Larry Hassett Plays Stump the Hardware Guy

Larry Hassett is a long-time member of the Kiwanis, and agreed to play a round of Stump the Hardware Guy at their weekly lunch meeting in Palo Alto last Thursday. With a good half-century-plus of running a hardware store, the Kiwanis folks figured their chances were slim, but they would try to hand him a tool he couldn't name. They did, but it was a slightly mischievous move on the Kiwani's part - they brought in a tool used only for separating bicycle breaks during a replacement. All the other tools of antiquity and uniqueness were easily identifiable for Larry, and lest we think Hassett Hardware doesn't know it's random bike tools, had his son, Eric, been there, he would have been able to tell you what that tool was in a hot second.

14 Ways to Save Water and Money

INDOOR TIPS

1. Shorten your shower by just 5 min and you'll save 15 gal. - every time. 
2. Install faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads and save 16 gal. a day. 
3. Wait for full loads to wash clothes and dishes and save 20 gal. per load. 
4. Fix leaks and save more than 15 gal. a day, per leak. 
5.  Install high-efficiency toilets and save 25 gal. a day. 
6. Install a high-efficiency washing machine and save 20 gal. per load. 
7. Turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth and save 2 gal. a min. 
8. Install water-efficient appliances to save water and you might qualify for rebates. 

OUTDOOR TIPS

1. Water your lawn before 5 AM instead of midday and save 20 gal.
2. Water your lawn only when needed, generally once every three days during the summer.
3. Reducing your watering time by just one min and save 20 gal. 
4. Landscape with water-wise plants and save 20 gal. a day. 
5. Clean sidewalks with a broom not a hose and save 15 gal. 
6. Install drip irrigation for trees, shrubs and plants to save 20 gal. a day.