Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18811
Monday, November 1, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Proof of Paternity possible without father DEAR DR. GOTT: With no access to a suspect- ed birth father for DNA testing, how can it be proved who someone’s father is? Testing with siblings is not an option. If a per- son has access to a suspected birth father’s blood rela- tives, could a test be con- ducted with them to prove paternity? If so, what is the test called? Which relatives would be the best to test? Would we need a doctor’s order? How much would the test cost? Is there a spe- cial facility other than a hospital that could perform the test? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. DEAR READER: Paternity, to the best of my knowledge, is best proven with the father’s DNA; however, there is a test known as the grandparent- age test that can prove whether the individual is related to the suspected birth father’s family. If there is only one son, then it is proof, but issues arise if there is more than one son because the test cannot dif- ferentiate between them to determine which one is the father. It can, at least, estab- lish some grounds. There are other tests, such as sibling tests, that can be used to determine whether two individuals are siblings, and if one has an established paternity, it can be used as proof of paterni- ty for the other. As for the cost of test- ing, it depends on the type of test used, the laboratory and other factors, such as whether there is more than one potential father. A company known as DNA Diagnostics Center (www.DNACenter.com) offers two types of testing: home and legal. Home DNA tests are used for per- sonal use only. Legal test- ing follows a strict chain of custody that can be used in legal paternity, custody or support cases. Whatever the case may be, options are available. Perhaps a meeting with a social worker, lawyer or therapist familiar with these issues would be helpful. These professionals may be able to explain the process, help with finding a rep- utable laboratory or testing facility, and handle the out- come in regards to child support, cus- tody and other situ- ations that may arise. Dr. Peter Gott DEAR DR. GOTT: I write in response to a recent article about a woman with a burning mouth. The same thing happened to my late mother-in-law about 20 years ago. She suffered for about a year and saw sever- al dentists and doctors without help. One day, I noticed my mouth started burning. It took me a few days to realize that I had changed to toothpaste that had baking soda and whiteners in it. After switching back to plain toothpaste without all the additives, we both found relief. I hope this simple thing will help someone else. DEAR READER: I am printing your letter because it offers a simple possible solution for burning mouth. Toothpastes today not only clean the teeth and freshen the breath; they also whiten teeth, prevent cavities and so much more. In order to do this, the manufacturers are continually fiddling with the formula and adding more substances. For those with sensitivities or allergies, such as you and your mother-in-law, this can cause annoying, painful symptoms. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Allergies.” 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. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. 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. Crazy cousin’s contumelious conduct Dear Annie: How do you get a mentally ill per- son to see a psychiatrist when he thinks he’s per- fectly fine? I have a cousin who immigrated to the U.S. with his family a year ago. I believe he had some issues before they came, but the new environment and financial pressure finally buckled him. Two months ago, he started interrogating his wife about her hundreds of alleged affairs and other nonexistent misbehavior. Since then, it has become a daily ritual of verbal and sometimes physical abuse of his wife. I live 300 miles away and have tried to talk to him over the phone. When I suggested he see a doctor, he exploded. I feel helpless watch- ing him destroy his family and him- self. I suspect he is schizophrenic or bipolar, but he refuses to admit he’s ill, and I don’t know how to get him to seek psychiatric help. How can we get him to a doctor? Are there other resources available to them to deal with his problem? — Trying To Help Dear Trying: You cannot force your cousin to seek medical help, but you can try to protect his wife. Suggest that she contact the Nation- al Domestic Violence Hotline (the- hotline.org) at 1-800-799-SAFE (1- 800-799-7233). She may not realize this resource exists. If she won’t call, you should, and ask what you can do to help them. You also can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org) at 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800- 950-6264). Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: Last night, I opted to eat dinner at a local chain restaurant. I always bring a book to read when I dine alone, so I asked to be seated somewhere ‘‘quiet.’’ I was put in a booth behind two young women in their early 20s, and across from us was a couple with a young child. As I waited for my server to take my order, I was appalled by the conversation going on behind me. Every other word began with ‘‘f’’ (I think you get my drift). After a minute or two of this, I turned around and politely asked her to please dial down the profanity, as there was a young child right across the aisle. Her response was, ‘‘He can’t hear me, and mind your own (expletive-deleted) business.’’ I wanted to ask whether she kiss- es her boyfriend with that mouth, but worried I’d end up with slashed tires. So I moved to another booth on the other side of the restaurant. Do restaurants have the right to ask diners to tone down their language or leave? — Mortified in Michigan Dear Mortified: If diners are disruptive and loud, management will often ask them to be quieter or, in extreme cases, to leave the premises. However, the use of pro- fanity would generally not be suffi- cient cause to evict them, especially if the parents of the young child in question did not notice or complain. In most instances, the best you can do is ask to be moved — which you did. Dear Annie: You could not be more wrong in response to ‘‘To Cap or Not To Cap,’’ whose husband mixes uppercase and lowercase let- ters within his words. When I get business correspon- dence with misspellings and crazy punctuation, it tells me someone is too lazy even to use spell check. These are people I suspect are lazy about other things, as well, and I certainly would not hire them for a job that requires attention to detail. The wife is right. He should clean up his act or let someone help him. — Fed Up with Slobs Dear Fed Up: We are happy there are so many folks who are still passionate about punctuation. When typing a business letter, we agree that it is important to use appropriate sentence structure. But when sending a personal text mes- sage or e-mail, these things are less relevant. When hand writing any kind of letter, a certain amount of idiosyncrasy is permitted when it comes to capitalization. The ques- tion was whether or not his hand- writing is worth an argument. We say it isn’t. 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. Turtle Bay Receives $10,000 grant from US Bank Turtle Bay Exploration Park is proud to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from U.S. Bank. The funding is to support the operation of the 240-acre museum and park complex in downtown Redding this year. "Turtle Bay strives to bring top quality exhibitions and educational programs to our rural North State, to enhance the quality of life here and to attract vital tourism revenue to our region," said Maggie Redmon, COO. "Support like this grant from U.S. Bank is an important investment in Turtle Bay’s work and in our entire community." U.S. Bank Regional President Evelyn Jacobs said, "It’s important to help Turtle Bay, in good economic times and in challenging ones. After this summer’s great exhibitions, I’m excited we’re able to help support what’s on tap this coming year—from Out of This World, an incredible show opening this fall about Hollywood’s most iconic costumes, to next spring’s true blockbuster museum exhibition, Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body." Sacramento River Fall Float Trip The Sacramento River Preservation Trust and Associated Students Adventure Outings (AO) are co-sponsoring a Sacramento River float on Saturday, Nov. 6. The float will cover 9 miles of the Sacramento River between Jellys Ferry and Bend just north of Red Bluff. The event is from 8 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Fall is a perfect time to experience this incredibly scenic stretch of river. Framed by rimrock Put your Holiday Season Business on the Red Bluff Express Reach 6,050 residential households in 96080 that Do not subscribe to The Daily News! Ideal for Daily News Advertisers: The most cost-effective way to achieve nearly 100% HOUSEHOLD COVERAGE 4-Page full color Broadsheet insert to the weekly MVP Direct Mail Package In ZIP code 96080 on the dates below 5” x 5” FULL COLOR AD BOX Just $2000 total For Daily News Advertisers Some conditions apply Direct Mail Deadlines/Home Delivery Dates: TUE 11/9 Deadline TUE 11/23 Deadline Delivery WED 12/8 TUE 12/7 Deadline Delivery WED 11/24 Delivery WED 12/22 Catch the Express to maximize your share of local spending in November & December! Call your Advertising Representative for Details D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY 527-2151 canyon walls, this part of the Sacramento River is unknown to many due to its remoteness. Wildlife is abundant, with many migratory species moving through the area at this time of the year. A num- ber of raptor species are especially prevalent, including bald eagles and various members of the hawk family. This entire section of river is recog- nized by governmental agencies at both the state and federal level as hav- ing outstanding scenic, cultural, ecological and outdoor recreation values. In short, this is a great way to spend a day on the River. River guides, whitewa- ter rafts and lifejackets are provided by AO. Par- ticipants are asked to bring their own lunch. The cost per person is $45 for trust members and $55 for non-members, with transportation provided from Chico. Due to insur- ance purposes, only adults, 18 and older, are allowed. These trips will fill up quickly, and there is a limited amount of space. To make a reservation and to learn more: (530) 345- 1865; email liz@sac- rivertrust.org or visit our website at www.sac- rivertrust.org.