Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/55349
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Sexless seniors statement starts squabble Dear Readers: Happy Valentine's Day to one and all, along with our special good wishes to the veterans in VA hospitals around the country. And our particular thanks to those readers who have taken the time to send valentines, visit the vets and volunteer at VA facilities. Bless each and every one of you. Annie's Mailbox Dear Annie: "Sex Ther- apist" does not need a refresher course. You are mistaken when you say that the "vast majority" of older women lose interest in sex. The Harvard Women's Health Watch newsletter reported that in a survey of 27,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), more than 60 percent of women in their 50s, 45 percent of those in their 60s and 28 percent of women in their 70s reported that they were sexually active, and almost two-thirds said they were happy with their level of sexual activity. Of those who were dissatis- fied, more than half said they would prefer having sex more often. Even these numbers may be misleading, because when healthy women stop having sex, it is not necessarily due to a lack of libido. Often it's because they lack a partner or because topical treatments have not resolved the common problem of vaginal dryness, which can cause pain during intercourse. — Carole Wade, Ph.D. Dear Dr. Wade: We do not take issue with the fact that post- by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar menopausal women can be interested in sex. In fact, we encourage it. We do, howev- er, disagree with ''Sex Ther- apist's'' comment that los- ing interest is a myth. We are delighted the study showed that 28 per- cent of women still have an active libido into their 70s (and presumably beyond). But it is hardly a myth that hormones are depleted as we age, and many post- menopausal women lose interest for a variety of reasons. According to our readers, those who have a healthy sex life are generally using some form of hormone replacement. We need to acknowl- edge this reality and not make women feel freakish or inadequate if they experience a drop in libido and hormones are not an option. Plenty of readers weighed in on this hot topic. Read on: From Florida: My husband and I had always had a wonderful sex life together, and I wasn't about to give it up because of menopause. But I did not want to take any oral hormone therapy with its risks. I discovered that using an over-the- counter progesterone cream from my local health food store and a prescription estrogen cream twice a week totally ''cured'' my lagging sexual desire. Michigan: I am 51, and my best friend is 61. We both still love sex. We think you only hear from women who don't want it anymore. They probably didn't like it much to begin with. Florida: I am so sick of hearing how great sex in later life can be. I really enjoyed sex in my younger years, but not anymore. I have to use cream because of dryness and then take an antibiotic every time so I don't get an infection. The fire- works that used to accompany sex have become duds. I still love him, but having sex at 67 is more bother than it is worth. Massachusetts: I am 61. Of all my ''elderly'' friends, I have not known one to ever tell me they have lost interest in sex, even if they presently have no partner. We are all happy, confident women who take pride in our sexuality and are still very interested. I believe the real problem lies with the men. They are the ones who have lost interest or are unable to perform and are too embarrassed to seek help. Pennsylvania: The lack of desire for physical intimacy in women (and in men) is often a hor- monal imbalance brought on by overexposure to estrogen-like chemicals in petroleum products (plastics, perfumes, cleaners). Lubrication and desire can return when hormones are rebalanced with natural bio-identical hormones. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Most taxpayers can file immediately The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2012 electronic tax return filing season with a reminder to taxpayers that e-file remains the best way to get fast refunds and ensure accurate tax returns. IRS e-file has sur- passed the milestone of 1 billion returns processed. The electronic transmis- sion system revolution- ized the way the IRS processes tax returns and made speedy refunds pos- sible. More than 112 mil- lion income tax returns were e-filed last year, or 77 percent of all individ- ual returns filed. "E-file is the best option for taxpayers. E- file enables taxpayers to file more accurate returns and receive their refunds quickly and safely," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. In general, for people concerned about security, e-file has proven itself year in and year out as a safe and secure method of filing a tax return. E-file has a proven track record. Software vendors and paid tax return preparers use the latest encryption technology. Plus, within 48 hours, an electronic acknowledgement is issued that the return has been received by the IRS and either accepted or rejected. With most people receiving a refund, the fastest way to get a refund is by e-filing and using direct deposit. Taxpayers can get their money auto- matically in as few as 10 days. Last year, more than 79 million refunds were electronically deposited into taxpayers' accounts, saving them a trip to the bank. For people who owe taxes, e-file offers pay- ment alternatives such as filing now and scheduling payment on the April tax deadline. Taxpayers who still want to pay by check can do so by e-filing and then mailing a payment voucher. Taxpayers can e-file their tax returns one of three ways: through a tax return preparer, through self-preparation software or through IRS Free File. The IRS does not charge for e-file. Many tax return preparers and software products also offer free e- filing with their services. Free File offers free tax preparation and free elec- tronic filing. Starting this filing sea- son, any paid preparer who prepares and files more than 10 returns for clients generally must file the returns electronically. Taxpayers are encouraged to use tax return preparers who offer IRS e-file. Taxpayers should also only use paid preparers who sign the returns they prepare and enter their Preparer Tax Identifica- tion Numbers (PTINs). Preparers are required to sign the returns they pre- pare and include their PTINs. Although paid preparers sign returns, taxpayers are legally responsible for the accu- racy of every item on their return. Preparers are also required to give taxpayers a copy of their returns. When using e-file, you also use an e-signature and an electronic filing PIN. If you prepare your own return using software you must use the self- select PIN method on the return. When using a paid preparer, you can still use the self-select PIN method or the practitioner PIN method. The Elec- tronic Filing PIN is a tem- porary PIN used by the IRS to verify your identi- ty when you e-file. IRS Free File, which has been making taxes a little less taxing for a decade, also begins today, Jan. 17. Everyone can use Free File, either the brand-name software offered by IRS' commer- cial partners or the online fillable forms. Individuals or families with 2011 adjusted gross incomes of $57,000 or less can use Free File software. Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, has no income restrictions. Utility announces record solicitation for renewable energy Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced recently that its 2011 solicitation for new supplies of renewable energy brought in more than 300 offers, a new record for the utility. PG&E's energy procurement staff are reviewing them closely to determine the most viable and cost- effective projects to meet customers' long-term clean- energy needs. "The highly competitive proposals we received offer affordable power to help us achieve the state's renewable energy targets," said Fong Wan, Senior Vice President for Energy Procurement at PG&E. "The tremendous response to our request reflects the robust supplies being offered by the renewable energy industry, which California has fostered through its aggressive state mandates." Since 2002, PG&E has signed more than 110 con- tracts for about 10,000 megawatts of renewable power. PG&E now expects to be able to meet Califor- nia's Renewables Portfolio Standard, which requires all retail sellers of electricity to deliver 33 percent of their electricity by 2020 from eligible renewable resources like wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and small hydroelectric. The utility is on track to reach 20 percent this year. Along with large hydro and nuclear power, PG&E now typically gets more than half of its electricity from sources that are essentially carbon-free, making The North State's premier supplier of stoves STOVE JUNCTION The Over 25 years of experience Your tax experts 32 Years Plus Experience "Enrolled to practice before the IRS" Open Year-Round New Clients Welcome Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon FIREPLACE PRODUCTS 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com www.lassentax.com Enrolled Agents: Rose Hablitzel, EA Rex Cerro, EA (530) 527-8225 208 Elm St., Red Bluff All major Credit Cards accepted 656 Washington Street Red Bluff • 527-7762 One hour relaxing Massage and One Hour Yon-ka Facial... Special $99.00 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. 3 month Membership Single $99 Couple $ Must be paid in full • No Refunds New members only 1 month unlimted 25.00 Tanning $ Gift Certificates available. Limit - 2 per person must be 18 years or older no exceptions Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St • Red Bluff 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com it one of the cleanest utilities in the nation. Once PG&E determines which of the new offers best suit its customers' needs for clean energy, it will engage selected developers in negotiations, with the goal of submitting executed contracts to the California Public Utilities Commission by mid-year for review. Public toilet risk is not from the seats DEAR DOC- TOR K: A lot of my female friends seem overly wor- ried about sitting on public toilet seats. They think doing so could give them diseases like herpes, gonor- rhea, syphilis and HIV. I'm more worried about the mess left by those who "hover" over the seat unnecessarily. Who's right? DEAR READER: It's not completely irrational to worry about dirty pub- lic toilet seats. Any conta- minated surface can spread infectious disease. However, the real risk of catching a disease from a clean toilet seat is almost nonexistent. The enormous efforts people make to avoid touching public toilets aren't really necessary. Many public toilets have a dispenser with paper to cover the toilet seat. When that is not present, many people cover the toilet seat with toilet paper. If the toilet seat is visibly clean, those precautions are of little value. Nevertheless, many of us were taught as kids to cover the toilet seat with paper in a public bath- room. I was, and I feel a little more comfortable when I do it. Like most human beings, my brain sometimes speaks to me in two voices. The emo- tional voice sometimes wins out over the rational voice. In particular, you really don't have to worry about catching the diseases you mention — herpes, gonor- rhea, syphilis and HIV. These diseases are spread by unprotected, skin-to- skin sexual contact. It's very unlikely that they could be transmitted via a toilet seat. That's because the viruses or bacteria that Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. cause them die very quickly out- side the body. HIV can also be spread through blood transfusions with infected blood products or a needle stick from a contami- nated needle. Toi- let seats are not on the list of likely modes of transmission. Public restrooms, like all public places, do pre- sent risks from infectious diseases. But those risks are not from toilet seats. Surfaces you touch with your hands — the flush handle on the toilet, the water faucet handle on the sink, the doorknob on entering or exiting the restroom — can be conta- minated with germs. Your hands are very hospitable to bacteria, such as staph germs and E. coli. Your hands can pick up the flu virus, too. And then it's really easy for you to spread those germs from your hands to your nose and mouth. From there, they get inside your body. So always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before leaving a public restroom. After I've washed my hands, if I still need to grab a door handle to leave the restroom, I will then use an antibacte- rial hand gel. Finally, some viruses and bacteria are spread by sneezing and cough- ing. Especially during flu season, try to not get too close to people who are coughing and sneezing. They pose a greater threat to you than a toilet seat. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. Go to his website to send questions and get additional information: www.AskDoctorK.com. Candidate filing period opens Tehama County Clerk and Recorder, Beverly Ross, announces that the Candidate Filing Period opens today for the Presidential Primary Election held on Tuesday, June 5 for state constitutional officers and local county offices. The filing period will close on Friday, March 9, for all interested parties. The following countywide offices will appear on the June Primary Ballot: Superior Court Judge, Office 1 or 2. The Board of Supervisors, District 1, 2 and 5 are also open, but will be elected by district electors only. All interested parties are urged to contact the Tehama County Elections Department, 444 Oak Street, Room C, in Red Bluff for more information on the positions available, filing costs and appropriate forms. Please call the Tehama County Elections Department at (530) 527-8190 or toll free (866) 289-5307. To view the June Primary Election Calendar, Candi- date Guide Book and Candidate Watch List visit the website at www.co.tehama.ca.us/elections. Newly Remodeled! RIDGEWAY PARK RECREATION HALL & GYMNASIUM Available for events, meetings & team practices Tehama County Parks for reservation information Reasonable rates Call An alcohol-free facility 528-1111 FINDERS CHECK OUT OUR NEW INVENTORY KEEPERS Thrift & Antiques Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm In the Frontier Village Shopping Center 645 Antelope Blvd. 530 527-7798 169