Remote Area Medical (RAM) Comes to Los Angeles

Health care coverage is the "it" topic these days. What's the best way to cover the most people with the best coverage for the least amount of money? Ya...it might be a while.

A truly impressive effort by Remote Area Medical (RAM) seeks to serve the most underserved, up until now in rural areas.

As 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley reported in 2008, "Remote Area Medical sets up emergency clinics where the needs are greatest. But these days, that's not the Amazon. This charity founded to help people who can't reach medical care finds itself throwing America a lifeline."

A past expedition in Knoxville, TN brought free services to 1,343 people. The 276 volunteers helped provide 504 eyeglasses, extract 1,066 teeth and do 567 fillings for a total value of $235,497.00 in free care.

This week, RAM is serving the Los Angeles area, their first effort in an urban setting where an estimated 22% of working-age adults lacking health insurance. In a few days, they've already treated thousands. If you're curious about their progress, check out their twitter updates at RAM Los Angeles. It's interesting to see how much their accomplishing. And if you're motivated to give, they need donations in the form of people, water, food, and money.

Via Twitter:
If a patient needs glasses,lenses are ground on site and the patient gets to pick frames.

Post Office Update: 2009

So, a friend of mine thought that my post about the post office increasing the price of stamps again was an old post coming back to life.

Nope. In case you thought the same, here goes.

May 11, 2009 - Postage will increase by 2 cents from 42c to 44c. If you're going to buy stamps, make them forever stamps. If you prefer rolls of stamps, then you might already know that the post office doesn't sell them. What's that all about?!? But I hear Costco does sell rolls of forever stamps, though I couldn't find them online.

And don't forget to buy some extra non-perishable groceries this week to donate on Saturday, May 9, 2009 for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Post Office: Stamp Out Hunger Donation & Postage Increases

Saturday, May 9, 2009 is the post office's annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Fun! Time to clean out the pantry of food you won't be using and donate it to those in need. As long as it's non-perishable, not in a glass jar and hasn't expired, it's suitable to include in your donation. If you're feeling generous, buy a little extra when your at the store and toss it in with your donation. Personally, I like to add a few basic staples like sugar, powdered milk, flour, and beans. And remember, if you get a separate receipt (i.e., just food to donate), save your receipt to write off your food donation at tax time.

Every little bit helps.

And of course, what's a year without a rate increase on postage? As of May 11, 2009, postage will be increasing from $0.42 to $0.44. Here are the details.

Sometimes I just wish they'd raise it by 10 or 15 cents and be done with these penny increases. Mail, even at 50+ cents, is still cheap. But hey, that's just me.

Spring Cleaning at the MetaHome

I've been doing a bit of spring cleaning lately. Purging the old and unused from closets, cupboards, and bins. I guess you could say it's time to finish the nesting that I didn't have time for before MetaGirl came along.

Here's my basic to do list, but use your own judgment for your list:

Food:

• Toss all old unused dry goods that are rarely used like certain flours and corn meal. As far as I'm concerned, food like dried pasta and beans have an infinite shelf life.
  
• Check old nuts, which can get stale, and and dried fruit, which can lose freshness.
  
• Toss anything that has expired or just plain looks funny.
  
• As for replenishing, I won't bother getting more until I need it.

Clothes:

• Pick out everything that's looking old and sad and either (1) toss or (2) save for messy jobs (e.g., painting or spring cleaning ;-)
  
• Pick out clothes that don't get worn. We all have those things that we thought we'd wear, but never do. Why fool yourself? It's time to pass it on to someone who might actually get to use it.
  
• The kids have clothes that no longer fit them. They went into one of 4 piles:
  
  • Pass on to someone who can use it
    
  • Hold on for sentimental value (I really want to make something like this blanket one day)
    
  • Hold on for MetaGirl
    
  • Toss - too worn or stained to pass on

As for passing on clothes, I'm in a situation where I don't have room to hold on to such clothes indefinitely, and I don't know of anyone who can use them now or in the near future. So at the advice of a friend to has done this a few times, I participated in a local consignment sale that's held twice a year. They require a minimum of 30 items, so it motivated me to clear out some big and bulky items (e.g., bouncie chairs, bumbo). The most important factor was that I wasn't donating something to the Salvation Army in hopes that someone would benefit from the items. I priced them very reasonably, and when they sold, I knew that someone would appreciate, and hopefully love the stuff as much as we did. I had a terrible time parting with some items (I can't tell you how many pictures we have with one of those bouncie chairs), so I really wanted to know they wouldn't end up in the dumpster.

Toiletries:

• Anything unopened can be donated to pretty much any shelter (e.g., homeless, domestic violence, teen shelter for runaways).
  
• Opened products are much harder to find a home for. MetaDaddy says it's tacky, but if I have shampoo or lotion that I will never finish, I feel guilty throwing it away. It seems so wasteful! But if I could donate it, I would clear it out, thus leaving us with less chaos in our bathrooms. I called around, and domestic violence shelters seem to only accept unopened items (including sample and hotel sizes). However, homeless shelters are willing to take either (they really seemed to want lotion). Call first to be sure the shelter accepts your donation.

And when you're done, get out that label maker and put all the good stuff back. Stand back and behold your handiwork :-D

Update: More tips on Spring Cleaning from AP: A spring guide to help you clean out the clutter

LA Event: Taste of the Nation

Tomorrow, Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation will be held in Culver City. We went last year, and it was a lovely afternoon. A bunch of great local restaurants have stalls where they offer small, but tasty treats to tempt your palate. It's not just stuff off of their menu, but a creative show of their talents. It's all you can eat with your paid admission, $115 per person ($125 at the door), $25 for kids 6-15, kids under 6 free (woo hoo!). No, it's not cheap by any stretch, but consider the following:

• The proceeds go to a good cause. "100% of ticket sales from Taste of the Nation are granted to the most effective anti-hunger organizations working to end childhood hunger in America."
  
• If you have a young child who's active or kid who's generally difficult to take to a nice restaurant, it means getting a sitter (at a cost), planning everything in advance, and crossing your fingers that everything goes well. Here, you get several nice restaurants all trying to impress your palate all in the same place, and it's outdoors. So the wee one can enjoy food, sun, and fun, all while you get a unique meal out.
  
• If the price is still hefty, consider this. You can use discount code KCRW (case sensitive), provided by one of my favorite radio programs, Good Food. The net cost per ticket is reduced to $103.50 per person. Of that, $73.50 is tax deductible. Oh, and did I mention it goes to a good cause?

Some of the participating restaurants that we would would love to go, but would never consider taking MetaToddler, even on his best days:

Joe's Restaurant
La Cachette
Melisse
Providence
Sushi Roku
Water Grill
Wilshire

There are several other great restaurants that we enjoy (complete list of participating restaurants are here and here), so the biggest challenge will be saving enough room to try everything ;-)

Oh, and don't forget to save room for dessert!!

Location: Media Park (Park is between Venice and Culver Blvd)
9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Date & Time: Sunday, June 1, 2008 from 1pm to 4pm

Around the Internet

Autism Breakthrough: Girl's Writings Explain Her Behavior and Feelings - A beautifully inspirational story about a girl diagnosed with severe autism at the age of four. She is unable to speak, but has found a way to communicate by typing. Much like I see the frustration bubbling as MetaToddler struggles to communicate with me, it turns out that Carly just wanted to be heard. Now, she is.


Koko art via Daily Candy - Frame your walls with art by Koko and Michael...yes, the signing gorillas. Not cheap, but you'd be helping fund the Gorilla Foundation.


Photo of "Pepper" by Michael


Griffith Park Railroad for Kids - When I was a kid, I used to love, love, love riding the mini train in Griffith Park. Kids have to be 34 inches, however, so MetaToddler's not quite there yet. The minute he hits that milestone, we'll be trekking to the good ol' park, though. Free train ride!!

Trader Joe's Bans China - While I generally trust the products that Trader Joe's carries, I have been put off by a few products that come from China. The frozen roasted corn or canned organic black beans, for example. However, they will be pulling "single-ingredient" Chinese-grown food products because of customer concerns by April 1, 2008. They're still confident in the products, but I guess the customer's always right.

Doggies in Need

A friend alerted me to such a tragic story because her neighbor was involved in the rescue efforts. Hundreds of neglected animals were found and rescued on a ranch in Lancaster, California.

Animals Rescued From 'Deplorable' Ranch

If you can afford the space, time, and love, volunteers are desperately in need of doggie parents.

Around the Internet

Retirements Spark Air Traffic Controller Shortage - In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired the air traffic controllers who went on strike. Guess what. That whole fleet of new controllers is now approaching retirement (25 years). And guess what the overworked and unhappy controllers are doing!

Netflix costs the post office way more than they bargained for. $21 million more, to be exact. Why? Because the envelopes, which are designed to allow the post office to sort them with machines, get snagged on their back back from customers because of frayed edges.

Game for a Cause: Free Rice

Game for the Halibut: Face Off via the Island Life - If you think you know your celebs, prepare to get served.

Promotional Prix Fixe Meals in 7 Cities

A fundraiser by Share Our Strength to raise money to end childhood hunger in America will be taking place in a few cities throughout the U.S. this month. Nice restaurants, to be sure, at a much more reasonable price than usual. It's a nice evening out, perhaps for an August birthday or anniversary...not that you'd forget such things. Just remember, drinks is where they get you, so keep an eye on consumption if you're thinking with your $$.

Dine Out
Sunday-Thursday
August 19-23rd, and August 26-30th
$25 Lunch, $35 Dinner

"For a limited time, some of the finest restaurants in your area are offering a special three-course prix fixe gourmet menu for just $25 at lunch and $35 at dinner. You'll also receive a complimentary bottle of S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water or Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water to enjoy with your meal. And for each S.Pellegrino™ Dine OutSM meal served during that time, S.Pellegrino™ will donate $1 to Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit organization that is committed to building the first hunger-free generation of children in America."

Participating Cities:
Chicago
Fairfield County, CT
Los Angeles
New Orleans
Orange County, CA
San Francisco
Westchester County, NY

Being Organized Pays

So in case you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of being organized. I prefer investing the time and effort up front, which allows for less stress on the back end. 43 Folders' post on his organizational pursuits reminded me of the nuances of getting and staying organized. If you have limited storage space, which we do, being organized is crucial. It means you don't have to spend hours trying to find and retrieve something (barring the occassional keys snafu). 43's lightbulb moment came when he realized that he was organizing, but not eliminating. That's a huge part of being organized, though. Shuffling useless stuff throughout your home can be easy, unfortunately.
Possible thoughts:

(1) It's still good - I'm sure it is. Aunt Glinda gave you that coffee maker, but you already had one. You kept it because you didn't want to hurt her feelings, but you've never used it. Sure, it's still good, but guess what. Not to you. I have trouble discarding things that are "still useful," too, which is why we make periodic donations to local charities. You might consider eBay, freecycle, or charities like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local shelters.

(2) You might use it again - You bought that dress with good intentions, but you wore it once and it no longer fits. If you hold on to something like clothes waiting for them to fit again or to come back into fashion, you're just avoiding the inevitable. I'm not trying to be a pessimist here, but it's important to be rational. And we're beyond that...we're ruthless. If you haven't worn it in a year, assuming it's not seasonal (e.g., ski clothes), why is it taking up precious space? If you're really hesitant, put it in a box out of sight for a year. If you forgot it even existed, come on! Give that dress a new life on someone else ;-)

(3) It was expensive and you don't want to have to buy it again if you find out you need it - If you didn't use it the first time, you won't use it the second time.

I'm sure there are many other reasons to keep things that you can't bear to part with, but the point is to evaluate your reasoning and examine your logic. Are you keeping things for emotional reasons? Do you have enough space for the stuff you've accumulated? Even if you do, is the extra clutter and maintence (e.g., cleaning around stuff) necessary and worth it to you?

The interesting side effect of purging our closets is a mental shift that has resulted in saving money. I don't impulse buy (as much) because I'm much more conscious of the ramifications of my purchase. The big questions I ask myself when shopping are:

(1) Can I afford the expense? - Is it worth the price? Will it put a dent in my budget?

(2) Can I afford the space? - Where will I put it? Will it create clutter? Will I have to get rid of something else in order to keep this? Is that worth it to me? I find this question especially useful with toys because I want to give our little guy everything, but he hardly cares. He'll play with a cardboard box just as well as an expensive toy. We can only store so many toys, and he's usually happier playing with one of us than the stuff we buy him. Added bonus.

(3) Do we need it?- Better yet, will we use it? Do I do things that require this tool (e.g., if I didn't bake, I wouldn't need a stand mixer--and yes, I need my stand mixer). Unitaskers are lame. Do I have something else that could substitute for this (e.g., paella pans are for people who don't know you can make paella in a pot)? It doesn't matter how small or cheap something is if I won't use it. It's just taking up needed space, which defeats my organizational efforts.

On that note, a friend suggested to think about purchases for a month, and if you still want/need it, get it. Stopping to think about purchases really keeps your budget in check.

Whatever you decide to keep, store it wisely. Personally, I like storage boxes, space bags (when the seal works, which has been a nuisance), and my trusty label maker. You can fit more in a box with space bags, and if you label things, you don't have to rummage to find anything. Put little sachets of I'm a virgo and a little OCD, in case you haven't noticed.

Do you have any tips to share?

Financial Calender per Money Magazine

As Q2 has just ended, how's your desk looking? Between work and family, it's hard to stay organized. And when it's warm and lovely outside, who cares! Well, before you completely forget, here's a list of things from Money magazine's December 2006 issue to keep you on your toes. An annual planner to help you keep your financial affairs and such in order.

Here are a few that you might still be able to take advantage of.
2nd Quarter

Empty your desk drawers - Prune your papers by ditching 2006's pay stubs, undisputed medical insurance claims, monthly credit-card and brokerage statements, and credit-card and ATM receipts. Hang on to year-end investment records indefinitely and tax records for at least seven years.

Weather the storm - Rates for homeowners insurance are expected to climb 4% nationally in 2007, far more in coastal areas. You may get a discount if you install storm shutters and take other steps to hurricane-proof your home. Plus, update your home inventory by videotaping your belongings.

Do It Now:
-Get a big tax refund? Adjust your W4 withholding by adding another allowance.
-Free up time in 2007. Sign up for online bill pay at your bank.
-Lower your risk of ID theft by stopping credit-card solicitations. Call 888-567-8688. (Note: you have to supply your Social Security Number)
-Cut down on unwanted catalogues (and save a few trees). Pay $1 to have your name removed from mailing lists at DMA consumers.

Stuff that you should start looking at over the next few months.
3rd Quarter

Save your energy - Unless Congress acts, this is the last year certain energy-friendly home upgrades, such as installing new windows and insulation, will entitle you to a federal tax credit worth up to $500 (find details at ASE). Even if you can't claim the credit, plugging drafs, adding insulation and switching to compact fluorescent bulbs can save you hundreds on utility bills this winter.

Hit the seas - For the best berth and price, you generally have to book cruises nine to 12 months in advance. But you can find a cheap spot on a repositioning cruise on much shorter notice. These trips often go from Europe to the Caribbean between late September and mid-December, as cruise companies move their ships to warmer spots for the winter. Repositioning cruises offer discounts of 75% or more on high-season prices, and with fewer families crowding the ships, you might nab an upgrade, too.

Fund a 529 - Money in these college savings plans grows tax-free, and you won't pay taxes on the withdrawals now that Congress has made that perk permanent.

Insure your life for less - Rates on term life insurance are expected to drop 4% in 2007. If you have a policy and you're in good health, you may be able to save by shopping around. Compare prices at insure.com and quickquote.com.

Tally your medical bills - If you've already spent most of your health insurance deductible, try to advance some of next year's doctor visits and procedures into the second half of 2007 so that your insurer will foot the entire bill.

Plan Ahead:
-Order your second credit report of 2007 in July here.
-Have your furnace inspected; once cold weather hits, repair pros will be busier.
-Buy a bike. Most manufacturers ship next year's models in September. To clear out 2007 inventory, stores may knock 15-25% off the price.
-Look for computer deals. With the early 2007 wide release of Microsoft's Vista and faster chips from Intel, older models should be discounted

Stuff to think about in a few months.
4th Quarter

Look in on your investments - Once a year you should make sure your stock and bond allocations match your plan. If not, sell winners and buy losers to restore your optimal mix. You can rebalance any time of year, but fall is an especially good time if you invest outside tax-sheltered retirement accounts. That's because you can sell dud investments before year-end and cut your 2007 tax bill. If your losses outstrip your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 worth of losses against ordinary income.

Spread holiday cheer - Donate to your favorite charity by 12/31. Starting in 2007, you'll need a receipt for all cash gifts, no matter how small. That could be a letter from the charity, a canceled check or a credit-card statement. Plus you'll need an appraisal for any donated item worth more than $500.

Read all e-mails from HR - Typically, November is open-enrollment season, and once again you may see new choices like a health savings account, which lets you put away pretax money for medical costs. To fund an HSA, you must pick a high-deductible insurance plan (at least $2,200 for families).

Grab tax breaks at work - Depending on your company's policies, you may be able to stash several thousand dollars pretax in a flexible spending account that you can tap to pay for medical expenses; you can put aside another $3,000 for day-care costs;$105 a month for mass transit and $205 for parking.

Hit your boss up for cash - Pay raises are expected to average 3.7% in 2007 (about the same as last year). Raise your chances for more dough by asking in fall, when the head honchos are tinkering with the 2008 budget.

Beat the clock:
-If you filed for an extention on your taxes in April, your new deadline is October 15.
-If you are 65 or older, re-enroll for the Medicare drug plan for 2008 between November 15 and December 31.
-You can give up to $12,000 tax-free to any number of people by December 31. A couple can together give $24,000.
-Order your last free credit report of 2007 in December here.
-Shop online for gifts before December 14 to get free shipping from major e-tailers.

A Quiet Green Gap

Gap carries a line of clothes called (Product) Red. When someone buys one of these products, they donate a portion of its profits to buy and distribute AIDS medicine throughout Africa. I'd heard about that, as it feels as though the (Product) Red campaign has gotten a reasonable amount of publicity. I did not, however, know that Gap has been doing some other environmentally conscious things. Fool's recent article outlines a couple of interesting things:

"In 2004, Gap partnered with Delhi's government and two NGOs to help women who have been victims of domestic violence by employing them as garment makers. Project Swabhiman, as it was called, provided the women shelter, support services, job training, and a healthy environment to work in. Did you know that in February, the company began testing a more earth-friendly product made from 100% organic cotton? Were you aware that last summer, Banana Republic sold a skirt from an environmentally friendlier hemp/silk material?"

I respect them for doing this, and I'll be watching for more.

Virtual Bakesale for a Good Cause

Hold a virtual bake sale to help end childhood hunger in America. Sounds shady, but it's all legitimate. It's just about raising funds for a worthwhile cause in which you too can be involved.

There is hunger in America, and when kids face it, the damage can be seen in poor school attendance, test scores, and medical costs, all of which affect the community in the long run. Share Our Strength (SOS) states that "Nationally, 1 in 6 American children live in homes at risk of hunger. Many of these children are helped by federal and state feeding programs, but there remains gaps in their eating during the summer and after school." I do so much to make sure that our son not only eats enough, but is happy in doing so. It saddens me to think of the need facing so many kids in our own communities.

Taste of the Nation-June 24

We used to eat out a lot more, but these days, if we go out it's for an early bird special to one of a handful of trusted places. One local restaurant is great...the owner (who we've known for years and loves kids) once held our son and cooed at him while we ate. Everyone left happy that day. That said, if the little guy hasn't napped or is generally cranky, all bets are off because he just won't 10 minutes in a high chair. And in a current fit of cooking, we've been eating in a lot more than usual these days...just to offset the cost of going to the farmers' market ;-)

Which brings me to this fundraising event this coming Sunday, June 24th, from 1-5 PM in Culver City that intrigues me. Taste of the Nation is an annual event to raise money to end childhood hunger in America. This is so many great things all wrapped into one...great food in small quantities (i.e., more to taste), funds go to a good cause, it's an excuse to eat outdoors, and a lot of restaurants we won't be able to go to for a few years will be there. It's not cheap, but as I said, it's a fundraiser. They say "100% of ticket sales benefits the fight to end childhood hunger." Besides, if all goes well, we'll get to try tastey bits from various restaurants (list here) which would charge nearly the same amount for just one meal. If you'd like to minimize your cost, buy tickets in advance and use the discount code KCRW for 15% off.

- VIP: $150 (in advance or at event)
VIP Package includes:
* Valet parking
* Access to HD Buttercup Luxury Lounge featuring premium food, wine and service
* VIP gift bag
* Reserved front of the stage seating for cook-off and live auction

- General Admission: $95 in advance, $105 at the event
- Children 6-15: $25
- Children under 6: Free!

15% discount code: KCRW

Locally, the money raised will be distributed to the following Los Angeles organizations in recognition of their exemplary efforts:
- The Chrysalis Center
- Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness
- St. Joseph's Center
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- California Food Policy Advocates
- The Garden School Foundation

Event Information:
Sunday, June 24 2007
Media Park
Corner of Venice Blvd. & Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232