CreativeLiving Features 3 4 12
Prepare for your financial future Ask yourself these five vital questions.
Tips for taking the best care of your mouth Fight gum disease and tooth decay with these helpful tips.
Secrets of gracious holiday giving It’s the gift-giving season. Read about wonderful ideas to show how much you care.
Editor’s note Tis the season of giving! Oh, I just love this time of year. Giving – and yes, I’ll admit selfishly getting – gifts is so much fun. I love it all so much. I pride myself in finding the “perfect” gifts for those that I love so dear. Our main feature this month shares the secrets to gracious holiday gift-giving. Be sure to check it out for some wonderful ideas. With all the hustle and bustle, however, let us not forget the true meaning of the holiday season! Until next year, God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Specialty Publications Editor
Contact
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Topics Planning 3 Financial Advice
Living 8 Senior Apartments • Care
& Fitness 4 Health Mind • Body • Spirit
Home 10 At Decor • Repair
Business 7 Local Restaurants • Shops
Minute Gift Guide 11 Last Specialty shops
Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsored magazine published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.
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. For advertising call 687-4614.
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Five vital questions to prepare for your financial future
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ave you ever wondered if you’ll be able to afford retirement? Do you question if your finances will keep you afloat if your family were to experience a medical emergency or another expensive and unplanned event?
“Financial awareness and education are extremely important, which is why people need to take a moment and think about their areas of need and risk and determine which steps are the best ones to take to develop a strong financial future,” said Michael R. Fanning, executive vice president, U.S. Insurance Group, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Take one hour to review your finances and discover if there are areas where your plans can be stronger. Here are five questions created by financial experts at MassMutual to ask yourself:
1. What are my goals? Before you get started, determine what you need to finance, especially in the future. Some typical goals to consider include home ownership, starting a family, paying for college tuition and financial independence.
CreativeLiving Celebrate your business! Invite your neighbors to the party. Call 687-4614 to advertise!
2. Who depends on me? Part two of determining your goals is assessing who depends on you financially, including a spouse, children and parents or inlaws. These dependents can change – for example your children may leave the house when they graduate – so you might want to take that into consideration and re-evaluate FINANCIAL see page 4
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Tips on taking the best care of your mouth
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ou eat with it, you communicate with it, you even show your undying affection with it – so why not take care of it? Consider these oral care tips from New York-based dentist, John E. Dodes.
Don’t ignore that reminder card Nearly 75 percent of American adults suffer from various forms of periodontal (gum) disease and don’t know it. Visiting your dentist twice a year is the best way to maintain good oral health and treat problems early that may be both costly and painful down the road.
The world isn’t flat and neither is your mouth Brushing may clean your teeth, but what about the other surfaces in your mouth that harbor bad breath germs? That’s why adding a mouthwash to your daily routine is essential to clean what brushing and flossing may miss. TIPS see page 5
FINANCIAL from page 3 your plan during the course of your life.
4. What do I need?
When you have your risks and goals all lined up, set out to answer the 3. What are my risks? Assessing gaps in your question: What do I need to make my finances coverage is a vital step in stronger? the planning process For example, whole because it allows you to life insurance can help create a Plan B. Common provide security to your risks include dying too family if you were to die soon or living too long, getting hurt, being unable at a young age. It is also a to work due to a job layoff product that accumulates or illness, being retired on cash value, a component that can help at home in a fixed income but facing the face of unexpected increasing health care costs or owning your own emergencies or to supplement retirement income. business and not being If you’re a small busiable to sell it when you ness owner, you could need to retire.
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take a loan from your whole life policy to help with payroll until receivables come in, for example. While the above options are valid solutions for many, keep in mind that access to cash values through borrowing or partial surrenders will reduce the policy’s cash value and death benefit. It can also increase the chance the policy will lapse, and may result in a tax liability if the policy terminates before the insured dies. Consulting a trained financial professional is recommended. Disability income
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insurance insures a portion of your income against an unexpected injury or illness that leaves a person unable to work and provide for family. Some carriers also offer retirement contribution protection, in the event of a disabling illness or injury.
5. Who should I talk to? If you feel you need assistance in strengthening your finances, consider involving a financial professional to help guide you through the process. This person can give you
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an outside opinion, which is helpful when dealing with emotional issues involving the people you love. A financial services professional can also suggest sound strategies you might not know about. And lastly, be prudent. It is important to work with a financially strong, reliable company with a long track record of performance like MassMutual. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
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Achieve your goals with help from Snap Fitness Most people are looking for ways to improve their health, but there is no easy solution. Whether it’s weight loss, sports training, losing that last 10 to 15 pounds or simply looking to maintain current levels so you can continue to perform the activities that make life wonderful such as keeping up with your kids (or grandkids), it can be a challenge to find the right solution. At Snap Fitness they understand that people
want to improve their health and there are very good reasons why we struggle. They want to help you achieve the results you are looking for so that you have the capability and energy to fully enjoy your life. Snap Fitness offers a very friendly fitness environment and chances are that many of your friends and neighbors belong to Snap Fitness in Milford. To help you get started, our certified fitness professionals will spend
hours with you to understand your goals. They will also ensure you have a comprehensive exercise and nutrition plan that is easy to understand and follow. They will also follow up with you periodically to check your progress and answer any questions you may have. They know the first few months are the most critical when starting a new habit and they want to support you along the way.
At Snap Fitness they focus on their members enjoying their workout experience and being comfortable and confident. They want to ensure that you are successful in achieving your goals. One brand-new tool (that is proprietary to Snap Fitness) that makes it easier for members to remain motivated to achieve their goals is easyFIT. EasyFIT is a complete fitness program with a
small, portable device that constantly monitors your daily activity. Combined with mysnapfitness.com, it provides online resources and support to help you reach your goal. If you are interested in some support to achieve your goals, please contact Jen Main and Patti Laughlin 248-0063 or check out the website www.snapfitness.com/ milford2.
TIPS from page 4 unwanted spots.
Consider two-in-one formulas Coffee can discolor teeth, so if you are a coffee lover and in need of a whiter smile, look for products like toothpastes and rinses with peroxide and fluoride. They can whiten teeth and restore enamel. Additionally, foods like celery, apples and carrots act as a natural stain remover to scrub away some of those
Technique matters There’s a proper way to brush and floss. If you’re unfamiliar with the correct technique, ask your dentist for help. You can also visit the American Dental Association’s website to watch some great tutorials on proper technique. Courtesy of ARA Content
Tell your neighbors your story Call 687-4614
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What to do about those holiday blues This season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many of us, it’s the most annoying and stressful. • A change in appetite, • Difficulty concentrating For some the especially a craving for • Irritability and anxiety Christmas music sweet or starchy foods • Increased sensitivity to gets old by • Weight gain social rejection Thanksgiving. • A drop in energy level • Avoidance of social sitOthers just aren’t • Fatigue uations and a loss of able to feel that holi• A tendency to overinterest in the activities day spirit that sleep you used to enjoy everyone keeps yapping about. And for a select few it’s actually even And let’s not even mention the traffic, worse. the cold, the cranky crowds. All of this (and more not mentioned It can be a that time of the year when here) can cause feelings of dread, anxiyou have to, once again, meet up with “those” people – you know, the in-laws, ety, depression or a combination of all three. the exes or even your own family. Medically, the phenomenon of For the unattached, it can be the time Seasonal Affective Disorder also starts of the year when you’re reminded repeatedly that you’re single – as one of kicking into high gear. This is a type of depression that has Katkin & Associates’ clients said, been linked to the shortening sunlight Christmas can feel like “Singles hours. The symptoms of Seasonal Awareness Day.” This is the time of year when we find Affective Disorder are just like depression, but they occur during the winter ourselves missing relatives and friends time, with its limited daylight hours. who are no longer with us, bringing The Winter Solstice, the shortest day back a new wave of grieving. of the year, is Dec. 22. Any or all of the above can cause people to feel blue instead joyous, anxiety instead of excitement. Managing these feelings and coping with these stressors can be the best gift you can give yourself and your family. Many people try to go without help, and when they do that, they can find themselves suffering more than needed-or even worse, they can become that dreaded relative everyone wants to avoid during the holiday season. Give Katkin & Associates a call at 831-9408 or check out our website: www.KatkinTherapy.com. They have friendly, understanding counselors who are willing to help you get through these holiday blues.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Holiday blues.
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A taste of the finest seafood Kevin Smith is a native of Swan’s Island, Maine, and a third-generation fisherman who knows the best, freshest seafood when he sees it. Fortunately for those of us in Cincinnati, Kevin opened Lobsta Bakes of Maine in March 2009, in one of Newtown’s quaint, turn-of-the-previous-century homes, and made it his goal to bring the landlocked region top quality fresh fish, shellfish, and handcrafted, gourmet takeaway foods served up by friendly, helpful employees. Kevin and his crew Live lobsters at the “lobsta house” are just waiting to grace enthusiasts’ plates. believe in small, independent businesses and All Lobsta Bakes employees are envistrive to make customers’ shopping ronmentally conscious and they recycle experiences fun and rewarding. as much as possible while always lookSince fresh seafood is so perishable, ing for ways to increase recycled volKevin tries to order only as much as the ume. Compostable food containers go shop can sell in a day, and on occasion home with everyone who buys prepared runs out of something. food. He encourages customers to call During warmer months, a small, ahead and request something be put organic kitchen garden provides fresh aside for their dining plans. greens and tomatoes used in Lobsta Of interest to foodies, the same great Bakes’ handcrafted foods. seafood in the displays is also used in The cooking staff has impressive homemade soups and house-smoked cooking credentials. fish, spreads, and artisanal smoked According to Ben Sargent, Brooklyn seafood sausages and smoked salmon Chowder Surfer and host of the Cooking brats. A creative and delicious change of Channel’s Hook, Line, and Dinner: pace from the norm in these parts. “Make friends with the fishermen.” Rest Kevin has lifelong relationships with assured, Kevin is friends with the fisheractive fishermen and calls upon them men as one of their own. for their best catches. Lobsta Bakes has been awarded the The fish arrive daily from the coast Best of the City award. after Kevin painstakingly sources what Surprisingly enough, Lobsta Bakes is is in-season during and after shop also a great blueberry pie maker – they hours. are so popular among customers and At a time of year when people are have been called, “absolutely outstandtempted to overeat hearty, high-calorie ing.” comfort foods, seafood is a smart choice Lobsta Bakes of Maine hours: for those who don’t want to rack up Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6:30 winter pounds, yet crave tasty, nutrient- p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call dense dining. 561-0444 or visit www.lobstabakes.com. There are even live lobsters at the Lobsta Bakes is located at 3533 “lobsta house” just waiting to grace Church Street, Newtown, and Twitter enthusiasts’ plates. You can request to and Facebook pages are in the works. have the lobsters steamed for no extra charge as an added bonus to a scrumptious meal.
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It’s more fun at By Golly’s By Golly’s in Milford is offering new Sunday dinner specials from noon to 10 p.m. Choose from a sirloin steak, barbecue chicken, teriyaki chicken, pork chop, or spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread for $9.99. So what all comes with these specials? How about a non-alcoholic drink, salad, baked potato, and a dessert. Are you kidding me? Don’t forget kids eat free Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.
In January, By Golly’s will begin to show its Sunday Night Matinee Movie on the 100-inch projection screen downstairs. The movies are all kid-friendly and the popcorn is free. Mondays still bring half off for dinein customers all day. Every Tuesday night join in on team trivia at 7 p.m. Thursday nights bring karaoke at 9 p.m. and starting Jan. 8 a competition kicks off with a $500 grand prize.
Enjoy the best years of your life at Sutton Grove Enjoy the best years of your life making friends, being active, living fulfilled at Sutton Grove. Fun. Comfortable. Relaxing. Secure. That’s what you call home – that’s what you’ll call Sutton Grove. Sutton Grove is a hidden treasure in the heart of Mount Washington, within walking distance to Kroger, local banks, the library, post office and pharmacy. It is a peaceful and secluded independent retirement community designed for your pleasure and living enjoyment. Seventy-five spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments are located on
three floors. Elevator service accesses the second and third floors. The apartments are unfurnished, so you can surround yourself with your own furniture, pictures and decorations so you feel right at home. Weekly housekeeping, nutritious meals and most activities are included in your monthly rent, which starts at the reasonable rate of $950 a month. There are pet-friendly and pet-free areas, as well. Residents also have the choice to have meals included in their rent or cook on their own. Although Sutton Grove is an independent living community, personalized
support and health care services can be designed for your individual needs by a home health care agency. The home health care agency, on-site seven days a week, helps to promote maximum independence and dignity while providing such services as bathing, dressing, medication reminders and assistance with other daily living activities. More importantly, you’re not just a resident at Sutton Grove, you’re a member of a family. You’re known by name and cared about. For more information or to arrange a tour, call 231-0008.
Sutton Grove in Mount Washington.
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Mitzvah Day to be held Dec. 24 at Cedar Village In 1997, two Cincinnati Jewish nursing homes, Glen Manor and the Orthodox Jewish Home, merged and became Cedar Village. With this merger many rich and wonderful traditions were begun. One of them was the annual Christmas Mitzvah Day, formerly known as Switch Day. Switch Day was implemented by the Orthodox Jewish Home Auxiliary. This group of dedicated community volunteers and their families would come in and perform the work of the non-Jewish staff on Christmas Day. The idea was conceived by Frieda Aaron, who had worked at the Orthodox Jewish Home as director of activities, and is currently a resident life coordinator at Cedar Village. Local doctors, nurses, family members, and community volunteers would come in and assist so the non-Jewish staff could enjoy their Christmas holiday at home with their families. From that first Christmas to today, the tradition is still carried on at Cedar Village. Though volunteers are unable to take over for all staff that day, they do provide assistance to the many dedicated employees on Christmas Day. Each year on Cedar Village’s Mitzvah Day, more than 100 community volunteers assist with programs, serve meals, perform light housekeeping, cook, greet, assist in the deli, and provide assistance in many other capacities. One very special project is delivering
Christmas gifts to the non-Jewish residents. Although many volunteers from the community participate, it is the core group of dedicated, hard-working Friends of Cedar Village volunteers who do a yeoman’s job each year. The Friends of Cedar Village auxiliary volunteers have been active participants since the Orthodox Jewish Home days. Mitzvah Day is the chance to make a difference in the lives of the nearly 300 residents who call Cedar Village their home. A group of volunteers from the Rockdale Temple Brotherhood look forward to Mitzvah Day each year. Beginning early in the morning, almost 50 congregates arrive to make a spectacular pancake breakfast for the residents. “It is a huge undertaking and we love every minute of it,” said Gerry Korkin, former president of Rockdale Temple. “Dozens and dozens of homemade pancakes are cooked on the griddle at the same time, and then served hot and fresh with butter and syrup,” said Korkin. “We know the residents at Cedar Village enjoy this every year,” he said, “but not more than we do. Coming back year after year – and seeing the big smiles on their faces – is the reward for this labor of love.” he said.
C r e a t i v e Living Your neighbors will love reading about you
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Quality hardwood floors at Bluford Jackson Oak floors add to the value of a house, and lend a richness and warmth to the family homestead. Hardwood floors also add class to commercial buildings, boosting the value of a business, and encouraging people to become customers. Bluford Jackson and Son Hardwood Flooring has been in business since 1919, when Bluford Jackson started the business in Madeira. They have since moved to 910 US Highway 50 in Milford, where they are located now. “That was my greatgrandfather,” said Ryan Jackson, who along with his grandfather, John, now run the business. “He started the busi-
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ness, and set the standards high, which is what we follow now. We listen to our customers, and that insures satisfaction.” Bluford Jackson and Son has been the leading source of hardwood flooring in the Cincinnati area for over 90 years.
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They specialize in installing and refinishing hardwood flooring at a competitive price for both residential and commercial buildings. “All of our flooring is the highest quality oak, which comes from Monticello, Kentucky, and Portsmouth, Ohio, among other places,” said Jackson. “The brands that we use are 3M, Oshkosh Designs, and Dura Seal, because they are known
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for their intricate craftsmanship, their durability, style and aesthetic appeal,” he said. According to Jackson, there are not many problems the company cannot remedy. “A lot of what we do is tearing up carpets and putting in new wood floors,” explained Jackson. “Sometimes people have a bad stain in a small part of their floor, but it happens to be very visible. Usually we can sand that stain on site, and then make it match the rest of the floor. Other times we tear up the tile in a kitchen, and replace it with hardwood floor that complements the rest of the room,” he said. Bluford Jackson and
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Son offers a variety of styles, woods and finishes, and some of those can be seen on their website at www.blufordjackson.com. The company has 19 employees who are all trained in the superb installation techniques used by the company. “One of the things about our refinishing is that we use a dustless sanding method,” said Jackson. “We have a trailer that we park in the driveway, and it allows us to get rid of almost every bit of dust, so the homeowner doesn’t have to deal with the dust,” he said. If a floor is water soaked, Jackson says fans QUALITY see page 14
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Make spirits bright with Meier’s holiday recipes It’s that time of year when you are most likely to be hosting a party with friends or family. Make that gathering a little more festive and special by extending the holiday spirit to the drinks and refreshments you offer your guests. Meier’s has the recipes that are easy to make and are sure to please your holiday guests. Meier ’s Spiced Wine – Nothing could be easier to make than to warm up Meier’s Spiced Wine in a crock pot. Garnish the pot with orange or apple slices but really all the spices you need are already in the wine. The wine is a blend of hearty grape wine and spices that will surely add to your holiday enjoyment. Serve warm with a cinnamon stick. Hot Spice Cider – Another warmed beverage that is best prepared about an hour before your guests arrive. Add 12 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 ⁄4 tsp. allspice to 1 bottle of Meier’s Sparkling Apple Juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Remove the spices and serve warm in mugs. It’s a great way to enjoy the chilly weather with friends. From traditional sparkling wine punches to something non-alcoholic, Meier’s has two recipes that are sure to please your holiday guests.
Meier’s Classic Champagne Punch Two 750 mL bottles of Reiem Extra Dry Champagne
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One 750 mL bottle of Meier’s Sauternes Wine 1 can frozen lemonade concentrate 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate 3 cans water 4 cups cubed canned pineapple drained 1 quart club soda
ents just before serving in a punch bowl with ice.
Meier’s Mulled Port After dinner, soothe
your guests with a glass of Meier’s mulled port. Two 750 mL bottles of Meier’s No. 44 Ruby Port 1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves 1 whole nutmeg Strip of fresh orange peel MEIER’S see page 12
Combine lemonade and orange juice concentrates, water and pineapple in a punch bowl. Add Meier’s Sauternes Wine, club soda and a block of ice. Just before serving add chilled Reiem Extra Dry Champagne. Garnish with fruit like strawberries or grapes. Makes about 30 servings.
Meier’s Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Punch This is a fun recipe great for kids and those who wish to avoid alcohol. Two 750 mL bottles of Meier’s Sparkling Pink Catawba or White Catawba 100 percent Grape Juice 1 can lemonade concentrate 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup cold water 3 cups chilled ginger ale Combine all ingredients just before serving in a punch bowl with ice.
Meier’s Sparkling Cider Punch Two 750 mL bottles of Meier’s Sparkling 100 percent Apple Juice 1 can of lemonade concentrate 28 oz. of ginger ale Slices of red and green apples Combine all ingredi-
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Secrets of gracious holiday giving
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great gift, given in a way that tells the recipient how much he or she is valued, respected and wished well, is the essence of the holiday spirit.
• Food is a classic holiday gift. It can be personal (such as the recipient’s favorite holiday cookies), or broad enough in appeal to satisfy a group with varying tastes (such as a box of chocolates for a family or office mates).
Melting Snowman cookies.
• Play the thoughtful host and ensure your guest room is well stocked for the holidays. In addition to all the necessities, don’t overlook the niceties, which should include a modest • A gift is a warm yet cherished token that Decades ago, when the and touching way to say guests can enjoy while rhythm of life seemed more “thank you.” The holithey visit, or take with sedate, gift-givers probably days are a time for cele- them when they depart. had more time to invest in bration, but also to Decades ago, considering a gift and shopexpress gratitude – to Grandma might have set ping for it. a decorative tin, filled Today’s hectic pace, how- those you love and also to those with whom you with homemade cookies, ever, can make gift giving a enjoy a professional rela- in the guest room for challenge, even for the most tionship, whether it’s the visitors to enjoy dedicated giver. baby sitter or a client. throughout their stay. You can recapture the Thank-you gifts Modern hosts might grace and thoughtfulness of a should be planned in present some indulgent bygone era this holiday seaadvance to allow yourbutter toffee for guests son with a few tips: self plenty of time to to savor. find just the right, thoughtful gift. Tailor • Be a helpful guest. your thank-you gift Grandma would never according to the relahave thought of arriving tionship you share with at a party empty handed the recipient. during the holidays. Something homeYou can improve made might delight upon that classic your child’s teacher, thoughtfulness by sendwhile a business coling food gifts ahead of league would appreciate time, rather than bomsomething light-hearted barding your host with and surefire, like armloads of stuff when
you walk through the door. A dramatic red velvet cake will be warmly welcomed as a kind treat for your hosts and their family to enjoy while they prepare for their party. And they’ll anticipate your visit all the more as they enjoy the fruits of your thoughtfulness. • Teach children the joys of giving. Involve children in your holiday gift-giving preparations, from writing the shopping list to wrapping and presenting presents. Encourage them to remember by name those who deserve special thanks at the holidays, from neighbors and baby sitters to grandparents and teachers. Teaching children about giving reminds them there’s more to the holidays than just getting presents themselves. Courtesy of ARA Content
MEIER’S from page 11 Place all ingredients in a 2-quart sauce pan. Bring to a full simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 20 minutes. Remove spices and serve warm. Meier’s sparkling juices and wines can be found at their Retail Store and Wine Shop that is located just 1.5 miles south of the Kenwood Towne Centre on Plainfield Road. Visit www.meierswinecellars.com
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for more information and more recipes. There you will find recipes for glazed baby carrots and sherried sweet potatoes that will add to your holiday feast. Meier’s is Ohio’s oldest and largest winery, founded in 1890 and is celebrating 120 years of great winemaking. Try a wide selection of table wines, award winning dessert wines, champagnes and vermouths. The wine shop offers a variety of
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affordable wine related gifts, winemaking supplies along with a selection of sparkling non-alcoholic 100 percent juices that will add to any special occasion. So stop by for that special gift for friend, neighbor, mail carrier, teacher and anyone you wish to show your appreciation for all they do for you. Drink responsibly and happy holidays from Meier’s Wine Cellars!
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Get stylish this Christmas at Urban Chick Whether it’s for yourself or a gift for a special someone, Urban Chick, 6740 Clough Pike, is the place to shop. Thanks to Terri Smith and her new fashion forward boutique, urban style can now be found in suburban Anderson. Urban Chick features an eclectic mix of clothes, jewelry, handbags and scarves from a variety of today’s hottest designers. Urban Chick is completely and utterly for and about women, of all ages, in fact! It’s the perfect stop during a girl’s night out. Prices are affordable and fair, you can find anything from a lovely necklace for $10 to a hip jacket
for $150. inviting. Smith is also the owner The staff is friendly of True Colors salon in and can assist you with Anderson and has finding the perfect item enjoyed her experience of being a business owner in the community for the last 11 years. With a variety of stylish items and art pieces that are as unique as you are and at prices that won’t break the bank, Urban Chick has everything you need to spruce up your personal style or find that one-of-a-kind Christmas gift that will have your girlfriends desperate to discover where you do your holiday shopping. The warehouse-apartment setup is fun and
for you or a friend. It’s a great place to do your holiday shopping too!
Check out Urban Chick on Facebook or call 2332445 for more information.
Say Merry Christmas with Markus Jewelers You’re almost out of time! No worries, however, with Markus Jewelers in the area. As always, their holidays are sparkling with diamonds and precious stones of the highest quality. There is something beautiful for everyone and every budget this year at Markus Jewelers. Markus Jewelers is upto-date on all the latest trends, including alternative metals such as stainless steel, sterling silver, titanium and tungsten. These pieces offer a big, beautiful, unforgettable look for a reasonable price. Be sure to check out Charinsky, an exclusive hand-made line. Markus Jewelers is Anderson Township’s only full service jewelry
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store with two experienced jewelers on the premises. Customers from all over the tri-state are taking advantage of the on-site repair services including chain repair, ring sizing and restringing. Watch band and batteries are done while you wait. The jewelers at Markus are also experts in repair work, carefully mending a broken piece with skilled craftsmanship. Call 474-4950 for more information or visit Markus Jewelers at 2022 Eight Mile Road. They are also offering wish lists. Fill one out for your loved ones to make their shopping days easier and be automatically signed up to win a special prize. A drawing will be held Dec. 20.
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The best Christmas… ever You awaken to the sounds of the “wild” parrots in the swaying palm trees. As you step off your porch, you spy the numerous other colorful, tropical birds amid the lush foliage surrounding the gently flowing stream in front of your cottage. Down the path – two quick turns – and you’re passing the lounge chairs and umbrellas around the crystal clear water of the swimming pool. A few more steps and the azure blue water of the Caribbean comes into view directly in front of you.
Turn right and you’re in the spectacular outdoor dining room overlooking the sea, where both old and new friends are waiting with warm greetings and hot coffee. Following a good breakfast and great camaraderie, you leave your table and head down the walkway to the waiting boat where more friends welcome you aboard. Ten minutes later, you’re under way to enjoy the thrill of “Flying without wings” while you “visit” some of the most fascinating creatures – in the most beautiful scenery
– imaginable. You have set aside your everyday life for a time … You are a SCUBA diver. “This is the lifestyle we live … where we enjoy ‘The Experience of a Lifetime - Every Time,’ ” said Jim Barrie, owner of The Scuba Shack in Florence. Visit The Scuba Shack’s website at www.TheScubaPlace.com or call 283-1550 to find out how easy it is to put a new diver’s kit and gift certificate under the tree this year, and … Give the gift of a lifetime.
QUALITY from page 10 can be used to dry it out, and then they use sanding to try and restore the floor to a new beauty. If it can’t be saved, the company will replace the floor, and some of the designs they are able to install are stunning. “We don’t do structural problems, where the basic structure needs repair,” said Jackson. “But most of the cosmetic damage we can repair or replace.” At a time when so many jobs are outsourced overseas, and much of the industry that made America great is no longer on the rise, it is refreshing that Bluford Jackson and Son uphold the high standards in business that pays its way forward from an era when America’s pride was high. When customers call
513-831-6231, they can rest assured that qualified technicians will be on their job. “We have always tried to do the highest quality work that we can possibly do,” said John Jackson, whose father started the business. “I am proud that our business has such a history of quality. “I remember a young lady who called me and wanted me to do her floors in a house in Indian Hill, and she told me our company did flooring for her grandma, and her mother, and now she wanted us to do hers. “I am also proud that my grandson has taken over so well. It makes me feel good that we have such a great company,” he said.
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Dec. 8-9, 2010
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The holiday season is a pawn us It’s that time of year when holiday wishes can come true. It comes with a warm feeling from the cookies baking in the oven and the delicious aroma of a home for the holiday’s dinner. The eyes dance from all the twinkling lights and jolly music. Feet are sore from whirlwindmarathon shopping, but it’s a happy tired as the presents are wrapped and placed away for safe keeping. The season can be full of so many merry activities; it can be fun to be of good cheer. That is, until the cash runs short and credit card bills start to arrive. And no matter how much creative budgeting is done, living paycheck to paycheck becomes harder and harder. These days, everyone is affected in some way from a tighter economy. Making ends meet is more than taking on that seasonal job. The good news is there is a place to go for help. Facet Jewelry, Music & Pawn is all about making holiday wishes come true. As a licensed pawnbroker by the state of Ohio, Facet Jewelry, Music & Pawn can loan cash on your items of value and that includes your jewelry. Unlike the swarming amount of gold buyers advertising great deals, Facet doesn’t just buy or pawn on just your gold. They pay for your gem stones and take into consideration your items’ marketability. With two locations that have retail showrooms, Facet has the opportunity to resell your jewelry and not melt it down as is often done by the average gold buyer. Better options are also given if you need cash but don’t wish to part with your cherished items. Facet can loan you cash against your item in the form of a pawn. No dealing with the bank’s denial to your small loan. There are no credit checks or applica-
East | Northeast
tions to fill out. holiday season! Once you pay back the cash Facet has a variety of merloan, you can get your treasured chandise for your holiday shoppiece back. You may redeem your ping ease. They carry anything item in as few as three days or from flat screen televisions, digiFacet can hold your item as coltal cameras, iPods, camcorders, lateral for a minimum of 100 gaming systems, video games, days. DVDs, Blu-rays, stereo systems, You may extend that 100 day tools, sporting goods, firearms to period by making payments so much more! towards the finance charge, which consists of 5 percent of principal plus $4 per month. Of course, better still, if you no longer want your jewelry or other items of value, Facet will buy them for cash. Taking advantage of this opportunity during high gold prices is a great option. Think of all those gifts you could buy! Trade-ins are very popular as well. People who like to upgrade or change their Facet can help make your holiday wishes come true! jewelry style take advantage of the great deal The music department at Facet of double the cash offer for their is as large as many independent trade-in. music stores. Guitars, drums, Maybe there’s an item such as amplifiers, disc jockey equipthat nice Gibson Les Paul guitar ment, studio speakers to all sorts you’ve had your eye on, or of band instruments desired for maybe that Remington 870, Facet play, Facet has it. will let you trade towards the New and pre-owned handprice! guns can be found in their Options like this are too good firearms department. You may to pass up especially during the also see rifles, shotguns, knives,
Dec. 8-9, 2010
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bows and accessories. Facet has the right firearm for you whether you’re a hunter, collector or just concerned about protection. Celebrating in 2011, having been in business for more than 20 years, Facet is locally owned and operated and serves the Cincinnati community. So, no need to ship off your valuables to strangers in another city for an estimate. No need to deal with the in and out the door gold buyers. Facet can help! With jewelry being the heart of Facet, each of the two locations has expert jewelers on staff and all of the custom designs are performed on-site. How romantic would a holiday proposal be? Rivaling some of the largest stores in the Tristate is the selection of new and estate pieces at Facet. Repairs are also done by Facet’s experienced jewelers. Whether you need appraisals, engraving, remounts, or watch batteries, all types of repairs are available as an express service or while you wait. But wait, there’s more! Facet offers 60 day layaway. So make your holiday shopping stress free, by shopping early and placing items in their convenient layaway! Visit one of their showrooms this season and you’ll be sure to catch the holiday buzz. It’s entirely possible to see an elf wrapping your purchases. They are located in Amelia on State Route 125 four miles from Interstate 275 and in Milford in the Milford Shopping Center across from McDonald’s. Check out the web site shopfacet.com for a preview or for more information. Be sure to friend Facet on Facebook for special sale insights! There’s no other place as dedicated to making holiday wishes come true. It’s not fantasy, it’s Facet.
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