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Powerful advice for mothers Help girls accept themselves through your example.
Smaller bathrooms live larger Tips on how to make today’s smaller bathrooms live larger and work better.
New pet? Learn how to prepare your home for a furry friend.
Editor’s note I’m very excited to welcome you to the February issue of Creative Living. This month’s issue is chock-full of wonderful topics and feature stories. I’m particulary thrilled about the Pet Sense topic, my favorite of all our Creative Living topics because it’s something so close to my heart. As a mother of two cats and one pug it has to be! If you’re not a pet owner, but are considering adding a furry friend to your household, be sure to read the feature about welcoming a four-legged creature into your life. It has some really helpful tips. Another great section this issue is our Health & Fitness. The article Powerful advice for mothers is not only a great read for moms, but every woman who has a young lady in her life. The image you have of yourself impacts every area of your life. It’s time to recognize your beautiful qualities, inside and out, and pass that ability onto the next generation. Thank you for your time and enjoy the rest of the issue. It’s sure to be 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. 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.
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Topics Business 3 Local Goods • Services & Fitness 5 Health Mind • Body • Spirit
For advertising call 578-5501.
Home 9 At Decor • Repairs
14 We Love Our Pets Care • Toys
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The Scuba Sahck is offering a free “Try SCUBA Expereince.”
SCUBA diving is a lifestyle
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im Barrie wants to share his love for SCUBA diving, so he's letting everyone try it for free. His dive shop, The Scuba Shack, (www.The ScubaPlace.com) located in Florence, is offering a free “Try SCUBA Experience” to anyone interested in diving. “SCUBA diving is not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's a lifestyle! We want to expose as many people as we can to this exciting way of life.” Barrie said. The Scuba Shack conducts free one-hour dives every Saturday. Barrie has owned The Scuba Shack for 11 years, and in that time has been told by countless people that they would love to try diving. He knows that if they do, they'll love it! So he wants to give them the
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opportunity. All those who would like to try SCUBA diving will be geared-up and go for a dip in The Scuba Shack's indoor, heated, 10 foot-deep, diver training pool. The dives are led by The Shack's certified instructors. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling The Scuba Shack at 859-283-1550. The Scuba Shack also offers SCUBA certification training. Through comprehensive classroom and pool training, divers learn proper technique, safety measures, and how to use the equipment. Divers certified at The Scuba Shack are given unlimited training classes at no extra charge. The Shack also provides unlimited access to
their pool and use of SCUBA equipment for certification students. Once certified, a diver is ready to go on one of the shop's many trips to dive locations in the United States and abroad. In the next 14 months, The Shack will lead trips to locations such as: St. Lucia, Hawaii, Bonaire, Cozumel, Florida, Fiji, and the Bahamas. Pricing varies by destination. Many trips are enjoyable for both divers and non-divers, so the diver can easily bring a spouse or friend. However, trips specifically for divers are noted. “There's nothing quite like a group trip” said Barrie. “Both divers and non-divers come back with a group of new friends, having seen some of the world's most beautiful locations” he said.
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Share how your business is going GREEN in the March issue. Call 578-5501.
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Little Treasures Consignment Sale takes place March 18-20.
Little Treasures Consignment Sale
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hile most people think of college basketball when they hear March Madness, they should also think of the Little Treasures consignment sale, the March Madness for moms. The Northern Kentucky Little Treasures consignment sale, to be held March 1820, will give moms, dads, and everyone else a chance to get name-brand clothes, toys, furniture, and other items at great prices. With the sluggish economy, this is a chance to save hundreds of dollars on quality children’s items. It is also a chance to make hundreds of dollars by becoming a consignor at the sale. Little Treasures pays out at least 70 per-
cent of sales back to the consignors. And unlike at most consignment shops, the consignors set their own prices. This is the third year for the Northern Kentucky Little Treasures consignment sale. The original Little Treasures sale began in Louisville in 2001. With more than 150 consignors and more than 20,000 items for sale, Little Treasures is Northern Kentucky’s “biggest little sale.” This sale is held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring sale features spring and summer clothing. Volunteers who work at the sale get opportunities to shop earlier than
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others, giving them first dibs on the best items. Consignors who also volunteer earn additional money beyond the minimum 70 percent of their sales. The sale will be held at the Madison Office Products Building, located at 8307 U.S. Highway 42, Florence, between Mall Road and Hopeful Church Road. Public sales hours are Thursday, March 18, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, March 19, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. to noon with the half-price sale (on many items) from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.littletreasuressale.com.
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Mortenson Family Dental is located at 7033 Burlington Pike, in Florence.
February is National Dental Health Month
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ental Health Month is a time for your dental health professionals to reach out to the people of the community, not just their patients, and increase awareness on the importance of oral health. This is when they try to teach young children the importance of daily brushing and flossing, the benefits of healthy diets and snacks and the effects that poor choices can have on their teeth and gums. This is also a time to teach teens about the growth of bacteria and its effect on breath, cavities and gum disease. It’s also a time to help protect the investments parents are making by providing their children with braces. If teens are taught properly how to clean around braces, the teeth
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do not de-mineralize or get splotchy white spots on them which are more susceptible to develop cavities in the future. As for the adults, it is the chance to explain that there are other health problems that can be linked to gum disease such as heart disease. This is also a good time to let people know that your dental team can screen for lumps/bumps on the head and neck and provide oral cancer screenings. Most teens and adults are unaware that periodontal disease, a severe gum disease, can be transmitted by kissing, licking pacifiers in attempts to clean them off, and sharing cups or straws. Sharing these kind of dental health tips with the public, Mortenson Family Dental hopes to increase
awareness and reduce the amount of dental problems in the community.
Dental Health Quiz 1. Is there an odor to your breath that is still there after brushing? 2. Are there any teeth that are sensitive to hot more than cold? 3. Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? 4. Can you see dark spots or shadows on or between teeth? 5. Was your last dental visit over a year ago? Did you answer “yes� to more than one of these questions? If so you may be in need of treatment from a dental care professional. The team at Mortenson Family Dental is here to meet those needs for you and your family.
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Call 578-5501 to share information about your summer camp in the March
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Gentle Dental Care now offers IV, Oral Conscious Sedation
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very day, Dr. Tara Dallmann and her Gentle Dental Care team continue to come across more and more fearful patients. In Dr. Dallmann’s quest to help the most fearful patients, she entered a year- long educational course at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. This program is one of the most stringent and highly regarded programs in the country for certifying dentists in Intravenous sedation and the training and testing Dr. Dallmann received exceeds that required by the state of Kentucky. Dr Dallmann believes in going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to the safety and comfort of her patients. Because she is trained and licensed to do both IV and oral conscious sedation, Dr. Dallmann can choose
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The Gentle Dental Care team.
which method will be best for each individual patient, based on their needs alone. Sedation is a way for people that would not normally go to the dentist to get the treatment and attention they so desperately need. From the moment you call the caring team at Gentle Dental Care, you are comforted, and your fears are relieved. This begins a trust that develops
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between Dr. Tara Dallmann, her team, and you. Embarrassment is the first hurdle to overcome. Put your mind at ease, because Dr. Dallmann and her team see patients like you everyday. They understand how hard it was for you to call and applaud you for taking the first step. Whether it has been a year or 20 years since you have seen a dentist, no one will
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make you feel bad. Here is what to expect on your first visit: Depending on your chief complaint, most sedation patients come in for a thorough examination. This allows Dr. Dallmann to find everything there is to know going on with your oral health. After the examination, which is guaranted to be painless, Dr. Dallmann will create a treatment plan just for you. Lastly, Dr. Dallmann
and Brenda, the treatment coordinator, will discuss with you all of your options and give you recommendations on how to proceed based on your timetable and budget. Dr. Dallmann will then talk to you about which form of sedation will be right for you. Here’s what one recent sedation patient said: “Wow... from my first phone call to the full 2.5 hour visit, I have nothing but good things to say about your practice and especially your staff. For someone who has had numerous bad dental experiences, I felt Dr. Dallmann was thoughtful, thorough and comforting. I was embarrassed by how long it’s been since I had gone to the dentist, but no one looked down on me or the state of my teeth. I look forward to getting the procedures done!” - M. D. Fort Wright The day of your appointment your comfort and care are Gentle Dental Care’s number one priority. From your heated blanket, warm neck pillow, and soothing spa music, all efforts are made to keep you comfortable. “Everyone was great. The visit was much better than I expected and painless! I was quite embarrassed about my lack of dental care over the past “many” years, yet everyone made me feel at ease and non critical of my past mistakes! Thank you all.” - J. G. Alexandria Call Gentle Dental Care today and ‘Experience the Difference.’
Thursday Feb. 18, 2010
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Burlington Pharmacy Health Care: Exceeding the expectations of individuals living with disabilities
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erving the Tri-State area for more than 30 years, Burlington Pharmacy Health Care has been a lifeline and essential resource to their customers with disabilities. A provider of top quality, state-of-the-art medical equipment and supplies, Burlington Pharmacy Health Care is one of the area’s largest suppliers of home health products and services and strives to help people living with disabilities maintain their independence. “Our goal is to increase, maintain and improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities,” said Andy Mueller, Assistive Technology Professional of Burlington Pharmacy Health Care. “Whatever it takes to get them there, we are here to help.” Mike Clark of Erlanger considers himself Burlington Pharmacy Health Care’s No. 1 fan. Clark has multiple sclerosis and was having a hard time finding a wheelchair that suited his needs. After other equipment companies failed him, he found Burlington Pharmacy Health Care and they helped him find the perfect wheelchair at a great price. “When I need anything I can just call them up and they will help; it feels like I have a friend to call rather than just doing business with a company,” said Clark. “They have great products, prices and customer serv-
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ice.” Burlington Pharmacy Health Care has a trained staff that will help their
of the latest medical equipment and supplies offered. “We want people to
can help look into those resources for them,” said Mueller. The company works closely with their customers’ “Our customer service is what sets us apart – we want doctors and family members so to make sure our customers are happy and go above that they can and beyond to make their lives better.” ensure that all needs are thoroughly being met. customers obtain the know that there is fund“We work as a team information and resources ing available for their with physical and occupaneeded to get them on the needs. A lot of our custional therapists, doctors, road to living a more tomers need help finding family members and comfortable and indeout how to get money for insurance companies so pendent life with the aid their equipment and we that we will know all of
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the goals and expectations and then we make it all come together,” said Mueller. “Our customer service is what sets us apart – we want to make sure our customers are happy and go above and beyond to make their lives better.” For more information about Burlington Pharmacy Health Care and all of the ways they are able to serve you, call 586-6700. Their goal is to make you happy!
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Powerful advice for mothers:
Help girls accept themselves through your example
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o force exerts more power on how girls perceive their bodies and their relationship with food than the examples set by their own mothers, research and countless examples show. Some of you are mothers; all of you had one. What did you learn about food, eating and weight from your
own mother and what is your daughter learning from you? How and why do you eat the way you do and how can you prevent your daughter from repeating your mistakes? Eating disorder treatment specialist Carolyn Costin, clinical director and founder of the Monte Nido Treatment Center, says that modern culture may send some women and girls the message to feed and nurture others, but not themselves. “Because of the undue emphasis placed on appearance, females come to view their bodies as instruments to be used in the pursuit of approval from others and as sources of personal pride,” Costin says. “This can, however, lead to them experiencing their bodies as a source of disapproval, failure and psychological pain.” Food may become a medium through which females communicate many feelings. In her book, “Your Dieting Daughter,” Costin challenges women to ask themselves, “What has food come to represent in your life and in your messages to your own children?” Mothers send messages every day that their daughters pick up on – from lessons of kindness to others, to the tendency to judge one’s self-worth based on physical appearance. Be aware of messages that can backfire, even when you have the best intentions: • Compliments - You may do or say things that send the wrong message to your daughter. The focus on appearance, even when giving a compliment, can backfire in many ways. Excessive praise for appearance can reinforce the notion that external qualities are more important than internal ones, regardless of the cost it takes to maintain it. • Food as reward and punishment – No matter how many experts have warned against it, parents especially mothers - often use food as a reward and punishment. Children learn that certain foods belong
in special categories, like “good” and “bad.” This kind of thinking sets the stage for someone to restrict, sneak eat, rebel by eating, comfort themselves with, or overly indulge in, the forbidden “bad foods.” There are no bad foods; there are only bad eating habits. • Food as love – People learn a variety of ways to associate food with being nurtured, cared for and loved. Food, early on in the mother-daughter relationship, is connected to love - getting one means having the other. A girl may use food as love if she feels, consciously or unconsciously, that she is not getting love somewhere else. Where emptiness exists in any way, food can mask it and be a substitute filler. • Swallowing feelings/stuffing anger – People stuff down or swallow their feelings with food. People who use food in this way describe it as having a numbing effect on them, Costin says. Starving is also a way of avoiding feelings. To heal people from using food in this way clinics like Monte Nido teach their clients that all feelings are acceptable; it is their behaviors they need to learn to monitor and control. Mothers who want to set a good example for their daughters, should consider this, Costin says: “Is what you are doing to yourself what you would also do to your own daughter? If you don’t want her to skip meals in order to fit in a dress, or binge because she’s having a bad day, then you shouldn’t do it either.” To learn more about eating disorders and treatment, visit www.MonteNido.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent
A Total Tan offers $1.50 Tanning Special
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Total Tan Cincinnati is holding their annual anniversary $1.50 tanning special for the entire month of February again this year! Come on in anytime during the entire
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month and receive $1.50 tanning on all beds except the ultimate beds which are half price. Package specials include $7 off the monthly unlimited package and $5 off the two weeks unlimited package.
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Look for the new 2010 tanning lotion line coming out that includes products from Australian Gold, Swedish Beauty, California Tan and Booty Inc. All Booty lotion bottles are 50 percent off this
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month as well! A Total Tan is now offering the spray-on tanning booth Mystic Tan at all three Cincinnati locations as well. They are offering an unbelievable $10 per session special during the
month of February! Go to their Web site, www.atotaltan.net, to learn more about their UV free sprayon tanning Mystic Tan.
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Concrete Concepts: ‘Rehab, Redesign, Renew’
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ehab, Redesign, and Renew,” isn’t just a marketing line at Concrete Concepts, it’s a reality. They rehabilitate concrete by fixing cracks, chips, and imperfections. They redesign your concrete to give it a look resembling tile, slate, stone, brick, marble, or stamped. And they renew by giving existing concrete a new lease on life. Perfect for driveways, patios, pooldecks, walkways, basements, and countertops. The reality: A more attractive, valuable home of which you can be proud. Their concrete resurfacing product, Concrete Technologies (CTi), is applied over existing concrete and fixes imperfections.
It is color enhanced modified acrylic cement and comes in a variety of colors. It is twice the strength of normal concrete, slip and skid resistant, and resistant to salt, alkaline, mold, mildew, and motor oil. It is also 40 percent cooler than concrete, fade resistant, and comes with a 10year warranty. Why ripout your existing concrete, when you can rehab, redesign, as well as renew it. Concrete Concepts can fix minor cracks, professionally clean off your concrete, and then install the CTi system, at the same time giving it a new look such as stone, brick, slate, or tile. Concrete Concepts accepts both residential and commercial projects. Their mission is to
enhance the beauty of your home or business. For more information on concrete resurfacing call Concrete Concepts of the Tri-State, located in Fort Thomas, at 859-816-2679, or visit them on the Web, www.concreteconceptstristate.co m. Concrete Concepts is owned and operated by Frank Davidson. Frank resides in Fort Thomas with his wife Jennifer and their two children. They chose to move to Fort Thomas for “its sense of community, location to Cincinnati and for the reputable school system.” Frank, who studied aeronautics at Eastern Kentucky University, was a flight instructer in Florida before being hired
as a pilot at Air Midwest. In 2005, he was hired by Astar Air Cargo, formerly DHL Airways. Frank made the decision to start his own business after his position as a second officer with Astar Air Cargo was eliminated after a potential merger with UPS was announced and DHL announced that they were going to reduce their presence in the US market. He is dedicated to deliverying superior workmanship accompanied with an unwavering commitment to customer service. Customers come first and their satisfaction is guaranteed. Concrete Concepts is fully insured and bonded.
Call 578-5501 to advertise in
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New year, new look with Fort Mitchell Interiors
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or many homeowners, the beginning of a new decade is bringing fresh ideas and desires for a new look in their homes and they are turning to Fort Mitchell Interiors to help them bring about an exciting change. A full service interior design store, Fort Mitchell Interiors offers anything and everything you need for your designing project. Kitchen cabinets, appliances, flooring, hardware, paint, wallpaper, upholstery – you name it and this first-class design company will have your bases covered from the beginning of the design project through its completion. Mary Pennington-
Wolfe is the owner and head designer of Fort Mitchell Interiors and has been providing excellent interior design service to her customers for 31 years. “We are like a pyramid – we can do everything under one roof; a one stop shop,” said Wolfe. Fort Mitchell Interior is known for its excellent client care and design, giving their clients exactly what they want and matching their taste of design. “The client’s opinion counts and is important. I allow people to keep the things they currently own
and we work with what they have and add to it,” said Wolfe. In today’s competitive housing market, it’s a
to pick a room every year and give it a new look,” said Wolfe. If you know you are ready for a fresh change
You deserve a new look and should enjoy living in your home. With Fort Mitchell Interiors as your designer
You deserve a new look and should enjoy living in your home. good idea to keep your house fresh and up to date. If you are considering updating a kitchen or bath in your home, Fort Mitchell Interiors carries cabinets, flooring, and appliances and has a team of professional installers to get the job done and keep your home looking its best. “I think it’s a good idea
in your home but just not sure where to begin, call Fort Mitchell Interiors and a designer can come to your home for a design consultation. Whether your change is as small as bursts of new color on the walls or as large as a whole house re-design, Fort Mitchell Interiors will complete your look from start to finish.
you only have to go one place to have all of your design needs met. Visit Fort Mitchell Interiors today at 2514 Hazelwood Drive (across from McDonald’s) or call 331-5327 and take advantage of their New Year, New Look sale to jumpstart your interior design project.
Preferred Maintenance home repairs, remodeling
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new year means new home improvements and new to-do list. Preferred Maintenance, at 618-8299, can take care of it for you. It’s never too late to seal up those drafty win-
dow and doors. The weather might stop you on the outisde, so it’s time to focus on the inside. Preferred Maintenance can take care of all those inside jobs you need completed. From kitchen to bathrooms, all phases of
plumbing, electric, tile, drywall, carpentry and painting. If you’re wanting a new deck or refinish an existing deck, or wanting the outside of your house painted this spring, then it’s a good time ot have it
looked at and put on schedule. The owners of Preferred Maintenance are homeowners who want to help other homeowners maintain their property. Preferred Maintenance is a company that stands behind “No job is too big
or small.” Don’t wait any longer. Call 618-8299 and let Preferred Maintenance take care of you and your home.
Share how your business is going GREEN in the March issue. Call 578-5501.
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How to make today’s smaller bathrooms live larger, work better
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his is the decade of right-sizing. The economic reset triggered by the excesses of the last decade is forcing our society to rethink its definition of “enough.” One area under enormous scrutiny is housing. How much space does it really take to house the average
American family of 2.61 people? Our definition of “enough space” is changing, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The year 2008 saw the first annual decrease in average new-home size since 1994. During the intervening 15 years, the average rose by 21 percent – from 2,050 square feet in 1994 to a peak of 2,507 square feet in 2007 – before slipping to 2,392 square feet in 2008. The 2008 decrease in home size was also the largest annual drop since 1980. Similarly, remodelers report a falloff in the number of consumers asking for bigger kitchens and more opulent baths. Not surprisingly, the aftermarket is also witnessing more homeowners seeking to create more efficient spaces with more storage, less waste and more flexibility.
Shifting from a bathtub to a shower fits our lifestyle and integrates better into the smaller overall footprint of today’s bath.
Style still in demand As builders downsize the American dream home, consumers are saying that compromises on space do not automatically mean giving up conveniences. Currently, 60 percent of new homes have three or more bathrooms, and while the size of each may not be as expansive as in years past, that is no reason to compromise on style. In fact, the trends shaping society today – smaller, smarter living spaces, value and efficiency over conspicuous consumption and the need for a greener lifestyle with a smaller environmental footprint - are having a profound impact on bath-product
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manufacturers. These trends are also making the job of creating more stylish statements in a smaller bathroom easier than ever. “Our emphasis is on products scaled to the new space reality,” says Gray Uhl, director of design for American Standard Brands. “We look very carefully at bathroom fixture scale to design collections that fit the footprint of today’s homes.” Maximum efficiency has become a critical driver, according to Uhl. “A good example is creating more counter deck space on pedestal lavatories, or more storage space in vanities even with a smaller footprint. While this trend to efficiency cuts across all styles, it tends to require fixtures, faucets and furniture that take simpler forms and shapes.”
Try a little planning Whether your preference is traditional, contemporary or the inbetween transitional, creating stylish smaller bathrooms that work is simple, with a little planning. Here are two important areas to consider in your planning: • Storage: Vanities that offer
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ample storage space within a smaller footprint can hide hair dryers, towels, bath products and cleaning supplies, creating an uncluttered look to make a space seem larger. Vessel sinks that sit atop a vanity add a dramatic touch to a bath, while maximizing cabinet space and creating deck storage space. If a pedestal lavatory fits your floor plan better, look for models with generous deck space. Don’t forget a toilet with a flat tank top: The top of the toilet tank is valuable bathroom real estate. • Lifestyle: As we try to do more in the same number of hours, bathroom rituals necessarily change. Shifting from a bathtub to a shower fits our lifestyle and integrates better into the smaller overall footprint of today’s bath. Multiple showerheads and body sprays provide the same relaxation as soaking in a tub, but in far less time and with significantly less cleanup. Most modern showers also use substantially less water, which appeals to growing ecological awareness. To learn more about products that will help create a stylish, smaller bath that doesn’t compromise on performance, visit www.americanstandard-us.com. Courtesy of ARAconten
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Make ‘Lasting Impressions’ on your home decor When you care enough to make your home a warm, welcoming place for family and friends... you need to visit us.
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s this article was being written, Lasting Impressions had stored away the last few remnants of Christmas and the showroom was being transformed from a seasonal holiday theme into beautiful décor for yearround enjoyment of your home or office. Linda, Judy, and Nancy went to market in January to begin planning for a beautiful spring, featuring hot new colors and delightful accents to bring your home out of those winter blahs. New spring merchandise is arriving weekly
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and you’ll want to stop by for that little “kick start” into spring decorating! You will see beautiful boxwood topiaries and sprays, fern baskets, nests, trunks, and ivy-trimmed bowls and pitchers in beautiful showrooms. Have you ever seen a “mouse mirror”? You can see one right now at Lasting Impressions! Realistic ivies entwined with twig leaf garlands draped across new spring watering cans bring a natural outdoor feeling in from the outside. If you have greenery in your home already, add a fern spray or some type of
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natural looking green to capture the essence of spring with very little effort or expense. A new Ashton custom mirror line gives you the flexibility you have needed to add just the right mirror to a special space. You will be able to choose from many styles of frames to make a beveled mirror your own creation at a very reasonable price. You can also expect to see a new Lasting Impressions furniture line very soon. Are you ready to begin thinking about doing some redecorating around your home?
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An In-Home Consultation ($90) with Linda Barbian may be just the thing you need to develop your plan to revitalize a room that needs a lift. Linda will be glad to assist you with color selection, room arrangement, accessories, window treatments, area rugs, or whatever you need to complete your space. Linda, Judy, and Nancy are looking forward to seeing you soon at 241 Grandview in Bellevue. It’s a shopping experience you are going to appreciate and enjoy!
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D i re c t i o n s : Traveling south or north on I471: Take Exit 5 (Newport/Bellevue) Turn right onto Route 8 (Fairfield Avenue) Continue to Taylor Avenue and turn right Travel six blocks to Grandview Avenue Turn right on Grandview Enter the warehouse through the Lasting Impressions door on the right. Prepare to be amazed.
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Spice up your kitchen with granite
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o you’ve taken a cold, hard look at your kitchen recently and you realize that it is in desperate need of a makeover. Maybe you are one of the many families today trying to sell your home or maybe you are satisfied with your home but the kitchen needs some updating to suit your taste. You’ve come to this realization…so now what? With so many choices today, how does a homeowner even know where to start? Don’t be stressed or overwhelmed, help is just a phone call or a visit away! Excellence By Nature is a locally owned and operated company with an experienced staff to offer a wealth of knowledge and ideas. “Many homeowners are pleasantly surprised by how a few simple changes can really improve the look and functionality of their current kitchen or bathroom,” says Sarah Collins, Interior Designer and Operations Manager at Excellence By Nature. “Oftentimes, with new hardware on your cabinets, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and new countertops, a kitchen or bathroom feels refreshed and updated.” Excellence By Nature offers laminate, solid surface, tile, quartz, and granite for countertops. Although there are so many options, granite is still by far the most popular choice for kitchen countertops. Granite offers a natural beauty that can’t be duplicated by any man-made surface available on the market today. Its natural hues,
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variation, color selection and durability keep it at the top of the list for kitchen countertops. It has also been proven that granite countertops will draw more appeal when trying to sell your home. In an on-line article titled “Granite Countertops Help Sell a Home” written by Bob Lipply, a top Real Estate Broker Associate, he states “While there’s nothing functionally wrong with laminate, it’s not what sells the home…So, my advice just might be to install granite countertops in the kitchen and baths if you want to sell your home quicker.” At Excellence By Nature, Collins is also seeing this trend. “We have many homeowners who currently have their homes for sale or are planning to list it soon, installing granite countertops to help make the home more appealing to potential homebuyers.” During your visit to Excellence By Nature‘s showroom, the knowledgeable staff can assist you in selecting a granite color from their many instock slabs that will coordinate with your taste and the style of your home. If granite is not the right choice for your project, they will show you the wide variety of other countertop options and assist you in choosing another surface that will fit into your home. Before your showroom visit, make a small sketch of your countertop area with dimensions and bring it in with you. While you wait, a free estimate can be provided for your project in a matter of minutes. Clients
Spice up your living space with a visit to Excellence By Nature.
are also encouraged to bring in a cabinet door or drawer with them and any paint colors or wallpaper that will be used in the area to coordinate selections . With these tools, clients can visit Excellence By Nature’s
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on-site slab selection, which boasts the largest selection of unusual and exotic slabs in the area with new shipments arriving weekly! Whether you are updating your kitchen or bathroom for resale or for
you, visit Excellence By Nature’s beautiful newly renovated showroom today and let their staff with more than 40 years of combined experience help you turn your drab rooms into something to smile about.
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Communicating with your best friend
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ommunication is key to the success of any relationship whether it’s with a person or your dog. Dogs are not born understanding English and humans do not understand canine, so one must create a common language to work with. Training helps us accomplish this and provide necessary leadership for our dogs. At Northern Kentucky K9, LLC., we offer a wide range of training options for owners to choose from and we train all ages and breeds. For dogs over 16 weeks, we offer residency training programs, private lessons or group obedi-
ence classes through Kenton County Animal Shelter. Once owners reach a certain level of training, we offer follow-up group “Polishing” classes and an “On the Go!” program to give owners an easy and fun way to continue broadening their dogs’ skills in a variety of settings. Just like any other skill or language, if we don’t use it, we lose it, so practice, practice, makes permanent because we’re training dogs to be successful in everyday life. We also have multiple program options for puppy owners, preschool through Kenton County
Animal Shelter, a Private Consultation and Social Parties. We’ll educate owners on how to teach their puppy limits they can understand, confidence building, proper handling, the importance of proper socialization, effective communication and much more. No one brings home a dog or new puppy in hopes of creating chaos and stress in their lives. We dream of having that well behaved companion we can share our day to day lives with. Contact us today, we can help you reach your goals!
Faithful Friends helps you honor the memory of a beloved pet
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orie Clary and her staff know it is hard to lose a pet. That’s why Faithful Friends Pet Memory Center is helping pet owners in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati honor the memory of their departed beloved pets. This pet cremation business takes service to the next level by offering not only a high standard of care for the pet, but also for the family in their time of loss. Lorie, her husband, Brian, and four children are pet lovers. This Union family also includes 3 dogs and 3 cats. This love for pets coupled with Brian’s 20-plus years of experience in the death care industry prompted the Clary’s to open
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Faithful Friends Pet Memory Center in February of 2007. “In the past three years we have helped more than 800 families with the
that Aries was being cared for by the staff at Faithful Friends. I couldn’t have possibly asked for more caring and professional people. They were all
Every pet is treated with love and respect. loss of their four-legged, furry family members,” says Lorie. “Every kind of pet from a hedgehog, rat, and bearded dragon to Great Danes and Bull Mastiffs, everyone one of them treated with the love and respect our pet families have come to know and expect from us.” Deputy Jason Keipert of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office says, “It eased my mind knowing
amazing during a very difficult time.” Aries retired from K9 duty in December 2008. Faithful Friends offers private cremations to their pet families with your pet ready to return home in about 24-48 hours. Faithful Friends also carries many types of urns, jewelry, memorial stones and caskets in their retail store.
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Do you know what’s driving your dog?
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f someone asked you what drives your dog, would your answer be a mini-van? If so, then you may need help identifying and understanding the different dimensions that shape your dog’s personality. Much like their owners, each dog has many complex factors which combine to create his signature personality. This unique blend of characteristics fuses together and forms your dog’s temperament. His individual temperament then influences his behaviors and how he responds to his environment. Like a recipe which includes differing meas-
Kentucky
urements of each ingredient, your dog has his own signature flavor. The ingredients which make up every dog are much the same but the measurement of each is as individual as Fido himself. These factors are commonly called drives – because your dog is genetically ‘driven’ to execute them. All dogs are a combination of the same drives and are pre-programmed from centuries of surviving, working, and reproducing in the wild. Even if Fido was not a wild predator rest assured, his ancestors were. To ensure survival, it was critical for dogs to adapt and be adept at
hunting, mating, and raising offspring. Here is a list of common drives, their manifestation in your companion, and problem behaviors that may result from them. Prey, sex, defense, fight, play, and herding are drives that all canines must have for survival. They allow them to live in family groups and hunt prey. The right balance of these drives assures that there is the perfect companion for every household. Often, behaviors may belong to one group or another depending on the dog’s breed and back-
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ground. For example, when Fido chases he may do so because he has a high play, prey, or herding drive. Dogs with high prey drive may be more suitable for activities such as agility, search and rescue or obedience but not ideally suited for therapy work. Often times, dogs with high defense drive are mistakenly diagnosed as aggressive while in fact, they are simply defending their home, self, or territory. High defense drive may also explain the cause of nuisance barking. When Fido jumps up on your guests, he may be displaying sex,
defense, or play drive. By identifying the root cause of Fido’s behaviors, it becomes easier to help him learn to control, or release, those drives as the case may be. The dog training experts at Canine Companion help owners and pets achieve balance and peace in their relationships by bridging the gap between problems and solutions for pet owners. The key to a balanced happy pet is to understand your best friend’s needs. For a private behavior consultation, call Canine Companion at 356-6457 or visit www.caninecompanionky.com
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New pet? Learn how to prepare your home for a furry friend
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nyone who’s welcomed a new pet into the home can tell you how important it is to prepare for that four-legged friend. Whether it’s moving furniture to accommodate a dog cage or learning to host a puppy play-date with the bulldog next door, becoming a pet owner can be a definite learning process. When getting your family and your home ready to welcome a furry friend, a few simple steps can go a long way: • While your new pet is getting used to his/her surroundings, it’s a good idea to keep them in a defined area of the house. Baby gates are perfect for closing off an area in your house and designating it as the “puppy
area.” Having a small rug in your puppy’s play area will not only protect your floors, but also protect your dog from sliding and potentially getting hurt. Think twice about what furniture is included in your puppy area – the more excited they get, the clumsier they get. • Keeping cleaning supplies on hand will be your greatest ally. • Don’t forget to brush your new furry friends. Brushing your pet regularly and frequently helps to keep his/her coat in check, especially if they are going through seasonal shedding. Brushing stimulates the skin to keep it naturally moisturized, which can cut back on dander. If possible, brush your pet outside to avoid spreading pet hair in the house. • Get down to your pet’s level, on your hands
and knees, to see what he could get into. Dogs love chew toys, so don’t entice them with a ball of wires from your stereo system. Zip-tie the cords together so they stay neat and tucked behind furniture. Also, cord covers are a great idea for those extension cords running along the floor. Certain types of floor plants can be poisonous if ingested, so be sure to move them up and out of the way. • Pets, especially puppies, need to expel excess energy by playing with others just as much as children do. When hosting a puppy play-date, keep collars on both dogs. If you need to grab one of the dogs in a hurry, you want to be sure you have something to take hold of. Also, when inviting a fourlegged friend over to your home, have the dogs meet
outside. This way, your pup won’t feel threatened in his own territory. It’s no secret that having a pet can benefit a family, but making certain that you and your home are prepared to welcome a four-legged friend will also benefit you. Taking a few simple precautions and making the effort to keep your home petfriendly will make the transition easy. Courtesy of ARAcontent
Remembering your pet
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innemann Pet Services has evolved in response to the growing demand by pet owners for ways to memorialize their animals in a dignified and cost-effective manner. Linnemann has more than 127 years of funeral experience and the owners are pet owners themselves. Linnemann Family Funeral Home and Cremation Center is the first funeral home in Northern Kentucky to offer pet cremation. The people at Linnemann understand that pets are part of the family. The premiere onsite pet crematory allows the funeral home to offer
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cremation services to furry members of the family too. Much like the human crematory, the separate state-of-the-art facility is operated by certified crematory operators. Services, all of which are optional, include: • Picking up your pet from your veterinarian’s office or other location • Helping you select the means of disposition of the remains • Assisting you in selecting a tastefully appointed item to memorialize your pet • Assisting with internment, if required • Cremation, if desired • Online memorial • Interpreting any local
regulations with respect to how and where you may lay your pet to rest The goal at Linnemann is to give pet owners the peace of mind that one of the last decisions they made for their pet was the right one. Linnemann is committed to making end-of-life decisions easier for all pet owners and veterinarians by providing honest, thorough information about pet cremation and maintaining an open door policy at all times. Call Linnemann Pet Services at 727-1250 or visit www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com for more information.
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