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A Repair Café is a meeting place where people work together, with the help of experienced repair people, to mend broken household items that they bring in.  The usual items are electrical appliances, furniture, clothing, toys, or just about anything that you can carry in by yourself.  There is no cost, but also no guarantee that your item can be fixed there.  You will be expected to participate in the repair or learn how to repair it on your own at home.  The emphasis is on community-building, keeping well-loved useful items out of the landfill, and learning how to make repairs on your own.

Intergalactic Fix-it Zoom!

This Sunday Oct 23 you’re invited to a very special combination online and in-person Repair Café / Intergalactic Zoom Fixit Clinic / Discord: Global Fixers “happening” from iFixit World HQ in USA-CA-San Luis Obispo. Meet and greet with fellow repairers from around the world as we convene virtually at iFixit to tour, fix, learn, hang out and have fun! Register at http://bit.ly/fixitcoachsignup to get the Zoom link.
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Vashon Fixers Do It Again!

On October 15, 2022, 17 volunteers gathered at the Vashon Eagles Club to receive over 120 registered items at our 15th Fix-It Café. Ninety-nine items weighing 905 pounds showed up and we were able to fix 59 items for a total of 400 pounds. A further 365 pounds was diverted from the landfill by fixers advising owners how to replace vacuum belts, buy special parts, or simply showing how to properly operate the item. (Wow, that’s 365 pounds of advice!) Due to the deluge of stuff we were not able to get to a half a dozen items, and fixers took several items home.

We welcomed three newcomers to our group of merry fixers (and always welcome more!) Drew brought a battery pack and worked on SIX Lego motors. Larry came and worked on his specialties, sewing machines and vacuums. Greg pitched in with lamps and worked with Roger on resuscitating a Toy Story Woody doll who spoke in Italian. In addition we had our usual crew of Kim and Terry on furniture, Mary Ellen and Susan as sewists, Dennis and Dan on electronics, and Will, Rob, Lou and Steve doing all sorts of things from fixing a vintage corn shucker to repairing 15 lamps! Brian took on 2 of the 3 espresso machines, and even fixed the one from Romania! Ellen joined Liz and Amy G and Amy M on the registration team and we kept every fixer busy all day.

As usual, Eagles supplied a sumptuous lunch and kindly let us invade their space. Some mysterious donor also dropped off a platter of pumpkin bread that was enjoyed by fixers and fixees alike. (BTW, Liz has the pan.)

We are looking forward to another Café next May. But stay tuned, the popular LAMP-O-RAMA may return, too!

That socket didn’t buy itself…

Your gift helps stock the Fix-it tool chest with the tools and supplies that help us help you. Consider a generous donation and help keep fixable items out of the trash!

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