If you can repair it, there’s no need to replace it.

Neighbors in the Oak Park area of Sacramento are fully aware of this simple truth. Once a month, they host the Oak Park Fix-It Cafe, described on its Facebook page as “a community-powered gathering for repairing and maintaining bicycles, clothing, household items, and the ties that bind us into a healthy community.” At various stations, they work with visitors to stitch buttons back onto sweaters, sew up holes, tune up bicycles, and troubleshoot appliances. And, since it’s a grassroots thing, they also chat about goings-on in the neighborhood and throw back some bagels and cream cheese.

The group meets once a month, on the third Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, search for “Oak Park Fix-It Cafe” on Facebook.

The bike repair station is a busy one at the fix-it clinic.

Thinking of starting a fix-it café in your own community? Here’s a great resource to get started!