So-Cal crate lovers watch out!

This article from a CBS news source says that southern california dairies are employing detectives and ex-cops to track down and bust milkcrate thieves. The article has some other interesting tid bits, some of which I think are way off. For example they claim that the dairy industry loses 20 million crates a year. That seems way too low! That means only 1 in 15 americans has a new crate each year. It’s gotta be more like 1 in 5, maybe 1 in 8. Anyway, there’s some funny stuff in there. The major thieves are not college kids as you would expect – the real enemy is people stealing crates to sell them in bulk, by weight, to underground recycling for money. The raw plastic that milkcrates are made of is now worth 22 cents a pound, up from 7 cents a pound in 2005. I’m not a fan of destroying milkcrates, so I denounce this kind of activity. Long live the crates – don’t get caught loving them, in so-cal at least.

Metal people in crates

Chi-town loves the street performers. This metal man style guy has a helper (ok, a mannequin) who is also painted in metal. Anyway, silly story about the whole scene – and of course, a milkcrate is involved. See full story here.

Man living milkcrate lifestyle in underground bunker

In northern Buffalo a man named Clarence is living the milkcrate lifestyle underground. He’s built a bunker and has outfitted in to suit his needs. He is “homeless” but I think he’s doing things his way. Read the full story here.

Crateman Returns!!!

Outside of Melbourne the crateman is back and better than ever. 150+ crates strong. Click the image to see more views.

Crate basketball

Good ole real life in the streets of Philadelphia. Photo by Don Kahler.

It’s not all good in Australia

Woman charged with beating girl with crate
A WOMAN has been charged after a five-year-old girl was woken in the middle of the night and beaten with a milk crate at a community north of Katherine.

The incident happened early on Tueasday morning at the Kalan Community when an argument broke out between a woman and her husband, police said.

The woman became enraged and allegedly picked up a milk crate before grabbing the sleeping child by her hair and dragging her across the floor.

She then allegedly beat the child with the crate on the back and face before taking her outside and shaking her, police said.

read the full story 

Crate-tech

Australia continues to be on the bleeding edge of milkcrate lifestyle. The Design Computing and Architecture disciplines at the University of Sydney (wow that’s a big name) just sent over this project – “petro cow project” – that they are undertaking. A merging of sociology, architecture, and milkcrates – what could be sweeter.

More art goodness

I’ve posted some links to Reid’s work before, but now he’s got some stuff on the info super hi-way and you should check it out. http://www.alloverthewhere.org

Astoria dreamscape

This image came my way many moons ago and actually ended up in the digest. I recently found the man who took the photo and his photo blog. Mike from satanslaundromat.com has allowed us to spread the milkcrate love.

Reinvention

Come Up To My Room: The Gladstone Hotel’s Annual Alt. Design Event, read more about this show here.
www.gladstonehotel.com.