August 2015

Dear SSHS,
Friends of ours are divorcing and my husband and I are having trouble navigating the sticky terrain of maintaining our friendship with both of them. She and I were friends first and then we introduced our husbands who really like each other. Now I worry about offending my friend when we have her ex-husband and his new girlfriend over. What’s the protocol? — BFF, Walnut Creek

She Said: This is a sticky situation, but one we’re seeing more and more. On the one hand, why do you have to invite the new couple over at all when you know it will hurt your friend’s feelings? Let the guys get together when they want to see each other. Your friend may be feeling displaced, and we girls gotta stick together. On the other hand, things change and it’s always good to cultivate new friendships. Just make sure you’re not announcing that you’re entertaining the new couple, and certainly don’t share what a good time you had. And absolutely never tell your friend how much she’d like the new woman. She would not.

He Said: To quote the great American philosopher Rodney King, “Why can’t we all just get along?” I never quite understood why divorces have to extend beyond the two people getting divorced. Good friendships are difficult to come by nowadays and usually take years to cultivate, so they shouldn’t be thrown away because your friend and her husband are no longer together. That being said, I agree with Robin that your husband should continue to stay friends with the ex and you should stay loyal to your friend. Don’t befriend the “new woman” and if you do, realize that it will come at the cost of alienating your friend, and you can’t blame her one bit for being upset with you.

Dear HSSS,
What is the best way to introduce people to my significant other at parties or business conferences? We are not married, but introducing him as my boyfriend sounds ridiculous at my age.

— Label-less, Lafayette

She Said: How about, “Hi everyone, I’d like you to meet _____” (fill in blank with his name). Why do we feel the need to make everyone else comfortable by identifying our relationships? If you really need something, you could say “partner” or if you’re in a committed relationship, I suppose you could say fiancé, but that could bring up even more unwanted questions. Just say his name – leave ‘em guessing.

He Said: If you really think that introducing someone as your boyfriend is ridiculous at your age, then you shouldn’t be dating this person. It’s your own insecurities that are driving you to feel self-conscious about having a boyfriend at your age. I would enjoy the fact that you found someone to spend time with and don’t worry so much about the label. If you are truly happy with your relationship choices, then it won’t matter if you call him your boyfriend, partner, friend, roommate, etc. But if you’re unsure of whether you are boyfriend and girlfriend to begin with, then that’s a whole different topic we should discuss.

Robin Fahr is a public relations specialist and co-host with Shawn Shizzo on Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at trivalleytv.org. You can also catch He Said/She Said on The Talk Pod. Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

Throughout the medical and dental professions there are numerous courses given by suppliers of various devices for treatment of many medical problems, including Obstructive Sleep Apnea. After a two day course the doctor is assured he or she is qualified to deliver the device to their patients with great expectations of increased practice income.

Over the last five years, my office at Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Center, has delivered close to 600 dental sleep appliances with overwhelming records of success. This success did not come as a result of a two day course; it came from years of study and practice, plus a sizable investment in the purchase and continued training in the use of the Acoustic Pharyngometer and Rhinometer.

With this device, a visual reproduction of the airway is produced so that both the patient and I can see the obstructions and watch them be reduced when the jaw is properly placed. It can also show me if a dental device will not work and when the obstruction may require other treatment options, including surgical intervention. This demonstration (that an oral appliance wouldn’t be effective) has only occurred three times in my office, and the surgical results were great with the side effect of making the patient more attractive by bringing the chin forward.

The Rhinometer test results can prove the need for clearing of the nasal passages. Recent research in physiology has clearly proven that nasal respiration is very important to one’s health, to the extent that some of the researchers began taping their mouths closed to break the habit of sleeping with their mouth open. I merely refer the patient to an ENT with the print out of the rhinometry report and have them discuss treatment options to open up those airways.

Without the use of an echopharyngometer, the practitioner can only guess if the oral appliance would be effective, and the results are by chance. Every patient is asked to do a follow up sleep study once the patient is happy with the appliance. Our results have been incredible in many cases. One severe case went from 78 sleep disturbances per hour to only three.

It has taken years for the dental sleep appliance to become accepted by the medical profession. Originally, the CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, was the only acceptable method of treatment. One big problem with this method is patient compliance. In my own case, the mask and the air flow greatly interfered with my sleep. I heard about oral appliance therapy and tried seven different types of appliances, some of which were downright painful. I finally settled on the SomnoDent appliance. Half of my practice is the treatment of TMJ disorders and I found this appliance to be the most friendly to patients with TMJ.

If you or someone you know would like to look into this method of treating OSA, a complimentary appointment may be made by calling 925-837-8048.

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Q. I recently read in a gardening book that coffee grounds should not be used in compost piles as they may be toxic to some plants. We have access to a lot of coffee grounds and I’d love to use them in the garden. Are they too acidic?

A. Oregon State University Extension Service has found that coffee grounds are beneficial to plants. Cindy Wise, coordinator of the compost specialist program at the Lane County office says, “Coffee grounds by volume have about two percent nitrogen, and are a safe substitute from the pathogens concerns when using animal manure in a compost pile.” The grounds provide all the necessary bacteria needed to turn organic matter into compost. Contrary to popular belief, she also has found that coffee grounds are not acidic. Instead, the grounds are close to pH neutral, between 6.5 and 6.8 after brewing. The acidity in the beans is mostly water-soluble, so it leaches into the coffee we drink. Coffee grounds can be used in several different ways in a garden. Besides a compost pile, they’re used as a soil amendment and mixed into the native soil when planting new ornamentals. They’re used as a mulch when mixed with other materials and spread around landscape plants and in open areas.

Un-composted coffee grounds will use up the available nitrogen when encouraging the growth of microbes in the soil: hence, it’s important to feed plants often with Dr. Earth All Purpose fertilizer or similar product while the microbes are breaking down the grounds. This will prevent the plants from turning yellow from a nitrogen deficiency. Coffee grounds can be added to both active and passive compost piles. In an active compost pile, one that is turned often and creates heat, layering one part dry leaves to one part fresh grass clippings to one part coffee grounds, by volume is recommended. When turned weekly, the compost will be ready in three to six months. You can add coffee grounds, to an existing pile but be sure add an equal amount of high carbon (brown) source, such as dry leaves, straw or strip of paper to balance right. We’re looking a fifty-fifty ratio between the green and brown components. Oregon State University Extension has had some issues with poor seed germination when using in un-composted coffee grounds in the seed trays or flats so it may be wise to avoid them in this occurrence.

Coffee grounds are readily available and you should make prior arrangements with a neighborhood coffee shop to collect grounds. I’d provide them with a clean five-gallon bucket with a lid. Label the bucket with your name and telephone number on the bucket and lid and then pick it up at the shop’s convenience. Coffee grounds may be stored in large plastic bags for future use but only if they’re to use in an active compost pile. They may develop a mold that disappears in the composting process. And yes, the paper coffee filters may be composted with the grounds.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

The Rotator Cuff muscles (four muscles in total) are the primary support structures for the shoulder. Therefore, even minor dysfunction associated with these muscles can create pain and decreased performance of everyday tasks. A Rotator Cuff injury can be caused by many everyday activities. These activities include traumatic events (e.g. fall on an outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive motion (e.g. throwing a ball, carrying children) and chronic improper posture (e.g. operating a computer, driving).

There are three major types of Rotator Cuff injuries that we treat successfully:

1. Rotator Cuff Muscle Tears: This is a partial tear of one or more of the four Rotator Cuff muscles. Rotator Cuff muscle tears are often accompanied by deep achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
2. Tendonitis: Tendons are at the ends of each muscle and attach the muscles to the bones they move. When there is inflammation of these tendons it is called Tendonitis. The symptoms of Rotator Cuff Tendonitis are often trigger point pain over the tendon accompanied by deep, achy pain in the shoulder and arm weakness.
3. Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome: Chronic injury of the Rotator Cuff can lead to a “pinching” of the nerves passing through the shoulder. This is commonly referred to as a Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Impingement. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling or sharp, shooting pain into the arm or hand.

HOW DO I HEAL MY SHOULDER PAIN?

The most common forms of medical treatment for Rotator Cuff injuries are anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and surgery. Although meds and injections may reduce the severity of pain associated with rotator cuff dysfunction, they are not a long-term solution and may do more bodily harm than good in the long run. Surgery is a last resort and should only be used if there is irreparable damage to the shoulder that cannot be handled with proper rehabilitation.

THE NATURAL APPROACH

First: Heal the Damaged Tissue
Ending the pain caused by a Rotator Cuff injury requires stopping the cycle of inflammation that is creating the pain. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. During Laser Therapy, the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, pain is relieved and function is restored.

Second: Correct the Shoulder and Postural Mechanics
Long-term pain relief of shoulder injuries involves rehabilitation of the shoulder, neck, and thoracic spine. Shoulder rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific postural adjustments, exercises and specific posture stabilizing methods in order to re-establish proper motion and strength of the shoulder joint. Ongoing strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate the musculature of the shoulder to ensure lasting results.

If you suffer from chronic pain, it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — we will help you explore which combination of therapies will help you heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you can get back to the activities you love!

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, California. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Time to chat about the top impressive and amazing fall/winter 2015 make-up trends we observed during the latest seasonal make-up shows and events. Looking through the options, we find make-up has a 70s accent with a sleek 90s vibe with a modern sophistication.

One of the classiest and the most ethereal alternatives we observed among the cosmetic events is the inclination towards natural looks and glowing peach like skin tones. We as women want to look natural with a youthful glow, but we also want to look sophisticated with a realistic updated look. This season eyeliner is the definite focal point with colors ranging from army green, deep plum and navy. Eyeshades capture the season in matte pecan shades and burgundies to clarify fall eyes.

Military-inspired greens were some of the most impressive and unique looks of the season. Combinations of matte peach eye colors on the lids with soft khakis in the crease with sweeps of burgundy accenting eyes, made subtle and hardly noticeable accents while making the eyes look charming, classy and fun. Stylist applied peachy highlighters illuminating the skin then slipped on lip tones of corals and soft pinks that took center stage, while mouth-watering sheer berry glosses set the look.

When it comes To Eyes, Opt For Arrows!

Arrows were the say of a big number of stylists, who came up with the most diverse and multi-shaped option possible. Turning this classic make-up design into a super modernized and cool alternative, they managed to achieve a charming diversity. When we talk about arrows, we can’t but come to the cat eyes. This fall they are introducing this uber-feminine and mysterious make-up option as a basic trend for the coming season. For some really memorable interpretations, you may turn to the options suggested by Karen Walker, Simonetta Ravizza and Jean Paul Gautier.

Slightly Messy and Effortless Will Also Do

The interesting and noteworthy option by our observation is also worth talking about, coming with an innovative and creative solution, the essence of which is creating maximum messy and smeared effect of the eye-shadow, applied to both upper lid and under eye. This effect gives the eyes a very natural no make-up look without effort. Which some girls will love.

Bluish Eye Shadow Accents

Coming to color diversity, we may first of all talk about the bluish accents we saw. Creating an interesting comeback of the 90s they produce an effective impression for the coming season. The look is interesting and bold. The Look: Start by applying a neutral eyeshade in the brown family all over the lid and crease, follow with a navy blue arrow liner. Find a shimmer blue eye color in a medium or light shade and sweep it along the accent area and under the eye for a glorious finish. This will give you that total undeniable impression of a chic up-to-date look, the girl that knows her stuff and is confident and secure within her self.

The Rouge Cosmetics color specialist will be offering make-up updates for the fall beauty season, starting August 25th. Please call for more information and to book your appointment.

“By George, she got it!” Those are the immortal words of Professor Henry Higgins in response to Eliza Doolittle finally saying “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the lane.” But who the blazes is George? My good friend Wiki says it is a bowdlerization of By Jove, which is the gentlemanly way of saying By God. Now that we know that, let George do it.

1. He was a close friend of Bugsy Siegel and one of Hollywood’s worse actors. His main schtick was flipping a coin in the original movie Scarface. Who was he?

2. The most famous George in baseball history was George Herman Ruth, better known as Babe Ruth. With what team did he end his career?

3. “Well I’ll be a dirty bird” was his catchphrase and he was one of TV’ s most popular stars in the 1950s. Who was he?

4. His first popular song was Swanee, written for Al Jolson. Who was this musical genius?

5. He wrote Paper Lion, which depicted his experience trying out with the Detroit Lions in a1960s training camp. Who was he?

6. He was the straight man to his wife on radio and early TV. After her death, he staked his claim to being one of the most loved men in Show Business until his death at age 99. Who was he?