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High Summer 2010Hello out there!Our summer is going as fast at the weeds are growing. Summer is the busy season for mud work and we have been busy.  In the June Mud Moments I spoke of a Rumford fireplace we are planning to build and the process with the City of Portland's Alternative Technology Advisory Committe (ATAC). We have just received our final recommendation from ATAC and are now in the appeal process. The ATAC report will help make the appeal process smooth, for all the education of our alternative choices has been worked out. No need to be repeated the report is on file with ATAC and can be sited for other free standing Rumford style fireplaces that utilize cob as its structural component. After this report is sited eight times there is support to write in the code the use of cob as the structural component for free standing Rumford style fireplaces!  I also hear that other building departments in the State of Oregon will respect the recommendations of ATAC, maybe even other states! If you are interested in building your own Rumford please read this article by the modern Rumford master, Jim Buckley. Jim and I have become fans of each others work and you can now find a photo of my first cob Rumford on his site, soon there will be another! And now for more big news!(No basket ball, this is the site of the future cob Rumford) Jeremy and I have been working on the upcoming release of Claylin, our very own earthen floor mix in a bag. Yes that's right, the mix is all figured out for you, all you need are the tools. To help you; the contractor, natural builder, do it yourself'er, teacher, sales person or simply mud devotee, we have written a manual for Claylin. We are also offering hands on workshops and the opportunity to become a certified Claylin installer. We are planning a coming out to the market party for October 2nd. To keep up with all this exciting news check in with the Claylin page, a dedicated website coming soon. I come from the do it yourself - natural building - use what you have foundation so I understand the folks that want help making floors with their own local site materials. Bill and Athena Steen and I are working on a earthen floor book that will speak to this. Earthen Floors will be available through From These Hands, LLC website as well as from the Steens website, The Canelo Project in the fall. Thank you for reading and supporting natural building materials and methods. Visit us at our monthly open studio showing.  See you soonSukita Find us on Facebook P.S. A new feature is the easy to use "subscribe to mailing list" button on the website. Please tell anyone who might be interested. There is also an easy way to take yourself off this list at the bottom of this newsletter. I forgot to share about our volunteering opportunities! Cob Bench and Rumford Fireplace The Cell Rejuvenation Center of Portland and the Yummy Tummy Oasis (at the same location) 5816 SW Hood Ave Portland OR 97239 Generally between 9-4 is a good time to come by!
Clay wood chip wall infill, earthen plaster and earthen floor in North Portland August and September dates to be announced soon Earthen plaster in Oregon City September and October dates to be announced soon
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