Learn to fix stuff at your own kitchen table

Well, this is genius: The city has taken its quarterly Fix-It Clinic online. Usually these clinics are held in person, of course, giving residents a chance to learn some basic handyperson skills from volunteer coaches and keep perfectly good stuff out of the landfill at the same time. May’s scheduled clinic will be virtual, in keeping with social distancing guidelines. The way it works is, first you fill out this questionnaire describing your broken item by Wednesday, April 29. Then program staff will email you some general suggestions, telling you the kinds of tools you’ll need to have handy. Then you reserve a time slot with a volunteer fix-it coach during the Fix-It Clinic on Saturday, May 16, and get personal coaching via video chat. Items that are suitable for the clinic include small appliances, electronics, toys, clothing and jewelry – i.e., no automobiles or drip irrigation systems. While everyone does their best, keep in mind that a positive outcome is not assured. Clinic coaches “cannot guarantee your item will be repaired, and by agreeing to participate, you take liability for deciding to disassemble and repair your item.”