Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/307515
Ifthere'sone thing I know about myself, it's this: I don't work well in chaos. Recently I came to terms with my office. Specifi- cally, my desk. I have a fairly small desk, by design. I have just enough space for my computer and a cou- ple of monitors. The desk has only three small draw- ers that are so full of clut- ter, I can barely coax them to open. Upgrading to a larger desk with great big drawers is not a solution for me because I know my- self. Without intervention of some kind, I'd manage to load up that big desk, fill up all of those drawers and end up with an even bigger dilemma. I think I've figured out why this happens. When I'm working and I need something such as a pen while I'm on the phone, I need it now. I don't have time to rummage through stacks of paper, books and manuscripts, or these mi- nuscule drawers to find a pen that actually works. When I can't find what I need when I need it, it makes me want to chew my hair. Which brings me to the point of this column: Desk organization. I took the time to do it right and what a difference. My desktop is clear and clean, and all of my cables, cords and con- nections are untangled, or- ganized and accessible. And my three small drawers? They are so or- ganized and beautiful, this desk now gives me the functionality of an ordinary desk that is twice its size. Here's what I did: First, I measured ev- erything. Then I spent an hour searching for just the right solutions for my spe- cific needs. I found every- thing online (all discounted with free shipping). To- tal, I spent less than $50 plus a couple of Amazon gift cards languishing in the back of my wallet. It's the best money I've spent in a long time. CABLESAND CORDS: My computer pe- ripherals and char- gers require a to- tal of 6 electri- cal outlets. This Quirky Pivot Power Strip plus two Quirky Cordies are fabu- lous and have taken charge of keeping all of my cables handy and beautifully orga- nized. And the best thing: I can take my laptop with me, and then bring it back and find all of the cables exactly where I left them and all ready to plug in. So handy. DRAWERS: This was tricky be- cause my drawers are long and fairly narrow, and very shallow -- just 2 inches. I need dividers of some kind that will fill the space but allow for good visuals so I can see what I have. The modular, clear, acrylic drawer organizers are just perfect and completely fill these drawers. Now, every- thing has a place and is in its place. CABLE BOX: My desk is not the only cable and cord station in this office. I have another power strip to handle the television, lamps, print- ers, adapters and so forth, which creates an unsightly mess. I got a Blue Lounge CableBox and it is slick. The power bar/surge pro- tector fits inside of the ca- blebox, keeping it dust-free and everything well-pro- tected. HANDY CADDY: A useful Rolodex Caddy sits on top within handy reach. It's not so big that it will accumulate a lot of clutter, but large enough to be useful. For information about the products men- tioned above, visit every- daycheapskate.com/desk. Next: My closet. MaryHuntisfounderof www.DebtProofLiving.com. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE How I gave my small desk a big makeover Today RED BLUFF American Legion Mt. Lassen Post 167:7p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 735 Oak St. Childbirth Class: 6:30- 8:30p.m., St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Co- lumba Room, 529-8026 City Council: 7p.m. City Hall, 555Washington St. Cribbage Club: 6p.m., Cozy Diner, 259S. Main St., 527- 6402 Fiber Arts Group: 5-8p.m., library, 645Madison St., 528-8667, free Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9 a.m., $1, Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. 527- 8177 PAL Kickboxing: 6p.m., 1450Schwab St., 529-8716 or 200-3950 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., 1500S. 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 Sensi- bly - TOPS: 10a.m., First United Methodist Church, 525David Ave., 824-0556 or 529-1414 Tehama County and Red Bluff Landfill Manage- ment Agency: 8a.m., board meeting, 727Oak St. Tehama County Board of Supervisors: 10a.m., board chamber, 727Oak St. Tehama County Tea Party Patriots: 6p.m., Grange Hall, 20794Walnut St. Weight Watchers meet- ing: 9a.m., 485Antelope Blvd., #N, 1-800-651-6000 WWE self defense train- ing for women: 5:30-7 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C CORNING Bible reading and noon day prayers for the com- munity: 12:15p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 820Marin St. Sr. Warden Charles Rouse, 824-2321 Corning Community meet- ing: 7p.m., Maywood Middle School, 1666Marguerite Ave. Corning Recreation Com- mission: 7:30p.m., City Hall, 794Third St. Dance with Juana: noon to 1p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488South St., 824-7670 Soccer training: 4-6p.m., Woodson School Soccer Field, 150N Toomes, 824- 7680 COTTONWOOD Bowman 4-H: 7p.m., Ev- ergreen Elementary School Gym, 527-3101Los Molinos Bingo: 4:30p.m. dinner, early birds 6:15p.m., regular session 6:30p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 7900 Sherwood Blvd., 384-2738 LOS MOLINOS Cemetery District,: 8:30 a.m., 25096Ta St., 384- 1864 School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5years, free, First Steps Family Resource Center, 7700Stanford Ave., 384- 7833 Wednesday RED BLUFF Adult Carving Class: 10 a.m. to noon, Red Bluff Veteran¹s Memorial Hall, Corner of Jackson and Oak streets, 527-0768 Al-Anon: noon, Presbyte- rian Church, Jefferson and Hickory Alcohol, Anger and Abuse Group: Call for group time and location, 528-0226 Nurturing Parenting Dads Program: 10a.m. to noon, 1860Walnut St. #D, Shasta Room, call Keith at 527- 8491, ext. 3012 Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents: 9-10a.m., 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, ext. 3012 PAL Martial Arts Women's Self Defense: 5:30-6:30 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C, 840-0345 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Red Bluff Kiwanis: noon, Elks Lodge Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and practice: 6:30 p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairgrounds Senior Dance: 7p.m., Westside Grange, Walnut Street Team Kid: 5:30p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 585Kimball Road, 527- 5083 Calendar COURTESY PHOTO The Marine Corps League, from le , Gil Arellano, Bill Cotter, Buddy Male, John Minton and Harold Moierra, provided the colors ceremony at Saturday's Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Tehama District Fairground. The Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140, Tehama and Red Bluff pre- sented the national col- ors Saturday at the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Te- hama District Fairground. The detachment pro- vides several different types of services to the community throughout the year, including an Honor Guard and taps at funeral services. Honor Guard drill is held at 6 p.m. Mondays at Veter- ans Memorial Hall, 735 Oak St., Red Bluff. Detachment meetings are held at the hall every third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The detachment provides these services regardless of the military service branch. Arrangements are made through the Northern Cal- ifornia Veterans Cemetery at Igo in Shasta County. Fu- neral directors in the area are familiar with the ser- vices. MarinespresentcolorsSaturday CEREMONY Drought conditions have led to a significant increase in wildfire activity and to ensure Californians are ready, Gov. Jerry Brown has declared May 4-10 as Wildfire Awareness Week. Cal Fire is reminding res- idents this week of the dan- gers posed by wildfires and the simple steps that should be followed to prepare for and prevent them. "Fire Season really never ended last year in many parts of California," said Chief Ken Pimlott, director. "We continue to have very dry conditions and experi- ence unusually early fire be- havior that is extreme for this time of year." According to the state's final snow survey May 1, the statewide snowpack water content is only 18 percent of normal. Between Jan. 1 and May 3, Cal Fire has re- sponded to more than 1,200 wildfires that have charred nearly 2,700 acres. In an av- erage year for the same time period, Cal Fire would typi- cally respond to fewer than 600 wildfires. During Wildfire Aware- ness Week, Cal Fire is re- minding Californians that when it comes to wildfires, remember Ready, Set, Go. Being Ready for a wildfire starts by maintaining 100 feet of defensible space and hardening homes with fire resistant building materi- als. "With this year's drought it is absolutely critical that residents be prepared for wildfires by ensuring they have 100 feet of defensible space around their homes," said Pimlott. "Most wild- fires are preventable and we need residents and va- cationers to be extra cau- tious outdoors because one less spark means one less wildfire." Homeowners looking for additional information on how to prepare them- selves, their families and their homes for wildfire can visit www.ReadyForWild- fire.org. The site offers tips for residents to make their homes more resistant to wildfires and to ensure that their families are ready to evacuate early and safely when a wildfire strikes. Governor Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water use by 20 percent and prevent water waste – visit SaveOurH2O. org to find out how everyone can do their part, and visit Drought.CA.Gov to learn more about how California is dealing with the effects of the drought. PUBLIC SAFETY Cal Fire encourages fire preparedness Online: Call 888- MCL-1140or visit http://www.mcl1140.org/. "W e c o nt in ue to h av e v er y dr y c on di ti on s an d e xp er ienc e un us ua l ly e ar ly fi re b eh av io r th at i s e xtr em e fo r t hi s t im e o f ye ar ." — C hi ef K en P im lo tt , d ir ec tor Ca l F ir e Mary Hunt Claire'sFlowers WeDeliver OpenMother'sDay, May 11th 9:30am to 1:30pm Orderyourflowersearly! •FloralArrangements • Gifts (530) 824-2050 1621 Solano Street, Corning, CA 96021 Regular Haircut $ 2 00 off KWIK KUTS FamilyHairSalon 1064SouthMainSt.,RedBluff•529-3540 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT 20 % off withanychemicalserviceof $50 or more Notgoodwithotheroffers Expires 5/31/14 With coupon Reg. $13.95 LicenseOH89548 LOWCOST INSURANCE 530-527-5151 • Low Down Payment • No License OK! • Suspended License OK! • SR-22 CHEAP • Si HABLA ESPANOL Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate SERVICESATLOWERPRICES All makes and models. 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