Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/100156
Friday, December 21, 2012 ��� Daily News 5A FEATURES Reader is very sensitive to scents How do I explain to my Dear Annie: I���m 27 and friends that their idea of fun have lupus, a chronic literally makes me sick? I���m autoimmune disease. My starting to feel very left out condition is usually under because of my disease. ��� control, and I live a normal Shouldn���t Be Limited by life. The problem is, I���m Lupus very sensitive to perfume, Dear Not Limited: Your air fresheners and cigarette friends seem a bit immature, smoke, and with my medications, I can���t drink alco- Annie���s which makes them too focused on their own enjoyhol. ment and less sympathetic A lot of my girlfriends throw candle parties and by Kathy Mitchell toward you. Do they know cosmetic parties or go out and Marcy Sugar you have lupus? (Saying that you can���t drink or are sensidrinking, all of which involve things I react badly to. I typ- tive to cologne might seem optional ically decline these invitations, sug- to them.) When you can participate gest something else or go along and without too much risk, you should stay silent so I won���t be a wet blan- make the effort, but otherwise, we ket. At a recent cosmetic party, I recommend you start looking for stupidly allowed a friend to smear better friends. For additional assismakeup on me after being goaded tance and support, try the Lupus into it. Within seconds, my face and Foundation of America (lupus.org). Dear Annie: A co-worker and scalp were burning, and I jumped up and stuck my head under the her husband are expecting a baby in faucet. Everybody laughed, except late December and decided to throw the hostess, who was ������deeply themselves an elaborate baby showoffended.������ I haven���t been invited to er. They have plenty of friends, relatives and colleagues who could any parties since. It upsets me that my friends, who have given them a shower. I have have known me since we were chil- never heard of giving one for yourdren, don���t seem to care that the self. Isn���t this rude? ��� Flummoxed majority of their plans include in Florida Dear Florida: The idea of showactivities that will make me physically ill. I have offered to host get- ers (bridal or baby) was for friends togethers at my home, but one of to help a new couple stock their my friends told me my house home or prepare for the new child ������smells funny.������ When I ask friends, by voluntarily gifting them with family or co-workers to lay off the things they would need. This sweet, perfume or air freshener, I hear, helpful welcome has somehow ������You���re the only one who com- morphed into the idea that people plains.������ Even my sister douses her- are entitled to demand gifts for self in a perfume that gives me hives every occasion. Throwing oneself a and then gets insulted that I don���t baby shower smacks of greed. It says, ������I expect you to give me prewant to hug her. Mailbox sents.������ However, it���s possible that none of their friends offered to help and they thought it would be OK to do it themselves. Whether to attend is up to you. Dear Annie: ������Old Enough������ didn���t want her parents to visit her in Europe during her son���s spring break because he needed to study for his SATs. That letter took the cake. During the lifetime of one���s parents, children should adjust their schedules to accommodate those who sacrificed so much for them. What a lame excuse about the son wanting to study for SAT and AP exams. There are plenty of places he can go to study without interruptions. ��� Parent Dear Parent: We disagree. Children should, of course, make accommodations for their parents whenever possible. But when Mom and Dad can visit at any time and deliberately choose to come on precisely those days that their daughter has asked them not to shows a lack of consideration and respect. Parents who want to maintain a healthy relationship with their children should not stomp all over them. Annie���s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie���s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Botanists to present symposium The Northern California Botanists will be presenting a two-day symposium Jan. 14-15 titled: ���From the Redwoods to the Sagebrush: Botany Ranging Far and Wide��� at California State University, Chico. The symposium will include an exciting line- up of topics ranging from redwood/northcoast ecology to Northern California botanical discoveries, and a third day of workshops and field trips to choose from. The symposium will also include an evening reception and banquet with keynote speaker Barbara Ertter, of the University of California Berkeley, addressing ���People, Plants, and Politics.��� The symposium is open to anyone: botanical enthusiasts, professionals, and students. For a detailed program and registration information, visit www.norcalbotanists.org. The Northern California Botanists is an association of botanists in the Northern California region with the purpose of increasing knowledge and communication about botanical issues concerning science, conservation, education, and professional development. Lottery education search available The California Lottery just released to the public its annual Contributions to Education Report for the Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Recognized as one of the fastest growing lotteries in the United States, the California Lottery saw its sales rise by more than 27 percent in Fiscal Year 2011-2012. The Lottery had one of its best years on record, seeing sales of $4.37 billion, an increase of nearly $900 million from last year, generating over $1 billion for public education in FY 2011-2012, making it the 12th consec- utive year that over $1 billion has been transferred to education for supplemental funding The Lottery���s mission is to provide supplemental funding to California public education on all levels from kindergarten through higher education, plus several specialized schools. Since 1985, the Lottery has provided $25 billion in Lottery funds in what it calls ���enhancement, not replacement dollars��� to public education. In Fiscal Year 2011-2012 alone, the Lottery returned $1.32 billion to California schools. Once that annual con- tribution is divided up to all K-12, Community Colleges, UC, CSU and other specialized schools, the final sum to each school becomes more modest, however, many school officials say they rely on their annual Lottery funds for important educational purposes that enrich students��� educational experience. To view the entire Contribution to Education Report use the search tool http://www.calottery.com/givingback/how-much-money and see how much your school or school district received. PG&E employees donate $145,000 to non-profits Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) announced Thursday that its employees and retirees have raised more than $145,000 to support North Valley nonprofit organizations and schools through the utility���s annual giving initiative, Campaign for the Community. The 207 schools and nonprofits benefiting from PG&E employee contributions are in the seven North Valley counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Plumas and Lassen counties. Throughout PG&E���s entire service area in Northern and Central California, employees and retirees raised a total of $6 million ��� the most ever pledged in the campaign���s history, exceeding last year���s total by $700,000. Tony Earley, chairman, CEO and president of PG&E Corporation, praised employees for their generosity, calling it ���an incredible outpouring of support for our customers in this time of economic need.��� ���Our customers have always been able to count on PG&E and its employees to give back to our communities,��� Early said. That spirit of service is alive through our volunteerism and giving throughout the year, but it has never been more evident than during this campaign.��� The money raised by PG&E���s Campaign for the Community will be distributed throughout 2013 to 5,400 schools and nonprofit organizations, including environmental organizations, community centers, food banks, animal shelters, veterans groups and many others, to help keep important programs and services alive in local communities. Through PG&E���s Sierra Sound 811 4 Street, Corning (530) 824-9700 th Visit us on Facebook! HOURS:Mon-Tues 10-5 Wed-Thur-Fri 9-5, Sat.11-3 First Saturday of every month 50% OFF* Second Friday of every month 25% OFF* Senior Day (55+) Purchase of $25 or more *% off on non consignment items only NEW & USED CD���s Special Orders Avail. Car Stereo Sales - Service Installation We make house calls! 226 So. Main St., Red Bluff 527-3735 Campaign for the Community, employees can designate donation recipients and contribute amounts of their choosing through payroll deductions or onetime donations. This year, pledges were made by 8,500 employees, 41 percent of PG&E���s workforce, and more than 400 retirees. In addition, PG&E���s employee resource groups raised $126,000 through community events, from funny slipper contests and food sales to dinners with PG&E officers. Last year, these employee led fundraising events earned nearly $100,000 for the community. Since 2000, PG&E employees and retirees have raised more than $43 million through Campaign for the Community benefitting schools and nonprofit organizations in communities where PG&E employees live and work, primarily in Northern and Central California. These monies are in addition to the $23 million that PG&E donates annually throughout its service area. Parlor reputation can minimize tattoo risk not properly cared DEAR DOCfor afterward. TOR K: My Recently the Jourteenage son wants nal of the Amerito get a tattoo. can Medical What are the Association risks? reported cases of DEAR READtattoo-related ER: These days it severe infections seems like every Dr. K from mycobacteother young perby Anthony L. ria, related to the son has a tattoo, so it should come as Komaroff, M.D. bacteria that cause tuberculosis. no surprise that your teen wants one, too. Either the needles or the Tattoos can allow a teen to ink can be contaminated be like his peers or simply with bacteria. Even more dangerous to make an artistic stateis the possibility of a virus ment. Talk with your teen (such as hepatitis B, about why he wants one. hepatitis C or HIV) being Make sure he has thought spread from a dirty neeeverything through care- dle. That���s why it is essenfully. Yes, I know he���s a tial to choose a tattoo parteenager and thinking lor that uses proper sterile things through may not technique and sterile neecome easily. But make dles. ��� Allergic reaction. sure he understands that there are dangers to get- Anyone may develop allergic reactions to tattoo ting a tattoo. Teenagers, of course, dye. Your son can decrease do lots of things that are dangerous. Unless they these risks by choosing a result in permanent injury, reputable tattoo studio. however, they���re tempo- Contact your state Departrary. A person can look ment of Public Health to back at driving at high find out if it licenses or speeds and appreciate the certifies tattoo parlors. He risk he was taking back (if you trust his judgment) then. But it was a tempo- or you should check out several studios before rary lapse in judgment. In contrast, tattoos can selecting one. And he be permanent. If later in should spend time watchlife your son is not happy ing the artist place a tattoo with his decision and on someone else. It is also important wants a tattoo removed, it can be difficult (some- that your son follows times impossible) and ���after care��� instructions painful. These days, laser to best prevent infection. treatments are the most In general, the site widely used technique to should be kept clean and remove tattoos. They���re dry. He should watch the not always successful, and site carefully for any of infection, sometimes they leave per- signs including redness, pus, manent scars. There are possible dan- tenderness or fever. If gers to having any proce- any of these signs develdure done to our bodies. op, contact a physician Your son needs to under- right away. stand all the risks. These Dr. Komaroff is a include: ��� Pain during the pro- physician and professor at Harvard Medical cedure. To send ��� Painful skin infec- School. go to tions (and sometimes questions, AskDoctorK.com, or blood infections), which can occur if the tattoo is write: Ask Doctor K, 10 not done under sterile Shattuck St., Second conditions, or if the site is Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Board of Education schedules 2013 meetings The Tehama County Board of Education meetings for 2013 have been scheduled for the third Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted. Exceptions are February, March, October and December, which will be the second Wednesday of the month and June, which will be the fourth Wednesday of the month. All meetings are at 5 p.m. at the Tehama County Department of Education building, 1135 Lincoln St., in Red Bluff.