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Tuesday, May 4, 2010 – Daily News – 3B FEATURES Fed up with one-way relationship Dear Annie: I have only known my biological father for 14 years. (I have no rela- tionship with my biological mother.) Dad signed away his rights when I was young, but I reconnected with him at age 15. He claims he always wanted me, but I am now 28, and he has made no effort to be in my life. I was recently hospital- ized for two weeks. Dad never once came or called, even though he knew I was there and only lives a mile away. My foster dad, however, drove 100 miles to see me. Whenever I try to see my father, he never has time. He doesn’t bother to visit my home or my 9- year-old daughter. I want him to love me, but I was the only one making the effort to have a relationship. This man has alienated himself from his siblings and other relatives. When his moth- er was terminally ill, I sat at her bed- side for weeks, and he never once came to see her. I have decided to cut all ties because I am tired of being hurt and having my every move criticized. I have gone through cancer without any emotional support from him. He ignores my daughter, his only grandchild. my real parents. They have loved me no matter what. I think it’s healthier to elimi- nate my father from my life. Am I wrong? — Abandoned Again Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Abandoned: There is no right or wrong here. If you want to keep your father in your life, you must scale down your expectations. He is not capable of putting forth the effort required to maintain a close relation- ship. Either accept him as an occasional distant relative, or avoid him altogether, but don’t let your husband make the choice for you. Do what you can handle. Dear Annie: I am a 29-year-old woman who has suffered with epilepsy since childhood. It is a sur- prisingly common disorder. I deal with it fairly well through medica- tion, but I still have a big problem. I can be ‘‘photo-induced,’’ meaning I can have a seizure when exposed to flashing or strobing lights. If I am attending a live concert or play, I always ask the management whether there will be any such light- ing effects and explain why. Howev- er, my biggest problems are TV and movies. Often there are strobe effects with no warning. My husband is big on family and is pressuring me to have a closer relationship with my biological par- ents. I consider my foster parents Epilepsy is common enough that I feel we deserve some type of warn- ing when the lighting could cause real medical danger. This is why they changed the format of many cartoons in Japan — because chil- dren were having seizures from the strobe effects. We post warnings when TV programs contain ‘‘offen- sive language,’’ but those don’t land anyone in the hospital. Please, Annie, help me think of ways to raise awareness and create positive change. — Seeking Stabili- ty Dear Seeking: If you have not already contacted the Epilepsy F oundation (epilepsyfoundation.org) at 1-800- 332-1000, please do so today. They advocate for those with epilepsy and their families. If they haven’t yet worked on getting management to alert theater and concert patrons about lighting, they would surely appreciate your help. Dear Annie: I also cut up my daughters’ wedding gowns and made baptism dresses for their daughters. But I saved the bodices, intact, in case their daughters or future daughters-in-law want to use them as part of a wedding dress. — D.G. 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. Old camp Dutch Oven alive and well By DON MASON Special to the DN A foundry owner from London visited a foundry in Amsterdam, Nether- lands, which was doing a different type of casting, in 1600. As he watched the foundry at work he said, "I think I can do better than that." He went back to London and did just that, creating a better way of casting. The first Bake Oven, or Dutch Oven, with feet was a quality item and he placed it on the market. Over the centuries the Bake Oven changed very little. Paul Revere made the last changes and what you see today is his handy work. In the early 1800s, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery carried the Dutch Oven to the Pacific coast and back. The Dutch Oven made a big move in the 1850 Western migration. The method of food cooking went from the camp fire to the fireplace then to the cast iron wood cooking stove. The Dutch Oven also changed and lost its legs, the lid became domed and they called it a Kitchen Dutch Oven. The old three- legged Dutch Oven was set aside. Today in Northern Cal- ifornia and all over the country the old three- legged pot is making a huge comeback. People are finding out how easy it is to cook in the old or new Camp Dutch Oven. On Saturday, May 22, Cook'en the Park is cele- brating its seventh year of Dutch Oven Cook-off. Everyone is invited to come and cook or watch Dutch Oven cooks at work making some won- derful dishes. Main dish- es, breads and desserts will be prepared for pre- sentation to the panel of judges. After the judging at 1 p.m. you can sample all the dishes for a small donation and vote for the one you like best. This all happens at the Red Bluff Park and Mari- na on the Sacramento River and will feature a craft fair. Reader questions long term effects of steroids DEAR DR. GOTT: My lady friend has had problems with arthritis and plan- tar fasciitis for about five years. She is 51 and post- menopausal. Her doctor prescribed methylpred- nisolone, which has helped both problems, but we are con- cerned about the underly- ing soreness that is a sort of weakness of bones and muscles. She is sore slightly but worse when poked or bumped. What are the long- and short- term side effects of this drug? Is a multimineral program best? Dr. Peter Gott more susceptible to infection. They also have the abil- ity to reactivate recent infection. Steroids should be reduced slowly and not discontin- ued abruptly because of poten- tial side effects from withdrawal. Your friend DEAR READER: Arthritis is pain and stiff- ness of the joints. You don’t specify what type she has, so I will general- ize because there are actu- ally more than 100 forms. Osteoarthritis is pain in the joints accompanied by progressive stiffness with- out extensive inflamma- tion, chills or fever. It is a chronic disease of the joints resulting from a car- tilage breakdown. Rheumatoid arthritis has pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness that typically occurs symmet- rically on both sides of the body. The infectious form includes symptoms of inflammation, chills, fever and pain, and may be linked to another illness. Then there’s gout, Behcet’s Syndrome, CREST syndrome, fibromyalgia and a whole host more. Daily News file photo 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are invited to come and cook. The junior cooks will be judged in the youth cate- gory. For more informa- tion and an application, call the Red Bluff Parks and Recreation 527- 8177. The event is sponsored by Blues for the Pool, which raises money to help maintain and repair McGlynn Pool in the park. Some patients respond to topical ointments with capsaicin or castor oil rubbed onto painful joints; purple grape juice and liq- uid pectin mixtures; or omega-3 fish oils. Plantar fasciitis is pain and inflammation in a dense band of tissue of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes. It is com- mon in runners, over- weight people, pregnant women and in those who wear shoes without ade- quate support. The methylpred- nisolone your friend has been prescribed is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. It is also used to treat several aller- gic disorders, arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and a number of other conditions. Steroids can weaken a person’s immune system, thus making him or her should avoid being near people with chickenpox, measles, active infections or who are otherwise sick. She should not receive any “live” vaccines while on the drug. The drug can also alter certain medical testing, so she should be sure to make her usage known to avoid being mis- diagnosed. Side effects of high doses include hyperten- sion, heart arrhythmias, muscle weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, visual problems, tarry or bloody stools, pancreatitis and more. Long-term use can lead to easy bruising, acne, facial hair, loss of libido, headache, insom- nia, nausea, changes of body fat and more. The bottom line is that she should take the drug precisely as it is pre- scribed. Modifications (which are obviously acceptable) might be made by her prescribing physician. Should she develop kidney disease, osteoporosis, glaucoma, cataracts, congestive heart failure or a number of other conditions, her doc- tor will likely make dose adjustments and order special testing while she is on the medication. To provide related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Consumer Tips on Medicines” and “Fibromyalgia.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order for each report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my web- site 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 Teen named 4-H All Stars for project, leadership Church sale Hubbard says that her teen Two Tehama County teens were recently selected as the 2010-2011 Tehama County 4-H All Stars. This award is the highest recognition given in the county for 4-H members. It recognizes their project and leadership accomplishments and provides them with the opportunity for countywide leadership responsi- bilities. This year’s recipients are Jes- sica Foss and Ashton Hubbard. Foss, a member of the Corn- ing 4-H Club, has just complet- ed her seventh year as a 4-H member. Her major projects have been horses, horseless horse and photography. Foss says her most important leader- ship role in 4-H is being the club secretary for Corning 4-H, as well as holding other offices in the past and being teen leader for projects she is involved in. As an All Star she would like to spread the fun of 4-H. She wants to be a role model for young 4-H members who aspire to do well and to even inspire young members who aren’t sure. Foss is involved with her school and just worked on her school’s prom committee. bard is in her fourth year as a 4- H member. staff role at 4-H Youth Camp has been the most important role she has had. She has been selected to be the 4-H Camp Youth Director this for 2010. In the past she has been cabin leader and area director for recreation. During her year as an All She is an honor roll student and she likes to participate in school drama performances as well. She is the daughter of Mike and Dayvene Foss of Corning and a junior at Mercy High School and plans for a career in the equine and small animal vet- erinary field. Westside 4-H member Hub- Star, Hubbard would like to pro- mote 4-H in many different set- tings. Hubbard’s major projects include breeding and market meat goats, 4-H Youth Camp, veterinary science, painting and rabbits. Outside of 4-H she volun- teers as assistant coach to an eighth grade basketball team, she is a member of high school 2 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer DOWNTOWN RED BLUFF Sidewalk Sale!!! For bargains you won’t believe. Friday, May 7th Saturday. May 8th ~Tremendous Mark Downs~ recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2995 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Anniversary Special: FREE Regular or N.G. glass with all custom frames during May. Must persent this ad. Offer Expries 5/31/10. Oversize glass not included 857 Washington St. red bluff 530-527-3369 formal set-up committee, and VBS teacher, among many things. Hubbard is a junior at Amer- ican Christian Academy prepar- ing for her career goals in vet- erinary medicine. Hubbard’s parents are Don and Cynthia Hubbard of Red Bluff. Congratulations to both of these 4-Hers for their hard work and accomplishments. The All Star Team will be introduced to the Tehama Coun- ty Board of Supervisors in Sep- tember promoting National 4-H Week that is held the first week in October. For more information about the Tehama County 4-H Youth Development Program call the 4-H Office at 527-3101 or visit http://cetehama.ucdavis.edu/. Cone Community Church is holding its annual Good Stuff Yard Sale continuing May 7-8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The quality goods includes furniture, a refrigerator, clothing, antiques and toys, according to sale coordi- nator Clarisse Cottier. In addition, there will be a bake sale and a lunch with hotdogs and drinks. “Buy a cup of coffee and get the mug free,” Cottier said. The Cone Church is one mile south of Dairyville at 11220 Hwy 99 East. For more infor- mation or to donate items, call Cottier at 384- 2412. Best BBQ Around Cooked Fresh Daily B.B.Q. FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE 5 min. from Main St. Weekdays ‘till 6pm Saturday ‘till 3pm 22825 Antelope Blvd. 528-0799 Corning Calif. Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Now Available Organic & Heirloom Spring Vegetable Plants 1 1/2 miles South of Red Bluff 12645 Hwy 99E (530) 529-2546 Bud’s