Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/813078
I know it's time. It's been time for at least two years, possibly lon- ger. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, be- fore you send the Health De- partment to my address, let me ex- plain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and organize my kitchen pantry, cup- boards and drawers. If you walked into my kitchen, you'd see a tidy and sanitary place. But don't walk into the pan- try or open a cupboard too hastily. Something might hit you on the head. At this moment, a bottle of Advil has been tossed on top of cereal boxes, which are resting on pudding boxes that expired long ago. Cynthia Ewer, editor of the Organized Home blog, says the first thing I need to do is harden my heart. An efficient, convenient kitchen, she says, must be pared to the bone. I must dare to dump anything and ev- erything that is not ab- solutely necessary and useful. Clearthedecks Ewer instructs me to prepare four boxes with these labels: Put Away (Kitchen), Put Away (Elsewhere), Give Away (or Sell) and Storage. I am to tackle one shelf, drawer or cupboard at a time, putting each item into its proper box. Kitchen keepers Once everything has found its box, move three of the boxes out of the kitchen. Now comes de- cision time. Ewer is ruth- less in suggesting I need to just get rid of the elec- tric french fry fryer, the strange gelatin mold in the shape of Mount Rush- more and the odd collec- tion of sports bottles I've amassed from all those walk-a-thons. Ditto for pans I don't use, dishes I don't like and specialty cooking tools that I never use because they're too much trouble to clean. No more stalling I'm going to follow the Organized Home kitchen decluttering plan, start- ing at the top: the top shelves, which Ewer says resemble an un- known landscape on the back side of the moon. (I keep wondering when she's been sneaking into my kitchen because she seems to know this place quite well.) Here's the rule: If I've used it in the last month, it's a candidate to stay. If I used it yesterday, it will be the backbone of my newly organized kitchen. I am committed; I am determined I will box and banish. I will not stop until every shelf, every cupboard, ev- ery nook and cranny of my kitchen is cleared, cleaned and organized. I don't think I'm alone in this need for kitchen or- ganization, so I'm extend- ing an invitation to you to join me. Let's call it the EC Spring Clean Kitchen Chal- lenge. All who dare are in- vited to join me in this marathon event. I could use the company. Somehow, knowing others are partic- ipating in the same drudg- ery will keep me on track and moving forward. The only requirement to join is a willingness to get your kitchen organized and send a comment telling me how you are going to get started. Stay tuned because next week I'm going to help you get motivated to declutter books, CDs, DVDs and elec- tronics — and quite possi- bly get paid to do it. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EverydayCheapskate Letthedeclutteringbegin The Sacramento River Discovery Center is on the waytobeingreadyforspring by learning about what can and cannot be recycled or put into the landfill. Paul Freund, the landfill educator, shared some sim- ple ideas to extend the life of the landfill. Takethecapsorlidsofoff all food and beverage con- tainers and rinse them out before taking them to recy- cling for cash; putting them into your blue recycling bin or putting them into the garbage container. The landfill has a list of those plastics that can and cannot be recycled. The big- gest offender is the Styro- foam food container in the clam shell shape. This ma- terial type must be put into the garbage, if you cannot find another use. The center looking for suggestions from the public of a way to extend the clam shell's life beyond a way to get the takeout home from the restaurant. Do you have a favorite use? Let the cen- ter know and you may re- ceivea4or 6packofvegeta- ble seedlings of your choice as a thank you. The center thanks all the people who provided support the last two Sat- urdays. Organizers placed more plants into customer hands than ever before and the season is not over. The generous donation of Cali- fornia native plants from Floral Native Nursery of Chico helped the center in- crease the number of spe- cies offered and new plants in the future. Speaking of plants and veggie seedlings, they are growing more slowly than hoped. If the rains cease, they will be ready for plant- ing in your yard in a cou- ple of weeks. At the current rate of growth the veggies should be ready just be- fore or after Mother's Day. Watch for the last plant sale around that time. Native plants are ready for purchase any day the center is open. April hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.TuesdaythroughSatur- day. May 1 the hours extend to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or you can call 527-1196 for an ap- pointment. The wildflowers are beautiful at the Red Bluff Recreation Area and the variety of colors and plants that do well in sun or shade, with watering or no water, is just amazing. The cooler temperatures are extending blooming times. The colors, birds, bees and butterflies that are regular visitors to the2acregardenmakefora great time for photographs. The center is at 1000 Sale Lane in the Mendocino National Forest Red Bluff Recreation Area. It can be reached at 527-1196 or visit www.sacramentoriverdis- coverycenter.com for more information. DISCOVERY CENTER CONTRIBUTED Pictured is the garden at the Sacramento River Discovery Center. Ge tt in g re ad y fo r spring the right way Nancy Berryhill, acting commissioner of Social Se- curity, invites everyone to celebrate the first National Social Security Month in April by taking five steps toward financial security at www.socialsecurity. gov/5-steps-toward-your- financial-security. During the month, So- cial Security will provide educational articles and video messages on its web- site featuring personal fi- nance expert Suze Orman. Each message will pro- vide the public with prac- tical tips for developing a sound financial plan that includes Social Security as a foundation. "With retirement, dis- ability, and survivors ben- efits, Social Security helps secure today and tomor- row for millions of peo- ple throughout life's jour- ney," Berryhill said. "By hosting National Social Security Month, we hope to help the public under- stand their Social Secu- rity protections and pro- mote financial education." The campaign will em- phasize the agency's five key steps toward finan- cial security: Get to know your Social Security; Ver- ify your lifetime earn- ings with a my Social Se- curity account; Estimate your future Social Secu- rity benefits at my Social Security; Apply online for retirement, disabil- ity, or Medicare bene- fits and Manage your So- cial Security benefits. On average, Social Secu- rity replaces about 40 per- cent of pre-retirement earnings. To enjoy a com- fortable retirement, most people will need income from other sources — like pensions, savings and in- vestments. Yet nearly a third of America's workers have no money set aside specifically for retirement. SOCIAL SECURITY Five steps toward financial security Mary Hunt I will box and banish. I will not stop until every shelf, every cupboard, every nook and cranny of my kitchen is cleared, cleaned and organized. The wildflowers are beautiful at the Red Bluff Recreation Area and the variety of colors and plants that do well in sun or shade, with watering or no water, is just amazing. "With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security helps secure today and tomorrow for millions of people throughout life's journey." — Nancy Berryhill, Commissioner of Social Security April17 th -21 st TH 96 2017 SunriseRotaryPresents Roving Jail The Sheriff and her Deputy's will be out in full force arresting any offenders who dare not dress in western attire during Round-up week April17-21 ProceedsBenefit:CHPExplorers,TehamaCounty Library and Corning Chamber of Commerce Youcanhavesomebodyarrestedorbuya GET OF OF JAIL FREE CARD by calling Marshal Jessie James Woods 528-8000 AssistedLiving Alzheimer's & Dementia Care 705 Luther Rd, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530)529-2900 wwwbrookdale.com EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY 25yearsprofessional experience. 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