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Monday, May 3, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Ex-con son back to old tricks Broken blood vessels plague reader Dear Annie: My 27-year-old son was just released from prison after serving 18 months on drug charges. While there, he was enthusiastic about turning his life around, saying he’d find a job and attend Narcotics Anonymous meet- ings when he got out. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Since his release, however, he has not attended a single meeting and has done very little to find work. He lives with his mother, consuming caffeine and mooching off of her. My heart breaks that my son had such a positive atti- tude toward changing his life while in prison and, except for the drugs, is now back to his old behavior. While he was incarcerat- ed, I spoke to him every week. But now he rarely calls or visits, and we live only a few miles apart. I am devastated that he doesn’t want to help himself. What can I do? — Bummed Out in Bradenton, Fla. Dear Bradenton: Your son may be depressed. He may have given up on find- ing work when he noticed jobs are scarce and most employers are reluctant to hire ex-cons. Don’t wait for him to call or visit. Go see him. He needs your emo- tional support and encour- agement. Check city hall or the governor’s office to see whether there are programs to help ex-offenders. Good- will Industries does some job training and placement, and the military also accepts some enlistees who The Sacramento River have a criminal record. Offer to go with him to NA meetings. And you should look into Nar-Anon (nar- anon.org) for fami- lies and friends of drug addicts. Good luck. Dear Annie: Last year, President Obama signed new legislation granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- tion the authority to regulate the manufacturing, market- ing and sale of tobacco products. It was a huge vic- tory for teens like me who have been targeted by tobacco companies for decades, but there is still work to be done. My city has enacted an ordinance eliminating smoking in most work- places, but tobacco compa- nies are still finding new and clever ways to hook kids on tobacco. My town has been a test market for new smokeless tobacco prod- ucts, which include dissolv- able orbs, sticks and tiny pouches disguised in color- ful packaging that look like small breath mints or gum. Instead of doing nothing, I have spent the past year working with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids as a youth advocate, letting peo- ple know that Big Tobacco is still trying to target and influence teens. We need to do more on the state level to pass laws that protect kids and to send a message that we will not be manipulated. One way your readers can get involved is by visit- ing tobaccofreekids.org and learning more about what is being done in their home state. — Emily Kile, age 18, Greenfield, Ind. Dear Emily: Thank you for a persuasive call to arms. We hope all our read- ers will visit the website and learn what they can do to help. Dear Annie: I read the letter from ‘‘Cornered in California,’’ whose friends use their entire paycheck for the husband’s cancer medications, and now they’ve been evicted. Please tell them to call United Way’s three-digit social ser- vices line at 2-1-1. The cou- ple can also visit a local United Way office or other social service offices in their area. Look under social services in the Yel- low Pages. Good luck to them. — Concerned for the Homeless Dear Concerned: Thank you for the excellent information. We have men- tioned 2-1-1 (211.org) in the past and are happy to do so again. Currently, this number serves all or part of 46 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and sec- tions of Canada. It connects people with community services and volunteer opportunities. It is spear- headed by United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. Annie’s Mailbox is writ- ten by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime edi- tors of the Ann Landers col- umn. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmail- boxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Cre- ators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. DEAR DR. GOTT: I read an article about a person who broke blood vessels frequently. I used to break them at least three times a week, so my doctor ran blood tests. She told me to increase my vitamin C intake, which I did. But what really helped was when I started drink- ing tart cherry-juice concen- trate, usually taken for joint pain. I still break blood vessels but not as frequently and only in my fingers or toes. Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READER: A contusion or bruise occurs when tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin are dam- aged or broken. This is often the result of a direct blow to the skin, such as hit- ting a hand or shin against a piece of furniture. Blood leaks from the injured blood vessels into the surrounding tis- sues, and a colorful bruise results. We tend to bruise much more readily as we age, perhaps because blood vessels become more fragile and skin thins. Also, a number of medications, includ- ing aspirin and anticoagulants, can cause bruising at the slightest pressure. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vita- min that can’t be manufactured in the human body. This vital component is obtained through diet and supplements but must be taken in moderation, because excesses can lead to abdomi- nal distress, an increase in iron absorp- tion and kidney stones. Vitamin C is necessary for synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of blood vessels. This antioxidant is nec- essary for the growth and repair of tis- sues and the healing of wounds. With deficiency, easy bruising, weakened blood vessels, joint pain and bleeding can result. Vitamin K, produced by bacteria in the intestines, aids in blood clotting. Low levels of that vitamin can lead to excessive bleeding. Cherry-juice concentrate has been touted to control symptoms of gout, arthritis, headaches and a host of other ailments. The Food and Drug Adminis- tration warns manufacturers with regard to making false statements. Nonetheless, it certainly is possible that if you have less joint pain, you are less likely to stub your toes, bang your knees or whack your hands. The product cannot harm you and may be safer than some prescription drugs. I would feel better if you were to have your primary- care physician perform a com- plete examination to rule out any unknown medical condi- tions. Or perhaps you should request a referral to a hematologist (blood spe- cialist) who can determine whether the problem is a clotting disorder. To provide related information, I am sending 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. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a hiccup remedy that works. Stop up both ears with your fingers while drinking water. Because the act takes three hands, you’ll need someone to lend one. This is a surefire way to stop them quickly. I love your column, wisdom and humility. DEAR READER: Well, the remedy is certainly worth a try. Now all we have to do is only get the hiccups when we have a third party to hold the glass of water! Does using a straw not work for this remedy? This might even beat holding your nose until they stop or bending over while drinking from the backside of a glass. Thanks for writing. 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 Preservation Trust plans Cathedral Peak hike ety. Preservation Trust pre- sentsa Sutter Buttes Cathedral Peak hike Sat- urday, May 15, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bristling with hun- dreds of rock slabs stacked twisted by subter- ranean forces, “Cathedral Peak” is an amazing vol- canic feature to behold, appearing like a Gothic steeple on the Buttes’ northwestern castle core. The mountain’s twin, Destiny Peak is an equal attraction, with its weath- ered Andesite pocketed breathtaking view will be augmented by an impres- sive display of wildflow- ers. This hike will be guided by Daniel Barth of the Yuba Historical Soci- Cost is $30 for Trust members and $40 for Trust non-members. Children 8 years of age to 17 years of age, cost is $10 members and $15 non-members. For hike details and reservations, please contact the Trust office at 345-1865 or liz@sacrivertrust.org . Photo Courtesy of Dan Barth A hike to Cathedral Peak is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday,May 15. by countless caverns. Our destination is a prominence overlooking Braggs Canyon; the – Thank You – thanks to the generosity of these local businesses & individuals. • M & M RANCH HOUSE • ROSE HABLITZEL, ENROLLED AGENT • RED BLUFF INTERIORS • MOTHER LODE HOLDING CO. • LP BUILDING PRODUCTS • LOUISIANA PACIFIC • STATE FARM INS. KEITH THOMAS • TEHAMA ESTATES • CALIFORNIA WALNUT CO., INC. • MR. PICKLE’S SANDWICH SHOP • AIRPORT AUTO REPAIR • JOHN WHEELER LOGGING D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 • KAY STEPHENS, MD • QRC • GREENWASTE OF TEHAMA • TRI COUNTIES BANK • MOSS LUMBER & HARDWARE • BRETNEY SUTTERFIELD • HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS • TEHAMA COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS • FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE CO. • SUSANNE WHALEN, DMD INC • PLACER TITLE CO. NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION Please help sponsor a classroom subscription Call Kathy at (530) 527-2151 to find out how. Through the Newspapers in Education program, area classrooms receive the Red Bluff Daily News every day D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5