Help us buy more tools!

SEPTL has an amazing opportunity to earn money through the Bureau of Environmental Services' downspout disconnection program.  We need volunteers willing to donate 3 hours and join a team of 3-4 to help disconnect downspouts in SE Portland.   It's easy work and no previous experience is necessary.  With each downspout we disconnect, we'll earn $26!   Not only that, but you get free pizza at the end of the shift!  ALL the money will go towards buying tools from our wish list.

As an additional bonus, once you've completed the training you'll be able to check out a downspout removal kit from SEPTL and add your home to the thousands that have already disconnected their downspouts.

We're organizing groups on Tuesday evenings from 4-7pm and Thursday mornings from 9am-12pm.  If you're interested in helping out, contact Jonathan at downspouts@septl.org and let him know which Tuesday afternoons or Thursday mornings work for you between June 10th and July 8th.   He'll then confirm when we have enough sign-ups.  If those times don't work for you but you'd like to help, let us know when you are available (or form your own group!), and we'll set something up.

It's fun, you learn a new skill, you're helping our community, and you get pizza.  What more could you ask for?  Disconnecting downspouts is important work; it helps keep sewage from polluting our rivers.  To learn more about how this program helps the environment and saves millions, visit www.portlandonline.com/downspoutdisconnect.

Our latest tallies.

As of May 22, 2010, we have a total of 123 members, and we even remembered to snap a photo of the 100th member, whose smiling face you see here.  In our first three weeks, we've loaned out a total of approximately 180 tools, with a total of about 450 tools in the Library. Pretty darned exciting!  We thank all of you who have helped, have donated, have joined and have spread the word.  With your continuing support we hope to be a valuable community resource for many years to come.  Thank you all.

The Raffle Winners

We'd like to announce the winners of the Grand Opening Day Raffle. The winners were, naturally enough, very pleased and excited to win!

Green Hammer home energy audit -- Mary Plier
Restore gift certificate -- John Pioli
Urban Farm Store gift card -- Nancy Loso
7 Dees gift card - Kim Price
Portland Nursery gift card -- KW Edget
Naomi's Organic Farm Supply gift card -- Emily Shultz
NW Maritime Planting Guide from Naomi's -- (awaiting permission to release the winner's name)

Thanks to all who entered the Raffle.  Your funds are being well spent acquiring more tools for you to borrow.

Pro Tool Sharpeners to the rescue.

Jesse Bennett and Harmonie Medlin, of Sharpening4U, arrived a little after 10:00am to the backdoor of the Church where SEPTL is located.  They unloaded their tools and tables and brought them into the Library.  In a couple of hours the two of them touched up and sharpened a pair of tin snips (it was cutting paper like a good pair of scissors), a couple of hedge trimmers, and a couple of machetes. They also squared off a couple of screwdrivers, and sharpened three knives from the St. David's church kitchen.  To top it off they sharpened two of our shovels.

What was a shame is that they were planning on sharpening our push mower, but it had not been returned.  Same thing with a pair of pruning shears.  They too did not get sharpened since they'd not been returned on time. (If tools are not returned on time either the tool loses out by not getting the maintenance it needs, or the next person loses out.)

We are so grateful to Jesse and Harmonie, who can be reached at sharpening4u@yahoo.com and (503) 962-0574 should you need some expert sharpening. Please let them know we sent you! They are simply fabulous.