Sprucing up for Spring: great cleaning tips page 5
Kentucky • March 2009
Summer
Camps Great local opportunities
Local Business Health & Fitness An Advertising-Sponsored Magazine Published by The Community Press/Recorder.
CreativeLiving Features 5 10
Clean up your act Great ideas to keep you motivated for spring cleaning!
Nurture your child’s positive body image Simple tips to help your child feel good about who they are – inside and out.
Editor’s note “Hello muddah, hello faddah...” I couldn’t resist. That song has been playing in my head the entire time we’ve been putting this issue together. That’s right, it’s our Summer Camps issue. Now before the kids start to run and hide let’s remind them that the term summer camp has greatly expanded in definition since Alan Sherman rattled off this 1963 novelty tribute to Camp Grenada. Today summer camp isn’t just for the outdoor lovers or sports lovers – it’s for everyone, even bookworms and artists. Inside this issue you’ll learn about some great local opportunities for all types of summer camp experiences. This summer can be fun and …shhh... educational with these wonderful camp offerings.
Specialty Publications Editor
Contact Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsored magazine published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.
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Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/ 394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com.
Departments Business 3 Local Restaurants • Shops
5 Spring Cleaning
& Fitness 6 Health Mind • Body • Spirit
10 Summer Camps Art • Sports
For advertising call 578-5501.
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Gentle Dental Care calms your dental, financial fears
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pring is near and Gentle Dental Care is concerned about your dental health. When you combine the economic crisis and dental fears, people may think there are more than enough reasons not to call the dentist. Dr. Tara Dallmann wants to make it easier during these trying economic times. For starters, she is offering a New Patient Special that includes X-ray, exam and consultation for $49. The goal is to give you both dental and financial options. Also, you will not feel judged no matter how long it has been since you have seen a dentist. Finally, Gentle Dental Care offers a payment plan option that allows patients to spread out payments up to 12 months without interest. Relax and enjoy Gentle Dental Care’s state-of-the-art dental office. Patients come from as far as Loveland or Williamstown to receive stressfree care. Dr. Dallmann’s staff is known for their TLC treatment as well as quality dental care,
The Gentle Dental Care staff.
including a lifetime guarantee. Dr. Dallmann attends continuing education on a regular basis to stay on the cutting edge of what is happening with sedation dentistry. With new medications and procedures constantly being developed, it is her desire to offer the very best to her patients. If fear has kept you from the dentist and you feel like you might be ready or you have a
toothache that has made you ready, pick up the phone and let Dr. Dallmann and her caring team help you to get back on track with your oral health. You can take it slow or get it all done at once while you snooze. If you are still apprehensive, listen to what other patients have said about Gentle Dental Care: “Dr. Dallmann and Kim continue to genuinely make me feel
welcome and comfortable. It’s so reassuring when Dr. Dallmann says ‘you’re doing fine’, ‘great job.’ Kim and Wendy are just so sweet. The staff really does demonstrate ‘Gentle Dental Care.’ The sedation process was overall a good experience, especially considering the amount of work done in one visit. I am feeling 100 percent today and am so pleased that all my fillings have been replaced – no more metal in my smile!! Wendy – I love my ‘fancy smanchy’ toothbrush and hope you’ll be able to see the results of my dedication in using it. Thank you for all time and explanations of the details. I look forward to my return visit in January!” - S.B. Hebron “Tara, Wendy and Kim were nice and I felt real comfortable at my appointment. I have had some bad memories of trips to the dentist. Not this time I would like to thank everyone so much for putting my mind at ease.” W.J. Elsmere
Check out the Summer Camps section on page 10 Kentucky
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Enjoy the taste of fine wine with good friends
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Parties can generally consist of up to ost a wine tasting party and have 30 guests. Your party can either be some fun! catered, or if you wish you can bring your own hors d’oeuvres. Vintner’s Cellar Winery in Florence Vintner’s Cellar will prove the tables, offers the entertaining experience of creating a custom wine with custom labels. the space and, of course, the wine. One of the best ways to get started is by scheduling a wine tasting party. Invite a group of your friends to come out to the store to sample some of the deliCome enjoy the chance of tasting a cious wine varieties. Wine tasting parties are a fun way to wide variety of Vintner’s Cellar wines and having some great fun! learn and discover a variety of wines. Visit Vintner’s Cellar Winery on Mall And by sharing the experience with Road or call 371-WINE (9463) for more your friends, perhaps your group would information or to schedule a wine tastlike to order a batch of wine with the ing party. flavor adjusted to your tastes with your private label.
Wine tasting parties are a fun way to learn and discover a variety of wines...
Living up to a good name
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Call 578-5501 today to advertise in the next Creative Living 4
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ou’ve seen Chestnut Fencing’s quality work all over Northern Kentucky and the Tristate. Until you’ve experienced the quality care yourself, however, you can’t understand why it’s so important. “If it wasn’t for small business people like Chesnut who provide honest-toGod service, we’d be out,” said a loyal customer. Family-owned and -operated since 1970, customers have come to rely on Chestnut Fencing in Independence without regret. In fencing it offers the homeowner everything they wish, topping it off with high quality installation, and custom designs. Chestnut offers a complete line of wholesale fence supplies, making it Kenton County’s largest fence company. There’s also the hardware store,
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opened in 1986, that carries pool chemicals and supplies and everything for all your lawn and garden needs. It’s a Stihl and Jonsered dealer and offers small engine repair services as well. When Fedders closed up, owner Gary Chesnut was asked by customers to sell feeding supplies. And so he does that too. There’s bird feed, dog food and treats, if they don’t have what you’re looking for ask and they’ll get it for you. That’s Gary’s motto. “Chestnut is a good name. I make sure everyone is satisfied, I don’t know of any unhappy customers,” he said. Visit Chestnut Fencing at 5081 Madison Pike or call 356-2217.
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Clean up your act
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pringtime means flowers, rain showers and spring cleaning. It’s easy to procrastinate, but spring cleaning is an excellent way to simplify your life simply by reducing clutter. “Spring is a great time to go through your wardrobe. Remove items that are damaged or haven’t been worn in two years, and have a yard sale or donate them to charity,” said Mia Kile, member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Kiel, also a member of the Interior Design Educators Council and an interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Dallas, has other tips as well. To reduce desktop clutter, she suggests burning music and data CDs onto an external hard drive. Earn a few extra dollars by selling the CDs to a used book or music store. Look for other ways to de-clutter by visiting a home store. Use spring cleaning as a time to check the batteries in your smoke detector and to change your air filters. “Take this opportunity to call your air conditioning guy and have him take a look before the busy summer season,” Kile said. As for spring decorating, Kile suggests changing out artwork or family photos as the seasons change. “This will keep things fresh, and you will notice things instead of walking by them every day and taking them for granted.” The same can be said for small decorative items like pillows and throws. Keeping a neutral color palette will allow you to add blasts of color depending on the season. Kile hints that muted citrus colors are in for spring. You can also bring in color through paint on walls, furniture or trim. It’s an inexpensive way to make a room look refreshed. Replacing heavy drapes with light, linen or sheer fabrics can open up a room and allow natural light to come in. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with a floral print or pale, springy colors. Even rearranging the furniture can make a room feel like new, just in time for spring. And of course, nothing says spring like fresh flowers. Choose a color scheme and be consistent when creating arrangements. These little changes can make a huge impact on your decor, and not on your wallet, so spring into action! To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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How deep are your pockets?
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n times like this, when you’re trying to invest your money wisely, you may be tempted to neglect your dental health. However, putting off going to the dentist can end up costing much more. The goal at Mortenson Family Dental is to keep your teeth in your mouth and more money in your pocket. They start this process by measuring the pocket depth of your teeth. Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. However, bacteria can destroy this supporting tissue and bone forming “pockets” around your teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. As bacteria develop around the teeth, they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria,
resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted. Therefore, preventive dentistry can go a long way in saving you money and time as well as, keep you from unnecessary pain. Mortenson Family Dental understands you need proper care and financial accommodations. That’s why they offer payment options and are now accepting most dental insurance plans. Payment options include making payments before a procedure is complete and also Credit Dental, a same as cash credit card that features zero interest rates and finance charges. Mortenson Family Dental will give you the care you need at the price you deserve. Call 525-2586 today for an appointment, you can’t afford to wait!
Enjoy life allergy free
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o you suffer from acid reflux, IBS, gas, bloating? These are often caused by food allergies or sensitivities. Do you suffer from allergies like pollens, weeds, dust mites, mold, or cats? Brett Cain, an acupuncturist in Florence, KY is using Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT), a breakthrough technology that resolves the symptoms from most forms of allergies and sensitivities. AAT merges 21st century science and technology with 3,000-year-old Traditional Acupuncture principles in
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offering an effective alternative for the treatment of allergies and sensitivities. AAT involves no needles, no painful shots, no drugs or supplements, and after treatment no avoidance of the offending substance. AAT usually requires only one treatment per allergen family. Call Brett today to stop suffering from the symptoms of your allergies or sensitivities. For more information visit Brett’s Web site at www.acuhealthllc.com or call her at 513373-5021.
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CreativeLiving Tell your neighbors your story Call 923-3111 or 248-8600
Nancy Dahlenburg gets a little help from personal trainer and Curves owner Mary Ellen Rechtin.
Get Curves for spring weather
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pring is a time to look good, and what better place to get in shape than Curves, where the fitness and nutritional programs are designed especially for women? “This is our 11th annual food drive, and anyone joining Curves between March 9 and 28 can have their normal service fee waived if they bring in a bag of non-perishable groceries, a savings of $199,” said Pam Westerman, owner of Curves in Florence. “Worldwide, over the last 10 years, Curves has distributed nearly 50 million pounds of food to local communities,” she said. When women decide to manage their weight and their wallets by joining Curves for a zero service fee while feeding the hungry, they will find that 30 minutes a day three days a week is manageable. Nancy Dahlenburg just joined Curves in Villa Hills, and she plans to keep
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going. “My insurance had a clause for Silver Sneakers, and that means it will help pay for it,” she explained. “I had knee replacements two years ago, and I want to strengthen my knees, as well as lose weight.” Mary Ellen Rechtin, owner of the Villa Hills Curves, bought the franchise because she believes in the power of exercise and its positive impact on health. “Research shows that every hour you exercise adds two to your life,” she said. “Our program is individualized for each person. Women can burn up to 500 calories with Curves Smart, the most advanced technology in women’s fitness. “Most of all, it is fun, fast, and safe,” she said. To find out about Curves, call 1-800CURVES30 or visit www.curveskentucky.com.
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Is your lack of sleep robbing you of your life?
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hen we sleep well, we wake up feeling refreshed and alert for our daily activities. Sleep affects how we look, feel and perform on a daily basis, and can have a major impact on our overall quality of life. Studies have found a relationship between the quantity and quality of one’s sleep and many health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and depression How do you sleep at night? Do you get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep? Do you snore? Has anyone ever told you that you stop breathing or gasp during sleep? Do you have high blood pressure? Is your neck size larger than 17 inches (men) or 16 inches (women)? Are you excessively tired during the day?
Interrupted sleep can affect your health and quality of life.
(Take the quiz on this page.) Although snoring may be harmless for most people, it can be a symptom of a life threatening sleep disorder called sleep apnea, especially if it is accompanied by severe daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea, which affects an estimated 18 million Americans, is
characterized by pauses in breathing that prevent air from flowing into or out of a sleeping person’s airways. People with sleep apnea awaken frequently during the night gasping for breath. If snoring, gasping while asleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness
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Sleep Quiz The following questionnaire will help you measure your general level of daytime sleepiness. Answers are rated on a reliable scale called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the same assessment tool used by sleep experts worldwide. Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate answer for each situation. 0 = would never doze, 1 = slight chance or dozing, 2 = moderate chance of dozing, and 3 = high chance of dozing. • • • • • • • •
sitting and reading ______ watching television ______ sitting inactive in a public place ______ as a passenger in a car for an hour without a break ______ lying down to rest in the afternoon ______ sitting and talking to someone ______ in a car, while stopped for traffic ______ sitting quietly after lunch (when you’ve had no alcohol) ______
Total ______
If your score is 10 or higher, you may have a sleep disorder. Contact Dr. Kitzmiller to discuss your score and next steps in the accurate diagnosis and treatment options, including Oral Appliance Therapy through his office.
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hese are stressful times. “Everyone is so worried about their investments and security, they forget that their most important investment is in their health,” said Leigh Schade, owner of Contours Express in Florence. Contours Express is a fitness center dedicated to helping women achieve their fitness goals. A 29-minute investment in time, three times a week, can do wonders in improving your health, energy levels, and reduce mental stress. The proven Contours Express program consists of two components: fitness and weight loss. The center is designed especially for women. The unique program is centered on a 29minute workout involving both functional and cardio strength training using real weights for real results. A record of progress is kept with the workout card which provides accountability and guidance toward achieving one’s goals. Terri Andrews of Taylor Mill is living proof that the program works. With a proper diet and exercise she lost 90 pounds. “It feels incredible,” she said. “I have so much energy and I have confidence. I feel good.” Terri decided to make an investment in her health because she wants to someday see her youngest daughter’s children. “That wasn’t going to happen if I continued in the direction I was going,” she said. The support of close friends and the ladies she’s met at Contours Express keep her motivated. “My friends encourage me,” she said. “They’re excited for me and they love me.
“And Contours Express has just been amazing. Leigh is very supportive and she genuinely cares about each person who walks in the door.” Terri jokes that the first few times she completed the exercise routine she couldn’t move. “I was out off breath because I was so out of shape,” she said. “I was such a mess, but got better as the months progressed and now 11 months later …” “We can’t keep up with her,” chimed in Leigh. Leigh said seeing Terri’s progress is a “thrill.”
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From page 8 are robbing you of your sleep and quality of life, Dr. Timothy Kitzmiller and his team at Cincinnati Dental Sleep Medicine can help. From personalized referrals to a sleep lab for an accurate diagnosis, to reviewing your treatment options, Dr. Kitzmiller’s extensive training, experience, and personalized approach can put you on track to get the healthy sleep that your body needs. While CPAP is considered the gold standard in treating sleep apnea, many patients call the office telling us that they can’t tolerate CPAP therapy and want to try the Oral Appliance Therapy, said Dr. Kitzmiller. Want to learn more? Visit www.cincisleep.com or call 248-8848 to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn how Dr. Kitzmiller can help you get the healthy sleep you need to be your best!
The unique program is centered on a 29-minute workout involving both functional and cardio strength training using real weights for real results.
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“Her success shows that she’s doing what she’s supposed to do at the club and outside of the club.” Contours Express is currently partnered with St. Elizabeth Women’s Wellness Heart Center and Northern Kentucky CARE Collaborative for a Long Term Study for high blood pressure control related to lifestyle management. Last month Contours Express celebrated its first anniversary. “Women think about everyone else before they think of themselves,” Leigh said. “So, we at Contours Express are here to remind them to take care of themselves, to live healthier, happier lives.” For more information on Contours Express, call 282-7222 or visit the site at the Oakbrook Town Center in Florence.
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Simple ways to nurture Northern Kentucky day a positive body image camp offers fun, education
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ith spring around the corner, kids, tweens and teens across the country will doff sweaters for tank tops and jeans for shorts. And as a parent, you may feel more conscious than ever of our society’s preoccupation with body image and how it affects your child. Just as concerning as the rise in childhood obesity is the rising number of children – even very young children – who are obsessed with being thin. “We see children as young as 6 years old complaining that their stomachs stick out, or bragging about having the chicken pox because it means going to bed without dinner, which means fewer calories,” said Carolyn Costin, director of The Eating Disorder Center of California and the Monte Nido Treatment Center. “Kids see their moms and dads dieting and they want to diet too, even if they don’t need to,” she said. While not every child dissatisfied with his or her appearance will develop an eating disorder, a poor body image can have a serious, long-term impact on a child’s emotional well-being. So how do you help your daughter or son develop a healthy, realistic body image in a society obsessed with thin and beautiful? Know the signs of a problem First, parents need to be able to recognize when
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ummerCare 2009: Celebration of Friendship offers a summer filled with fun and educational activities for children ages 5 to 11. Days are filled with activities, visits and field trips that revolve around such weekly themes as: • Jurassic Giants • Picasso to Pop Art • Ocean Commotion • Knights and Princesses • Teepees and Totem Poles • Friendship Fair • Ancient Times • Rock Stars and Super Heroes In addition to the weekly theme activities, SummerCare will have plenty of special guests and field trips. Visitors include Mad Science of Cincinnati, Newport Aquarium, MadCap Puppets and many others! Field trips include outings for swimming, a picnic in the park, and visits to Coney Island and the Cincinnati Zoo. And don’t forget water fun days, cookouts and ice cream days! SummerCare will run June 8 through July 31 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at three locations: • Alexandria Educational Center, Alexandria
• Caywood Elementary School, Edgewood • Ockerman Elementary School, Florence Tuition is $128 per week, or $29 per day. Tuition assistance is available to families who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Programs are fully licensed by the state of Kentucky with superior adult-tochild ratios. Staff have special training in the care
SummerCare keeps kids’ brains growing with weekly themes... of school-age children, as well as CPR and first aid certifications. Children Inc. School Age Services SummerCare is a day camp providing positive social, recreational and educational experiences for elementary children. SummerCare keeps kids’ brains growing with weekly themes that make the fun and learning come alive with zany arts and crafts, science, reading, drama, math, service learning, dance, sports and good old-fashioned summertime adventure. For more information about Children Inc. or to register online, visit www.childreninc.org or call 431-2075.
Monart offers summer camps
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et creative with your child’s summer activities. Enroll them in a Monart School of the Arts summer camp. There they’ll learn to not only draw, but have fun while they learn. Monart is more than a method that teaches people how to draw. Leading educators recognize Monart as a teaching system that helps students to focus and concentrate, make decisions, solve problems, sequence and develop hand-eye coordination. In a peaceful, non-competitive envi-
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ronment students learn that drawing is a teachable subject in which anyone can be successful. “This method – highly endorsed by Harvard, the Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian – is structured to instill confidence, but also provides enough freedom for individual creative expression,” said owner Garrett Taylor. “It’s really a rewarding experience to see students who’ve never had any formal training leave with an art piece they’re excited about,” he said. For details, call 746-2787 or visit www.nkymonart.com.
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Why wait until summer?
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ou aren’t going to wait until summer to try and fit into that old swimsuit of yours. So why would you wait until school is out to get your kids involved in a great activity? Get them signed up now for something they can enjoy all summer long, and well beyond when school picks up again. It’s guaranteed to make your kids a little more focused, and your life a little less crazy. Tae kwon do isn’t just about kicking and punching. It’s about having an outlet for all that extra energy. It’s about getting away from the craziness of your regular day, and getting some stress relief. And at Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy, it’s about sharing an activity with your whole family and quality time with other great families in
Independence. The programs are designed to teach discipline, confidence, and respect. These are things that complement any other activity your family might be involved in, and certainly aspects that everyone can benefit from. With their flexible schedule (including summer day classes) and family discounts, DTA makes it easy to get the whole family involved. As Dominach’s Web page says, “Families that kick together, stick together!” Call DTA at 356-9976 to get your family signed up for something that may make this your best summer ever. You can also go online at www.DomTKD.com. Moms, be sure to ask about our cardio kickboxing program, TKD Lite. It’s all the fun, and half the fat of our regular tae kwon do classes.
From page 10 their child might have a serious problem. While the majority of young people with eating disorders are female, health professionals are seeing a rise in the number of boys and young men suffering from eating disorders and poor body image. Your child may have a problem if he or she: • Believes if you aren’t thin you aren’t attractive. • Thinks being thin is more important than being healthy. • Does anything to make themselves appear thinner – buying clothes, cutting their hair, taking laxatives or starving themselves. • Feels guilty after eating or punishes herself after eating fattening foods. • Counts calories and severely restricts calorie intake. • Is obsessed with weighing himself daily or sometimes multiple times each day. • Believes you can never be too thin. • Thinks that being thin and not eating are signs of will power and success. Foster a healthier body image The single most important way parents can help their children develop a
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healthy body image is to lead by example, Costin said. Children who hear their parents criticize themselves for being too fat will be more likely to think poorly of their own bodies. “Avoid saying negative things about your own or other people’s bodies, and work hard at promoting healthy body esteem,” she said. “This may be difficult, especially if your own mother was not a good role model of a healthy body image.” If you suspect your own body image and habits are not providing a healthful role model for your child, ask yourself if you would want her to imitate your dietary and exercise habits or self-image. Help children find constructive ways to be healthy, including maintaining a good diet and regular physical activity. Share healthful pursuits, such as learning to cook nutritious meals together, with your child. But be sure to go out for ice cream too; balance is the key. Help with and praise creative endeavors, and applaud small but meaningful internal accomplishments, like her ability to remain calm, his quick wit, his sense of humor, her empathy for others. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Give your child the best at Silverlake
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ake “I’m bored,” out of your child’s vocabulary this summer with the help of Silverlake Summer Camp. Silverlake “The Family Place” offers summer camps that are the ultimate in variety and excitement. It has perfected summer fun with sports clinics, enrichment activities, special visitors and field trips. This camp is for all kids, ages 3 and potty-trained to 13, both “bookworms” and “jumping beans” alike. A day in the life of a Silverlake summer camper includes the outdoor water park, gymnastics, library, soccer, crafts, yoga and relay races. The camp keeps kids moving from one activity to another so they can experience everything, and you’ll never hear them say the dreaded “I’m bored” all summer.
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The fun doesn’t have to wait until summer – you and your family can take part of Silverlake “The Family Place” now. Silverlake offers some of the most advanced fitness equipment in Northern Kentucky. It provides only the finest exercise apparatus, as well as friendly, attentive service, in a luxurious fitness center. Its goal is to provide a refreshingly positive workout experience and change the way people view health clubs. Guests enjoy an atmosphere of relaxation and cleanliness in the well-maintained facility, while being treated with respect by a professional staff. Silverlake is located in Erlanger on Kenton Lands Road between the Silverlake Park and Kenton County Library. Weekly summer camps run from May 26 through Aug. 21. Full-day and half-day programs
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are available, as well as discounts and payment plans. For more information or a tour, call Stephanie at 426-7777,
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ext. 41, send an e-mail to sgregg@silverlakefamily.com or visit www.silverlakefamily.com.
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