Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/263782
The Humanist Society will show the documen- tary film, "Growth- busters: Hooked on Growth" on Sunday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the Redding Library. This documentary asks the question: How do we become a sustainable civ- ilization? Water short- ages, hunger, peak oil, species extinction, and even increasing depres- sion are all symptoms of a deeper problem – addiction to unending growth in a world that has limits. "Growth- Busters: Hooked on Growth" examines the cultural barriers that pre- vent us from reacting rationally to the evidence current levels of popula- tion and consumption are unsustainable. The film is free and open to the pub- lic. Seating is limited. The Humanist Society of Redding was estab- lished in October 2007 and is an affiliate member of the American Human- ist Association. For more information, visit h t t p : / / w w w. h u m a n i s t - peacesociety.org or call Elisabeth Steadman at 530-949-7816. Healthcare workers invite the public to attend a free healthcare enrollment event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Faith Lutheran Church, 667 E. 1st Ave., in Chico. The health fair is designed to help people sign-up for free and low-cost health coverage. The event is sponsored by SEIU- United Healthcare Workers West, a healthcare workers union with 150,000 members in California, which has been holding similar enrollment fairs across the state since October. The deadline for people to sign-up for health cover- age to avoid a tax penalty is March 31. 2B Daily News – Thursday, February 20, 2014 HAD A SMASHING WEEK? 530.527.2649 We understand you have a choice and thank you for choosing us as Tehama County's BEST Body Shop since 1950 705 Mill Street (Next To Walmart) Red Bluff, CA 96080 WE WILL STRAIGHTEN IT OUT. Parties - Corporate Events Reunions - Private Events Rehearsal Dinners 604 Main St, Red Bluff Call 529-5154 for more information Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K Members Welcome STOVE JUNCTION The The North State's premier supplier of stoves 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over 25 years of experience Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon Now Carrying! Green Mountain Grills & Accessories Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties RUNNINGS ROOFING Sheet Metal Roofing Residential Commercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane Owner is on site on every job Serving Tehama County 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 No Money Down! "No Job Too Steep" " No Job Too Flat" FREE ESTIMATES CA. LIC#829089 Simple request turned into $1,000 savings Dear Mary: In a recent column, a reader wrote saying it didn't work to call her credit card company to ask them to lower her credit card's inter- est rate. Your response reminded me that I had a 14.99 percent interest rate on a Visa card with a credit union to which I have belonged for 32 years. I made the call and simply asked for a review of my account. I went on to explain that I wanted to pay off my card without interven- tion of a third party, but with my high interest rate, I wasn't making much of a dent in a very high bal- ance. I got an immediate response by email with an offer of 10.99 per- cent. I accepted and asked if I changed the rewards card to a regu- lar card, could it decrease the per- cent (I had heard in the past it could reduce the interest rate by a per- cent). To my surprise, they said if I went to a premium Visa or Master- Card, that it would decrease to 8.99 percent. Needless to say, I am ecsta- tic and so thankful for your reminder to keep trying. Thank you for all you do to help us work through the stresses of financial bondage. -- Sandy O., email Dear Sandy: Good job. I applaud your courage to ask your credit card issuer for a lower rate. The differ- ence between 14.99 and 8.99 per- cent is huge. Expect your monthly minimum payment to go down considerably to reflect the lower rate of interest. I suggest that you ignore the lower pay- ments; instead, make the largest payments pos- sible. That's the way to take advantage of a lower rate, as more of the amount you send each month will go to reduce the balance owing. You'll knock down that debt to $0 in no time and save as much as a $1,000 in interest. Dear Mary: Recently a friend was over and I was opening my mail. She happened to see one of my credit card statements. She screamed, "OH MY GOSH!! YOU HAVE A $8,000 CREDIT CARD BILL?!" I said, "Oh, yeah, it adds up over time. But that is just a statement, I make pay- ments." She then replied, "Honey, I love you, but if you think that bill is just a statement, you are dumber than you look right now. That is a BIG FAT BILL any way you want to look at it!" I was so embarrassed. She grabbed my purse, found the card and cut it up. I know it will take a while to pay my debts, but I have made a decent start. And I have good reinforcements to help. I just wish I would have taken your advice more seriously years ago when I first found you. -- Kimberly C., Texas Dear Kimberly: I only wish I could have been a fly on the wall to witness that dialogue. I would have been cheering. You are for- tunate to have a friend who cares enough to exercise that kind of tough love. I have no doubt that you are going to make it. I know of at least two people who will accept nothing less from you. Mary invites questions a t mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "The Smart Woman's Guide to Planning for Mary Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Rubes By Leigh Ruben Local Calendar Submit calendar items to P.O. Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or clerk@redbluffdailynews.com. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Red Bluff Business After Hours, 5:30 p.m., hosted by Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce 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 Community Action Agency, 3 p.m. Board of Supervisors cham- bers Democratic Central Committee of Tehama County, 5:30 p.m., Patio Room, Lariat Bowl, 365 South Main St Fun Senior Aerobics, 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson St. 527-8177 Grief Support Group, 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, Kristin, 528-4207 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 or 527-5895 Live country music, with dinner at the Veterans Hall, 5-7 p.m. Painting session, Red Bluff Art Association, 10 a.m., Tehama Dis- trict Fairground, 529-1603 PAL Martial Arts, ages 5-18, 3-5 p.m., 1005 Vista Way, Ste. C, free, 529-7950 Passages caregiver support group, 10 a.m., Community and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jackson St., 229-0878 or 800 995-0878 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 Jeffer- son 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 Ante- lope Blvd. #1 Red Bluff Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., 1525 Douglas St. Red Bluff Lions Club, 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial, 527-8452 Red Cross Disaster Volunteers Meeting, 6-7:30 p.m., CalFire headquarters, 604 Antelope Blvd., north side of Antelope, 934-5344 Reeds Creek School District Board of Trustees, 4:40 p.m. Rock Choir, 4 p.m., 601 Monroe St., free, all welcome Sacramento River Discovery Center Thursday Evening Pro- gram, 7 p.m., 1000 Sale Lane, 527-1196 Senior Chair Volleyball, 1 p.m. Community Center, 1500 S. Jack- son St. Sunrise Speakers Toastmasters, noon, Rabobank, 500 Luther Road, 529-3556 Support group for pet loss, 2 p.m., Family Service Agency, 1347 Grant St., 527-6782 Swinging Squares Square Dance Club, 7 p.m., Community Cen- ter, 1500 S. Jackson St., beginner or review classes, 529-1615 Tehama County Health Planning Council, noon, Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road Tehama County Planning Commission, 9 a.m., board chambers, 745 Oak St. 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 Corning High School Board, 7 p.m., 643 Blackburn Ave. Corning Patriots, 6 p.m., Senior Center, 824-2332 Dance with Juana, noon to 1 p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488 South St., 824-7670 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 Improved Order of Red Men, 7 p.m. Independent Grange 470, 20945 Corning Road, 824-1114 Sewing group, 9 a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 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 Los Molinos Diabetes Support Group, 1 p.m., Sherwood Manor Community Room, 7975 Sherwood Blvd. Los Molinos Unified School Board, 7 p.m., Los Molinos High School cafeteria Gerber Gerber-Las Flores Community Service District, 5:30 p.m. 331 San Benito Ave. Mineral Mineral School Board, 5 p.m., 38355 Scenic Ave. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 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 Widowed Persons Dinner, 5 p.m., Green Barn Corning Car Show,5-9 p.m., Bartels Giant Burger, 22355 Corning Road, local car clubs welcome, 824-2788 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 Red Bluff Frontier Village Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 645 Antelope Blvd. EBT accepted Greg Padilla concert, 7 p.m., Elks Lodge, 350 Gilmore Road, sponsored by the Emblem club 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, 1-800- 651-6000 Tehama Tehama County Museum, 1-4 p.m., 275 C St., groups by appoint- ment, 384-2595 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Red Bluff AA Live and Let Live, noon and 8 p.m., 785 Musick St., meets seven days a week Al-Anon New Comers At Heart, 7-8 p.m., North Valley Bap- tist Church, 345 David Ave., 690-2034 Top 10 tips about free tax preparation Each year millions of people have their tax returns prepared for free by volunteers. These vol- unteers are part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elder- ly programs. Here are the top 10 tips the IRS wants you to know about VITA and TCE: 1. The IRS sponsors both the VITA and TCE programs. They work with local community groups to both train and certify volunteers. 2. The VITA program generally offers free tax return preparation and e- filing to people who earn $52,000 or less. 3. The TCE program offers help mainly to people age 60 or older. Volunteers specialize in tax issues unique to seniors. AARP is part of the TCE program and helps taxpayers with low to moderate incomes. 4. VITA and TCE pro- vide free electronic fil- ing. An e-filed tax return is the safest and most accurate way to file. Using e-file combined with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your refund. 5. Using VITA and TCE may help ensure you get all the tax credits and deductions you're able to claim. For example, cred- its that you may qualify for include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for the Elderly. 6. Some sites provide bilingual help for people who speak limited Eng- lish. 7. VITA provides free tax assistance to military members and their fami- lies. Volunteers help with tax issues related to the military. These include special rules and tax ben- efits for those serving in combat zones. 8. At some VITA sites, you can also prepare your own federal and state tax returns using free web- based software. This is an option if you don't need much help or don't have a home computer. Volun- teers are on site to guide you if you need help. The self-preparation options generally offer free tax return preparation soft- ware and e-filing to peo- ple who earn $58,000 or less. 9. For more than 40 years, the IRS has part- nered with nonprofit and community organizations to offer these vital ser- vices. Thousands of VITA and TCE sites around the nation will open in late Jan. and early Feb. 10. Visit IRS.gov to find the nearest VITA site. Search the word 'VITA' and then click on "Free Tax Return Prepa- ration for You by Volun- teers." Site information is also available by calling the IRS at 800-906-9887. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, visit aarp.org, or call 888-227-7669. Free healthcare enrollment fair Saturday Humanists to air 'Growthbusters: Hooked on Growth' Whinny and Roses Spring Gala Safe Haven Horse Rescue will hold its annual Whin- ny and Roses Spring Gala Fundraiser at 5 p.m. April 5 at the Shasta District Fairground in Anderson. This is the event's second year and organizers are looking to looking to make it the best year ever. The donations and proceeds from the gala go a long way in covering Safe Haven's operating costs and ensuring successful horse rescues in the future. The event will include a prime rib dinner, full bar, music, dancing, door prizes, a raffle and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $40, with all proceeds benefiting Safe Haven. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 530-347-4941 or visit safehavenhorserescue.org.