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Friday, July 16, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Lecherous loner liability to liaison Dear Annie: In the past three years, my husband and I have become friends with another couple, ‘‘Lynn and Bob.’’ Lynn and I have become quite close. Bob is more introverted. My hus- band isn’t crazy about him. We’ve recently learned that he suffers from depression and has received extensive therapy. Annie’s Mailbox Last week, we spent a pleasant evening with them. After my husband and Lynn had already gone out the front door, Bob proceeded to give me a hug, pulling me very tightly into his chest, with his hand on my posterior. He didn’t release me until I managed to push him away. I was totally startled. He laughed and said, ‘‘I just wanted to see what you would do.’’ He then went out the door as if nothing had happened, while I regained my composure. Bob and Lynn left the next morn- ing for a three-week vacation, so I said nothing. Annie, I really enjoy my friendship with Lynn, but if I divulge this information to my hus- band, it will mean the end of the friendship. He’d become totally unglued. I’ve thought about confronting by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar tell his wife and your hus- band about the prior inci- dent. Then make sure you follow through. In the mean- time, try to see Lynn when Bob is not present. It sounds as if your husband wouldn’t mind too much if he stopped socializing with them. Dear Annie: I’ve never seen my problem in your column before. Whenever my husband is confronted with an opinion that is not to his liking, he sticks his fin- gers in his ears to block out the sound. He also will not discuss anything if you don’t agree with his point of view. He doesn’t listen to counter- arguments. Nor does he consider that he may be hurting someone’s feelings. He used to talk over any- one who expressed a different opin- ion, but the ear plugging is really annoying and frustrating. I have lived with both of these Bob privately, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea, either. How should I handle this? — In a Quandary Dear Quandary: The next time you see Bob, inform him that if he so much as touches you, you will ‘‘afflictions’’ for more than 20 years and have just about had it. I need help. — Way Down Yonder Dear Way: How very mature of him. Plugging your ears is what 5- year-olds do. Write your husband a note. Say that his behavior has become increasingly childish, and you are worried that it is a neuro- logical problem or a sign of incipi- ent dementia. Ask him to see his doctor for a complete checkup. Beyond that, we recommend you stop having such discussions with him, since it is irritating and frus- trating for you and accomplishes nothing. Say, ‘‘Yes, Dear,’’ and change the subject. Dear Annie: I wanted to com- ment on the letter from ‘‘Disgusted in Pennsylvania,’’ whose step- daughter smokes in the car while the children are present. In Arkansas, this is a misde- meanor. Parents smoking in vehi- cles with small children present may be stopped and ticketed and may face a visit from child welfare authorities. Obviously, our lawmak- ers view this as a form of child abuse. The mother should reconsid- er reporting the stepdaughter. — Don’t Do That in Arkansas Dear Arkansas: Actually, four states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Cali- fornia and Maine), as well as sever- al communities, Puerto Rico and large swaths of Canada now have laws prohibiting adults from smok- ing in cars with young children in tow, and more are pending. Seven states currently prohibit smoking in cars that transport foster children. We are certain this is just the begin- ning. 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. Crystal Creek site to close until fall The Crystal Creek Falls area will be closed for restoration starting Monday July 19. The area will remain closed through September, tentatively reopen- ing Oct. 1. Restoration of the area will include site grading and revegetation of the large rock quarry at the beginning of the short road leading to Crystal Creek Falls. The goal of the restoration project is to provide for public safety and erosion control and to return the area to a more nat- ural state. This project was funded through the American Rein- vestment and Recovery Act. “This is a win-win situation for all involved,” said Superintendent Jim Milestone. “This project puts hard working Americans back to work to provide for their families. In addition, the project will return this rocky, barren and unstable section of the Crystal Creek canyon to a more natural state where the creek runs clear and clean, and native plants and wildlife of the restored landscape bloom and sing.” The origin of the quarry site was the construction of the Central Valley Project, which created Whiskeytown Dam and the reservoir behind its earthen mass. The water of Whiskeytown Lake comes from seven year- round streams that flow into the lake, and a diversion of water from the Trinity River. Up to up percent of the Trinity River flows eastward through the mountains via the Clear Creek Tunnel. Blasted and dug from solid rock, the tunnel extends 10.8 miles from Lewiston reservoir to Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse, where the water reaches and sustains Whiskeytown Lake. The Crystal Creek rock quarry is comprised of the accumulated tailings, estimated at 250,000 cubic yards, removed from the mountains as the eastern side of the Clear Creek Tunnel was built in the late 1950s. The tailings from the tunnel were graded and com- pacted to create the largely barren and rocky site that park visitor’s experience. The revegetation efforts of the project will be completed over the next two years, enhancing the aesthetics of the site, and will serve to stabilize the slopes, prevent erosion, and improve visi- tor safety. “Visiting Whiskeytown is a premier park experi- ence, and this project will further enhance the wild and scenic beauty that our visitors come to enjoy,” Mile- stone said. For more information, call 242-3445. County, students aim to end teen drinking Graduation season is behind us and parents are eager to celebrate this milestone in their child’s life. The Tehama County Department of Education and Tehama Friday Night Live Part- nership want to encour- age parents to celebrate this exciting time with- out providing alcohol to their teens. Studies reveal that alcohol consumption by adolescents results in brain damage — possi- bly permanent — and impairs intellectual development. If onset of drinking is delayed until the age of 21, a child’s risk of serious alcohol problems later in life is decreased by 70 per- cent. Of 11th-graders in Tehama County, 75 per- cent report that, if they choose to use alcohol, it would be "fairly easy" or "very easy" for them to obtain, with 29.5 per- cent of students who use alcohol reporting that they get it from their own homes, 39 percent from friends’ homes and 28 percent using alcohol at events with adults present, according to 2009/2010 California Healthy Kids Survey data. Drinking and driving collisions occur fre- quently in the summer months, particularly around holiday times. Over the past three years, there have been 13 drinking and driving collisions with drivers under the age of 21 in Tehama County, result- ing in one fatality and 25 injuries. Friday Night Live is partnering with the Drug Free Action Alliance, a group out of Ohio that created the "Parents Who Host Lose the Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drink- ing" campaign. Teen alcohol con- sumption is unhealthy, unsafe and unaccept- able. Youth deserve to live and grow to adulthood Home sales up 7 pct in June SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A real estate tracking firm says Cali- fornia homes sales were up more than 7 percent last month, but the median price paid for a home in the state was down about 3 percent. San Diego-based MDA DataQuick says an estimated 44,000 new and resale houses and condos were sold statewide last month. That’s compared to 41,000 in May. June’s home sales were nearly the same as the total a year ago. DataQuick says the median price paid for a home last month was about $270,000, down 3 percent from $278,000 in May. The number, however, is up 9.8 percent from $246,000 for June a year ago. This year’s median home prices have consistently improved over last year. in an environment where alcohol is not misused. Host alcohol-free parties with plenty of fun activities to show youth that you care about their future. For tips on how you can prevent underage drinking and more information about Fri- day Night Live, visit the website http//www.teham- aschools.org. Easing the work of the heart DEAR DR. GOTT: Please explain what beta blockers are and what they do in certain medica- tions. DEAR READ- ER: A beta block- er, also known as a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, is a medication designed to help reduce hypertension. The drug actually “blocks” the effects of epinephrine that stimulates the adrenal glands. This, in turn, makes the heart beat slow- er and easier. Some beta blockers affect the heart; others affect both the heart and blood vessels. There- fore, a physician will make an appropriate deci- sion as to which one to prescribe. Drugs in this class are used to treat heart arrhyth- mias (irregularities), heart attack, migraine headaches, hyperthy- roidism and a number of other conditions. They are not commonly prescribed for people with a diagno- sis of asthma because of the possibility of trigger- ing an attack. Side effects may occur in some people and can include insomnia, depres- sion, shortness of breath and a temporary elevation in cholesterol levels. To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Con- sumer Tips on Medi- cine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a problem that has become embarrassing for me. I am a healthy 43- year-old woman. I am within normal weight, have no medical prob- lems, and take only a mul- tivitamin and calcium sup- plement daily. My problem is that my bangs have become very thin and I have a semi- bald spot at the top of that area. I also seem to be los- ing a lot of hair while showering. Is there any- thing I can eat, supple- ments or herbal remedies that I can take, or a proce- Dr. Peter Gott dure that can cor- rect this problem or at least stop it from continuing? I have become self-conscious about this and hope you have some suggestions. I will truly try anything. DEAR READ- ER: As I have stated in the past, there are a number of reasons for hair loss and female-pat- tern baldness. You might begin with blood tests, particularly of the B vita- mins. While you indicate you take a one-a-day vita- min, biotin and B12 defi- ciencies are commonly the cause of the problem. Then there’s stress, hor- monal changes, iron defi- ciency, a family history, specific skin diseases, some medications and a number of other possibili- ties. Read the fine print on your daily supplements to determine if thinning hair can be a minute but dis- tinct possibility. If you color or otherwise treat your hair, use a blow- dryer, or get perms, I rec- ommend you discontinue the practice. What should be understood, however, is that damage to your hair from harsh products has no impact on hair loss that results from a medical problem. Rule out all obvious possibilities. Then speak with your physician regarding the use of minoxidil, the only FDA- approved medication to combat hair loss. On the downside, it is an expen- sive treatment and once you discontinue it, the thinning and baldness will continue once again. Review your diet. If appropriate, consider adding walnuts, fish, soy, poultry and eggs. While there is no scientific evi- dence to substantiate the recommendation, green tea is a good source of antioxidants and may slow the progression. Good luck. Keep me informed. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. CARE TO COMMENT? At redbluffdailynews.com, scroll to the end of any story, click the link and type away. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2995 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St.