Red Bluff Daily News

April 30, 2011

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Saturday, April 30, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Greedy grandmother growing grating Dear Annie: Adults are supposed to set a good example, but I literally can't go anywhere without seeing adults smoking. That is not surprising because in West Virginia alone, more than one in four adults smoke. It is no wonder that across the country more than 3,500 kids will try their first ciga- rette today. Thankfully, states across the U.S., including mine, are enacting laws to deter smoking, including implementing smoke- free facilities, creating tobacco taxes and establishing tobacco-pre- vention programs. However, I know tobacco companies are still finding ways to hook kids on smok- ing. inspire others to become involved. Thank you on behalf of so many. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: When I was 5, I had to live with my dad and my stepmother, "Joann," who was physical- ly, emotionally and verbally abusive. After 12 years, I left to live with my biologi- cal mom. My relationship with Joann has been tenuous at best. She didn't bother to attend my high school or college graduations. When I mar- ried, she not only refused to come, but tried to keep my father away, as well. The two of them have been absentee grandparents to my sons, their only grandchildren, who are now 15 and 20. I am not the kind of guy to just stand by when something bothers me, so for the past few years, I have worked with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, letting people in my town know that Big Tobacco is still targeting teens. We need to do more to pass state laws protect- ing kids and to send a message to tobacco companies that we know what they are doing. One way your readers can get involved is by visiting www.tobac- cofreekids.org to learn more about what is being done in their own state and how they can help. -- Zachary Morris, age 19, Smithers, W.V. Dear Zachary Morris: Bless you for taking on this lifesaving cause. We hope your letter will Joann decided to retire early, which meant they wanted money from my siblings and me every month. My husband said absolutely not. Since then they have quit call- ing, and I haven't spoken to them in eight months. She recently told my brother that I called and yelled at her, which is completely untrue. I've had a couple of minor health scares recently. I'm tired of trying to please these two utterly self-cen- tered people. I do not feel like extending the "olive branch" yet again, but part of me feels guilty because they are getting older. What would you do? -- Fed Up with Family Dear Fed Up: Extending an olive branch doesn't mean handing out cash. If the only thing your father values in this relationship is money, we don't see the point. Since you apparently still want some type of contact with your father, however, we recommend you take the finances off the table. Call Dad if you like. Send chatty letters and e-mails with updated family news, and expect nothing in return. You will be an attentive daughter and will have no reason to feel guilty. Dear Annie: This is for "L.W.," whose son has bipolar disorder, a recognized mental health disorder. He is entitled to mental health care, which includes medication. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act sought to ensure that people with mental health disorders get the same cov- erage from their insurance compa- nies as those with physical disor- ders. Readers can contact the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Ser- vices (cms.gov/healthinsreformfor- consume/04_thementalhealthpar- ityact.asp) at 1-877-267-2323 for more information. The son should be able to get help through his state's Department of Mental Health. And his physician may also be able to offer referrals for help or resources. -- K in Massachusetts Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Thanks for nothing, Facebook In case you hadn't noticed, I didn't write my article last month. I was afraid to. I was training for a fight, and I didn't want my parents to find out. Well, I was foolish enough to post that I was fight- ing on Facbook, and my Uncle Randy in Oregon called my par- ents and spilled the beans. Thanks, Uncle Randy. My mom started crying when she asked it it was true. Anyhow, it's true. I officially came out of retirement. I had a fight in Oklahoma on April 9. I was pretty nervous. I hadn't fought in a year. I had to shake off the ring rust and get on it. The girl I fought was a local, so I knew I had to bring it. I was hoping for an early finish, a knock out or a submission. She was a pretty young blond, moth- er of two. We weighed in. I came in at 123. She came in at 125. She cut 12 pounds to get to that weight, and she put it all back on by the time we fought. I didn't really put any weight back on. So, she had me in weight and height. At the fight, I always hope to get it over with soon, be one of the first 5 Avery Vilche Fitness Buff fights. No such luck. We were the 11th fight- practi- cally the semi-main event. I had Manual Whatley, my boxing coach, and John, my husband, in my corner. They were just as ner- vous as I was. The bell rang, and we came out throwing leather. She had me against the cage right away- did- n't like eating my punches. Against the cage she threw a lot of knees, I threw a lot of elbows. I felt like we were a couple of rut- ting bucks, our horns locked, fighting for territory. We'd end up on the ground, I'd get a rever- sal on her and end up on top dropping some ground and pound (thanks to Rocky Golden, my ground coach, for sharpening up my grappling skills). All three rounds were pretty much like that. I had some submission attempts on her- a Dars choke and a rear naked choke- for both she was saved by the bell. At the end of the third round, I was on top. I was dropping some bombs down on her head. She was working for a triangle choke. I was able to defend the choke, thanks to Rocky. I ended that round like that, on top, dropping bombs as the bell rung. It More options for treating psoriasis DEAR DR. GOTT: To the read- er who wrote in to your column regarding her grandson’s psoria- sis: Try a naturo- pathic doctor who focuses on diet. I went to a dermatol- ogist for years with a horrible case of psoriasis. I have used steroidal creams, took cortisone injections (one time directly to the soles of my feet, one of my more painful experiences), and gave myself weekly shots in the abdomen. I even had an infusion treatment and countless “trial medica- tions” in trying to reclaim normal skin that would not crack and bleed. When my dermatologist suggested I save my sperm and go in for light chemo, I went looking for other opinions. Courtesy photo Avery Vilche on top, Sarah Malloy of Oklahoma on bottom. felt good. I stood up, total- ly spent but content with my performance. I raised my hands. I knew the judges could have still given her the decision, though. It's happened to me before. We all waited with so much anticipation. The judges gave the score. I ended up taking the win by unanimous decision. The crowd even applauded (usually they boo when the local loses). I was riding high, and I still am. Almost nothing feels as good as a win (and almost nothing feels as bad as a loss). I would like to thank Jill Becker for allow- ing me to train for this fight at Body Projex. I would like to thank Janet Martin who lives all the way in North Carolina who spon- sored me by giving me money for a plane ticket for my corner. I would like to thank Manual Whatley for getting my stand up so MERLE HAGGARD much better and being a great corner. I would like to thank Rocky Golden for all his help in preparing me for the ground game. I would like to thank Jessica Richards and J.T. Reid for being there to train with me. Most of all, I would like to thank my husband for all his love and won- derful support. No, I did not just win an Oscar, but it felt like I did. Avery Vilche is a professional MMA fighter, PAL coach and fitness instructor.She has her BA in physical education and a certificate in exercise physiology from Chico State. She can be reached at vilcheavery@yahoo.com. The diet and supple- ments that the naturopathic doctor gave me aimed at rebuilding my liver and kid- neys, as they had been dam- aged by extended use of an over-the-counter medication that I should have known better than to take for so long. He was the first doctor to go through a comprehen- sive history with me and changing my diet to include restrictions while also including more fruits and vegetables was a lot easier to swallow than another med- ication with many side effects and little testing. I hope you can pass this along and that it helps oth- ers. I’ve never written to an advice columnist, but I understand the pain and frustration of having your own skin go into complete rebellion, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to help. DEAR READER: Psori- asis is a common autoim- mune condition. There are several forms (plaque, gut- tate, inverse, scalp, nail, pus- tular and erythrodermic), but each affects the life cycle of skin cells. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form. It caus- es dry, raised, red skin lesions with silver/white scales (plaque). They can be painful and/or itchy and may occur anywhere on the body, including in the mouth. Guttate psoriasis is most common in those under 30 years of age. It is typically triggered by a bacterial infection and characterized by water-drop-shaped sores covered by a fine scale on the scalp, arms, legs and trunk. It may resolve after a single outbreak or may recur, especially in the pres- ence of ongoing respiratory infection. Inverse psoriasis causes areas of smooth, red, Dr. Peter Gott inflamed skin, pri- marily in the armpits, groin, under the breasts and around the gen- itals and buttocks. It is worsened by sweating and fric- tion and is more commonly seen in overweight individ- uals. Scalp psoriasis is similar in appearance to plaque psoriasis and may cause dandruff-like flakes. As the name states, it occurs on the scalp, especially the hairline. It can also extend beyond the hairline. It may be sore or itchy and bleed when picked. Nail psoriasis can affect both the finger and toenails. It results in abnormal nail growth, discoloration and pitting. Some people may experience onycholysis (nail lifting from the bed); severe cases may cause the nail to crumble. Pustular psoriasis is uncommon. It may appear on widespread patches over the body or on the hands, feet or fingertips. It typically develops quickly. Within hours of the skin becoming red and tender, pus-filled blisters appear. Fatigue, fever, chills and severe itch- ing may also present. The blisters often dry within a day or two, but the cycle may recur every few days or weeks. Erythrodermic psoriasis is the least common form of psoriasis and can cover the entire body. It causes a red, peeling rash that may itch or burn severely. Certain med- ications such as corticos- teroids, sunburn or other forms of poorly controlled psoriasis can trigger it. There is also a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. Between 6 percent and 30 percent of all psoriasis suf- ferers will develop one of the several forms that can range from mild to severe and may result in perma- nent damage and deformi- ty. Psoriasis can typically be diagnosed by visually examining the lesions. Rarely, if there is some doubt, a skin biopsy may be performed. There are many treat- ment options available to include topical creams, lotions and steroids, oral and injectable steroids or other immunosuppressant drugs, and various forms of light therapy. Home treatments include daily bathing with oil, col- loidal oatmeal or Epsom salts in lukewarm water with mild soap. When drying, blot the skin rather than rub- bing. Then apply a moistur- izer. For people with dry skin, oils may be best. Live Concert, May 5, 2011 Historic State Theatre, Red Bluff, CA TICKET OUTLETS: RED BLUFF: Sparrow Fine Arts, 644 Main St; Crossroads Feed & Supply, 595 Antelope Blvd. INFO: 1-866-443-3527

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