Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/64514
FEATURES known ''Molly'' for 10 years. One of her room- mates is my current girl- friend of five years. Molly has always been a good friend to both of us, but now I'm seeing a different side of her. She is short- tempered, passive-aggres- sive and a complainer. Molly nit-picks every- one to near provocation. She constantly complains about the small, well- behaved dog that belongs to the third roommate. When Molly lob- bied for a fence, I was given author- ity to purchase the fencing. I front- ed the cost of the material, installed the fence and landscaped. Molly not only balked at paying her $26 share, but was shocked to hear that in order to finish the landscaping, it would cost another $15 apiece. Meanwhile, I'm donating all the labor. Dear Annie: I have We are all tired of tiptoeing around trying not to provoke her. Appar- ently, her boyfriend of eight months saw the change, too, and they broke up, but not before Molly was diag- nosed with bipolar disorder. She allegedly is taking medication, but she disclosed to my girlfriend that she is constantly depressed and sui- cidal. When she's not depressed, she is angry and confrontational. Since my girlfriend is the only one to whom she divulged this information, I think she has a responsibility to take the necessary This is how every situation goes. Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar steps to ensure that Molly doesn't harm herself. At the very least, shouldn't she tell Molly's mother? — Con- cerned in California Dear Concerned: Yes, assuming Molly's mother will be a source of help and not an additional problem. Molly's current behavior indicates she may not be taking her medication, or she may need it to be adjust- ed. Please contact the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsalliance.org) for information and suggestions. Dear Annie: For the past 20 years, I have sent my nieces and nephews birthday cards with $50 checks — until they graduated col- lege. I have also sent high school and college graduation, shower, wedding and baby gifts. Friday, May 4, 2012 – Daily News 5A Touchy roommate is too easily provoked gifts because you wanted to, not because you expected a reciprocal arrangement. And your sister-in- law's financial situation may not be as flush as you believe. We know you think she copped out as soon as her kids got everything from the relatives, but even so, you cannot dictate to someone whether to give presents to your children. But it would be nice if she sent a card, and you or your husband can tell her that much. Dear Annie: ''Stressed Out from Loud TV'' complained that her husband's hearing loss is giving her headaches because he turns the TV up so loud. My kids are in their early teens. This practice is no longer recipro- cated by one sister-in-law. The kids will say, ''Auntie forgot my birth- day again.'' I tell them it's nice to get a gift, but they shouldn't expect one. But it makes me furious that this particular sister-in-law has stopped sending gifts. Money is not an issue for her. She is just rude and thoughtless. If it were my own sister, I would say something, but I don't feel it is my place to address my husband's sister. How do I get over feeling slighted and hurt for my kids? — Nicer Aunt Dear Aunt: We would hope that you gave your nieces and nephews I also thought I was losing my hearing, so I went to the doctor, who took one look in both of my ears and told me my ear canals were impacted with wax and bits of tissue paper that I had used to try to clean out the wax. After the nurse irrigated my ears, I could hear clearly again. anything, even Q-tips, into the ear canals. She suggested letting the force of water clean them during a shower. Hope this helps. — I Can Hear Again The doctor told me never to put 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. BLM extends nomination deadline The U. S. Bureau of Land Management has extended until June 4 the nomination deadline for membership on the North- west California Resource Advisory Council, a citizen group that advises the agency on management of public lands. There are four vacancies for three-year terms. lowing membership cate- gories: Category one (two Seats are open in the fol- vacancies): Public land ranchers and representa- tives of organizations asso- ciated with energy and min- eral development, timber, transportation and rights of way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recre- ation. vacancy): of regional or national envi- ronmental organizations, archaeological and histori- cal interests, wild horse and burro interests, and dis- persed recreation activities. Category three (one Local, state or Category two (one Representatives vacancy): county elected officials, representatives of state agencies involved in natural resources, representatives of Native American tribes within the council's area of interest, teachers involved in natural resources or sci- ences, and the public at large. Nominations and sup- port letters must be sent by June 4 to Jeff Fontana, Bureau of Land Manage- ment, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville, 96130, atten- tion: RAC Nominations. Documents can be emailed to jfontana@blm.gov. Nomination forms and information about the coun- cil are available by contact- ing BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana(530) 252-5332 or at online at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/e n/info/rac/nwrac.html. Individuals may nomi- nate themselves or others. Nominees should demon- strate a commitment to col- laborative decision making on natural resource issues and knowledge of the RAC's geographic area of interest. Nominations must include letters of support. The RAC works closely with BLM managers in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah, providing guidance on the full range of the BLM's responsibilities on public lands in northwest Califor- nia. The United States secre- tary of the interior makes appointments to the 12- member council. Newborn's sleep patterns will change TOR K: I'm preg- nant with my first child, a girl. I keep hearing about how little sleep I'll be getting for the next year. Can you give me a realistic idea of what to expect? DEAR DOC- ER: Two things make your question hard to answer: (1) each baby is different from others, even from his or her siblings; and (2) each baby's sleep patterns change as time goes by. DEAR READ- As you'll see, there are wide ranges of what's "typical" of a baby's sleep — and some babies don't fall even within that wide range. What's typical for most babies isn't typical for them. Some babies sleep as few as nine hours a day and others sleep as many as 18 hours. little boy who slept 20 hours a day for the first six months of his life. My patient was concerned that there was something wrong with him. She also wondered if her son wouldn't get enough stim- ulation, and as a result might develop a learning disability. I told her that as long as the boy seemed happy, alert and playful during the few hours he was awake, I wouldn't be concerned. That child is now a sophomore in col- lege and doing fine. In the first few months, A patient of mine had a expect your baby's sleep pattern to be completely unpredictable. Over her first year, the pattern should gradually shift to become somewhat regular. Newborns typically sleep about 16 hours a day, but they don't sleep many hours in a row. Newborns need food every few hours, so night- time feedings cannot be avoided. Also, it will take some Dr. K by Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D. By 3 months, most babies can sleep for longer stretches, up to six to eight hours in a row, at least on some nights. They may still take as many as three or four daytime naps. By 4 months, your baby will probably be able to sleep for eight hours without needing to be fed. During the next several months, your baby is like- ly to sleep one long stretch at night and still have a morning and afternoon nap. Around 8 months, most babies can sleep as many as 12 hours at night. They still are likely to take up to two naps a day throughout the first year of life. To help encourage your baby to sleep at night (and thereby allow you to sleep at night), here's some advice. Around 4 months is a good time to introduce a bedtime routine that your baby will begin to associate with going to sleep. Any soothing ritual, performed consistently, can make up a bedtime routine. For example, start with a warm bath, and then offer your baby one last feeding, followed by soft singing or reading aloud. And don't worry: It won't matter if you can't carry a tune! time for your baby to realize that nighttime is for sleeping. Encour- age her to sleep at night by minimiz- ing any stimula- tion during night- time feedings and diaper changes. Keep the lights low and don't talk, sing or play. Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Special Olympics planning Tip-A-Cop fundraiser Saturday The Tehama County Special Olympics will be holding its fourth Annual Tip-A-Cop from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the M&M Ranch House Restaurant, 645 Antelope Blvd., across from the Tehama District Fair- ground. Local law enforcement agencies and the M&M staff volunteer their time to wait tables and all tips for the day will be donat- ed to the Tehama County Special Olympics. This event is the main fundraiser for the local Special Olympics and will support the May 15 Track and Field Meet as well as ongoing activities such as bowling, softball and basketball. The annual Track and Field Meet is the largest of the year for Tehama County Special Olympics with more than 200 stu- dents from Tehama, Shas- ta and Glenn counties participating at the event that is held on the Red Bluff High School track. The athletes will par- ticipate in throwing, run- ning and jumping events. In addition to the actual sporting events, the ath- letes are able to partici- pate in the Olympic Vil- lage. The Olympic Vil- lage is sponsored by local groups and businesses Courtesy photo Athletes participate in the Special Olympics event at Red Bluff High School, one of many events the fourth annual Tip-A-Cop event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday will raise money for. Container Planting Class 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) Over 25 years of experience The North State's premier supplier of stoves STOVE JUNCTION Wood Burning Stoves Did you know? We've Got Exempt From No Burn Days! Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Red Bluff Garden Center 527-0886 Please call to reserve a seat 766 Antelope Blvd. (Next to the Fairground) 2595 + cert. Bring a friend and have some fun Friday, May 4th Saturday, May 5th • 10:00 am • 10:00am who volunteer their time to make activity booths ranging from face paint- ing to bean bag toss games to fill the gaps between events. Student volunteers from Red Bluff High School will help run the events and partner with students to make the day a success. The Tehama County Special Olympics has activities for athletes year-round. Bowling, basketball and softball are very popular events and require equipment, uniforms and tournament fees and transportation. Events like the Tip- A-Cop fundraiser and private donations allow the athletes to partici- pate in these sanctioned events in addition to enjoying the weekly local events. To volun- teer or make a donation, contact Area Director Debbie Hess at deb- bra@snowcrest.net. The