You Can Fix-It Fair

Learn To Be Your Own “Handy-Woman” For FREE! – Tim Dustrude photo

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor (SIFRI) offers a free fair that empowers women to make simple repairs and home improvements. Open to the public, the You Can Fix It Fair is Saturday, February 28, 9 a.m. – noon, at Friday Harbor Thrift House, 667 Mullis Street, Friday Harbor.  Admission is free.  Walk-ins welcome, but reservations appreciated for planning purposes, and include entry in the door prize drawing. To register, email [email protected] or call  360.298.7463.

Participants will learn from seasoned pros and remodeling veterans in hands-on demonstrations, and may visit all or select learning tables of interest.

The fair covers a variety of handy skills including:

• Oh Those Walls: Terry Ogle shows how to patch holes in drywall, tape and mud, and paint like a pro
• Bathroom Blues: Scott Van Buskirk teaches how to fix that leaky, running toilet; unclog a drain; cut and set tile; caulk
• Zap Electricity: Donny Galt teaches all about breakers and electrical panels; how to change a light switch or fixture and safely splice wire; how to test a water heater element, an outlet for grounding, and GFI resets; how to remove a broken light bulb from a socket
• Handy Woman’s Tool Box: Doug Duffy explains which tools are most handy to have on hand; how proper tools can make the job easier; how to safely use power tools
• Tips on when it’s time to call in a pro, and what questions to ask
• Things to gather before going to the hardware store

“Each year we offer a free seminar on useful life skills for women but this year we wanted to do something a little different,” explains Chairperson Stephanie Prima. “There are so many single and head of household women on the island, we thought it would be helpful for them to learn how to make simple fixes around the house, not only to save a little money, but to also to give them confidence and a sense of empowerment.”

The You Can Fix It Fair is generously supported by Friday Harbor Thrift House, Ace Hardware, Terry Ogle Painting, Inc., Community Treasures, Flagship Rentals, and instructors Scott Van Buskirk, Doug Duffy, Donny Galt, and Terry Ogle.

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor’s mission is to improve the lives of women and girls, locally and around the globe. Current annual disbursements are close to $45,000 and include ferry tickets for cancer patients and their caretakers traveling to the mainland for treatment; small emergency grants to women in need; regular support and volunteers for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands and Family Resource Center of San Juan Island; matching WIC payments at the Friday Harbor Farmers Market; Thanksgiving meals prepared and delivered to homebound islanders; annual awards and scholarships for local women; the Great Island Give Away; involvement in a variety of community events and more.

For additional information on the You Can Fix It Fair, contact [email protected] or 360.298.7463; additional information may be found at www.sifri.org.

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