Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/23764
Wednesday, January 26, 2011 – Daily News – 3B Licentious lad languid, lackadaisical Dear Annie: Our son, ‘‘Colin,’’ is 19 years old and a sophomore in college. He was always helpful and a good student. Last spring, Colin became rude and con- descending. We found out he was living with a 33- year-old man who is infected with HIV. This man was controlling and used sexual black- mail to keep Colin in line. We finally got our son back home, but it was a long, difficult sum- mer. When Colin announced that he was gay, my hus- band and I sought advice from several clergy. Most of them said to turn our backs on him until he asked for our forgiveness for living sinfully. We decided instead to take the advice of our priest, who said to accept his orienta- tion, hard as that has been. All we’ve asked of Colin is that he do well in school, get a job to help pay off the legal bills that resulted from extricating him from his previous relationship and not be sexually promiscu- ous. Colin contracted vari- ous STDs and should avoid sexual contact anyway. Our requests seemed reasonable to us. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Unfortunately, when Colin returned to school, he became sexually involved with at least two different men and even asked to bring one home for the holidays. Of course, we said no. We could live with his orientation if he would live a moral lifestyle. So far, he has not test- ed positive for HIV, although that is still a worry. We have told him we will not pay any more medical bills, since we can’t afford it. From the horrible way he treats us, I regret that we were so kind to him over the summer. Counseling didn’t help him see the error of his ways. He is a bad influence on his little sister. How should we handle this? — Heartbroken Par- ents Dear Parents:We know Colin’s sexuality is disturb- ing to you, but try to sepa- rate his orientation from his impulsive lifestyle. He is 19 and living away from home for the first time. In college, many children, gay or straight, become sexually active. Unfortunately, some also are promiscuous, drink too much, do drugs, engage in risky behaviors and other- wise behave like wild ani- mals let loose. Most kids settle down eventually, and the hope is that they don’t do any permanent damage in the interim. Please con- tact PFLAG (pflag.org) for some emotional support and practical suggestions. Dear Annie: I have been caring for my disabled hus- band while working full time and raising two chil- dren. I haven’t had time alone in 15 years. Now my children are grown, and they want to give me a mini-vacation as a gift. They offered to stay with Dad while I go away for a four-day weekend. My husband is upset and says if I truly cared for him, I would not want to get away. He is doing his best to make me feel guilty. Is he being selfish, or am I? — Need a Break Dear Need: Your hus- band has become complete- ly dependent on you and fears your absence. All care- givers need to recharge their batteries. Reassure your husband that you love him, that you will come back refreshed, and that the kids will do a wonderful job tak- ing care of him. Then have a great time. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Loving and Missing all at the Same Time,’’ whose daughter is an inconsiderate slob. When my kids were in high school, I got tired of their stuff scattered all over the house. I said if I found any- thing lying around when I got up in the morning, I would wake them to put it away. The rub was, I would- n’t tell them what or where it was. Sometimes, by the time they found it, they were wide awake and irritat- ed. My daughter was a slow learner. Many days, she would come home and her clothes would be scattered in the front yard. Fortunate- ly, we had understanding neighbors. — Omaha, Neb. Healthy teeth for happy smiles It may be hard to believe, but taking care of your child’s teeth should begin within the first year. While those tiny baby teeth that start coming in at about 6 months eventu- ally are replaced, they are important for chewing, speech development and holding spaces for perma- nent teeth. The TCHSA- PH Dental Committee knows that healthy eating habits and proper dental care from the very begin- ning are important to ensure the long-term health of your child’s teeth. That is why the Dental Committee pro- motes services throughout the county to help you protect your child’s smile. For February’s Nation- al Children’s Dental Health Month, the North- ern Valley Indian Health Dental Clinic, the First 5 funded Mobile Dental Clinic along with many volunteer dental profes- sionals will offer free den- tal exams and treatment, including teeth cleanings, fluoride varnish, dental sealants and dental fill- ings, for Tehama County children without current dental insurance or Medi- Cal. The 6h Annual "Give Kids A Smile" day event is being held Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Valley Indian Health Clinic next to the State Theatre on Oak Street in Red Bluff. This is a first-come first-serve event. This event is made possible by local partners for oral health care (Northern Valley Indian Health, Tehama County Health Services Agency, Tehama County Children & Families Commission [a.k.a. First 5 Tehama], the Public Health Adviso- ry Board’s Dental Com- mittee and volunteer den- tal professionals). The Red Bluff State Theatre is a huge supporter of this event – pre-services are provided throughout the theatre including screen- ings and information dis- semination. The Mobile Dental Clinic’s attendance at the 6th Annual "Give Kids a Smile" day will be fol- lowed by three weeks of service to families in Tehama County - avail- able to qualified children under 6 years of age. For appointments, please con- tact Tehama County Pub- lic Health at 527-6824. Oral health is essential to general health and well- being. By practicing good dental habits with children at home, visiting the den- tist regularly and follow- ing a balanced diet, par- ents can help keep their children smiling with con- fidence. Unfortunately, many children are without to floss and help them until they develop the skills to do it themselves. Remember, you are your children’s first teacher and can help them develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. Smart oral health practices are just one step in preparing children to reach their greatest potential in school and in life. For more information about other local oral health pro- grams, visit www.first5tehama.com or call the School Readiness program, First Steps Cen- ter in Los Molinos 384- 7833. Health benefits of water ionizers? DEAR DR. GOTT: Please do some research on a company named Enagic. They are the pre- mier manufactur- er of Kangen water ionizers. I have been using this water for three years, lost 40 pounds, run faster and longer than I did at age 25, got off Plavix and simvastatin, and am now trying to reduce my diabetic numbers. I think the fact that I can drink way more water is an important thing, but the antioxidant value and the higher alkaline helps the body undo many health issues associated with acidosis. I am not a quack. I was CEO of a financial institution for 27 years, and nowhere in this career did anyone men- tion how important alka- line is. So far, my weight loss and the 10 miles of running I do have not pro- duced many results. I’m looking at a genetic test to see what might work for my genetic makeup. Your comments? DEAR READER: I don’t in any way doubt your intelligence regard- ing water, nor would I have a negative statement for the CEO of a financial institution or anyone else, for that matter. However, you asked me to do some research, so I did. According to Multi Level Marketing, an Enagic water ionizer costs about $4,000. A compara- ble unit can be purchased from other companies at a substantially lower price. None of the companies is backed by the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture. A water filter with Dr. Peter Gott some simple natural addi- tions to the water will provide the same benefits at a more potent level for far less money. Kangen water is alkaline, ion- ized water. The unit contains a fil- ter and ionizing chamber similar to all others. The quality of Kangen or alkaline water is measured by how acidic or alkaline water becomes (pH) and by how much ionization occurs. There is much debate over whether ionized water provides genuine health benefits. Enagic distributes water ionizers via net- work marketing, meaning that people who use the product can receive com- missions and generate income. There are some reports detailing the bene- fits for intestinal and digestive issues, but some Enagic distributors claim sensational results. Have your water tested by a reputable firm. Determine whether it is potable. Visit your family physician for a complete examination and for labo- ratory testing to deter- mine whether you are at risk for diabetes, hyperc- holesterolemia, anemia, thyroid disorders or other health concerns. Your 40-pound weight loss and elimination of both medications (per- haps through a program of exercise) speak well in terms of you taking care of your body. You are cer- tainly doing something right, and if you believe a Kangen water ionizer has played a role, then stay the course. There’s no sense in rocking the boat. MCT photo Dental decay is rising among U.S. preschoolers. proper oral health care and can develop severe tooth decay, known as early childhood caries (ECC). Though tooth decay is a completely preventable condition, it is the single most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. According to the Surgeon General, children experiencing tooth decay can suffer from severe pain, prob- lems eating and speaking, and an inability to concen- trate and do well in school. In addition, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental-related illness. The rate of tooth decay is particularly rampant in rural communities and in low-income families. Fac- tors attributing to these high rates include lack of availability, accessibility, information, insurance and the high cost of dental care. Fortunately, you can keep your child’s smile healthy with a few simple steps. In honor of Febru- ary being Children’s Den- tal Health Month, the Dental Committee offers the following tips to par- ents and caregivers on how they can help their children ages 0 to 5 devel- op healthy oral health habits to protect their teeth for a lifetime: • Prevent painful Early Childhood Caries (Baby Bottle Tooth Decay) by not letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle in her mouth. • Don’t share your toothbrush or eating uten- sils with your baby. The bacteria in your mouth can cause tooth decay in your child. • Wipe or brush your baby’s teeth daily, espe- cially after eating, with a clean washcloth or a moist, soft child’s tooth- brush, without toothpaste. When your child is about 2 years old, help her brush with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. • Check your baby’s teeth and gums for early tooth decay. Look for white spots on the teeth, swelling, bleeding or pim- ples on the gums. • Give your child water rather than juice when thirsty. After six months of age, one small serving of juice a day is sufficient. • Encourage your child to use training cups at 6 months of age. • Once your baby is eating solid foods, limit the number of sweet and sticky foods that she eats. Instead, offer a variety of healthy foods from all of the food groups such as fruits, vegetables and cheeses. • Schedule a visit to the dentist when your child gets their first tooth or beginning at age one and every six months there- after. • Ask your dentist about fluoride or fluori- dated drinking water and other ways to protect your child’s teeth. • Supervise your chil- dren while they brush their teeth, making sure they use a small amount of toothpaste and brush thor- oughly. Young children need help brushing their teeth until they are about 7 years of age. • Show your child how