Anaverde Magazine Volume I Issue III

Vol. I Issue III | December 2020

How to Check the Family Bully for Good

To Regift or Not to Regift?

Ways to Do it Right

Tima Likes Music

Brings Joy to the World

Contents

Vol. I Issue III | December 2020

Features

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Editor’s Pick Holiday Gift Guide

Simple gift ideas that pack a powerful, practical punch!

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Children, Video Games + Violence

Are video games making your child more violent?

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Dealing with the Family Bully

Nip the chaos in the bud with these useful tips.

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Choosing to Regift This Holiday Season

A quick guide to ensure that you are doing it right and no one gets hurt.

50 38 Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays

Let’s Toast to Champagne

Ways to consider your pets needs and precautions during the holiday season.

40 Decorating Your Home

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Quick and Tasty Cocktail Recipes to Ring in the New Year!

for the Holidays

What should go where and how to do more with less.

44 Zoomtastic Design

Clever ways to spruce up your space for the perfect Zoom atmosphere.

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Joy to the World!

How this musician turned social media star is spreading holiday cheer!

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Frequent Flyer Miles and Reward Programs

How COVID-19 could impact your points and what to do about it.

On the Cover:

Nothing says holiday celebration like a bright, bold batch of holiday cookies. On the cover, the Christmas gingerbread cookies scream celebration and make for the perfect festive cover for the December issue.

Photography and art by Svetlana Kolpakova

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Letter from the Editor discuss the theme of the month. Our first theme is How to Eat an Elephant.

How to Eat an Elephant derived from you, the readers. I receive so many emails and letters asking about how to start a business or what is the best way to pursue your dreams, when you feel overwhelmed by all of the things that you must do to check the block on your to do lists.

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et’s Dream the Impossible Dream Here we are! It is the last month of the year 2020. I can’t believe how fast the year has gone by.

As I reflect on this year and the beauty of the holiday season, I must say that I am glad to be here. It’s not the best of circumstances given the pandemic and the shutdowns. For the most part, I have managed to stay productive and active during this time. With December in full swing, it is natural to focus on the upcoming year and what goals we may have in mind. I like to say that you need not EVER wait until January 1 to begin to dream a dream. Whether you want to eat healthier, declutter your home, start a business or simply get more sleep, you can begin that journey now.

It is good to realize the power that you have to positively impact your life. I remember reading somewhere that everyday is a new year, a new beginning. Each day that you wake up, you can begin again.

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My goal is to come from behind the pages of the magazine and be more vocal and seen on our social media channels. In fact, I plan to post more behind the scenes of publishing the magazine and sharing more from a personal perspective. If you don’t already follow Anaverde Magazine, follow along. We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Join the conversation. We have so many projects planned. I will begin hosting Deskside Chats, where I go live with a variety of coaches and experts to

Many of you have expressed the desire to uplevel in 2021. My feedback to you is that it begins with the mind. Your goals are doable. The important thing to remember is to never give up. I can’t wait to uncover solid techniques with you.

Feeling overwhelmed or inadequate to achieve a thing is usually why people don’t see their goals through. There is no such thing as a bad idea, it’s just whether you are willing to keep going no matter how hard or challenging it gets.

We are all in this together. The secret is, having a community around you to remind you that everything that you are going through is natural, it is normal, you are not alone. I want to see all of you goal getters at the Deskside Chats. This is our time to reflect, refuel and get back to believing that we can achieve anything that we set our mind to.

As we celebrate the magic of Christmas, let’s give a big cheer to ourselves for making it this far and setting ourselves up to go even farther.

We’ve got this! See you at the next Deskside Chat. Merry Christmas to you from me and the Anaverde Magazine team! xoxo

PUBLISHER Anaverde Magazine, LLC FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malena Jackson EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Lori Callaway Associate Copy Editor: Katie Johnson ADVERTISING SALES Chris Lewis DESIGN Layout & Art Design: Madison Reynolds Graphics: Rameshwar Chawla 38713 Tierra Subida Avenue #128 Palmdale, CA 93551 Tel: 661-463-8061 Visit us online: www.anaverde-magazine.com Anaverde Magazine (ISSN 2691-7009) is published monthly for the Anaverde Hills community.

Please note that the advertisements in the magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows the magazine to be free to the residents of the Anaverde Hills community. Limit of one free copy per household. Additional copies may be purchased for $5.99 per issue.

Visit the website to order additional copies or send an email to hello@anaverde-magazine.com to request additional copies.

Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the Magazine.

Malena Jackson

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Editorial submissions are welcome.

Anaverde Magazine copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

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Editor’s Picks

Gift Guide

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is the season for gift giving! I call this gift guide small but mighty because each item that I have selected is small in size but can make a huge impact in the lives of those you love. This year’s gift list is about practicality. How cool is it to give someone a gift that they will actually use and enjoy? Look no further, I’ve got you covered. Every item on this list are brands that I use in my everyday life and are things that I truly adore. No need to run out to the store to purchase, you can order most of these items directly from the website or from the giant store on the internet. You know the one that begins with the letter A and ends with the letter N.

Productivity Planner by Intelligent Change www.intelligentchange.com Who said that you have to wait until the New Year to start tackling those goals? The Productivity Planner is the perfect guide in helping your go-getter break down their goals into tiny actionable steps. I purchased my first Productivity Planner, four years ago. I learned how to work in Pomodoros (25 minute increments), thanks to the Productivity Planner cofounder, Alex Ikonn. This planner is not a calendar.

It does not include actual dates.. This took me some time to get used to, but it is worth it.

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Apple Watch www.apple.com/watch

I love my Apple Watch! What makes the Apple Watch so special is the fact that it is a mini computer on your wrist. I strictly limit my Apple Watch to my health journey. When I am sitting for long periods of time, it reminds me to stand up for a little while or get a few steps in. I love that! It is also a great way to track physical fitness. Even a 15 minute workout counts, and the Apple Watch rewards me with a sticker. Woohoo! An added benefit is the ability to change the face of your watch. I usually opt for the Mickey Mouse graphic. The Apple Watch is perfect for the person, who is health conscious or wants to start. Keep in mind, they will need a mobile service provider to use the watch.

Cupcake Vineyards www.cupcakevineyards.com

The Cupcaked Vineyard is my “go to” when it comes to gifting a bottle of wine. Priced between $9-15 it is just perfect as a holiday gift. They have expanded their collection of finely-crafted wines that include Rose, Moscato and Prosecco. All of their wines are simply delicious! Cupcake Winery is reasonable and classy. When you gift this bottle as a gift, the receiver will be impressed whether they are a wine connoisseur or only dabble in wine country. You cannot go wrong with this brand selection. Pick anyone and it is a true winner!

Fitty Wrap www.fittywraps.com

This was a straight Instagram find for me and I have no regrets about it.. The Fitty Wrap was created by a woman, who wanted to find a cute way to put her big, curly hair up during workouts. The Fitty Wrap is perfect because they come in all sorts of colors and they last. I purchased two of them: One to work out in and the other to sleep in.

My hair is big and curly and I like to get it out of the way when I go to sleep. The Fitty Wrap is so well constructed. It doesn’t fade and it sateen like material makes it safe for your edges.

Street Art Calendar by David Zinn www.calendars.com

Another Instagram find. I discovered this artist, David Zinn last summer. David is a local artist in Michigan, who creates the cutest illustrations from cracks in the sidewalk. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. You’ve just got to see for yourself.

Check him out on Instagram @daviszinn..

Anyway, he has created a calendar that features his street art. This is the perfect gift to give someone, who has everything and you’re supporting an independent artist.

That is a win, win!

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Family

Do Video Games Make Kids More Violent?

by Trisha Novotny

ince the inception of video games, and all creative media for that matter, we as a society have questioned what type of content is acceptable for children and young adults. At what age is it OK for children to be exposed to violence and other possibly adult themes? Will this exposure lead to deviant behavior? Here’s a look at the issue and suggestions for what point parental intervention may be necessary.

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Monitoring Video Games & Talking to Your Child

Of course, we would expect that most

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children can suss out the difference between fiction and reality, but unless we ask we just don’t know if that is the truth in every instance. That is why it is so important to talk to your child about the types of games they are playing. Just as anyone would monitor TV shows or movies that could potentially contain adult content that a child cannot comprehend, video games are just the same.

their games.

Questions like “How does this game make you feel?” or “What do you like about this game?” can trigger the types of responses necessary to determine your child’s draw toward

Studies have shown that children, middle school aged or younger, who play games with a Mature (17+) rating have exhibited more bullying, violent, or aggressive behavior. Still,

Kids should never learn about adult themes from a video game. This information can be completely skewed, satirical, and inconclusive, which means your child will fill in the blanks with whatever makes sense to them, instead of the facts.

Age Restrictions Exist for a Reason

this isn’t to say that the video game made the child more violent. They may be mimicking behavior from the game or other friends or gamers that they interact with online. There is no scientific data that proves that any source of media, video games, tv, movies, or otherwise suddenly physically changes a child’s mental behaviors.

Just as movie ratings exist in order to give the parent control over their child’s viewing habits, game ratings exist for the very same reason. It is a parent’s responsibility to know their child and understand the level of comprehension for violent behavior that their particular child can grasp.

In addition, studies that have concluded increased violent behavior do not test for other factors whatsoever. No mental or behavioral tests are performed before the tests start to recognize if cognitive illnesses are already present. What’s more, these tests do not represent real life play. The subjects are made to play video games for only a few minutes, then go about their daily lives. This hardly seems conclusive as to whether the game has made an impact on a fragile psyche or if the child would have exhibited the behavior anyway.

Know the Signs of a Problem

The Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a recent survey, which found that on average kids age 8 to

18 devote 7 ½ hours a day to all forms of entertainment. Less than half of the children that participated said their parents have rules about what they are allowed to watch or play.

it they may not understand why this is an unaccepted behavior. They may need you to explain just why someone would do that and why it is harmful to others.

Surprisingly or not, people can become addicted to just about anything. Something that makes our bodies and minds feel good may make us want to continue that action over and over. Certainly, drugs and games are not one in the same, but addiction shows the same symptoms regardless of the medium.

If the behavior persists, it may be time to seek professional help. There may possibly be an underlying mental issue that is disabling the child from removing themselves from the gaming experience.

Any abrupt change in behavior in your child is a sign that there may be a problem. Things like, a sudden drop in grades, changes in appearance or self-care, or sudden mood swings can all mean that a larger problem is at play. After all, the point of video games is to learn and to have fun, not to develop an unhealthy relationship or tendencies as a result of their play.

In conclusion, it would appear that video games (or any other media for that matter) do not have the power to change a child’s personality or behavior overnight. A child with a possible addiction problem and/or mental illness tend to exhibit signs of this behavior long before violent video games ever enter the picture.

What to Do if My Child is Violent?

If you find your child mimicking behaviors in their video game as if they were real, it’s time to have a talk with that child. As previously mentioned, discussing the seriousness of any actions performed in a video game (real or not) is essential to your child differentiating the game from reality.

For example, if your seven-year-old child watches a movie with bullying in

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When the Bully is Family

by Wendy Del Monte

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our family is supposed to be your safe haven and where you go for support and protection. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. What do you do when the bully is family?

Whenever families gather together, especially during holidays, there can be a lot of stress involved when there is that “one person” who bullies others. Often others ignore or accept the bullying, saying, “oh, they’re just old” or “that is the way they have always been.”

OK. Ask for support from other family members, as well. If the group as a whole lets it be known that bullying is unacceptable, then it will stop.

“Allowing this type

of behavior in a family doesn’t just hurt the person who is being bullied. It’s teaching Allowing this type of behavior in a the younger people family doesn’t just hurt the person who is being bullied. It’s teaching the in the family that younger people in the family that bullying is OK.” bullying is OK. The most important thing to do when you see bullying happening in a family situation is to put a stop to it.

Immediately. Bullying is never OK . Not by someone in your family. Not even if it is by someone you love. Even if you are the only person to stand up to the bully, let them know that bullying is not

When I was a child, whenever the new school year came around, therefore time for new school clothes, I could count on one family member to say, “Time to call Omar the Tentmaker to get clothes that will fit her.” Every year, I was crushed and even more crushed

when no one stood up for me and told him to stop. All I wanted was for ONE PERSON to stand up for me.

When you all gather for the holidays and grandpa sees your cousin and says, “Hey, Joe- you’re looking pretty round. Gained a bit of weight there, Porky?” You need to say, “Gramps, that’s not OK. Don’t talk to him like that.” When gramps looks around the room, laughing and says, “Oh, I’m just kidding- don’t take things so seriously,” look at him straight in the eye and say, “I always take bullying seriously. It’s not funny.”

Most likely, there will be some kickback, but stand your ground. If you have to leave the room, leave.

Make it clear that bullying has no place in your family gatherings. It is time to set the example for your family that bullying may have been part of it in the past, but it will not be part of the future. There is strength in numbers. Talk to other family members and ask them to back you up.

A bully only bullies as long as they are allowed. Let them know it’s not acceptable in your family.

If for whatever reason other family members are not able to support you in this effort. Do not argue or plead your case. Perhaps it is time to part ways from this unhealthy relationship.

Sounds pretty unreasonable, I know, but so is being in a place that you do not feel respected or heard. You must always do what is best for you. Always.

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Fashion and Beauty

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Quick and Simple Rules For

Successful Regifting

by Dana Holmes

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egifting used to be taboo.

It was the sort of thing you would never do, or at least never admit to doing. But due to the “great recession” we have become increasingly more time crunched and more thoughtful about overspending.

It only makes sense that with these changes in our lives, we have also seen a change in our philosophy toward regifting. The stigma has lessened and the act of regifting has become more commonplace and necessary.

After all, we should feel good about giving things a second life while saving a few dollars. Gift giving is about intention, not how much we spend. With this upswing in the desire to regift, we need to lay some ground rules so that no one gets hurt.

There are only a handful of rules for regifting that shed some much needed light in this previously darkened corner of gift giving once and for all.

Consider these rules: 1. If the gift is from someone who permeates all social circles in your life, you cannot regift anything that they give you. The only exception is if you clear it with them first using a tactful statement such as, “I like this, but I know someone who will just adore it. Do you mind if I pass it along to them?” OR “Your gift wasn’t exactly my taste, but I know that (insert mutual

acquaintance name) would love it. Do you mind if I give it to him/her? I’ll be sure to say it is from you too.”

2. Never give within the same circle of people. That means putting a post-it on the gift immediately upon placing it on your gift shelf so that you don’t forget. If there is any chance that these people may meet and discuss this gift, then don’t give it. But, to re-gift something from your friend in another state to your child’s teacher is fine.

3. Even if you think that their paths will never cross, it’s best to disclose the regift to anyone you are very close with. For example, tell your mother when you give her the scarf that you got from your coworker for the office gift exchange. You can phrase it as, “I knew you would love this as soon as I saw it and had to give it to you.”

4. Have your children decide on a charity to give the unwanted gift to.

This rule is great for several reasons: You won’t have to keep something that no one at your house wants and you’ll be teaching your children a valuable lesson at the same time.

Give them a few options of charities that they can relate to and let them choose which one will receive the gift.

You can bring them with you to drop off the gift too. Toys for Tots and My Stuff Bags Foundation are both great charities for kids that accept gifts if you are giving away toys.

5. If you receive a gag gift, it’s OK to give it back or pass the joke on to another victim. Continue the cycle back and forth until the joke wears

out! The more wacky the gift, the longer the joke will continue. It can become a family tradition. Who will get the wall-mountable singing fish this year?

6. If earnestly regifting, always give it new life with fresh wrapping paper and a thoughtful card. Since you skipped the gift and cards are so affordable, this is your chance to splurge(and shine)! A thoughtful, hand-written, personalized card makes any gift more special and this case is no exception. Be sure to closely examine the package for signs that it is a regift such as old cards, tags, hand-written inscriptions, remnants of old wrapping paper and tape.

Nothing gives a regift away like dusty wrapping paper or someone else’s name on the packaging. That’s a BIG no-no!

7. Don’t just regift for the sake of getting rid of something. Carefully pair your re-gift with the receiver’s interests. Regifting is only a success if it feels sincere.

8. Regifts are the best time to give for the best reason, just because. When you receive something that you know someone else will love, you don’t have to wait until their birthday or another occasion to give it. Give it whenever you’d like. It will be such a pleasant surprise for whoever is receiving it, that it will most likely be loved even if you disclose that it is a regift.

Follow these simple guidelines and you never have to feel icky about regifting again.

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Fashion and Beauty

At Home Spa

Soaking Feet in Epsom Salt

by Michelle LaRowe

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othing feels better than giving your feet a break after a long day. Soaking feet in Epsom salts has many health benefits and may just be exactly what you need to indulge in self care.

Epsom salt is made of magnesium sulfate. When absorbed through the skin, magnesium sulfate draws toxins out of the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling and relaxes muscles. Can you say, major benefits?!

In addition to soothing sore and achy feet, Epsom salt can reduce foot inflammation, remove foot odors and soften rough skin on your feet. In fact, if you are having trouble removing a splinter from your foot, an Epsom salt foot soak can be effective in drawing it out.

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How to Soak Your Feet in Epsom Salts Step 1

Fill a large, wide basin with hot water.

The water temperature should be as hot as you can comfortably tolerate.

Filling the basin with warm water then gradually adding hot water can help you secure a water temperature you are comfortable with. Placing the basin on a towel can help absorb any water spills or splatters.

Step 2

Add a half cup of Epsom salt to the water basin. Stir it around with your hands or feet so the salt dissolves.

Step 3

Pull up a chair. Sitting in a chair while you soak your feet may be most

comfortable. Having a towel next to the chair will be handy to dry your feet once you are done soaking.

Step 4

Emerge your feet. Place your feet into the basin and soak your feet until the water cools or as long as you feel comfortable. Adding hot water to the basin during your foot soak can help maintain the temperature.

Step 5

Dry your feet. Once you are finished soaking your feet, dry them well.

Massage your feet gently using your favorite moisturizing lotion and put cotton socks on to keep the moisture in. Now, your feet should feel brand new and you can feel good about taking a little time for some self care.

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Food

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Food

Champagne Cocktail Recipes

by Madison Pados

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lanning to ring in the New Year with a champagne toast? Think outside of the box with these creative cocktail recipes – they are sure to start 2021 off with a bang!

Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

float the champagne on top of the Guinness. Serve and enjoy!

Lemon Drop Champagne Punch Ingredients (serves 6 – 8)

1/2 ounce Cointreau or triple sec Champagne 3 ounce cranberry juice

3 lemons, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 bottle (750 milliliters) Champagne, chilled 3/4 cup best-quality vodka, chilled 4 ounces candied lemon peels

Directions

Directions

Ingredients (makes one drink)

Chill all of the ingredients beforehand.

Pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into a chilled champagne flute.

Stir well and top with champagne and garnish with whole cranberries.

Black Velvet Cocktail Ingredients (makes one drink) 5 oz chilled Guinness 1 ½ ounce chilled champagne

Directions

Pour Guinness into champagne flute.

Add champagne slowly, use the back of a spoon if you need. The goal is to

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With a vegetable peeler, remove zest from each lemon in a long, continuous spiral. Juice lemons, and strain pulp (you should have 3/4 cup juice). Set aside.

Heat sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add zest. Let syrup cool completely, about 2 hours.

Pour champagne, vodka, lemon juice, and syrup into a punch bowl; stir.

Serve glasses of punch with candied peels. This makes a beautiful holiday cocktail.

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Food Sweet and Savory

Holiday Ham Recipe S

by Maria Roberts

tressed about Christmas dinner? Don’t be! Impressing your family is easy with this delicious and savory ham recipe. Top it off with a sweet gravy to really wow them at the table this Christmas. Here’s my favorite holiday ham recipe. It will not disappoint!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole boneless ham • 1 small bottle of cherries • Ground cloves • 1 can pineapple slices • Toothpicks • 1 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup honey • 3 tablespoons cornstarch • Brown sugar and honey (optional)

Directions:

First things first: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then unwrap your ham and place it in a deep baking pan.

Place a cherry in the middle of a pineapple ring and secure it to the ham with a toothpick. Cover the ham with the pineapples and cherries.

Place the remaining pineapple and cherry in the bottom of the pan. Pour

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remaining pineapple and cherry juice (from the jars of pineapple and cherry) over the ham.

Tip: Save some juice to baste the ham while it is baking.

Add about 2 cups of water to the pan and sprinkle with cloves. Cover your ham and bake it for 3 hours at 325 degrees. Baste every half hour.

Gravy Time:

About a half hour before your ham is done, pour the juice from the ham pan into a medium saucepan. Heat well. (Use caution, the juice will be very hot).

Whisk together 1/3 cup water and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Add water and cornstarch mixture slowly to the juices, stirring the whole time. Add a couple tablespoons of honey and 1/4 cup of brown sugar, if you would like.

Stir well.

Pour over the ham and bake uncovered for the last 20-30 minutes.

Serve warm.

Your home will smell amazing while making your holiday ham. YUM!

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Food

Mini Apple Pies in a Jar

by Twice Baked Twins

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hese delicious little gems are a delightful surprise when served to any guest and they make a great holiday gift as well. They can also be frozen before or after they are baked to make entertaining even easier. That’s an added bonus!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pint canning jars, any brand (we used wide mouth jars) • Prepared pie dough, room temperature • Prepared apple pie filling or your favorite apple filling recipe • Coarse sugar for garnish • 1/4 cup cream, for sugar to stick to crust • Ribbon for decorating

Directions:

Wash jars, set aside. Flour a work surface and roll out the prepared pie dough.

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Using the lid of the jar, push through the dough and lift it out. Place into the bottom of the jar. Cut about a 8 inch strip of dough, 2 inches wide, and line the jar.

Now the jar is completely covered with dough. Place approximately a 1/2 cup of filling into the jar. If using a lattice design, cut small strips of dough and weave to create a pattern.

Brush lattice with pastry brush dipped in cream and then sprinkle with coarse sugar or simply your favorite crumble recipe piled on top and mistletoe leaf cut out of dough!

Bake at 350F for 35-45 minutes. If tops are burning, cover loosely with foil.

For an added touch, tie a pretty holiday ribbon around the jar and add any fun and festive accessories that you can think of.

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Home Design

to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

by Alicia Rockmore

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he holiday season is such a wonderful time to create beautiful spaces within your home that ooze joy and gratitude. This year, the Christmas season is especially different given the pandemic and the need to stay put this year. In this article, I will share my easy and creative ways to create the perfect Christmas setting in your home.

display out of them! The key here is to use what you have and try to be creative. For example – cotton batting as a base for a nativity scene or nutcracker collection will look great.

If you have pictures of past Christmas’, print them out to be uniform in size and use them to make a photo Christmas tree on your wall. This is a great way to reflect on Christmas’ before and bask in the memories of special times during the holidays.

Does your child have toy trucks lying around? Why not make a centerpiece using his trucks? You can have Santa in the driver’s seat (you can pick up a Santa figurine almost anywhere), wrap small boxes to fill the cargo bays of the trucks and maybe even a tiny Christmas tree tied to the roof – and you and your child just made a great centerpiece. This one is actually my favorite!

Candles – pull all the candles from around the house and make a display.

Place a mirror behind the display to cast even more ambiance when they are lit. Different sizes and holders will look fine. Add ribbons, bows, ornaments, holly and evergreen to cover any holders that you feel look non-seasonal.

Gather all of your pewter or brass candleholders, make an arrangement with some evergreen branches, a bow (can be from past holidays), and ornaments. This arrangement will make a nice little vignette.

If you or your children have holiday toys – like the figures from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer , make a

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Your children’s action figures or dolls, can be used as a display, too.! Add a ribbon here, a tiny wrapped gift there, and your child’s superheroes are celebrating Christmas with you!

If you are looking for something a little more serious but beautiful, just add white lights. Yes, it is that simple.

Wrap white lights around a garland and drape them down a staircase or from a mantle. This method still looks elegant and doesn’t cost very much.

If you want to use a fake garland, that is a good choice considering you can reuse it year after year.

Decorating doesn’t have to cost a fortune to look like it did! Fabric stores have wonderful velvets this time of year. Buy a couple of yards of red and green and use that as your Holiday

table cloth, table runner, centerpiece base or for your serving table. Also look for sheer fabric and ones with snow and glitter to make your table look festive. Just hem the edges for a more tailored look. If you don’t sew, no problem. There are products that will help you make a hem just by ironing!

Ask an associate at the fabric store and they will be able to help you.

Bead garlands of gold and silver on a table, with a garland, at the base of candles looks elegant as well.

Pine cones, in a silver bowl on a mirror in the center of a table, look very elegant – especially if you also place taper candles on either side.

You can also place colorful Christmas Tree round ornaments in a bowl. This really helps to add a pop of color in your already festive space.

Have your children make napkin holders using paper towel tubes. You will need to cut them to size, then they can wrap in wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, etc. Let their imagination go wild!

There you have it! Do one or all of these to make your home extra cozy and festive this Christmas. Remember, it does not have to be perfect, just have fun and cherish this time with your family. That’s what Christmas is really all about. Happy crafting!

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Home Design

Zoom 101:

How to Stage Your Brand From the Comfort of Your Home

by Amy Frazier

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thought our level of privacy had totally gone out the window pre-Corona virus, but now, our entire world is exposed as we try to “carry on with business as usual” from the comfort of our homes, in our pajamas. Our home is now where we spend ALL OF OUR TIME, where we conduct our business, and as such, our home environment needs to represent and reflect the professional image we want to put out to the world.

business, avoid distracting your viewer by removing items that would typically be stored in their proper place. Business for many is dryer than the Arizona desert, so losing your audience’s attention to the mess behind you is not a mistake many can afford to make right now.

I can no longer count the number of Zoom sessions under my belt since March; courses range from kids schooling to informational webinars to those life-saving online yoga and meditation sessions. Each Zoom link is a crumb trail to a voyeur’s delight, offering a glimpse, or often a fullblown view of your pad, your lion’s den, the place you call home.

If you can, forgo those digital backgrounds effects. While they look nice, they can be a distraction when they cut your arm off because you moved out of the frame. Instead, opt for an excellent collection of books on the bookshelf, a healthy plant, and an eye-pleasing piece of art or collection of art on the wall behind you. This makes a polished, professional statement. A minimalist backdrop is always a great choice too.

Within three seconds, your customers are making judgments, evaluations, and assumptions about you and your brand based on these viewings. It is worth putting forth the effort to put some creative thought and attention to making your space attractive. Does this mean you have to go out and completely redecorate your home? If you can afford to, I’d love to help you out there. However, it doesn’t take a lot to make a sound, first home/ work impression. Here are a few simple steps you can take to create a professional, polished image as you conduct business from home.

Stash the broom, the mop, the stack of mail, and those five times worn-before-washing t-shirts hanging on the door.

No need to overwhelm yourself with perfection; just think, declutter! When you are conducting video-based

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Create a clean and simple backdrop that is professional and creates an image that reflects you and your brand.

Consider painting an accent wall and moving some items around to allow for workspace. A space that provides the privacy you need to put your best foot forward, even if it is while wearing your bunny slippers.

If you live in an apartment like me, this could mean transforming your dining room into an office or making it dual purpose. I really like this idea considering the dining room area will offer you more space to move around and it is not as personal as your bedroom. In summary, choose your space, tidy it up and make it personal so that your brand stands out during your Zoom meetings. Most importantly, stay safe, stay put, and give a shout out should you need some tips on staging and designing your home office.

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Home Design

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Lifestyle

Holiday Budget Prep:

3 Things You Need to Do First

by Andrea Woroch

T

he holidays always seem to creep up out of nowhere, which can leave you feeling stressed and over budget if you don’t prepare ahead. Yes, Christmas comes the same time every year but interestingly, it leaves many of us overspending or not planning our spending. Even Though U.S. consumers are feeling financially strained as a result of the pandemic, people are planning to spend more than usual in hopes of making this holiday season extra special.

According to the 2020 Holiday Consumer Shopping study from Roku and in partnership with The Harris Poll , 7 in 10 Americans plan to spend the same or more on gifts this year.

Overall, consumers expect to spend an average of $885.00 on holiday purchases, that’s up approximately 2.5 percent from 2019. Meanwhile, nearly one-third of shoppers report that they plan to buy more gifts for more loved ones this year because of sheltering in place rules that will keep them from visiting with family and friends.

Though the sentiment of giving is heart-felt, you should not let it send you into debt. Follow these three simple steps now to budget proof

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your holiday shopping before you hit the stores or tackle those online deals.

Map out a holiday spending plan.

Setting a holiday budget and tracking purchases is crucial to avoid debt.

The problem with budgeting though is trying to predict all those unexpected expenses that come up beyond just gifts or travel. To get a better idea of where your money typically goes over the holidays, look over your bank and credit card statements from last year to determine which categories you will spend on this year. If your budget is maxed out, look for a couple of expenses you can cut now leading up to Christmas to free up some money for gifts or other seasonal purchases.

Otherwise, set gift expectations with loved ones ahead of the holidays for scaling back on giving to alleviate some of this pressure.

Maximize credit card rewards.

If you don’t have a credit card that offers cashback, now is a good time to sign up. You might not benefit a whole lot given it is already December, however, this will set you up for success for next year’s shopping.

Many credit card companies offer bonus rewards to new cardmembers who meet a minimum spending

threshold in the first few months and this free money can go toward future gift purchases. Review credit card offers online, where you can quickly compare details to pinpoint which card will work best for you. Don’t forget, some credit cards will offer bonus cashback deals when shopping at certain retailers or dining at specific restaurants, and reviewing these offers ahead of the season can help you map out shopping strategies that help you maximize reward earnings.

Cash in on clutter.

Cutting back on a purchase here and there may not give you enough room in your budget to cover all those seasonal costs. You don’t have to sacrifice though. Instead, spending time looking around your home for items you no longer need or use as this is a great time to cash in on clutter. Sell gently worn clothing on sites like Poshmark, get cash for your old phone at sites like Gazelle or Declutter and unload home goods like kitchen gadgets, furniture and decor through Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, which make it easy to sell locally without the hassle of shipping.

Just make sure you put your extra cash into a separate savings account for your holiday shopping needs.

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Lifestyle

Pet Safety Tips

for the Holiday Season

by Madison Pados

T

he holidays can be stressful… but have you ever considered that your pet might feel the same way?

Imagine you are only about eight inches tall and roughly 10 pounds.

Now imagine that your world is suddenly full of new stuff, like strangely breakable colored balls hung from a giant tree and people in the house that you have never met before!

It can be pretty hard for pets to handle all the changes that come with the holidays but there are ways to make it easier for your favorite furry friend to adjust.

No need to fret, I am going to share easy solutions to help you get a plan in place to help your pet survive the holiday season. Let’s get started!

Secure the Tree

Securely anchor your Christmas tree so that it does not tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.

This will also prevent the tree water – which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset – from spilling.

Stagnant tree water is a breeding

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ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he drink it.

No Candy for Kitty

By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Get the Right Toys

Looking to stuff your pet’s stocking?

Choose gifts that are safe, such as: For dogs – Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallow the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.

For cats – Long, stringy things are a

feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery.

Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer – and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for justas-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Leave the Leftovers

Fatty, spicy human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills.

Pets and Fire Don’t Mix

Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders placed on a stable surface and if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up

Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach.

A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth.

Share the Love

If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, let them feel free to start a play or petting session.

Hide the Meds

Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors and be sure to tell your guests to keep their

meds zipped up and packed away, too.

Careful with Cocktails

If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and could even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Give them some Space

Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to – complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub. It is a good idea to bring along a folding travel bed for pets that are traveling with their owners, so that they can have a comfy bed away from home.

floor liners and waterproof seat covers. Seat Covers will protect your car from fur while keeping your pet comfortable.

Watch the New Year’s Noise As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

While some of these suggestions seem rather simple, they can be hard to implement in the frenzy of the holiday season. Don’t forget the littlest members of your family, they need our help more than ever at this time of year.

Happy Holidays!

Travel Safely

If you are traveling with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized

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Tax Tips

for Gifts to Charity

by Madison Pados

A

lthough you donate gifts to a charity as an act of kindness, your charitable generosity may give you some much needed tax relief.

you have the option to set up a charitable gift fund. This allows you to donate the money to your fund, and spread the scholarship out over time, at your own discretion.

Each time you make a donation, regardless if it is monetary, a service rendered or material items, make sure you obtain some type of record for your donation. When it is time to file your tax return, pull out those records for the gifts you gave to charity throughout the year, and you could possibly decrease the amount of taxes that you owe.

Proof of Donations

Here is a breakdown of the benefits according to the type of contribution that you make:

Monetary Donations

If you are making a monetary donation to charity, you need to make it as large as possible; the larger the sum of money, the better the tax deduction. For example, if you plan to set up a scholarship for your alma-mater, decide on the annual scholarship amount, and pay a lump-sum instead of making the donation yearly. So if you start a scholarship for two thousand dollars annually, it would be beneficial to pay the scholarship pledge up for at least two years or more. Therefore, if you donated four thousand dollars to the scholarship fund, the school would spread that amount out over the next two years. If you decide that you want to oversee the scholarship yourself,

You cannot claim a tax deduction if you do not have proof of the donation itself, so you will need to keep a record of your charitable gifts. Records can vary, depending on the type of donation you have made. If you own a business, you may have elected to donate your company’s service or time. In this instance, you will need to invoice the charity, but note that the services were paid for by your company as a gift. For monetary gifts, it is best to write a check or purchase a money order from your bank. These bank records are kept on file and available anytime from your financial institution. When you purchase gifts, such as clothing, toys or food, keep the receipt of the purchase in a secure place.

Appraisals

You will need an appraisal for a donated item that is valued at more than five thousand dollars. There are some exceptions to a tax gift valued over five thousand dollars. Clothing and household items will need an appraisal if they are valued at more than five hundred dollars each. Nonpublicly traded stock, intellectual properties and a vehicle may exceed five thousand dollars. If your business donates services that are

considered qualified contributionscare of infants, the needy or the illthen those deductions can exceed five thousand dollars. A qualified appraiser is someone that follows the principles of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice .

Rules and Regulations

Donating gifts for charity does come with a set of rules and regulations that you must follow. If you donate to a charity, but receive a gift in return, you must deduct the fair market value price of the gift you received before you can claim a reduction. For example, if you donate two thousand dollars to an organization, and the organization gives you a television in return, you must deduct the price of the television from your monetary donation. Your donation must be given to a qualified organization.

Donating money or gifts to your family is not considered charity, unless the individual is registered with a qualified organization. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a list of standards that a qualified group must meet.

The IRS Publication 78 has a list of all qualified organizations.

This information is what you need to get on the right path to charitable giving. As you know, I am not a financial advisor. These tips are here to help you gain clarity around your giving. I highly recommend that you consult with your accountant or financial advisor before filing your charitable donations.

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Lifestyle

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Photos courtesy of @timalikesmusic and timalikesmusic.com

Joy World: to the

How this Musician is Spreading

Cheer Via Social Media

by Malena Jackson

T

he world seems to be moving at a slower pace given the stay-athome orders of 2020 and browsing social media has become a favorite pastime of mine. Instead of binge watching Netflix, I often find myself enthralled in the new Reels or Stories segment on the “gram” (Instagram). I know that I am not alone when it comes to spending hours with a phone in hand, peeping into the lives of people all over the world.

over a few day’s period. With all the content that she was putting out into the ethers, combined with all of the shares between Instagram followers, including famed singer Erykah Badu...the jingle artist/ musician, named Tima, better known as Tima Likes Music, watched her page go from close to 2,000 followers in October to well over 45,000 in just a few days. As I am writing this article, Tima Likes Music has hit over 100,000 followers on Instagram.

Tima, is a twenty-something year-old pianist, who has a flair for soulful R&B and natural comedic chemistry. It is hard to stop watching as she entertains with her rhythmic moves of hip dips and gyrations while she sings the lyrics to her original tunes. Usually from behind the keyboard

Instagram keeps me engaged by way of the creative visuals that so many people share. I would see the usual videos posted by those, whom I follow, then one day, I noticed something new. An account that I follow would repost a story within her story, and this story was pretty catchy. It was a beautiful African American woman, “Yeah, a lot of my ideas come sitting in a room, playing jingle tunes on a keyboard through what looks like a to me when I am in the car, fishbowl lens. The words of the jingle are sitting in traffic. It could be displayed in a big white, all caps font so that you can follow along to the tune. The something that happened jingles weren’t just catchy but they make to me or something that I you laugh and the laughter sneaks up on you. witnessed. I find a way to make At first, I just brushed it off. It was some tune about not holding the door. I laughed and thought, how relative and original to make a song about not wanting someone to hold the door for you.

A week or so went by, then another one popped up in my stories that had been reposted by the person that I follow. This one was about not ordering stuff from Amazon. Funny? Yes. I laughed and moved on. Then, a few days later, I see another new tune by this same artist, in my stories AGAIN because it had been reposted.

This time, the jingle stopped me dead in my tracks because it was hilarious and I could not stop watching it over and over again. Actually learning the words this time.

“Gettin’ tired of me…? Take a nap! Said you need some space? Astronaut!”

I wanted to repost this video myself so I actually stopped and went over to the page where all of this content derived from. Boy am I glad that I did. This is the page that keeps on giving. There is jingle after jingle. I instantly became a follower and watched her numbers triple double

it music and the humor in it just comes out,” said Tima. in a room that gives off brown, earth tone vibes, Tima is entertaining the world from the comfort of her Brooklyn home and having fun doing it.

“This has been an interesting ride,” said Tima. I have been playing the piano all of my life and now to see my career pick up by way of social media is something that I could never have imagined,” she said.

Tima, studied music in college and even performed in a band, called Switch Mob that included a few of her fellow classmates. Tima’s job was to arrange the music for the live show and offer up her talent on the keyboard.

“I never intended to sing or use my voice, I was in the band to play the keyboard, and I would leave the vocals up to my good friend, Chris Herrera,” said Tima.

The band had a following, but it wasn’t anything worth quitting her day job for. In fact, Tima still hasn’t quit her day job. The pandemic and the fact that people are at home and spending more time than ever on their phones plays a big role in Tima’s rise to social media stardom.

“I have been on social media for a few years now posting my music and it didn’t seem like no one cared or was watching.” said Tima.

With everything, it takes years to become an overnight success. Tima discovered her love for music, particularly for African American women, who can sing, at an early age. She was born to do this. After months of no shows to arrange or stages to perform on due to the pandemic, Tima decided to dust off her keyboard and get reacquainted. Before the pandemic, she was never able to just sit in her room and play music. It was always class, work and performing and touring whenever they could.

“My equipment was always packed up so I never just sat and created music,” she said.

Once the band realized that their live performance days were on hold for now, Tima got bored and needed a creative outlet. The Tima jingles were born.

Originally from Elizabeth, NJ, Tima’s parents enrolled her in piano lessons on Saturday at the age of five so that she could have something to do.

“It was never for me to actually be a professional musician or anything. We had a family friend, who taught piano so my parents signed me up with her,” she said.

Tima studied with the same teacher for 15 years then went on to study Classical music in college. She said being able to study the art form without the pressure of having to “make it” her profession gave her the kind of freedom that she needed to really hone her skill.

After her rise to fame on Instagram, not only has the world stopped to take notice of this rare and organic talent, now Tima says that she is ready to take her music career to another level, professionally.

“I’m really having fun with this. I have been playing all of my life and I am excited to see how far I can go,” said Tima.

Tima was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November after Clarkson discovered her Reels video on Instagram.

National television was her first media interview. Now, that number has increased as more and more outlets are naturally discovering her life observing lyrics and in your face body rolls. It truly is fun to watch Tima in her element, and be amazed about how she naturally utilizes her musical talent with a dose of her comedic flair.

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Travel

6 Virtual

History and Museum Tours for the Holidays

by Camille Meyers for Expedia

I

f walking around ancient ruins and perusing historical artifacts are your favorite part of travel, you can still experience this joy through virtual history tours. Journey to Pompeii via Zoom with a live guide. Then, view the online collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

You don’t need a flux capacitor to travel back to the past with a virtual history tour.

Simply search online for the names of the tours listed below to begin your journey.

1. The Fall of Rome Live Virtual History Tour

What factors ended the more than 500-year reign of the Roman Empire?

Connect with an expert historian in Rome through Zoom and be transported back in time to the fall of the Roman Empire. This live virtual history tour of Rome weaves together research with engaging stories, maps, and pictures to bring history to life. Also, find out why scholars think climate change could have played a role in the decline of the Roman Empire. You’ll even discuss the lasting impact of the Empire’s dramatic demise on society today.

2. National Women’s History Museum From the high-achieving women

of NASA to the rough-and-tumble feminism of roller derby, the National Women’s History Museum celebrates the contributions of women to US history. The museum doesn’t yet have a physical location, so you can find all their exhibits online. Photographs, videos, and firsthand accounts bring these extraordinary stories to life.

Tune in to the past by listening to oral histories by women who worked in Rosie the Riveter roles during WWII and see photographs of women marching for civil rights.

3. Ancient Troy SelfGuided Virtual Experience You probably know the story of the Trojan horse—now take a virtual trip to

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see where it happened.

This immersive virtual tour of ancient Troy lets you wander the city at your own pace with the help of satellite and street views. As you explore this ancient metropolis, insightful audio commentary provides historical facts and lesserknown stories.

Gain a deeper understanding of the history of Troy and feel like you’re standing in the old stone city without ever having to leave your living room.

freedom, the African American military experience, and the history of blues, jazz, and hip-hop. You can also listen to oral histories, view historical artifacts, and learn about the museum through Curator Chats videos.

4. The Anne Frank House Online Take a virtual journey to Amsterdam

to visit the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazis during the Holocaust. The Anne Frank House online exhibits give you a 360-degree experience of the Secret Annex that you can do with or without a VR headset. You can also visit Anne Frank’s home before she went into hiding and see photographs chronicling her life.

5. National Museum of African American History and Culture The National Museum of African

American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is dedicated to documenting African American life, history, and culture and making it accessible to the public. In this spirit, the newest Smithsonian museum welcomes you to explore its collection and exhibits—even if you can’t visit in person. Delve into a variety of online exhibits on topics like slavery and

6. Live Virtual History Tour of Pompeii Rove around the ruins of one of Italy’s most famous sites from home on a virtual tour of Pompeii. Using video chat, your expert Pompeii tour guide shares their passion for archaeology while showing you all the best parts of the ancient city. See brightly painted frescos, intricate mosaics, and the remains of citizens preserved by the ash from Mount Vesuvius’ eruption.

Find more virtual history tours in some of Canada’s best museums.

You can also virtually travel the world through Expedia’s collection of online experiences.

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Travel

How COVID-19 Could Impact

Your Points and Frequent-Flyer Terms

for the Better

by Ed Perkins

I

f you’re avoiding booking flights for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19, you might be wondering what’s going to happen to your frequent flyer status and/or airline points in the meantime.

benefits. And some airlines have even eased restrictions on use of miles for ordinary, non-elite flyers. It is a good idea to check the website or call customer service for the latest regarding your rewards status.

For many frequent flyers and business travelers, the most important benefits of frequent-flyer membership are through special “elite” status: The prime benefits are no-cost upgrades to available premium seats via various priority lists, as well as preferential treatment on relaxed baggage restrictions, better boarding group, fewer or no seat-assignment fees, and faster ways to earn more miles/points.

Airlines Changing Points Terms Due to COVID-19

Those upgrades are a powerful loyalty attractor. Elite members go to great lengths to retain or upgrade their status level, and the schedule reductions and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have seriously thwarted their ability to retain and improve status. The same goes for hotel chains with loyal members.

Recognizing this problem, and wishing to retain loyalty of their best customers, many airlines and hotels have started to ease status requirements for the duration of the epidemic. They’ve also extended validity of some important elite-status

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Several airlines have already announced their changes; others are sure to follow. The changes listed below are effective as of April 20.

They’re moving targets: Look for further, rolling, extensions, especially those scheduled to end this month or next. Further down are the hotel chains offering points or elite-status term changes.

Alaska Airlines

Elite flyers can retain their current status in Alaska through at least December 31, 2021. Companion certificates earned through the line’s credit card slated to expire in 2020 are extended: Apply certificates by December 2020 for travel through November 6, 2021. Status-earning miles acquired between January 1 and Apr 30, 2020, will roll over to 2021.

Air Canada

Elite flyers on Air Canada retain their current status through December 31, 2021. Frequent flyers will not have to pay a fee to redeposit miles used to

book award flights, through at least April 30. Accrued miles will not expire through May 14.

American

Elite flyers whose status expires on January 1, 2020, will retain their current status through January 2022.

Upgrade certificates slated to expire on January 31, 2021, are extended to July 31, 2021.

Delta

Elite flyers with Delta retain their current status through January 31, 2022. Status-earning miles acquired in 2020 will roll over to 2021. Sky Club memberships set to expire March 31 or later are extended for six months.

Upgrade certificates and vouchers scheduled to expire March 1 through June 30 are extended until December 31, 2020. Certificates and vouchers expiring after June 30 are extended for six months.

Hawaiian

Hawaiian “will not be expiring any miles from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Members with miles set to expire within this time period will retain their full mileage balance. [Prior] standard expiration policy will resume on January 1, 2021.”

Southwest

A-List and A-List Preferred flyers with

elite status through December 21 will have status extended through December 31, 2021. Companion passes earned through December 31, 2020 will be extended through June 30, 2021.

lowering status requirements. Many of these lines are also extending validity of various upgrades and companion certificates—check their respective websites for more information.

United Airlines

Hotels Changing Points Terms Due to COVID-19

Elite flyers on United retain their current status through January 31, 2022. United has lowered mileage and spend requirements for the 2021 status year to earn various status levels by 50 percent.. Frequent flyers will not have to pay a fee to redeposit miles used to book award flights, through at least May 31.

Expiration dates on several annualpay programs, such as Wi-Fi, checked bags, United Club membership, and seating in Economy Plus are extended by six months. Electronic travel certificates are now valid for 23 months.

WestJet

WestJet has upgraded or extended members who were on track to attain status in March through May, and it will “continue to look after” other travelers whose elite status might be affected by coronavirus changes.

WestJet is also extending the validity of various vouchers and certificates, by varying periods—check the website for details.

Other North American Lines

Clearly, the other big airlines with robust elite-status programs— specifically, American and Hawaiian— are likely to announce similar policies, within weeks if not days. On other U.S. and Canadian lines, status is a lot less important, but you can expect some relaxation of various frequent flyer rules from those lines fairly soon, as well.

The giant hotel chains operate frequent-stay programs that offer substantial elite-level benefits such as room upgrades, free meals, and early check-in/late check-out, along with the room awards available to ordinary members. They, too, are reacting to the fact that members can’t earn credit as quickly as they can during normal periods. In fact, their extensions are generally more generous than those of the airlines.

Accor

Accor has added bonus points to member accounts that reduce the points required to qualify or requalify for elite levels.

Best Western

Current member status levels are extended through January 31, 2022.

Hilton

Current member status levels for 2019 scheduled to end on March 31, 2020, are extended through March 31, 2021. Members with 2020 status are extended to March 31, 2022. Accrued points due to expire in 2020 will remain valid through December 31, 2020.

Accrued Weekend Night rewards are

extended through August 31, 2021.

Hyatt

Elite status levels as of March 31 are extended through February 28, 2022.

Unused awards with expiration dates between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 are extended to December 31, 2021. Accrued points due to expire in 2020 will remain valid through December 31, 2020.

IHG

Qualifying points required to reach the several elite levels are reduced by at least 25 percent , through 2021. Points due to expire between April 1 and December 31 will remain valid through December 31, 2020. Award night certificates due to expire between March 1 and December 31 will remain valid until December 31, 2020, and certificates issued in 202 will have an 18-month validity period.

Marriott

Current elite status is extended through February, 2022. Expiration dates for accrued points are extended to February, 2021. Active award night awards expiring in 2020 are extended to January 31, 2021.

Wyndham

Wyndham says it is “pausing the expiration of any Wyndham Rewards points until September 30, 2020 and [has] extended current Wyndham Rewards Member Levels (status) for all members globally through the end of 2021.”

Foreign Lines

Big foreign lines, too, are easing rules and extending status. Lines that have extended status for a year include LATAM, Qantas, Qatar, and Virgin Australia; Virgin Atlantic has extended status six months. Air France/KLM, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, and Etihad are adding miles to accounts or

Anaverde Magazine | December 2020

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Snapshots

in California? Cold Who said it doesn’t snow to be the norm here and snowy nights seem time. This is a great to in Anaverde from time torm in February ws sno t ligh flashback to the anda Lutz 2019. Photo courtesy Am

A Photo Gallery for the Community

by the Community

The Anaverde sig n is a stunning lan dmark that welcomes re sidents and visito rs into the beautiful com munity up on the hill.

Taken on a bright, sunny day, circa 2015.

Photo courtesy Lis a Roberts

gorgeous views Why stay in, when you can go out? The ured during a capt tifully beau is at Pelona Vista Park Greg Lewis tesy cour o Phot . walk noon after Sunday

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Are you an aspiring photographer or simply love to take pics of the Anaverde community? Share them with us! We would love to feature your work. Send to hello@anaverde-magazine.com

Anaverde Magazine | December 2020

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