A Course With All the Fixings

Chas Eisner is someone who makes living in the urban jungle just a little bit easier.

For the past three years, Eisner has conducted the “No Husband-Brother-Needed Women’s Home Repair Workshop,” a course that helps nail down a few survival skills for everyday repairs.

The four-week course in West Los Angeles focuses on much more than the nuts and bolts of home repair. It covers everything from fixing doors and windows to the basics of plumbing and electricity to how to use tools.

Although men occasionally take the class, the majority of Eisner’s students are women. He believes that most women are tired of going through life without knowing how to fix things.

“The key thing is to take the intimidation out and encourage a sense of empowerment,” said Eisner, a 42-year-old professional handyman as well as a teacher.

At the beginning of the workshop, Eisner makes a point to identify essential tools since most of his students don’t usually own hammers, pliers and screwdrivers or are unfamiliar with their uses. He starts by discussing what he calls the “kitchen junk drawer,” which often contains unused around the house.

Then, it’s on to the simple, confidence-boosting projects.

Students learn how to hang a picture, stop a leaky faucet, unclog a toilet and install dimmer switches. Eisner also provides handouts and a goody bag of hardware--nuts, bolts and the rest--in addition to discount information for local merchants.

Eisner admits the most difficult task is making topics such as weatherstripping and plumbing seem interesting. So he injects a lot of fun and humor into his classes. Here’s his advice on hanging a picture:

“Got a picture above your bed? Take it down,” he said. “In an earthquake, it acts like a guillotine.”

The son of a mechanical engineer, Eisner became interested in the art of repair as a child growing up in Chicago.

“Any time I got a toy, I took it apart and put it back together,” said Eisner, who has made a career out of helping and showing others. “If you can show someone how to do something, they are thrilled.”

The next “No Husband-Brother-Needed Women’s Home Repair Workshop” begins at 7:15 p.m. March 2 and continues through March 23. The location is Suite 215A 12304 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles. Cost is $100. Reservations required. Information: (310) 275-2467.