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Make the holidays relaxing and bright Check out some unique foot-friendly gift ideas.
Make your home more energy efficient Learn about five innovations to help you prepare your home for winter.
Entertaining at home See ideas on how to make this task more simple and fun.
Editor’s note Wow! This year has flown by. I was always told that once I graduated from college and started working, the years would fly. They certainly have! Can you believe the holidays are here? Well, whether you’re ready or not they are, and time isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. To help you out, this issue includes some exciting, unique gift ideas, as well as tips on holiday entertaining and preparing your home for winter. So, while you have the time, sit back, relax and read. Once all the hustle and bustle starts, you’ll be glad you did.
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 3 Health & Fitness
Business 10 Local Goods • Services
6 Unique Gift Guide
13 Holiday Entertainment
9 At Home
14 Senior Living
Mind • Body • Spirit
Specialty shops
Decor • Repair
Decor • Repair
Apartments • Care
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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Dr. Kitzmiller has two-visit solutions to stop snoring Do you have a holiday wish list? Does it include nights without snoring? What about a smile that you don’t need to hide? Maybe a more youthful, rested appearance? Is it possible to find these gifts with only a month left until the holidays? Yes it is! Dr. Kitzmiller is excited to offer solutions for dazzling smiles, a more youthful appearance, and two-visit solutions for snoring!
hour ZOOM. Do you want a whole new smile but just don’t have the time or finances for braces or veneers? Dr. Kitzmiller now offers Snap On Smile, the revolutionary two-visit, affordable smile makeover that will have you smiling Want More Info? for the holiVisit cincisleep.com days!
No more snoring, no more CPAP! Dr. Kitzmiller offers custom-fabricated, FDA-approved oral appliances to treat disruptive snoring and life-threatening sleep apnea. The appliance requires an initial visit for impressions and a second visit just two weeks later for your fitting. This CPAP alternative is also a great holiday traveling companion!
Dazzling smiles for the holidays! Nothing says holiday happiness more than a dazzling smile. Are your teeth just not white enough? Then call Dr. Kitzmiller to ask about the three simple whitening treatments including two-
Less wrinkles for a radiant you! Dr. Kitzmiller has received specialized training in the application of Botox and Juvederm. These one-hour procedures can smooth pesky crows’ feet, frown lines, and creases around the mouth without a facelift! Call Dr. Kitzmiller today at 248-8848 to ask about holiday packages and schedule your complimentary consultation to see how you can stop snoring, start smiling and look refreshed for the holidays!
Feel great and look fabulous for the holidays.
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Get fit at the Western Tennis and Fitness Club It’s not only the time of year to be thinking of getting in shape, it’s the time of your life! Some things we can put off, but our health and fitness is not one of them. Everyday we read or hear about obesity rates climbing higher and higher. Most people need some help achieving their fitness goals. They need their friends and family and they need professional guidance. Western Tennis & Fitness Club can help! Western Tennis & Fitness Club has been known by most West Siders as “The Racquet Club.” It was built in the 1970s but is much more than a tennis facility. Six years ago, the new owners made a commitment to the entire fitness component. After completing
a million dollar renovation, they have fitness programs for everyone! Many fitness clubs offer low monthly rates then charge extra for classes or they have discontinued their classes altogether! For $45 a month, plus tax, you can have unlimited access to the state-ofart Fitness Center plus unlimited Spinning, Yoga, Zumba, Circuit Training, Step Aerobics, and Cardio classes! There are more than 30 weekly classes to choose from. Every member also receives a free fitness orientation to help get them started! With more than 1,500 members, you will find many of your friends at the Club to support you! Western also offers
group personal training for groups of three or four people. It is a low-cost way to work with a certified personal trainer and achieve your fitness goals with your friends! Western Tennis & Fitness Club is a wonderful club, but don’t let the word “club” scare you away. It’s a place where everyone feels welcome. The staff is the friendliest and most helpful you will find at any club. The Club is clean, well-maintained and relaxing. It is just the place for you to come and
get away from the stresses of life and to start taking care of yourself! Try the Free 7-Day Pass! Join now and pay no
hour tennis lesson and free tennis ratings for the entire family. Don’t put off taking care of yourself. There is
Every member also receives a free fitness orientation to help get them started! With more than 1,500 members, you will find many of your friends at the Club to support you! administration fee… plus receive one free hour personal training session and free fitness orientations for the entire family. If you join for tennis, you will also receive one free
only one you! Join now! Commit to be fit at Western Tennis & Fitness Club!
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Encouraging, ensuring your independence Mike Murphy loves his home. Like many people, he’s shared countless memories there with the ones he loves. He can’t imagine ever being forced to give it up. That’s why the Burlington Pharmacy employee is so passionate about helping others in the community remain in their homes. “From a personal standpoint, due to a death in the family, I had to move from my (childhood) home. It is very painful to move away from the home you’ve lived in all your life or for many years,” he said. “That is why it’s so very important to me to provide a person with every opportunity to remain independent, in their home as they become older.” Murphy has been fulfilling this mission at Burlington Pharmacy, one of the area’s largest retail suppliers of home health products and services, for eight years. “I’m a stubborn guy. Not being able to get around, especially in my own home, would make me feel bad about myself,” he explained. “The products and services we offer, can help a person maintain their mobility, therefore giving them a strong sense of self value.” Burlington Pharmacy offers stair lifts, a mechanical device for transporting people up and down stairs. A rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs and a chair or standing platform is attached to the rail. “This keeps people from being a prisoner to
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one floor in their home,” he said. “It ensures safety and comfort as they move about in their home. It is good especially for those with arthritis, or who have had hip or knee replacements.” Burlington Pharmacy also offers modular ramps, customized, to your home and needs. Ramps offer a Burlington Pharmacy offers stair lifts, a mechanical device for transporting simple and people up and down stairs. A rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs and a convenient chair or standing platform is attached to the rail. solution for
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wheelchairs and scooters to access steps, vehicles, and raised landings with ease. Vehicle lifts, power wheelchairs, and scooters can also be found in the Burlington Pharmacy showroom - many of which will also be on display in the pharmacy’s booth at the Greater Cincinnati Home and Garden Show. “Without these options many would be forced to move to a smaller home or even a retirement community,” Murphy said. Murphy said he
enjoys working at Burlington Pharmacy because he enjoys helping people. Best of all, he said, “we’re a family here - customers included.” “We know our customers,” Murphy explained. “And when you walk in here, it feels friendly. Our showroom is large and welcoming. It doesn’t have that cold aisle and shelf- feel you get from chain stores. When you come here, you know what we’re about we do what we can to take care of the community.” For more information call 586-6700 or visit www. burlingtonhealth care.com.
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Foot-friendly giftscan make the
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tanding in long checkout lines, climbing up and down ladders to hang decorations, staying on one’s toes so the kids (or the spouse) don’t find where their gifts are hidden – it takes some fancy footwork to stay on top of things throughout the holidays.
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Even the healthiest among us can wind up with sore, tired feet at the end of a long day leading up to the holidays. “Eight out of 10 American adults have experienced foot pain due to uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes, according to the American Podiatric Association (APMA),” says Brendan Leonard of Health Enterprises, makers of therapeutic products. “Compound uncomfortable shoes with
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lots of hours on your feet dealing with holiday demands, and sore fee can really dampen your holiday spirit.” Who wouldn’t love to have their tootsies pampered a little bit at this time of year? Gifts that make the feet feel good are sure to make the whole person connected to those feet feel pretty happy too. This season, consider giving a gift that soothes two of the most overlooked and under-appreciated
parts of the body. Here are four footfriendly gift ideas to get you started: Pedicure – Having your feet and nails cared for by someone else can be a relaxing experience that leaves feet looking and feeling great. Professional pedicures can be inexpensive for a basic trim and polish. Or, for a bit more money, you can add in foot and leg massages, and paraffin or
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Foot see page 15
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Your one-stop for unique gifts is A Sweet Life Escape the noisy rush of shoppers at the mall and enjoy a relaxing and unique shopping experience at A Sweet Life. This is the place where you are sure to find that special gift for everyone on your Christmas list! Featuring the creations of more than 35 local crafters, as well as, an antiques and collectibles corner, there are items here for the young and old. The minute you walk in the door, you are greeted with the sights, sounds, and smells of the
holidays. From mosaics, customized gifts, children’s items (including the very popular crayon bags), jewelry, gift baskets, candy bouquets, pottery, floral designs, and purses/totes to ornaments, scarves, table runners, stained glass, soy candles, and sweets, you are sure to leave with an armful of special presents. A Sweet Life will host a Holiday Open House Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments, crafter meet’n’greet, and crafter
demonstrations throughout the day. Shop during the open house and receive $5 in Holiday Bucks for every $25 you spend; redeemable on your next purchase before Dec. 24. A Sweet Life is located at 9898 Colerain Avenue near Outback Steakhouse. Check out the website at www.asweetlife online.com, for cupcake flavors and make sure to become a friend of A Sweet Life (Cincinnati, Ohio) on Facebook.
‘Bead’ ready for Christmas Christmas is around the corner, so what are you going to give that special woman in your life? Visit Siemer & Sons Jewelers, at 5673 Rapid Run, for their pre-holiday event including special guest representatives from Chamilia and Velvet Box Beads. Both representatives will help them design a new or existing bracelet. Event hours are Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers will also have the choice to receive a free lobster catch bracelet with the purchase of any four beads or for every three beads they buy they will get the fourth bead free. In addition, Siemer’s will be showcasing the new fourth quarter beads and the limited edition bracelet. On Thursday, Nov. 11 the Chamilia repre-
sentative will be at Siemer’s. You’ll discover ways to truly reflect the life and style of that special woman with this one-of-a-kind jewelry created in dazzling beads in sterling silver, 14k gold, Swarovski crystal, colored stones and Italian Murano glass. The Velvet Box Beads representative will be on the premises Friday, Nov. 12. These beads, made from the finest glass rods available, including artisan small batch glass made in the USA and worldrenowned Italian Murano, are formed in the flame by a Velvet Box artist, kiln annealed using state-of-the-art equipment and processes, and hand finished. At Siemer’s you’ll find the finest, most exquisitely unique jewelry gifts that she will absolutely adore. Call 9220720 for more information.
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The Paw-fect gift for your best friend They’re your best friend – a loyal companion. Don’t forget about them this busy holiday season – give your pet the gift of pampering they deserve. Look to the comfort and convenience of the West Side’s premier mobile pet groomer, Happy Tails to You Mobile Pet Spaw. Call 300-1080 to schedule an appointment for a visit from one of the stateof-the-art, fully equipped and customized mobile pet grooming vans. Happy Tails provides complete grooming services for your pet, saving you valuable time and trouble. This special Spaw exists to bring a stress-free, positive grooming experience to pets and their families. Happy Tails brings the style and flair of a fine, upscale pet grooming salon to the privacy and convenience of your home or office, where your pet will receive professional, personalized and uninterrupted attention. You won’t have to worry about your pet’s separation anxiety because they’ll never leave their own drive-
way or front yard. There’s no stressful car ride and there’s no usual noise and interruptions faced in a busy salon. Regular good grooming is important in the promotion of good health for your pet and family, it helps keep your home and furniture clean. This is a must when you’re expecting guests during the holidays. Happy Tails chooses only the best products available to leave your pet looking and feeling its best. They don’t charge more for what the others call “extras,” the appropriate products for each pet will be used. Happy Tails is a family owned and operated West Side business. Their clients become like family and are treated as such. Karen Smith, a professionally trained and certified pet stylist and grooming instructor, prides herself in styling all dogs to their correct and proper breed profile as well as creating unique styles for the everyday pet. Her daughter, Sarah,
has been working professionally with Happy Tails since 2005, and is experienced in grooming all breeds of dogs with gentle compassion as well as an eye for detail. Sarah’s fiancé, Jacob, has been with the Happy Tails family since 2007 and is noted for his wonderful handling skills and attention. Karen’s son, Chris, joined his family’s business in 2007 and is dedicated to caring for pets and bringing out their natural beauty. They have all grown and lived with pets all of our lives and understand the important role pets have in families. Your pet’s safety and comfort are their top priorities. And in tune with the season, they’ll even top off the pampering by giving your pet stylish bows or a bandanna so they’ll fit right with your holiday wardrobe. For more information on Happy Tails visit www.happytailstoyougrooming.com.
Find great gifts, deals at Karen’s Basket Factory Karen’s Basket Factory and Country Store is bursting at the seams with unique merchandise for the holiday season. Along with hand woven baskets by Karen B. Freeman and other handcrafted items, there are candles and accessories by McCalls, Keepers of the Light, Warm Glow, Swan Creek (Soy), and 1824. There are also Pat Richter and Legacy cards and stationery, decorative home
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accessories by Park Designs and others. You’ll also find collectibles, ornaments, holiday decorations, throws, lap quilts, runners, oil cloth, aprons, cookbooks, dip mixes, gourmet coffees and cocoas and much more – all in one shopping location with ample parking. Stop by and receive personalized attention and service while selecting gifts for your family and friends at this specialty store. Karen’s Basket Factory and
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Country Store is now open seven days a week through Dec. 31. Call 245-1100 for hours.
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Be ready for the snow Fiveinnovations to make your home more energy
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ld Man Winter brings a variety of gifts for us each year – cold winds, snow and, of course, higher energy bills. You can’t control the cold and the snow, but you do have a little control over how much energy you will use this winter.
With today’s technological advances, it has never been easier to lessen your impact on the power grid and reduce your heating bills. An energy audit is a good place to start to find out areas where heat is escaping from your home. After you’ve identified those areas, you may also want to think about outfitting your home with devices or systems that will make it more energy efficient. Here are five recent innovations that can help you conserve energy this winter:
Are you ready for the snow? Winter is just around the corner and any day now, you are going to wake up with a winter wonderland right outside your door. Remember last winter. Now is the time to get your snow blower out for a test start-up and to check that it is operating correctly. Or, bring it in for a much needed tune-up from White Oak Mower Shop’s master service technicians. Stop in and see the selection of Toro Snow Blowers, like the Toro Power Clear 180, a 58pound muscle machine that throws snow up to 25 feet. The Toro Power Clear 180 make great Christmas gifts and are on sale now starting at $359. Service after the purchase of a snow blower is Be ready for the snow, visit White Oak Mower Shop today. also very important. going. Located at 3590 Blue When it snows, you’ll For more information Rock Road, White Oak want your snow blower in call 385-4397. Mower Shop has the parts tip-top shape. and services to get you
• Freewatt home energy system. This eco-friendly heating system features micro-CHP technology that is integrated with a high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler and generates both heat and electricity for your home. Such a system has the potential to generate half of a typical home’s annual electrical needs, according to ECR, makers of the freewatt and freewatt plus home energy systems. Additionally, a water heater may be added to the system to HOME see page 15
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Get energy savings while you can for 2010 Time is running out to take advantage of the 2010 tax credit for making your home more energy efficient. According to the experts at Roof Time there is still time for a free energy attic check-up, and to get any needed work completed before the time is up. Insulating your attic with Owens Corning insulation qualifies you for a tax credit up to a $1,500 until the Dec. 31 deadline. Using a thermal image camera (like the ones the cable TV ghost hunters use) and digital ther-
mometers, Roof Times’ estimators can pinpoint the problem areas that hide under your roof. A New Roof Time is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and has obtained the added certification as a TOP OF THE HOUSE roofer-attic insulator (with only three locally.) They are members of the Better Business Bureau and have an A+ rating on Angie’s List (they have won the Super Service Award every year since 2006). A free Roof Time quote includes options for making the existing roof venti-
lation system meet or exceeds FHA specifications; increases the attic insulation to the Department of Energy recommended level of R-60, and a radiant barrier that reduces the attic’s temperature by as much as 50 degrees every day. Using these techniques Roof Time knows that homeowners can extend their roof’s life, make their home quieter and more comfortable, and reduce monthly utility bills by 20 to 30 percent. Owens Corning’s fiberglass insulation material is clean, non-allergenic and
resistant to mold, and will never settle. The material is treated with an aloe to prevent skin irritation. It will leave your attic clean and your home much more comfortable, and never get that old “wet newspaper smell” in your home the way cellulose insulation often does. An average insulation job costs less than $1,200, so by combining the tax credit and the savings from smaller energy bills, insulation can pay for itself in two years! According to the D.O.E. 25 percent of a home’s energy is lost
through the attic/roof, compared to only 10 percent through walls. Insulating your attic is the least expensive way to cut energy costs and provides the largest return. In addition to savings, you’ll prolong the life of your air conditioner and furnace. You’ll also have a more comfortable home that has increased in value, should you ever want to sell. Visit www.newroof time.com or call Missy at 513-753-TIME (8463) to get a free inspection of your roof, attic insulation, siding or gutter system!
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Support local troops with Hagen Dental Practice Being away from home is always hard for the American soldier, especially during the holidays. Hagen Dental Practice, is working, however to bring a little home to them during the holiday season. For the past few years, Hagen Dental Practice has conducted an annual candy buyback immediately following Halloween. Children sold the candy they collected during Halloween for $1 per pound. Hagen Dental Practice sent the candy to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They started this program as a small gesture to share a little bit of home with the troops and show their appreciation while encouraging kids to maintain a healthy smile. After the overwhelming response Hagen Dental Practice received from their patients and the community, with more than 18,000 pounds of candy collected, they’ve decided to take this idea a bit further and increase their commitment to the troops. Starting on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, and continuing through Tuesday, Nov. 30, Hagen Dental Practice will be accepting personal items, including magazines, candy, and other non-perishable items, which they will then send to Cincinnati-area troops serving in Afghanistan for Christmas. They are calling the cause Holiday for Hagen’s Heroes. These dedicated servicemen and women have
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continued to answer the call and selflessly serve their country, and Hagen Dental Practice wants to show their appreciation for those sacrifices. Hagen Dental Practice has seen firsthand the generosity of all of their patients and neighbors, and know, together, they can continue to exceed the level of giving. Participating is easy. Just drop off your donations at Hagen Dental Practice at 4998 Glenway Ave. in Cincinnati
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between Nov. 11-30. For more information, call 251-5500. Please show your support! For more than 30 years, Hagen Dental Practice has provided Cincinnati with high quality dental care. Using state of the art technologies, the friendly experienced staff is skilled at making patients feel at ease while they create beautiful healthy smiles. Hagen Dental Practice provides specialized treatment to patients of all ages with a variety of
services. Overall, Dr. Hagen’s focus includes: • General and pediatric dentistry • Cosmetic dentistry • Implant procedures • Prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, dentures) • Periodontics (gum treatment) Dr. Lawrence W. Hagen has trained extensively in preventative and restorative dentistry. A native of Cincinnati, he is
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a graduate of St. Xavier High School, Xavier University and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. After earning his doctorate in 1979, Dr. Hagen returned to Cincinnati, where he entered private practice. To stay informed of the revolutionary developments in dentistry, he participates in various continuing education courses and maintains member-
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Celebrate the holidays at Bushwackers Salon Get merry at Bushwackers Salon’s Annual Holiday Open House Friday, Dec. 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. where you’ll receive 20 percent off on almost all retail products! They’ll also be selling $100 gift certificates for just $80! What better way to
show that special someone in your life just how special they are with a gift certificate to Bushwackers Salon. You’ll also have the opportunity to win spa packages and gift baskets. Be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for a special gift basket and you’ll be helping others.
All proceeds from raffle sales will benefit a local family in need during the holidays. Bushwackers is also introducing a new associate service provider. She’ll be offering most services for half price. In addition, several service providers are preparing for at trip to
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ship in organizations such as the Academy of Computerized Dentistry and the International College of Implantology. Hagen Dental Practice is recognized by the American Dental Association, Academy of Computerized Dentistry, Ohio Dental Association and Cincinnati Dental Society. If you want caring, professional service in a
comfortable environment, then come to Hagen Dental Practice. New patients are always welcome. They offer state-of-the-art services and serve a wide variety of clients of every age. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.hagendds.com for additional information.
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Las Vegas in January to attend the Redken International Symposium, the largest single manufacture educational event in the beauty industry. The service providers believe it is important to stay up-to-date on styles and trends so that they may serve all of their guests with the utmost
knowledge and skill. Bushwackers offer hair service, skin care, and natural nail services. Visit Bushwackers, 6404 Cheviot Road, today for all your styling needs. Call 245-0555 to make an appointment.
All ‘dolled’ up for the holidays If it sparkles or glitters, you’ll find it for your 15- or 18-inch dolls at Preview Productions. Joyce Rosselot and her assistants. Susan Lehr and Sarah Watters, hand-make outfits including beautiful holiday coats and capes made of old fashioned velvets and furs. Preview Productions has your doll covered from head to toe, including beautiful accessories. Gift certificates are also available for all your holiday shopping needs. For more information about Preview Productions call 271-2524 or stop by the shop, located at at 6720 Main St. in Newtown. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
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Entertaining at home
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or the average person, hostessing does not mean setting out your finest table cloth and most prized dinnerware. One of the keys to being a good hostess is to create a warm home environment that’s ready to welcome guests at any time.
Planning a grand dinner party or an over-the-top outdoor soiree can be a blast, but more often than not, you’ll find yourself playing host to your family and friends with little advanced notice. By keeping your house stocked with a few simple items, and having some go-to ideas for quick snacks, drinks and decor, you’ll keep your home ever-ready for guests. “For great entertaining on the fly,
When guests drop by, don’t worry about painstakingly whipping up your famous made-from-scratch margaritas, which take time and effort to make perfectly.
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it’s best to keep things simple,” says Sandra Lee, Food Network host and home decorating expert. “You’re not planning an extravagant dinner party, so it’s best to work with what you have and have fun doing it.” Lee also recommends keeping a few simple design or entertaining solutions around the house to make hosting comfortable and effortless. Here are a few of her recommendations: • Keep colorful napkins or festive paper cups on hand. If you have extra items left from a previous party, the perfect occasion to use them is FUN see page 14 when
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Should better hearing so you can join in be on your holiday gift list? For most people, the holidays are a time for reconnecting. Sadly, people with hearing loss can feel even more isolated at this time of year, missing pieces of conversations, shying away from parties, and straining to hear loved ones’ voices on the phone because of untreated hearing loss. This holiday, give the gift of connectedness. Take advantage of our end-of-the-year sale on instock hearing aids and assistive listening devices (ALDs) and help someone you love hear more clearly and participate more fully in the joys of the holiday season. ALDs offer people with hearing loss simple solu-
tions for talking on the phone, watching TV, and hearing the alarm clock, doorbell, or smoke detector. ALDs alert you to sounds you don’t hear well and amplify sounds you’d like to hear better. They can make listening and communicating less stressful and tiresome in everyday situations, even for those who already wear hearing aids. Several models of hearing aids are on sale now in various levels of technology and price points. New aids or a technology upgrade can make meaningful gifts. Add-on devices for hearing aids now offer connective capability as well,
helping wearers stay connected to their world. These devices ensure that they can hear phone calls in both ears and listen to other audio devices at their comfort level. The devices are compatible with cell phones and other wireless and Bluetooth accessories, turning hearing aids into the world’s smallest wireless headset. Take away the isolation and give the gift of hearing. To make an appointment for a hearing aid consultation, try out ALDs, including amplified phones and TV Ears, or for your free copy of The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids, call 598-9444 today.
FUN from page 13 unexpected guests drop in. Handing them an everyday drink in a fancy glass will make them feel as if their visit is a special occasion. • Always keep your home smelling fresh. When your guests are greeted by a refreshing home scent, they’ll immediately feel comfortable and welcome in your home. “A fresh scent is one of the first things your guest will notice when they enter your home,” says Lee. “Keeping your rooms odor-free will make your guests feel comfortable, and since so much of our sense of taste involves smell, it will only make their food and drinks taste that much better.” • Stock up on desert mixes so you can whip up treats in a matter of minutes. Lee recommends frozen cookies or cake batter for a quick and tasty treat. • When guests drop by, don’t worry about painstakingly whipping up your famous made-fromscratch margaritas, which take time and effort to make perfectly. Instead, keep simple beverage ingredients on hand for a cool and refreshing drink. Even a cold glass of water with a lime on the rim of the glass will be a welcome refresher for your guests. • If you and your guests have your kids in tow, have the children help you with hosting by offering a fun food-related activity. Keep ingredients for s’mores on hand (which will stay fresh for a long time) and let the kids make their own. You can either heat them up in the microwave, or make a small fire in the backyard fire pit-just remember to use fire safety precautions. See the kettle corn recipe in box for a quick and easy recipe that children will love to help you with. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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S E N I O R FOOT from page 6 other skin-softening treatments. A pedicure can be a one-size-fits-all gift, and is appropriate for everyone from your best friend to your grandmother. Even guys can enjoy the treat, as many salons and spas now offer pedicures designed to pamper men’s feet. Foot massage – A foot rub can be the ultimate way to decompress after a stressful and tiring day. Or, you can start your day with an invigorating massage. You can give the gift of a good foot massage in several ways, such as a gift certificate to a spa. Or, make the good feelings last even longer by giving a home massager. Lovely lotions – It doesn’t take much for overworked, tired feet to become dry, cracked and uncomfortable. Nearly three quarters of Americans suffer from dry, rough, cracked or irritated skin, the APMA reports. More than any other part of the body, the foot cries out for soothing moisture. You can find quality lotions, polishers and foot scrubs in supermarkets, drug stores and department stores, or from a plethora of online resources. Look for ones that offer optimum moisturization and an aroma that
mimic the recipient’s favorite scent – many people find peppermint and vanilla particularly pleasing for foot lotions. Insoles for the soul – Sadly, style and comfort aren’t always in lockstep with each other, and we often wear shoes that look good but don’t feel good on our feet. In fact, the APMA cites poorly fitted, uncomfortable shoes as a major source of foot pain for many people. Fortunately, a host of high-tech shoe inserts has made it easier to ease the discomfort caused by shoes. Insoles can help cushion and support the foot while easing chafing in problem areas. You can even find varieties with gel inside or ridges that purport to massage feet while the wearer walks. You’ll need to know the recipient’s shoe size and in what type of shoe he or she will be wearing the inserts. While your foot-friendly gift probably can’t alleviate all the frustrations of the holidays, it can help recipients feel better about their feet. And once their feet feel good, maybe untangling that ball of last year’s holiday lights won’t seem quite so stressful. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Quality nursing care, rehabilitation Clovernook provides quality nursing care and rehabilitation, as well as one of the most progressive, effective wound care centers in the Tristate. Clovernook is nestled into six park-like acres in the residential neighborhood of North College Hill and its caring professional staff is dedicated to serving the needs of the residents and their families. The Progressive Wound Centre was opened in 2004, due to Clovernook’s successes in healing vascular, venous, diabetic, surgical, pressure and complex wounds. The Progressive Wound Centre team uses state of the art products and inno-
vative treatments. With quality care, careful monitoring, and a unified team approach, the professionals at The Progressive Wound Centre advance healing in dramatic ways. The Progressive Wound Centre is like no other in the region! All rehabilitation therapies: Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, and Recreational are available to their residents. Clovernook is Medicaid and Medicare certified and provides private pay, as well as some private insurance. They provide long-term and short-term care, and skilled and intermediate care.
HOME from page 9 produce even more electricity. If your state and utility company have net metering programs, you can also sell back additional electricity generated by your system to be used elsewhere. The freewatt plus system also acts as a backup generator should your home lose power. • Rooftop solar water heaters. Why pay for energy to heat water when the sun will do it for you at no cost? While a solar water heater may cost more up front, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you can save 50 to 80 percent on your water heating bill. It’s possible that you may also be able to receive a tax deduction if you roll the cost of the heater into your mortgage. If you are interested, it may also be wise to check with the Department of Energy or retailers to see if there are any other tax benefits available for any efficiency upgrade you are thinking about making. • Solar light tubes. Adding these to
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your house can add fresh and natural light to a space that might otherwise need electric light, thus reducing the electricity you’ll use. These can be added during construction or installed at a later date. • Radiant barriers. This strategy, using reflective barriers, often in the attic, can reduce the amount of heat that is lost through the roof of your home. It also can reduce the amount of heat coming in from the attic in the warmer months. • If you determine you are losing a lot of heat through your windows, it might make good financial sense to replace them with more energy-efficient ones. It might be helpful to work with your energy auditor or window company to determine the best option, as it can often be dependent on what kind of windows you have and where they are located. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Touching lives, lifting spirits at Cedar Village Community Our lives are greatly enriched by the contact we have with other people. We can share stories, joys and smiles. At Cedar Village, a wonderful group of residents would love to get to know you better! There are many opportunities where you can volunteer and enhance the life of a Cedar Village resident. Their volunteer corps includes junior volunteers, as well as volunteers from our auxiliary, the Friends of Cedar Village. Volunteer opportunities are open in the following positions:
great way to give a friendly smile and greeting for a pleasant day!
One-on-one visits - Simply come in and spend some time talking with residents. Take a walk outside, visit the gift shop, chat, read aloud. Just be there.
Activities - Call BINGO! Play Scrabble, Wii, Karaoke and Chair Volleyball. Help with special events such as concerts, dinner gatherings, special luncheons and other monthly activities.
Escorts - Some residents need assistance to doctor’s appointments and activities in our facility. Escort residents to services on Saturdays at 9:15 a.m. and/or to Oneg at 1:30 p.m. Deli - The Cedar Village deli is always in need of extra hands to prepare for a day of tasty sandwiches, hot soup and daily specials. Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You choose the time that works for you. They’d love the help and the residents always love a friendly face! Mail delivery - Help with mail delivery to the residents in both the apartments and in health care. Also a
Manicures - Provide a bit of pampering for a resident with a light hand massage, nail file and finish with a fresh coat of polish, just another way to bring some joy to the lives of our residents. Hands-on involvement - Assist with crafts and/or cooking workshops, exercise programs such as the Walking Club.
Discussion groups - Share current events with residents and engage in lively discussions. This can include traveling experiences. Office work - Help is needed with miscellaneous filing, envelope stuffing and any general office work. To volunteer at Cedar Village Retirement Community complete a volunteer application and mail it in or drop it by. You may download an application from their website at www.cedarvillage.org. Cedar Village Retirement Community is located at 5467 Cedar Village Drive in Mason. For more information go to www.cedarvillage.org or call 754-3100.
Tell your neighbors your story Call 687-4614 16
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