Computer cast-offs on missions of mercy

Nice write-up in the Columbian about our growing partnership with Mercy Corps.

Canned Food Drive

The CREAM Thrift Store is hosting a food donation collection barrel for the Salvation Army food drive. Bring in 4 cans of food and receive a coupon for 10% off your purchases. Help us to help make the holidays better for those in need.

Halloween Costume Party this Friday!

Passing on an invitation to the Vancouver Green Drinks 1st Annual Halloween Costume Party - co-hosted by the Clark County ReStore and CREAM:

Hello Everyone!!!!!!! Halloween is right around the corner. Help us celebrate in style!!! Check out the details for our 1st Costume party as Green Drinkers!!!!

Location: Clark County Habitat For Humanity ReStore
5000 E Fourth Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661 US
When:Friday, October 30, 6:30PM No Tuesday meeting this month!!!!
Phone:503-329-5590

This is your opportunity to bust out that reuse/recycle creativity and possibly win some fabulous prizes!*

(Get a raffle ticket for a drawing at the door just for coming in costume and bringing your own cup!)

Some of the members of River City Classic Rock and Soul Band will be providing live tunes.

Applewood Northwest Bistro and Catering will be serving beer, wine and light snacks. (CASH ONLY)

There will also be some fabulous free non-alcoholic drinks provided by Izze and the ReStore.

As were are attempting to limit waste with this party, please bring your own cup for your drinks. One cup equals one chance to win a raffle prize! (sustainable cups will be provided by ReStore if any of us forget ;-))

Feel free to invite your friends and co-workers, this time space isn't limited. The more the merrier.

Vancouver Green Drinks would like to say a very special thank you to our sponsors for this event:

Clark County Habitat For Humanity ReStore http://www.pdxrestore.org/
Izze Sparkling Juice http://www.izze.com/
The River City Band http://www.rivercityband.net/
Applewood Northwest Bistro and Catering http://www.applewood.net/
Computer Reuse Education and Marketing (CREAM) http://upgradeyourcommunity.org/

*If you would like to donate a small item for the raffle prizes, please bring it with a detailed label the night of or email Laura and Terra at vancouvergreendrinks@gmail.com.

Please RSVPs to this email so we can give the caterer a rough estimate of how many people to expect, drinks, and food to bring.

We hope you will be able to come join us! Laura Sauermilch and Terra Heilman

Prices slashed in the Thrift Store!

We have been slashing prices on all items in our thrift store - you can now get a complete computer system - P4 w/WinXP, LCD monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers for just $100 - $200! Lots of great savings on everything in the store! Come on down and check it out!

Flying Solo

I taught my first Intro to the Internet class today (prior to today I was merely assisting our lead instructor). Four enthusiastic students spent a hour and then some learning that "Surfing the Web" isn't nearly as athletic a pursuit as it sounds. Our newest volunteer instructor Cathy was assisting me...soon she will be teaching this course by herself as well. Next week I get to learn how to teach our Intro to Google Docs course so that I can teach it solo in November.

More free classes this week!

Spaces still available:

• Intro to the Internet, Thursday, Oct. 22 - 7pm to 9pm
• Online Resume using Linked-In, Friday, Oct. 23 - 10a to noon
• Intro to the Internet, Saturday, Oct. 24 - 10a to noon

Call 360-735-0888 to get signed up!

Public Wireless Access added to Education Center

Finally! A decent, working wireless G router was donated this week. It was tested and reconfigured earlier this afternoon and now we have public Wi-Fi in the Education Center. All we need now is a new sign to let everyone know it's available. Hopefully one day soon we'll get an wireless N router...but this is great for now!

Even more good press in the Columbian

Jerry Hatcher, CREAM's Recycling Manager got a great write up in the Columbian on how he went from being laid-off last year to working at CREAM this year.

Free Computer Classes

We have the October and November schedule of classes finalized. Check out the offerings on the Education Program page at the CREAM website.

More good press from the Columbian

Another nice write-up, this time in the Cheers & Jeers section of the Opinion Page.

Notes Test

Just a test to see if this is properly importing to the new CREAM page and not to my personal page anymore.

A gift from the ReStore

Janell, Alex and Brian of Clark County ReStore fame whipped up a great mosaic of our logo and brought it to our grand opening. They are so sweet.

Grand Opening on CVTV

Education Center Grand Opening on Clark Vancouver TV. Where Mayor Royce Pollard and Commissioner Steve Stuart say nice things about us and then and we turn on the Internets.

Nice article in the Sunday Columbian.

Computer Recycler Gives Itself an Upgrade

Not afraid of mice, are you?

Don't be embarrassed to admit it — many people are. Especially senior citizens who have never held a mouse and students who can't afford one.

That's why CREAM — Computer Reuse, Education and Marketing — is offering free computer education classes and a free Internet cafe in central Vancouver. It's there for folks who have never manipulated a computer mouse, traversed the globe via the Internet, or sent anybody an e-mail.

"We want to give free education away," said executive director Oso Martin. "We want you to have a computer, not an expensive paperweight."

On Saturday morning, CREAM unveiled its new digs at 5000 East Fourth Plain Boulevard, alongside Albertsons and the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore, CREAM's partner in keeping decent secondhand stuff out of landfills. ReStore does it with building materials; CREAM, which shares the ReStore's space, does it with computers.

Donated computers arrive at CREAM's workshop and thrift store in the ReStore space. They're tested by volunteers and students from Clark College's vocational training program. The truly hopeless are disassembled and prepared for recycling — CREAM gets 20 percent of its income by selling these recyclables on the market — but computers with a future are refurbished and either handed over to the Salvation Army, which distributes them for free to the needy, or sold for well-below-market prices at the CREAM thrift store. Those computers are loaded up with basic Microsoft software.

CREAM was born nearly a decade ago, according to Jim Mansfield of Clark County Public Works, as the federal government started considering the question of hazardous electronic waste — like mercury, cadmium and lead — in discarded computers. The city of Vancouver and Clark County started discussing ways to recycle electronic waste rather than throwing it away. The first collection brought in enough discarded electronics to fill two 50-foot trailer trucks. The next step, Mansfield said, was seeing how much of it could be returned to use.

"We started wondering, what if we brought together the recycling and re-use sides," he said.

CREAM was born as a county-driven program. And over the next six years, more than 230 computer units were refurbished and given to people who needed them. All told, 4 million pounds of electronic junk was diverted from the waste stream and recycled or returned to use.

Because of changes in state law, CREAM has now spun off as a private nonprofit — working with $330,000 in start-up funding from the city and county, Martin said. It's looking to raise about $50,000 more to keep remodeling its new space — adding an actual classroom, as well as more computers and stipends for instructors. Plus, a big sign.

Martin said there are 100 computers in the CREAM pipeline right now. That's many times CREAM's old rate of processing, he said.

"It's great to see this stuff going out to people who can't afford it," said John Walway, a Clark College student and computer help-desk worker. "If both sides of the fence aren't getting their hands on technology, some are going to get left way behind."

Right now, the education CREAM offers is basic Internet literacy for the mouse-fearing — how to do e-mail, how to move around the World Wide Web, how to post pictures or résumés online.

"Especially for senior citizens who are a little afraid of technology and they're just trying to get over that barrier," he said.

Rory Bowman said the local Macintosh users group, called Apple Van, will begin meeting at CREAM. His mother, Glenna, said she's ready to sign up as an instructor.

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard said the CREAM program is a winner on many levels. It provides computer training for students and job seekers, a free space for eager learners, and a shot in the arm for the Fourth Plain corridor — one of the city's biggest revitalization targets.

"Right now, not far from here, there are a whole lot of teenagers sleeping," he said. "They're going to find out that they've got access to the whole world right here. What better place to do it?"

Scott Hewitt: 360-735-4525 or scott.hewitt@columbian.com.

More monitors for Mercy Corps

We're just about ready to ship another 100+ tested CRT monitors to Mercy Corps to assist with their Material Aid program. These monitors are destined for schools in South America, Africa and the Middle East. It feels wonderful to be supporting such great efforts on behalf of those in need.

New and Improved return policy at the CREAM Thrift Store

As more resources become available, we are now able to offer a limited guarantee on purchases made in the thrift store. Parts are now guaranteed for 5 business days. Returns must be accompanied by the original receipt. We will exchange for a similar quality part if available and store credit if not available at the time of return. There are no cash refunds.

CREAM is hiring!

Volunteer Manager
Full time w/health care benefits, please see http://www.upgradeyourcommunity.org/news.html for a link to the complete job listing and instructions for applying.

Good Luck!

CREAM Education Center Grand Opening Celebration

Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:00am we will be celebrating the opening of the CREAM Education Center and Internet Cafe. Join some of our very supportive elected officials for the ribbon cutting ceremony, see me give a talk about the history and fabulous future of the CREAM program and get a tour of the facility. Refreshments provided and tons of free parking.

www.upgradeyourcommunity.org

Come on in...no seriously.

It's quite strange...the CREAM Internet Cafe is open for day two - and once again, folks are wandering by the windows, reading the "open" signs, peering through the windows...but not actually coming inside and using the Interwebs. 3 people on Tuesday and another one just a few minutes ago. Weird.

Internet Cafe Opening in 10 minutes!!!

To quote Red Leader: "Almost there..."

CREAM Internet Cafe opens Tuesday Sept. 1!

After a few unexpected delays, the CREAM Internet Cafe is ready to open. We'll have 5 Internet terminals on-line for public access right away, with three more slated to be added over the next week. I'm still cogitating on how many hours of operation we can support each week - initial thinking is 1p-5p Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Another milestone in the evolution of CREAM. Once school starts and more student interns from Clark College are available, we'll be looking into expanding the days and hours the Cafe is available.

Remember: Cafe is a metaphor - there is no food or coffee, just the Interwebs.

Other firsts this past week...

We have been quite busy these past weeks and I have been a bit remiss in keeping up with it all:

• On Wednesday of last week, we were able to help Mercy Corps with a large shipment of monitors. This is now an ongoing partnership and we hope to do the same thing on a regular basis and also hope to expand the kinds of equipment that we can give to this great organization. Mercy Corps helps set up computer labs in schools around the world for those most in need. We are really glad to be a part of that.
• On Friday of last week we shipped our first load of broken monitors and televisons to the recycling processor (IMS located in the Port of Vancouver) - appox. 3 tons worth.
  
• Yesterday we shipped our first load of non-ferrous metals to Metro Metals NW and got a nice big check for our efforts.
• Today was our first class (see earlier post)

It's been a great week!

Our First Class!

Is under way right now! Rory Bowman of MacRory.com is teaching a course for job seekers that shows folks how to put their resume on-line using Linked-In.com. This class is the first in a series of on-line based courses that will be offered in the CREAM Education Center in the coming months. I'll post some photos after the class is finished.

Hot Deals in the Thrift Store via Twitter

http://twitter.com/CREAMvancouver

Follow our tweets to get the latest deals on quality used computers.

Internet Cafe

...is supposed to open this afternoon - mmm...I think we might need an extension on that.

Update: so two machines ended up not working properly and we still need to make and string some cables (ran out of RJ45 ends). Even so, we have 6 machines (out of 8) working and 3 of those actually able to get online. I'm sure we'll be done by weeks end.

Wireless access in the park...

...leaves much to be desired. Well at least it's working now, so that's something. No power is conveinient to my booth, posts will be short and sweet. Pics will be posted tonite.

Just found out the this mornings wireless issues were due to someone hacksawingdown and stealing the wireless antenna...ouch. Good job city workers for getting us all back online on a Saturday.

Update: The other thing that leaves much to be desired is mah new laptop - it has an "Ultrabright" screen - and it's all glossy and shiny and absolutely impossible to read outdoors due to glare and reflection. Too much eye strain...no more posts from the park.

Last minute preparations

Just about ready for the Recycled Arts Fesitval tomorrow at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Of course that's for the public - I gotta get down there by 7am-ish to get set up. Big thanks goes out to new(ish) board member Tricia, who hooked us up with great printer to do the artwork for our booth, and is printing more brochures for us tomorrow morning. Now, if only I can get the final edits done...

We're #17!

...out of 24 recycling based companies according to the Vancouver Business Journal. Based on the number of employees, 2 FTEs in our case. Our neighbors at the Clark County ReStore came in at #14 with 2.5 FTE. The lists are not available online unfortunately.

New and Improved

I finally got our new website substantially complete and uploaded to the server. Check it out at upgradeyourcommunity.org. Comments and suggestions appreciated.

CREAM is now a Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher

CREAM was just approved to be a Community MAR, which gives us access to very inexpensive Windows licenses for the computers we distribute via our partner: Salvation Army Family Services.

CREAM on City Minutes

Earlier today Tanya Gray with City of Vancouver Solid Waste and I were interviewed on the City Minutes program (Clark-Vancouver Television or CVTV) about CREAM, Washington E-Cycles and the Clark County ReStore. I'll update this post with the link as soon as the video is posted on-line. A short 15 min. segment - I sorta can't wait to see it for myself.

Grand Opening Live!

The joint CREAM - Clark County ReStore Grand Opening is a great success. Lot's of folks coming by and check things out. Latest photos are on our website.

Update: Here is the video of the Grand Opening that was produced by CVTV.

Grand Opening Celebration is tomorrow!

1 more day to go. We are all scrambling to get things finished for tomorrows event.

Mayor Pollard will be cutting the ribbon at 8:15 am and the stores open immediately following the ceremony. Please join the CREAM and ReStore volunteers and staff in celebrating the opening of our joint eco-facility in the Vancouver Market Center. The Grand Opening Celebration features live music, free coffee (morning only), free popcorn and free balloons for the kids. Sign a pledge for the environment and be entered in a free give-a-way! Prizes every 15 min. plus the grand prize(s) drawing at 4:00pm. Grand Prizes are a CREAM computer and ReStore gift certificates.

Welcome!

Hi everyone, lets get this blog started.

I'm the new executive director of CREAM which stands for Computer Reuse Education and Marketing. We are a non-profit organization that accepts donated computers, refurbishes them and gets them back out into the community.

I will be blogging on what is going on at CREAM as well as local sustainability issues and related musings...and some obligatory cute pet photos.