteer work and for building a new church home.

After church there was a power house of volunteers who dismantled at least three-fourths of the stage and small room to the north.  I hear their work was calling "chimping" - perhaps because it required them to crawl around like chimps in trees straddling ceiling joists to knock down sheetrock and swing over the side of the Ferrari to reach high places. What a mess and clatter they did make with sledgehammers, crowbars, and hammers flying.

But wait, that's not all.  As they took the wooden structure apart, they sorted and neatly stacked types of lumber for de-nailing, they used the push magnet to clean up nails, pulled up the oak floor from the small room, and swept the floor clean. All this was accomplished in only 3-1/2 hours!

While they were busy at work, El Viejo took the members of the newcomer orientation sessions on a tour of the building, with a visit to the vault to see the old window from the original church and do a show and tell demonstration on chimney demolition in the boiler room. After the tour, he was surprised to see all that had been accomplished with the stage removal. He never expected such progress on a Sunday afternoon, and especially because it all happened without him having to give directions - he just pointed them at the stage and everyone knew what to do. And then they quartermastered the area and put all the tools away.

Thanks to Todd Woodward and Barbara Coleman, El Viejo's computer is now fully operational with the router and accounts password protected and he will soon have a new email account with an address the rest of us can remember.

Over at the warehouse, Mark Doonan and the fork lift spent the day organizing all of the doors, lumber, and assorted "stuff" that was moved from the BUUB on Saturday.

TOMORROW'S PARTIAL TO DO LIST

Wire Stripping (Another 100 feet of conduit was found under the stage floor - with wire!)  First come, first served.

Sanding Beams

Do more warehouse organizing

De-nailers - there is a very large pile of boards with nails.

Demolish the rest of the stage

Once stage is demolished, move all the fire suppression pipe to the east wall of the sanctuary.

Insulate attic over kitchen and pantry and cover with a floor.

Be prepared to get dirty and breathe dust!

Doors open at 7:30 AM daily and usually the day ends sometime after 6.

QUOTES OF THE DAY: 

El Viejo to newcomers:  "I began working with a gaggle of pilgrims and now I have a well-oiled crew."

"Ed is Mr. Quartermaster."

_______________________________________________

Saturday March 19, 2011
Days Left: 175

Volunteers - 26! 
Morning Team- 22
Swing Shift - 15
Visitors - 2

The first volunteer arrived at 8:30 AM and was the last to leave some time after 6:30 PM.

You could definitely call everyone a "mover and shaker" today. They moved doors, pipes, furniture, fans, cabinets, cupboards, pianos, projection TV, sinks, light fixtures, buffers, lumber, lumber, and more lumber and everything we don't  need in the next few months as the subcontractors come in and our own volunteers move around the building. As areas were cleared of material,  a team of sweepers followed to clean the floors of debris. Everything was moved off the stage (hundreds of feet of pipes and fittings for the fire suppression system).

One person was happy to have 42 five gallon buckets of gravel to repair her rural driveway. We had a very nice "thank you" note from the property manager for the apartments to the east, thanking us for the gravel we gave them to solve a drainage problem. A highlight of the day was the arrival of bags of dried apple and peach slices that a volunteer had prepared, and a large bag of gummy bears! There was both regular and decaf coffee and assorted munchies consumed. The recycling was taken home and all of the assorted furnace filters and  light bulbs were taken to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Sale Store.

Two members of our design team worked the entire day - a big thanks to Mark Doonan and Doug Wilson who helped orchestrate the proceedings. Doug provided the moving truck, complete with hydraulic lift which prevented strained backs! El Viejo was there briefly, but went home to ward off a bad cold.  He hated having to miss all the energy and fun.

As you know, the majority of our volunteer crew has been on furlough because we didn't have anything for them to do. Thankfully, they still love us and were raring to go today. I hope they have all been exercising during the slowdown so there won't be too many sore muscles tomorrow. It was terrific seeing all the enthusiasm. There were other major volunteer work parties that siphoned off some of our "regulars", and it is Spring Break so some folks were out of town.  Despite all that, we still had a full crew. As one group rounded up the next load, another group was at the warehouse unloading the truck and organizing the storage area.

Starting tomorrow, we have gobs of work lined up  -

Sunday -  Dismantle the Stage - Organize the Warehouse - Sand Sanctuary Beams - We can use a good sized crew. Judy Sawyer will be recruiting at church in the morning!  Work at the BUUB is from Noon to 5 PM... We have invited all of the newcomers to visit between 2-4 PM for a tour with Ed Zack.

Monday - Construct a floor in the kitchen attic. The north sidewalk (50 feet of it) will be torn up and we need diggers to find the sewer line.

If you can help, please notify Judy Sawyer at 541-685-0731 to get on the list of volunteers and schedule a time to work.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 

3:30 PM -"Can you make a few phone calls?  We need new recruits!" 
4 PM - "Thanks for the seven new recruits."

For those who came at the drop of a hat - thanks - and to everyone who jumped right in for an hour or the whole day.  The weather was good most of the day, but some worked in rain, sleet, and hail!

It was fun having Dennis and Suzanne Reynolds stop by when they arrived in town. We look forward to his sermon in the morning.

_______________________________________________

Friday March 18, 2011
Days Left: 176

12 Volunteers 
2 Contract Plumbers 
2 Framers 
1 Architect 
1 Concrete Contractor 
8 for Chinese Dinner

Thanks to everyone who jumped right back into the volunteer crew and got a whopping amount of work done.  The main event was going to the warehouse and moving things belonging to a former tenant all to one side so the area we use is more defined and cleaning it up in preparation for moving tomorrow.  We have secured the loan of a truck with a hydraulic lift to save backs and knees.  About three fourths of the clear fir lumber was bundled and is ready to be moved.  As it was taken down from the high storage in the BUUB sanctuary, the brackets and shelves were dismantled and moved to the warehouse so this same bundled lumber can be moved and stored tomorrow.  One crew member did a lot of running back and forth for tools or the newly taken down brackets and shelves, while others toiled away.  We had workers in two locations most of the day.

In order to make way for rolling carts tomorrow, a wider doorway was created from the sanctuary to the east entrance.  Many of the items to be moved migrated away from the north wall to allow the scissor lift to reach the lumber on shelves.  Sawdust was swept out of the way.

While all that was going on at the east end, the framers worked on the chapel ceiling and skylight structure which is growing day by day and will likely be the subject of this blog for days to come.  The framers also did a little "levitation" by suspending a wall over the 'plumbing ditch' for the northwest restroom.  Having a levitating wall eliminates the job of moving 50 wheelbarrows of gravel that will go into the plumbing ditch once the plumbing is installed.   Sequencing is the key - one step at a time.

You may have read in today's Register-Guard about the attorney who lost his license to practice law.   He owns the building to our north and ran his business there.  There are no longer any cars in the parking lot.

A "squatter" of sorts had a happy meal or taco something under the portico last night and left behind two folders of matches, a shiny penny and a large wad of keys with a security badge for entry (along with a cash drawer key).  Nobody came by asking if we had found keys - so we may put a "found" item in the classifieds.

The manager of the apartment complex to the east dropped off a "thank you" note for all the gravel we have them to build up their parking area.

LOST: Two wooden handled bread knives used at the Valentine dinner at church.  If you found them, please call Laurie Quies  541-345-4207

A correction for the number to call to volunteer at the BUUB -  Judy Sawyer - 541-685-0731. 

QUOTES OF THE DAY: 

At dinner:  "I'm here to celebrate the last chair! -- no more to do!" 

"It was a study in the way El Viejo keeps a worksite, and a different way to do it." (Upon observing that the warehouse tenant did not keep things organized, clean or uncluttered.)

TOMORROW - Moving day, packing and storing some things in-house, bundling more planed and sanded lumber, and cleaning up the premises to make things wide open and convenient for subcontractors, etc.  It is lovely having something to write about.....In proofreading, I discovered the subject line said it was Day 1276!  Good grief.

If you are an atheist and want to hear a funny song by Steve Martin, visit YouTube at:       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFWA1A9XFi8&feature=related

_______________________________________________

Thursday March 17, 2011
Days Left: 177

3 Volunteers
1 Architect
5 Visitors

Fasten your seat belts, things are about to get interesting.  A two hour jam session with El Viejo and the architect wandering around the BUUB resulted in a long list of things that are going to happen in the next few days and then go gang busters next week.  The call for volunteers is alive and well and I will list the tasks -

BUT - rather than having a platoon of people show up when the task is better suited for 5-6 people, Judy Sawyer has agreed to be a Volunteer Coordinator of sorts.  This is a limited call for volunteers.  Rather than just showing up, we ask that anyone interested in participating in this first round of tasks to contact her directly at 541-685-0731 so she can schedule work parties and know who is available.  She will want to know:  how often you want to work,  whether you are available daytime or evenings, whether you have construction experience, are semi-skilled or unskilled, etc.  She did some phoning this afternoon and evening to try to secure a crew, so she may have found enough for Friday morning.  Friday we need 5-8 people, Saturday 10-12.  Beginning next week more like 5-8 a day.

Chuck Wagar, Eric Swegles and Mark Doonan will be on hand with the list of chores on Friday. El Viejo will return from Portland on Saturday.

There is an Open House on Sunday between 2 and 4 PM for participants in the Newcomer Orientation sessions, and anyone else who has not visited the BUUB recently and would like to see the progress.

Here are the tasks at hand in the near future:

Organizing all the "stuff" to be moved from the BUUB into temporary storage two blocks away.

Clearing a path (moving equipment and other impediments) so rolling carts can move material out the east door

Loading "stuff" in a small truck van with a hydraulic lift and unloading at temporary storage

Bundling all the finished lumber (wainscotting and hardwood flooring) so it can be moved to storage

Moving gravel from inside building that is in the way of framing

Sweeping floors so rolling carts don't get snagged on sawdust or other debris

Dig out sewer line under 50 feet of concrete sidewalk (sidewalk to be removed on Sunday with forklift)

Participate in lots of cleaning after "stuff" is moved to storage

Moving all the lengths of pipe and connectors for fire suppression system off the stage

Dismantle the stage and de-nail the lumber

Insulate attic over kitchen

Move lumber to attic over the kitchen that will form a floor

Sand the beams in the sanctuary (now that the HVAC will not have bulky ducting, more will be exposed)

WE NEED:

5 gallon buckets or small extra sturdy boxes to store small sections of pipe (fire suppression stuff) Friday

A computer person to set up a Comcast account on El Viejo's Mac Book

A "Beam Me Up Scotty" Sanding Captain to oversee getting beams finished - preferably with early morning or late afternoon/evening crews so they do not have to compete for a scissor lift.

Does anyone have access to a banding machine?  One that puts strapping bands on lumber?

Someone to mow the grass at the Church on 40th - We will supply the mower if you don't have one. Call Chuck Wagar 541-543-6240.  Should be done this weekend.

FOR SALE:

Classic Red bricks (from chimney)  25 cents each or 5 for $1

Fire Brick - $1 each or a Dozen for $10.00

We are giving away furnace filters - if no takers they will go to Habitat For Humanity store.

WE EXPECT TO GET ALL PERMITS ON OUR PLANS
ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

Remember - Chinese dinner tomorrow night at Fortune Inn at 5:30 PM - 1775 West 6th Avenue

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

A jingle submitted by a volunteer:

Hail, hail

The bio-swale!

It's got plants and water

Doin' what they ought-er...

Keeping puddles out,

Giving floods the rout.

Now let's hear that shout:

HAIL THE BIO-SWALE!

And from another

"I think the BUUB is sexy."

_______________________________________________

Wednesday March 16, 2011
Days Left: 178

5 Volunteers
3 Plumbers
Meetings with architect and engineers
1Architect
1 Firewood Collector
5 Visitors

The margin notes were slim with few details about work done other than "sanding" and "am I the only one here?"  We missed Jake and the framing crew - a flu bug was involved. Hope he is on the mend!

The Chairitable declares that 99% of the work on the gold chairs is complete except for a little touch up. Despite the almost non-stop rain, things are nice and dry inside the BUUB.

In neighborhood news I received the following tonight in the West Jefferson Neighborhood newsletter - Congratulations neighbors. Our new building is on the west boundary of this neighborhood.

JWN joins SUNA and WUN as joint finalists in national "Neighborhood of the Year" competition.

The national organization of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) has selected the Jefferson West Neighborhood, South University Neighborhood and West University Neighbors as joint finalists in the "multi-neighborhood project" category of their Neighborhood of the Year competition.

The three neighborhood organizations worked together closely to get infill compatibility standards adopted for each of the neighborhoods. In the Jefferson West Neighborhood, the result of this effort was the 5-JW Special Area Zone.

Representatives of the three neighborhood organizations have been invited to the NUSA convention in Anchorage, Alaska this May to present their entry in the competition.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:"I love hearing the term 'bio-swale.'  It just rolls off the tongue."

_______________________________________________

Tuesday March 15, 2011
Days Left: 179

5 Volunteers
1 Architect
2 Electrical Contractors
2 Contract Framers
BPOC Meeting (9 Attendees)

The electrical contractors were not there working, they were gathering information for bidding on doing the work. So far there have been 5-6 bidders each for HVAC and electrical, and 2-3 for concrete work. Miscellaneous framing was done, some worm bins were constructed for the Edgewood Community Garden using scrap lumber, and a Chairitable worked on gold chairs. I heard a rumor that the gold chairs are done.

Oh, and a wire stripper found a few scraps to work on.

In the very near future we will need beam sanders, rebar grid makers, and those with meticulous jig saw experience. We have secured the nearby storage space (approximately 1,000 square feet) and will shoe horn in pianos, organ, desks, sinks, 200+ folding chairs, chair parts, and the projection TV in the near future. A lot of material needs to get moved out of the sanctuary to clear the way for the next phase of work. Plans are in place to use the forklift to remove the north-side sidewalk.

City permits for various elements overseen by the individual departments - parking, land use, plumbing, fire, electrical, etc., have been approved and we are waiting for the overall building permit. We are optimistically thinking that will happen on March 23.  Keep your toes and fingers crossed.

_______________________________________________

Monday March 14, 2011
Days Left: 180

4 Volunteers
5 Visitors
1 Architect
2 Plumbers
5 Electrical Contractors
1 Electrical Engineer
1 Acoustical Specialist

Drain connections were dug out so they would be more exposed for plumbing work. A lot of the gravel and round rock that was dug out in the various concrete cuts was hauled out to the parking lot "playpen".

The wall components were sorted out. Some were put together as a section and then moved to make way for concrete cuts. Tomorrow one will be suspended above the northwest restroom. Which reminds me - we have discussions about the "proper" name for the restrooms - volunteers, etc., refer to them as 'bathrooms', but I think that would require a tub or shower.  It has been suggested I could call them a 'lavatory.'  I seem to be in a rut, calling them restrooms.

We heard from Mike Epperson. He says he now has a buzz cut and has begun working on the house he owns in Tucson. He really enjoyed his time in Eugene and misses everyone. He sent his greetings!

The meeting with architect, engineers, and contractors regarding the electricals went well and we have sufficient information and agreement on the equipment for the contractors to prepare bids. There were little bits and pieces that were tweaked during the conference this morning.

A Chairitable was once again on site working on gold chairs.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Did you realize that the plastic covering the Tyvek insulation on the front entrance became unhinged and is flapping in the wind?"    "Nope - I come in the back side of the parking lot so I don't drive by the front, thanks for telling me."

_______________________________________________

1 Lone Volunteer
1 Visitor

The BUUB will be open tomorrow from Noon to 4 PM for those who would like to come help move gravel - inside and outside.  There is also some woodshop work making wood cleats for the metal shelving.  By adding a spacer at the bottom of the metal shelves, three rows of tubs will fit perfectly.  The prototype set up in the pantry is an excellent example of how neat, tidy, and efficient this system will be.  There is also some cleaning that needs to be done.  The planer and vaccuum are set up in the woodwork shop and we are starting to utilize some of the equipment.

It was an active church day - Coordinating Council meeting this morning, Bingo this afternoon ($60 for the general fund!), and the Soiree this evening.

Check out the BPOC bulletin board to see the "Santa Person" created by one of our volunteers.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed tonight - we don't want you to be late for church tomorrow morning!

_______________________________________________

3 Volunteers

That high powered lineup above (except for the dinner crew)  was a two and a half hour meeting related to a bid and options for the heating and cooling systems.  We are waiting for yet another bid from a HVAC contractor before deciding on the system to be used.

We have an operation and maintenance agreement signed and recorded with the City for our bio swale in the front lawn that will stretch from the east edge of the front sidewalk to the west edge of the driveway.  (That was the permit I couldn't remember yesterday) It turned out the City person who was on 'vacation' was in the office just as the paperwork landed on her desk today, so it got taken care of.  The area will likely serve as a meditation and memorial garden in addition to handling the roof runoff.

At the Chinese dinner, the swale was discussed at length, with jokes about how we could create an amusement park and El Viejo could be the boatman.

Other than the meeting this morning, I couldn't detect and didn't hear about any other activity.  Oh, one person did assist the neighbors needing gravel.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We need to call Mike Epperson to find out how to make coffee!"

_______________________________________________

5 Volunteers
1 Architect

Bids are being sought for framing the northeast corner addition and just as soon as our plans are approved, we will be pouring concrete for the foundation.  Today there was more ceiling beams and framing, digging and moving gravel in the hole for the ADA restroom plumbing as we get close to hooking up the 3 inch pipe and connecting it to existing pipes.

Our crew members were Good Samaritans by helping an elderly woman neighbor wrestle some bulky furniture into her apartment. She had asked the call center women who were out for a smoke if they would help, but they directed them to our building.  We have been helping the apartment complex to the east in other ways as well - they had a low spot in their parking lot and needed gravel, so we told them to help themselves from the pile on the north side of our building.  First they used wheelbarrows, but graduated to the back of a pickup truck for transportation.

El Viejo was back, but "not officially."  He worked at solving small tweaks in the plans in response to calls from the City, and everything could be solved over the phone.  We do need a separate permit (now I can't remember for what), but the one person in the City who takes care of that particular permit is on vacation until Monday.

The following was sent by the Capital Campaign Committee today - hint, hint, hint.

Funding our New Church Home

As of March 10, 2011, we have $1,102,280 in financial commitments
for our new church home, with $891,125 in payments and gifts received!

_______________________________________________

3 Volunteers
4 Visitors
1 Architect
1 Contract Framer

The big news is Jake has a new toy - a Tripod Laser Level - it is a really cool deal.  It goes in every direction and is capable of a calibration of at least 78 feet, which is very important in a big building.  Indeed our framing will be spot on.  It helps in many ways - for instance making sure that where a wall is placed misses the pipe for the fire suppression system.

He has already discovered that some places in the floor are not level!  It was a Jerry's purchase preceded in dread and followed by pure joy.  It lines things up with perfect exactness.  When El Viejo returns from vacation he will be green with envy.

The router for Internet was moved from the hallway into the office and the signal is stronger and faster.  Small changes can have big rewards.   Work continues on ceiling joists and a volunteer not only did the dishes but dropped off some great bingo prizes.  One comment added to the volunteer listing of things done - "eating."

JUST IN:  I received the Jefferson Westside Neighborhood Newsletter (JWN) with the following news.  Our new church is in this neighborhood and we had been following the news closely to see whether EmX would be routed at 13th and Chambers.

Council Votes 8-0 for EmX on W. 6th/7th Aves.

At their work session on March 9, City Council voted unanimously to select the W. 6th/7th Ave. alignment as the "locally-preffered alternative" for the West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE). This decision means that WEEE will not run down W. 13th Ave. through the middle of the JWN, as LTD was pushing. The previous night, JWN members voted 32-5 in favor of a position that reiterated opposition to EmX on W. 13th Ave. and that supported EmX on W. 6th and 7th Aves. Several councilors cited as reasons for their preference for the W. 6th/7th Ave. alighnment their concerns over impacts to the JWN residential areas and the way EmX would better serve the community's interests by running through an area targeted for future growth. This is another great victory for preserving the neighborhood's livability and reflects the respect our neighborhood organization has with City Council.

A big "Thanks!" to all the JWN members who have worked so hard on this issue for years and to our city councilors for their support.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  Reporting on the new level - "I can't imagine how I ever got along without it."

And yes, there will be Chinese dinner at Fortune Inn on Friday - 5:30 PM - 1775 West 6th Avenue.

_______________________________________________

Tuesday March 8, 2011
Days Left: 186

3 Volunteers
1 Architect
1 Break Room Dancer

A quiet day at the BUUB other than a little smoke coming out of the ears of those assembled to brainstorm about skylights.  Happily, progress was made and some layout for the skylights was accomplished.  There was research related to possible masonry elements which could be used on the exterior and then reflected in the landscape design.

And speaking of landscape design, Judy Sawyer, chair of the Landscaping Task Force sent out a note to potential volunteers of some gardening that might happen in the near future.  

Good to have a heads up, but it is a little further down the pike, as the design team will first develop the site for hard landscape elements and then the actual design for the swale and plants will follow.  It gets a little tricky doing anything before that because of the recent realignment of the sewer line, downspout drains, and especially the Comcast cable which is in a shallow grave!  But keep those shovels handy and your backs flexible for when we holler "GO"!

A new tablecloth was added to Momma's Table giving a hint of elegance to the already very white kitchen.  And, to replace the injured ice bucket, a bright red one arrived.  It is made of metal, so perhaps will be a bit more durable.

On a totally different subject - there is Family Bingo at the Church this Saturday - 2-4 PM - $5 a card.  Great prizes.  And Friday night Chinese dinner is on tap, even with El Viejo on vacation.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  

"Every time I see Marina in the building I start to salivate!"    The person who experiences this reaction isn't sure whether it is in anticipation of her great soups or the egg salad.  It's okay - Elliot knows about it..... 

Monday, March 7, 2011
Days Left till Move-In:  187

5 Volunteers
1 Architect
1 Break Room Dancer

One Chairtable was in the building and Michelangelo Mudder  was painting some of his patches.  The soup of the day was chicken vegetable and declared mighty tasty by those assembled.  There was also janitorial services and dishwashing performed.  Some kind soul provided a newspaper for reading in the restroom - draped over the accessibility bar - clever!

There were no reports of birds inside the building, but I did notice the front door propped open, so perhaps that's how the starling got in last week.  The framers worked mostly on ceiling treatments, including support posts, ceiling beams and joists.  That is likely to be the report for every day this week.

I talked to at least one person who received word that El Viejo is enjoying his vacation.  

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "A great way to clean ear plugs after a day of grubby work is to put them in the pocket of your other dirty clothes - it is best if that pocket has a zipper!  They come out just like new."

Sunday, March 6, 2011
Days Left: 188

NO VOLUNTEERS AS OF 2PM

I don't count - I was just checking in.The main purpose of my dropping in was to see if anyone was there, but also to take a photo of the Ball Santaman.  While standing in the darkened social hall, I caught a glimpse of movement in the lobby. I was able to catch a quick look at a black bird flying into the RE Office, so husband Ed and I went to investigate.  Sure enough, it was a European Starling.  As we approached it flew into the minister's office, then the library and banged it's head into the window trying to escape.  We opened both front doors off the lobby, and leaving the lights out I walked to the east entrance and opened one of the doors.  Then came back to the library and hoped to send it back in the direction of the front doors.  It worked.  After landing briefly on one of the fire blocks in the minister's office, it flew out the front doors.  

The question of the day?  How did it get in?  Where is the hole in our "envelope"?  This time of year starlings are searching for small entrances to buildings for nest building.  They can enter through an amazingly small hole.  I will ask the Michelangelo Mudder to figure this out tomorrow.  

I forgot to mention in yesterday's 400 Days that I updated the illustrated journal notebook at church with the latest drawings and also printed all of the 400 Days reports and put them in a larger lime green notebook. Both are on display at the church on the small pulpit between the restrooms in the upstairs hall.  Santaman's photo will be posted on the bulletin board.

On a much somber note, we are saddened to have lost two cracker jack members of our congregation this week - Ralph Fishrup and Phyllis Peara.  Both were enthusiastic about our new building project and sought out news of our progress.  I didn't know Ralph that well because I haven't been a member of the church long enough, but until he was too ill to attend, he and Lyn would come play bingo.  Phyllis I knew better because she was a regular at Thundereggs and actively supported every fundraising, social, and social justice event.   I always envied her energy!  We will miss both of their cheery dispositions and involvement in our church life.  As mentioned in Candles of Community, many of us have lost friends and family this month.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "How do you suppose that bird got in here?"

Saturday March 5, 2011
Days Left: 189

3 Volunteers  (Despite the BUUB being closed)

Michelangelo Mudder was there doing touch up and one of the Chairitables worked on the arms of gold chairs.  I keep forgetting to ask how many more gold chairs there are to work on!  

Unfortunately I left my camera at home, but I will take it for sure tomorrow.  Michelangelo created a Santa "snowman" using a white exercise ball decorated with red reindeer antenna as hands and red duct tape for the nose, eyes, and mouth.  Very clever and good for a laugh.

Since this was a slow news day, I will share something sent to me by Jane Ganter in late January.  It a List of Common Shop Tools and Their Uses.  There were about 30, but I will only use a few today:

BELT SANDER:  An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

PLIERS:  Used to round off bolt heads.  Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

VISE-GRIPS:  Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads.  If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

TABLE SAW:  A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

UTILITY KNIFE:  Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts.  Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: (Actually heard on Friday)  "Contract framers have a few tricks we haven't even heard of."

The BUUB is not "officially" open tomorrow, so unless you have a key, there is no access on Sunday.

Friday March 4, 2011
Days Left: 190

8 Volunteers
1 Contract Framer
1 HVAC Subcontractor with Bid
1 Mechanical Engineer
1 Architect
10 for Chinese Dinner

Our youngest visitor so far - a 9 day old - Benjamin, son of the contract framer!  A real cutie.

*** BUILDING PLANS FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT WERE TURNED INTO THE CITY TODAY AT 2 PM !!!!!!!

This is thrilling news.  We now expect to get all of our necessary permits for full steam ahead within four weeks.  There may be a few minor refinements, but the revised plans address all of the concerns related to Code, etc.    There were several toasts with tea at dinner in celebration.  Taking advantage of the lull before the storm, El Viejo will be off the job and on vacation for a week.  

The sign in sheet indicated some janitorial duties, dish washing, corridor framing and a whole bunch of fire and support blocking in the wall framing.  Before we are done, there will be thousands of those blocks installed.  And no, we aren't going to have a contest to have people guess how many.  Research and comparison pricing continues on portable riser systems.

NEW COFFEE INSTRUCTIONS:  With Mike Epperson gone, there aren't enough coffee drinkers to consume an entire pot of coffee each day, and the coffeemaker doesn't understand making a half pot.  So, each time a pot is made, it will be put into a stainless steel carafe and stored in the refrigerator.  If you want a cup of coffee, please help yourself -- just pour into a coffee mug and warm it up in the microwave.   That way our donated coffee will last much longer and we won't be throwing out so much each day.  Also, please do not leave a near empty glass pot on the burner when the system is plugged in.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:   "The reason our work is so good is we have done it twice."

I don't expect there to be any activity at the BUUB this weekend, except for someone with a key who has a project of their own.

Thursday March 3, 2011
Days Left: 191

7 Volunteers
1 Contract Framer
1 Architect

A relatively quiet day - a Chairitable continues to work on the gold chairs, our #1 stripper found some more wire,  a Break Room Dancer delivered tasty egg salad and other snacks, and the dishes were done.

The wall next to the kitchen separating the social hall from the west hallway is not as wide.  It wasn't immediately apparent, but detective work found a wheelbarrow full of sheetrock remains, so I was determined to figure it out.  The Michelangelo Mudder found more work.  

The framers worked on creating the ADA restroom, prepared the support posts for the new beam for the doorway between the social hall and the west corridor, and worked on the chapel ceiling.  Consultations were held regarding skylights and with a cabinetmaker.

Two plumbers came by briefly.  My report is sketchy because I arrived at the BUUB after the crew was done for the day.

Don't forget - Chinese dinner at Fortune Inn tomorrow - 5:30 PM - 1775 West 6th Avenue.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "I have to admit, I am not on your 400 Days email list and I don't read it on the website."   I can usually tell without people telling me because they ask questions about the BUUB that they would already know if they read it even casually.

Wednesday March 2, 2011
Days Left: 192

6 Volunteers
1 Architect
2 Visitors

The Michelangelo Mudder was at it again - painstakingly patching, priming and painting various holes and dings in the drywall.  There is a floor in part of the attic above the kitchen - this should help keep feet and legs from coming through the kitchen ceiling.

The island in the kitchen was moved to the west wall and surprise, surprise, there were two plastic spatulas underneath.  That opened up the room, so Mamma's Table is now a rectangle instead of a circle and there is more room to move around.  All of the food will be stored on the counter rather than the table.  Soon there will be a switch by the north door near the kitchen so those arriving in the dark can flip a switch and have enough light to see how to get around without running into stuff, etc.

There was a big time investigation into the folding wall between the sanctuary and social hall.  If you have examined the wall in the past and worked at trying to open and close it, you know the crank that makes it move is clumsy to work and requires considerable upper body strength.  The audio visual room designed for the same corner as the storage for the wall will be expanded from the original design in order to accommodate all of our expected equipment needs.

When I arrived this afternoon, the architect and Jake were standing in the entrance to the chapel, staring at two boards on the floor.  I didn't interrupt, but assume the boards gave  a visual for defining the space needed for double doors, etc.  There is a lot of this kind of contemplation as they turn lines on paper into what is needed to create space.  A large glue lam beam was brought in to support the doorway to the chapel.

The Aesthetics and Logistics Task Force met with El Viejo and handed in their consolidated inventories for storage and space needs.  There was a discussion about how to handle both active and dead files after determining the IRS rules for retaining  church records.  There was discussion about bulletin boards, a brides dressing room, and a groomsmen preparation room and whether there would be wall space for revolving art exhibits, etc.  This Task Force accomplished a great deal in a short period of time and managed to provide valuable information.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  "Put the bread and butter next to the toaster.  That makes the most sense." and  "Would it be okay with you if I helped by washing dishes at the BUUB some days?"  You Betcha!

Remember:   There will be Chinese dinner at The Fortune Inn on Friday at 5:30 PM - 1775 West 6th Avenue

Tuesday March 1, 2011
Days Left: 193

12 Volunteers
1 Architect
4 Visitors
2 HVAC Contractors
4 BPOC Members (Meeting)

A couple of Charitables worked on gold chairs, there was mudding and painting of drywall, and one person singing in wrote they had worked on "this and that."  The mudding and painting were done by our Michelangelo Mudder who searches out and repairs holes in existing walls.  I think perhaps he loves the smell of the mud or paint!  Whatever the motivation, we really appreciate his attention to detail.

There was consultation and standing around during a re-evaluation of the size and placement of skylights.  The design is more streamlined, giving better light distribution and will result in less total energy expended for both heating and cooling.  The four corners of the chapel were defined for perimeter skylights.  Contract framers will arrive on Thursday and Friday to work on the ceilings of the corridors.

The HVAC contractors came to review the plumbing needs related to installing heating and cooling as they prepare their bids.  Speaking of heating, it was almost "toasty" in the BUUB today.

When the refrigerator we inherited with the building was moved to the North wall of the kitchen yesterday it was grumbling something fierce, but someone must have kicked some sense into it because it was purring along just fine today.  After seven months of finding the refrigerator on the south wall, I still do a pirouette in the wrong direction to put things away. 

A big thanks to the person who took the recycling home this week and for making the compost disappear.  Helps keep the ants at bay.  

QUOTE OF THE DAY:  

"One of the reasons we have not had accidents is because we are not dealing with tall ladders."  This comment related to the advantage of using scissor lifts for all of the aerial work we have been doing with a volunteer crew.