Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/7296
The California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Men- docino National Forest have maintained a suc- cessful partnership that has provided funding assistance for the man- agement of off-highway vehicle recreation on for- est system lands through the California State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program. Regulations mandated by the state require annu- al public participation in this fund allocation process. Preliminary applica- tions will be available for review via a link on www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. Comments may be pro- vided between Tuesday and April 5. The Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center at California State University, Chico will hold the Pre- scription Drug Use Forum 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 in BMU 210. Shauna Quinn, program manager for CADEC said the forum was orga- nized in response to an increased number of young people using pre- scription drugs regularly. "The recreational use of prescrip- tion drugs quickly turns into addictive use, and addiction to prescription drugs is very dangerous and deadly," Quinn said. Attendees will learn about the var- ious aspects of the prescription drug abuse problem in the community. They will also be provided with tools for driving positive change and help- ing those who are involved in pre- scription drug abuse. Community members, students, parents and those who know some- one abusing prescription drugs are encouraged to attend this forum, Quinn said. Guest speakers from the commu- nity will tackle the different facets of the problem. Mike Ramsey, Butte County district attorney, will address the laws regarding illegal possession and use of prescription drugs. Sgt. Rob Merrifield of the Chico Police Department will discuss the recent deaths of CSU, Chico students caused by legal and illegal prescrip- tion drug use. A slideshow demon- strating the effects of prescription drug abuse on the brain will be pre- sented by Helen Harberts, Butte County assistant district attorney. Dave Burke of Skyway House, the local recovery center, will discuss programs available to young people addicted to opiates, and two CSU, Chico students in recovery from opi- ate addiction will address their strug- gles and their journeys to overcome addiction. CADEC, established in 1988, aims to prevent substance abuse at California State University, Chico. The program hosts educational pro- grams and social events that raise campus awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. For more information about this forum, contact CADEC at 898-6450. Checkoff California is a collaborative effort of tax check-off, funds that are supporting the statewide media campaign with corporate sponsorship from the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of and contributions to the state's voluntary check-off pro- gram, which includes the California Fund for Senior Citizens on your state income tax form. Check-off Code 402 and your donation will directly benefit the California Senior Legislature. The annual Checkoff California media campaign, now in its fourth year, reaches out to taxpayers and tax preparers to deliver the message that, regardless of income, everyone can help. For information, visit www.4csl.org to learn more about the California Senior Legislature or call Vernon Uecker, senior Ssenator who represents Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama and Plumas counties, at 533-2113. Saturday, February 27, 2010 – Daily News – 3B 2498 South Main St • Red Bluff www.tehamafamilyfitness.com Dave Mobilio Bench Press Championships Compete for a great cause! In honor of fallen Red Bluff Police Officer and friend of TFFC Dave Mobilio. Donations support the Dave Mobilio Scholarship. Friday Night March 19th 6:00 pm Dave's Cave at Tehama Family Fitness Center. 2498 S. Main St., Red Bluff For more info contact Troy 530-528-8656 Male and Female Divisions! $ 10 Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Corning Calif. Dear Annie: My wife and I have been happy together for 25 years. When her adult son lost his job, we let him move in with us so he could get back on his feet. Three years later, he is no better off than the day he arrived. ''Joe'' will find a good job, work for a while and then quit. Sometimes he won't get out of bed until the afternoon. He con- tributes absolutely nothing toward the bills. I am angry that we are living paycheck to paycheck because of the extra money we spend to feed and house Joe. He is wasting his life. I've suggested he move in with his father, who lives in another state. My wife says, ''If it bothers you, say something to him.'' Annie, I resent that she is putting this problem in my hands instead of dealing with it herself. I know it bothers her, too. I want my home back without the extra baggage. What do I do? — Lost in My Own Home Dear Lost: Your wife is asking you to be the bad guy so she does- n't have to be. We recommend you take her up on it. First make sure you and your wife agree on the message. Then tell Joe you can no longer afford to support him. Insist he get some type of job within two weeks and begin paying a reason- able amount of rent. If he doesn't like it, he is welcome to live else- where. Joe should not be able to appeal to Mom for a better deal, so make sure she backs you up. Dear Annie: Boy, did I see our family when I read the letter from ''Frustrated Mom in Michigan City,'' whose 14-year-old son does- n't turn in his homework or feed the dog, but spends hours on computer games. When our son was 14, the computer games seemed harmless. He is 21 now. He dropped out of college and has an entry-level job and no future. I wish we had cut the games off completely when his marks were low. — My Avatar is General Mom Dear General: Our readers had an interesting mix of responses to that letter, but many recommended unplugging the computer. Read on: From South Bend, Ind.: My 16- year-old daughter is a high-func- tioning autistic. She has delusions that she will be a marine biologist, but has to have an assistant simply to keep her on task. Her psychiatrist said she may improve with intense behavioral therapy, but reality will never come close to meshing with her fantasy world. Many of these high-functioning children suffer from ADD to OCD-like behaviors. They seem so intelligent, but they have no common sense. I suggest this mom take her son to their fam- ily doctor. Davenport, Iowa: I would rec- ommend she find a good neurosur- geon and schedule a spine trans- plant. She should then tell her son he gets one hour per day of gaming, after which he can read a book or throw a Frisbee. There is only one activity that can compete with the allure of computers for teenage boys: a Ping-Pong table with a good stereo next to it. Chicago: My son was also very bright and absolutely unmotivated to do anything but play computer games. I know now he was addict- ed. He ballooned to 280 pounds, was irritable, lied about schoolwork and would have spent every minute at his computer eating fast food in his underwear if we had let him. Mom must be in charge of comput- er access and food. He'll make life a living hell until he knows you won't back down. Montana: As a teacher, I have seen many children with the same problems. Parents need to reserve computer games as a reward after a child has finished all homework and chores. Many children this age retreat into the alternate reality of computer games because they find success in that world. Parents need to help them find success in the real world. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Wife's grown son making three a crowd Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: As one of your loyal readers who is helped by your daily recom- mendations, I hope that you will be able to assist me as you have so many others. About 18 months ago, I tripped on city cob- blestones and fell. The acci- dent was serious enough that I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with a concus- sion and treated for lacera- tions to my forehead, nose and mouth. Shortly after this incident, I realized that I could no longer smell or taste. My family doctor told me to be patient, to allow myself time to heal and that these senses would likely return. After nine months with no improvement, I was sent to an ear-nose- and-throat specialist. There, my hearing was tested and I underwent an endoscopic procedure on my nose. I was then prescribed Medrol and Flonase, which I took exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, they did not help. When I returned to the ENT after finishing both prescriptions, I was told that nothing else could be done. I asked about further testing and possible renew- al of the medications, but I only received a very nega- tive response. I hope that you will be able to provide me with some help. I am an otherwise healthy 77-year-old woman. I take Lipitor and Fosamax. DEAR READER: The complete inability to taste is rare, with distortion being more common. The tongue can detect four or five tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami (savory), which is not yet widely rec- ognized. What most people consider taste is actually smell; therefore, smell dis- orders can often distort the way foods taste. Because you have listed a lack of sense of smell and taste, the primary source of your problem is likely the result of a smell disorder; however, I will discuss both conditions briefly. There are several causes of the impairment or loss of the sense of taste, including medication side effects, aging, the common cold, influenza, heavy smoking, strep throat, mouth, nose or head injury, and more. Both Fosamax and Lipitor list taste perversion or loss as known side effects. You have injured your mouth, nose and head. And your age may be playing a role. For those with impair- ment caused by temporary conditions such as illness, taste typically returns short- ly after the illness resolves. Changing the drug or reducing the dose may relieve cases caused by medication. Smoking should be eliminated. In the case of injury, sense of smell may return as the body heals, but in some instances, the loss is permanent. The loss or impairment of the sense of smell results from many of the same causes as those of taste. In addition, it may be caused by exposure to certain chemi- cals, dental prob- lems, hormonal distur- bances, head or neck radia- tion, and disorders that affect the nervous system such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. If the underlying cause of the loss can be identified, help may be available, but again, some cases may be permanent. There are also instances when individuals have spontaneously recov- ered these senses. For those with permanent malfunc- tion, counseling may help a person adjust to the situa- tion. The two medications you were given are both steroids. The Medrol is typ- ically used for severe aller- gies, arthritis, skin condi- tions, certain blood disor- ders and asthma. It works by suppressing the body's reaction and inflammation. The Flonase is a steroid nasal spray used to treat allergic and non-allergic congestion, itching, sneez- ing and runny nose. If aller- gies, the cold, flu or other common illness caused your problems, these meds would have likely relieved symptoms and may have restored your senses. Apparently, this was not the case. If you have had ade- quate testing and no under- lying disease or disorder can be found, then your head injuries may be to blame. This could also mean that your condition is permanent. If you don't believe the ENT specialist fully tested you or told you of all other treatment options, request a second opinion from another ENT or perhaps a neurologist to determine whether your fall caused brain damage in one or more of the areas where taste and smell are processed. If after this you do not experience improvement, it may be time to request a referral to a therapist or counselor familiar with these condi- tions who can help you cope. To provide related infor- mation, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Medical Specialists." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newslet- ter, P.O. Box 167, Wick- liffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Did fall cause loss of taste and smell Dr. Peter Gott AMERICAN SELF-STORAGE ★ ★ ★ 64 Mulberry Ave., Red Bluff • 527-1755 $ $ $ $ 2 5 2 5 p e r m o n t h p e r m o n t h 1 ST THREE MONTHS 8x10 units only Special rates on all unit sizes • Fully Fenced • Onsite Manager • Well Lit Property $ $ COUPON website: www.americanselfstorage.biz • RV & Vehicle parking now available 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff Ph: 530-529-5888 Adult: $6.99 Mon-Sat. 10:30am-3:30pm Sunday & Holiday Adult: $10.99 All Day Dinner Buffet 11:00am-9:30pm Adult: $9.99 Mon-Thurs 3:30am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 3:30-10:30pm Carry-Out Buffet Lunch $3.50 / Lb. Dinner $4.50 / Lb. All Seafood $6.50 / Lb. Open 7 Days A Week (No Checks) Childrens prices vary NOW OPEN Feb. 1 thru March 7 only ANY CHILD (8 yrs or under) EATS FREE (when accompanied by 2 adults) China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT 440 Antelope Blvd. Suite 20, Red Bluff CA 96080 (530) 527-5200 • 1-800-532-BUGS (2847) Full Service Pest & Weed Control Serving Tehama County For 19 Years CA Lic. PR2526 OPR 9225 NO START UP FEE A "WIN" for you...A "WIN" for us. YOU WANT TO SAVE $$ We want new customers START YOUR PEST CONTROL SERVICE NOW THRU MARCH 15 AND SAVE $60 Checkoff California program Forum to discuss prescription drug abuse Mendocino National Forest OHV program