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Thursday, January 20, 2011 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES No tears for this reader DEAR DR. GOTT: I am in great pain with dry eyes at night. I am 90. I use a lot of eyedrops and have to use warm com- presses to open my lids at night. Do you have any information you can share? DEAR READ- ER: Dry eyes are rather common as people age. The condition occurs when the normal tearing process fails to provide sufficient moisture for your eyes. The condition is known as keratocon- junctivitis sicca. Tears are a combination of elec- trolytes, water, fatty oils and proteins. In your case, an imbalance is occurring. Dry eyes can burn or sting. You might experi- ence blurred vision that worsens as the day pro- gresses, sensitivity to light and susceptibility to ciga- rette smoke or the wind when you are outside. Those people most Dr. Peter Gott tears and more. You might consid- er adding omega- 3-rich fish such as salmon and tuna or omega-3 sup- plements to your regular diet. Research has indi- cated this could help. Last but not least, avoid situa- tions that worsen your sit- uation. If, for example, you drive a car and have the heat blowing toward your face, divert the vent so you stay warm but don’t have the direct expo- sure. If you walk frequent- ly, wear eye protection such as glasses or goggles to keep the wind from striking your eyes. If the air in your home is dry, add a humidifier. And of course, avoid tobacco smoke. There’s help for you. Get to the root of the problem, and take the nec- essary steps. DEAR DR. GOTT: likely to develop dry eyes are postmenopausal women, those with dam- age to the tear glands (per- haps from inflammation or radiation), those 50 and older, people who have had laser eye surgery, a history of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjo- gren’s syndrome, a thy- roid disorder, a vitamin A deficiency and more. Medications to include decongestants, antihista- mines, pain relievers (such as over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen), blood-pressure remedies and others can be the cul- prit. Beyond that, exces- sive demands on the eyes from computer work, dry air and wind can compli- cate or cause the prob- lem. You will have to deter- mine what is causing the problem. For example, if you are on a medication with dry eyes as a poten- tial side effect, a modifica- tion to another product or change in dosage might help. If an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis is to blame, per- haps a visit to a rheuma- tologist might be in order. There are medications available such as antibi- otics, those prescribed for corneal inflammation, eye inserts that act as artificial Now that the flu season is here, could you please print a word about my pet peeve — clerks and cashiers who cough in your face when handling groceries or those that spit on their fingertips to ease opening plastic bags? Even young school chil- dren have learned to cough into their elbows. DEAR READER: And the word is GROSS! Everyone is aware how easily germs are spread through telephone receivers, doorknobs, shopping-cart handles, TV remotes and droplet spray from a cough or sneeze. The interesting thing is that the very peo- ple who do the dastardly deed are those who com- plain when someone does it to them. Your point is well- taken. We all need to prac- tice a few good habits and manners. Courtesy and consideration of others is paramount. Thanks for writing. 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 The Northern California FAA Safety Team will con- duct a seminar on the TSA rules that apply to pilots and airports at the Red Bluff Airport 10 a.m. to noon Satur- day, Jan. 22. TSA rules seminar Local pilots, aviation enthusiasts and those interest- ed in airport security are invited to attend. Transportation Security Inspector Scott Harris from Sacramento TSA will be the guest speaker. Also, local Certified Flight Instructor Irwin Fust will conduct a presentation and discussion on Cold Weather Aircraft Operations. In addition, pilots with antique aircraft are encouraged to fly in and display their aircraft for the public. This seminar is one in an on-going series of Aviation Safety Seminars presented four times a year at the Red Bluff Airport. Seminars are presented on the fourth Sat- urday of the months of January, April, July and Octo- ber. All seminars qualify for Wings Credit and you can sign up at the seminar or on-line at www.faasafety.gov. The seminar will take place in the Red Bluff Airport Terminal Building at 1804 Airport Blvd. There is no charge for this seminar and there is ample parking next to the terminal. Donuts and coffee will be served. For more information please contact Irwin Fust at 351-8203 or email at ifust@digitalpath.net. Chinese New Year The Rotary Club of Weaverville will hold the 26th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration, Scholarship and Educational Fundraiser 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Weaverville. The cost is $35 per person. Changes have been added to this year’s celebration. New Chinese Appetizers (dim sum), created by renowned local Chef Sharron Heryford of the La Grange Cafe, have been added to replace the sit down dinner of the past. Tickets may be purchased at State Farm Insurance, Kudos or Trinity County Insurance all in Weaverville. Tickets are also available by calling Kevin Cahill at State Farm Insurance (530) 623-4000. City and County Information Recreation Guide Local places of interest City Map & Street Guide Schools Directory Church Guide Public Services Calendar of Events …and more! Glossy stock Magazine Format 10,000 distribution 7,000 as a special insert to the 3000 print for distribution to visitors, new and prospective residents through Chambers of Commerce, hotels and Information Centers D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY 24/7 presence online version on www.redbluffdailynews.com for a full year, with links provided to Chamber of Commerce, RB City and County websites. Businesses: Make sure YOU are part of it! Advertising Space Reservation Deadline: Friday, February 4 at 5 PM Advertising Representative Today! 527-2151 Call your Daily News Local Isolated imbibing irritates intimate Dear Annie: My hus- band has several friends he’s known for years. All of them are heavy drinkers. ‘‘Tom’’ is not a big drinker, but when he is with these friends, he gets sloppy drunk. We are in our 60s, and for medical reasons, Tom should not be drinking at all. Worse, he drives home after these binges. It often hap- pens around sporting events. His friends will get him tickets, and although we discuss the drinking ahead of time, it doesn’t help. When I call his cell phone and get no response, I know he’s getting drunk. I pace the floor until he arrives home safely. This behavior is taking a toll on me and our relationship. Tom knows how dangerous the drinking is, but his male ego and his friends are apparently more important than his health or anything else. These guys know Tom has medical problems, but they don’t care. Tom is not an alcoholic. He rarely drinks at home and has no dif- ficulty leaving booze in the refriger- ator for months. I have nothing against him having a beer, but drink- ing and driving or drinking heavily with all the medications he’s on worries me to death. No Place Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear No Name: Tom may not be an alcoholic, but he certainly has a drinking problem. He has difficulty controlling his liquor intake with these friends, even though he knows it is destroying his health and could wreck his marriage. Al-Anon is an organization dedicated to helping friends and family of those who have problems with alcohol. Please give them a try at 1- 888-4-AL-ANON (1-888-425- 2666) (al-anon.alateen.org). They will have suggestions for you. Dear Annie: Our mother is an awesome person, and we enjoy spending time with her, but it has to be limited. She has to direct every- thing, and it has to be done her way or not at all. She is very good at couching criticism in small, under- handed comments, and she knows how to push everyone’s buttons. The problem is, Mom has asked Last night he came home smashed after attending a basketball game, and it was the last straw. I told him I don’t want him attending any more sporting events. Is there a bet- ter way to handle this? — No Name, us to take her on a cruise or road trip, and we all know we will be nuts before the first day is done. Is there a way to tell her that while we love her, we don’t want to travel with her? — Avoiding Travel Brochures Dear Travel: Adult children are not obligated to travel with their par- ents, and it is OK to say you prefer to keep your vacations separate. But some parents are in the habit of bossing their kids around, and although you are grown and capable of making your own decisions, Mom’s behavior toward you is River Discovery Center resumes the Thursday Evening Program series on Thursday January 19 at 7 p.m. at the Center, 1000 Sale Lane, with a presentation by Sherry Harral, public relations officer for the Bureau of Reclamation in the Mid- Pacific region. The BOR is oversee- ing the construction of the Red Bluff pumping plant that will provide water to 150,000 acres on the west side of the Sacramento River. The pumps will allow the gates of the Red Bluff Diversion dam to remain open year round. The court ordered completion date, for this project, is May, 2012. Ms Harral will share what our tax dollars are ingrained. She may not realize how it prevents you from enjoying her company. If you don’t tell her when she does annoying things, she won’t have the opportunity to change. But tell her nicely. With love. And humor, if you can manage it. Dear Annie: When ‘‘My Two Cents’ Worth’’ suggested that you might want to solicit some male input about women changing their names, you said, ‘‘When men are expected to take their wife’s sur- name upon marriage, we’ll be happy to ask for their input.’’ You and I know that will never happen, and that made your response narrow-minded. So, I’m going to give you a dose of your own medicine. As a guy, I will never need advice from a couple of femi- nists with their noses in the air. — Content Dear Content: Oh, get over yourself. We’ve printed plenty of opinions from men on this subject, but we don’t believe the decision to change one’s maiden name belongs to those who don’t have to experience it. That would be like letting a woman decide how a man should feel about his erectile dys- function. 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. SRDC Thursday Evening Programs resume The Sacramento doing in the region cur- rently and what new plans there are for the future. BOR current plans are to turn over the Red Bluff Pumping station to the Tehama Colusa Canal Joint Powers Authority in May 2012. Will the elevation be raised on Shasta Dam? Will there be addi- tional water distribution systems created to pro- vide water to Northern California agriculture? Ms Harral’s presenta- tion will be followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments will be available and coffee will be provided by Dutch Brothers coffee of Red Bluff. Community Clip? e-mail: clerk@red- bluffdailynews.com or Fax: 527-9251 YEARBOOK This would probably be it: If Red Bluff had a