Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/247042
2B Daily News – Thursday, January 23, 2014 The most dreaded words: 'What's for dinner?' DEAR MARY: I have been reading your column and implementing your ideas for years, with varying degrees of success (my fault, not yours). The one thing I bless you for every day is eMeals. I just subscribed to eMeals— everydaycheapskate.com/emeals15 at the start of the school year. I am a teacher and have two kids in high school. After 22 years of marriage, grocery shopping had become a dreaded chore. I like cooking, but I hated the planning. My son is a picky eater, which made it even harder. My mom always used to write up a menu and make her grocery list from that, so I have always tried to do the same. I even used my local grocery store's weekly ad to plan my list. It was still something I dreaded. Using eMeals has completely liberated me. It sounds very dramatic, but I really feel like my chains are gone and I've been set free. I just go to the grocery store and buy what is on the list. I prepare the (easy) recipes. If my son doesn't like it, I say "Too bad! It isn't my fault -- blame eMeals." I never realized how much of my energy was spent dreading meal planning and grocery shopping. It was a negative mental and emotional vibe that was clouding my weekends. I used to go to the grocery store nearly every day to pick up something, which increased our spending dramatically. Now, I go to the store once a week. I always have what I need on hand. We have tried lots of new foods. My son is actually eating more and more of what I prepare. I have recommend- age (70) who didn't plan well and lives ed eMeals to a lot of people I on Social Security alone, is there know because it's like a ticket something in it that would be of a help out of jail. If we don't need 7 to me? Thanks. -- Georgette, email DEAR GEORGETTE: I cannot meals in a particular week, I promise a magic wand in just cross one or my new book. However, I two off the shopdo believe that it will give ping list. My husyou help and understanding band and daughter for how you can maximize want to compile a "best your resources and perhaps of" list, because some of even boost your income. I these recipes have been have to say that 70 is lookfantastic! ing a lot younger to me Thank you, from the every day. I just read somebottom of my heart. I love, where that 80 is the new 60, love, love this service. It is which I think would suggest 100 percent worth it! -that 70 is the new 50! See Coleen C., email Mary how young you are? I want DEAR COLLEEN: to encourage you in every Thanks for the great feedway I can to not only back. Sometimes readers improve your own situation, mistake my personal but to influence your daughexcitement for a product ters and granddaughters to or service as an audition to begin their own planning become a late-night now, no matter how young infomercial pitchman. I only recommend and endorse prod- or old they are. I wrote this book for ucts and services that I truly believe you and them as well. I pray that all in and use myself. I am so happy that of you will read it and take it to heart. you have found eMeals to be all that I Watch your mailbox because I'm believe it is, and perhaps even more. I sending you a copy, with my complidon't have the feedback from picky ments. teens! My husband and I have never Mary invites questions at gotten to the point of wanting to rate and review eMeals recipes, but now mary@everydaycheapskate.com, that I think about it, that's not such a or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. bad idea! In fact, I love it. I am so Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. proud of you for the progress you've This column will answer questions made with simplifying meal time in of general interest, but letters your home and freeing yourself from cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of the tyranny of "What's for dinner?!" a DEAR MARY: Your new book www.DebtProofLiving.com, "The Smart Woman's Guide to Saving personal finance member website for Retirement," (everydaycheap- and the author of "The Smart skate.com/books) sounds so interest- Woman's Guide to Planning for ing. My question is: For someone my Retirement," released in 2013. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Free flight simulator class Nor-Cal Sport Aviation will be holding a free seminar on flight simulators at the Red Bluff Airport Terminal Building 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25. The seminar will cover the topics of building your own flight simulator computer system and installing and operating X-Plane Flight Simulator software. With a properly designed and constructed flight simulator you can fly airplanes from Piper Cubs to F-15s. In addition, you will be shown how to design and fly your own airplanes using X-Plane Flight Simulator software. The class will be using a three screen, Level One Flight Simulator. This relatively inexpensive type of simulator can easily be built by anyone with minimum computer skills and the ability to learn the software. The airplanes you can fly on this type of simulator accurately mimic the flight characteristics of the real airplanes. That is why this simulator can be used as a useful tool to assist in primary flight training for those who will be moving on to a private pilot's license or beyond. For more information, call Irwin Fust at (530) 351-8203 or Steve Hatfield at (530) 200-4098. Recognize and avoid identity theft Across the nation, identity thieves are using legitimate information to scam honest taxpayers, and frequently posing as the IRS to do so. The IRS is taking this seriously, and has created the IRS Identity Theft Protection Unit to address the growing problem. Being aware of some of the most common scams can help protect you from having your personal information used to commit fraud or other crimes. Phony IRS emails. In a "phishing" scam, an official-looking email shows an IRS logo that lures the consumer to a website that requests personal and financial information, such as a Social Security number, bank account, or credit card numbers. In truth, the IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails, and does not use email to ask for detailed personal or financial information such as PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for credit cards or bank accounts. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayer via email. The only genuine IRS website is www.IRS.gov. Refund scam. In a refund scam, a bogus e-mail tells the recipient that he or she is eligible to receive a federal tax refund for a given amount — often $63.80 — and sends the recipient to a website to complete a form to submit the tax refund request. The form then asks for personal and financial information. In fact, the IRS does not notify taxpayers of refunds via e-mail. And, taxpayers do not have to complete a special form or provide detailed financial information to obtain a refund. Refunds are based on information reported on the tax return. Antifraud Commission scam. In this case, the scammer sends an e-mail stating the IRS "Antifraud Commission" has found that someone tried to pay their taxes through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS, using the e-mail recipient's credit card and, as a result, some of the recipient's money was lost and the remaining funds were blocked. The e-mail includes a link that sends the recipient to a website where he or she is directed to enter personal and financial information in order to unblock their funds. Don't take the bait. The IRS does not have an Antifraud Commission and does not have the authority to freeze a taxpayer's credit card or bank account because of potential theft or fraud perpetrated against the taxpayer, and does not use e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers. Other email scams from fraudsters posing as IRS personnel include notifications of lottery winnings, a notice that more than one return was filed by the taxpayer, and notification of W-2s received from an unknown employer. Scams can also take the Rubes Bull & Gelding Sale CUSTOM DAILY EDITIONS published only in the DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY Fresh coverage 5 days Tuesday, January 28 Wednesday, January 29 Thursday, January 30 Friday, January 31 & Saturday, Feb. 1 Deadline for 5x Flights: Friday, January 24 at 10AM Contact your Advertising Representative today (530) 527-2151 form of "assisting" taxpayers in filing returns to collect fraudulent refunds, promotion of tax evasion techniques, or reporting false income for purposes of increasing refundable credits. A taxpayer who believes there is a risk of identity theft due to lost or stolen personal information should contact the IRS immediately so the agency can take action to secure his or her tax account. The taxpayer should contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800 9084490. Get help. A taxpayer who believes they may have received a fraudulent or otherwise questionable communication related to taxes should contact a licensed tax professional. Enrolled agents are America's tax experts. They are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Find an EA in your area on the directory at www.naea.org. By Leigh Ruben Local Calendar Submit calendar items clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. to P .O. Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 Red Bluff California HEAT Chorus - Sweet Adelines, 7 p.m., Meteer School Room 26, 695 Kimball Road, 895-0139 Childbirth Class, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Columba room, Anita 529-8377 Fun Senior Aerobics, 8-9 a.m., $1 per class, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Imagination Train storyhour, 4 p.m., Tehama County Library Kelly-Griggs House Museum, 1-3 p.m., 311 Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129 Live country music, with dinner at the Veterans Hall, 5-7 p.m. Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association, 10 a.m., Tehama District Fairground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Penny Bingo, 10 a.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Phoenix Community Support Group for those getting over chemical dependency, 11:30 a.m., Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St., 945-2349 Pinochle for Seniors, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 1500 S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Exchange Club, noon, M&M Ranch House, 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 Rock Choir, 4 p.m., 601 Monroe St., free, all welcome Senior Chair Volleyball, 1 p.m. Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters, noon, Rabobank, 500 Luther Road, 529-3556 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club, 7 p.m., Red Bluff Community and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., for beginner or review classes, call 529-1615 Widowed Persons Dinner, 5 p.m., call 384-2471 for location Women's Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Call for group time and location, 528-0226 Corning Cal-Fresh and Healthy Family Appointments, 1-3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Dance with Juana, noon to 1 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 Degree of Pocahontas Silver Cloud Council # 168, 7 p.m. Independent Grange 470, 20945 Corning Road, Bernie 824-1114 or Kathy 586-1065 Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Call for group time and location, 528-0226 Dual Diagnosis Group, 1:30-3 p.m., 1600 Solano St., 527-8491, Ext. 3309 Soccer training, 4-6 p.m., except for holidays and rain, Woodson School Soccer Field, 150 N Toomes, 824-7680 Women's Support Group, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 Red Bluff Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Bethel Assembly of God, 625 Luther Road, 527-0445 or 366-6298 Nutrition Classes, 12:30-2 p.m, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, 220 Sycamore #101, 528-7947 Red Bluff Rotary Club Sunrise, 7 a.m., M&M Ranch Corning Car Show, 5-9 p.m., Bartel's Giant Burger, 22355 Corning Road, local car clubs welcome, 824-2788 Cottonwood Singles Friendship Social, 7-8:30 p.m., at a church we rent, Assembly of God Church, 20404 Gas Point Road, for unmarried adults ages late 30s to mid 60s, 347-3770 SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 Red Bluff Frontier Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 645 Antelope Blvd. EBT accepted Tehama County Young Marine Drills, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C. 366-0813 Weight Watchers meeting, 8 a.m., 485 Antelope Blvd. #N, 1-800651-6000 Los Molinos Senior Dance, 7 p.m., Senior Center, Josephine Street, 384-2100 SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 Red Bluff AA Live and Let Live, noon and 8 p.m., 785 Musick St., meets seven days a week Kelly-Griggs House Museum, 1-3 p.m., 311 Washington St., group tours by appointment, 527-1129 MONDAY, JANUARY 27 Red Bluff Al-Anon New Comers At Heart, 7-8 p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345 David Ave., 690-2034 Community Band rehearsal, 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street, 527-3486 English as a Second Language class, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295 Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Thursdays, free childcare from 9 a..m. to 12:20 p.m. classes in Richlieu Hall, 900 Johnson St. Head Injury Recreational Entity, 10 a.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Rusty, 529-2059 Key to Life, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Suite 101, 528-8066 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Red Bluff Senior Writing Class, 10: a.m.-noon,,Executive Room at Sycamore Center, 220 Sycamore St., 527-5762 Salvation Army Writing Class, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 940 Walnut St., 527-8530 Sun Country Quilters Community Service Group, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Suite 101, 528-1126 Sun Country Quilters Guild Meeting, 7 p.m., Westside Room, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 528-1126 TeenScreen Mental Health Appointments, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, by appointment, Youth Empowerment Services, 1900 Walnut St., 5278491, Ext. 3012 TOPS Club (take off pounds Sensibly), 8:30 a.m., First Christian Church, 926 Madison Ave., 527-7541 or 347-6120, visit www.tops.org US citizenship preparation class, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Red Bluff High School Adult Ed building, 1295 Red Bud, 736-3308, same time Tuesday and Wednesday Venture Crew 1914 meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., Moose Lodge on 99W, co-ed ages 14-20 welcome Women's Domestic Violence Information and Support Group, Spanish speaking only, call for time and location, 528-0226 Corning Alcoholics Anonymous, noon Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, 783 Solano St., behind the church Bingo, 5:15 p.m. early bird, 6:30 p.m. regular games, Maywood Grange, Highway 99W just past Liberal Avenue, 833-5343 Narcotics Anonymous, and 7 p.m., 820 Marin St., 824-114 or 586-0245, meetings daily through Saturday, meeting noon Mondays Sewing group, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Gerber Gerber Union Elementary School District board meeting, 5 p.m., Gerber School Media Resource Center