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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 26, 2018)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 FEATURES Education on drinking alcohol Dear Annie: My daughter has better understand the nuanced grown up in the blink of an eye. functions of the brain and how they It seems as if I was just introduc- are impaired by alcohol (especially ing the ABCs, and now she’s read- the still-developing brain), and it ing Shakespeare in school. We talk has given me more confidence in every day about her classes and conversations with my daughter activities, and I also make sure we about why drinking is an adults- discuss underage drinking. only activity. The inter- DEAR When I was young, active videos and games conversations about alco- have given my child a new ANNIE hol consumption were fun outlet for learning, too. along the lines of “Don’t I hope you’ll help in do it” and not about the informing my generation impact of alcohol on my of parents about the tools body, particularly my ado- available to help them talk lescent brain. Now that I’m to their children about say- ing no to underage drink- a parent, I try to make sure Lane ing. — Shannan Y. I have the information I Annie Creators Syndicate Inc. Dear Shannan Y.: You need to teach my daughter are so right that it’s import- to make healthy decisions. As my daughter has grown up, ant for parents to talk to their teen I’ve tried to discuss alcohol con- children about alcohol. The Sub- sumption in ways she’d best under- stance Abuse and Mental Health stand. For example, she and her Services Administration (https:// friends are undergoing many emo- www.samhsa.gov/underage-drink- tional and physical changes, and ing) also offers resources for par- they’re fascinated by how their ents wrestling with this issue — bodies and minds operate. I started even a free app for practicing the using information from programs conversation (called “Talk. They such as Ask, Listen, Learn to con- Hear You”). Teen drinking has, nect her natural interests about her thank goodness, decreased over the brain and body with the impact past two decades. Let’s hope it will underage drinking can have on continue to decline with active par- ent involvement. them. This resource has helped me Dear Annie: As a psycho- therapist, I wonder whether the nose-picking daughter of “Dad Who Cares” has a compulsion. Not wanting to stop unhealthy behav- iors is often because of compul- sivity. It’s not that she won’t stop; it’s that she can’t (without help, that is). An excellent book and wonderful read on the subject, by science writer Sharon Begley, is “Can’t Just Stop: An Investigation of Compulsions.” — Karen, LCSW Dear Karen, LCSW: That’s a useful angle to con- sider, and I appreciate the book recommendation. Dear Annie: It is worth men- tioning that the nose-picking habit may be because the daughter has an infection inside her nose. Impe- tigo, which often occurs on the skin, may instead emerge inside the nose, causing scab formation. It is caused by strep or staph bacte- ria. A visit to her primary care phy- sician for a culture of the inside of her nose is in order. A treatment with penicillin would most likely clear up the infection and maybe stop the urge to pick. — Certified Medical Microbiologist Dear Certified Microbiol- ogist: Another helpful take on this unsettling issue. Thanks for writing. 5A TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). If the enemy is within, so is the hero of this story, as well as all of the angels and champions and muses who help the plot along. Believe in yourself, and know that you’re stronger than you think. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ve many traits and characteristics that attract admir- ers. You’ll favor the people who appreciate the part of you that is most authentically who you are and who you want to be. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Most things you’ll deal with today can’t be rushed — or rather, they can be rushed, but it will ruin them. The day will go better when you accept things as ready when they’re ready, not just ready when you want them to be. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The desire for perfection is a prison. The need for accep- tance is a prison. The shame of unrealized goals or past mistakes or current shortcom- ings — all prisons. You hold the keys. Break free. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Choose your target. If you narrow it down to one, you’ll hit it. More ninja tips for a successful day: Only act when you’re sure. And use what’s in your environ- ment to your best advantage. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Everything has a shelf life, but not everything comes marked with an expiration date. So when do you call it a day? When the risk of getting sick from a thing outweighs the benefit of having it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today’s task is worth doing right. Look for a shortcut if you must, but you won’t find one that’s suitable. Any time saved will also be lessons not learned. Time to buckle in and take the main road. 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 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Are you getting in too deep? Whether it’s a swimming pool or an ocean, you can only occupy as much of it as you do. You’ll have to tread water just the same. Don’t worry about where the bottom is; just stay near the top. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When you look around you’ll see so many things you’ve acquired, some of which were hard- won, and maybe it’s difficult to believe that you could still want more. But you do. Con- sider making a trade to lighten your load. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). One size definitely will not fit all, or even any. Seize the opportunity to custom fit what you do to the needs of another. What’s in it for you? That will be a wonderful surprise. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some are slaves to status and others claim they don’t notice it and have no need for its symbols. The former is hard to tolerate, and the latter is hard to believe. You’ll settle somewhere in the happy middle of the matter. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you wonder why so many seem to be one call away or even at arm’s reach from you today, it’s because your heart is open and radiating. All can feel the warm energy you project. TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (March 27). This solar return, your growing family will make you proud and your close relationships will be soul fortifying. Leverage one win into an even bigger one next month. You’ll attract many opportunities through the summer and be in the enviable position of knowing what you want, keeping the best and weeding out the rest. Virgo and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 3, 33, 37 and 14.