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October 2 - Meetings, Grading and Pews

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Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
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July 29 -Building the Foam Block Walls


A necessary tool, the rebar shortener, was repaired in a timely manner so the project can continue. I was thinking maybe some duct tape and a couple of splints would do the job. Fortunately, a little sterner repair was implemented.
Once repaired so sturdily it likely will cut all the rebar needed
for this job, and maybe many more.




















The blocks -
The foam blocks lock together with a collection of grooves and tabs that nest snugly, both on the top and bottom as they are stacked vertically but also on the ends as they are laid one adjacent to the next. Squirt on a little foam adhesive and build a wall like you might with Lego blocks or tinker toys. Inside the block are plastic webs that hold the sides together. These webs also have  slots into which rebar is inserted for stability.

Amber Moll show off her strength,
carrying two building blocks.





Looking down into the block as it sets on the footing. The holes
for the rebar had to be placed so they would not conflict with the
web in the blocks. Now I know why those guys spent all that time
measuring and chalking. Clever fellows, those Americans.
Three chiefs, Phil, TMITYH, and Sam check out the
layout.



Brandon Wuollet and Troy Huhta cut blocks to fit the space
remaining in the middle of a wall. The corner pieces must be
set first and any resulting space filled with a trimmed block.

Building the walls - 
Kevin Hendrickson applies the foam while Elias holds the block
and then sets it in place.

Nina Moll and Sasha Niemela insert longer rebar pieces 
necessary for the next courses of block, into the PVC ring that is 
on the planted rebar piece. Using the rebar in this manner made it 
possible to set the blocks without having to lift the blocks 
over the long rebar and thread each block through a rebar
forest.

Phil Muhonen cuts holes in the foam blocks for tubes through which electricity and water (in pipes) can get into the building below floor level.







Completed holes with pipes installed.


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Another Status Meeting in the Church - A week ago Sunday the second status update meeting was held at the church. While there were some assembled pews, they were all in the sanctuary, and not in the dining hall where the meeting convened. So, everyone that wanted to sit had to bring their own chair. In the picture, Bob is standing but not because he failed to bring a chair. He wanted attention so he stood up in the front to give his status update. After Sam reported on the finances discussion ensued about whether or not to increase our self imposed debt ceiling. While the church could be 'completed' without the increase, some desired items like an epoxy sealed kitchen floor would have to be deferred. The congregation agreed to up the debt limit. Sam stated that the bank is fine with the new debt ceiling. Sam also said the projection stand in the picture is only temporary. With the current projected spending, we will still not have a completed kitchen so the eagle-eyed shoppers ...
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