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Local business, local government and local filmmakers teamed up to discuss how repair shops are making a difference in the effort to reduce waste being sent to burgeoning landfills.

On the evening of May 2, 1999, the City of Menlo Park co-hosted the premiere of FIX-IT SHOPS: An Endangered Species, a documentary short film about Menlo Park's beloved Vacuum and Fix-it Shop, a community business on El Camino near Oak Grove that has been repairing small appliances for more than 35 years. The screening and a panel discussion took place in the Menlo Park City Council Chambers. Admission was free and a reception followed.

The evening focused on how we, as a community, collaborate on the issues
of recycling and reuse. Panelists and audience members explored how individuals and local groups, working together, can address issues of global importance, and have an impact locally. Fix-it shops make it possible for citizens to bring toasters
and hair dryers and lamps and electric razors, etc. to be fixed and reused, rather than thrown into the landfill. Menlo Park's local Fix-it Shop is an example of what could be happening in more ways across the planet.

Producers Gayle Michel and Kristin Atwell were joined by members of the community who discussed why repair and reuse of products are important ways
to conserve resources and how each person can contribute to the health of the planet.

Among the speakers were:

• STEVE SCHMIDT  Council member and former Mayor - Menlo Park
• JULIE WEISS  Residential Recycling Coordinator - City of Palo Alto
• ANN SCHNEIDER  Recycling and Reuse Specialist - UC Santa Cruz
• JERRY HEARN - Environmental activist, elementary teacher in Menlo Park 

Dorothy Fadiman introduced the panel and film. Her other work includes
WHY DO THESE KIDS LOVE SCHOOL? featuring Peninsula School
in Menlo Park, broadcast nationally on PBS (produced with KTEH-TV San Jose).