CENTRAL AREA
MONTHLY Volume 1, Issue 3 December 2008
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True Holiday Spirit!
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Healthy Holiday Eating
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A Touch of Xazz!
CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR This is a glorious time for America! We as a community and as a nation should feel blessed and look forward to a bright future. We have elected the first African-American to the office of President of the United States. President-elect Barack Obama is the fulfillment of a promise America made to its people that “We hold these truths to be selfevident that, all men are created equal”. President-elect Barack Obama is the fulfillment of Martin’s dream to live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. President-elect Barack Obama is the fulfillment of the promise we make to ourselves and to our children that regardless of race, creed or color, if you work hard, get an education, and do what is right, you can be anything you want to be even if you want to be President of the United States. Nothing is impossible! I look forward to this holiday season and the New Year to come because I know that America has changed for the better. America has shown the world that in this country, we practice what we preach. Individually, we must do the same. We must accept responsibility for our actions and be come our own role models. As a community, we must learn to support each other, show some love and charity towards one another, say a kind word and/ or do a kind deed. Let’s not waste one moment of our lives attempting to hold one another back or attempting to sabotage the goals and dreams of someone else. As the song goes “what the world needs now is love, sweet love”. This is what we must give to each other if expect to receive it in return. As this year comes to an end and we embark on a new year filled with hope and unlimited possibilities, let’s not forget to LOVE!
Happy Holidays! Miklos, Starla and Grant Fitch CONTACT US
December 2008 ~ ~Contributors ~ ~
Central Area Monthly P.O. Box 94057 Seattle, WA 98124-9457
Pastor Curtis Taylor
(425) 533-7802
David White, RN
www.CentralAreaMonthly.com
Djuna Basconcelo
info@CentralAreaMonthly.com
Tobi Ellison
THE FITCH FAMILY --STARLA L. FITCH PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Inside this issue: Contact Us
2
Cover Story
3
Neighborhood Watch
3
Advertise with Us!
4
Our Health & Fitness
5
Subscription Form
5
Marriage & Family
6
Real Estate Corner
6
From Head 2 Toe
7
The Green Revolution
8
The Funny Side
8
Indoor Decor
9
About Business
10
Inspirational Thoughts
11
2009 Unity in Worship Calendar
11
C.A.M. Classifieds
11
Just for Seniors
12
Money Matters
12
Eat, Drink & Enjoy!
13
Community Voice
14
Travel Smart
14
Pop Quiz - Win $5.00!
15
C.C. Leonard
Need help with graphic design? Need business cards, letterhead, programs, flyers, or other printed materials?
Evelyn Brown
Call Starla! (425) 533-7802
We’re on the web!
Quality is my specialty! Reasonable rates!
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!
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*All Glasbergen cartoons are printed with permission.
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 3
True Holiday Spirit!
COVER STORY
By Starla L. Fitch During this time of year, most people seem to be more joyous, kind and generous, this is what we call “Holiday Spirit”. True holiday spirit is about love and kindness, not about materialism and shopping. Too many of us get caught up in the latter. Saying a kind word or doing a kind deed is so much more important than buying an expensive gift. Most times we are giving gifts to people who already have much more than they need. I have a few suggestions for giving this year that will not only help ease the stress of holiday shopping but will also be a benefit to the receiver long after this holiday is over. Build memories! Instead of spending day after day looking for that “perfect” gift, why not pack up the family and go look at a holiday light displays. This is a memorable experience that you and your children will remember long after that desired video game is obsolete. Do a family get away. Take the family and get away for a few days. With that same $700 or $800 dollars you were going to spend on toys and clothes that your children don’t need and won’t remember next year, you can take the family skiing, tour the Washington and/or Oregon coast or go visit relatives living out-of town. Spend a few days away from it all so that you can enjoy and appreciate being a family. Donate to a charity or take the time to put together gift bags to give to women’s and men’s shelters, orphanages and/or senior citizens homes. Something as small as Ziploc bag with toiletries, may mean nothing to you but could mean the world to someone else. Buy savings bonds for your children’s future. A savings bond will double your money over time. With $250.00, you can purchase a $500.00 savings bond which will come in handy when your child is getting ready for college. I’m not saying, don’t buy some fun and/or extravagant things for yourself and your family, I’m just saying don’t make that the entirety of your gift buying and giving. Think long-term. Build wealth with savings and investments. Build family memories. Give gifts that will be remembered for many years to come. I believe in karma or as some would say, “what goes around, comes around”. What you do to others, whether good or bad will come back to you in some way or other, so exude goodness and goodness will come your way. Teach your children the importance of giving of themselves. Let them know that helping someone else, also helps them mature with compassion and understanding. Step outside of your comfort zone and share true holiday spirit with your family, your friends, people you know and people you don’t know. When the holidays are over, don’t let that spirit end. Continue to do what you can to help others and in return, you help yourself, your community and the world. Give a gift that last, give from your heart, that is true holiday spirit!
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Shopping during the holiday season can present unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous. The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. Here are a few tips to help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season. Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member. Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit. • Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps. • Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings. Keep these tips in mind when shopping this holiday season and you will have a safe and joyous shopping experience. • • • • • •
*Source - http://crime.about.com/od/prevent/qt/tips_shopping.htm
CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 5
Healthy Holiday Eating
OUR HEALTH & FITNESS
By David White, RN This time of year, we are welcomed into the homes of our friends and families with invitations to eat, drink, and eat some more. This results in a stressful holiday season for those of us who are trying to maintain a healthy weight or follow a healthy diet for medical reasons. Here are some guidelines that may help to make this time of year easier: 1. Ditch the New Year's resolutions. If you tell yourself you are going to swear off chocolate, alcohol, sweets and other high-calorie items, it may put you in a frame of mind to binge on these things before January 1: "I'm not going to be able to have it later, so I'm going to get it now!" Likewise, don't skip meals or fast. This will only make you hungry and more prone to overeat. 2. Don't go to parties hungry. Have a healthy, high-protein snack or meal at home beforehand to avoid overeating at the party. 3. You can use low-fat yogurt, soy yogurt, or applesauce to substitute for the fat in almost any baked dessert, and the results incredibly moist and tasty. For creamy dips, silken tofu can stand in for cream as a base, and most people can't tell the difference in a blind taste test. 4. Cook rice and vegetables in vegetable or low-fat chicken broth and you will be less tempted to add butter to boost the flavor later. 5. Be realistic. Don't try to lose weight during the holidays; focus instead on maintaining your present weight. Don't deprive yourself either. A piece of your Aunt Fanny's Famous Pecan Pie is not going to put you over the edge, and might even help you relax if you like it THAT much. 6. Drink lots of water. It helps you to feel full. Try lower calorie alcoholic drinks, such as dry white wine, wine spritzer or Bloody Mary. 7. Get some physical exercise every day. A 30 minute brisk walk can keep you energized, boost your metabolism, and actually curb your appetite. When cooking, try the following low-fat substitutions in your recipes: 2 egg whites for 1 whole egg Low fat sour cream or yogurt for sour cream Frozen yogurt for ice cream In place of heavy cream (not for whipping) Whisk 2 tablespoons of sour cream into 2 cups nonfat milk or evaporated skim milk. Oh, and don't forget to pass the turkey! The white meat is one of the leanest meats you can choose and high in protein. *David White has been a critical care/emergency RN at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for 12 years.
Read our CAM Blog by “Man on the Block� to reply to his post, contact him via email - motb@centralareamonthly.com Subscribe to the Central Area Monthly today! Name________________________________________ Profession______________________________________ Firm/Organization______________________________ Position________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ Email__________________________________________ City_____________________________ State __________________________________ Zip________________ Hm/Business ph.___________________________________ Cellular___________________________________ To have this dynamic and informative publication delivered to your home or business, please complete this form and remit with your payment. Make all checks or money orders payable to Central Area Monthly & mail to P.O. Box 94057, Seattle, WA 98124-9457. Or pay online @ www.CentralAreaMonthly.com - We accept all major credit cards via Paypal.
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CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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The Importance of Family
MARRIAGE & FAMILY
By Starla L. Fitch Family seems to take on a special significance during the holiday season. We tend to cling to and have a desire to be with family more during this time of year. Traditionally, family is composed of a father, mother and one or more children, we call this our “immediate” family. There is another component of family called the “extended” family which is usually grandparents, aunt, uncles and cousins. There are also “untraditional” families such as those composed of two fathers or two mothers or an older sibling raising younger siblings. These untraditional families still serve the same purpose and function in the same way as the traditional. Those of us lucky enough to have grown up surrounded by family, tend to have at least a few fond memories of holiday gatherings in which family and friends were present. These are the memories that we cherish and that we want our children to experience. Family is much more than just a bunch of people that live with or near us. Family is people who love and care for each other. Family is where you are allowed to grow and learn about social behavior. Family discussions abound and disagreements are inevitable. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to choose our family members, we just have to deal with the ones we’re given. There is something special about family. There are bonds, emotional, physical and spiritual that reinforce the belief that you belong to these people. That they will understand you when no one else does, that they will support you when no one else does and that they will defend and protect you when no one else does. No matter how far you may go or how long you’ve been away, family will always welcome you back to the fold with open arms. Family grounds you and gives you a sense of purpose. Family gives you a starting point and a foundation from which you can build your life into what you want it to be. In some instances, you may have to get away from your family to exert your independence and develop your own individual identity. And in other instances, you will depend on that family to keep you from forgetting from whence you came. Whatever the case may be for you and your family, always put family first.
We’re Living in a Good Housing Market!
REAL ESTATE CORNER
By Djuna Basconcelo Say what? A good housing market you ask? Yes! It is a very good time to buy. There is plenty of inventory from which to choose. Interest rates are near historic lows and prices are reasonable. Sellers have to be more competitive to attract the best buyers, and our housing market overall is more balanced than it has been in several years. (This is not to say some homeowners with loans acquired in 2006 and 2007 haven’t suffered, many have.) Quite certainly this is not the perspective you are seeing anywhere else. Often the top story is about people who are already in distress, particularly in areas where unemployment is rising; making it seem like the housing world is imploding. The fact is banks are still loaning money to good buyer candidates. The difference today is the definition of good buyer candidate. Gone are the days of the no-doc, no-asset, and my personal favorite, the no-job loan; thankfully! Good buyer candidates who bought homes in the recent peak years are by and large not the people we are reading about in the headlines today. A good buyer candidate is someone who has decent credit, 620 + on a scale of 300 to 900, a regular source of income, on time payment history, 4 or 5 open trade lines (accounts), and at least 6-9% of the purchase price saved for down payment and closing costs. There are, of course, other factors that are addressed on a case by case basis. If your credit score is below 620 and your report shows late payments, collections, or other derogatory entries, the first order of business is to make sure everything on the report is accurate and yours. Then: • Create a budget, trim the fat, and then live by it. No excuses. • Pay yourself first—10% to 20% into savings right away, for rainy day fund and/or tithing. • Always, always, always pay bills on time. • Avoid opening too many credit accounts and submitting numerous applications for credit. • Avoid opening store cards all together. • Keep the longest standing and current 4 or 5 accounts open. • Keep the balance on credit and store cards below 40% of available credit. • Keep all consumer debt low. Before tackling collections, seek the advice of a professional mortgage planner or credit repair agency. With good credit or at least a 12 month history of on time payments and a little money saved, the housing market is open to most people, subject only to personal preferences, income/debt ratio, and monthly payment comfort zone. *Djuna Basconcelo has worked for Keller Williams Realty for 10 years and has lived in the Central Area since 1995.
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 7
A Touch of XAZZ….
FROM HEAD 2 TOE
Sponsored by XAZZ, a Salon Xazz, a Salon located in Madrona is not your average full service salon. The owner, Evelyn Brown, has invested more than just time and money into the fully renovated salon. She has invested passion. When you walk through the doors of Xazz, you simply feel right at home. From its atmosphere, staff, to community involvement, Brown believes in having nothing but the best. Here are some of the pampering services you’ll find at Xazz: • Men have their own section on the first floor to get groomed as well as their own pedicure area. Not to mention, the two flat screens to keep them updated on sports, news, and so forth. In addition to a great cut, men also get a shampoo and conditioning treatment. Evelyn Brown • Women can find all their beauty needs on the second floor. Female guests can relax on elevated leather seats as their feet soak, get the latest hair style, or enjoy the steam room. • Both men and women can experience custom facials or deep tissue massages on the third floor. • Guests will never feel rushed or experience long waiting periods because Xazz does not double book clients. • Children are always welcome at Xazz! Our stylist specialize in healthy hair care for both children and adults. • Xazz also provides car detailing, so while you’re getting pampered inside, your car can get pampered outside. Xazz, has partnered with “Sense of Self”, a non-profit organization which was created for building self confidence and self esteem. Through Sense of Self, Xazz provides educational seminars focused on “Healthy hair, healthy body, and healthy skin”. Xazz is a major believer in giving back to the community and those who are actively helping out society. They have discounts for badge workers, seminars on scarf tying for people who have experienced hair loss, as well as events such as Honoring Nurses Month. They have also have partnered with First Place, a K-6 grade school located in the Central Area, to build self esteem and confidence through seminars such as proper skin care and hair styling tips. At Xazz, stylists are experienced in all hair types, textures, and services. Stylists are trained through AVEDA to stay in tune with the latest styles and techniques, for their multi-cultural clientele. Xazz also retails Carol’s Daughter Body and Hair products; a natural product line for ethnic hair used by celebrities such as Mary J. Blige and Jada Pinkett-Smith. It’s simple. Xazz is your one stop solution where anyone can come and get all body, hair, and skin needs met. Visit their website at www.xazzsalon.com for more information and discounts or stop in and experience a touch of Xazz for yourself!
Xazz, a photographic experience!
Experience Xazz! Bring in this coupon to receive 20% OFF your first visit.
For an appointment call (206) 206) 322322-9299 or visit us at www.xazzsalon.com This coupon is for services only, not products.
CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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THE GREEN REVOLUTION RECYCLE YOUR OLD CELLPHONE. Getting a new cell phone for Christmas? Not sure what to do with the old one? Now, you can drop off that old phone at any Staples store, as part of the Sierra Club cell phone recycling program. Each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out, weighing approximately 65,000 tons. Recycling your old phone prevents hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our landfills. MAKE YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER. Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, here's a great chance to get creative! Wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. ADD ORGANIC & LOCAL FOODS TO YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST. Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you'll be doing your part for the planet too. Looking for an organic turkey or ham for Christmas dinner? Find out where to get local green products in your neighborhood. DO A "COOL HOME" TOUR WITH OUR ENERGY-SAVING CHECKLIST. Take a pledge this New Years' to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only 6 compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. You can also use our handy "Cool Homes" checklist to see what easy things you can do in your home to save energy. If there's a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat! Lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10% off your energy bill. BUY ENERGY-SAVING "LED" HOLIDAY LIGHTS. Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Target, CostCo, and Ace Hardware. GET A PESTICIDE-FREE TREE. Demand is on the rise for Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals; some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. The good news is that there are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticidefree trees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller, or search for an organic farm near you. RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE. Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests, so at least it's not as if you're cutting down an ancient tree. Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your tree: many cities offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips. Call (800) CLEANUP or visit www.earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you. DONATE YOUR TIME OR MONEY TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP. Get into the holiday spirit by volunteering! There are countless ways to help improve your community—and the planet—from cleaning up a local river to helping inner city kids experience the outdoors for the first time. Contact your local Sierra Club to find out about volunteer opportunities near you. A donation in honor of a loved one can also be a special holiday gift. *Source - http://www.sierraclub.org/holidays/
“Environmental Rudolph”
THE FUNNY SIDE
By Glasbergen Pacific Northwest
Orthodontics C. Neil Nicholson, D.D.S. 2815 S. McClellan Street Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 722-5000
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 9
Think “personal style” when decorating for the Holidays!
INDOOR DECOR
Nothing says "Christmas!" like a beautifully decorated home. Fragrant greens, twinkling lights, holiday centerpieces all set the stage for a merry holiday season. But at what cost? If you believe catalog vendors, department stores and florists, be prepared to lay down a bundle to create that holiday home. Each year sees a set of new colors, new images, new trends, all designed to part you from your holiday dollars. Take heart! There's no need to break the bank to decorate your house for the holidays. Simple strategies and a dash of creativity can go a long, long way when it comes to decorating. THINK LOCAL Wherever you live, look to the natural world for a source of inexpensive decorations. I've piled gold-tipped pine cones into bowls in Georgia, threaded dried apple slices into wreaths in Apple Country, and even wound twinkle lights into spray-painted tumbleweeds in arid Nevada! Look around you for inspiration, and bring Mother Nature inside for the holidays. CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLORS Each year, designers and stylists promote a new, hot color scheme for holiday decorating, hoping to spur improved sales through color obsolescence. The best defense against the annual hot-color changeover is a personal decorating strategy: choose a color, a texture and a metallic and stick to it for life. Forming a personal decorating strategy is a smart move. Shopping the after-Christmas sales for next Christmas is much easier when you’ve decided on a decorating strategy. DISPLAY COLLECTIONS AND SOUVENIRS Those who travel do well to think "Christmas!" when it comes to souvenirs. Souvenir Christmas ornaments are widely available, pack well, and make a wonderful decorating splash. If you have collected enough ornaments, consider creating a travel tree: a small tree displaying souvenirs, postcards and ornaments. It's a great conversation piece at holiday parties. THINK THEME Choosing a personal theme for Christmas decor not only makes decorating meaningful and fun, but gives others a head-start on gift-giving. *Source - http://organizedchristmas.com/
CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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Buying Local
ABOUT BUSINESS
By C.C. Leonard With the holidays right around the corner it is a wonderful opportunity to support the local merchants in your community. Buying local has an impact that maintains our unique community character, provides continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs, builds community economic strength, and prevents the displacement of community-based businesses by national and global chains. Think of your favorite shop or restaurant. We'll bet it's a home town business. Independent locally-owned businesses are essential to a vital local economy and community character. They use the goods and services of other local businesses, serve as community hubs, and are vital components of healthy neighborhoods and strong city centers. They're where the locals go. They're owned by our friends and neighbors, or maybe even by you. Buying local builds communities and is the foundation of investing in the American dream. Yes you can make a difference in creating change right in your own backyard. On average 900,000 new jobs will be created next year in the United States by small business owners according to the Association for Enterprising Opportunity. Your investment, no matter what size, is sufficient help for the local economy. Three times as much money stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally owned businesses instead of large chain stores. You can also reduce the impact on the environment by walking to a local merchant and purchasing local products, that are not shipped from hundreds of miles away. You need to consider the positive impact you have when you buy from independent, locally owned businesses. Voting with your dollars does make a difference, and it is a positive step towards connecting with your community, reducing your impact on the earth, and becoming a more engaged citizen.
*C.C. Leonard is a Business Specialist for Washington CASH. She owned and operated a retail store for over fifteen years. Currently she helps small business owners with the training needed to start or increase business knowledge and create successful businesses.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 11
What Kind of Noise are You Making?
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
by Pastor Curtis Taylor As we began to enter into another Christmas Season and hear the various wonderful and glorious sounds of Christmas let us be reminded that we ought to make a joyful noise. Just as there was a noise of rejoicing made because of salvation and there was a noise of weeping made because of short-comings, there should also be a noise made that other people hear. But, what should they hear? I am so glad you asked! First, they should hear a Noise of Reclamation as we reclaim our time for God back. We are too busy when we don’t have time for God! We need to also reclaim our prayer life back as well as our fellowship with one another. Just as we need our time with God we also need time one with another to share our burdens and lift up one another in prayer. Pastor Curtis Taylor
Just as there should be a Noise of Reclamation heard, there also should be heard a Noise of Rebuilding. We should be in a mode of rebuilding as we try and work on the foundation of our basic Christian message in our Churches. This working mode should also be heard as we rebuild the value systems in our homes as we build respect for elders, authority and a much needed work ethic. And then we must also rebuild the infrastructure of trust and confidence so that we can bridge the gap between our churches and communities. Yes the noise that other people hear is a noise of reclamation and rebuilding. As much as these noises are needed there must also be the Noise Of Restoration as we restore the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christ and the Holy Word into their and it’s proper place. Yes, the Spirit of God should be our leader and guide. We should restore Jesus back into our lives, homes and even Churches. And, we should dust off the BIBLE and read it and work on being doers of the word. A good way to remember the bible is the acronym - BIBLE: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth! *Pastor Curtis Taylor is the Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 1103 - 14th Ave., Seattle, WA
2009 UNITY IN WORSHIP CALENDAR
C.A.M. CLASSIFIEDS Got something you want to sale? Call us!
Calendar Postponed!
Business owner with a job announcement? Call us!
Looking for the “right” someone to fill your vacancy? Let us help you find that person. Post your employment listing with us! Dear Readers, Unfortunately, we were unable to get enough churches to participate in our 2009 Unity in Worship Calendar. We will try again next year for 2010. Churches, get ready, we’ll be calling on you again. We will start accepting sponsorship for the 2010 Calendar in March 2009. We’re not going to give up on this idea! We have a beautiful concept, we just need our churches to lend their support. As promised, 10% of all proceeds will be donated back to the participating churches.
Together we can make this happen!
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CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
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When the Rainbow Changes Colors
JUST FOR SENIORS
When the rainbow changes colors, now will be then, then will be, when the peacock wears nothing but blue. When the rainbow changes colors, We all can be “who I am” without shame, without sham and extend the same privilege to you. For it’s hard getting over, through or under life’s door with your nose in the air or down on all four. So when the rainbow changes colors, Be sure that all your debts are paid, all your bets are laid with enough room to even the score. Cause when the rainbow changes colors, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year there won’t be excuses for those beastly abuses that you deal to the people who care. Seattle Senior Services And when it changes colors man will be pure, more honest, more sure with the people who take time to share. Southeast & Central Area Senior Centers For you see, life is colors - colors galore, We are living to serve you! there are soft rainbow colors midst the blood and the gore. So, when the rainbow changes colors find me here on the spot, Special thanks and appreciation to with God’s spoon in my pot, serving love, Mattie Taplin, supervisor - Senior Outreach, thank with the courage to dare.
you for your care and loving support!
T. Ellison - Expressionist Seattle, WA 2008
INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY SENIORS SERVE THE COMMUNITY *Tobi Ellison, SOLO Coordinator at CASC, 30th Ave S., Seattle, WA - to contact her call (206) 325-7663
5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt
MONEY MATTERS
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas people are going to spend $121.4 billion using their credit cards. The key is not to let this debt stick. Don’t let yourself get buried by that debt or spend the next year paying off the purchases from this holiday season. Here are some tips that will help you avoid holiday debt: 1. Decide how much you can afford to spend - this is the first and most important decision. Before you leave home, know just how much you can afford and stick with that plan. 2. Make a list and stick to it - now that you have a dollar amount in mind, you can start to make your list. On this list, put the names of everyone you plan to buy for and a dollar amount for each person. This will help you create a spending estimate. 3. Contact your creditors for better deals - this is the best time of year to make credit card banks beg for your business. Many people feel as if they are at the mercy of the banks but that is not the case. Banks are at our mercy. Give each bank a call and ask them to give you 0% for 6 months or else you will use another card. Sometimes this works. What have you got to lose? 4. Take advantage of department store incentives and then transfer the balances - when you get an offer from a department store of 10% - 15% to use their card, take it! Then transfer the balance to one of your lower interest credit cards. This way you can take advantage of the discount plus get low-cost financing. 5. Pay off the card in full when the bill arrives (if possible) - ideally you should pay off all credit card charges in full when the bill arrives but sometimes this is impossible which is why it is important to use a credit card that will give you a few month of interest free financing on purchases. When shopping this holiday season, use these tips to help you save money and avoid holiday debt. *Source - www.smartmoneytips.com/avoid-holiday-debt.php
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 13
Louisiana BBQ at it’s best!
EAT, DRINK & ENJOY!
Reviewed by Starla L. Fitch Have you had too much turkey and your taste buds are crying out for something different? Try Willie’s Taste of Soul. Willie Turner has been serving flavorful Louisiana style cooking in Seattle since 1994 when he opened his original restaurant on Beacon Hill. He recently relocated to Rainier Ave because of a better lease option. The location may have changed but the taste and quality has not. The smoked meats are as tasty as everything else he offers. The decor is contemporary yet cozy. Willie is a “hands-on” business owner and on any given day, you’ll find him at the restaurant manning the BBQ smokers in back or in the kitchen cooking up another tasty side dish. Willie has a passion for his food and it shows in the taste and quality of what he serves. I spoke to Willie to find out why he got started in this business and he simply said “I cooked for my family and friends for many years and just decided to go into business for myself”. I found Willie to be very personable and easy to talk to. In addition to BBQ, Willie’s also offers fried and smoked turkey which may be just what you need to spice up your holiday dining experience. You can dine-in or get an order to go, either way the taste will keep you coming back for more.
Holiday Recipes - Desserts AUNT JACKIE’S PECAN TARTS Makes about 24 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon butter, softened 1 cup sifted flour 1 egg 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 teaspoon vanilla dash salt 2/3 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 325F. Combine cheese, 1/2 cup butter & flour. Mix thoroughly and chill, covered, 1 hour. Divide into 24 small balls and press into sides and bottom of 2 ungreased minature muffin pans. Combine egg, brown sugar, vanilla, salt & remaining 1 tablespoon butter; beat until smooth. Sprinkle 1/3 cup pecans equally into 24 tart shells. Divide egg mixture equally among 24 tarts, pouring on top of pecans. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup pecans on top of tarts. Bake 20-25 minutes until pastry is golden brown. *Source - /www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes
SCOTCH BREAD 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon water 1 pound butter softened 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt
Measure sugar into bowl & sprinkle with water. Cream butter into sugar with a wooden spoon. Add flour and salt and knead dough with your hands until dough pulls away from side of bowl as well as your hands. Press dough into a ungreased 9 x 13-inch glass baking pan. Spread it flat right into the corners. Prick with fork about at 1 inch intervals. Sprinkle all with 1/4 cup white sugar. Bake at 275F for one hour or until pale golden. Cut while hot into diamonds or rectangle shapes. A pizza cutter works the best. Let cool. *Source - /www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes
CENTRAL AREA MONTHLY
Page 14
COMMUNITY VOICE December 6th - Union Center for Healing, located at 2100 E. Union, is having a Community Health Day, they will be offering free acupuncture, reiki, blood pressure readings, and massage. Call Vickie Summers @ (206) 898-5136 for more information. December 6th & 7th, 11th - 14th - Pratt Fine Art’s Center is having its Annual Holiday Art Sale. This event features work by over 100 local established and emerging artists in a variety of mediums including glass, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, painting and print. All proceeds from the sale support local artists as well as Pratt's classes and programs. For more info goto - www.pratt.org December 6th & 13th– Holiday breakfast at the Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, at 9:00am. Call (206) 548-2662 for reservations. Cost $16.95 - $28.75. Go to www.zoo.org for more info. December 7th - Pacific NW Black Collectors Holiday Bazaar, featuring African-American Christmas items such as Black Santas, holiday cards, figurines and more… Lakewood Seward Park Community Club, 4916 S. Angeline St., 1-4pm (206) 722-8004 December 12th - “Best Jazz for the Holidays” with Garfield Jazz Band I, Seattle Center, 8pm December 13th - The Macedonia Baptist District Association will be having their 2nd Annual Christmas Banquet at the Holly Park Community Church 4803 So. Othello Ave. Seattle, WA 98188, 6pm. Tickets are $35.00 each. Call 206 324-5599 regarding tickets. Now through December 21st– see Boom at the Seattle Reparatory Theater, a dynamic play by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, for more info call (206)443-2222 or go online at www.seattlerep.org
Avoid Baggage Problems when Traveling
TRAVEL SMART
In the midst of all of our security precautions, there are a few things we can do to make air travel less stressful for everyone. When traveling, here are a few things you should remember about your baggage, Avoid putting the following in checked baggage: • Valuables (cash, jewelry). Don't rely on suitcase locks; they are easily defeated. • Critical items (medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers). • Irreplaceable items (manuscript, heirlooms). • Fragile items (camera, eyeglasses, glassware). If these must be checked, wrap them carefully in padding. • Perishables. Carry the above items either: • on your person, or • in a small bag that you carry on board. Other things to remember: • Even if a bag is not lost, it may be delayed for a day or two. It is wise to put items that you will need during the first 24 hours in a carry-on bag (toiletries, one change of underwear). • Don't overpack checked bags. This puts pressure on the latches, making it easier for them to spring open. • Your checked bags may need to be opened for a security inspection out of your presence. If you wish to lock your bags, see www.tsa.gov for information on locks that security personnel can open and then re-lock. If you use an unapproved lock and your bag is selected for inspection, the security staff will break the lock if necessary. • Put a tag on the outside of your baggage with your name, home address, and home and work phone numbers. The airlines provide free stick-on tags. Most carriers also have "privacy tags" which conceal this information from passersby. • Put the same information inside each bag, and add an address and telephone number where you can be reached at your destination city. Carry-on baggage advice:
• • • • • •
Check with the airline for any limits it has on the size, weight, or number of carry-on bags. (There is no single federal standard.) Inquire about your flight; different airplanes can have different limits. If you are using more than one airline for a trip, check on all of them. A heavy bag which fits in an overhead bin may still cause the bin to exceed its weight limit. Don't assume that the flight has unlimited closet space for garment bags; some may have to be checked. Don't pack anything in a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (e.g., scissors, knife).
Use these guidelines when packing and it will make your travel experience a more enjoyable one. *Source - http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/bagtips.htm
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 15
SHOW YOUR SHOPPING KNOWLEDGE Get it right and win a $5.00 gift card to a local retail store!
POP QUIZ
Answer all 5 questions correctly and you could win!
Let us drive business to your store!
1. Name the largest shopping center in Washington State? 2.(A) Name the oldest shopping center in the U.S. (located in Seattle) which was the first to be described as a “mall”. 2.(B) What year did this “mall” open? 3.(A) Name the upscale department store which started in Seattle in 1901.
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3.(B) Before becoming a department store, this retailer sold only one product for 62 years. Name that product. November Winners The first 3 persons to answer correctly will each receive a $5.00 gift card. Submit your answers via email to quiz@CentralAreaMonthly.com. Please include your name and a mailing address so that we may send your prize. **Winners will be announced in our January 2009 issue.**
James K., Renton, WA Stephanie R., Madrona Monique J., Seattle, WA ~~~~~~ Answers - (1). Jimi Hendrix,
Garfield High School (2) Pike Place Market (3) The Space Needle (4) Seattle Monorail (5) James A. Washington Jr.
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