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2B Daily News – Wednesday, December 25, 2013 FEATURES Tinnitus may be minor, Tallying up the cost of the 12 days of Christmas last year), five gold rings ($58), seven swans-a-swimming Dear but a major irritation Christmas.Readers: Merry ($750), four calling birds ($7,000), six geese-a-laying ($210), We hope those tributing to your DEAR DOCcondition. TOR K: I have tinUnfortunately, nitus, and the confor most people stant sound is driwith tinnitus, ving me crazy. there is no obviWhat can I do? ous cause. CounDEAR READseling can help ER: Tinnitus is you learn to cope commonly known with your sympas ringing in the Dr. K toms. And some ears. This phrase by Anthony L. can be misleading, Komaroff, M.D. people find that their symptoms however. Some people hear ringing, while improve somewhat when others hear whistles or a they cut down on caffeine and alcohol, reduce the combination of sounds. Unusual sounds in your amount of fat in their diets ears may seem like a triv- and quit smoking. Try the following techial problem — unless you have it. All of my patients niques, which may also with tinnitus are, at the help reduce your tinnitus very least, annoyed by it. symptoms: — When you're in a Some, like you, are really irritated. It is a constant quiet room, put on music worry and distraction, and or use a "white noise" Background it does interfere with their machine. noise tends to drown out lives. Nearly everyone has tinnitus sounds. — Try tinnitus retrainhad tinnitus for a few seconds or minutes after ing therapy. This involves hearing a very loud noise. listening to a tone that is That's normal. What's similar to the tinnitus abnormal is when people sound for hours at a time. have tinnitus that persists. Eventually, your brain In some people, the symp- ignores the tone, along toms remain the same with the tinnitus sound. — Tinnitus often worsover time; in others, they ens with stress. Try yoga, worsen. If you haven't already, visualization or other techniques. see your doctor. He or she relaxation can check for a physical Also try mindfulness cause such as impacted meditation, which helps earwax, Meniere's dis- you learn to ignore irritaease, a hole in your inner tions such as the sound of ear, or middle ear prob- tinnitus. — Consider biofeedlems such as an infection or a tumor. Physical caus- back or hypnosis. Tinnitus is one of what es of tinnitus can often be relieved. You might need I've called the "minor surgery, antibiotics to maladies of man." Some fight an ear infection or doctors don't take it seriremoval of impacted ear- ously, but in my experience many patients really wax. If you have tinnitus are bothered by it. Some and hearing loss, both ear specialists are subproblems may improve specialists in diagnosing after you get a hearing aid and treating the condior have a cochlear tion. In most major metropolitan areas there implant. Certain medications probably is such a specan also cause tinnitus. cialist, so do some legThe list is too long to work to find one in your include here, but it area. includes angiotensin-conDr. Komaroff is a verting enzyme (ACE) physician and professor inhibitors, calcium-chanHarvard Medical nel blockers, benzodi- at To send azepines and the diuretic School. go to furosemide (Lasix). Give questions, or your doctor a list of the AskDoctorK.com, medications you are tak- write: Ask Doctor K, 10 ing so he or she can make Shattuck St., Second sure that they are not con- Floor, Boston, MA 02115. PATH shelter schedule The PATH Winter Shelter for homeless people in the community will rotate through several area churches starting Nov. 1 and running through April 30. The shelter will open at 5 p.m. and close at 8 a.m. the following morning. No pets are allowed. Dec. 13-Jan. 10 — First Church of the Nazarene, 900 Johnson St. Jan. 10-Feb. 14 — First Church of God, 1035 S. Jackson St. Feb. 14-March 14 — North Valley Baptist Church, 355 David Ave. March 14-April 18 — First Baptist Church, 501 Pine St. April 18-30 — Presbyterian Church, 838 Jefferson St. ($599.96), three French hens who are celebrating the hol($165), two turtle doves iday are fortunate enough ($125) and a partridge in a to enjoy it with family and pear tree ($199.99), friends. Here's the annual On the seventh day of PNC Christmas Price Index Christmas my true love gave for those keeping track: to me, seven swans-a-swim''The Twelve Days of Annie's ming ($7,000, still expenChristmas'' sive, but no more than On the first day of before), six geese-a-laying Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a by Kathy Mitchell ($210), five gold rings pear tree (cost: $199.99, an and Marcy Sugar ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens actual decrease of 2.4 per($165), two turtle doves ($125) and cent from last year). On the second day of Christmas a partridge in a pear tree ($199.99). On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, two turtle doves ($125, the same price as my true love gave to me, eight 2012) and a partridge in a pear tree maids-a-milking ($58, still at minimum wage, the same price for the (another $199.99). On the third day of Christmas my past two years), seven swans-atrue love gave to me, three French swimming ($7,000), six geese-ahens ($165, the same as last year), laying ($210), five gold rings two turtle doves ($125) and a par- ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($165), two turtle tridge in a pear tree ($199.99). On the fourth day of Christmas doves ($125) and a partridge in a my true love gave to me, four call- pear tree ($199.99). On the ninth day of Christmas ing birds ($599.96, which increased by a whopping 15.4 percent), three my true love gave to me, nine ladies French hens ($165), two turtle dancing ($7,552.84, a 20 percent doves ($125) and a partridge in a increase in salary), eight maids-amilking ($58), seven swans-apear tree ($199.99). On the fifth day of Christmas my swimming ($7,000), six geese-atrue love gave to me, five gold rings laying ($210), five gold rings ($750, the same price as last year ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), for those who think the price of gold three French hens ($165), two turtle keeps going up), four calling birds doves ($125) and a partridge in a ($599.96), three French hens pear tree ($199.99). On the tenth day of Christmas ($165), two turtle doves ($125), and a partridge in a pear tree ($199.99). my true love gave to me, 10 lords-aOn the sixth day of Christmas leaping ($5,243.37, a 10 percent my true love gave to me, six geese- salary hike), nine ladies dancing a-laying ($210, again, the same as ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking Mailbox five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($165), two turtle doves ($125) and a partridge in a pear tree ($199.99). On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 11 pipers piping ($2,635.20, slightly higher at 2.9 percent), 10 lords-a-leaping ($5,243.37), nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($7,000), six geese-a-laying ($210), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($165), two turtle doves ($125) and a partridge in a pear tree ($199.99). On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 12 drummers drumming ($2,854.50, also a 2.9 percent increase), 11 pipers piping ($2,635.20), 10 lords-a-leaping ($5,243.37), nine ladies dancing ($7,552.84), eight maids-a-milking ($58), seven swans-a-swimming ($7,000), six geese-a-laying ($210), five gold rings ($750), four calling birds ($599.96), three French hens ($165), two turtle doves ($125) and a partridge in a pear tree ($199.99). The total cost of these gifts would be $114,651.18, plus shipping. Have a happy holiday. Give those maids a raise already. 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. Bag a bargain on men's leather belts BARGAIN BELTS. The discount clothing stores seem to frequently have a pretty good selection of high-quality men's leather belts. The only problem for me is that the name-brand belts they carry are usually in sizes too big for me. I buy them anyway and take them to a shoe repairman near my home who removes the buckles, cuts off the extra inches and then reattaches the buckles. He charges me $3-$5 a belt. I spend on average $15 to $20 on a belt that retails in department stores for $50$80 or more. -- Bob W. FROZEN RICE. I cruise through the frozen food aisles at my favorite warehouse clubs (such as Sam's Club and Costco) to see what's new. I figure if they can freeze it, so can I. On a recent trip, I saw a long line of people waiting for samples. I sneaked over to see what it was, only to discover rice! Frozen precooked plain white rice. People seemed to think that was the greatest invention ever, and they were all tossing it in their carts. I went home, pulled out the rice cooker, made my own and froze it in individual portions. -- Rebecca M. WWMHD. I had hoped that my plastic laundry basket would last until the next half-off sale. No such luck. It split right down both sides. stoneware, and with very little I wondered what Mary Hunt elbow grease I was able to remove would do. The answer was most of the rust from my dishwasheasy. I laced it together with er. -- Christina D. COLOR CODED. I've been a piece of rope and tied it spending only cash when I with a bow. shop, but knowing how Works great, and much I had available in now I'm wondering each category was difficult if I'll ever need a new when I had all the cash one! -- Joan J. together in my wallet. VISUAL DIRECTONow I use colored paper RY. I used my digital clips to organize my cash, camera to take pictures just like the envelope sysof every item that goes tem. I just assign a color to into each of my kitchen each category, and I can cabinets. Then I printed see at a glance how much I them in thumbnail view, Mary have to spend. It also one page per cabinet. I makes me think twice taped each handy referwhen I'm tempted to overence guide to the inside spend and borrow from of the cabinet doors, another category. -- Mary and now my husband Beth W. and I are perfectly clear about what goes where. Would you like to send a tip It's a quick guide to to Mary? You can email her at finding what I have stored in deep or low cabinets as well. -- Steph mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P .O. D. LIKE NEW WITH ZUD. My Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. old dishwasher was really showing Include your first and last name and its age. The inside was severely dis- state. Mary Hunt is the founder of colored and nothing I tried would www.DebtProofLiving.com and author take it off. I went to my local hard- of 23 books, including her 2013 ware store and purchased a product release "Cheaper, Better, Faster: Over called Zud. This powder magically 2,000 Tips and Tricks to Save You removes scratch marks on Time and Money Every Day." Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Avoid winter driving by going online By Jennifer Cooper Social Security Manager in Redding Old Man Winter arrives this month. For much of the United States, that can mean the possibility of temperatures below freezing and winter storms. So isn't it nice to know that in the 21st century you can take care of most necessary business online – including Social Security. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Here, you can handle much of your Social Security business quickly and securely from your home or office computer, or your tablet. At the Social Security website you can — • create a my Social Security account for quick access to your information; • get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits; • apply for retirement, disability, spouse's, and Medicare benefits; • check the status of your benefit application; • change your address and phone number, if you receive monthly Social Security benefits; • sign-up for direct deposit of Social Security benefits; • use our benefit planners to help you better understand your Social Security options as you plan for your financial future; • request a replacement Medicare card; and • apply for Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs. Looking for more Social Security information? Go online to find out almost anything you need to know about the Social Security program. Information is available on subjects ranging from how to get a Social Security number for a newborn to returning to work while receiving disability benefits. If you need to reach us by phone, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you'll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday. We can provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. (You can use our automated response system to tell us a new address or request a replacement Medicare card.) If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-3250778. No matter how you choose to contact us, Social Security is here to assist you. We encourage you to give our website a try. You'll get fast, convenient service by going to www.socialsecurity.gov. SBA financing options The NEC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Butte College is presenting a workshop on "SBA Financing Options for Your Small Business" 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at 604 East Walker St., Orland. This workshop is free of cost. The SBA has a variety of loan programs for start-up and existing businesses. An SBA representative will cover funding options for your business, loan requirements, application process, loan application checklist and a step-by-step handout detailing information and explanation on completing loan applications. Pre-registration is required. Please register online, call or stop by, NEC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Butte College, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico, 530-895-9017, www.bcsbdc.org to register and for information.