Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/252862
By Jennifer Cooper Social Security Manager in Redding February is National Chocolate Lover's Month. So please accept as our gift to you this variety sampler of Social Security's sweetest online services. Forrest Gump's momma always said life was like a box of choco- lates. "You never know what you're gonna get." But when it comes to Social Security, you'll know exactly what to expect after browsing this assortment of conve- nient, secure, and free online services. Take this one: an easy way to find how you can get or replace your Social Security card at www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. Next, the one with two pieces in the same wrapper: our Retirement Estimator. You can use it as many times as you'd like, changing variables such as retirement date options and future earn- ings, to get instant, per- sonalized estimates of your future benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/ estimator. The one in the center may be the best one of all: an online application for retirement benefits that you can complete and submit in as little as 15 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners/about.htm. Check out the one wrapped in gold foil: a convenient way to apply for disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/ applyfordisability. And the one in the corner: an online appli- cation for Medicare that lets you complete an application for Medicare benefits in as little as 10 minutes, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ medicareonly. Another sweet option: Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. You can learn more and apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ prescriptionhelp. The sampler is still more than half full, but you may as well enjoy one more: my Social Security is an online account that allows you immediate access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, once you create your online account, you can use my Social Secu- rity to view your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. Are you already receiving bene- fits? You can use your online account to imme- diately get your proof of benefits letter, change your address or phone number on our records, start or change your direct deposit informa- tion, and check your benefit and payment information. It's always nice when a box of assorted choco- lates includes a diagram. That's why we invite you to visit our convenient publication library with online booklets and pamphlets on numerous subjects, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs. Whether you're enjoying chocolates because it's Valentine's Day or Chocolate Lover's Month, keep in mind the number one reason why Social Secu- rity's online services are even better than a box of chocolates: you'll always know exactly what you're gonna get. 5C Saturday, February 1, 2014 – Daily News Funded by a grant from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recover (CalRecycle) Where will you find yourself amidst changing tides? The world around us is chang- ing. Education is changing. In fact, large scale change has been occurring for quite some time now. At first it was gradual - so subtle that it was easy to miss the techno- logical and societal shift that was happening all around us. But now? It's a full throttle race to be competi- tive and to provide an educational experience that prepares our stu- dents to take on the challenges that exist beyond school. Our young people are our future leaders. They will be the next change makers and innovators, but only if we can give them the tools and experience they need to flour- ish. What does that mean for those of us in education? It means that the classrooms of today will look dif- ferent, and the role of the teacher has never been more critical than it is right now. It gives me great joy to support teachers in this work. In my expe- rience, teachers are excited about the possibilities that technology brings but are also a little unsure sometimes of where to start. I recently co-presented the first in a series of workshops on how to flip your classroom with my colleague and friend, Maureen Clements. If you're unfamiliar with the term "flipped classroom" it is, in essence, a type of blended learning which allows teachers the ability to pro- vide more personalized guidance and interaction with students. It changes the role of the teacher - from head of the class - to some- thing that more closely resembles a coach and allows students to work at a pace that is more comfortable for them. Technology allows us to make use of this innovative approach to teaching and learning in ways that were never possible before. About 30 educators attended the work- shop, ranging from those who are fairly new to the classroom to those who are nearing retirement. The energy in the room was amazing and one thing became abun- dantly clear: we are poised and ready to effect change in our small, rural county. A m i d s t changing tides, we find ourselves leading the way. Change is not an easy task; we find challenges and difficulties along the way, but maintaining the inspiration and energy helps us look forward to the process. Inspiration generates motivation like nothing else can. It helps us go farther, get there faster, and tap into the power of the team. So where do we go from here? We can start by making a commit- ment to inspire each other. Whether you're in education or not, one thing is certain, our students are our future and we can work together to make it a great one. The work of Expect More Tehama has connect- ed education to the community in new and exciting ways and has spurred conversations that continue to inspire. Every day I get the great pleasure of working with local edu- cators, community members and colleagues who inspire me and that inspiration helps to move the work forward. Start each day with something that inspires you... whether it's a TED Talk, coffee with your mentor, a quick read of your favorite web- site or Twitter feed or simply a moment to ponder your reasons for choosing this path. Then take that inspiration and pay it forward! Let's also commit to challenging one another. We all naturally strive to do our very best, but having oth- ers who challenge us professionally can be very invigorating. That out- side "push" can act as a catalyst for progress in a way that goes far beyond where we would take our- selves on our own. My colleagues and the teachers that I work with challenge me regularly to see things from different perspectives and to always have an open mind. Finally, we need to com- mit to supporting each other in the work ahead. We're talking about needle moving change and that just doesn't happen without lots and lots of support. If you're in education, be ready to support your col- leagues when they need it and be willing to ask for help when you need it. As a community member, your willingness to support your local school, or your child's teacher will be cru- cial. Support is one of the keys that will help open up a bold new future for our students. Imagine, for a moment, the amazing opportunities that would unfold if we were able to do those three things. To inspire, to chal- lenge and to support each other in providing the most innovative edu- cational experiences for our stu- dents. Imagine the course their lives could take and the levels of success they could achieve with a commu- nity of support behind them. A perfect example can be seen in the young Robby Novak, better known as Kid President. Novak, now 10 years old, is a motivational speaker, TED speaker and a YouTube sensation. He calls him- self "the voice of a generation" and has moved millions of viewers with his talks. In the words of Kid Presi- dent, "this is my time, this is your time, this is our time!" Let's use it wisely. Michelle Carlson is a member of the Expect More Tehama leadership team and has a background in technology, education and community relations. Local Calendar Submit calendar items to P.O. Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 Red Bluff Bird Walk, 8 a.m. , Sacramento River Discover Center, 1000 Sale Lane, free Frontier Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 645 Antelope Blvd. EBT accepted Weight Watchers meeting, 8 a.m., 485 Antelope Blvd. #N, 1-800- 651-6000 Los Molinos Senior Dance, 7 p.m., Senior Center, Josephine Street, 384-2100 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Red Bluff AA Live and Let Live, noon and 8 p.m., 785 Musick St., meets seven days a week Boy Scouts Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road, $5 Knights of Columbus All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, $5 adult, $3 child or $12 family, Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 2285 Monroe St., 528-1991 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Red Bluff Al-Anon New Comers At Heart, 7-8 p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345 David Ave., 690-2034 Bend Jelly 4-H, 6 p.m.,Bend School, 527-3101 Community Band rehearsal, 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church on Jefferson Street, 527-3486 Diabetic Support Group, 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hos- pital, Coyne Center, Columba Room 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 John- son St. Head Injury Recreational Entity, 10 a.m., St. Elizabeth Commu- nity Hospital, Coyne Center, Rusty, 529-2059 Key to Life, 6 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-8066 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Salvation Army Writing Class, 9:30-11:30 a.m., 940 Walnut St., 527-8530 Sons in Retirement, 11:30 a.m., Veterans Memorial Building, 529- 5700 Sun Country Quilters Community Service Group, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Family Resource Center, 220 Sycamore St. Ste. 101, 528-1126 TeenScreen Mental Health Appointments, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, by appointment only, Youth Empowerment Services, 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, 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 Tues- day 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 Exchange Club board meeting, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn Express Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., 820 Marin St., 824-1114 or 824- 2090, meetings are every day through Saturday with an additional meeting at noon Mondays Sewing class, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Spanish Adult Education, 5 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Strategies for Success, Life Skill classes, 1:30 p.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Weight Watchers, weigh in 5:30 p.m., meeting 6 p.m., Senior Cen- ter, corner of South and Fourth streets, Kayla Deihl leader TUESDAY, FEBRUARY Red Bluff American Legion Mt. Lassen Post 167, 7 p.m., Veterans Memor- ial Hall, 735 Oak St. Childbirth Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospi- tal, Columba Room, 529-8026 City Council, 7 p.m. City Hall, 555 Washington St. Cribbage Club, 6 p.m., Cozy Diner, 259 S. Main St., 527-6402 Fiber Arts Group, 5-8 p.m., library, 645 Madison St., 528-8667, free Fun Senior Aerobics, 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 PAL Kickboxing, 6 p.m., 1450 Schwab St., 529-8716 or 200-3950 Penny Bingo, 10 a.m., Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. Pinochle for Seniors, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1500 S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and practice, 6:30 p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairgrounds Red Bluff Rotary, noon, Elks Lodge Take Off Pounds Sensibly — TOPS, 10 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 525 David Ave., 824-0556 or 529-1414 Tehama County and Red Bluff Landfill Management Agency, 8 a.m., board meeting, 727 Oak St. Tehama County Board of Supervisors, 10 a.m., board chamber, 727 Oak St. Tehama County Tea Party Patriots, 6 p.m., Grange Hall, 20794 Walnut St. Weight Watchers meeting, 9 a.m., 485 Antelope Blvd., #N, 1-800- 651-6000 WWE self defense training for women, 5:30-7 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C Michelle Carlson Social Security variety sampler