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2B Daily News – Saturday, June 25, 2011 FEATURES Dejected dad dabbles in dalliance Dear Annie: I’m con- fused about what to do with a situation in my family. At the age of 21, I am the oldest of four children. My parents have been divorced for seven years and still remain good friends. Dad remarried six years ago and is miser- able. I know because he told me. I have evidence that Annie’s Mailbox makes me believe my father is having an affair with my best friend’s mother. (She is divorced.) I am convinced he is in love with her. I am not condoning his affair, but I want him to be happy. I want him to get out of his current marriage with some integrity left. The only person this is going to hurt is my stepmom. I don’t wish her ill, but I have seen how unhappy my father is and have been hoping for a long time that he could see his way out of his misery. Should I encour- age him to fight for his happiness? — Distraught Son Dear Son: We know you love your father and want him to be happy, but you truly need to stay out of this. Too often, well-meaning family and friends get blamed for whatever happens. You can tell Dad that he deserves to be content and you want that for him. You can also tell him to seek counseling if he’s by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar having trouble. But that’s it. He needs to handle his mar- riage in his own way. Dear Annie: Why is it that when you hit the magic age of 60, people automati- cally think of you as being old? I am 62 years old. I do not act old, and I do not dress old. But ever since I turned 60, people have been treating me like I should be sitting in a rocking chair waiting to die. I had a 22-year job with a large company that decided those of us with years of experience should no longer be working for them. And now it’s impossible to find another position. Companies should not be afraid to hire older people. We are good, reliable and responsible workers. We don’t take time off for maternity leave and are willing to work long and late hours. I have been looking for full-time employment for more than a year. I am not ready to retire. I know how important it is to keep active at any age, so I’ve taken a series of part- time jobs. Please tell businesses not to be afraid to hire an older adult. We are willing to give our all for the betterment of your company. — Young at Heart Dear Young at Heart: In most instances, companies drop older workers for economic reasons. However, they lose a great deal when it comes to experience and continuity, which can end up costing more in the long run. Seniors can find information on job searches and training at foundation.aarp.org and through experienceworks.org (1- 866-976-5939). Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Michigan,’’ who was worried about her future connection to her sons after they marry. Please allow me to give her the advice my father gave to me. Before I married, my father sat me down at the kitchen table and said, ‘‘You’ll have a couple of hous- es, several cars, maybe some kids and even the possibility of another wife, but let me tell you something, boy. You’re only going to have one mother. Treat her well while she’s here.’’ Two years ago, I buried both par- ents and have no regrets because I was there for them. — Still Miss Them 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. IRS interest rates remain the same The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter begin- ning July 1, 2011, will remain the same as in the previous quarter. rates will be: The • four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation]; • four (4) percent for underpayments; • six (6) percent for large corporate under- payments; and • one and one-half (1.5) percent for the por- tion of a corporate over- payment exceeding $10,000. Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than cor- porations, the overpay- ment and underpayment rate is the federal short- term rate plus 3 percent- age points. Generally, in the case of a corpora- tion, the underpayment rate is the federal short- term rate plus 3 percent- age points and the over- payment rate is the fed- eral short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large corpo- rate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points. The rate on the por- tion of a corporate over- payment of tax exceed- ing $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one- half (0.5) of a percentage point. The interest rates announced today are computed from the fed- eral short-term rate dur- ing April 2011 to take effect May 1, 2011, based on daily com- pounding. Revenue Ruling 2011-12, announcing the rates of interest, is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bul- letin No. 2011-26, dated June 27, 2011. Drivers face traffic school roadblock Chronic traffic offenders face a tougher road ahead, now that the Department of Motor Vehi- cles (DMV) will track safety con- victions in a whole new way. Beginning July 1, 2011, the courts will no longer be allowed to “dismiss” infractions after a driver attends Traffic Violator School (TVS). Instead, a state law (AB 2499) now requires that all offenses be recorded as “con- victions,” which will create a detailed breakdown of a person’s driving history. “This new law creates serious consequences for repeat offend- ers,” said DMV Director George Valverde. “It is an important step in ensuring our roads remain safe.” Under the new guidelines, dri- vers who attend a TVS course will have their first conviction masked and avoid negative marks on their driver record. However, if they accrue additional viola- tions within the next 18 months, the convictions will appear on the record, negligent operator points will be assigned, and their insur- ance company will be notified. Up until now, when convic- tions were stamped “dismissed,” it was equivalent to a verdict of “not guilty,” so it appeared as though there were no violations. Frequent offenders have been able to use this loophole as a way to repeatedly attend TVS. Traffic Violator Schools are being required to inform their students about this change in the law. A TVS conviction will not be masked if: • There is a prior TVS dis- missal/conviction within the pre- vious 18 months. • The conviction is a major (2 point) violation- DUI or reckless driving • The driver holds a commer- cial driver license or was operat- ing a commercial vehicle at the time of the violation. The DMV offers an array of services to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through its Website including online appointments for written and drive tests; vehicle registration and driver license renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions. Customers can also effect transactions by calling DMV cus- tomer service at (800) 777-0133. DMV is a department under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Knot in throat needs further testing DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently went to a specialist for a knot in my throat. It’s hard to the touch and inter- feres with blowing a steady stream from my nose and breath- ing. I have also lost the gag reflex on the right side of my throat. Dr. Peter Gott The physician stated that I have a pharyngeal tubular, gave me a prescription for Nexium, and indicated if I took two twice a day for eight weeks, it should take care of the problem. He also recommended that I see another specialist to have the test where the throat is numbed and a camera is used to check your esopha- gus. I have no health insur- ance, and that is just not something I can afford. I have increased my OTC Prilosec, and since doing this I have noticed that, par- ticularly when I eat, I have some discomfort. I also have pain about the time the food is going down the esopha- gus. Could you please explain more about this problem? Any additional information you have would be greatly appreciated. DEAR READER: I believe you are referring to your pharyngeal tubercle. This is a normal part of anatomy and is essentially an anchor that attaches and separates the three pairs of constrictor muscles of the pharynx (throat) to the basi- lar part of the occipital bone (part of the skull). That being said, I am unclear how Nexium would be beneficial. It is primarily used to reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus (cellular changes to the lining of the esophagus). Perhaps acid reflux is at the root of your problem? To determine exactly what is causing your symp- toms, you need to undergo the recommended endoscopy (the test to which you refer). I under- stand that money is an issue; however, your health is important, and you are already experiencing unpleasant symptoms. You need to be thoroughly examined and tested to determine the exact cause and what treatment options you have. I also recommend that you decrease your OTC Prilosec to see if your diffi- culty swallowing and pain lessen or disappear. Because I am not an oto- laryngologist (ear-nose-and- throat specialist) and this part of anatomy is rarely dis- cussed, I am unsure what other steps you should take. Call the specialist’s office, explain the situation and ask about setting up a payment plan. If he or she will not work with you, find another specialist who will. You may also benefit from calling your local hospital to ask about discounted med- ical procedures for those without insurance, help finding a specialist, and get- ting assistance in finding affordable health insurance. Readers who are interest- ed in learning more can order my Health Report “Hiatal Hernia, Acid Reflux and Indigestion” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title, or print an order form from my website: www.AskDr- GottMD.com/order_form.p df. DEAR DR. GOTT: I read somewhere that if a pan- creas bursts, several small pancreases form in the area. Is this true? DEAR READER: A pancreas can burst, rupture or tear because of injury or infection. This would be a medical emergency requir- ing immediate medical intervention and monitoring. To the best of my knowl- edge, it isn’t possible for several small pancreases to form. I cannot say so with 100 percent certainty; how- ever, I have never heard of this happening. Had you provided the resource where you obtained the informa- tion, I might have been able to tell you if it was reliable or not. If anyone has written, documented proof that this can occur, I would be inter- ested. That being said, there is one organ that I know of that can regenerate: the liver. In the case of a liver transplant, a healthy donor can give part of his or her liver to a viable candidate, and each portion will then grow to become a complete organ. I am not certain that this can occur in cases of rupture, however. 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. Tehama County’s Personal/Professional Service Directory AT YOUR SERVICE! $ 9900 3 month commitment Artificial Flowers Beautiful Artificial Flowers By Charlie Artificial flowers for rent specializing in Wedding and other occasions Call for appt. 528-0109 Runs every Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday Feet Health Attorney Local Bankruptcy Attorney Jocelyn C. 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