Mimi Fritzgerad shows off her newly fixed Pants (Photo – Maelane Chan).
When I think of Repair Cafe, the classic line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail comes to mind: “Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!” In this case, the “dead” — being appliances, clothes, bikes, toys, and other broken objects — will be brought back to life by tinkers, tailors, and fix-it aficionados.
By Jennifer Kim
For the newbie, Repair Cafe, organized by Transition Pasadena, is a wonderful free, monthly, community event that brings together those with a need and those who can fill that need. It’s based on a sharing economy philosophy.
At the next Repair Café, attendees are welcome to bring their things that need repairs and then experience the joy of wearing their favorite shirt again, now patched up; or having a bicycle fixed for the next community ride; or even getting a Kindle repaired. Many tinkers and tailors will be on hand, ready to fix and mentor.
In addition to the Repair Café, there will be a Really, Really, Free Market, where everything really is free for the sharing. Other special things planned for the day might be a visit from a worm doctor, a seed and seedling swap, and live music.
Time Bankers will earn time dollars by helping either in setting up and/or cleaning up, or by sharing skills at the event. For more information, visit Transition Pasadena, and the Arroyo S.E.C.O of Time Banks to learn more about sharing economies, repair cafes, and how to get involved.
Repair Café 10/21/2017 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Location Green Light Victory Celebration
Jennifer Kim is a freelance writer and consultant based in Pasadena.
When and where will be the monthly Repair Cafe be held in February?
Hi Diane,
The next Repair Cafe will be around mid March (they’re skipping the month of February for regrouping). Keep checking here as we will announce the time and location once the information is finalized.
The next Repair Cafe, tomorrow, 10:00 to 1:00, will be at Pasadena Senior Center. This sentence in the article above is incorrect because it describes the previous Repair Cafe: The next Repair Café will be held on Sunday, October 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena. Don’t go to the wrong place by mistake!
You’re correct Lin. Thank you for catching it. We just corrected it. The next Repair Cafe is on Saturday, Jan 7, 2016 at the Pasadena Senior Center.