The right to repair is an act of defiance of market captivity. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have made almost every device irreparable by third parties or too expensive to fix. Independent technicians and do-it-yourselfers aren’t the only losers in the status quo — the environment suffers, too. Will this movement turn the tide? What Is Right to Repair? The right-to-repair campaign is the clamor for more freedom to fix broken items. It arises from the increasing irreparability of electronic equipment and machinery. The movement’s proponents aim to counter most manufacturers’ policies of promoting product replacement through various means, including ending software support, restricting parts swaps, gatekeeping acceptable spare components and keeping…
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Platt Auto to Open Electric Car Service Facility
Platt Auto Group, specializing in the sale of used electric vehicles (EVs) at 18720 SE McLoughlin Blvd, will be opening a service facility for all makes and models of EVs, including hybrids, this fall. The new 5,000 square foot facility is at 17325 SE McLoughlin Blvd Suite B. It will be equipped with the same service equipment as used at any of the factory authorized dealerships. In addition, their technicians will have the same training and certifications as those found at the new car dealerships. This new facility will enable Platt Auto to offer quality service not just for their customers but also for any EV owner looking for service…
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Fix it Forward
When we first moved into our home 40 years ago, the front door lock didn’t work quite right. One day I decided to fix it. Ha! I learned that it just wasn’t that simple. In order to fix it, I needed to understand how it worked. If you want to fix something, it is wise to take the time to find out how it works, how all the pieces fit together. It has become evident that many, many things are out of balance and fundamentally needs fixing: the economy, health care, the food system, partisan politics, climate change and environment, social and racial inequities, and education. This long list can…
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Garden Home Sustainability & Repair Fair
Friday, October 4, 2019 5:00 pm 7:30 pm Garden Home Recreation Center Gymnasium 7475 SW Oleson Rd, Portland Embrace Green Living Learn about sustainable topics from gardening to recycling to water conservation & much more all from local experts. Repair Fair is Back Repair your hopusehold items and small appliances. Limit two items per person. Free Admission – All Ages Welcome For more info: Heather Waisanen, 503-245-9932, heatherw@co.wccls.org
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Repair Cafes
Repair Cafes are free community events where participants can bring broken or damaged common household items and have them fixed for free by skilled volunteers! Volunteers fix bicycles, small appliances, small electronics, jewelry, sharpen tools/knives, and do sewing repairs. Portland Area Repair Cafes Sat, September 21, 10am – 1pm Robinwood Station Community Center 3706 Cedar Oak Dr, West Linn, OR Fri, October 4, 5:00pm – 7:30pm Garden Home Recreation Center 7475 SW Oleson Rd, Portland, OR Sat, October 28, 10am – 12:30pm Multnomah County Library – Gresham 385 NW Miller Ave, Gresham, OR Vancouver Area Repair Cafes Sat. September 14, 12pm- 2pm Clark County Habitat for Humanity Store 10811 SE 2nd St,…
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Earth-friendly products and services are available in East Portland!
Earth-friendly products and services are available in East Portland! Here is how to find them. Happy Eco-shopping.
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Repair Clark County
Tues. Jan. 15th 5-7 pm / Tues. Feb. 12th 6-9 pm / Tues. March 27th 5-7 pm Free community events where skilled volunteer 'fixers' lend their skills to participants who bring in their broken items for repair.
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Portland Fix it Fairs
January 26 and February 23 from 9:30 am - 2:30pm. The Fix-It Fair is a FREE City of Portland event where you can learn simple ways to save money and connect with resources. Join your neighbors and talk to the experts about how to spend less and stay healthy.
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Greener Apparel from the Bottom Up
Years ago, I slipped and fell in the Sierras on a backpacking trip because my beloved and comfortable hiking boots had traveled so many hundreds of miles on my feet that they had nearly slick soles. I condemned those boots to the landfill — oops! Turns out that I’m not Goody Two Shoes after all, since it takes more than 50 years for leather shoes to break down in a landfill. Apparently, they will still be there for some time after I’m gone. Older and wiser now, I bought a quality pair of hiking boots to replace them. But with wisdom and age, also comes wider feet. Every time I…
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Simple Fixes for 6 Common HVAC Problems
Top Hint – Clean and replace the air filters regularly. Dirty, clogged or damaged air filters reduce air flow, which makes your HVAC system work harder. They can also allow dirt to enter your system, causing further damage.