Now that nature’s lights
are dimming and the temperatures are dropping, instead of sitting in front of
the television set, why not embark on that task you have been putting off for
years: sorting through all the bills, receipts, legal papers you have
accumulated in boxes and file cabinets over the many years. But what should you
toss in the wastebasket and what should you shred?
To help out, and since I
didn’t really know, I went online and found several answers - but it depends on
what degree you want to protect your personal information. Some websites
suggest you shouldn’t take any chances and shred all your documents including
everything you receive in the mail.
That may be a little
extreme. But it is definitely recommended that you destroy all documents, including
junk mail, which includes any of the following: account numbers, birth dates,
passwords, PINs, signatures and social security numbers.
You should also consider
shredding items that include: names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail
addresses - including any
kind of credit card offers and applications; courtesy checks from banks;
monthly bills; and anything related to taxes and receipts with your signature. (One
source did suggest you don’t need to shred receipts showing just the last four
digits of your credit card number - if they don’t include your signature. And
any documents having just your name and address which is public information.) In addition, you might want to shred any other
personal information that you wouldn’t want identity thieves to find - or your
wife or husband!
If you decide to shred the documents yourself, avoid the least expensive strip-cut shredders, and instead use a cross-cut ,confetti or diamond-cut shredder which makes it almost impossible to piece a document back together.
If you decide to shred the documents yourself, avoid the least expensive strip-cut shredders, and instead use a cross-cut ,confetti or diamond-cut shredder which makes it almost impossible to piece a document back together.
If you want to save time
(you don’t have to remove paper clips and staples) and know your documents will
be securely destroyed, you can call Gorge Security Shred at 541-490-7078. They
have met the tough certification requirements of NAID (National Association for
Information Destruction) and are a service provided by the local non-profit
Opportunity Connections. A representative will meet you at a designated
location, (often the Center’s parking lot) to pick up your documents which will
then be securely transported to their shredding facility in Parkdale. You will
be mailed a Certificate of Destruction verifying your documents have been
shredded and cannot be reconstructed. The cost is generally twenty cents a
pound with some exceptions. It is easy, cheap and convenient.
We must be having fun
because time is passing quickly, as we fast approach the third Saturday of
November. And that means Saturday Breakfast and Old Fashioned Bingo on November
17th. Breakfast is from 8:00 - 9:30 and the menu is - well I forgot to ask, but
it is always tasty. And Old Fashioned Bingo is gaining in popularity. It is
fun, simple and great for the grandkids. Cards are $3.00, prizes are $5 and $25
for the last blackout and runs from 3:00 – 4:00 pm. (And you still have time to
come back for Saturday Night Bingo starting at 6:00.)
Thanks to Dan Williams
for forwarding me an email demonstrating how amazingly our brains can read text
where numbers are substituted for several letters. So see if your brain can
read the Center’s music announcement for this week. 70NIGH7 M4R71N 4ND FR13ND5
W1LL B3 PL4Y1NG. 4ND N3X7 W33K 17 W1LL 0NC3 4G41N B3 7RUM4N P3RF0RM1NG H15
C0UN7RY G0LD 4S Y0U D4NC3 7H3 N1GH7 4W4Y. 7HE MU31C 574R75 47 7:00 PM, 3V3RY0N3
15 W3LC0M3, 4ND D0N4710N5 4R3 4LLW4Y5 4PPR3C1473D.
It was 1974 through
January of 1977 when Gerald Ford and Nelson Rockerfeller were President and
Vice-President without either being elected by the people. (And the randomly
selected winner of a free Saturday breakfast is Kathy Ursprung.) This week’s
“Remember When” question goes back to 1959 when this crime drama first appeared
on ABC. It was inspired by real-life Prohibition
agents who battled Chicago criminal elements including Al Capone. The show was criticized for its
violent shoot-outs but was a hit among viewers making it one of ABC’s early
hits. What was the name of the show and its star actor? E-mail your answer to
the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with an
autographed memoir by Elliot Ness and Oscar Fraley.
Well,
it has been another week, trying to get use to the early morning chill.
Until we meet again, sleep tight, but don’t let the bed bugs bite.
“I am always doing that
which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso
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