Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/7183
By DENISE SNIDER First 5 Tehama The back-to-school season may feel far away – but if you have a child entering kindergarten this fall, it's not too early to start getting ready. From immunization and dental health requirements to helping your child develop important skills for school success, First 5 Tehama has useful tips to prepare your child for the first day of kindergarten. Don't Wait to Vacci- nate Classrooms and play- grounds can expose chil- dren to germs that increase their chances of getting sick. Immunizations are important in helping pre- vent serious diseases and are required by the Cali- fornia School Immuniza- tion Law. • Check your child's immunization record to make sure he or she is up- to-date on required vac- cines. Schedule any other immunizations your child may still need before school starts. • If your child recently received an immunization and needs a second dose to finish the series later in the school year, he or she can still start school in the fall. Your child will be required to receive the next immu- nization in the series when it's due. • For immunizations contact Tehama County Public Health Department at 527-6824 – immuniza- tion clinics are held in Red Bluff every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. and in Corning on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. These are walk-in clinic services, no appointments necessary; parents will be charged $4 per child or $8 per family regardless of insurance type. Making a Visit to the Dentist Tooth decay can be very painful and is one of the most common reasons children miss school. Chil- dren need healthy teeth to eat and speak properly, feel confident and be ready to learn. • California law requires children receive an oral health check-up before entering public school. This exam must be completed by May 31 in the same calendar year that your child starts school. Any dental check- up completed up to a year before the May 31 dead- line fills this requirement. • If your child does not have dental health insur- ance, contact the First Steps Family Resource Center at 384-7833 to determine if he or she qualifies for dental care through Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. • The First 5 Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) can also provide dental ser- vices to uninsured families call 527-6824 to learn more. • Additional details on the state oral health check- up requirements are avail- able from the California Dental Association at www.cda.org or (800) 232-7645. Preparing for the First Day of School Starting kindergarten can bring both excitement and anxiety for young children. To help ease the transition to school, par- ents can encourage activi- ties that build confidence and skills to prepare chil- dren for learning. • Children who spend time reading with their parents and caregivers enter kindergarten better prepared for learning. Make reading a priority and visit a local library to find books that can help kick start your child's reading skills. • Being familiar with common classroom activi- ties can help kids feel more comfortable at school, which helps them focus on learning. Encourage your child to practice writing his or her name and using school supplies, such as crayons and scissors. • To help calm your child's nerves before the first day of kindergarten, visit the school. Walk around, point out fun activities and become familiar with the space together. If possible, have your child meet the teacher so there's a recog- nizable face on the first day. For more information about immunization and oral health requirements, as well as First 5 Tehama school readiness programs and resources, call 528- 1395 or visit www.first5tehama.com. About First 5 Tehama Research shows that a child's brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to sup- port their child's growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5. To date, First 5 Tehama has invested approximately $7 million in Prop. 10 revenues in programs and services that meet local needs. Wednesday, February 24, 2010 – Daily News – 5A Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Corning Calif. WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR IRA, GOOD THINGS COULD COME TO THOSE WHO DON'T WAIT. Whether it's taking care of business, getting the job done or working toward your retirement goals, procrastination can mean missed opportunities and setbacks. That's why it's so important to maximize your IRA contribution every year. By making an IRA contribution before April 15, you can give your retirement savings even more potential to grow, and you'll take advantage of substantial tax benefits. Even if you have an IRA elsewhere, we're available to review your retirement goals and give you advice on how to help you move toward them. Transfer an IRA to Edward Jones today, and take this opportunity to maximize your contribution for 2009. Dear Annie: When my mother went into an assist- ed-living home, she added my sister's name to some of her accounts so Sis could help pay her bills. When Mom died, my sister automatically got whatever was left in those accounts. Mom's will says the estate should be divided equally between us, but the money in those joint accounts is not part of the estate. While my sister has acknowledged that Mom did not intend for her to have so much money, she still doesn't want to part with it. She offered to pay me back in installments over several years, but I refused. In our last communication, she said she will keep my money until I ''come to my senses.'' Georgia law has a provision under which she could place all the money from the joint accounts into the estate so it could be divided equally, but she won't do this. Nor will she respond to my lawyer's request for mediation. I cannot afford the type of lawsuit that might obtain justice for me. I needed this money for security in retirement. My sister is married to a wealthy man. I also learned I had breast cancer while my sister was laying out all these controlling parameters. It made no difference to her. She does this only to control me. I wake up each morning upset. How can I get past it? — Betrayed and Strung Along in Geor- gia Dear Georgia: Your sis- ter became the sole owner of the bank account when Mom died. In order to get your share, you will have to file a lawsuit asking a judge to rule that the money was put into a joint account sole- ly for ''convenience,'' and that it was not Mom's intent for either of you to have 100 percent of it. Talk to your lawyer about whether or not this is cost effective if you win. Otherwise, you can swallow your pride and let your sister pay you in installments, if she is still willing, or ignore the money entirely and get some counseling so you stop waking up miserable. Dear Annie: I'm a woman of average height and have always dated men who are taller than me. It seems appropriately masculine for the guy to be taller. I feel awkward and uncomfortable being escorted by a man who is shorter than I am. Here is the problem. I've been friends with ''Phil'' for a long time, and the more we hang out the more I like him. But he is too short for me. Every time he tries to kiss me, I back away. I just can't seem to overlook his height. Am I wrong to feel this way? Should I tell him it's his height that bothers me? How do I do that? — In Need of Altitude Dear Altitude: It's a shame you cannot get past your preconceived notions of what is masculine, because it sounds as if you are missing out on a good match. You aren't attracted to Phil and need to let him know so he can find some- one who isn't as hung up on appearances. Tell him you enjoy his friendship, but unfortunately, there's no chemistry on your end, sorry. Dear Annie: I read your advice to ''Married and Alone,'' who is depressed because she isn't getting the attention she needs from her husband. I agree that she should find other activities that fulfill her, but was outraged when you said, ''and ask Hubby to baby-sit.'' When it is your child, it is not called baby-sitting. It is called par- enting. She should not have to ask permission. Coordinate, yes. Per- mission, no. — A Mom in Murrieta Dear Mom: Please don't get too caught up in giving words more meaning than intended. This is unrelated to ''permission.'' It has to do with showing civility to one's spouse by phrasing your words to sound like a request instead of issu- ing a demand. 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. Sis keeping more than her share of estate Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: My 15- year-old daughter had the H1N1 shot on a Tuesday morning. That afternoon, she passed out walk- ing to one of her classes. Her pedi- atrician did not find anything wrong. On Wednesday, she broke out with a rash from her armpit to below her hip. Thursday, her heart was racing at 150 beats per minute. Her pediatrician then ordered an EKG for the following day. The EKG on Friday was nor- mal, but my daughter said she was still having palpi- tations, so I took her to the emergency room. There, she had blood work done and another EKG. Everything was normal, so they sent her home with a 24-hour heart monitor. On the fol- lowing Tuesday, she passed out again but for a longer period of time. Again, we went back to the emergency room, where nothing was found to be wrong. She was then referred to a cardiol- ogist and a neurologist. The cardiologist said it was vasovagal syncope and recommended she take salt tablets. The neu- rologist ordered an EEG, but we haven't heard any- thing back from him. I am not convinced that vasovagal syncope is the problem because she is still having racing- heart episodes out of the blue. What other ques- tions should I be asking her doctors? DEAR READER: First, vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of fainting and occurs when the body reacts in an exaggerated way to certain triggers. These triggers cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which reduce blood to the brain, leading to a brief loss of consciousness. Because it is generally harmless, it typically does not require treat- ment. Treatment may consist of blood-pressure med- ication (which blocks some signals that can lead to fainting), antidepres- sants, blood-vessel con- strictors, certain exercis- es, avoiding prolonged standing, drinking plenty of fluids and finally, in severe cases, surgery to implant an electrical pacemaker. I doubt this is your daughter's problem because vasova- gal syncope decreases heart rate rather than increases I believe likely culprit the H1N1 cine. According to the Mayo ic, you should check with physician imme- diately if you have pain, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, dizzy or lighthead- ed, get hives, itching, shortness of breath, a rash and much more. These side effects are ed as having an unknown incidence rate, but clearly your daughter is having many of these reactions. I urge you both return to her pediatrician to discuss the possibility that she is having a tion to the vaccination injection she received. they will not consider possibility or don't know how to help, consult another physician. DEAR DR. GOTT: have very dry hands, which seem to soak creams and lotions within a few minutes of applying them, rendering ineffective. Petroleum jelly seems to help, but leaves my hands greasy and I can't do thing. What do you gest? DEAR READER: the petroleum works, you may want try using it at bedtime putting your hands white cotton gloves. the morning, take gloves off and wash hands with cool water and a mild moisturizing soap to remove remaining jelly. During the day, using glycerin or mineral oil, which soak into skin and moisturize don't leave a greasy oily feeling. Applying either prod- uct to damp skin increases their abilities lock in moisture. If don't work, try using over-the-counter hydro- cortisone cream for up a week. This may lessen dryness rendering lotion is more effective. Dr. Peter Gott retired physician and author of the book Gott's No Flour, Sugar Diet," available most chain independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Did H1N1 vaccine cause fainting, rapid heart rate? Dr. Peter Gott Getting ready for kindergarten