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Friday, February 18, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Resolute Russians rile relatives Dear Annie: My son has been married to ‘‘Natal- ie’’ for 20 years. Yet when- ever she is with her Russ- ian-born parents, she refus- es to speak English in front of me. The problem is, now my 16-year-old grand- daughter does the same thing. And by the way, my son neither speaks nor understands Russian. When I go to their home ie’s parents are present. Bet- ter yet, learn a few words of Russian. Maybe they’ll be motivated to practice their English with you. Dear Annie: About Annie’s Mailbox for family gatherings, I feel like a stranger. Natalie insists these conversations are not about me or other members of my family. She says she wants my granddaughter to learn the language more fluently. But, Annie, my granddaughter attends a Russian school every Saturday. She speaks Russian better than they do. Because of this, I refuse to be in their company. Enough is enough. My son thinks I should ignore it. My other children say I’m right to stay away. I was taught that it is rude to speak a foreign language in front of someone who doesn’t understand it. What do you say? — Tired of Walking on Eggshells Dear Tired: It is indeed rude to carry on a conversation in a foreign tongue when others cannot under- stand, but it doesn’t seem worth an estrangement. Do the Russian-born parents speak any English? If they do not, it is a courtesy for them to be included in the conversation, as well. Ask your granddaughter to translate for you. And you can, of course, talk to your son when Natal- by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar seven years ago, my ex- wife, trembling and crying, woke me up early one morn- ing to talk about her child- hood. She told me she had been molested by her father. I didn’t know how to take the delicate information I was told, so I said when she was ready to talk more, I had an open heart. Through 15 years of her child- hood, she had not seen or spoken to her father. They reconnected near the beginning of our relationship. I always felt they had a weird dynam- ic. It seemed that he gave her what- ever she asked for. We spent several years in the military, and when my wife and I came home, her father picked us up from the airport. She was insistent that I not say anything or treat him any differently. She didn’t want him to know what she had told me. It recently occurred to me that the reason my ex never brought her father up on charges is because she is punishing him. She is making sure he never forgets what he did and holds him responsible by stick- ing it to him for money, cars and whatever else she needs at the time. Is that possible, or am I delusional? — Need Another Opinion Dear Need: Anything is possi- ble. It’s also likely that when she was a child, Dad gave her whatever she wanted in order to buy her silence and cooperation, and this is how the relationship has evolved. Anyone who has been molested can benefit from therapy, and you can suggest to your ex-wife that she contact RAINN (rainn.org) at 1- 800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673). Dear Annie: ‘‘Alone in Casper, Wy.’’ brought back memories of my own return to the dating scene when I was 51. It seems the minimum accept- able qualities for a man were to be heterosexual, have a car and be alive. Some women may have accepted less. I was employed and intelligent, but wasn’t much of a hunk. Yet my dates included a state government official, a gymnast and a former beauty queen. It was a wonderful 11 years. I eventually married an engineer. Like ‘‘Alone,’’ I also cook and can clean a bathroom. I have been divorced twice. He says he’ll have to lower his standards to find a mate, but I suspect what is needed is for the women in Casper to lower their standards to accept him. — Big Hug in Baton Rouge, La. 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. Film explores problems with media Emmy-winning jour- nalist Sue Wilson will show her award winning documentary film “Broadcast Blues" Wednesday Feb. 23 at Jack The Ribber Restau- rant, 1150 Monroe St., in Red Bluff. The free screening is sponsored by the Tehama County Coffee Loyalists and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Those who wish to eat should arrive a few minutes early to order. Wilson will make a special trip to Red Bluff to discuss the film and answer questions. “Broadcast Blues” focuses on the corrupt practices that have become prevalent in the media and what Ameri- cans can do to stop them. It emphasizes the fact that the public owns the airwaves but that many feel disempowered. “Almost everyone understands there is something terribly The Butte Regional Office of Legal Services of Northern California in Chico is offering the following workshops and clinics in March at 541 Normal Ave. in Chico: •A clinic on credit card debt at 10 a.m. on March 2. Spanish speakers are avail- able if needed. Participants must pre-reg- ister by calling 345-9491. •A foreclosure prevention and alterna- tives workshop at 10 a.m. on March 4. prit, and that news is not the only problem local broadcasters used to serve the public interest. Local broadcasters have nearly disappeared and it's time to bring them back.” Wilson has been Courtesy photo wrong with the quality of the news and informa- tion we get in this coun- try,” Wilson said. “Con- solidation of radio and TV ownership is the cul- Credit card, foreclosure workshops offered The workshop gives assistance with home ownership, mortgage loan questions, fore- closure prevention and alternatives. Indi- vidual appointments will be seen between 10 and 11 a.m. Volunteer Joe Feist will head the work- shop and all eligible, low-income persons and seniors are welcome. The event, spon- sored by Legal Services of Northern Cali- fornia, is free. Pre-registration is not neces- sary. Information available at 345-9491. ALL MUST GO Brand name clothing Natural fiber yarn Alpaca socks Displays and equipment NOW - 2/28 623 Main St. involved in the media for more than 20 years. However, lately she felt journalists were losing their scruples and the deregulation of the media giants who con- trol the airwaves was largely to blame. This film is the result of her deciding she must do something about it so the public will become more aware of the prob- lem. More information on Wilson can be found at www.suewilsonreports.c om. Colonel mustard to the rescue DEAR DR. GOTT: For many years, I have had severe heartburn. I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia and was prescribed Nexium. Then I switched to Prilosec because of the exorbitant price of the first drug. Dr. Peter Gott I tried to be health con- scious and didn’t like tak- ing drugs, so I attempted natural remedies, includ- ing calcium citrate mixed with AbsorbAid. Only the drugs worked. Then two weeks ago, I stumbled on an article about the benefits of mus- tard for heartburn. It said to mix 2 teaspoons of mustard with a half glass of water at the first sign of heartburn. I stopped tak- ing Prilosec and tried French’s mustard. I haven’t had heartburn since! This remedy might not work for everyone, but I hope you let your readers know about it. By the way, I take the mustard as a preventive measure twice a day and, as I said, I have had absolutely no sign of heartburn since. DEAR READER: There are approximately 40 different varieties of mustard plants; however, there are three basic types — black, white and brown. Prepared mustards commonly consist of ground mustard seed, vinegar, water and flavor- ing. There’s little to no fat and virtually zero calo- ries. Many varieties included turmeric, a source of curcumin. It’s this ingredient that con- tains strong anti-inflam- matory and antioxidant properties. Mustard seeds are highly renowned for the high amounts of glu- cosinolates, which are believed to have anti- cancer properties. They are a good source of iron, magnesium, niacin, phos- phorous, calcium, omega- 3 fatty acids and zinc. I am unsure why mus- tard controls your heart- burn, but if it does, stick with it. You can also help your condition by reducing or elimi- nating alcohol from your diet, avoiding trigger foods such as tomato-based products, carbon- ated beverages, garlic, onions, cit- rus products and mint flavorings, incorpo- rating a weight-loss pro- gram if appropriate, and elevating the head of your bed four to six inches. Beyond that, it’s good to know that if a person is experiencing symptoms at an inconvenient time, a trip to the refrigerator for the mustard will likely be the answer. To provide related information on your hiatal hernia, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux & Indigestion.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newslet- ter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092- 0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com . DEAR DR. GOTT: Some time ago, you had an article in my local newspaper about an underactive thyroid. I cut it out and was happy to finally get some informa- tion about the thyroid gland. I found out my son is borderline, and I wanted to give him the article but I put it away so good I can’t find it. I’m 88 years old and have had an underactive thyroid for 40 years. I’m doing great. Thank you. DEAR READER: Try having your son log onto my website, www.AskDr- GottMD.com. In the search bar at the top right of the home page, he should type in “underac- tive thyroid.” The article should pop up for his review. Good luck.