070610 by The Vicksburg Post

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

What goes around keeps coming around in recycling Dear Abby: On May 13, “Diana in Lakewood, Calif.,” asked you how to reuse or donate little jewelry boxes. You offered some great tips, but you should have let folks know about two terrific resources for giving away or recycling odd things. Freecycle.org is an online network where people can give away or find free stuff in their local neighborhood. It is a great way to recycle items — like the jewelry boxes — to a local thrift store, a crafter or a teacher. Earth911.com is also an amazing directory of local reuse and recycling options. I work at a thrift store for home improvements. (Instead of donating clothing or furniture, some people give us lumber, kitchen cabinets, hardware, etc.) Most people don’t know that stores like ours exist. Reusing items from your neighbors wastes no energy and builds a sense of community. Abby, thanks for touching on this important topic. — Ruthie M. in Edmonston, Md. Dear Ruthie: Many readers

DEAR ABBY ABIGAIL

VAN BUREN

wrote to remind me that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and we all must do whatever it takes to keep items out of landfills. Read on: Dear Abby: I am an activity director at a small longterm-care facility and would love to receive those jewelry boxes. People don’t realize how grateful we are to provide a home for their extra greeting cards, craft supplies, fabric scraps, wrapping paper, games, cards — the list goes on and on. Diana should consider contacting her local nursing home activity director and put those boxes to good use. Budgets are tight. With every cut our state and federal governments make to nursing homes, activity directors are always happy to give new life to no-longer-needed items. —

TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE

BY BERNICE BEDE OSOL • NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Be very careful about passing on any information you get from someone who is known to be a troublemaker. This person could have a malicious intent and use you to carry it out. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Although you basically are someone who holds a positive attitude on most things, this time you might give more credence to unsubstantiated negative thinking. Don’t be your worst enemy. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Managing delicate situations for others is generally what you do best, but sorting out some minor complications for yourself could be another story at times. Today might be one of those days. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Something that has caused you a lot of concern lately is likely to turn out OK. However, it isn’t likely to be due to your efforts, but from the work of someone in whom you have little faith who will perform well. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Your judgment can be relied upon when you take ample time to study matters. However, chances are that you’ll put too much stock in a brief assessment and end up failing. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Rewards are usually received in direct proportion to your efforts and dedication, and today will be no different. Don’t look for any bonuses if your exertions are minimal. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — View situations realistically and forgo trying to make any guesses on a hunch. Although your intuitive instincts are usually good, your analytical faculties will be much better right now. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Productivity will have its limitations if you attempt to take on far more than you can manage. Keep your expectations and efforts within reasonable boundaries, or your work will suffer. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Getting involved commercially or financially with a friend isn’t likely to be the smart thing to do. If anything goes wrong, and chances are it will, the relationship could collapse. Aries (March 21-April 19) — A bothersome problem is resolvable, but that right person to help you out might not be readily available. Involve yourself in something else until s/he can help you out. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Unless you spell out in detail how you want a certain job done, the person doing it for you could get off on the wrong track. If your directions are unclear, the job will be botched. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — If you wishfully see things as you want them to be instead of as they actually are, you can’t fix what is broken. Be realistic in your assessments and expectations.

TWEEN 12 & 20

BY DR. ROBERT WALLACE • NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION Dr. Wallace: My best friend has been depressed for over a month because her parents separated and her boyfriend broke up with her. Last night, she shocked me when she told me she was thinking about committing suicide. She said she felt abandoned and that nobody loved her anymore, and if it wasn’t for our friendship, she would have killed herself a month ago. This really upset me and I don’t know what to do. I talked to my mom. She said my friend is just seeking sympathy right now and she’ll get over it in a little while. But I know Leanne very well and I have never seen her act this way before. It’s scary. My mom says I should stay away from her and allow her to work things out herself. I don’t think she’s right, do you? What should I do? I really want to help her, but I don’t know how. If she did kill herself and I had done nothing to stop her, I’d be a very troubled young lady. Leanne is living with her mother right now, but she would rather live with her father. She blames her mother for the separation. — Jody, Reno, Nev. Jody: All suicide threats should be taken seriously. Have your mother contact your best friend’s mother about her daughter’s suicide threat. Continue to be a good listener and stay close with your friend. She needs your friendship and encouragement more than ever now. Your friend may also call the toll-free National Hopeline Network: 800-442-4673. Counselors are available 24 hours a day to speak with young people having thoughts of suicide. When school begins again in the fall, if your friend is still depressed, have your mother encourage your friend’s mother to go with her daughter to speak with the school counselor, school nurse or the principal. • Dr. Robert Wallace writes for Copley News Service. E-mail him at rwallace@ Copley News Service.

The Activity Goddess, Buhl, Idaho Dear Abby: I have another suggestion for Diana in Lakewood. Quit buying so much stuff! Recycling is only a partial solution to a wasteful lifestyle. Millions of tons of plastic, no matter how many times it is recycled, end up in our oceans, where Texas-sized flotillas of plastic goo will outlast us all. The key is to generate less in the first place. When considering a purchase, consider all four “R’s”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repair. In this case, the option to “Reduce” should be observed by either buying less jewelry, or asking the vendors to quit over-packaging the stuff. — Dr. James HayesBrohanan, Professor of Environmental Geography Dear Abby: Diana should donate the boxes to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, preschools, Girl Scouts and Sunday schools — not the landfill! — Elsie K., Oak Ridge, Tenn. Dear Abby: Perfectly good

items should never be tossed into a landfill. There is always someone who can use whatever it is as long as it’s in good condition (and sometimes even when it’s not). It should be the responsibility of the consumer to find that someone. While it may not be a legal responsibility, it is the right thing to do. — Rosie W. in Denver Dear Abby: Most malls and department stores open giftwrapping booths at holiday time. They are usually set up to raise funds for a specific charity. Diana can contact mall management and find out if it plans to have one and if so, what agency will be operating it. Then she can contact the agency and arrange to donate all of the boxes. Believe me, small boxes are always needed. — Lynn in Cambridge, Ontario

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• Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.Dear Abby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Aspirin, some antibiotics used to treat tinnitus Dear Dr. Gott: Any advice on how to treat tinnitus? Dear Reader: Yes, but first let me explain the condition. Tinnitus is a roaring, hissing, clicking, buzzing or ringing in the ears that is likely related to an underlying disorder such as ear injury, hearing loss or disorder of the circulatory system. There are two forms of tinnitus — subjective and objective. The subjective form is common and can be heard only by the person whose ears are affected. This type is generally connected to the outer, middle or inner ear; however, the auditory nerve or portion of the brain that interprets nerve signals might also be involved. The objective form of tinnitus is less common but can be heard by a physician during examination and generally involves blood vessel, muscular or innerear-bone problems. The inner ear contains delicate hairs that move with the pressure of sound. The cells of the ear then release an electrical signal via the auditory nerve to the brain that ultimately interprets the signal as sound. Should the hairs become bent or broken, they send random impulses to the brain that can result in tinnitus. Some of the more common causes for the condition include repeated exposure to loud noises, as with using a lawn mower or chain saw or listening to music through earphones; excessive wax buildup in the ears; the normal aging process; and abnormal changes in bone growth. A number of medications, including aspirin taken in high doses, some antibiotics, diuretics and others can cause tinnitus or worsen it. Diagnosis begins with an examination to determine whether simple earwax impaction might be to blame. A medical history that includes drugs and over-the-counter medicines or supplements will help a physician determine whether the medication is to blame. If so, a change or discontinuation might be appropriate. While tinnitus of unknown cause cannot be cured, there are a number of treatments that can reduce or mask its severity. Protect your ears with plugs, cotton or muffs when exposed to loud noises. If appropriate, reduce your alcohol intake, because it dilates blood vessels and causes a greater flow to the already damaged ears. Dear Dr. Gott: I have horizontal ripples, bumps and concaves on my index-finger nail and thumbnail. My index finger has had the problem for years, the thumbnail for about six weeks. And other nails have been changing. Dear Reader: Ridged nails are often an indication of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, poor diet, the aging process or a loss of moisture. Shortages of A, B, iron, protein and calcium are commonly detected. Hori-

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THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME by Mike Argirion and Jeff Knurek

Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words.

YIXTS

GOTT

zontal ridges have been linked to heart conditions, diabetes, kidney disorders and respiratory disease. As we age, the nails don’t always receive adequate moisture. If your diet is adequate, consider drinking more water each day and rub castor or olive oil onto your nails periodically.

• Write to Dr. Peter Gott in care of United Media, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 440920167.

LUBBEA

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The Vicksburg Post

ROPOLY A: THE

“

Yesterday’s

Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by the above cartoon.

”

(Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: PUDGY KETCH PRAYER NINETY Answer: Important to do in trying times — KEEP TRYING

RELEASE DATE– Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ACROSS 1 Spider creations 5 Porkpie feature 9 Fern-to-be 14 Cousin of a toe loop 15 Levitated 16 Wears 17 Stitch’s adopter, in a Disney film 18 Burden 19 Sky holder of myth 20 Five-time “Sports Illustrated” swimsuit cover girl 23 Tennis match part 24 Wedding promise 25 Nathan Hale, e.g. 26 Stick (to) 28 Tiny arachnid 30 Mad scientist’s milieu 33 1982 song title items that “live together in perfect harmony” 36 Type size 38 Bill, once passed 39 Lake on four states and a province 40 Key opening? 45 A-Team muscleman 46 Benevolent order 47 Port in SW Italy 50 Heidi’s high hill 51 Jawbone source for Samson’s weapon 52 SASE, e.g. 53 Great experience 58 City bonds, for short 59 Latvian capital 60 Actor Rickman 61 Tense feeling 62 Settled on a branch, say 63 Departed 64 Silly ones 65 Applications 66 Butterfly catchers DOWN 1 Polish Solidarity hero Lech 2 Like the storied man without a country 3 Accomplish a daring feat 4 __ gin fizz

5 Make wider 6 Veg-O-Matic maker 7 “The jig __!” 8 Interlock, as gears 9 Wrinkly dog 10 Dupe 11 Northern European capital 12 Reddish horse 13 USN rank 21 Joan of art 22 Cornerstone abbr. 27 Auction venue with a four-color logo 28 Kris Kringle’s employer of film 29 Enjoying a lot 30 Marilyn Monroe’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” role 31 He put the “O” in Jackie O 32 Tournament edge 34 Union soldier 35 Prez’s backup 36 Fluffy toy dog, familiarly 37 Syr. neighbor 41 Woman’s name meaning “heavenly”

42 Dog food choice 43 Beats, as an incumbent 44 Cheek 48 “Terrible” child, in Toulouse 49 Olfactory stimuli 50 Slightly off 51 1973 Rolling Stones charttopper 53 Adjust for pitch

54 “Picnic” playwright 55 Munich missus 56 Quiets, as a squeak 57 Croquet venue 58 Newsstand buy, for short—one begins each of the four longest puzzle answers (and also ends the last one)

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

xwordeditor@aol.com

07/06/10