Repair Cafe, Palo Alto, Take Five

We (along with the Museum of American Heritage) sponsor this super cool event that happens once a quarter in Palo Alto, called Repair Cafe, where thirty-plus volunteers spend their Sunday helping fix things - most any manner of things, for anyone who shows up with something broken. We see a lot of small electrical appliances: microwaves, fans, lamps. We see lawnmowers and chain saws, bicycles and family heirloom pieces. We have jewelry repair, electrical and woodworking volunteers. It's a really fun time, especially if you're a tinkerer or the owner of something broken. Come on by and see for yourself!

ACE Supports Community Project

I showed up in the afternoon on Saturday and this incredible group of Girl Scouts, with some help from their family and friends, had made so much progress already. They are pictured here working on their Silver Award, which entails 50 hours of community service on a single project, as well as an incredible amount of planning and documenting the project, both before and after. These girls absolutely deserve an award for one of these projects.



The work took place outside as well, in an area the shelter had just included in their land and that was in much need of love and attention.


This area is the Silver Award project from 2012 and is still looking great! The paint we donated is holding up and looking fresh and new. Hassett ACE Hardware (and me, personally) feel so good about donating supplies to these young women. Seeing a space that needed attention cared for, and making a transitional living experience just a little brighter, is such a beautiful thing to participate in.

And below is the finished product. The place looked like professionals had been there all weekend. One of the little boys who lives at the shelter even came out towards the end of the day and planted some seeds in his new garden. How wonderful.

- Jocelyn Lovelle

Retro Edison Bulbs

"[Edison light bulbs] are a designer bulb that will wow your friends at cocktail
parties and make a unique addition to any light fixture." -Sarah C.

So we saw these super cool retro bulbs at the ACE show a couple of weeks ago, in Orlando, FL. I know, you're thinking ACE in Orlando? Something to do with the Crocodiles (of which, much to Brianna's dismay, we spotted exactly zero). To my delight, however, I got about a foot away from a great blue heron. Highlight of my trip. Except for the Edison light bulbs, of course.

-Jocelyn Lovelle

Cruise for a Cause Gives Back in Willow Glen

Cause and Effect

On September 8, 2013, the Sixth Annual Cruise for a Cause took place near the La Villa Deli in downtown Willow Glen.  The cause was to raise money and collect non-perishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank.  The effect was actually collecting the food and monetary donations so that less fortunate folks could have something to eat, and, as a result, allow participants to bask in the simple pleasure of giving back.   Simple?  It should be.  Unfortunately, in today's world there seems to be less and less interest in helping your fellow (hu)man, then in days gone by.  But there are always opportunities for individuals and groups to change that, and theRompacoglioni Car Club Crew, and their Cruise for a Cause, stand as an example of just such an opportunity. 

As a member of the Hassett ACE Hardware F.A.C.E. (Facilitating Awesome Community Engagement) team, I had the pleasure of participating in being part of the effect for the cause.  Jeff Cimoli, chief organizer for the event, approached our store for support.  As a family-owned operation for over fifty years, Hassett Hardware was definitely in tune with community outreach.  So we offered a store gift card for their raffle and individual discount coupons for the participants and spectators.  Due to a scheduling conflict, the coupons meant to go in the participants gift bags needed to be personally distributed...by me.  And that was quite an experience.   Nearly all the recipients of the hand delivered coupons expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation that a local business would "go the extra mile" in working to make the event a success.  Their complimentary expression was returned by my thanking them for THEIR participation, for without them, there would be no event.  And so it is, cause and effect.  So the challenge is...what cause is out there waiting for YOUR participation?  Pick one and see what wonderful effects can transpire.  You will only be pleasantly surprised.

-Paul Vezinaw