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2B Daily News – Thursday, May 26, 2011 FEATURES Buggy buddies become budget busters Dear Annie: For the past 10 summers, ‘‘Dan and Kelly’’ have stopped at our house on the way to visit their relatives up north. It’s a long trip, so they often need to stop at a motel before reaching our place. Sometimes they stay with us overnight, and other times, it can be as long as five days. My husband and I sleep Annie’s Mailbox in different bedrooms. He gave up his bed for Dan and Kelly. Two weeks after their last visit, he was eaten up with bug bites, even though the sheets had been washed. We inspected and, sure enough, found bedbugs. We had to have a pest control company spray our entire house, and we took comforters, blankets and pillows to the local laundry since they were too big for my machines. Thankful- ly, we haven’t had any repeats, but the bill was nearly $500. Dan and Kelly are coming through again this summer. How can we make sure this won’t happen again? We never mentioned the bugs to them (can you say ‘‘awk- ward’’?), nor did they say a word to us, even though they must have taken those bugs with them to their relatives. I am not worried about the money, although I don’t want a repeat of that bill. The main thing is, I don’t want any more bedbugs. How can we approach this with them? Or do we? — Itching in Ky. Dear Itching: Your letter made us itch. Bedbugs have become an epidemic lately, and they are a par- by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar ticular problem in hotels, motels, apartment buildings, condominiums and any- where large numbers of peo- ple share living space. For- tunately, most of these places have taken great pains to see that bedbugs are no longer an issue, but you should not assume that Dan and Kelly are bug free. When they call to say they’re headed your way, tell them, ‘‘You know, we had a bedbug problem several months ago and just want to be sure you are careful when you travel.’’ Also, be sure to inspect the bed after they leave (and before you sleep on it). Dear Annie: I was friends with ‘‘Jill’’ until I heard her unkindly (and unjustly) gossip about one of our mutual friends. It made me wonder what sort of things she was saying about me when I wasn’t around. I stopped trusting her and calling her. When Jill phoned to ask what was going on, I told her the truth. We enjoy each other’s company, so we patched things up. But then we attended a small dinner party, and she again started in on this mutual friend, telling me all about her facelift. I thought she was petty and inappropriate. This friend doesn’t know Jill gossips about her, and I would never hurt her feelings by telling her. The two of them are still friends. I have once again cut off contact with Jill, who seems to be turning into her mother — a fault- finding gossip. Should I have han- dled this differently? — Sherman Oaks, Calif. Dear California: No. Choosing to distance yourself from a mean- spirited gossip is simply good sense, and you gave Jill the oppor- tunity to watch her words. If she should try to mend fences again, feel free to explain your position. Jill can learn to modify her behavior if someone helps her be more aware of it. Dear Annie: I have been follow- ing the discussion from those who have lost their spouses and their friends. I lost my husband last year and am only now 60, so not house- bound. I know people have their own lives and families, and I just don’t fit in anymore. I know I need to build a new life. But old friends don’t know how much their silence hurts. Friends of more than 30 years are just gone. I hope anyone reading these let- ters who has a friend who is now alone will take a minute to call just to say hello. They have no idea how much that simple act of kindness would mean. — Simi Valley, Calif. 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. Memorial Day weekend DUI crackdown The Tehama County Avoid the Five DUI Campaign will be deploying officers this holiday weekend at DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols countywide to arrest impaired drivers who still don't get the message. The Memorial Day weekend is witness to the kick off of summertime recreation and holiday travel, along with many college and high school graduations seeing thousands celebrate their accomplishments. The next 100 days will also see a rise in deaths and injuries as far too many individuals get behind the wheel impaired. The enforcement campaign begins Friday night with DUI Saturation patrols in the city of Red Bluff and Corning. More local DUI Saturation Patrols will be out on Saturday in addition to a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint in the Los Molinos area. DUI Saturation Patrols will continue to be deployed Sunday throughout Tehama County. The California Highway Patrol is deploying all available officers Memorial Day weekend onto free- ways and county roads in their jurisdiction. "Sobriety Checkpoints are a proven deterrent along with the High Visibility enforcement campaigns to change behavior such as drunk driving, driving unre- strained and driving distracted," said Chris Murphy Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "Dri- vers who know that there is a Zero Tolerance when it comes to drunk driving take measures to use a Desig- nated Sober Driver and call 9-1 -1 to report a suspect- ed drunk driver weaving down the road ahead of them." Law enforcement region-wide are asking for your support this holiday weekend and all summer: • Be responsible when hosting a party don't allow friends and family to drink to excess • Always promote a Designated Sober Driver • Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911 Funding for the Avoid Campaign is through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra- tion. The Avoid Campaign will deploy checkpoints and DUI patrols again during the Independence Day Holiday and for the August/Labor DUI Mobilization. CalFire/TCFD stress safety for holiday For Memorial Day weekend, Californians everywhere will be recreating in the majes- tic outdoor areas of the Golden State. In anticipation of the increased outdoor activi- ties, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal- Fire) and the Tehama County Fire Department (TCFD) are urging everyone to exercise caution and emphasize safety this holiday week- end. The heavy rainfall this past winter and spring has led to abun- dant growth of grass and brush. Despite the recent wet weather, this week- end’s warmer tempera- tures will dry out the vegetation, contributing to California's elevated risk of wildfires. Wildfires are not the only danger posed by the outdoors; drownings also dramatically increase during the Memorial Day weekend. In California, drown- ing is the leading cause of deaths among chil- dren under 14, and every year CalFire responds to water rescues all across the state, many of which tragically claim the lives of both adults and chil- dren. Memorial Day is a great time to get together with friends and family to enjoy the outdoors, but it is important that everyone understands the dangers that the out- doors pose, and take steps to stay safe and prevent tragedy. CalFire would like everyone to remember these important steps this holiday: Camping • Obtain necessary permits needed for campfires. • Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perime- ter of any campfire. • Have a responsible person in attendance at all times. • Ensure all campfires are completely extin- guished before leaving. • When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended. In the Water • Always wear a life jacket! • Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult. • Never swim alone. • Swimming and alco- hol don't mix. Alcohol can impair your ability to under estimate the water and overestimate your abilities. For more ways to be safe during the Memori- al Day Weekend visit the CalFire Website: www.fire.ca.gov. WE’RE HERE ALL YEAR. BECAUSE TAXES DON’T TAKE THE REST OF THE YEAR OFF. H&R BLOCK 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 $ Fighting constipation naturally DEAR DR. GOTT: I was so happy to see your colon-cocktail ingredients in print, as I have a real problem with constipation. Do you have other ways to stop this annoyance? DEAR READ- ER: The gastroin- testinal tract slows as we age, with dietary and lifestyle changes often being to blame. For exam- ple, it is often far easier to eat a frozen dinner or a prepared meal that may be nutritious but that may lack the necessary fiber to keep you regular. Or your previous, faster pace of daily living might be slowed, so you don’t exer- cise as much as you once did. Both scenarios can lead to constipation. Per- haps a diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains and unprocessed bran, an increase in the amount of fluids you consume daily and moderate exercise will get you back on track quickly. Try to consume between 20 and 35 grams of fiber each day, but begin slowly. You may find a piece of fruit each day is sufficient to keep you regular. To overdo it too quickly is to turn con- stipation into diarrhea, and you don’t want that to happen. Be sure to avoid foods high in sugar and fat, such as ice cream and cheese, that can aggravate constipation. Be sure to take suffi- cient time when you feel the urge to defecate. Being rushed and think- ing you may be forced to strain will definitely have a negative impact on the result. The longer you delay, the more water will be absorbed from your stool, and the harder it becomes. If your problem per- sists, visit your physician or a gastroenterologist to ensure nothing else, such as a blockage, is going on. Have you had any testing along those lines? For example, noninvasive procedures are available to determine how well food passes through the digestive system. You might choose to speak with your physician about them. While you don’t men- tion any medical issues in your brief letter, you could have undiagnosed irritable bowel syndrome, might be overusing laxa- Dr. Peter Gott tives, have diver- ticulosis, be on specific medica- tions such as those to combat hypertension and depression, or you may have hypothyroidism or hemorrhoids. The possibilities are almost limit- less. For the record, my colon cocktail may take up to two weeks to become fully effective, so you might wish to do it on a permanent basis. Beyond that, consider drinking 4 ounces of warm prune or apple juice daily. You also might do well with a simple stool softener, fiber supplement or an osmotic to help flu- ids move through your colon. There are several over-the-counter products such as magnesium citrate that might do the trick. I’m sure that your local pharmacy will have a large supply from which to choose. You might even ask your pharmacist his or her opinion regard- ing which product might meet your needs best. Avoid using laxatives on a regular basis. Habitu- al use of them can cause the colon to become dependent. As with any drug, even over-the- counter ones, their use can involve increasing the dosage time after time until the colon relies com- pletely on an outside source to allow it to func- tion. Laxatives should be taken only under a physi- cian’s supervision. Readers who would like additional informa- tion can order my Health Report “Constipation and Diarrhea” by sending a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Peter H. Gott, M.D., and mailed to P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website’s direct link at www.AskDrGottMD.com /order_form.pdf. Good luck. 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 Grief workshop rescheduled Grief: The Journey of Healing has been rescheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, at Mercy Oaks, 100 Mercy Oaks Drive, in Redding. All of us are touched at some time in life by death and significant loss. Navigating the course through grief and learning to live again without our beloved other or the change that has occurred in life can be daunting and overwhelming. The journey of healing leads us into the dark hallways of denial, bargaining, anger, depression and finally at acceptance where we learn to come to terms with life without our sacred other, whether it be a parent, sibling, spouse or friend. "Grief: The Journey of Healing" is an evening of remembering our beloved other, reflecting upon the life shared, coping with significant loss and the journey of healing while allowing ourselves the space and support to express our grief and loss through contemplation, reflection, music, silence and ritual. Those in attendance are invited to bring a picture of their loved one or a symbol representing the individual and the loss they have experienced. The evening is free, open to the public of all ages and no advanced reserva- tions are required. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. For more information call Lynn Fritz at 243-8862 or Mercy Hospice at 245-4070. Event flyers and informa- tion are available at www.lynnfritz.com. Salon Bella Dona Full Service Salon 3 per foil or Nicole Richardson May Highlight Special $ 60 for full highlights Call for appt. 527-4843 (exp. May 31, 2011) 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.