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Saturday, January 12, 2013 – Daily News 7A Glory Days maturity &lifestyles Fix it yourself: Clinics defying throwaway economy By Kim Ode Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (MCT) MINNEAPOLIS — The table lamp, with its fizzling lightbulbs, was built like a tank and was about as attractive. Its base was so heavy that not even the cats could knock it over — and therein lay its beauty. Reason enough for Molly Ross of Edina, Minn., to set it before a group of people who know how to fix fizzling lamps and recalcitrant toasters and unpredictable boomboxes. They're the volunteers for a Fix-It Clinic, an effort begun last year by Hennepin County, Minn. Clinics have a threepronged approach: One, a repaired gadget is one less gadget tossed in the trash. Two, you can learn to do your own troubleshooting and repair work. Three, you get to meet some really smart and generous people, and that's not a wasted Saturday, even if your toaster never works again. The effort is itself part of an international movement that began about four years ago in the Netherlands. A similar group called the Fixers Collective started in the New York borough of Brooklyn. Here's how they work: Bring in small appliances, electronics, mobile devices, even clothing that needs mending. Volunteers guide you through the repair process, helping you figure out where the problem may lie and the possible solutions. "I already do this all the time," said Jimmy Lynch, a volunteer who also is a member of Twin Cities Maker, a community group that, in a nutshell, makes stuff and shares skills. "I like the idea of self-reliance," he said, adding that his dad taught him most of what he knows. "Every weekend, we'd be dumpster-diving or going to garage sales to find stuff to fix." Lynch nabbed the challenge of Ross' fizzling lamp, whose two bulbs wouldn't stay lit at once. Lynch and Paul Dingels removed the base, but the problem wasn't there. Then, to the sockets, which stymied them at first. Finally, they reached the innards. "Looks like someone did a good job of splicing at one time," Dingels said. They tested the charge with a meter, then rewound the wiring, resembling surgeons bent over a patient. Dingels placed a probe on one socket, unexpectedly sending a small arcs of sparks across the table. "Science!" Lynch declared, before he and Dingels agreed to better communicate when the lamp was plugged in. Within a few minutes, they'd achieved success. Around the room, other resuscitation projects were underway. Anita Urvina-Davis gave Kelly Wilder a lesson in mending a rip in a pair of sturdy Carhartt jeans. It's a skill she'd learned years ago when her father brought home an old sewing machine from the Salvation Army — evidence that parents modeling good behavior actually works. Not everything proved salvageable. A toaster with a disobedient lever was eventually decreed, well, toast. The same fate loomed for a boombox that Daniel Runion of Minneapolis brought, complaining that its volume would inexplicably fade. Tyler Cooper set about removing 17 screws, which led to the first rule of home repair: Keep track of the tiny stuff. Cooper figured the problem was in the switch, but doubted that a replacement was available, given the boombox's age. (Once, when the volume came up, the room filled with the Doobie Brothers' "China Grove." "Does that only play tunes from the '70s?" someone cracked. Runion just nodded.) Cooper considered soldering the switch in place, but kept worrying over the contacts board until finally surmising that the sound vibrations eventually were causing the switch to shift. At this point, it was clear that some repair tips are beyond the realm of being casually passed from expert to owner. Cooper made a fine-tuned fix, then set about complexity of reassembly. "You are the man!" Runion told him, later explaining that while he knows he's gotten fair use from his boombox, "I hate to throw away anything that still has a function. My kids think I'm a pack rat, but really, I just hate consumerism." Let's get lean in 2013 We are your Resolution Solution! Start your new single, couple, or family membership We are passionate about weight loss and fitness! Let us to help you reach your goals! for only 20.13 $ Special for new EFT memberships only Must make 3 month commitment Standard monthly rates apply after initial sign up month Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St, Red Bluff • 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com Resolve to make new friends in 2013 By Kim Hone-Mcmahan Akron Beacon Journal (MCT) AKRON, Ohio — It was the first day of school. You slid into a molded plastic chair in Mrs. Miller's classroom and tried not to vomit. Another little guy, his eyes fraught with fear, walked down the aisle toward you. "Will you be my best friend?" you asked, leaning toward him. "Sure," he answered, taking the empty seat beside you. It was the start of a fellowship that would last right up to the day you both fell in love with the same little redheaded girl. As we age, it can become more difficult to make friends. We are less inhibited when we are young, so reaching out to a potential friend isn't so scary. But life changes such as puberty, graduation, moving, marriage, childbirth, divorce or a loved one's death can adversely alter friendships. But there are things you might be able to do to change that. So instead of a New Year's resolution to lose weight or do more traveling this year, consider a declaration to make more friends — or renew old friendships. "Being a friend takes action," explained counselor Jill Jividen with Counseling for Wellness in Kent, Ohio. "It's like a job. You have to work at it. It doesn't just happen." Ruby Winter, who lives in the Portage Lakes, Ohio, area, works at keeping and making friends. During Winter's weekly gathering with 16 or so pals at Dusty's Landing on Turkeyfoot Lake, nearly everyone who comes through the door waves to the retired Barberton schoolteacher. Returning the greeting, she flashes them a grin and sometimes a wink. "My mom never knew a stranger. I guess I'm a lot like her," Winter said. "She always said, 'You can never have too many friends.'" Jividen noted that an action begets the same reaction. So expressing kind- MCT photo Sharon Rospo, left, Ruby Winter and Joyce Berkenstock, all of the Portage Lakes, Ohio, celebrate their November and December birthdays during a lunch in North Canton, Ohio. ness, for example, will gen- director for Gaslite. "She is something." It's nearly the perfect example of what impossible to think straight erally bring kindness. A few miles south of happiness looks like in the in grief, so being told what to do is just an added burWinter, at Gaslite Villa elderly." GET THROUGH den. Instead, as Paul menHealth Care's nursing home tions in her book, tell her center in Canal Fulton, lives TOUGH TIMES Friendship also has specifically what you plan Velna Boyer. It could be remarkably sad to be sur- health benefits — particu- to do for her — take care of the kids, bring over dinner rounded each hour by folks larly for men. Marla Paul writes in her or mow the lawn. who have forgotten their FEEDING A RELAnames. But the former book "The Friendship CriSpringfield Township resi- sis" that men who become TIONSHIP Winter's parents had 14 dent does more than just widowed have an increased make the best of the situa- risk of dying. But the same children and, to this day, isn't true of women. The she doesn't like being tion. "Every morning the greatest effect on a woman's alone. That's one of the reaLord tells me I should be mortality is seen in the num- sons she's so involved in joyful and that's what I try ber of contacts she has with volunteering and social groups. A great way, she to be," said Boyer, who's as close friends and relatives. Nothing will alter a per- acknowledged, to meet new sharp as someone half her age. She's quick to flash a son's address book like the folks. "I just like to be sursmile and, on occasion, death of a spouse or child. While the bereaved may rounded by people. The teases visitors. When a 64-year-old feel snubbed when a friend more, the merrier," she said, Akron Beacon Journal pho- doesn't keep in contact adding that she grew up in a tographer told her he was afterward, it's likely the pal small home where three or getting married to an simply feels uncomfortable. four children sometimes "They don't want to see shared the same bed. "older" woman, the 98But it's not always easy year-old pointed her finger you in pain because it brings at him and countered, "Hey, up their own pain," Jividen to make time for buddies. Paul writes that it's "hard to why didn't you look me said. To draw them back, Jivi- make new friends in our up?" Though they've never den suggested being honest. culture of busyness. And as met, both Winter, who Tell your friend that you we frantically juggle a congasped at the thought of giv- worry that he or she will be stellation of demands many of us are unwilling, or ing her age, and Boyer have uncomfortable if you cry. "I want you to know that unable, to fold a new pal very similar personalities. It's second nature for them it's OK if I cry, and you into our lives." Friendship takes effort. to compliment others. It don't have to do anything," might be as simple as com- Jividen said to tell the Even charismatic Winter menting on a person's cloth- friend. "I'm really the same says she has to work at it. If person and … need you she hasn't heard from a pal ing or a new hairdo. in a while, she calls. Lack "Velna always has a pos- now." If you want to help a of communication can itive comment and never says anything negative," grieving friend, resist telling make a friendship wane in a said Teresa Lins, activity her to "call if she needs hurry.