Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/61046
FEATURES years, I've considered my sister, ''Trina,'' my best friend. A couple of years ago, she was transferred into a very difficult work position. Trina has had a hard life, and I wanted to be there for her through thick and thin. However, when I needed emotional support from her this year, it wasn't there. I shared how hurt I was, but apparently I wasn't tactful enough. Trina felt I was criticizing her. Now we don't talk on the phone anymore. She says she is ''busy.'' Instead, we exchange brief emails. When I text, she replies a day or two later, saying, "Sorry, I didn't see your text.'' She has walled herself off and tells me, "Just accept me as I am.'' Dear Annie: For 20 and also my own? — For- mer Sister Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar The problem is, I feel used. I was her rock all those years, with long, encouraging calls, helping with finances, taking trips to support her. I don't need her to reciprocate all of those things, but from time to time, I long for a little empathy. I don't know how to deal with my feelings. Shall I just give up? The communication coming from Trina is pretty clear. If it were a friend doing this, I would move on. Trina has asked me to come for our annual summer visit, but I don't feel comfortable pretending there's a relationship when one no longer exists. How do I honor Trina's feelings Lassen Volcanic National Park Superinten- dent, Darlene M. Koontz, announced that the National Park Service has completed an Environ- mental Assessment (EA) for the Utilities Replace- ment Project in the head- quarters area of Lassen Volcanic National Park in Mineral, CA. The EA includes analysis of the proposed action, as well as a no action alternative. The comment period opened on April 4, and closes at midnight on May 3. The Mineral Utilities EA can also be viewed and comments entered directly on the NPS planning web site at: http://parkplan- ning.nps.gov/lavo. The document can also be viewed and/or down- this summer. She's your sister. We're sure she has many good qual- ities, so try to focus on those. You can still enjoy her company if you understand her limitations. Dear Annie: My son recently turned 50. First he lost his job, and then he was in an accident. I let him stay with me until he settled the accident lawsuit, but he blew that money and is still here. He is on disability now and is Dear Sister: Trina is a better taker than giver. She has probably always been this way, but you didn't notice until you needed her. (This is not an uncommon dynamic in many relation- ships.) Trina avoids you now because she recognizes that she has disappointed you. And she's right about one thing: You have to accept her as she is. Please visit her waiting for housing in an apartment complex for the disabled, but I have no idea how long it will take. The stress of him being here and all the junk he's accumulated is wreaking havoc with my respiratory system and taking a toll on my mental health. Friday, April 6, 2012 – Daily News 5A Stressed-out sister takes, but doesn't give ing for housing, it could take a while. In the meantime, talk to his doctor and local social service agencies to see what help is avail- able right now. Then set a time limit, and tell your son he has until then to find other accommoda- tions. Perhaps his siblings, rela- tives or friends will lend a hand until his housing options become a reality. to ''Steve in Ohio,'' who asked about family members having the same name. It is an Italian custom to name the firstborn son after the grandfather. My oldest uncle named his son Salvatore, as did another uncle two years later. A year after that, my parents named me Salva- tore. Our parents eliminated confu- sion by calling one Big Sal, the other Little Sal and I was Roger, my middle name. It worked out fine until I went into the military. An investigation revealed that there was no one with that name born at the hospital I had indicated. To straighten everything out, I had to legally change my name to Roger. — The Villages, Fla. Dear Annie: This is in response Annie's Mailbox is written by On top of that, I would like to care for my 3-year-old grandson while his parents are at work. I can't deal with both a 50-year-old and a toddler. How can I get my son to leave? — Tired of Mothering Him Dear Tired: If your son is wait- loaded from the park's website at: http://www.nps.gov/lavo/p arkmgmt/index.htm. document is also available at park headquarters and at local public libraries. The purpose of the pro- posed project is to improve NPS staff and community safety, increase energy efficiency, protect Nation- al Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed cul- tural resources, and reduce labor and budgetary costs associated with the park's utility infrastructure. The proposed project is needed because the utility system currently in use (electrici- ty, water, wastewater, gas, and telecommunications) is ineffective, inefficient, and difficult to repair. The proposed project The 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. Lassen environmental assessment available would replace the current utility infrastructure by undertaking the following: replacing existing over- head powerlines with underground lines, and then removing overhead lines; replacing water and sewer lines; updating telecommunication lines; replacing small, building- specific propane tanks with two centralized, large propane tanks; improving utilities at the seasonal staff housing area south of Highway 36E; and updat- ing site lighting. The NPS welcomes public input on this pro- posed project. Comments can be submitted online at http://www.nps.gov/lavo/p arkmgmt/index.htm, or mailed by May 3 to: Superintendent Darlene Koontz, ATTN: Utility Replacement - EA Com- ments, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063- 0100 Please note: Before including your personal information in your com- ment, be aware that your entire comment – includ- ing your personal identify- ing information – may be publicly available at any time. Although you may request that we withhold your personal informa- tion, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. For more information about this document, con- tact Superintendent Dar- lene Koontz at the above address or call (530) 595- 6100. Knuckle cracking annoying, harmless TOR K: My hus- band cracks his knuckles constant- ly. Aside from the fact that I find it annoying, I'm also worried that it's bad for him. Can knuckle-cracking lead to arthritis or other problems? DEAR READ- DEAR DOC- Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. ER: That "popping" noise that irritates you so much when your husband cracks his knuckles may well be music to his ears. But for those who don't crack their knuckles, the appeal can be hard to understand. And, like you, some of my patients (spouses of habit- ual knuckle-poppers) have wondered what causes the sound and whether it's harmful. I passed on your ques- tion to my colleague Dr. Robert Shmerling, an arthritis specialist. This is what he told me. The "pop" of a cracked knuck- le is caused by bubbles bursting in the fluid that lubricates your tendons and joints, called synovial fluid. true of other joint-related noises such as popping, crackling or snapping, as long as no pain accompa- nies it. However, there are some red flags to look for. Does your husband have pain and a grinding sound when he flexes his knuck- les? Do any of his fingers lock or give way? Does he hear a sudden "pop" and feel pain when using his hands? Any of these red flags could be a sign of a more serious problem that may need medical atten- tion. While knuckle- cracking can be annoying to oth- ers, it seems to be harmless. The same is generally may be that these people were over- ly vigorous or did- n't know their own strength. But such reports are quite rare. When the bones are pulled apart, it stretches the joint capsule that con- tains the synovial fluid. This decreases pressure inside the capsule, which causes the little gas-filled bubbles in the synovial fluid to burst. Like you, many people assume that knuckle- cracking can lead to arthritis. Although it may seem a logical connection, it hasn't been proven. One study comparing rates of arthritis between habitual knuckle-crackers and peo- ple who didn't crack their knuckles found no differ- ence in the rates of arthri- tis between the two groups. But it is true that chronic knuckle-crackers were more likely to have swollen hands and reduced grip strength. I've heard stories of people suffering injuries as a result of trying to crack their knuckles. It I once had two patients, a husband and wife, who were having marital strife. They'd been married 15 years. I asked the wife what was causing the problem in their marriage. She answered, "My hus- band." When I pressed for a little more detail, she first listed his carelessness with money and his unwillingness to do work around the home. But numbers 3 and 4 were his constant popping of the joints in his hands and his tendency to chew ice loudly. These little annoy- ances had made it to near the top of her list. So, your husband is probably not harming himself by cracking and popping his knuckles. But if he's driving you up the wall, by all means ask him to stop — at least when you're around. 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. Dental care a key part of National Public Health Week Rolling Hills Clinic is celebrating National Public Health Week by promoting the impor- tance of dental care, including orthodontics, in overall health. The clinic has an orthodontic program for youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it thanks to a gen- erous grant from Jim and Veronica Horton. "Public Health Week diseases may be associ- ated with adverse preg- nancy outcomes, respi- ratory disease, cardio- vascular disease, dia- betes and other medical problems. dental and physical health. According to the American Public Health Association of Den- tistry, tooth decay is highly preventable yet is a common chronic dis- ease in the United States. Evidence shows that decay and other oral raises awareness about the importance of active living, healthy eating, disease prevention and mental and emotional well being," said Amy Gonczeruk, operations manager at the clinic. "Dental care plays a major role in both a per- son's physical and men- tal health; however, it's generally not given much attention during National Public Health Week." Dentists advise to brush teeth at least twice a day, replace your toothbrush every three to four months, floss daily, eat a healthy diet and limit between- meal snacks and sched- ule regular dental checkups. positive effect on dental care and overall health. Studies show that ado- lescents who complete orthodontic treatment have fewer oral health- related problems later in life compared to those who have never had orthodontic treatment. Most patients consid- er orthodontics for a more attractive smile. However, orthodontics offers other enduring benefits for a patient's Orthodontics has a It can be difficult to brush and floss between teeth that are crowded or overlapping, so orthodontic treatment can help patients do a better job of keeping their mouths clean. Misaligned teeth can wear unevenly, too, because some teeth may be more stressed or pressured during chew- ing than others. pain in addition to jaw discomfort, when the patient gets older. The physical benefits of orthodontic treatment are evident, but the psy- chological benefits of orthodontics are also important. Those with straighter teeth generally have more self-confidence and feel more at ease in social situations. When an orthodontist straightens the teeth, it also corrects this prob- lem, which can have a negative effect on a patient's nutrition and diet. In addition to straightening the teeth, orthodontics can correct problems with the jaw's alignment. This benefit of orthodontic treatment may help to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders, which can also lead to headaches and neck The clinic offers a no-cost orthodontic for qualifying youth ages 12 through 17 living in the Red Bluff and Corn- ing areas. "It's an amazing pro- gram with a capacity of 22 youth," Gonczeruk said. finding out more about the program or needing dental care in general, Those interested in can call 690-2827 for the Corning Clinic, 740 Solano St., or 690-2778 for the Red Bluff Clinic, 2540 Sister Mary Columba Drive. The clinic accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal, California Healthy Families Pro- gram and most private insurance. To learn more, visit www.rhclinic.org. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES All makes and models. We perform dealer Smog Check starting at$ Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert.