Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/405547
Intheinter- est of full disclo- sure, let me say right up front that when I first heard that we can now order our prescription eyeglasses online, I scoffed. I rolled my eyes. What next? Mail-order surgery? Online doctor visits? Not me. But I've had an epiph- any, a change of heart. Up until the past de- cade, I'd never worn glasses, enjoying perfect vision. But life happens (perhaps you've noticed this). I was totally unpre- pared for the mind-numb- ing cost of prescription eyewear. I went to a top-notch optometrist (I still do) and assumed that to take the best care of my eyes, I needed to purchase my new glasses from the lit- tle boutique there in his office. When the bill to- taled over $750 for my designer frames, lenses, anti-scratch coating (don't believe it), UV protection and the anti-glare option, I was shocked. And more than ready to consider other options. My first move was to Costco, which cut the cost by more than half. But still, when you discover you need not one pair, but three pairs of prescription eyeglasses as I do (no, not all at the same time, silly), it adds up quickly. Recently, I've waded into the waters of online prescription eyeglasses. Wow. Why was I so hes- itant? My worst fears were put to rest when I real- ized that I still get my eyes examined by my trusted op- tometrist. There is no self-diagnosis involved here. He hands me my written prescription and I'm outta' there. After considering sev- eral online providers, I went with Zenni Opti- cal (www.everydaycheap- skate.com/zenni) because it is cheapest, has great reviews and a generous 30-day return policy. Pre- scription glasses includ- ing frames and lenses start as low as about $8 at Zenni. Can you believe it? I spent a bit more than that because I chose more expensive frames, but still, eight bucks. The Zenni site is cool. You upload a picture of yourself and some- how it sizes perfectly so you can "try on" frames right there on your com- puter monitor. Just drag the frames to your face and viola! There you are. If you've ever tried on new frames but couldn't see yourself in the mirror because you can't wear your prescription eye- glasses and try on new frames at the same time, you understand the prob- lem. This virtual try-on is great. I made my selec- tion, and quite easily. From there, the site walked me through fill- ing in my prescription in- formation using the pa- perwork I got from my doctor. I know it sounds scary and weird, but it re- ally isn't. When prompted to give my "PD" mea- surement (pupillary dis- tance), I copied it right from the prescription be- cause I was careful to make sure he included this when I requested a copy of my prescription. (Be prepared to get a lec- ture about the dangers of buying eyeglasses online if you ask for your PD at the optometrist.) My new glasses ar- rived quickly, and wow! I couldn't be any hap- pier. They fit well, the frames are decent quality, the prescription is spot on and the price even in- cluded anti-scratch, anti- glare coatings and full UV protection. And the price for everything in- cluding shipping? Just $43.85. Amazing. I am thrilled with Ze- nni Optical. Other well- known discount online eyeglass providers in- clude Coastal and 39 Dol- lar Glasses. MaryHuntisthefounder of www.DebtProofLiving. com, a personal finance member website. You can email her at mary@eve- rydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheap- skate, P.O. Box 2099, Cy- press, CA 90630. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE How to save a bundle on prescription eyeglasses Mary Hunt SUSANVILLE Lassen Na- tional Forest Christmas tree permits will be avail- able to buy in-person from Nov. 1 through Dec. 19. Each $10 permit allows for the cutting of one tree on Forest lands during the period of Nov. 1 through Dec. 25. The maximum number of permits allowed per household is two. Along with the permit, purchasers will be pro- vided a map showing cut- ting areas, requirements and helpful tips. Permits may also be pur- chased through the mail. Order forms are available at: www.fs.usda.gov/las- sen. Mailed requests must be received by Dec. 10 and should be directed to the nearest Forest Service of- fice. To expedite your re- quest, write "Christmas Tree Permit" on the enve- lope. When purchasing by mail, include the follow- ing: printed name and ad- dress to which the per- mit is to be mailed; pur- chaser's daytime telephone number; a check or money order with driver's license number written upon it for $10 per permit, made out to USDA Forest Ser- vice; and the name of the person who will be sign- ing the permit and cut- ting the tree. Allow at least one week for processing of your request. Tree cutters must en- sure that the tree permit tag is visible at all times during transport of the tree. The permit must be at- tached to the tree and sealed in such a manner that the permit must be cut or the seal broken to be removed. A transporta- tion permit from the local Sheriff's Office is required if transporting more than five trees in the same ve- hicle. Tree cutters are re- minded to be prepared for sudden weather changes and for colder conditions at higher elevations. Although tree cutting is permitted through Dec. 25, officials recommend cut- ting early in the season be- fore higher elevations be- come snowbound. Trees can stay fresh for some time if properly cared for. Bring an old tarp in which to wrap the tree during transport. The tarp helps to pre- vent broken branches and other damage to the tree as it is removed from the forest. The tarp can also help protect against wind damage on the way home. To help keep a tree fresh once it arrives home, cut two inches from the bot- tom and place it in water. Keep the tree watered and in a shady spot outside un- til it's time to bring it in- side. Permits may be pur- chased in person at the Mineral Work Center, 38795 Hwy 36 East, Min- eral, (530) 595-3311, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 and 13, the Almanor Ranger Station, 900 East Hwy 36, Chester, (530) 258- 2141, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and Old Station Visitor Center at the junc- tion of Highways 89 and 44 in Old Station, (530) 335-7517. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends Nov. 1 through Dec. 13. LASSEN FOREST Christmastreepermitsavailablesoon The Tehama County Farm Bureau is getting ready for the annual Farm- City Week Celebration. The 9th annual Bus Tour will kick off the Farm-City festivities on Thursday morning. There are four great tour stops scheduled. The morning will start with a presentation and tour of Sierra Pacific Millworks in Anderson, then a tour of North Val- ley Farms Chevre, a goat dairy in Cottonwood, fol- lowed by Burnsini Vine- yards and Winery and lastly a visit to a walnut orchard in the Bend area for lunch. Participants will learn about some of the top commodities in Tehama County and how they are produced, as well as how farmers and ranchers en- sure that they are utilizing the most efficient means for their production. The tour begins with pastries and coffee at the Tehama County Farm Bu- reau office on Sale Lane at 7 a.m. Tickets are $25. There are only a limited num- ber of seats on the tour so if you are interested, call Kari Dodd at 527-7882. The annual Farm-City Night banquet is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3 at the Red Bluff Community and Senior Center, 1500 S. Jack- son St. Tickets are $25 pre- sale and $30 at the door. Farm-City Week Celebration to kick off COURTESYPHOTO Participants at the 2013Farm-City Bus Tour. FARM BUREAU Today REDBLUFF Alzheimer's and demen- tia support group: 6p.m., Lassen House, 705Luther Road, 529-2900 Cribbage Club: 6p.m., Cozy Diner, 259S. Main St., 527-6402 First Five Tehama: 3-5 p.m. Tehama County Department of Education, 1135Lincoln St. Fun Senior Aerobics: 8-9 a.m., $1per class, Com- munity Center, 1500S. Jackson St., 527-8177 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls: 6:45 p.m., Masonic Hall 822Main St. 527-6715 PAL Kickboxing: 6p.m., 1450Schwab St., 529- 8716or 200-3950 Penny Bingo: 9:30a.m., Community Center, 1500S. Jackson St. Pinochle for Seniors: 12:30-3:30p.m., 1500S. Jackson St., free, 527-8177 Red Bluff Derby Girls open tryouts and prac- tice: 6:30p.m., Tyler Jelly building, Tehama District Fairground Red Bluff Rotary: noon, Elks Lodge Take Off Pounds Sensi- bly - TOPS: 10a.m., First United Methodist Church, 525David Ave., 824-0556 Tehama County Board of Supervisors: 10a.m., board chamber, 727Oak St. Tehama County Tea Party Patriots: 6p.m., Grange Hall, 20794Walnut St. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1932: 1p.m. Veterans Building, Oak St. WWE self defense train- ing for women: 5:30-7 p.m., 1005Vista Way, Ste. C CORNING Achieve: 9a.m. - 1p.m., Corning Family Resource Center, 824-7670City Council: 7:30p.m., City Hall, 794Third St. Dance with Juana: noon to 1p.m., Family Resource Center, 1488South St., 824-7670 Disabled American Vets: 7p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620Solano St. ESL/Citizenship classes: 9a.m. - 11a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Jewelry beading class: 9:30a.m., Family Resource Center, West and South streets, 824-7670 Parkinson's Support Group: 2p.m., Corning Health District, 175Solano St., 824-7670 Pay It Forward: 1p.m., Edward Jones, Solano and Sixth streets,824-4290 Soccer training: 4-6p.m., except for holidays and rain, Woodson School Soccer Field, 150N. Toomes, 824- 7680 GERBER Tehama Cemetery Dis- trict: 4p.m., cemetery office, 7772Woodland Ave. Los Molinos School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5 years, free, First Steps Family Resource Center, 7700Stanford Ave., 384- 7833 Wednesday RED BLUFF Al-Anon: noon to 1p.m., Presbyterian Church, Jef- ferson and Hickory Breast Assured: 6-8p.m., Imaging Center, 888-628- 1948 Carewear Scrub Sale: 10a.m. to 4p.m., Warde McAuley, 736-1326 Community Dance: 7-10 p.m., Westside Grange, 20794Walnut St. 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: 9to 10a.m., 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, ext. 3012 Over-eaters Anonymous: 6:30-7:30p.m., St. Eliza- beth Community Hospital, Coyne Center, 528-8937 PAL Martial Arts Wom- en's Self Defense: 5:30- 6:30p.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 prac- tice: 6:30p.m., Tyler Jelly building at Tehama District Fairgrounds Team Kid: 5:30p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 585Kimball Road, 527- 5083. TeenScreen Mental Health appointments: 10 a.m. to 2p.m., free, by ap- pointment only, Youth Em- powerment Services, 1900 Walnut St., 527-8491, Ext. 3012 Waterlabor Class: 6:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Com- munity Hospital Columba Room, 888-628-1948 Weight Watchers meet- ing: 9a.m., Hampton Inn, 1-800-651-6000 Widows Association of Red Bluff - Breakfast: 8 a.m., call 527-4659for location Widows Association of Red Bluff - Play Cards: 1p.m., call 527-4659for location Y-FI Middle and High School Youth Group, 6:30-8p.m., North Valley Baptist Church, 345David Ave., 527-0543 CORNING Corning Rotary: noon, Rolling Hills Casino: Timbers Steak House, 2655Barham Ave., corningrotary.org School Readiness Play Group: 10-11:30a.m., up to 5 years, free, Family Re- source Center, 1480South St.: 824-4111 Spanish Adult Education: 5p.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 VFW Charity Bingo: 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620Solano St., 824- 5957 LOS MOLINOS Bible Study: 1p.m., Sherwood Manor, 7975 Sherwood Blvd. All wel- come., Pastor Clyde Brant, 347-1330. CALENDAR 365S.MainSt. Red Bluff www.lariatbowl.com 527-2720 SPARE A PAIR toStrikeOutBreastCancer FridayOct.24ALLDAY Bowling & Mini Golf $1 for every game of bowling or miniature golf will help support breast cancer prevention in our local community. 6 PM TAP TAKEOVER FEATURING Lassen Ale Works, Eagle Lake, Thompson Peak Pilsner, Bizz Johnson Blonde & Uptown Brown Ale Regular Haircut $ 2 00 off KWIK KUTS FamilyHairSalon 1064SouthMainSt.,RedBluff•529-3540 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT 20 % off withanychemicalserviceof $50 or more Notgoodwithotheroffers Expires 11/30/14 With coupon Reg. $13.95 TheHopeChest Thrift Shop servingthecommunitysince1965 ProceedsfromTheHopeChesthelp support Family Counseling Center Mon.-Fri. 10-4 • Sat. Noon-4 1359 Grant St., Red Bluff 530-527-0270 LikeusonFacebookoremailusat hopechest@yahoo.com 1/2 OFF at The Hope Chest Monday - Clothes, Tuesday - Electrical Wednesday - Clothes Thursday - Linens, Friday - Clothes Saturday - Purses & Shoes AbundantLifeFellowship 21080 Luther Rd. SUNDAY SCHOOL.........................9:45AM MORNING WORSHIP..................11:00AM SUNDAY EVENING ........................ 6:00PM TUESDAY: LADY'S PRAYER CIRCLE.....9:30-10:30AM BIBLE STUDY .................................. 6:00PM SATURDAY: MEN'S PRAYER MEETING ........... 5:00PM AWarmWelcomeAwaitsYou CattleWomen's Luncheon & Fashion Show Roaring 20's TicketreservationdeadlineisOct.31st 529-9679 Sat.Nov.8,2014 Rolling Hills Casino Tickets $ 28 00 MOULE'S TEHAMACOUNTYGLASS 515 Sycamore St., Red Bluff 529-0260 AUTO GLASS APROFESSIONALAUTOGLASS INSTALLATION FACILITY -BOATS/RVS -TRUCKS/CARS -EQUIPMENT 530529-2040 1355VistaWay,RedBluff Complete Autobody Repair INTERCITYBODY& PAINT • Painting • Fiberglass Repair • Exotic Metals • Color Matching • Frame Repair • Spray-In Bedliners • All Auto Manufacturers • Rental Cars Available FactoryTrainedSpecialistsIn: WeacceptallInsuranceCarriers LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, October 28, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5