Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/723444
In the not too distant past, appliances and other items were repaired when they broke. Unfortunately, it has now become common place to throw away appli- ances needing repair and buy a new appliance. Tossed in the dustbin of history are the television repairman, the cobbler and others, whose services no longer have a need in this throw-away culture. Plenty of still-usable items come in every day to the land- fill, destined to be buried forever or sent off to recy- cling facilities that strip the useful components to make into more products. Every- thing from lawn mowers and bicycles, not to men- tion all the electronic de- vices, sit in piles waiting to be shipped off someplace else so that they can be pro- cessed into new items. This does not have to be the norm, and should not be either. For example, at the Tehama County Red Bluff Landfill, bicycles in good condition are sent to the Tehama County Pro- bation Department to be repaired and given a new home with a local resident or their child. Textiles, such as clothing and shoes in good condition, are being sent to thrift stores to help local non-profits provide clothing to those in need. Plentyoftheseitemsshould neverhavegottentotheland- fillinthefirstplace,butalack of knowledge on what can be repaired or not having these options available to residents is resulting in perfectly good items ending up here. What options are available to local residents to repair their bro- ken appliances, shoes, cloth- ing, or electronics? Several options are avail- able if you know where to look. The following are a few local businesses that repair computers, small ap- pliances, and lawn mowers. Call the business first to find out if they can repair your broken items or refer you to another business: Golden Rule repairs lawn mow- ers, weed eaters and chain- saws, 796 Antelope Blvd., 526-8121; Dunn's Little Bit of Everything repairs vacu- ums, sewing machines and computers, 347 Walnut St., 529-5480; XTreme PC Solu- tions repairs computers, 345 Hickory St., 528-1688 and Si- erra Sound repairs stereos, small electronics and gam- ing systems, 226 S. Main St., 527-3735. Don't see a repair busi- ness here that meets your needs? Do some research yourself and share what you find. It may not seem like repairing one vacuum will have much of an effect in the overall consumption of natural resources and lifes- pan of our Landfill, but ev- ery bit makes a difference. While repairing instead of replacing items may bring in less revenue for the landfill through reduced buried waste and tipping fees, the repairing of items provides benefits such as extending the life of the landfill and conserving re- sources. Diverting material from the landfill enables Te- hama County to operate the landfill longer. For more information on reuse and recycling pro- grams in Tehama County, visit www.tehamacountyl- andfill.com or call the Te- hama County Solid Waste Management Agency at 528-1103. LANDFILL Repairingsmallappliances and other items can add value CONTRIBUTED Plenty of still-usable items come in every day to the landfill. Dear Mary: I'm look- ing at new computers. When is the best time of year to buy one? — Stella Dear Stella: There is something to be said for seasonal pricing of some con- sumer goods. For exam- ple, you will probably get the best deals on outdoor grills and lawn mowers in July and August, as re- tailers are gearing up for Christmas and need to clear space. Our friends at Consumer Reports tell us that April is the best month to buy computers, but I'm not completely on board with that the- ory because it is way too general. The best time to buy a new computer is when you really need one. If your current machine is broken, if you need one that performs better, if you're buying one for a gift, etc., there's really no reason to delay the pur- chase. Research your op- tions, make a decision, and then shop around. If you're planning to buy an Apple product, by all means wait for the next big product an- nouncement if you can hold out. At that time, you might be able to get a deal on an older model. If you're looking at a PC, you might see some discounts late sum- mer and into fall, but I wouldn't expect any ma- jor improvements in PC technology that would warrant a big price drop anytime soon. I hope this helps. Dear Mary: Thank you so much for your column. I really enjoy it, and I learn a lot. In response to a recent column about TracFone, I wanted to let you know that I have used TracFone for many years, and it has been a good product for me. The best deal I can find for one-year cards is on the HSN website. There you can usually find the TracFone phone you want bundled with a one-year card with min- utes, a phone cover and a car charger, all for the price of a one-year card. You basically get a free phone and accessories for the price of a one- year card. I have done this three times, and it has worked out great. Thank you. — Mike Dear Mike: That's great information. You taught me something new. I wasn't aware that HSN (formerly the Home Shopping Network) of- fered TracFone products and services. Lots of your fellow EC readers are go- ing to be grateful once they check out the bun- dled pricing. Dear Mary: I hope you can help me. I burned bacon in my microwave. Oh, my gosh, does it smell awful! I have a bot- tle of Nok-Out, but I'm not sure how to use it. I hope you can give me some advice. — Carol Dear Carol: I sure can. Smoke is a tough prob- lem whether you're deal- ing with a microwave, car or other enclosed space. Thankfully, in most cases, smoke is not too tough for Nok-Out. You have to consider that once something starts smoking in a mi- crowave, the smoke is circulated through the entire appliance. When you apply the Nok-Out (at full strength), you must do the same — get the Nok-Out in every nook and cranny. Start by unplugging the appliance. Next, spray it inside and out, top to bottom, including any carousel, rack, filter, etc. Make sure Nok-Out comes in contact with every part of that appli- ance. Nok-Out is not at all toxic or harmful, so you can confidently spray the fan blades, provided you can reach them without taking the oven apart. Do not attempt that! Once you're certain ev- ery square millimeter has been sprayed with Nok-Out, let it dry com- pletely. Leave the door open, and don't use the appliance for at least 24 hours. That should do it. If you still notice the odor, give it another full treatment. Good luck. Don't forget: When or- dering Nok-Out use cou- pon code "DPL" for 10 percent off your order. If you have any ques- tions, you can call Ted from Nok-Out toll free at 1-866-551-1927. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE When to buy a computer, where to buy a TracFone The individual shared responsibility provision requires you and each member of your family to have basic health coverage — also known as mini- mum essential coverage — qualify for a health cov- erage exemption, or make an individual shared re- sponsibility payment for months without coverage or an exemption when you file your federal income tax return. Many people already have minimum essential coverage. If you do, you'll simply report your cov- erage when you file your 2016 tax return in 2017. If you and your family mem- bers all had minimum es- sential coverage for each month of the tax year, you will indicate this on your tax return by checking a box on Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. No further ac- tion is required. If you do have health cov- erage, you'll receive one or more forms early next year about the health care cov- erage that you had or were offered during 2016. You should not attach any of these forms to your tax re- turn but should keep them with your tax records. Here are some examples of coverage that qualify as minimum essential cover- age: Group health insurance coverage for employees un- der a governmental plan such as the Federal Employ- ees Health Benefit program, a plan or coverage offered in the small or large group market within a state or a grandfathered health plan offered in a group market; self-insured group health plan for employees; CO- BRA coverage and retiree coverage. Individual health cover- age can include health in- surance you purchase di- rectly from an insurance company, health insurance you purchase through the Health Insurance Market- place and health insurance provided through a student health plan. Coverage under govern- ment-sponsored programs includes Medicare Part A coverage, Medicare Ad- vantage plans, most Med- icaid coverage, Children's Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP, most types of TRICARE cover- age, comprehensive health care programs offered by the Department of Veter- ans Affairs, Department of Defense Nonappropriated Fund Health Benefits Pro- gram and Refugee Medical Assistance. U.S. citizens, who are res- idents of a foreign country for an entire year, and res- idents of U.S. territories, are considered to have min- imum essential coverage for the year. For a list of the types of coverage that qualify as minimum essential cov- erage and information on those that do not qualify — as well as information on certain coverage that may provide limited benefits — visit the MEC page onIRS. gov/aca. If you need health cov- erage, visit HealthCare.gov to learn about health insur- ance options that are avail- able for you and your fam- ily, how to purchase health insurance, and how you might qualify to get finan- cial assistance with the cost of insurance. TAX TIPS Make sure your health care coverage qualifies The Blue Room The- atre is presenting "The How and The Why," writ- ten by Sarah Treem and directed by Amanda Det- mer at 7:30 p.m. Thurs- days through Saturdays, through Sept. 24, at 139 W. 1st St. in Chico. More than science is at stake when two women of different generations clash over what it means to be fe- male. On the eve of a pres- tigious conference, an up- and coming evolutionary biologist wrestles for the truth with an established leader in the field. As the women thrash out their views, they struggle to find the middle ground between research and relationships. Featuring Chico the- ater veteran Joyce Hender- son and Hannah Knight, this intimate and keenly perceptive play explores evolution and emotion, and thedifficultchoicesfacedby women of every generation. Every Thursday is pay- what-you-can, $5 mini- mum, available for pur- chase at the door only. Fridays and Saturday tick- ets are $15 if purchased online or at The Book- store, 118 Main St., $18 at the door. CHICO 'The How and The Why' at theBlue Room Theatre Mary Hunt You will probably get the best deals on outdoor grills and lawn mowers in July and August, as retailers are gearing up for Christmas and need to clear space. 3917N.MainSt,Cottonwood,CA 530-347-3793 Thankyoufor50wonderfulyears Shasta Livestock Auction Yard September 9 th Sale 2 1 /2% Commission September 6 th -12 th Specials at the Branding Iron Café! Celebratingour 50 th Anniversary! 734MainStreet 530-690-2477 11am-9pm Mon.-Thur. 11am - 10pm Fri. & Sat. 11am-8pm Sun. 9 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP Pizza Restaurant Patrick's Pumping SepticPumpingServices Red Bluff, CA Garet Patrick Owner/Operator 530-366-6899 4patricks@att.net Available 24/7 Round Up Saloon Round Up Saloon 610WashingtonSt. Red Bluff Supporting Farmers Market with live music on Wednesdaynites call for dates (530) 527-9901 (530) 529-1220 100 Jackson St. Red Bluff Water Aerobic Classes Monthly Special $ 28 00 a month No Enrollment Fee Stop by or call for information LaCorona Garden Center 7769Hwy99E,LosMolinos 530-576-3118 General Hydroponics Fox Farm Soil Grow More Fertilizer YaraMila Fertilizer Chicken Feed Garden Plants STOVEJUNCTION The TheNorthState'spremiersupplierofstoves 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over 25 years of experience Tues-Sat9am-5pm• ClosedSun&Mon Now Carrying! GreenMountainGrills & Accessories Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate Shop Equipped With 4SmogMachines For Fast Service No appointment Needed LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, September 6, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5