Do It! & Roll It! |
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"Do It!" Is a feature article where we can share the things we have made or modified to make life easier and how it was done so others can take advantage of your knowledge. Articles for "Do It!" should be step by step clearly worded and preferably with pictures to illustrate. I look forward to learning and sharing with you.
The first installment of the Pipe Insulation series is here! (link below) The Pokey Stick 2000!
The original of this tool was sent to me by a dear friend. (Thanks Beckie in Washington!) I have since replaced the dowel and made another. Technically, it was meant to help you put clothes on... mainly pants. I use it to open and close cupboards, hook out cups and things with handles, reach down clothes on hangers in the closet. *Note: heavy coats will put a strain on the dowel. Last but not least, snagging things that are just a bit out of reach. Materials Needed: 1-half inch dowel 2-half inch plastic end caps 1-vinyl coated coat hook 1-vinyl coated cup hook Tools: pliers, saw, drill, bench vise, measuring tape, soft rag, sandpaper (medium to fine grit) Instructions: Clamp the coat hook, using the pliers, bend the long part about one and a half inches from the tip into a rough hook shape (Check the picture at the end of this article). Remove from clamp and set aside. Measure about 24 inches on the dowel. Using the soft rag, wrap the part of the dowel that will come in contact with the vise and clamp it down good. Cut the excess dowel off. *Note: do not use a hand held power saw. Leaving the dowel in the clamp, slide the end caps onto both ends. If you have trouble here get some sandpaper and clean up any rough ends. Drill pilot holes into the center of each end, shallow for the cup hook end and a bit deeper for the coat hook end. Screw both hooks into their respective ends, using the pliers when it gets too hard to turn by hand. Remove your new pokey stick from the vise and check the dowel for any snaggedy or rough spots and sand accordingly. You're finished! Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate!
 Finished Pokey Stick 2000!
**Challenge! Find a better way to carry this stick. I tried drilling a hole and running a leather thong through but it got in the way when I hung it on my chair handles and the hole creates a weak spot in the dowel.** Think you have a solution? Try it out, then let us know how it went! Volunteers! Here is an easy way to help others! Make up a bunch and give them out! What a wonderful gift! |
"Roll It!" Articles will chronicle places we've been. It is my intention to build a resorce / visitor's / shopping guide to Northern California for the physically impaired. We will be able to check before going on an excursion to see what if anything we will be able to participate in and business owners can check to see how we view their accessibility. Every where you go... Take pictures and notes! Please refrain from people bashing. This is only about accessibility and how much fun we can have. New Article!  The Sacremento ZooBy Sharon Jacobson My last outing was the Sacremento Zoo and oh boy I had a blast!. Located at 3930 West Land Park Drive, right across the street from Fairytail Land. The zoo is approximately a 2+ hour drive from Sonora depending on the maniac that is driving. Parking is free but leaves a lot to be desired, mainly distance so if you're using a manual chair or using walking aides, either have someone drop you out front or bring a chair shover or you'll be exhausted before you ever get to explore. The zoo opens at 9:00 a.m. and is better on weekdays after schools start but beware of wandering herds of fieldtrippers. I was pleased to find out that a physically impaired person and one adult "helper" are admitted at half of the entrance fee. There are also free wheelchairs to borrow at the zoofari market, which is to your right as you enter the main gate. I did not run into any accessibility irritations although there are some hilly areas where you will get a bit tired and the playground that is flat but is also layered in wood chips and can make the going a bit difficult if you dont have sufficient tread on your tires. I highly recommend going to feed the giraffes! It costs $3.00 (in cash) to buy the food and get into the feeding enclosure. It is quite a workout to get up the ramps to the platform. You are face to tongue with them and I loved every second of it! Be aware they have very sticky spit and they are fed at 11:45 and 2:00, be there at least 10 min. before so you can be up front. They are in the process of replacing old fencing with huge plexiglass windows which makes viewing and photographing much better. I can't wait till all the habitats are like that! My only gripe is that they don't have any elephants and bears. So there is no excuse, grab your friends and family, pack a picnic lunch and go on a zoo adventure! Sacremento Zoo website is:
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