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Tuesday, April 20, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Ex has turned daughters against mother Dear Annie: When our children were growing up, their father was working, sleeping or playing golf. I was the one who coached their softball teams, went to their sporting and scholastic events and took them to church. After 23 years of marriage, I divorced my husband when I discovered he’d had yet another affair. I’ve never spoken ill of Annie’s Mailbox my ex to our daughters. But he was a master manipula- tor, and our daughters learned from him. A year after our divorce, my oldest daughter stopped speaking to me. She excluded me from her wed- ding, refuses to let me see her chil- dren and didn’t attend her grandfa- ther’s funeral. Even though I have tried diligently to mend the situa- tion, she has not spoken to me in more than 13 years. My next daughter is now follow- ing in her footsteps. She claims I treat her son differently than my other grandchildren. She removed all the pictures of me from her home, uninvited me to the boy’s birthday party and repeatedly can- celed visits I had scheduled and did- n’t bother to tell me until I was already in town. Now she isn’t speaking to me, either, and has totally exiled everyone on my side of the family, the same people who have shown her nothing but love and support. My youngest daughter has three children with three different men, but is getting professional help to by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar straighten out her life. Of course, her father and older sisters have said they hate her and will not give her another chance. I have six acquaintances whose children have stopped talking to them. What is wrong with these adult children? Is it their generation? — Grandmoth- er in Kentucky Dear Kentucky: Every generation has complained about the prior one, and each generation has its own set of external problems to deal with. Most adult children do the best they can to treat their families well. But sometimes even the most conscien- tious and devoted parents can dis- cover that their grown children are not what they expected or hoped for. Our sympathies. Dear Annie: My husband and I have many elderly relatives who live in other states. Due to the costs of airline tickets, hotel rooms and car rentals, we don’t visit often. However, when one of them passes on, my husband is the first to jump on a plane to attend the funeral. I think it would be better to skip the funeral and visit while they are alive. Please settle this for us. — Now or Later Dear Now: We are in favor of visiting relatives while they can appreciate it, but we know that not showing up for a funeral can create ill-will with the remaining family. If that’s an issue for you and money is tight, you can compromise. You visit the relatives now, and your husband can attend the funerals later. Dear Annie: My heart goes out to ‘‘Son of a Portly Dad.’’ I, too, was way past obese at 426 pounds. I’d been retired for four years and never left the house until my wife got me to join a gym, see a personal trainer and completely change my diet. Along with my wife’s help and support, we were both able to lose weight and become more physically fit. After only 18 months, I’ve lost 152 pounds and my wife has lost more than 50. I went from three minutes on the elliptical trainer to 90. If I can do it, anyone can. It will take a commitment from Mom and support from the siblings. They all must set good examples and not tempt Dad with unhealthy food. I wish him luck. — Been There in Kentucky Dear Kentucky: Thanks for your words of encouragement. The dif- ference, of course, is that you were motivated to lose weight and will- ing to do the necessary work to get there. We hope ‘‘Son’’ can convince his father that he can do the same. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your ques- tions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Centu- ry Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Earth Day community events Redding will play host to three community events centered around the 40th anniversary of Earth Day — April 22. The organizers of the annual Whole Earth and Watershed Festival and the Shasta College Sus- tainability Conference have joined together to offer the North State’s premier environmental trilogy. Thursday, April 22 — Shasta College will host its second Sustainability Conference at the main campus. It will feature a variety of seminars with topics, including green building, organic farming, the Community Teaching Garden, healthy eating and nutrition, a student panel focusing on the ele- ments of sustainability and an opportunity to meet and hear from local organic farmers. Friday, April 23 — The free film premier of “No Impact Man” at the Cascade Theater at 7 p.m. The critically acclaimed film is about the year-long journey one man takes his family on to live with zero impact on their environ- ment. What they discover is an inspiration for all of us as we strive to learn to live more sustainably. Saturday, April 24 — The 2010 Whole Earth and Watershed Festival at Redding City Hall and Sculpture Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a variety of hands-on activities for children and youth including the Watershed Passport Pro- gram, sustainable living demonstrations through- out the day, lots of give aways from exhibitors, an eARTh Show featuring the work of local artists, an E-Waste drop off, food from locally owned restaurants and live music throughout the day. Ride your bike — Shasta Wheelmen Bike Club is providing a guarded bike corral — or take RABA routes 3, 5 or 11 and you will be eligible for a prize drawing. The festival features more than 85 exhibitors, including government agencies, non-profits, businesses, community organizations and educa- tional groups. You can get an Earth Certificate, which makes you eligible for a prize drawing to take place at the Festival after 2:30 p.m. Attend any two of the three events to become eligi- ble. Visit wholeearthand- watershedfestival.org for more information. The Propylite Hills Sutter Buttes hike The Propylite Hills: This five- mile walk transects decomposed volcanic rock called "Propylite" forming large rounded hills. With an 800-foot elevation gain, we take the excursion at a slow to moderate pace to relish a wide-variety of views. The hike starts at 8:30 a.m. Sun- day, April 25, and should finish by around 3 p.m. We will witness rugged peaks and bucolic valleys; unencumbered vista of the northern Sacramento Valley and magnificent Bragg’s Canyon. Daniel Barth will be our guide. Tour includes instruction on Sutter Buttes geology, history and the mountain’s unique biological community. Pilot safety workshop The Red Bluff Aviation Safety Round-Up is scheduled fro 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24, at Red Bluff Airport. Topics will include owner-performed mainte- nance, surface safety, loss of control and risk man- agement, presented by Certified Flight Instructor Irwin Fust. All seminars will be part of the FAA Safety sys- tem and qualify for WINGS credit. Register at www.faasafety.gov. If you fly in for the safety seminar and display your aircraft, you can get a sign-off on your tax exemption for aircraft of historical significance. For more information, call Fust at 378-1801. There should also be impressive displays of wildflowers. Another guide will lead those who are unable to handle the steep hills. Cost: $30 Trust members and $40 non Trust members. Please bring a lunch, water, insect repellent and dress accord- ingly. Gott questions alternative approach to medicine DEAR DR. GOTT: I have heard all sorts of people asking for advice on all sorts of ailments. If your readers just bought a bottle of Orega- Max, a bottle of oregano oil and the book “The Cure Is in the Cupboard,” they could save a whole heck of a lot of money running to the doc- tor for such ailments as earaches, spider bites, flu symptoms, cold sores, allergies and so much more. Dr. Peter Gott oil, a natural sub- stance diluted heavily and used to treat sinus infections, itches and irritated gums. Oregano oil can reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron and should be used only with an iron supplement. If you are really look- ing after your readers, you will print my letter. If you don’t, I will understand that your loyalty has to be with the pharmaceutical companies. DEAR READER: Your letter smacks of a setup, but I feel compelled to respond. You clearly haven’t read many of my columns, because I have locked horns over the years with a number of pharmaceutical compa- nies and the products they market. One major com- plaint of mine is that long- range consequences of some drugs remain unknown until too late. Unsuspecting patients and physicians working on good faith are forced to deal with frightening issues they should never have to face. Now, let’s address your letter. OregaMax is purport- ed to be a unique species of wild-oregano supple- ment obtained only from the Mediterranean. The leaves are collected, crushed and mixed with mountain berry, garlic and onion. Garlic and onion have been used for countless years to combat everyday ailments. In any event, I am sure there are supplements derived from homegrown or local oregano touted to be Mediterranean products, and I’m unsure how we would know the differ- ence. The recommended dose is two capsules taken once or twice daily — or three capsules taken two or three times daily. Already, we have gone from two capsules to a potential of nine each day. I don’t know about you, but in my book, that’s a whole lot of oregano! Side effects are stated to be minimal but can occur. Then there’s oregano Oregano comes from the same family as sage, basil, thyme and mint, so if known allergies to these herbs exist, it should not be used. Side effects include skin irritation, rash and vomiting. Finally, “The Cure Is in the Cupboard” is a paper- back describing what I assume to be countless ways that oregano can help the reader cope with every ailment known to man, including extending your life span, fighting the common cold, and keep- ing off excess weight. That’s one heck of a tall order. However, there are countless books out there dealing with natural meth- ods for every known ail- ment. Some have merit, while others don’t. I urge readers to check with their physicians or to consult with a naturopath before beginning any course of treatment. You haven’t sold me on the oregano idea, so I will opt for a good daily vitamin that just might extend my life span, keep me fit enough to prevent the common cold and keep my weight in check to boot! To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Vitamins and Minerals.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com Sacramento River spring full moon float The Sacramento River Preserva- tion Trust and Associated Students Adventure Outings (AO) are co- sponsoring a Sacramento River full moon float 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, April 27. The float will cover a short stretch of the Sacramento River just outside of Chico, near Hamilton City. We will float downstream to Scotty’s Landing, stopping for din- ner on one of the sandbars in between as the moon rises over the river. This event start at 4 p.m. and Corning Calif. Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Dr. Andrew PomazalD.O. Physician & Surgeon General Medicine Saturday Appointments Available • High Blood Pressure • Diabetes • Joint & Muscle Pain • Lung Problems We offer Osteopathic Manipulation 530 528-2066 2050 Main St, Red Bluff Accepting New Patients Red Bluff Elementary School District Kindergarten registration for the 2010-11 school year will open for Kindergarten Registration Bidwell, Jackson Heights & Metteer Schools Beginning March 22rd Forms may be picked up and completed, or taken home and returned. Please bring an appropriate document verifying your child’s date of birth. Your child must be 5 years old on or before December 2, 2010 to be eligible to enroll. If you have any questions, you may call Bidwell at 527-7171; Jackson Heights at 527-7150; or Metteer School at 527-9015. Bathing suit season will be here before you know it, so now’s the time to work off that winter weight gain! If you start now and lose 1-2lbs per week you will have lost 15-35lbs by the 4th of July! Spring Specials $25 month unlimited tanning 3 month single membership $99 3 month couple membership $155 6 month single membership $189 6 month couple membership $299 Gift certificates available Specials offered through April only Must be 18 or with a guardian to sign up for tanning or membership Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St • Red Bluff 528-8656 • www.tehamafamilyfitness.com ends at 10 p.m. This is a great opportunity to observe this scenic stretch of the river. Nocturnal species will likely make their presence known as we gently float under the fading light of a beautiful spring day. Binocu- lars are recommended, as bats, bank swallows, river otters and an amaz- ing mix of other migratory and res- ident wildlife are often seen this time of day. River guides, boating equipment — whitewater rafts and lifejackets — are provided by AO. Partici- pants will start in Chico. Trans- portation is provided, with a trip cost of $30 for trust members, or $40 per person for non-members. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dinner, snacks and water. Due to insurance require- ments, only those 18 and older are allowed. This trip will fill up quickly, and there is a limited amount of space. To reserve a spot call 345-1865 or visit www.sacrivertrust.org.