Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/175473
2B Daily News – Friday, September 20, 2013 FEATURES Research is uncovering the ways our brains remember to store DEAR DOCTOR K: everything How do our brains creabout that ate memories? Are our moment in memories stored in your memosome sort of "memory ry. bank"? But you DEAR READER: A probably memory is not a single have no idea entity, like a book on a shelf. It is more like a Dr. K what you were doing cloth that weaves by Anthony L. 24 together multiple facets Komaroff, M.D. exactly hours before of sensory, emotional and 24 hours after you and factual information. Different areas of the heard about the 9/11 brain process and store attacks. Stage 2: Consolidation. different aspects of a memory. For example, For short-term memory to when you learned a song become long-term memo— "The Star-Spangled ry, the initial neuronal must be Banner," say — you stored pathways the words in a different strengthened. When an region of your brain from event is emotionally where you stored the charged, it is more likely song's melody. If you to become part of longassociate "The Star-Span- term memory. Once a gled Banner" with an memory is established image of the American (consolidated), it is stored flag, that memory might in areas of the cerebral be stored in the visual pro- cortex. That's the large, cessing area of the brain. domed outer layer of the Your memories are thus brain. Stage 3: Retrieval. intricately broken down and cross-referenced. (On Memories are stored in the my website, AskDoc- brain as unique patterns of torK.com, I've put an nerve cell activation. illustration showing the When you're not thinking different areas of the brain about a memory, the patand the functions they tern is inactive. When you want to recall a memory, control.) But how does the infor- your brain must reactivate mation you encounter get the pattern. How long this takes depends on how filed away? Stage 1: Acquisition. familiar you are with the When you learn new information you're lookinformation, it first takes ing for. Knowledge about the the form of temporary pathways of nerve cell different types of memory, activity in the brain. This and where in the brain they are housed, has come is short-term memory. Most of this informa- from research. The next tion quickly fades. The frontier is learning how memories that endure are memories are stored. those that were encoded What brain chemicals are most completely in the involved in receiving, confirst place — the informa- solidating and retrieving a tion that you paid the clos- memory? In the past 30 est attention to when you years, and particularly in learned it. Memories that the past 10 years, brain involve multiple senses as scientists have begun to well as emotions are more understand that mystery. And, fortunately, likely to be retained. You probably remem- when they discover someber clearly what you were thing they write it down doing when you heard and publish it — in case about the 9/11 terrorist they forget it themselves. attacks, for example. You Dr. Komaroff is a probably remember who physician and professor else was with you, where Harvard Medical you were, the first picture at School. To send you saw of the twin towgo to ers. That's because the questions, AskDoctorK.com, or emotional charge of learning that our country had write: Ask Doctor K, 10 been attacked caused you Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. 10,000 print distribution Full insert to The Daily News on October 26. 3,000 distribution through hotels, restaurants and visitor information centers through May, 2013. Husband had an affair Dear Annie: I have been with my husband for 19 years, married for nine. I love him and never had any serious issues with our marriage until four months ago. That's when I discovered Annie's that my husband was having an affair. He's been by Kathy Mitchell lying to me about it and Marcy Sugar for nearly three years, telling me his work schedule changed. We sought marriage counseling, but he wouldn't go back after the first session. He knows I have all of the details of his relationship with this woman. He says he's trying to work on our marriage, but I am not sure he is sincere. I thought I could trust him, and he ripped my heart out. Annie, I have processed all of the disappointments and believe I can move on. But my husband says he wants to save our marriage. I don't want to set myself up to be hurt like this again. What should I do? — Need a Word of Truth from Him Dear Need: A man who truly wants to save his marriage would go back with you for counseling, work on the hard issues for as long as it takes and be completely transparent in all his dealings so you can learn to trust him again. Tell him that's the deal if he wants you to stay. If he is Mailbox unwilling to take those steps, it means he is not ready to change the mindset and behavior that led to the affair. We hope he will agree to do the necessary work. If not, please see a good lawyer and get counseling on your own to help prepare you for the next step. Dear Annie: A few of your readers have written saying that restaurant etiquette has flown the coop. Well, here's my gripe: Nothing bothers me more than watching an adult place a diapered infant on the table. There is nothing separating that diaper from the dishes. Restaurant tables are barely swept of crumbs before another customer sits down. I can only imagine what might leak out of that infant. Ewwwwww. — M.L. Dear M.L.: There's worse. We're sure to hear from readers who have witnessed infants being changed on the table while patrons were eating around them. We know parents appreciate those restroom facilities that are not only clean, but provide changing tables for just this purpose. There are also foldable, portable, washable changing pads that parents can bring with them and use anywhere (other than a restaurant table, please). Dear Annie: I had to respond to ''Venting in Oregon,'' the couple that was disgusted and annoyed by the noise from the neighbor's two toddlers. I had a noisy, screaming young child myself at one time. I spent hours every day dealing with the continuous screaming and chaos. It was a real party to take him to public places, especially when I had to go to the grocery store. I never knew what kind of meltdown would ensue. I only knew that others in the vicinity would make comments about me, my parenting style, my child's behavior and anything else unkind and negative that they could think to say, always making sure it was loud enough for me to hear. I was trying so hard, and it truly disturbed me to be criticized openly by strangers who had no idea what my days and nights were like with this child. He was finally diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and began to receive appropriate therapies. It turned out he was brilliant once he could focus properly. He is now an absolutely lovely person who is well liked and respected by people who know him. So to ''Venting in Oregon,'' if you can't help your neighbors with their children, at least try to be as patient and gracious as you can manage. No one really knows what goes on in someone else's home. — Been There, Done That 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. Grow tomatoes at home without a garden For me, about the only thing better than a vine-ripened tomato is knowing that I grew it myself. There's just something indescribable about a perfectly ripened, brightly colored, juicy, delicious tomato. Or six. Sounds so easy, but the truth is that growing a garden can be time-consuming and frustrating, assuming that you even have space for one. Added to the hard work of planting a garden, there are the matters of weeding, fertilizing and watering over and over throughout the growing season. My intentions are always superior, but my follow-through? Not so much. I live in California, where water is precious and therefore expensive, which just adds to the list of challenges for me when it comes to home gardening. That's why I was immediately drawn to the very clever idea of growing tomatoes, all kinds of vegetables?and even fruit trees?in good old plastic storage bins available at Target, Home Depot, Lowe's and similar stores. The process of building one of these systems, known as EarthTainer, is not difficult, and it's pretty cheap, as well, because you use ordinary household supplies. It takes about 90 minutes to build and plant one container so that it's all ready to go with two tomato plants. Though not a huge job, this is growing our own food whenever possible. This is an not a matter of invention that makes it throwing some possible. dirt and a plant Note: Though Ray in a pot. You says the method he will need to demonstrates in the assemble the videos is valid and works correct supplies well, he has greatly and follow the improved the system. instructions carefully. The EarthTainer III And don't assume "Convertible" Edition you'll do this in an construction, planting hour and a half the first Mary and maintenance guide is time around. This is a a downloadable documidlevel construction ment, complete with picproject, just so you tures and very detailed know. instructional steps. You The inventor, Ray will find it online at Newstead, has created three handy videos with very clear instructions on how to do this, a t http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com /pdfs/EarthTainer-ConstructionGuide.pdf. /#inntainer.pdf. I'd love to know your Once you have your container built and planted, this amazing thoughts. Surely, I'm not the only system waters itself. And you one who thinks this is just so add all the fertilizer you'll need incredibly creative and the solufor one season when you build it. tion to so many gardening probAfter that ... just wait for the har- lems. I can't wait to build my vest. And did I say no weeding? own EarthTainer. I am going to give this a try. I Mary Hunt is the founder of think you will be with me on this once you learn that you can put www.DebtProofLiving.com and your tomato garden on a patio, author of 23 books, including balcony or even indoors near a her 2012 release, "7 Money south-facing window. That Rules for Life." You can email at means we could be growing her tomatoes and other vegetables mar y@ever ydaycheapskate.co m, or write to Everyday year-round. You know how much I believe Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, that we should be moving toward Cypress, CA 90630. Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Starting on September 3rd Abbey's Hair Works is now Blue Sun Hair Studio!! And I'm moving to 245 Pine Street (Behind Gipson Realty) 527-3974 So come check out my new place!! And I look forward to your business!! Red Bluff Garden Club presents "An Elegant Garden Party" Luncheon, Auction, Vendors, & Floral Design Program by Kate Gleim House of Design Advertising Deadline: Friday, Oct. 4 Rolling Hills Casino Corning Sat., Oct. 12, 2013 9:30am-2:00pm Tickets $28 Last day to purchase Oct.1st 527-9403 or 384-1913