2005 News

WabiSabi Awarded Non-Profit Volunteer Program of the Year

WabiSabi (Verb). 1. To donate to a good cause *Why don*t you just WabiSabi that.*

WabiSabi (Noun). A nonprofit thrift shop in Moab, Utah. *Shopping at WabiSabi is a good way to support local nonprofit organizations.

WabiSabi (Adjective). The beauty of imperfection. *Your grandmother*s chipped vase is sooo wabisabi.

WabiSabi; Preserving our Imperfect Perfect Beauty

If WabiSabi speaks to transcending ways of looking at things then, it seems only fitting that its future will carry this same message. WabiSabi*s theme is: Reduce, Reuse, Restyle. But it is also about empowering individuals to make a difference in the quality of our lives * to contribute their creativity, energy, passion and intellect to the health, vitality and sustainability of our community. Living in the midst of global warming, limited resources, rising fuel prices, and economic uncertainty, it has never been more important to question how we live * the resources we use and the resources we create. How can we give back to the place we call home and preserve its beauty for generations to come?

There are at least a thousand and one ways, and maybe even more. And none of us can do all of it all of the time.

But here are a few suggestions from customers, donators, visitors and residents.

* Shop locally * buying locally reinvests money into our economy and revitalizes our community

* Recycle in whatever way possible * Reusing saves landfill space, protects the environment, and saves you money. Examine the contents of your garbage can * is there anything that can be reused or recycled?

* Volunteer * Your time is valuable and there are plenty of nonprofits in Moab that would greatly appreciate your contribution * for starters check out WabiSabi*s volunteer job board!

* Do an energy audit on yourself * How much energy does it take to run your life? What resources do you use a lot and where can you cut back or conserve?

* Last but not least, turn your old duds into community cash by donating to WabiSabi!

Sarah Bauman

Board Treasurer

The Utah Commission on Volunteers has awarded WabiSabi the "2005 Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year". This award, given by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's office, exemplifies exceptional volunteer management practices. The award was presented to WabiSabi at the June 21st County Council meeting. Special thanks go to Kate Thompson for nominating us! You can find out more about the award by going to the Lieutenant Governor's website at: http://volunteers.utah.gov/helphandnonprofvol.html.

Craig Hibberd

Recycled Building Materials Store

Mid July WabiSabi started a Recycled Building Materials Center, located next to our warehouse across from the Gonzo Inn. We are modeling our center on Habitat for Humanity stores that take in donations of new or used building materials and resell them at a low cost to the public. WabiSabi then puts the profits towards community projects, workshops, and our non-profit partners. Our goal is to encourage community members to invest in their homes and to keep usable goods out of the waste stream. This is a new venture for us and we need your support. The hardest part is starting. Now is the time to clear out all that stuff you are never going to use anyway! We are currently accepting donations of all types of building materials and tools during warehouse business hours 10am-6pm. All donations are tax deductible. Right now we have a nice selection of doors and windows, as well as other items. Hours are the same as the warehouse. We are also looking for volunteers for this center who can earn credit in exchange for work. We also hope to offer workshops on building with used material. If you are interested please contact Jeff at 259.3313.

Scott Anderson

WabiSabi is saving the planet one pair of socks at a time!

Each month WabiSabi keeps tens of thousands of items out of our landfills. In just the last month 2,376 shirts, pants, coats, and shorts were purchased here and are now being reused in our community instead of filling our dump trucks. There were also 236 pairs of shoes, 5 televisions, 320 books, 143 plates, 4 couches, 6 desks, and much more that have found new homes. In addition WabiSabi works with Seekhaven, and Sam Cunningham of Castleland Resource Conservation & Development to transport merchandise to other locations where material goods are needed. Each month WabiSabi and Seekhaven deliver a horse trailer packed with clothing and other merchandise to shelters, churches, several locations with in the Navajo Nation, and to other distribution centers in the four corners area. Whether it is dictionaries to the county jail, blankets for The Humane Society, or kitchen ware for The Youth Garden Project, WabiSabi is the redistribution center of recycled and reused goods for the community.

*Part of WabiSabi*s mission is to help our nonprofit partners. We are continuously establishing new relationships and developing those we have had for years. WabiSabi provides educational outreach for our nonprofit partners by distributing informational pamphlets at our two retail store locations and on our web site. We are always looking for creative ways to develope the relationships between WabiSabi and our nonprofit partners.

In September, WabiSabi will team up with The Moab Poets and Writers for a book sale. We have also started a bulletin board for volunteers. Nonprofits can advertise any needs they have for volunteers on the board. In addition, WabiSabi gives financial awards, and merchandise. Over $10,000 has been distributed to our nonprofit partners since WabiSabi began just three years ago.

Jeff Cohen

Executive Director

WabiSabi Awards $5000 to our Nonprofit Partners

*Amigos Club

*Canyonlands Community Recycling Center

*Canyonlands Film Society

*Hospice

*Humane Society of Moab Valley

*Infant Through Youth

*KZMU

*Living Rivers

*Moab Poets & Writers

*Native American Club

*Seekhaven

*SPLORE

*Youth Garden Project

Shoppers and donators have the opportunity to vote for one these nonprofits. The number of votes determines the percentage of award money each organization receives at the end of the year. For more information about our nonprofit partners visit our website www.wabisabimoab.org

We are now accepting applications for 2006 nonprofit partners. Applications are available at both stores and on line.

Upcoming Events...

August 27th (Sat)

Rug Workshop with Pam Allred. 9 a.m. @ the Farmer*s Market

September 7th (Wed)

Nonprofit award ceremony 7:30 pm @ the MARC

September 17th (Sat)

Moab Poets & Writers and WabiSabi Book Sale. 9 a.m. @ the Thriftique

September 24th (Sat)

WabiSabi*s Opposite Party!!!! Come dressed as your opposite personality, opposite gender, or any other opposite and win prizes.

Dancing, music, food, and much more.

7:00 pm @ The Outlaw Saloon

October 8th (Sat)

Earth Friendly Landscaping Workshop. We will tour different locations in Moab that demonstrate different earth friendly landscaping practices (chemical free, low water, etc.). We will hear from the designers and get useful tips for other projects. If you are interested in teaching a section of this workshop or of having your landscaping as part of the tour

For more info please call us at 259-3313 and ask for Jeff.

WabiSabi Is Looking For: A Copying Machine, Storage Sheds, Shelves and Book Cases, Building Materials: Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Fencing, Sinks, Light Fixtures, Etc.Also designers for our annual fashion show-call 259.3313

FROM RAGS TO RUGS

Sam Allred has been weaving strips of shirts and jeans to make full size rugs in elaborate baskets for years. She has sold her work through out the country. In June WabiSabi had the privilege of having Pam teach a workshop about her craft. Pam taught participants how to braid the materials, where to find materials, and tips for other projects using strips of clothing. *I think it is a great idea. The rugs are beautiful and I can*t wait to finish the one I started at this workshop,* said one participant. All the materials used in the class came from WabiSabi. *We get some donations that are ripped or stained. This is a great way of reusing this material that would otherwise have to be thrown out,* said Holly Dinsmore, store manager of the WabiSabi Warehouse. This was the second workshop Pam has taught for WabiSabi. A third workshop is scheduled for August at the Farmer*s Market. This workshop is free and all ability levels are welcome.

Since its opening in June of 2002, WabiSabi has sponsored a series of workshops designed to build skills, promote cultural awareness, and promote earth friendly practices. Past workshops have included Alternative Building, Native Plant Identification, Feng Shui, and Financial Planning With Out Fear. Some of our upcoming workshops include Earth Friendly Landscaping, and Alternative Energy Sources. If you have experience with either of these two subjects and are interested in being a speaker please call us at 259-3313. Other ideas for workshops would be greatly appreciated, and considered as well.

The People of WabiSabi:

Staff: Jeff Cohen, Ocean DeGraw, Holly Dinsmore, Cheyenne Walker, Lauren Preece, and Cassandra Hill.

Volunteers: Dave Jacobs, Cassandra Sorenson, Eva Lou, Randall Gaines, Pyasa, Vinaya, Sarah Melnicoff, David Morgan, Jodi Gibson, Sam & Merv, Deanna King, Gordy Long, Sunday DeGraw, Cathy Summerville, Katy Anderson, Nate Osgood, Jerrell Bissere, Pam Allred, Cathy Summerville, Forest, Larque DeGraw, and Kathy Cassart.

The Board: Craig Hibberd, Sarah Bauman, Scott Anderson, Brooke Degraw, Nancy Orr

Thank you so much. We could not do this with out your help. We have many volunteer opportunities available.

If you are interested call or stop by..