Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 38

2D TIMES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2000 ADVICE IHIowto handle sweepstakes raiai Sexual photos could prove to be problem I 4. 0098 and 0299, inclusive. Return to point of purchase, or call (501) 524-8151, ext 246. "John mobiles by the Betesh Group; screws connecting the mobile's arm assembly and crib clamp can become loose if overtightened, causing the arms to detach and fall into the crib, potentially injuring the baby inside. Call (877) 810-4264, or write to: Betesh Group, One 33rd St, New York, NY 10016.

Battery packs used with Compaq's Armada notebook computers by Compaq Computer battery packs can short circuit causing them to overheat release smoke and possibly catch fire. Call (800) 889-7613 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays. Web site: http:www.compaq.com.

Sources: SafetyAlerts at http:www.safetyalerts.com; Consumer Product Safety Commission at http:www.cpsc.gov, (800) 638-2772; Food and Drug Administration at http:www.fda.gov. Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your own attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext 8171, to leave a recorded request.

Requests will be accepted only by mail or voice mail; calls cannot be returned. We will not be responsible for personal documents, so please send only photocopies. If your complaint concerns merchandise ordered by mail, we need copies of both sides of your canceled check. We may require additional information or prefer to reply by mail; therefore, readers must provide a full mailing address, including ZIP code. Names of letter writers will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Covering Safety Council toll-free (800) 506-4636 for information and to receive a free repair kit for each set of blinds in the home. Web site: http:www.window-coverings.org. Ground beef by Omaha Steaks; possible E. coli contamination.

Affected products have production code beginning with the digits 07180 and ending in 21, 22 or 25, and include item number 1249: six, 4-ounce ground beefburgers; item number 658: 12, 4-ounce ground beef burgers; item number 0710004: two, 25-pound bags ground beef; item number 3611080: 25-piece, 8-ounce ground beef chuck patties; item number 4011050: Horizon brand 32-piece, 5-ounce ground beef chuck patties. Call (877) 789-7117 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Web site: http:www.omahas-teaks.comsafety. Ben Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream pints; product may contain undeclared tree nuts. Potentially affected product includes only items dated before October 26, 2001.

Call (800) 637-7691, or send the bottom of the package to Ben Jerry's Consumer Affairs, 30 Community Drive, South Burlington, Ver- mont 05403 for a full refund. For persons with milk allergies only, cooked, frozen chicken tenders by Simmons Foods (2.5 pound bags of Simmons Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders), produced between April 7 and Oct. 25, may contain undeclared milk products. The UPC code under the bar code is 72562 or 8595, and the first four digits of the identifying code date on the side of each package subject are between NANCY PARADIS ACTION ing tools or impossible to understand without a team of attorneys. If you can't read or understand the fine print do yourself a favor and throw it away.

If discount coupons or checks to be used toward purchasing the merchandise being advertised are included, know that the U.S. Postal Service says most of these prizes are "throw-away" gifts. Junk. You can usually buy better stuff for less elsewhere. Finally, remember that your chances of winning are slim to non-existent Recent recalls The following products, distributed nationwide and in Florida, were recalled between Oct.

27 and Nov. 2: Dolgencbrp'stoyxylo-' phones sold at Dollar General stores; the red mallet sold with the toy xylophone can become lodged in the throats of young children and pose a choking hazard. Call Dollar General at (800) 678-9258, option 2, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays.

Approximately 500-million horizontal window blinds by the window covering industry; pull cords and inner cords can form a loop and cause strangulation of young children. Call the Window VIDEO Dear Ann: My daughter, "Molly," is 19 and attends college. She has always been very open with me, and I appreciate that. I am aware that Molly is sexually active and is careful about taking the necessary precautions. I do not approve of premarital sex, but I understand how it can happen, and I am grateful that Molly is being careful.

Two weeks ago, I had to put something in Molly's bedroom dresser. The top drawer was broken, and it slid open. When I put it back, I noticed some photographs of Molly and her boyfriend, both nude, having sex. I have said nothing to Molly about my discovery, and I don't know if I should. I am concerned that if her boyfriend ever becomes angry with her, he could publicize these pictures or give them to his friends.

I worry that this indiscretion will come back to haunt her one day. Should I discuss this with Molly? Please tell me what to do. Concerned Mom in Ontario Dear Concerned Mom: By all means, tell Molly you have seen the nude photos, and without being judgmental, explain that they could be a problem down the road. Suggest that she ask her boyfriend to give her any copies he might have, along with the negatives, to make certain there will be no others. Since both Molly and her boyfriend were in the pictures, someone else may have taken the photographs and probably has copies, too.

Molly should try to get those, as well. (Also, the fact that Molly may have had sex before an audi- ence bothers me a great deal.) People should remember that an indiscretion can be fleeting, but a photograph is forever. A new start Dear Ann: Ayear ago, I fell in love with a married man. I didn't know he had a wife. She was away for several months, and he led the life of a bachelor.

When I found out he was married, I moved to another city to get away from him. The problem is, I can't get him out ofmymind. I tried to give myself a fresh start, but it hasn't worked. I think about him all the time. I have written him several letters, but he has I am sending you an official sweepstakes announcement I got in the mail, but it is really just a come-on to order some maga-.

zines. I am 92 years old, and if I didn't have any mind left, I could fall for this stuff. Many an old person has and many more will. Warn your readers to beware. I've got as much chance of winning a million as a snowball in that hot place.

Throw it out! Mary Kohrs Response: Why, thank you. You've done a splendid job of giving our readers the best possible advice on what to do with sweepstakes announcements: Pitch them. But here's a recap of Ac; tion's guidelines for dealing with them: First of all, many are designed to make you think you've won a prize as long as you respond. Many ask that you place an order for a magazine or product offered by the sponsor of the sweepstakes. Requiring a sweepstakes contestant to make a purchase as a condition of entry is illegal in the state of Florida.

Enter if you wish, but never buy anything you don't want pay for postage up front or give out your credit card number. Consider that even a single entry can increase the amount of junk mail and sweepstakes announcements you receive. Sweepstakes are primarily an advertising tool, and advertisers sell their mailing lists. Do you really need more mail? Read the fine print since entering some sweepstakes automatically signs you up for a service or product you neither want nor need. There's a catch here.

Some fine print is impossible to read without high-powered magnify- New Zelda By CHIP and JONATHAN CARTER Tribune Madia Services THE LEGEND OF ZEL0A- MAJORA'S MASK, FOR N64 You have 72 hours to save the world. Better get busy. It's hard to believe it has been two years since the title we called "the Gone With the Wind of video gaming" was released. That's what we said about The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, for the N64, At that time we wondered if we'd ever see a better game, especially for the N64. Knowing that the Big had another system in development we actually wondered if we'd ever even see another Zelda game for this system.

Well, thanks to delays in the GameCube Nintendo's next-gen system, which has now been pushed back for release next October we have before us the only game capable of toppling Ocarina from its lofty peak: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This one's an eye-popping treat from beginning to end. It's also devilishly difficult All Zelda games are mind-benders, but imagine adding a deadline to the mix and you have the idea behind this one. Our hero, Link, is lured into a strange new world by a shadowy, masked figure. His new surroundings seem somewhat familiar, and Link soon realizes he's in an alternate dimension.

One major difference is that this dimension has a huge moon looming in the sky. link soon finds out that the moon is due to crash into this world in a mere 72 hours unless he can find some way to stop it Thus begins a quest that will have you traveling through both time and dimension as you try to save the world. Fortunately, this doesn't mean you have to beat the for leaves them moonstruck School, work cut into time with boyfriend ANN LANDERS COLUMNIST not responded. Is there something wrong with me? How do I get over this? Kim in Jacksonville Dear Kim: Time, counseling and diversion are your best allies. Check with your local chamber of commerce about volunteer services.

You will not only get your mind off your lost love, but you will meet people who are doing something worthwhile. And please stop writing him letters. 1 This is not the end of the world. Pull yourself together and make a new and better life for yourself. You can do it.

Good luck. Loser husband Dear Ann: I read the column about "San Diego," whose husband admitted he had a "one-time fling," but it turned out the affair had been going on for four years. She wanted him to name the woman. You said it was in the past and she should forget about it You must be pretty gullible, Annie. I agree with folks who said the husband won't name the slut because he's still seeing hef.

Also, the name might be familiar to the wife maybe her best friend or her sister. The guy is a liar and a loser, and he's not going to change. I hope "San Diego" is smart enough to keep accepting the jewelry, because she deserves to get something for the pain he caused her. Shelley in St Louis Dear Shelley: You sound like a woman who has been wounded, but you might also be right on all counts. I tend to be a bit too trusting.

I've learned, however, that when we expect the best from people, we sometimes get it. I hope it is true in this case. Write Ann Landers, co Creators Syndicate, 5777 Century No. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. 2000, Creators Syndicate Inc.

ABIGAIL VAN BUREN DEAR ABBY what's causing them. Once that's done, call a pest control company. Since home remedies haven't subdued your attackers, let the professionals give it a shot. Battling back pain Dear readers: An estimated 80 percent of the population of Western nations will experience at least one episode of severe back pain. Of course, anyone who suffers from severe back pain should consult a doctor.

Most patients are prescribed muscle relaxants, pain killers andor sessions with a physical therapist and given instructions for exercises to be performed at home. Does this mean the patient emerges pain-free? Not necessarily. For many people, the back pain persists to a greater or lesser degree for years. A new book, 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life, written by Robin McKenzie with Craig Kubey (published by Dutton), is available in bookstores. McKenzie is a respected physical therapist from New Zealand, and more than 20,000 health professionals worldwide have been trained in his methods.

Most important patients who have learned to use his exercises for back and neck pain assert that for the first time they could effectively manage or banish their own pain. P.S. A word to the wise: Before beginning this or any other exercise program designed to reduce pain from any condition, consult your doctor. Write Dear Abby, Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main St, Suite 700, Kansas City, MO 64111-7701. 2000 Universal Press Syndicate mm mm.Mmmm'm'imm place alongside Beethoven, van Gogh and all the other great artists of all time.

A Overall rating: A Buy it for all ages. Tips and tricks SYDNEY 2000, FOR PLAYSTATION To earn all gold medals, at the main menu press circle, triangle, square. To rack up first-place finishes in all events, press triangle, square, circle, square, X. ESPN INTERNATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD, FOR DREAMCAST Try these names in the trial mode to get some cool metallic competitors: Montreal, Sydney, Helsinki, Rome, Moscow, LA, Munich, Mexico, Tokyo, Athens, Atlanta, and Seoul. Finish in the top three in the first eight events in trial mode and you'll unlock the high jump and triple jump events.

Earn gold in all eight regular events and the three bonus events and you'll find the trap-shooting event To unlock the pole vault either enter your name as LA in the championship mode, or earn gold in the eight regular events and at least silver in the high jump and triple jump. Enter Montreal as your name in the championship mode to unlock other events. SPIDER-MAN, FOR GAME BOY Try these passwords: GVCBF, QVCLF, and G-FGN. For more tips, tricks, reviews and news, check us out online at webpoint.comvidecolmainpage. Or e-mail us at VidChipAOL.com.

Got a question? An inside tip you'd like to share? Write to Chip and Jonathan Carter in care of the St Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St Petersburg, FL 33731. Although they cannot respond individually, they will answer questions of general interest in their column. Compressof-1 Year Warranty! For Pools Up To 12x24' 80,000 BTU's I Heavy Duty Xji GAMES million copies would do it And that's a realistic figure. If you own an N64, you simply must have this game.

If you don't have an N64, the opportunity to play Majora's Mask and Ocarina are cer-tainly worth the $99 investment it would take to pick one up. The term genius gets tossed around lightly in modern America. There are maybe a dozen people in the world that actually deserve the title. One of them, without a doubt, is Shigeru Miyamoto, the man behind Mario, Zelda and a boxful of other legendary Nintendo titles, including the Star Fox series. Mario has always been about innocent fun.

Miyamoto's other titles have always been brilliant and engaging. But the Zelda series is the shining jewel in Mr. Miyamoto's heavy crown. Zelda has always been about much more than gaming. Zelda's about getting lost in another world.

Zelda's about a quest. Zelda's about honor and decency and striving to overcome evil. Zelda's about doing your best to live your life the best you can. Yeah, okay, we know they're just video games. It's what they represent and the lessons they teach that make them so important and so wonderful.

And Majora 's Mask is the most wonderful of these amazing adventures yet Jonathan says: I bow in the presence of greatness. A Chip says: I had the great privilege of once meeting Mr. Miyamoto. You could tell, simply from his demeanor, that he exists on some other realm than the rest of us. He's charming, self-effacing, funny, and one of our greatest living artists.

As soon as we, as a society, get over the notion that video games are just a silly diversion for kids, Mr. Miyamoto will take his rightful on the CD cover and on recent covers of Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines wearing a Western shirt and a cowboy hat that would make Hank Williams Jr. proud. Even if the head-to-toe Western look is not your saddle bag, you can still wear fashionable details inspired by the West Look for pullover fringed ponchos, sera-pes and wraps in Aztec prints or embroidered solids. Or sweaters, leather pants and jackets featuring whipstitch details.

Top your Western look with one of fall's animal print or classic felt cowboy hats. Leather boots are the hottest thing going in fall footwear, and you can find cowboy boots and low-heeled riding boots among the mix. Slip-on Western mules in leather and cow prints are perfect for line dancing; just don't wear them while riding the range. game in 72 hours. It does mean, however, that you have to find ways to control time.

Youll have plenty of instruments and objects at your disposal (including your trusty ocarina from the last adventure, as well as Link's standard arsenal of weapons). And the masks that first appeared in Ocarina as something of a humorous afterthought are a key element in the new game. There are 24 in all, and each gives Link different powers some even let him transform into different characters altogether. Like every Zelda game, this one is an adventure of epic proportion. And, like every Zelda game, it's a journey through a vast amazing land, one that will draw you as a player through some mystical portal and into the action just as surely as if you'd been sucked through a window in your television set Nintendo might not be able to put out a new system to rival Sony this holiday season, but it has delivered what's hands-down the best -game we've ever played, a more-than-worthy sequel to its 7-million-selling predecessor.

Just in case you don't have a calculator handy, mat means Ocarina raked in about $400-million; by comparison, the movie E. T. has grossed just under $400-million after 20 years in circulation. Last year's top-grossing film, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, brought in $430-million. The all-time leading Hollywood moneymaker, Titanic, made $488-million in the year Ocarina was released (next closest was Armageddon, which made half as much as Ocarina, at $200-million).

Titanic has since topped the $600-million mark, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the new Zelda give that sinking ship a run for its money 10- leather pants and Western shirts last spring, but Ralph Lauren saddled up for fall with a women's collection that straddles both the Western and English equestrian camps. Denim vests with nubby wool collars and linings, suede jackets with fringe trim and wool blanket-plaid wrap skirts appear inspired by the Old West. His classic English upper-crust looks are vintage Lauren: plaid wool jackets with suede elbow patches, close-cropped riding pants and a blouse with a hound motif. Tally-ho! The Western look is a reoccur-ring theme in fashion: in one year and out the next But it's definitely in for fall. Even pop diva Madonna, never one to follow behind a trend, has interpreted the look, reinventing herself as a cowgirl songster for her new CD Music.

She appears Dear Abby: I am a senior in high school, and I don't think I can take it anymore! I attend vocational school, in addition to my regular school, work part time, study and have a boyfriend I'll call "Johnny." My relationship with Johnny is being held up because we can't find enough time to see each other. He also works and has a schedule similar to mine. Abby, Johnny is my main concern. I don't know how to balance our schedules so we can have more time together. Please help.

Stressed-Out Senior Dear Stressed Out: When people become stressed out, they need to take a "time out" and evaluate their priorities. Let me give you something to consider while you do that You and Johnny are juggling full schedules, doing what is necessary to establish secure futures. I applaud you for it and by the end of the school year, you'll both be rightfully proud of what you have accomplished. Although you would like more time together, there are only so many hours in a day and so many days in a week. One of the definitions of maturity is the ability to postpone until tomorrow what you would like to be doing today.

It is essential that you both prioritize your schedules right now. In six months, you'll be finished with high school and have more time to spare. In the meantime, you're taking care of business. Keep your eye on the goal, and you 11 be there before you know it Bed bugs Dear Abby: I have a problem with bugs in my bedroom. I have tried opening the window, closing the window, lights off, lights on, foggers, sanitizers, but none of it works.

I typically get bitten five i times during the night, always above my waist. My last two bites lasted a week. They itch and leave red marks. I don't know what to do. Help! Bugged in Bothell, Wash.

Dear Bugged: It's time for a consultation with your dermatologist Show him or her the bites and see if the doctor can figure out Cowboy look rides fashion range HSBI This fall, if denim, Western style and leather boots, all topped off by a classic cowboy hat By REBECCA SIMMONS Scrippt Howrd New Service From the denim-imbued spirit of the American Southwest to the tweedy upper echelons of English equestrian society, fashions that could only be described as "horsey" are making a distinctive fall statement. Fashion directors are calling it a sidebar to fall's primary look, which is all about the return to ladylike suits and blouses. Many of fall's themes, however, like tweed fabrics, pony hair cow prints, plaid, denim and suede, play perfectly to the fashions for the horsey set. Tommy Hilfiger did fringed THE MOST FNFRGY FFFIflFNT wht iu ncfti luurt ruuL, SWIM YEAR ROUND! niau -rn uniin 0 mm Mil C5 Lakeland ismi 665-2233 Tampa (813)977-3555 MneRasParfc (727)545-9700.