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DEAR ANNIE: Odd one out needs to get out into the world

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: I’m 29, living in New York City, with a job I love and a great group of friends — none of whom are single. Half are married or engaged, the other half coupled up in serious relationships. I’m generally OK being single, but going out as the perpetual third wheel is wearing on me. I’ve thought about making new friends; I’ve even thought about moving cities. I’ve also caught myself secretly hoping my coupled friends break up, which I know is terrible. How do I find my people? —- Odd One Out DEAR ODD ONE OUT: The odd seat out can feel isolating. Don’t be too ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Treating crashes in blood pressure

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother lives with me. She’s 88 and on hospice. She’s totally bedridden. Her brain is fine, but her body has failed her. The problem is that if I try and get her out of the bed for anything (a change of scenery, to change the sheets, etc.), within minutes of getting her into a wheelchair, her blood pressure crashes, and she loses consciousness. Obviously, this is a huge issue. She’s always complained of a lifelong “vasovagal” issue. This also happened occasionally before she was on hospice, and her cardiologist gave her a new medication — midodrine. But ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Grammar skills fall by wayside

Lifestyles

DEAR HELOISE: As a retired high school English teacher, I read with interest the letter concerning how written and spoken English standards have deteriorated in the United States. Based on my experience, my students in middle school would tell me that there was little to no exposure to grammar skills or learning to speak in front of a group. There wasn’t any diagramming of sentences or speech units. Most of this is due to state education departments who apparently no longer feel that grammar skills and being articulate are necessary — and that students will somehow learn on their ...

To Your Good Health: Looking at plasma exchange for MS

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at the age of 46. The course of the disease was mild for me with only three identifiable MS attacks (in both my spine and brain). I took Copaxone shots for seven years before my neurologist believed that it was safe to discontinue treatment. Since this time, I haven’t had any new attacks, only some occasional balance issues and lingering weakness in my left leg. My concern is secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and the possible consequences of an occurrence. I’ve recently read about therapeutic plasma ...

Ticket stubs

Ticket

Youngstown main library hosts America250 event An America250 Celebration is planned from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown. The event will include a talk by award-winning science fiction author John Scalzi, whose books include “Old Man’s War,” “Redshirts” and “Starter Villain.” It also will include games, crafts, music, prizes, library and local history displays and historical reenactor Benjamin Frayser. Festivities will conclude with America250 bingo at Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers. For ...