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4B Daily News – Saturday, November 19, 2011 FEATURES Counselor clarifies career's consequence Phone scam warning Dear Annie: I am very concerned about the state of education, specifically as it relates to the elimination of services. I am a high school coun- selor who is passionate about helping students and their families navigate through some of life's most difficult obstacles, includ- ing drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, teen pregnancy, divorce, peer-pressure, self- esteem issues and academic struggles, to name a few. Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Just as you often indicate in your column, sometimes school coun- selors are the only safe, reliable, resourceful adult with whom stu- dents can share their problems. However, in an attempt to save money, some schools are eliminat- ing counselors, and the academic scheduling portion of our job is being delegated to clerical staff. I am not blaming anyone. I understand the dilemma, but I am heartsick at the thought that stu- dents in need of emotional support are being abandoned. I admire our teachers and believe they make every effort to play a supporting role in the healthy development of our students. But with increased class sizes, that option of interven- tion and support is unrealistic. It is my hope that this letter will help make our communities aware of the services available through their school counselors, as well as the need to keep these services intact. — J. Dear J.: Budget cuts in nearly every state affect the public school system in ways that communities don't always grasp until it's too late. Kids today are faced with social and academic issues that their parents never contemplated. Often, school counselors are the only thing standing between our children and utter col- lapse. We hope this letter helps. Dear Annie: My son and daugh- ter-in-law live a few hours away, and I can't get them to come and visit. We get to see my two grand- sons only if we drive to their house, and yet they have no problem dri- ving twice that far to see her parents and spend the weekend with them. On the rare occasions when they come by, my daughter-in-law barely spends any time with us. When they need a babysitter, I am expected to drop everything. Don't get me wrong. I love spend- ing time with the grandkids. But sometimes I get so frustrated at being taken advantage of that I want to say no. I have always been there for my son, but now it seems we only talk when they need some- thing. Am I selfish to want them to visit more, or should I just be happy that we get to see them every few months when they need a babysit- ter? — Frustrated Grandma Dear Grandma: You aren't being selfish, but sometimes there isn't much you can do. The wives often run the social life of the fami- ly. Your daughter-in-law wants to be with her parents more than her in- laws, and your son has given up, doesn't care enough to remedy the situation or agrees with her. If you want to see your son more often, you will need to make the greater effort, and it will help if you can chummy up to his wife. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ''Strong but Broken,'' who wanted to confront the bully she knew in high school 40 years ago. Her therapist was probably right that the bully won't remember. I found out at my 20th class reunion that the bully in my life had no recollection of making one solid year of high school a living hell for me. What a waste of my energy to hate her for 20 years. A friend told me to write down everything I'd ever wanted to say to her, read it, tear it up and bury the pieces in the backyard. I did that and then washed my hands of the dirt, as well as the entire experience. — Feel Better Now 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. Highway 36 work postponed until spring Culvert work on Highway 36 originally planned to start Nov. 14 has postponed until spring due to inclement weather, according to a Caltrans release. The 15-day project was to install overflow culverts on Highway 36 near the intersection of 36 and US 395. Overflow culverts will help to alleviate flooding across Highway 36 and augment the existing culvert, which can become inundated during a major storm event. The addition of these overflow culverts will allow the passage of emergency vehicles and the traveling public during major storm events. When the project starts, installation will require 24-hour one-way traffic control. Motorists can expect delays and thus are encouraged to take alternate routes. For more information visit the Caltrans District 2 website at www.caltrans2.info or call the Caltrans District 2 Public Information Office at 530-225-3260. The Tehama-Glenn Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal- Fire) and the Tehama County Fire Department (TCFD) are warning residents of a phone solicita- tion where individuals are calling residents asking for monetary donations for the fire department. CalFire/TCFD does not solicit monetary dona- tions by phone under any circumstances and advis- es residents who receive such phone calls to not send money. If possible get a name and phone number or address of the individual calling and provide that information to your local law enforcement agency. LM food drive set Nu-Way Market and Umpqua Bank will partner with local food bank Food for The Hungry to pre- sent the Annual Drive Thru Food Drive in Los Molinos Dec. 8. This unique drive will be held from 7 a.m. to noon in front of both Nu-Way Market and Umpqua Bank in Los Molinos. With every donation, the person will receive a free baked good and coffee or cocoa. Food For The Hungry is a South Central Tehama County community-based organization serving Los Molinos and surrounding communi- ties. It is administered by the Los Molinos and Cone Community United Methodist Churches and pro- vides food for the less fortunate year-round, with a special emphasis on Thansgiving, Christmas and Easter. For more information on how to donate or vol- unteer, call Kenny Brewer at 262-9320. Suicide survivors day American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's invites the public to its 13th Annual International Survivors of Suicide Day on Saturday, Nov. 19, at NVCSS Second Home, 1250 California St., in Redding. Check in and registration begins at 9 a.m with AFSP's broadcast from 10-11:30 a.m. Those unable to make it to the event can watch the broad- cast on-line. For more information go to www.afsp.org Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registering will help greatly in planning. For information or to pre- register visit the Website: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2296426674 or contact Mike Gonzales at suzyslaw@gmail.com or by calling 520-6696. Gender and alcohol metabolism woman, and I've read that the recommended daily alcohol intake for women is lower than for men. I've also read that a certain amount of alcohol can be healthy — but why should my husband's daily limit be higher than mine? And would my health suffer if I drink a manly amount? A: The short answer to your second question is yes. If you are repeat- edly exceeding the rec- ommended daily alcohol limit for women, you could be putting your health at risk. But let's start with your first ques- tion, why women are advised to drink less than men. Q: I'm a 45-year-old (ADH). ADH goes to work before the alcohol reaches the blood. Women have consider- ably less ADH in their stomach linings than men. quantities and for fewer years than men. Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. There are two main biological reasons that women are more sensi- tive to alcohol. First, alcohol is broken down in the liver and stomach lin- ing by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase Second, pound for pound, a woman's body contains less water and more fatty tissue than a man's. Water dilutes alcohol in the blood, but fat holds onto alcohol. So a woman's body main- tains higher concentra- tions of alcohol for a longer time. This exposes the brain and other organs to more alcohol. So, women get "high" after drinking less. They are also more likely to suffer health problems after drinking smaller Since women metabolize very little alcohol in their stomachs, more is left to be absorbed into their blood. As a result, one drink for a woman has about twice the effect as one for a man. variety of threats to your physical health. Although alcohol abuse is more common in men than in women, a woman's chance of becoming dependent is equivalent to a man's. And women who drink too much are more likely to damage their health and well- being and to die as a result of their drinking. For example, women who abuse or are depen- dent on alcohol are more vulnerable than men to alcoholic liver disease, such as hepatitis, and more likely to die from liver cirrhosis. In addition, women are more likely than men to suffer alcohol-induced brain damage, such as loss of mental function and reduced brain size. Compared with women who don't drink or who drink in moderation, women who drink heavi- ly also have an increased risk of osteoporosis, falls and hip fractures. They Alcohol does pose a lar, there is a very fine line between healthful and harmful drinking. While moderate drinking is defined as no more than seven drinks a week and no more than three on any given day, those levels aren't set in stone. A woman's response depends on her age, weight, genetic makeup, family history, risk of breast cancer, overall health, and even when she last ate. are more likely to go through premature menopause or to suffer infertility and miscar- riages. Drinking too much is also hard on women's hearts: It raises the risk of hypertension and cardio- vascular diseases, includ- ing coronary artery dis- ease, arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy. Last but not least, even modest amounts of alcohol increase the risk of breast cancer. For women in particu- Because women become addicted to alco- hol more easily than men, even drinking moderately can be a slippery slope. This is especially true for older women. In fact, about half of all cases of alcoholism in women begin after age 59. Certainly, no one should feel obliged to start drinking for the health benefits. There are plenty of other ways to safeguard your health, such as exercising regu- larly, eating nutritious food, keeping your weight under control and not smoking. But if you enjoy alcoholic bever- ages, it's important to know where to draw the line. You should also be prepared to redraw that line as you get older, especially as a woman. Friday November 25th ONE DAY ONLY! Gift Certificates Available 3 month student membership $ 150 3 month couple special $ 20% off 6 month and annual memberships $ 20 1 month unlimited tanning All sales are final. 2 month limit on tanning per person. 20% discount on membership compared to monthly rates. No refunds on any gift certificates. Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St. • 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com 89