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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2014)
4 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES January 2014 Guild of Oregon Woodworkers relocates to Multnomah Village By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post Ian Wilson, a local resident, owns a just a few woodworking tools and wants to build raised garden beds for a non-profit agency that focuses on sustainable gardening. He is the first student to arrive this cold December morning at the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers “Green Card” class. It’s called that because after pass- ing the course, it allows you to work safely and correctly in the woodshop with many of tools. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the guild can help you improve your skills. There is an extensive and free library; monthly meetings, classes, and seminars; and volunteers work to- gether side-by-side sharing their knowl- edge and camaraderie with each other. Founded in 1978, many of the projects have helped other non-profit groups with collaborative labor. In 2011, the guild donated 1,800 volunteer hours creating shelving units for the new Clackamas County Library. Currently, students are finishing solid beech chest drawers for a 32-studio apartment unit in Vancouver which helps individuals get off the street and into homes and job skill classes. When one first meets Gig Lewis, the president of the guild, one gets the impression that he means business and knows what he is talking about. He exudes a presence that makes anyone sit up and pay attention. Lewis stresses safety and cleanliness: eye shields, ear plugs, and a mask to filter out wood dust particles. There is absolutely no food or drink allowed in the workshop. A former Marine, Lewis is over six feet tall, with straight posture, crisped pressed shirt and slacks, and a clear, distinct and commanding voice. He makes sure everyone understands his Try a Little TENDERNESS ® Save 74% on Omaha Steaks The Family Value Combo 2 (5 oz.) Filet Mignons 2 (5 oz.) Top Sirloins 4 Boneless Chicken Breasts (1 lb. pkg.) 4 (4 oz.) Omaha Steaks Burgers 4 (3 oz.) Gourmet Jumbo Franks 4 Stuff ed Baked Potatoes 49381KWK Reg $ 154.00 | Now Only ... 39 99 $ PLUS, 4 More Burgers FREE! to every shipping address in your order from this ad. ©2014 OCG | 20142 | Omaha Steaks, Inc. Limit 2 of each selection at these special prices. Your 4 (4 oz.) burgers will ship free per address and must ship with your order of $39 or more. Not valid with other off ers. Standard S&H will be applied per address. Expires 4/30/14. Call 1-800-803-7951 and ask for 49381KWK www.OmahaSteaks.com/mbos17 instructions and philosophy. “All students in the Green Card class must first take an exam,” Lewis instructed. “Approximate- ly 80 percent pass and you can take it over and over again until you pass.” The guild re- ceived a state- of-the-art Saw Stop™, donated by Roy Under- hill of Tualatin, the inventor of the latest technol- ogy in table saws. These saws stop in 1/1000 of a second if coming into contact with a finger. “Since 1978, we have had not one serious ac- cident,” Lewis said. “Sure, there have been a few sanded knuckles Gig Lewis instructs new students on the safety and proper use of and minor scrapes a table saw at the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers' new shop in that a Band-Aid Multnomah Village. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) couldn’t take care of, but not one emergency room visit.” business. Located at 7634 SW 34 th Ave This morning the beginning class has behind the Starbucks in Multnomah approximately 25 students, 10 percent Village, the shop is immaculate with are women; the rest mostly older men, routers, jointers, table saws, sawdust except Wilson. Membership is approxi- vents, and sanders. mately 450 with 30 percent profession- Wilson said he was nervous on test als, and 70 percent amateurs and hob- day and therefore didn’t pass. “I plan byists of various skill levels. on retaking it and become a member Membership starts at $45 per year so I can help fulfill my goal in helping and grants students with a green card a develop raised beds for those in need,” set amount of hours to utilize the shop he said. outside of class during the year. “I have full confidence Mr. Wilson Guild members have a variety of will pass the next time,” Lewis re- woodworking interests, including fur- sponded. “We’re here to help and learn niture design and construction, cabinet from each other.” making, antique furniture restoration, More information on the Guild can turning, carving, and sculpture. This be found by contacting Gig Lewis at gi- year there will be over 100 classes of- glewis42@gmail.com, 503-646-7056, and fered. www.guildoforegonwoodworkers.org. High school students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guard- ian. The woodshop space is donated by Greenline: a fine woodworking make a real connection Call Livelinks. The hottest place to meet the coolest people. Try it Free! 503.416.7435 Ahora en Español 18+ (Continued from Page 8) The most successful year to date in the history of the program was 2012, with 400+ registered cleanups, 92,500 volunteers nationwide, 3.5 million pounds of trash removed from Ameri- can waterways, and 39,000 miles of waterway cleaned. The group is hoping 2013 will turn out to be another record year for the program. CONTACTS: NRDC’s “How to Clean Up Our Water,” www.nrdc.org/water/ pollution/gsteps.asp; American Rivers’ National River Cleanup, www.ameri- canrivers.org/take-action/cleanup. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a reg- istered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
