A Newbie’s Look at Repair Café

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.