CreativeLiving Features 5 8 9
Entertaining tips Shape up your home for any occasion
What to do if your child is being bullied Tips on how to handle this very serious situation
Create lasting memories Learn about personal and visual ways to remember those you love
Editor’s note I just love playing hostess. Opening up my home to family and friends is something I cherish. I’m sure it’s important to you as well. That’s why this month we’ve included a feature story on how to prepare your home for guests on any occasion. Also, in this issue you’ll learn how to deal with the bully problem. Another topic dear to my heart is memories. Learn about a variety of ways you can honor the memories of your loved ones through personal and visual memorials. Have a great read.
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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Topics Home 3 At Decor • Repair
6 Local Business Goods • Services
7 Senior Living
Apartments • Care
8 Funeral &
Estate Planning
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Memorial • Services
Health & Fitness Mind • Body • Spirit
12 Dining & Entertaining Restaurants
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 936-3366.
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Vinyl vs. wood windows; guess who’s winning? Loveland homeowners with wood windows are discovering that when their wood windows are ready for retirement, vinyl can truly be a smarter answer, thanks to Brian Martin and Dan Partin, co-owners of J.K.Best Construction Company. “Most people today are fed up with wood windows and all the maintenance that goes along with them,” Martin said. “They want to spend less money and have a maintenance free, energy efficient window without losing any of the cosmetic appeal of wood.” Partin added, “We believe that unless someone has their heart set on wood and is willing to make the investment on an upper end wood window, it’s wiser to buy a high-end vinyl window than a cheap wood window. Just to be able to say you have wood windows doesn’t mean you’re getting the most for the money you’re spending.” “We were dead set on wood windows before we talked with Brian and Dan,” said Jean Garboden of Loveland. “In fact, we originally thought we had to replace all of our windows at the same time. J.K.Best provided us with such valuable education about windows that we took an entirely different approach.” Brian explained that Jean and Mark Garboden’s home had wood window sills that were rotting and allowing water penetration into the home. “Most companies would have recommended replacing every window in the home. That
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would have cost a tremendous amount of money,” he said. Partin said that J.K.Best tackled this job very differently than most contractors. “We wanted to make sure that the Garbodens were totally satisfied with the outcome and especially pleased that they didn’t spend money needlessly,” he added. So the company repaired the wood windows and window sills that could be restored to near brand-new. They
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replaced only the two that were “too far gone” with the Alliance Envirosealed Window. “We were thrilled with the outcome,” Jean Garboden said. “From the outside or the inside, it’s nearly impossible to tell that our new windows aren’t wood. But when you get close, feel how easy they are to operate, and look at their clean lines, then it’s easy to tell.”
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Surprisingly affordable custom window treatments Nothing compares to custom-made window treatments to add quality and personality in your home. Now you can get an unbelievable selection of custom window treatment designs and designer fabrics at surprisingly affordable prices direct from The Decorators Workroom. Each of their exceptional window treatments comes direct from their workroom to you, with no middleman adding extra charges.
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“I priced what I wanted at a local drapery store. I couldn’t believe the cost. I was ready to settle for readymade window treatments, but they looked like everyone else’s windows and were really a bit skimpy,” said Anna Rumsey of Anderson. “Then a friend recommended The Decorators Workroom. I couldn’t believe the selection or the price – it was half the cost of the drapery store - and they installed my new treatment in just a few
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weeks. Everything was tailor-made for my windows. I love it and the savings!” A designer from The Decorators Workroom will come to your home for a no-cost consultation at a time that’s convenient for you. She’ll listen to what you want, take precise measurements, and offer lots of ideas and fabrics to choose from – all of which you can see right there coordinating with your existing furniture and colors. Or, you can provide your own fabric and The Decorators Workroom will custom design for you. They will even duplicate a treatment you found in a magazine. “I wanted something unique for my kitchen,” said Nancy Kramer of Milford. “Their decorator designed a valance using two complimentary fabrics that I picked out. She even added cute button tabs for the rod – all for $179!” “Decorators Workroom made Roman shades for my great room,” said Ellie Donnellan of Montgomery. “I picked this gorgeous fabric that brought together all the colors in the room. The quality was great and the end result is just perfect.” Window creations from The Decorators Workroom are made by hand to your exact requirements with
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top-of-the-line fabrics, trim and workmanship. You’ll notice the difference in the suppleness of the fabric, the richness of the colors, and the way your treatment hangs. All this and surprisingly affordable, too! The Decorators
loon shades, or classic swags and jabots, The Decorators Workroom is your source for surprisingly affordable designs. They even offer custom made bedding. “I just couldn’t find a comforter that I really fell in love with. Then I found
“I couldn’t believe the selection or the price – it was half the cost of the drapery store - and they installed my new treatment in just a few weeks. Everything was tailormade for my windows. I love it and the savings!”
– Anna Rumsey, Anderson Workroom also offers a wide selection of rods and finials, custom wood and faux wood blinds and shutters, soft shades, woven woods and vertical blinds all at deeply discounted prices. Professional installation is always available. Check out the Nancy’s kitchen window treatment in The Decorators Workroom ad on this page. Whether you’re looking for custom Roman shades, upholstered cornices, creative valances and toppers, bal-
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a fabric that was perfect. The Decorators Workroom not only made a custom comforter for me using that fabric along with a coordinating bed skirt and bolster pillows, they also constructed an upholstered headboard and window treatments in coordinating fabrics,” said Jodi Schultzman of Mason. “I now have exactly what I want.” Call 515-1138 to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment with an interior designer from The Decorators Workroom.
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A T WINDOWS from page 3 Partin said that when a homeowner insists on wood because that’s what they have, we provide them. He added that when it comes to vinyl windows, the Alliance Envirosealed™ Window is the only one they recommend and sell because it provides consumers with the best value and return on investment. “They’re great. We never have to go back to adjust a window,” he said.
Reasons why people replace windows The primary reason consumers look to replace windows is for energy savings. Partin explained that the Federal government is currently offering a tax credit to homeowners when they replace old windows with those that have a .30 U factor or less. Alliance Envirosealed™ Windows have a .29 U factor. “One client told us they are seeing an impressive 30% reduction in their electric bill as a result of installing this window throughout their home,” Martin said. According to Partin, homeowners also like the way the Alliance Envirosealed™ Window looks. “Wood windows have small stiles and rails. People don’t want to see vinyl,” Partin said. “They want to look out the window.” To accomplish this, the Alliance Envirosealed™ Window reinforces its vinyl with aluminum. This allows them to use more glass and less vinyl so it looks like a wood window. Bargain vinyl windows require more vinyl in order to do their job. Another plus for the Alliance Envirosealed™ Windows is its ability to fit into any décor. The windows are available in seven of the most common wood window colors. Finally, comes ease of operation. Martin explained how he once found himself in a competitive situation against two window contractors. The prize was a
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250-window contract at a local convent. He explained that many of the nuns were getting up in years and the contest was to see which window the nuns liked best and were easiest for them to operate. “The Alliance window won by a landslide,” he said. “The nuns found our window easier to operate -- ‘like butter,’ they said. Their old windows were extremely drafty. So they liked the cam action on the lock that drew the two sashes together in order to prevent drafts.”
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Easy entertaining tips to shape up your home for any occasion
Get all the facts “In today’s world, people don’t want to think about maintenance, dealing with wood rot, and scraping and painting wood windows. They don’t want the cost or the aggravation. They want something that’s carefree,” Partin said, “and invariably they appreciate saving 25% to 50% compared to the cost of wood windows.” Both commented that it is extremely tough for consumers to learn the truth about the differences in quality and price of vinyl windows. They said that the market is flooded with numerous companies that “play games.” J.K.Best believes that it is always best to buy from someone locally and that low price is not always indicative of the best deal. “That’s why the Alliance Envirosealed™ Window is the only vinyl window we sell,” Partin concluded. Dan Partin has over 16 years of experience in new construction and rebuilding homes. Brian Martin has over 17 years of experience in exterior remodeling. J.K.Best Construction Company handles a variety of home remodeling projects including kitchen, bathroom, and basement transformations plus room additions, roofs, gutters and downspouts, custom cabinets, kitchen countertops, and more. For additional information, call J.K.Best Construction Company at 239-8400.
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Do you love the idea of entertaining, but feel like getting your home ready for a social event requires too much time and attention? Not to worry, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your home is always ready to host guests and they may not be as difficult to accomplish as you think. First and foremost, decide what type of ambiance your event needs and embrace it. If you are having an evening event, indulge in deep colors, soft lighting and upbeat music to keep your company awake! If it’s a daytime event, go bold and bright with your color scheme. “I love to target my audience and add things to my table settings that inspire my guests,” says Angela Giannopoulos, a premier New York event stylist and owner of SC3 Group who has worked with brands such as Estée Lauder, Donna Karan and Missoni. “I recently decorated a birthday table for a group of grade school children. I used oversized LEGOs and bright candy to entertain them.” For unique ideas such as these, Giannopoulos has offered several tips for easy at-home entertaining.
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• Versatility is key. Make considerations when stocking your kitchen cabinets -- consider cookware and serving dishes TIPS see page 10
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Do you look at the roof and ask, ‘Why didn't it last?’ It is a common complaint: roof shingles that fail too soon, leaving frustrated homeowners asking; why didn’t it last? Roof Time has the answer. According to Justin Shoemaker, a company estimator, it has to do with far more than the shingles. “Shingles today are well made, but depend on what I call the ‘Energy Trilogy.’ he explains. “It’s due to the ventilation, insulation, and radiation, not being properly balanced.” The problem starts with unbalanced ventilation, not enough attic insulation, and no radiation barrier. Ventilation and insulation are now
required by code, but a radiation barrier is not. Therefore, most builders and roofers don’t take it into consideration, according to Shoemaker. Roof Time conducts a free Energy audit with every quote. By using a thermal image camera (like the ones the cable TV ghost hunters use) and digital thermometer, their estimators can pinpoint the problem areas that hide under the roof. Roof Time is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and is one of only three roofers locally who have obtained the added certification as a TOP OF THE HOUSE roofer-insulator. “We have
the knowledge,” says Shoemaker. “We have quality products. But more importantly, we are passionate about serving our customer. We know that our integrity depends on our service.” A Roof Time quote includes options for installing a roof ventilation system that meets or exceeds the FHA specification, and also increases the attic insulation to the Department of Energy recommended level of R-60. With the current 1500 dollar tax credit that is available, it’s like getting FREE insulation added to your home. The estimators also offer the option of
installing a radiant barrier that reduces an attic’s temperature by as much as 50 degrees every day. Using these techniques Roof Time is confidant that homeowners can add another 5-10 years to their roof’s warranty, and the best part according to Terry Littleton, a Roof Time estimator? “Homeowners tell us every day that when they compare our bid to other roofers, we are doing so much more; but our price matches up with their other quotes!” These factors will pay immediate dividends too, as you’ll be able to save 20 percent on your monthly energy bill and receive as
much as 1500 dollars in government credit from the American Recovery Act that goes through 2010! As Shoemaker says,” If you are buying a roof anyway, why not be sure it lasts and get paid for doing it right the first time, by qualifying for the tax credit?!” Rooftime began back in 1995, when Ricky Feltner and his wife Sandy started a small family business. By 1999, Preferred Roofing’s four estimators (which included one son and one son-in-law) and terrific work crews had earned a ranking in the Top 100 Contractors in America, and had sales in excess of two million dollars! Ricky passed away at the end of 1999, and the company struggled to carry on with-out his dynamic leadership. Today Ricky’s legacy has been preserved by no less than FIVE roofing contractors that were once part of his vision, all successfully operating their own companies using the same principles and ideals he established over 15 years ago! At Roof Time, Sandy is still answering the calls (even at nights and on the weekends) and Ricky’s grandson Justin is now a project estimator! Roof Time is a true family owned and operated business with deep community roots; over fifteen year’s business experience, and is now into their 3RD generation of serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky! Roof Time’s attention LAST see page 7
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Autumn health notes Here are some sure indications that the season is changing-the air is getting crisp, leaves are changing colors, Halloween candy is on the shelves . . . and “flu vaccinations available” signs are popping up all over. What should you do to stay healthy as we move out of summer? Here’s some sound advice for you and your family. The seasonal flu is clearly a health hazard, especially for seniors. Seasonal flu is contagious and can range from a minor illness to a lifethreatening one. In fact, the CDC reports that about 36,000 people in the United States die each year from the flu. The best way to prevent flu is to have a vaccination. In fact, even
if you receive the vaccine late in the season, it is still worth doing. Fall is the best time to get that all important flu shot and there are lots of places to get it-from the local drug store to your doctor’s office. Make sure you take the time to get that flu shot! Last winter we had lots of concerns about another type of flu. That was H1N1 and standard flu vaccine did not prevent it. To this point, there’s no indication that H1N1 vaccinations will be necessary this year so we’ll watch and hope that stays the case. In addition to your flu shot, some of the key ways to stay healthy are good all year long. If there is one thing you need to do well to maintain your
health, it is good hand washing. Washing your hands thoroughly is one of the very best ways to prevent the spread of disease. Use soap and warm water and try singing two choruses of “Happy birthday” to yourself to get a sense of how long that washing should take. Make sure that the chill in the air does not put a chill in your activity regime. Keep moving, walking outside when you can and inside when the weather is not conducive, can help keep your body strong and healthy. Eat properly and make sure that you are putting the right “fuel” in to nourish your “engine.” Take care of yourselfthat’s the key to a healthy today and a healthy future.
LAST from page 6 to the details has earned them the prestigious Angie’s List Super Service Award for the past four years in a row as well as, the Press Communities Favorite Roofer for 2009! Estimators arrive on time and prepared, in neatly lettered vehicles and uniforms; inspect the attic portion of the roof, then inspect and measure from the roof top (not from the ground like most companies have started to do). An estimate can be prepared right from their vehicles or e-mailed back the same day! Estimates are free and include color digital pictures of what they find. Roof Time utilizes all the best of today’s tech-
nology such as Thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint hidden leaks and decay, and satellite measurement software to offer ‘to the inch measurements” for “to the penny pricing’. Call Sandy, at 859.341.TIME or 513.753.TIME, to schedule a FREE roof inspection and visit, www.time2roof.com for valuable Internet only offers! For more information on Roof Time call Sandy the Office Manager, at 859341-TIME or 513-528-TIME, to schedule a free roof inspection and visit, www.time2roof.com, for a valuable Internet only offer.
CreativeLiving Call 936-3366 East | Northeast
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Create lasting memories with a personal and visual memorial From the Egyptian pyramids to the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C., the emotional importance of memorialization transcends history and cultures, and it satisfies a basic human need to remember and to be remembered. In today’s completely customized society, the desire for personalization extends beyond life. In fact, nearly half of all consumers say that personalization has a significant impact on their funeral and memorial preferences, according to a study completed by Matthews International. Whether you choose a headstone, grave marker or cremation urn, consider how you would want to be remembered by future generations. Rob Newcombe, president of Matthews Cemetery Products, offers the following advice for creating a memorial that represents and celebrates life:
eight of your favorite photos – such as snapshots with your children, your fishing pole, a favorite car or your family home – to a memorial plate through a bronze casting process.The result is a highly detailed and extremely personal memorial that can be used in conjunction with ground burials, cremation and mausoleum entombments. Professional designers work closely with individuals or families to create detailed renderings of each memorial. • Select the right words. Memorials can communicate much more than birth and death dates. While many people choose to have a favorite religious verse or inspirational quote engraved, also consider an excerpt from a beloved poem, lyrics from a song or even a special message to loved ones.
• Involve family and friends. Asking loved ones to participate in designing your memorial can make the process less intimidating and help them to fully understand your final wishes. Look through old family photo albums together, and • Plan ahead. Approximately one in five people share anecdotes and favorite stories that may prowith recent experience planning a funeral or memo- vide inspiration when selecting the creative rial say that the wishes of their loved ones were not elements of your memorial. known because they hadn’t provided written or verbal guidance. Take control over the final details of “Whether it’s just adding a photo or more your life and alleviate a future burden from those detailed information and imagery, families have closest to you by planning in advance the details of told us that personalized memorials provide future your memorial and sharing your after-life prefergenerations with more information about their past ences with family and friends. and evoke powerful memories among visitors to the gravesite,” says Newcombe. “Each memorial can • Illustrate your life story. Images can transform a truly be a one-of-a-kind work of art that makes it memorial into a visual biography by depicting all possible for an individual to express his or her reliaspects of a life - from military service to special hon- gious devotion, patriotism and personal passions.” ors to leisure activities. For example, the Matthews Courtesy of ARAcontent Lasting Memories collection allows you to add up to
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H E A L T H
What to do your child is being
if
If your child is being bullied, she’s not alone. About 160,000 children in the United States miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students, according to the National Education Association. Bullying is a serious problem that is growing worse, and is taking on new forms through the use of the Internet and mobile phones, say educators. Some estimates say that 25 percent of American children experience direct or indirect bullying daily. Broadly speaking, bullying can involve any number of behaviors, according to Findlaw.com, a leading online source of legal information, including sexual harassment of another student, teasing, excluding a student, calling a student names, physically pushing or attacking, threatening or hazing, spreading rumors, damaging or stealing belongings, or demanding money. Cyber-bullying, a rela-
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tively new form of bullying, takes place over the Internet through social media websites and forums, or through mobile devices. Many pre-teens and teens prefer to communicate with one another through texting on their mobile devices. Because kids can share messages quickly with a large group of students, cyber-bullying can be especially effective in spreading rumors about a student or harassing a student through the sharing of photos. Because this is a relatively new area of harassment, many school districts are still trying to determine the reach of their authority in off-campus cyber-bullying
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Bullied
attacks. Bullying can have farreaching consequences for the victim, the perpetrators and other students, who indirectly become distracted from their studies out of fear of becoming a bully’s next victim. Bullying has been cited as a factor in teen suicides as well as in a number of on-campus shooting massacres, including the infamous and tragic Columbine High School incident. In that case, media reports suggested that both of the shooters were victims of bullying. Historically, bullying among school children has not been a topic of broad public concern. In
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fact, some adults may view bullying as a rite of passage for children and youth, as popularized on the big screen and on TV programs. Because of events like Columbine, attention to bullying among children has increased dramatically among school personnel, members of the general public and policymakers. Today, according to Findlaw.com, 43 states have some form of antibullying laws in place, complementing anti-bullying policies established at the local level by private and public school boards. Bullied see page 12
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Building your personalized non-traditional health team Prescription medsustainable ications are runlong term ning our lives! health Dr. Cathy There is a betgains. Rosenbaum ter path to You Holistic Clinical Pharmacist health and can Founder & CEO, healing help Rx Integrative Solutions Inc. through a build Host, Your Holistic Health WMKV team focused a non89.3 FM Mondays on preventradi@ 5:30 pm ET tion, mind tional www.rxintegrativesolutions.com body spirit stewteam with ardship, and peryou as an sonal accountability for equal partner in
the decision-making process. Look for a primary care physician who will partner with you and practitioners like a holistic clinical pharmacist, massage therapist, Yoga instructor, or acupuncturist. Start reading up on preventive services that interest you. Attend a spiritual retreat to sort
through some deeper life issues. Take a personal inventory of your ‘health bucket list’ and set realistic goals. Interview a few nontraditional practitioners until you get the one that fits your personality and needs. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into from a finan-
cial perspective. Choose non-traditional practitioners who are properly credentialed or licensed, evidence-based (e.g., they keep up with current research), and share the pros and cons of intervention options with you. Your primary care physician will serve as your team coordinator.
Collection. This mix and match collection was designed with a modern look and crafted in all white porcelain to complement any table setting.
advantage. When decorating, use sprigs and blooms grown near your home to add life to your table settings. Various shades of colors found in wildflowers often create an organic energy making a table setting more inviting for guests. Also, arranging flowers in different sized vases can be visually appealing on a long table while single, tall flowers work well with a table for two.
host, gradually accumulate a collection. Your guests will be impressed by your selection when you have an assortment to offer. Also, consider outfitting your home with drinkware for every occasion.
TIPS from page 5 that can be used both for smaller and larger occasions, as well as casual and formal ones. I also love expandable kitchen tables because you can accommodate a house full of guests and break it down for breakfast for
two the morning after. My last bit of advice is to choose dinnerware that is versatile. Consider something that is durable enough for daily use and chic enough for evening occasions, such as Oneida’s Chef’s Table
• Accessorize your home. I often hang on to things that I shouldn’t, but have learned that any little knickknack can come into play when decorating for events. I’ve made candle holders out of mason jars, a menu with a chalkboard and centerpieces using old pitchers. I’m not encouraging clutter – just keep a stash of items that could be useful when entertaining and it may save you that extra trip to the store. • Use nature to your
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• Accumulate a beverage collection. Nothing makes your visitors feel welcome like offering them a drink when they walk in the door. Rather than going out and stocking up on wine, liquor or soft drinks before you
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• Be prepared for overnight visitors. Always keep clean sheets on your guest bed and be sure it is made, as you never know when someone might stop by for an overnight visit. If you really want to make your guests feel welcome, impress them with soothing products in the bathroom or on their nightstand along with a sweet treat on their pillow. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Dr. Kitzmiller and his wife Lori help snoring and sleep apnea patients with Oral Appliance Therapy.
Do you struggle with snoring, sleep apnea or CPAP? Call Dr. Kitzmiller Do you snore or know someone who does? Do you have Sleep apnea but struggle nightly with your CPAP machine? You're not alone! An estimated 40 million Americans snore and nearly 20 million have sleep apnea, a condition where the airway collapses during sleep, causing the person to stop breathing and awaken multiple times every hour with a gasp. Sleep apnea is a life threatening sleep disorder that left undiagnosed and untreated can shorten your lifespan up to 18 years! While CPAP is the gold standard of sleep apnea
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treatment, many people wake up rested, without can't tolerate the masks, that exhausted feeling. It hoses, and inconvenience. is easy to use, every night, An oral appliance is an and easy to care for. I FDA approved can't imagine CPAP alternathe nightly Want More tive that fits noise and Information? over your hassle of a Visit cincisleep.com teeth and holds CPAP machine the lower jaw anymore, for forward, keeping your me or my husband. airway from collapsing. Dr. Kitzmiller and Lori A sleep apnea sufferer provided excellent care. himself, Dr. Kitzmiller They made this an easy tried CPAP but struggled and uncomplicated soluwith it. He started using tion to managing my an oral appliance and snoring and sleep apnea” now he and his patients – Jan enjoy quiet, healthful Call Dr. Kitzmiller sleep every night. today at 513-248-8848 to “I have been thrilled schedule your compliwith my oral appliance! I mentary consultation to saw improvement in just see if this solution is right a few days and now I for you!
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Sports Den and Party Room Reconstruction of a brighter more family friendly basement area will be opening this weekend. The main theme to the downstairs area will be a sports bar. With a pool table, dart boards and video games in place six new HD TV's will be added along with a fusbol
table and draft beer tap system will be coming soon. The basement area seats 55 people plus 13 more at the bar. The entire space can hold up to 100 people for bands, sporting events, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, or whatever brings your family and friends togeth-
er. By Golly's will be the place to spend your Saturday and Sunday afternoons with great Bengals, Bearcats, and Buckeyes specials. Please call ahead with groups of eight of more requesting downstairs reservations. Call 248-4444 for more information.
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Bullied from page 9 Here are some additional tips from Findlaw. com on what to do if you suspect that your child is the victim of a bully: Talk to your child. A lot of times your child will not want to talk about being bullied because they perceive it as embarrassing and humiliating. If you notice a change in your child’s behavior and attitudes, approach him first. Offer your support and let him know that action will be taken to improve the situation. Your child will most likely be feeling isolated at school and it’s important for him to know that he can confide in you. Document facts. Take pictures of any injuries and have your child give a detailed description of what happened. Write down the dates and times that these situations occurred and get statements from any other students, teachers or parents who may have observed the bullying. This information may be useful if police and school officials need to get involved to prove how long this has been going on and what the damage has been. Talk to teachers and the principal. Don’t wait. Immediately contact the school and alert school officials to the problems that your child is facing. Many schools are adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying. Alert other adults about this situation as well, including parents of other children and the bus driver. The more people who are aware of bullying, the
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more chances the act has of being stopped. Put it in writing. In addition to talking directly to teachers and the school principal, put your concerns into writing to the principal, the superintendent and school board members. While many schools have adopted zero-tolerance policies, some school officials and teachers may not take seriously their own school’s bullying policies, or for that matter, state laws regarding bullying. Putting your concerns in writing sends a strong signal that you mean business. Encourage others to speak up. If the same child is bullying other students, persuade parents to report it too. School officials are more likely to respond immediately if they see the problem is affecting several students. Call the police. Many states require schools to report bullying incidents to the police, according to Findlaw.com. If your child has been the victim of a physical assault or repeated incidents of bullying, call the local authorities – especially if your school has not contacted local authorities. Talk with a lawyer. If your child has been physically or sexually harassed contact an attorney. Attorneys who specialize in personal injury litigation are probably best suited to represent you and your child. To learn about the law and what to do if your child is being bullied, visit Findlaw.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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