West Philly's Premier Backyard Compost Bin
Michael Froehlich used these Tool Library tools: cordless drill, table saw with dado blade, chop
posted by Tool Library at
11:29 AM
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Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Free Basic Home Repair Classes!
Saunders Park Neighbors & The West Philly Tool Library present
A series of hands-on classes for community members
A series of hands-on classes for community members
Free
Basic Home Repair Classes
Learn how to fix basic problems in your house
& understand how to judge the work of contractors you hire
Basic Home Repair Classes
Learn how to fix basic problems in your house
& understand how to judge the work of contractors you hire
Community Room
Rowan House
325 North 39th Street
Rowan House
325 North 39th Street
Each class starts at 6:30pm and ends at 8:30pm
Thurs, May 21 Introduction to using power tools
Thurs, May 28 Basic carpentry
Thurs, June 4 How to install and repair drywall
Thurs, June 11 Understanding the electricity in your house
Thurs, June 18 Understanding the plumbing in your house
Thurs, June 25 Painting tips and tricks
Participants attending four classes will receive a gift certificate for 50% off an annual membership to the West Philly Tool Library located at 4620 Woodland Avenue (regular price: $20.)
Everyone welcome! Women! Men! Owners! Renters! Seniors! Students!
Registration is required. To register, please call the Tool Library at 215-833-3190 or email Stacey at info@westphillytools.org.
posted by Tool Library at
9:49 AM
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Beautiful new Tool Library T-shirts have arrived
Want to wear your support for the Tool Library on your sleeve? Come pick up a brand new t-shirt. The shirts are made by a local unionized shop. The three-color silkscreening was done by our friends at Reclaim, a print shop on Baltimore and 49th. They're available at the Tool Library for only $13.
posted by Tool Library at
10:38 AM
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
We're looking for volunteers
As you may have noticed, the Tool Library has seen a dramatic increase in our membership since it has turned warm.
We're looking for a few volunteers to help us keep the library organized, check in/our tools, and do other assorted projects.
Do you have a few hours? Please contact us at info@westphillytools.org. Thanks!
posted by Tool Library at
7:35 PM
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Tool Library to be featured at Ignite Philly 3
The Tool Library has been invited to present at Ignite Philly 3, a regular series featuring scientists, artists, and activists showcasing their new ideas. Participants have five minutes to talk their way through 20 slides to explain their project.
Interested in hearing about what's new in Philadelphia? Come out to Johnny Brenda's this Saturday, May 2nd.
posted by Tool Library at
7:33 PM
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Thanks to everyone who came out for our one-year anniversary
Our one-year anniversary party held last month was a wild success. Thanks to everyone who came out. As part of our tool drive, we collected over 20 power tools and hundreds of other tools. The Philadelphia Inquirer did a great front-page article on the Tool Library's anniversary, too.
Still have tools you would like to donate to the Tool Library? Click here.
posted by Tool Library at
7:28 PM
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
UCHS Announces 2009 Technical Assistance Program
Richard Dretsch, UCHS Board Member:
The University City Historical Society (UCHS) is, for the third year in a row, sponsoring a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) in partnership with the Community Design Collaborative of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The TAP provides West Philadelphia property owners with two hours of on-site, face-to-face consultation with an architect or building preservation expert.
Most of the residential buildings in University City are over a hundred years old. And while architectural character and history are, in part, what draw many of us to the area, older properties can be a serious technical and financial challenge to maintain. They have special maintenance needs and it can be difficult to know what should be fixed first, who to call, how much it will cost, and which parts of the project are possible to do on your own versus those best left to professionals. The TAP program is designed to address these types of questions.
Those who apply and are chosen to participate in the program will have the exterior of their property examined by a building professional who can offer advice on issues which, depending upon your needs, may include foundations and drainage, roofing and gutters, porch repair and painting, energy conservation or any other exterior problems. Each consultation is followed up by a brief written report given to the property owner that outlines the TAP professional’s findings.
TAP consultation is only available to UCHS members as a benefit of membership. UCHS membership is only $20/year for households or $10 for seniors. Other benefits include subscription to On the West Side, the society’s regular members’ newsletter; registration on UCHS’s Grapevine e-mail preservation listserve; access to UCHS members’ local Contractors/Suppliers Referral List; and invitations or discounts to UCHS sponsored events, including house tours, workshops, date plaques, and publications. Those interested in becoming a member of UCHS and applying for the Technical Assistance Program consultation get copies of the membership and TAP applications at www.uchs.net, email info@uchs.net or call (215) 387-3019.
Applying for TAP consultation is easy and inexpensive. Applicants are asked to briefly describe their exterior renovation priorities on the TAP application by May 15, 2009 and provide a handful of photographs documenting the existing condition of problem areas. If you are chosen to participate in the program, you will be asked to pay a $25 registration fee. The dozen properties which receive these services this year is limited by the number of participating TAP building professionals; UCHS will select applicants who demonstrate the greatest need.
The owners of the dozen properties chosen will be given dates for their TAP consultations later this summer.
The University City Historical Society (UCHS) is, for the third year in a row, sponsoring a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) in partnership with the Community Design Collaborative of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The TAP provides West Philadelphia property owners with two hours of on-site, face-to-face consultation with an architect or building preservation expert.
Most of the residential buildings in University City are over a hundred years old. And while architectural character and history are, in part, what draw many of us to the area, older properties can be a serious technical and financial challenge to maintain. They have special maintenance needs and it can be difficult to know what should be fixed first, who to call, how much it will cost, and which parts of the project are possible to do on your own versus those best left to professionals. The TAP program is designed to address these types of questions.
Those who apply and are chosen to participate in the program will have the exterior of their property examined by a building professional who can offer advice on issues which, depending upon your needs, may include foundations and drainage, roofing and gutters, porch repair and painting, energy conservation or any other exterior problems. Each consultation is followed up by a brief written report given to the property owner that outlines the TAP professional’s findings.
TAP consultation is only available to UCHS members as a benefit of membership. UCHS membership is only $20/year for households or $10 for seniors. Other benefits include subscription to On the West Side, the society’s regular members’ newsletter; registration on UCHS’s Grapevine e-mail preservation listserve; access to UCHS members’ local Contractors/Suppliers Referral List; and invitations or discounts to UCHS sponsored events, including house tours, workshops, date plaques, and publications. Those interested in becoming a member of UCHS and applying for the Technical Assistance Program consultation get copies of the membership and TAP applications at www.uchs.net, email info@uchs.net or call (215) 387-3019.
Applying for TAP consultation is easy and inexpensive. Applicants are asked to briefly describe their exterior renovation priorities on the TAP application by May 15, 2009 and provide a handful of photographs documenting the existing condition of problem areas. If you are chosen to participate in the program, you will be asked to pay a $25 registration fee. The dozen properties which receive these services this year is limited by the number of participating TAP building professionals; UCHS will select applicants who demonstrate the greatest need.
The owners of the dozen properties chosen will be given dates for their TAP consultations later this summer.
posted by Tool Library at
7:02 PM
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Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
One Year Anniversary Tool Drive
Haven’t used that sander since the Clinton Administration?
Old roommate never picked up his ratchet set?
Get another drill for Christmas?
Don’t let them collect dust in your basement!
The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating its One Year Anniversary with a Tool Drive!
Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 2pm.
4620 Woodland Avenue
All donations are tax deductible and will benefit all the members of the library.
Bring a friend who hasn’t yet joined and celebrate one year of our community experiment in sharing and self-reliance.
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
Old roommate never picked up his ratchet set?
Get another drill for Christmas?
Don’t let them collect dust in your basement!
The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating its One Year Anniversary with a Tool Drive!
Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 2pm.
4620 Woodland Avenue
All donations are tax deductible and will benefit all the members of the library.
Bring a friend who hasn’t yet joined and celebrate one year of our community experiment in sharing and self-reliance.
Coffee and snacks will be provided.
posted by Tool Library at
7:00 PM
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Saturday, March 7, 2009
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
How has the new Stimulus bill affected the tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:
* The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
* The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
* The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
* The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
* The $200 cap on windows has been removed.
SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS.
All Tax Credit FAQs.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:
* The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
* The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
* The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
* The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
* The $200 cap on windows has been removed.
SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS.
All Tax Credit FAQs.
posted by Tool Library at
11:57 AM
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