Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/479983
Ijustreadabouta woman in Philadelphia who decided to go over her parents' phone bill only to dis- cover they were pay- ing $21 a month for three leased tele- phones — one of which they'd tossed out years ago. The daughter fig- ured they'd been pay- ing this monthly amount since the mid 1980s — more than $6,000 to rent phones. It gets worse. In order to cancel the lease, they had to pay an additional fee for not re- turning the phone they'd thrown away. Up until 1982, AT&T had a monopoly on tele- phones. They wouldn't sell them — only lease them to customers for a few dollars a month. Then the government stepped in and AT&T was broken up into regional companies. Suddenly, phones were cheap and available for purchase. Thirty years later, not ev- eryone has taken advan- tage of the option to buy their phones rather than rent them. This com- pany says they still ser- vice 300,000 leasing cus- tomers. Failure to keep up with technology cost this fam- ily $6,000. What's it cost- ing you? I'm not talking only about phones, either. What is your monthly phone service and long- distance calling plan costing? Technology is on your side if you're interested in slashing those costs. Don't worry. You won't have to give up any of the phone calling options you now enjoy. In fact, it could get a lot better. Recently I've been re- searching Ooma, a de- vice that connects your phones to the Internet, eliminating the need for a telephone company. The reviews for this gadget are fabulous. Ooma isn't the first to offer phone calling over the Internet, but this de- vice sets a new standard of excellence. It's beauti- ful and works even better than it looks. Ooma of- fers high-quality, reliable voice transmission. In fact, most people report they can detect no differ- ence at all between their landline connections and Ooma. Ooma is easy to set up and even easier to use. You don't need a com- puter; you don't need a headset. You simply con- nect the device to your high-speed Internet and your existing phone. That's it. Here's how it works: You purchase the device for about $129. Once it arrives, you set it up by selecting a phone num- ber from the Ooma web- site (or in most cases Ooma can transfer or port your existing phone number to Ooma for a one-time fee of about $40.) Once Ooma is plugged in, you can call anywhere in the U.S. for free. No cost for service, minutes, distance or any other thing. Bam! You pay only applicable taxes and fees of about $4 monthly, de- pending on where you live. You can also make international calls for next to nothing. Ooma has real-time emergency 911 notifica- tion. There is a premier option that includes fea- tures such as call wait- ing, conference calling and call blocking, and it comes with a 60-day free trial. If you've been paying $35 a month for phone service, you will recoup the cost of the device in fewer than four months. If you do a lot of long-dis- tance and international calling, your savings will be even more dramatic. While Internet calling may not be right for ev- ery situation, it could be exactly what you need in your home to take your phone communication to a new level — and put a boatload of money back into your bank account. By the way, if you have elderly parents or grand- parents, you might want to ask if you can take a look at their phone bills. Just be prepared for what you might discover. For more information about the product men- tioned above please visit www.everydaycheap- skate.com/ooma. MaryHuntisthefounder of www.DebtProofLiving. com, a personal finance member website. You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Who else wants to slash their phone bill? Mary Hunt The workshop "Plant Families in the Garden and in the Wild" is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Have you ever wondered how plants are grouped into families? Every plant family is defined by a set of visible characteristics, which can be learned. Many plant families have representatives from both our gardens and native flora in the wild. In this workshop, in- structors will introduce some of the most impor- tant common plant fami- lies and their key charac- teristics. Live plants and herbarium specimens will be used to clearly illustrate these key traits. There will be a plant walk, to use new skills to recognize plant families and identify plants. Emily Meigs Doe has re- cently taught Ornamental Plant ID at Butte College and has worked as a field botanist for the US Forest Service. She is a Herbarium Assistant at the Chico State Herbarium. Linnea Hanson is a re- tired botanist from the Plu- mas National Forest and has taught General Bot- any and Horticultural ID at Shasta College. The workshop will meet in 129 Holt Hall at CSU, Chico. Either bring a hand lens and plant ID book or plan to purchase them at the workshop. Registration is $40. Please register in ad- vance. Phyto-blitzworkshop A Wildflower Phyto-blitz Workshop in the Field is scheduled for 9 a.m. Satur- day, April 18 at Vina Plains Preserve, facilitated by Marjorie McNairn and Rob Schlising. Celebrate the start of the 20th year that Friends of the Herbarium have helped support the Chico State Herbarium and have pro- moted botany in the area. Participants will meet in Chico to divide into teams, receive up-to-date wild- flower checklists and car pool to Vina Plains Pre- serve. This wildflower phyto- blitz is free but is by res- ervation only, and atten- dance is limited to mem- bers of Friends of the Herbarium. For more information about workshop registra- tion, call the Biology Of- fice at 898-5356 or send an email to epurvis@csuchico. edu. Detailed workshop de- scriptions and sign up forms are available at www. csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/ Events.html. CHICO STATE Herbariumtoofferworkshoponplantfamilies Los Molinos High School FFA continues to have strong community involve- ment and Field Day success this school year under the direction of its two new ag- riculture instructors, Me- lissa Stegall and Katie Ten- neson. Back by popular demand, Los Molinos FFA students have volunteered their time at community events such as Los Molinos 4th of July Parade, Tehama County Jubilee, National Bull Rid- ing Championship Finals in Chico, 4th Grade Farm Day, Breakfast with Santa and the Los Molinos Cham- ber of Commerce Banquet Dinner. The Los Molinos Floral Design classes have also continued to fill cus- tom orders for community members and events. The members of the Los Molinos FFA look forward to these opportunities to serve the community that is so sup- portive to them. Additionally, the compet- itive speaking and judging teams at Los Molinos FFA have traveled to a total of six speaking contests and field days in the pre-com- petitive season alone. Los Molinos FFA has six spunky Creed competi- tors, including Ulises Gra- ciano, Elaina Gullick, Car- los Linarez, Anahis Mar- tinez, Urivicia Hernandez and Katie Moran. Both Gra- ciano and Gullick made it into the final rounds of sev- eral contests bringing home a 10th place, 6th place, and 5th place award between the two of them. The competitive tradi- tion of the Los Molinos Nursery Landscape Team continues this spring. This year's team is composed of senior Destiny Boer, and ju- niors Juan Rodriguez, Jus- tine Yarbrough and Tyler Winter. They have taken 1st place at the Shasta Col- lege Field Day, 2nd place at the Arbuckle Field Day, and 6th place at the UC Davis Field Day. Job Interview competi- tors have also been giving Los Molinos something to smile about. Senior, Emalee Kourani earned 2nd place at the Arbuckle Field Day, while junior, Dawson Spen- cer earned 5th. Senior, Al- ley Madison, took first place at the Shasta Sectional Job Interview Contest and will move on to compete in Re- gionals on March 18. Los Molinos FFA has also participated in the following Career Develop- ment Events (CDE's) with great success. Floral De- sign, including competi- tors, Heather Rodriguez, Ashlie Morgan, Madi Hall, and Skyla Ball. Agriculture Mechanics, including com- petitors Wyatt McDonald, Perry Mathues, Cheyanne Crombie, and Kyle Hensel. Agronomy, composed of Ulises Graciano, Elaina Gullick, Carlos Linarez, Anahis Martinez, Urivi- cia Hernandez, Katie Mo- ran, and Garrett Morgan. These students have taken on the challenge of hon- ing their skills and have a perpetual excitement for practice, travel and com- petitions. Now more than ever Cal- ifornia needs agricultural- ists trained in specialized technical occupations to continue this competitive- ness in national and global markets. The Los Molinos agriculture program keeps students abreast of special- ized and demanding career opportunities through in- ternships, work-study, and Career Technical Education (CTE); creating a direct link between agriculture indus- try and the classroom. For more information or questions, send an email to Tenneson, at ktenneso@ lmusd.net. HIGH SCHOOL Los Molinos FFA hasn't missed a beat under their new leadership COURTESYPHOTOS Changing Lives One Career At A Time ◆ Emergency Medical Technician ◆ Criminology & Emergency Response Management ◆ Medical Office Administration ◆ Pharmacy Technician ◆ Professional Medical Assistant ◆ Vocational Nursing ◆ Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning 1755 Hilltop Drive, Redding CA 96002 (530) 224-1000 Facebook.com/IOTRedding Small Engine Repair GOLDENRULE SMALL ENGINES (530) 526-8121 796 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff (Enter from Trinity Ave.) Chainsaw Sale 10% off! Come by and see us today! 515SycamoreSt.,RedBluff 529-0260 MOULE'S TEHAMA COUNTY GLASS DOORS! Entrance, Screen, French, Security, Store Front Wehavethemall! Best of all we install! American Style - It's all about the flavor! www.kahunasmongolianbbq.com 2151 Market St. • Redding • (530) 244-4200 $ 2 OFF Regularly Priced Adult Meals (Dine-In Only) One per table. Not valid on to-go, seniors or children's meals. Not valid with other offers. Present for discount. Kahunas Mongolian BBQ is where you are able to create your own stir-fry by choosing your ingredients and sauces. Interact with our grill warriors as they prepare your meal right in front of you on our 48 inch round Mongolian Grill. Kahunas has something for everyone, from vegetarians to meat lovers and even gluten free diets! All prices plus sales tax, license fees, doc fees, any finance charge, any dealer preparation charge, any emission charge, any documentation preparation charge, any smog fees and any tire fees. all vehicles subject to prior sale & credit approval. Sale expires March 31, 2015 GrowneyMotors 1160 Main St, Red Bluff • (530) 527-1034 #208090 MARCH Special 2013 Buick LaCrosse Fwd Leather Pkg, Full Factory Warranty. MSRP - $35,070 GROWNEY DISCOUNT - $7,075 YOUR PRICE $ 27,995 ONEAT THIS PRICE 570 South Main St., Red Bluff 527-6640 Mon.-Fri. 9:00am to 7:00pm, Sat. 9:00am to 6:00pm Sun. 11:00am to 4:00pm Locally owned & operated get what you want with more ways to pay extrasavingsplan save-on-interest plan layaway plan monthly payment plan www.expresspros.com RespectingPeople. Impacting Business LookingforaJob?Wecanhelp. • Distribution Center Labor • Office Assistant • Maintenance Mechanic • Bookkeeper Call Today! 530-527-0727 243 So. Main Street Here are some of the positions we have available this week: 645Antelope Blvd. (across from the Tehama District Fairgrounds) at Frontier Village EGGS! Eat, Buy, Love Learn about this superfood Frontier Village Farmers Market March 8 NEW HOURS 8:30am-12:30pm WILL PAY $1000 older V-8 car or P.U. truck currentreg.ingoodrunning condition Al: 530-527-3895 $ 10 Adults • $ 3 Students Studentteams vs Adults teams... WhowillwintheUltimate Spelling Bee Crown? SAT., MARCH 21 5PM-8PM RED BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOUSE Hosted by Spellmaster Jennifer Scarborough of KRCR Tickets available at the door or by calling 530.529.4074 Published through a co-sponsorship agreement with The Daily News LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, March 17, 2015 » MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5