By Ted Reiff

You've heard of promotional teasers-those advance tidbits about upcoming movies, TV shows and hot new products. They're intended to start a drumroll, whet appetites, build anticipation, bring people to the edge of their seats.

Well, that's what this month's post is — a teaser. I'll even tell you what it's for — bookends.

Not exactly fireworks-worthy, I know, but these bookends are special. They not only prop up other people's stories, they have a story of their very own. Here's the short version:

In 1937, a three-bedroom, three-bath home was built in the Cheviot Hills area of Los Angeles. For 50 years this house was the home of legendary author Ray Bradbury and his family.

After Ray's death in 2012 the house was sold to local architect, Thom Mayne, who, with wife Blythe, planned to build a home on the property. A lot of buyers (most, I’m sorry to say) would simply have torn down the old Bradbury house, but Mayne knew better. In 2014, his office asked TRP Regional Manager Arthur Renaud to submit a deconstruction bid. The contract was awarded to TRP, and the house was carefully taken apart by a TRP-certified deconstruction contractor in January, 2015.

In addition to the vintage doors, windows, cabinetry, hardwood flooring, plumbing and electrical fixtures, TRP salvaged 10.7 tons of lumber for reuse.

Upon receipt of the materials, Los Angeles Retail Manager Jeff Cockerell suggested that some of the 2x6 lumber be used to make bookends to sell to the public. I was initially reluctant to take on such a challenge, but became intrigued by the idea of helping to perpetuate the legacy of one of America’s best known authors. Thanks to Jeff's persuasiveness, I eventually agreed.

So now, instead of merely promoting the reuse of salvaged lumber (always our biggest seller), we're reusing some of it ourselves, to create Ray Bradbury bookends.

Several key people have been involved in the planning process, including Ray's close friend, John King Tarpinian, Marsha LuMetta, trustee of the Bradbury estate, Ray's daughter Alexandra, and Professor Jonathan Eller, Director of the Center for Ray Bradbury Studies at Indiana University. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to the Bradbury Center to help fund the re-creation of Ray's home office, a major milestone in the Center's ongoing efforts to preserve his works and legacy.

A limited edition of the bookends is scheduled for production in the next few weeks. Each set will be branded with a series number and the icon "451 F" to commemorate Ray's best-seller, Fahrenheit 451. Also included will be a certificate of authenticity and thank you letter from TRP. Sales and shipping are expected to begin on or before June 1, 2015.

TRP will shortly be sending a separate announcement to subscribers with information on pricing and availability. Advance orders will not be accepted. Remember — this is just the teaser.

2015 National Reuse Contest

The 2015 National Reuse Contest is underway. If you are thinking about entering a project, please contact your local reuse store or warehouse and encourage them to participate.

Store managers, or anyone desiring more information on the 2015 contest, should contact:

Kelly Simione

Program Manager

National Reuse Contest

KellySimione@TheReUsePeople.org

909.684.9833

Specials of the Month

At the Oakland warehouse we are featuring interior doors, plus toilets, tubs and sinks. Receive 25% off the price of any interior door, toilet, tub or sink in the warehouse through April 30. The Los Angeles warehouse is featuring interior doors and bathtubs. Buy one interior door and get a free second door of the same value. In addition, receive 25% off the price of any bathtub in the L.A. warehouse through April 30. The San Bernardino warehouse is featuring bathtubs. Receive a 30% discount on any tub, including Jacuzzi tubs, in the San Bernardino warehouse through April 30.

New Inventory

The Oakland warehouse is currently stocking mahogany Marvin windows and French doors. New inventory at the Los Angeles warehouse includes a one-of-kind exterior door with brass hardware and hand-painted floral insets, and built-in glass front display cabinets with rounded tops. These unique items will go fast. New inventory at the San Bernardino warehouse includes a large inventory of drawer pulls and cabinet knobs in a variety of shapes and vivid colors.

Location and Contact Information

TRP ReUse Warehouse - Oakland

9235 San Leandro Street

Oakland, CA 94603

(510) 383-1983; toll-free 888-588-9490

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-6:00 Closed Sunday

TRP ReUse Warehouse - Los Angeles

3015 Dolores Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065

818-244-5635

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-5:00; Sat 10:00-4:00

TRP-HACSB ReUse Warehouse - San Bernardino

660 East Orange Street

San Bernardino, CA 92410

(909) 388-6475

Hours: Tue-Sat 9:00-6:00 Closed Monday and Sunday

Please visit our partnering warehouses:

Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Orange County (two convenient locations)

The Home Improvement Store That Builds Homes

1656 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802

(Euclid and Katella Avenue)

(714) 434-6266

Mon-Fri 9:00 am- 8:00 pm;

Sat 9:00 am- 6:00pm;

Sun 11:00 am- 5:00 pm

The Home Improvement Store That Builds Homes

1400 Village Way, Santa Ana, CA 92705

(McFadden Place Shopping Center, exit 55 Freeway at McFadden)

(714) 434-6266

Mon- Sat 9:00 am- 6:00 pm;

Sun 10:00 am- 5:00 pm

Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Kansas City

4701 Deramus, Kansas City MO 64120

(816) 231-6889

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-6:00; Sat 9:00-4:00; closed Sunday

The ReUse Warehouse

1400 East Geer Street

Durham, NC 27704

(919) 219-4913

Hours: Mon-Fri, 2:00-6:00; Sat, 9:30-5:00

Second Chance Building Materials Center

1423 West Grove Street

Boise, ID 83702

(208) 331-2707

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9:00-6:00; Sun, 12:00-5:00

Roaring Fork Valley Habitat for Humanity

7025 Hwy 82

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

(970) 945-7733

Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00-5:30; Sat, 10:00-5:00; Sun, 11:00-4:00

Stardust Building Supply

3901 E. Thunderbird Road

Phoenix, AZ 85032

(602) 459-9803

Hours: Mon-Sat, 8:00-6:00; Sun, 10:00-4:00

Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salt Lake Valley,

1276 South 500 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

(801) 263-0136

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am-6:00pm; closed Sunday

Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Summit & Wasatch Counties

6280 N. Silver Creek Drive, Silver Summit, UT

(435) 487-9015

Hours: Wed-Sat 10:00-6:00; closed Sunday

Recycle Utah

1951 Woodbine Way Park City, UT 84060

(435) 649-9698

Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00-5:30; Sun 10:00-4:00

Reuse Depot

50 West Madison

Maywood, IL 60153

(708) 223-0502

Hours: Wed-Mon 10:00-6:00p; Closed Tuesdays