FEATURES
6A
Refuse gunslinger entry?
Dear Annie: What is the polite
thing to do with a guest who carries
a gun?
I do not like guns in my house,
but I have a friend who adamantly
refuses to leave his gun at home
when he comes here. Do people
who carry a concealed weapon
have an obligation to notify the host
before entering their residence?
— Pennsylvania
Dear Pennsylvania: Yes.
More importantly, it’s your house.
You get to set the rules, and if you
don’t want guns, say so. You can’t
force him to be honest about hav-
ing a concealed weapon, but you
certainly can inform him of your
preferences.
If your friend won’t leave home
without his gun, you can ask him to
put it in a drawer, cabinet or closet
that you can lock. If he insists on
wearing it in your house when you
have asked him not to, we’d politely
tell him to leave. If he says he won’t
visit anymore unless he can bring
his gun, regretfully say that you’ll
miss him. People who are guests in
your home should be respectful of
their hosts.
Dear Annie: I would like to
share some additional thoughts in
regard to the letter from “Befuddled
Grandma,” whose grandchild has a
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
food allergy, and who was unable to
buy treats for her other, allergy-free,
grandchild.
We have a young grand-
child with a life threatening milk
allergy. According to Food Allergy
Research and Education, 1 in 13
children has a food allergy. Unfor-
tunately, many people do not know
about or understand the serious-
ness of an allergic reaction. It can
be more than itchy hives or an upset
stomach. In our case, my grand-
child can go into anaphylactic
shock, which can lead to death.
It is stressful for families. Read-
ing food labels is a must, as aller-
gens can crop up in unexpected
places. There is often cross-con-
tamination in processed foods, and
in food preparation in homes and
restaurants. It is not required by
law for food companies to disclose
if multiple foods are processed on
shared equipment.
Sensitivity and understanding
are tremendously appreciated by
those dealing with a serious food
allergy. Inclusion is important so
that children are not made to feel left
out when so many activities involve
food. Perhaps schools (and oth-
ers) will consider eliminating food
treats altogether and choose some
other “reward.” You often don’t
know that a child has a food allergy
until there is a irst-time reaction,
which can result in an unexpected
life-threatening situation.
For more information, please
tell your readers to look at foodal-
lergy.org. The website covers such
topics as food culprits, treatment
of reactions, how to manage aller-
gies, foods and their ingredients,
and alerts. We can all help. — Con-
cerned Food Allergy Advocate
Dear Concerned: People often
think food allergies are minor, or
worse, optional. They think it’s silly
to have to cater to all of these food
issues, and we hope your letter will
open their eyes. We especially like
your idea of nonfood prizes and
treats, not only because it eliminates
the danger of anaphylaxis, but also
because it helps re-program kids
to stop rewarding themselves with
unhealthy, high-calorie edibles.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can go
forward without support; plenty of people
have done it before you. But your journey
will be so much easier with the power of like
minds and the intentions of kindred spirits
behind you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The thing
you’ve been working on has an important
purpose, though that purpose may seem
secondary in the rush you get when you
display the spoils publicly and invoke instant
envy.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your life is ei-
ther defined by your most cherished goals,
or it is defined by surreptitious aims that are
in conflict with those goals. Which is it? Gain
awareness on the subject. In this regard,
knowledge is power.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll easily
recognize the truth and see into the lies of
the people around you. Your compassion will
keep you from making harsh judgments. The
human is among the most vulnerable of ani-
mals and has complex defenses.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Travel will be ex-
pensive and quite a lot of hard work at that,
but worthwhile in so many ways. With the
courage of adventure you will overcome any-
thing currently standing between you and the
upcoming journey.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your cosmic
gift of the day is a kick-start into awareness.
Inspiring people are like the light bulb over-
head in a comic strip. This is the illumination
you need in order to see your options clearly.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The beauty of
a vase does not determine how much water
it holds. Figure out what you need on a very
basic and essential level and then find it. On
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
the way, don’t get fooled by appearances.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Though you
may be all too aware of the foibles and fail-
ings of your tribe, you’re also very loyal to
your people. This loyalty comes with the
onus of discretion today. When in doubt, don’t
share.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Assume
that you belong. Even if you’re not sure you
totally fit in, if you have the least bit of inter-
est it is better to join fully and enthusiastically
than to passively sit on the sidelines.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Maybe
you’re attracted to the dark and romantic
glamour that a certain someone exudes, but
if this quality comes with terrible behavior it
won’t be worth the trouble. Make a decision
about this now while it’s still easy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Beware
of the one who seems to be constantly in
some kind of emotional drama. A penchant
for emotional pain isn’t the mark of a deep
person; rather it’s a sign of self-absorption.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Declare who
you are and what it is you want to do. Today’s
statement of intent will serve as a mighty,
impactful announcement to yourself, the uni-
verse and any inhabitant within earshot.
WEDESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 11).
You’ve been so amenable that some have
taken advantage of you. It’s your year to be
more particular — difficult, even. In the next
10 weeks, reorganize and artfully arrange
your world. The process will be energizing
and transformative. By August you’ll be a fe-
rocious contender for a serious reward. Oc-
tober brings your desire to hand. Pisces and
Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 4, 2, 14, 38 and 18.