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Friday, May 6, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Racial reaction rattles ruminating Romeo Dear Annie: I am a white male and have fallen in love with an African- American woman who is 12 years older. I have never met such a wonderful, kind, sweet, caring and loving woman. She makes me laugh. She is my soul mate. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. At the moment, we Annie’s Mailbox aren’t dating. We are just friends, but I’d like more than that. The problem is my family. They don’t approve of interracial relationships. My parents are old school. They believe you should stay with your own race. If I brought this woman home, my fam- ily would disown me. They are very difficult people. My family is important to me. I don’t make enough money to be on my own. My parents are getting older, and they need my help, and I need theirs. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose my family or this wonderful woman. Forget about counseling. My family would never go for that. — Interracial Couple Dear Interracial: Relationships are difficult enough, and you have added two additional problems — your family’s bigotry and a large age difference. You haven’t said whether this woman is romantically interested in you, has children or wants any, or whether you do. It also worries us that you seem to be by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar financially dependent on your parents, an indication that you are quite young, don’t have a stable job or expect to live off an inheri- tance, none of which demonstrates the level of maturity you will need to handle your family’s reac- tion. If you love this woman and she returns your feel- ings, you should have the courage to face your family and let the chips fall where they may. Dear Annie: Last year, I was finally able to break free from a long-term abusive relationship. I now have both children in my care, a rewarding job and my own apart- ment. The problem is my smile. During that relationship, I did not take care of myself, especially my dental hygiene. I felt I wasn’t deserving. Now all my income goes toward housing, clothing and feed- ing my children. There’s not much left over to repair my deteriorating mouth. My kids have dental cover- age, thanks to their father, but I do not. I’d love to have a bright smile and beautiful teeth. Is there any way to get help? — Hidden Smile Dear Hidden: Your state or local health department may be able to direct you to resources. Also check the American Dental Associ- ation (ada.org) for information on your state dental association and a list of dental schools or dental hygiene schools in your area. They often offer free or low-cost help as a training tool for students. You might also find assistance through a community health center (call 1- 888-ASK-HRSA) (1-888-275- 4772) or United Way. Good luck. Dear Annie: I chuckled when I read the letter from ‘‘Tatted,’’ the young woman who didn’t want to tell her father about her new tattoo. It reminded me of the time I pierced my ears at home one night. I told my mother and begged her not to tell Dad. I did everything I could to hide it until one night when my aunt and uncle came to visit from out of town. I was so excited, I forgot to pull the hair over my ears. Dad said, ‘‘Yeah, she’d pierce her nose, too, if we let her.’’ I found out 30 years later that my mom had told him the very day I did it. To think I lived with the guilt and anxiety for all that time is pretty funny to me now. Yes, a tattoo (or piercing) may not be his ideal for his daughter, but my father never stopped loving me because of it. — South Dakota 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. Fishy art reception set for tonight Real fish are used to make the art prints in a new exhibit opening at the Red Bluff Art Gallery tonight, with an Artist’s Reception 5-8. Andrew Jensen will be on hand Friday night for the opening of his show, “Gyotaku,” The Art of Japanese Fish Printing. Jensen uses real fish to create his art. Steelhead, Perch, Grayling, Striped Bass, Sturgeon and Chinook Salmon are just a few of the fish in the exhibit. Local musician, Holly Day, will be per- forming at the Gallery from 5-8 p.m. as a part of the Opening Recep- tion. Oh Snap! The Daily News wants your photos: Cute kids, Adorable pets, Inspirational sights, Any shot readers would enjoy Send pictures to editor@redbluffdai- lynews.com or drop off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff. Include a caption. Courtesy Photo A Chinook Salmon print by Andrew Jensen. The extremely popu- paintings. lar, colorful, fantasy painting exhibit by Juli Ryan has been extend- ed, expanded and moved to the Main Hall. These original paintings are full of magic and fanta- sy, but also motivated by much deeper mean- ing. Many of the paint- ings from the first month of exhibition have been sold, and the exhibit will re-open Fri- day night with new WE’RE HERE ALL YEAR. BECAUSE TAXES DON’T TAKE THE REST OF THE YEAR OFF. H&R BLOCK The World Famous Palomino Room 1/2 off Lunch or Dinner entrée with purchase of 1 entrée must present coupon *equal or lesser value Lunch: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner: Thurs-Sat 4pm-9pm 723 Main St., Red Bluff 527-5470 www.palominoroom.com You are Cordially Invited to Red Bluff Garden Club’s “Elegant Affair” 50th Annual Standard Flower Show Tehama Co. Fairgrounds Saturday & Sunday, May 7 & 8 10 am to 5 pm Free Admission HUGE PLANT SALE Flower Design & Plant Propagation Demo’s Info: Call 530-527-9403 Home Arts Building www.rollinghillscasino.com Corning, CA 96021 Phone: 530-824-7999 Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 12pm. Available at participating offices. ©2010 HRB Tax Group, Inc. Available at participating offices. 1315 Solano St The prints that Andrew Jensen creates using the Gyotaku method are one-of-a- kind, unique prints. Fish are rarely used to make a second print. In addition to being a Gyotaku artist, Jensen works as an Environ- mental Scientist with the State of California, tasked with maintaining the high quality of waters in the streams and lakes of Northern California. This is a First Friday Art Night event, featur- ing art every first Friday of every month. The Montana Morri- son Gallery also partici- pates, so visitors have both local galleries to visit on the same night. Dress is casual and everyone is welcome. Call 529-1332 for more information or go online to www.RedBluf- fArtGallery.com. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Reader endorses master antioxidant DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column every day in my local Arkansas paper. Your recent column talked about the antioxidant vita- mins C and E; how- ever, nothing was mentioned about the most powerful one of all — glutathione — that we were born with and decreases with age. Can you discuss this little-talked-about antioxidant? DEAR READER: Glu- tathione is reported to be the body’s master antioxidant. It is produced in the liver and plays an important role in metabolism. It is composed of cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine, and is purport- ed to help human cells func- tion normally. It is found naturally in numerous meats, eggs, fruits and veg- etables, such as asparagus, broccoli, avocado and spinach, unprocessed whey protein and milk thistle; however, the absorption rate of glutathione from all food sources in the gastrointesti- nal tract of humans is appar- ently low. It has been used for the treatment of heavy-metal poisoning, to increase the effectiveness of drugs for chemotherapy given for breast cancer, in lowering blood pressure in patients diagnosed with diabetes, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and a great deal more. Research projects for ALS, cancer, cystic fibrosis, asthma and a number of other conditions are under way with this antioxidant to investigate its potential for boosting the immune sys- tem, improving longevity, reduce chances for develop- ing cancer, improving men- tal, heart and lung function, and increasing energy. While marketed as a nutritional supplement, there is little documentation to support the theory it actu- ally increases levels within cells. In fact, in human stud- ies, oral doses had minimal Dr. Peter Gott effect in raising blood levels. Sup- plemental vitamin C is reported more effective in increas- ing intracellular glutathione than the supplement is. Levels within the human body decrease with age, presumably at a rate of 1 percent per year after the age of 20. I’m not sure that I will rush out to my local phar- macy in the rain today for a bottle of glutathione, but never say never. DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m an 87-year-old woman with a circle about the size of a quarter on my right thigh, about four inches above my knee. All the skin around it is very smooth, but it is rough to the touch and appears to be flaking. Sometimes it is pale pink; other times it is an angry, dark pink. Occasionally, it itches. Neosporin and other creams don’t help. Can you? DEAR READER: I don’t know without seeing it, but my first thought is eczema or psoriasis. My recommendation is that you see your primary-care physician or a dermatologist for a diagnosis. Once the lesion is examined, appro- priate medication can be prescribed. While you are waiting for your appointment, be sure to keep your skin moistened. Treat the area with a petroleum-based product. If you bathe in a tub instead of shower, add Epsom salts or bath oil to the water. 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 BLM offers firewood permits The Bureau of Land Management is offering fire- wood cutting permits for an area in the Hoadley Peaks area west of Redding. Wood cutting is convenient, with stacked piles of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine available along easily accessible Hoadley Peaks Road. The cutting area is a 40-minute drive from Redding, and about 30 minutes from Weaverville. Permits are $15 per cord and available in person at the BLM Redding Field Office, 355 Hemsted Dr., in Redding. Woodcutters can also telephone the field office to make arrangements to obtain permits. Details on wood cutting restrictions and requirements are included with permits. The firewood is a byproduct of the BLM’s Hoadley Peaks Forest Health Project. For more information contact the Redding Field Office at 224-2100.