KY Creative Living (November)

CreativeLiving Features 6 10 12 17 18 20

Eat healthy even while on the go Stay healthy despite all the hustle and bustle.

Unique gift ideas from your hands, heart Looking for a special gift this season? Look no further than your own heart.

Handmade gifts are the ultimate holiday decor Dress your home for the season with affordable decor handmade by you.

Staying safe throught the holiday season Learn how to keep yourself healthy and safe.

How to dodge or deal with winter aches, pains Helpful tips.

Add life, color to your winter landsape Learn how to attract wild birds in your backyard.

Editor’s note I just love handmade items. I love making them as gifts and receiving them as gifts.

They’re usually affordable and can bring the greatest joy. This holiday season, why not save a little money and give a few gifts that come from your own two hands? The cover feature is all about making gift items, gives you a few suggestions on what you can make and some helpful Web resources.

Also, while you’re in the spirit of making things, check out the article on homemade decor items.

This is the season of giving and Creative Living wouldn’t be complete this month without our annual Unique Gift Guide. Check out what local businesses have to offer you this holiday season. You won’t be disappointed. Happy holidays!

Specialty Publications Editor

Contact Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsored magazine published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/The Community Recorder.

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Topics 3

Health & Fitness Mind • Body • Spirit

Gift Guide 7 Unique Specialty shops

12 At Home

Decor • Repair

15 Holiday Dining Restaurants

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Pet Sense Care

17 Senior Living

Apartments • Care

20 Winter Fun

Indoor • Outdoor

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com.

For advertising call 578-5501.

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Gentle Dental Care now offers IV, Oral Conscious Sedation

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very day, Dr. Tara Dallmann and her Gentle Dental Care team continue to come across more and more fearful patients.

In Dr. Dallmann’s quest to help the most fearful patients, she entered a year-long educational course at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

This program is one of the most stringent and highly regarded programs in the country for certifying dentists in intravenous sedation and the training and testing Dr. Dallmann received exceeds that required by the state of Kentucky.

Dr. Dallmann believes in going above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to the safety and comfort of her patients.

Because she is trained and licensed to do both IV and oral conscious sedation, Dr. Dallmann can choose which method will be best for each individual patient, based on their needs alone.

Sedation is a way for people that would not normally go to the dentist to get the treatment and attention they so desperately need.

From the moment you call the caring team at Gentle Dental Care, you are comforted, and your fears are relieved. This begins a trust that develops between Dr. Tara Dallmann, her team, and you.

Embarrassment is the first hurdle to overcome.

Put your mind at ease, because Dr. Dallmann and her team see patients like you every day. They

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The Gentle Dental Care team.

understand how hard it was for you to call and applaud you for taking the first step.

Whether it has been a year or 20 years since you have seen a dentist, no one will make you feel bad.

Here is what to expect on your first visit: Depending on your chief complaint, most sedation patients come in for a thorough examination.

This allows Dr. Dallmann to find every-

thing there is to know going on with your oral health.

After the examination, which is guaranteed to be painless, Dr. Dallmann will create a treatment plan just for you.

Lastly, Dr. Dallmann and Brenda, the treatment coordinator, will discuss with you all of your options and give you recommendations on how to proceed based on your timetable and budget.

Dr. Dallmann will then

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talk to you about which form of sedation will be right for you.

Here’s what one recent sedation patient said: “Wow… from my first phone call to the full 2.5 hour visit, I have nothing but good things to say about your practice and especially your staff.

For someone who has had numerous bad dental experiences, I felt Dr. Dallmann was thoughtful, thorough and comforting.

I was embarrassed by

how long it’s been since I had gone to the dentist, but no one looked down on me or the state of my teeth. I look forward to getting the procedures done!” – M.D. Fort Wright The day of your appointment your comfort and care are Gentle Dental Care’s number one priority.

From your heated blanket, warm neck pillow, and soothing spa music, all efforts are made to keep you comfortable.

“Everyone was great.

The visit was much better than I expected and painless! I was quite embarrassed about my lack of dental care over the past “many” years, yet everyone made me feel at ease and non critical of my past mistakes! Thank you all.” – J. G. Alexandria Call Gentle Dental Care today and ‘Experience the Difference.’

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Excessive daytime sleepiness could be a sign of untreated sleep apnea

Tired of being tired?

Dr. Kitzmiller has a solution

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o you wake up in the morning feeling like you never went to sleep? Do you feel sleepy throughout the day?

Excessive daytime sleepiness could be a symptom of one of the most widely undiagnosed conditions known as obstructive sleep apnea.

An estimated 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, a condition where the airway collapses during sleep, causing the person to often snore, stop breathing and awaken multiple times every hour with a gasp.

Sleep apnea is a life threatening sleep disorder that left undiagnosed and untreated can shorten your lifespan up to 18 years!

Treatment options include surgery, oral

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appliance therapy, and CPAP. While CPAP is the gold standard of sleep apnea treatment, many people can’t tolerate the masks and pressure.

An oral appliance is an FDA approved CPAP alternative that fits over your teeth and holds the lower jaw forward, keeping your airway from collapsing.

Every day patients experience the benefits of Dr. Kitzmiller’s oral appliance therapy and rave about their new daytime alertness.

“I was so tired of being tired! I went to Dr. Kitzmiller and have been thrilled with the results from using my oral appliance. I saw improvement in just a few days and now I wake up rested, without that exhausted

Not sure if you have sleep apnea? Take a quick quiz at www.cincisleep.com to see if you are at risk. feeling. This is an easy and uncomplicated solution to managing my sleep apnea.” – Jan Want to see what a difference Oral Appliance Therapy can be to treat your snoring or Sleep apnea?

Give Dr. Kitzmiller a call at 248-8848 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Dr. Kitzmiller and his team can coordinate your entire care process, including scheduling your diagnostic sleep study, treatment visits, insurance and follow up.

Just go to www.cinci sleep.com to learn more!

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Restoring your natural balance

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hyroid disease affects more women than men but it has no age, gender, or ethnic barriers.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) may include fatigue, cold and heat intolerance, headaches or migraines, apathy, anxiety, irritability, low sexual desire, memory and concentration impairment, enlarged tongue, deep voice, swollen neck, PMS, irregular menstrual periods, weight gain (especially in the stomach), low blood sugar, low body temperature, hypotension, fluid retention, dry skin and/or hair, constipation, infertility, aching muscles and joints, depression, slowed metabolism and decreased heart rate, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

Despite this myriad of symptoms, hypothyroidism may not be diagnosed for years, and more than half of all people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Thyroid hormone is produced in response to the release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland and helps the body convert food into energy and heat, regulates body temperature, and impacts many hormonal systems in the body.

Thyroid hormone exists in two major forms: Thyroxine (T4), an inactive form that is produced by the thyroid gland and converted to T3 in other areas of the body, and Triiodothyronine (T3), the active form.

When T4 and T3 levels

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drop, TSH levels normally increase, and TSH measurement is the standard way to diagnose hypothyroidism.

However, there are many factors contributing to hypothyroidism that are not revealed by standard TSH, T4 and T3 testing.

Often, patients with hypothyroidism are treated only with levothyroxine (synthetic T4).

A randomized, doubleblind, crossover study found inclusion of T3 in thyroid hormone replacement improved cognitive performance, mood, physical status, and neuropsychological function in hypothyroid patients.

Two-thirds of patients preferred T4 plus T3, tended to be less depressed than after treatment with T4 alone, and stated they had more energy, were better able to concentrate, and simply

felt better.

One reason that T3 is not commonly prescribed is because the only commercially available form of T3 is synthetic liothyronine sodium.

This immediate release formulation is rapidly absorbed, and may result in higher than normal T3 concentrations throughout the body causing serious side effects such as heart palpitations.

Research has shown that use of a compounded sustained-release T3 preparation significantly decreased the incidence of adverse effects.

Many patients have tried other types of thyroid hormones, such as levothyroxine and liothyronine, and have found that desiccated natural thyroid (Armour Thyroid) is the only form that works adequately for them, reporting that they simply

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do not feel as well when they take levothyroxine alone or with liothyronine.

Armour Thyroid’s manufacturer, Forest, has been plagued by unexplained product shortages and back orders.

Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of Armour Thyroid, and Forest has not indicated any date when the product will be back on the market.

The compounding pharmacy at Nie’s Pharmacy & Wellness Center uses Thyroid USP that is shown by analysis to meet the same potency standards as that which is used to manufacture commercial products that are currently on back order.

They can also custom blend the right balance of T-4 and T-3 that is right for you, if the ratio in desiccated natural thyroid is not what you need.

Commercially available tablets contain fillers and excipients that may not be tolerated by all patients.

When they compound customized dosages, they have the ability to omit any problem-causing inactive ingredients and substitute non-reactive fillers.

Always follow your health care provider’s advice.

The expertise of the practitioner, appropriate testing and proper interpretation of results, and dosing and formulation of thyroid hormones will ultimately determine the success of treatment.

If you or someone you know has had difficulty attaining their desiccated thyroid products or feel they need to find their natural hormone balance, Nie’s Pharmacy & Wellness Center may be able to help. Contact them today at 356-3941.

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Eat healthy – even while on the go

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usy schedules and holiday activities can keep you on the run, making it hard to eat healthy at this time of year.

There are times when you miss a meal and over-indulge at a later hour, but with a little snack preparation, you can stay on schedule and on track with healthful eating habits.

Tips include:

Carry on-the-go snacks Travel with a light and healthy snack that you can fit into your purse. A bag of nuts, handful of granola, a snack bar or even an apple can help you keep those hunger cravings at bay while you're shopping, picking your children up after school or running errands around town.

Share your healthy eating habits with friends.

Maintain a meal schedule Try to eat at the same time every day. This can be difficult to control with multiple family schedules, but by eating meals at a consistent time every day, your body won't send you hunger pains from a delayed meal.

Start your day with breakfast Eat a healthy breakfast every morning to get your day started off right. Toast with fruit jams, yogurt, oatmeal, a vegetable omelet or whole grain cereal all are fantastic healthy options to get your day started on a good note.

Snack responsibly Keep a variety of healthy snacks on hand that aren't too large in portion but are easy to grab throughout the day. Try crackers that are made

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Share your healthy habits with real, but simple ingredients, such as Back to Nature's Seed and Herb Crackers. Available in three flavors – Poppy Thyme, Sesame Tarragon and Sunflower Basil – these crackers contain no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors and contain no cholesterol or trans fat. If you're feeling creative, pair any variety of these crackers with a low fat spread or cheese.

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Serve healthy snacks that not only look good, but taste good too at parties. Great options include cookies that contain real chunks of fruit and nuts such as those from Back to Nature.

Try Back to Nature Granola Cookies in Cranberry Pecan and Honey Nut that are sweetened naturally with cane juice, fruit juice and honey.

If you're looking for something sweeter, opt for Back to Nature's Chocolate Chunk cookies that contain Rainforest Alliance-certified chocolate. Combine the cookies with fruit slices or a mixed fruit salad and you'll have the perfect party snack mix.

By keeping yourself healthy while on the go, you can enjoy life and accomplish more activities. But don't keep these secrets to yourself - share some of your great-tasting snacks with friends.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Mortenson Family Dental is there for you

A Inspired Salon is located at 2045 Centennial Circle in Independence.

Be inspired I nspire Salon and Spa, located in Independence’s new Centennial Plaza, will be top on your holiday list this year after just one visit.

Northern Kentucky’s first eco-salon, Inspire Salon and Spa offers serv-

s a Mortenson Family Dental patient your dental health is their number one priority. With that in mind, they want to be sure that their patients maximize their insurance benefits.

Many individuals who are paying for dental insurance don’t realize that their insurance plan provides coverage up to a certain dollar amount annually. Consequently,

some patients are not scheduling the dental treatment they need, deserve, and have insurance to cover. Those dollars cannot be carried over year-to-year. The bottom line: What the patient does not use, they lose.

Clearly, it pays in many ways to schedule the preventative care or other dental treatment that you need. Mortenson Family Dental is here to help you

secure the insurance coverage available to you on every dental procedure you schedule.

Give them a call today at 525-7586, and together you’ll make sure you are in excellent dental health.

They look forward to seeing you and sharing some of the many innovative means we now have available to provide you with superior dental health care.

ices including cutting, coloring, waxing, manicures, pedicures, massage and facials.

Dana Ison, owner and Independence resident, wanted to create a relaxing and rejuvenating enviInspire see page 8

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 578-5501

www.nky.com Kentucky

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Preview Productions presents latest winter doll fashions

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azzle up your favorite 18-inch doll with a sparkling ruby, burgundy, emerald green, or gold Christmas gown, and a sumptuous velvet, furtrimmed cape. Or keep her warm and cozy with a lovely fur-lined jacket.

All this and more can be found at Preview Productions in Newtown.

Owner Joyce Rosselot and her assistants Susan

Lehr and Sarah Watters have been busy as elves designing, sewing, and stocking the doll clothing boutique with the latest in holiday and winter fashions.

They have everything for special occasions and everyday winter wear, some outfits even come with matching boots.

With such reasonable prices, this season is the perfect time to add sever-

al of the latest ready-towear fashions to your favorite someone’s doll collection.

Preview Production is now showing their highly anticipated Christmas dresses, as well as a full complement of doll shoes, hats, scarves, skates, and many other accessories.

The best selection is always in the store, located at 6720 Main Street in Newtown. Call 271-2524.

Get creative for Christmas

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t’s time to start planning for one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Make Creative Stamper’s Annual AfterThanksgiving Day Sale your first stop when doors open at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.

Find in-stock items 40 percent off from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 30 percent off from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 20 percent off from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m.

Creative Stamper, located at 225 Main Street, in Florence, is Northern Kentucky’s only rubber stamp store servicing scrapbooking and stamping enthusiasts for nearly seven years.

It’s a great place to get ideas for holiday decorations, Christmas cards, and special gifts.

Owner Barbara Bruder

encourages everyone to mark their calendar and stop back for Creative Stamper’s Seventh Annual Christmas Open House on Friday, Dec. 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be several free make and takes, refreshments, prizes and sales.

For more information call 344-0700 or visit www. creativestamper.com.

guest services representative, offered a soothing cup of tea and surrounded by the natural aromas of the Aveda products.

Time to spare? Interested guests are invited to embark upon an insightful sensory journey through aromatherapy.

Guest Sande Yelton commented: “The warm greeting, relaxing atmosphere and the complimentary mini-facial provided me a moment to decompress from a long week.”

As a new business

owner, Dana says it’s been most amazing to have the opportunity to meet friends, neighbors and other business owners in the community. To cater to the community this holiday, Inspire Salon and Spa will assist you in creating unique custom-gifts, gifts under $25.00, and for the hard to shop for loved one – gift cards. Or, just stop in during the hustlebustle of the holidays and treat yourself to a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Inspire from page 7 ronment, while using renewable resources. She kept the health of guests and team members in mind, as well as the preservation of the environment, while selecting materials, paint, furniture and products used in the salon daily.

“It’s more than a haircut, it is an experience” said Bill Thatcher, Independence business professional.

As a guest of Inspire Salon and Spa, you are greeted by a friendly

Share your story with your neighbors Call 578-5501

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Merle Norman has hottest trends of the season

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hen you’re looking for the latest, trendiest, cuttingedge fashions, Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Boutique in Crestview Hills Town Center is the place. Super-easy, creative fashion statements can be had on an affordable budget!

Tired of wearing the same old boots? Socks Appeal were made specifically for the fashionsavvy female who wants to satiate her shoe-shopping thrills without burning her budget.

Socks Appeal are socks topped with high-quality faux fur trim in a variety of styles like sassy pompom, ribbon, elastic or buckle, and easily turn an old boot into a fashionable foot statement.

Simply slip them on under your boots and voila, you’ve added a sexy, stylish twist that enhances any outfit and gives you great Socks Appeal. A pair of designer boots will set you back

big time, but with Socks Appeal, you can spice up an old pair of boots for only $39 to $45. Now that’s fiscal responsibility of the highest fashion.

The Miche Bag, now available in classic and large sizes, is one of the hottest bags in the nation, and it’s no wonder!

One bag with interchangeable covers allows you to give your purse a daily facelift without having to change the contents. Ingenious! Over 50 fashionable designs to match the changing you.

Switchflops set the shoe industry on fire with their changeable series of straps in a variety of styles and colors that all fit the same shoe. Now they’ve introduced a genuine leather ballet flat with 12 interchangeable decorative snaps. It’s the most stylish and versatile shoe you’ll ever own next to your Switchflops sandals! And with the popularity of ballet flats this

season, you’ll definitely want this one!

Purses, jewelry, scarves, hats, watches, stylish accessories and more! Many are one-of-akind and found only and exclusively at the Merle Norman Boutique.

Chances are that smartly dressed woman you see today that stands apart from the rest shops at Merle Norman Crestview Hills. Go ahead. Ask her.

Merle Norman gift certificates are always a welcome gift, plus pick up a selection of affordable stocking stuffers. Best of all, you’ll be earning Bonus Bucks for yourself while you shop.

Each time you purchase Merle Norman cosmetic, skincare and boutique items during the months of November and December, you’ll earn $5 in bonus bucks for every $50 you spend!

Visit Merle Norman in the Crestview Hills Town Center, or call 344-0500.

Drop-in anytime kid care

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eed some time to yourself to go holiday shopping or attend a holiday party?

Call Skidaddles the drop-in anytime kid care center located at 8660 Bankers Street, at the corner of Houston Road and Highway 18 in Florence.

Skidaddles has the flexibility you need during the busy holiday season. They offer convenient and reliable care that is available without reserva-

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tion so you can drop-in days, evenings and weekends whenever you need childcare.

Whether it’s care for a few hours, all day or part of the day, they can accommodate all your childcare needs.

You’ll feel confident knowing your children are having fun and learning while being cared for by well-qualified staff in a safe and clean environment.

Skidaddles is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight.

They have special holiday shopping hours on the day after Thanksgiving and sundays.

For more information call Skidaddles at 6477529 or visit www.skidaddles.com.

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Unique gift ideas from your hands, heart Compiled by Melissa Hayden • Editor

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ooking for a special gift? Just search your heart.

Sometimes the best gifts come straight from your own hands. These are inexpensive and are often the most favored. Here’s some ideas to get you started this holiday season.

Bird house Give the gift of spring early with this unique and personalized gift to the bird lover in your life.

Materials Wooden boxes (sold at craft stores) Fine-grain sandpaper Latex wood primer Acrylic paints and paintbrushes Acrylic varnish Felt Hot glue gun Assorted items, such as costume jewelry, foreign coins, or golf tees

What’s inside the pretty box? A special gift from the heart.

Instructions 1. To prepare the box for painting, lightly sand the wood and then brush a coat of primer on all its surfaces. Once the sealer dries, lightly sand the box once more.

2. Paint the box. This will have to be done in stages (the inside first, the bottom next, and the top and sides last), allowing the paint to dry each time.

3.To paint multicolored stripes, as shown on the pencil box, apply strips of Easy Mask KleenEdge tape (sold in most craft or paint stores) in a parallel pattern and paint between them. When the paint dries, remove the tape (it won’t peel off the paint), tape over the freshly painted areas and paint new stripes between them. Once the paint dries, apply a coat of acrylic varnish to protect and enhance the colors and let it dry completely.

4. Next, glue a felt liner to the inside of the box. Then glue decorative items that reflect the recipient’s interests onto the top. With items that are hard to stick, try gluing bits of felt to the bottoms and then gluing the felt to the box.

Materials Gourd Spoon (to hollow out Gourd) Drill 1 1 ⁄2” diam. drill bit (for entrance) Drill bit matching the diameter of your perch smaller drill bit (for hanging hole) small twig or branch for perch (optional) Twine, leather, or wire (for hanging) glue No VOC paint Instructions 1 1. Using your 1 ⁄2” dril bit, drill a hole in the middle of your gourd.

2. Using your spoon or other tool, scoop out the gourd interior. (you can skip this step by purchasing a ready-made Gourd from your craft store).

3. Allow to dry 4. Measure the diameter of your perch material, using the same/similar diameter drill bit, drill a hole one inch below your entry hole.

5. With the smallest drill bit, drill a 1 hole in the top ⁄2” on the gourd. This will be for your hanging wire.

6. If you so choose, paint your gourd (exterior only), and allow to dry.

7. Once dry, glue your perch into it’s hole.

8. Thread your wire (or other material) through the top holes

Family tree This family tree will fit into most standard scrapbook albums. You can also purchase a 12 x 12 scrapbook frame to hang it on a wall.

Materials 12 x 12 inch recycled card stock - 1 piece Paper scraps - see suggestions above Photos of baby, parents, and grandparents Circle Cutter or scissors Pencil Glue Optional: Leaf Paper Punch, Decorative Label, Charcopaper or carbon transfer paper

Hobby box Great for the kid who likes to collect marbles or coins or for the crafter who needs help organizing.

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Instructions 1. Cut various size circles from scrap paper. If

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you don’t have a circle cutter, trace a few different sizes of round objects (cup, paint bottle, bottle cap, etc.) onto paper and then cut them out carefully with scissors. Recommended sizes: 1-3 3 large circle for baby, at least 6 - 2 3 circles for parents and grandparents, 12-15 - 1 3 circles, 121 15 - ⁄2 3 circles for filling in between larger circles 2. Arrange circles on 12 3 x 12 3 recycled card stock. Use photo above as a guide for placement or make up your own pattern. Largest circle should be near center with second largest circles radiating from it. Use smaller circles to fill in gaps.

3. Once you find a layout you like, use a pencil to sketch a tree trunk below the circles. I used a dark graphite pencil to sketch my trunk.

4. Glue scrap paper circles in place.

1 5. Cut out faces of family members about ⁄2 3 smaller diameter than the scrap paper circles they will be placed on. Cut out baby to be 2.5 3 in diameter. Cut parents and grandparents to be 1.5 3 in diameter.

6. Glue family pictures onto appropriate circles. Glue baby on largest circle. Glue parents on two circles closest to baby. Glue maternal grandparents on two circles closest to mom. Glue paternal grandparents on two circles closest to dad.

7. OPTIONAL: Add leaves to your tree. Use a leaf paper punch to cut leaf shapes from additional scrap paper.

8. OPTIONAL: Apply a decorative label on the tree trunk to serve as a name plaque.

9. OPTIONAL: Name your tree.

Wine glass charms A charming gift for the wine collector in your family.

Materials Various Colored Beads Base Metal (or Sterling Silver) Earring Hoops (found in the jewelry-making section of your craft store) needle nosed pliers small tin or container Instructions 1. Slip one bead onto your earring hoop. If making 4 charms (or 8, or 12), make sure each bead is a different color.

2. Using your needle-nosed pliers bend the female end of the earring hoop so that it’s a 90 degree angle (see images below) 3. package in a small tin or container Sources: http://100handmadegifts.blogspot.com, http://familyfun.go.com, http://craftingagreenworld.com

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Handmade crafts are the ultimate customized holiday decor

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ere’s another silver lining to the dark economic clouds still on the horizon this holiday season: handmade holiday decorations are not only less costly, they’re perceived as more meaningful as well.

From spending more time with loved ones to an improvement in our overall health, stories abound on the positive side effects of the shaky economy.

Here are a few pointers: • Choose craft items that complement your home’s overall theme. For example, if you love clean, contemporary modern lines, Country bird house. make items that mimic that look. Crafts that incorporate reflective surfaces and metallic looks will fit well with contemporary themes.

Softer fabrics and materials will mesh with a country theme.

• Make crafts that will endure and be durable for seasons to come. “You’ll invest your time and a bit of yourself in every item you make,” Skinner says.

“Opt for items that will be easy to care for and that will appeal to your sense of the holidays not just this year, but next year and the year after that as well.”

• Give yourself plenty of time and space in which to create.

You’re not rushing the season if you start working on your holiday crafts in early November or

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even late October. You’re just giving yourself plenty of time to accomplish everything you want to do. Also, dedicate a specific area of your home to your crafting and keep all your projects in one place - this way you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.

• Get kids involved. When you create crafts with your children, you’re not just making decorations, you’re making memories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Plus, making crafts together will make each item feel that much more meaningful when you use it to decorate your home.

Try this creative craft - a handcrafted birdhouse - that can be customized to fit with either a city or country theme:

A Country Birdhouse Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall

Supplies and tools 1 wood birdhouse 1 can RustOleum multicolored texture spray paint, autumn brown 1 each acrylic paints in dark brown, green and ivory wooden picket fence Deco Art Snow Writer 1 piece, 12 inches by 12 inches, brown cardstock 1 piece, 10 inches by 4 inches, Homespun fabric Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge Tacky glue and glue stick 1 ⁄2-inch flat paintbrush 1 ⁄2-inch detail paintbrush wire cutters scissors paper trimmer ruler sandpaper Assembly instructions 1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Paint the entire birdhouse with dark brown acrylic paint.

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When dry, spray with autumn brown multicolored textured paint. When dry, paint ivory lines with the detail brush.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to bottom of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. With wire cutters, cut a nine- to 10-picket length from the fence. Dilute green paint and apply a wash coating over fence.

When dry, glue to the front of house, along the front base.

5. Measure the three sections of the roof and cut brown cardstock to fit. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine.

Press the sticky side of the cardstock onto the homespun fabric, 1 aligning plaids and allowing ⁄4 inch margin around each piece.

6. Trim around roof panels 1 keeping the ⁄4 inch margin of fabric - and fray the edges by pulling out threads. Glue the three panels to the birdhouse roof, allowing fringe to remain exposed.

7. Decorate the house base, fence, perch, openings and fabric roof with Snow Writer.

Uptown (City) Birdhouse Supplies and tools Wood birdhouse Rust-Oleum textured paint, desert bisque Deco Art Dazzling Metallics acrylic paint, Champagne gold 1 piece, 12 by 12 inches, tan or gold cardstock 1 piece, 4 inches by 9 inches, 5 Glitter Organza ⁄8-inch ribbon Deco Art Snow Writer Xyron 510 machine with adhesive cartridge tacky glue and glue stick double-sided tape scissors paper trimmer ruler sandpaper paintbrush beaded trim Assembly instructions 1. Sand the birdhouse hole openings to remove rough edges.

2. Spray birdhouse with desert bisque textured paint to

City bird house.

obscure wood grain. When dry, paint entire house with champagne gold acrylic paint.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstock slightly smaller than the bottom of birdhouse. Glue cardstock to the underside of birdhouse using glue stick.

4. Attach beaded trim to the side edges of the upper roof using tacky glue.

5. Measure and cut a piece of ribbon slightly longer than the length of lower roof. Put a strip of double-sided tape on one side of ribbon. Squeeze a thin line of tacky glue over the lower roof and then apply the ribbon strip over that. When dry, trim ribbon ends.

6. Measure the two sections of the large roof and cut two pieces of cardstock to fit.

7. Run the cardstock through the Xyron machine. Position the cardstock on work surface with adhesive side up. Cover adhesive side with five overlapping strips of ribbon. Repeat for both roof pieces. Trim ribbon edges.

8. Place the two roof sections, peak to peak and ribbon side down, over the wrong side of the sheer fabric; cut the sheer fabric 3⁄4-inch larger all around the roof shape.

Create a “hinge” between the two roof pieces (wrong side) with a strip of tape. Apply two more pieces of tape along the bottom edges of the wrong sides of the roof sections. Fold the sheer fabric over both long edges of the

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Lasting Impressions... Santa-in-the-City/Hosea Sharing House

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hat a wonderful time to visit L a s t i n g Impressions and Santa-inthe-City/Hosea Sharing House at 241 Grandview in Bellevue!

If you want to get that “old-fashioned Christmas spirit,” it is well worth your time to visit this winter wonderland full of holiday decorating ideas and unique holiday merchandise.

The Christmas merchandise line includes “Santa’s Own” trees, which are as authentic looking as any tree you will find on the market.

Does your home need a Lasting Impression’s Santa Tree. bit of “sprucing up” for place you will want to visit the holiday? to find that spectacular This is definitely the

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The fragrance of luscious candles fills the room as you enter the Lasting Impressions showroom.

The wonderful scents of Candleberry candles in the newest Christmas fragrances make it a difficult decision as you choose just the right one for your home… Bourbon Roasted Pecans… Santa’s Cookies… Hollyberry Spiced Toddy… Vanilla Dipped Cinnacrisp… and many more!

You won’t find any other brand of candle that will fill your home with a more inviting aroma to please your family and guests. centerpiece for your dining room table or that little

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piece for a special corner in your kitchen or bathroom.

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Is your home dying?

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prominent Huff Realtor called Rooftime last week to request a siding estimate on her newest listing.

She wondered if Rooftime could come and investigate why the newly applied paint was peeling on the wood siding of a 100-year-old vintage home; why painters were not able to keep any paint adhered to the wood siding for any extended period of time; and how much a new siding job would cost the homeowners.

The estimators from Rooftime suspected the true problem, even before they arrived onto the site!

Another sick and suffocating home; dying from what roofers call, “the plastic bag” effect.

Adults constantly warn children about the dangers of placing their head into a tightly wrapped plastic bag; after all, more than 3,300 children are

killed every year this way, due to the lack of air flow in and out of their bodies.

A house is no different!

Homes must be able to breath.

Cut off the air flowing in and out of their attics and they suffocate and die, (the plastic bag effect), just like us.

Peeling paint is just one of the most easily recognized signs of a sick home!

Homeowners often get frustrated with a recurring paint problem and call on a contractor to install an expensive, vinyl siding job. This will only make a bad situation worse!

The newly sided home, now really does have a plastic bag wrapped around its neck, and it will die even faster. New siding, Tyvek wrap and insulation board are not the problem per se, but can mask the fact that

major problems still exist but are going on, unnoticed.

What little air-flow that may have been occurring through old cracks and crevices, has now been completely sealed off by the installation of new siding.

Now you really have an unhealthy home; prone to accelerated mold growth, a build up of interior pollutants, and higher utility bills due to inefficient economies of heating and air conditioning.

Is your home sick?

Most older homes are!

Have you just installed new siding because of peeling paint, too?

Then you may still have problems. Just as a suffocating person can be saved by adding oxygen, so can a dying home be made to recover by adding air flow.

Roofing professionals, shingle manufacturers,

“Have your home professionally inspected and receive a free copy of a DVD or cd rom that completely demonstrates the keys to proper roof ventilation...” and DIY-gurus, all stress the importance of proper roof - attic ventilation in relationship to life expectancies of shingle roofs, formation of ice dams and excessive utility consumption. Homes must breathe.

How do professional roofers help a home to breathe? By installing a balanced ventilation system at the Soffit (overhang) areas of a home, which allows air to come into a home and flow upward through the attic area.

And, by installing functional outlet vents, at the peak or gable ends of a home, which allows bad air to exit the home, vent-

ing excessive heat in the summer and humidity in the winter.

The good news for the old home the realtor called about, was that Rooftime installed a new, properly balanced ventilation system, for less than one-third the cost of new vinyl siding, and the home was saved.

Have your home professionally inspected and receive a free copy of a DVD or cd rom that completely demonstrates the keys to proper roof ventilation by calling on A New Rooftime at 513-753TIME, or in Northern Kentucky at 859-344TIME, or by visiting, www.newrooftime.com.

Crafts from page 12 hinged roof, sticking the fabric to the three strips of tape. Add bits of tape to the bottom roof corners and fold raw fabric edges in, as though wrapping a gift.

Secure the roof to the birdhouse with tacky glue. Glue only one roof plane at a time; tip the birdhouse over and weight it down, until glue is dry. Then, repeat for the other roof plane.

9. Decorate the house with Snow Writer, covering up the raw fabric edges between fabric and wood roof.

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Lasting from page 13 • Christmas open house – Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, Nov. 29 (1 p.m.5 p.m.)

• Holiday hours Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, December 3, 10, and 13 • Life-size Christmas village on the fourth floor (18,000 square feet) Santa in the City/Hosea Sharing House • Gorgeous holiday floral arrangements • Beautifully decorated trees • Candleberry candles featuring the newest holiday fragrances • Unique Christmas ornaments and gifts • Unique home accessories • Furniture, area rugs, window treatments • Ashton picture gallery at www.ashtoncompany.com

stone corner building, little white church, row houses, Santa in his sleigh with reindeer, tons of decorated trees, the Plum Pudding area, the Naughty-or-Nice tree... and so much more. You have to see it to believe it!

The Hosea Sharing

The Hosea Sharing House is a great way for your local group or organization to raise money through donations of items from your group.

1. Your organization collects donations such as furniture, household items, miscellaneous

“The Hosea Sharing House is a great way for your local group or organization to raise money through donations of items from your group”

House is also located on this floor and individuals are invited to contribute canned goods and take advantage of the many donated items that are available in this area.

All canned goods will go to the Henry Hosea House in Newport, which serves meals to needy individuals daily.

All visitors to Santa-inthe-City are invited to In addition to the contribute canned fruits exquisite Christmas deco- and The Hosea Sharing rations and trees in the House is a great way for Lasting Impressions show- your local group or organroom, you will want to ization to raise money visit the 18,000 square foot through donations of Santa-in-the-City showitems from your group room on the fourth floor. vegetables for this worthy Wow! How can we cause. adequately describe the A children’s area has life-size Christmas village been provided in this area you will find as you enter to allow children to trade through the archway that canned goods for a gift for leads to the brick and mom and/or dad.

household goods, etc. (no bedding or clothing).

2. Contact Linda (859655-8189) to arrange for pickup of items.

3. The items are sold at auction in the Sharing House (designated date and time).

4. Your organization receives 50 percent of the sale of the items.

5.The Henry Hosea House receives 25 percent of the sale of the items.

6. The other 25 percent is used for administrative costs.

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Best gift of the season

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re you looking for a unique holiday gift? Give your own personalized wine.

Vintner’s Cellar Custom Winery in Florence offers the entertaining experience of creating a custom wine with custom labels.

Enjoy the taste of fine wine with good friends.

Host a wine tasting party and have some fun!

Get started by scheduling a wine tasting party.

Invite a group of your friends to come out to the store to sample some of he delicious wine varieties.

Wine tasting parties are a fun way to learn and discover a variety of wines.

And by sharing the experience with your

friends, perhaps you would like to order a batch of wine with the flavor adjusted to your tastes build a custom wine with your private label for a holiday gift.

Parties can generally consist of up to 30 guests.

Your party can either be catered, or if you wish you can bring your own hors d’oeuvres. Vintner’s Cellar will prove the tables, the space and, of course, the wine.

Come enjoy the chance of tasting a wide variety of Vintner’s Cellar wines and having some great fun!

Visit Vintner’s Cellar Winery on Mall Road or call 371-WINE (9463) for more information or to schedule a wine tasting party.

Call Linda at 859-6558189 or 859-462-2006 for more information about how you as an individual or your organization can participate in the Sharing House. Donations to the Sharing House are tax deductible.

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 578-5501

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Fine wine, good times What is your dog saying:

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toneBrook Winery is a small farm family winery located in Camp Springs, Ky., just 20 minutes south of Cincinnati.

StoneBrook offers magnificent vineyard views, a renovated 120-year-old farm house converted into a cozy wine tasting room, old country charm and a little bit of history.

StoneBrook vints a variety of wines including the Estate bottled Vidal Blanc, Estate, Cabernet Franc and Domain wines as well as a wide variety of other fabulous, awardwinning grape and fruit wines.

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The tasting room is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For $5 you are able to taste five palette pleasing grape or fruit wines.

Tours through the award -winning vineyards and carriage rides are also available by appointment, weather permitting.

StoneBrook also offers unique, monthly dining experiences that have become a local favorite Please visit the Web site, www.stonebrook winery.com to see our schedule of monthly events.

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Understanding canine body language

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tudying dog behavior allows us to learn more about mans best friend.

Each dog has a specific language that he/she uses to communicate their feelings, desires, and thoughts to another canine.

When a dog becomes a member of our pack or family, they use these same mannerisms to communicate with us.

You can develop a better understanding of your dogs behaviors if you learn to interpret the signals Fido is sending you.

Like a person’s specific personality may affect their mannerisms, Canine body language can also be specific to a dog.

Below is a list of a signals which are typically universal to all canines.

Learning these mannerisms can give you an

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insight into your favorite canine’s mood.

A few things are obvious. For example, a dog that is happy and excited will be wagging his tail, prancing around and/or jumping around.

A dog that is cowering in the corner is afraid.

Here are a few other common canine mannerisms and their meanings: Play Bow: Rear end up, front down, and tail wagging generally means “I want to play.”

Tail Wagging: Doesn’t always mean that the dog is happy or friendly as is generally assumed. Some dogs also wag their tails when they are scared, agitated or unsure about a situation.

Look for other signals to determine the dog’s mood. A insecure dog may wag their tail just

before they bite if they feel threatened or cornered.

Rolling Over: Generally means the dog is being submissive. In effect the dog is saying, “You’re the boss.” Often, dogs will roll over when they want their tummies rubbed. This can also be a sign that your dog is happy and well-adjusted.

Tail Between Legs and Ears Back: The dog is afraid or feeling apprehensive about something.

Rarely an aggressive dog, this dog is more likely insecure and his behavior is asking to be left alone.

Ears Perked Up: This often signals anticipation in your dog. During training, this could mean that your dog is paying close attention and awaiting a

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Tips for staying safe through the holiday season

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ven if you’re not driving through a blizzard, the effects of winter weather pose a mobility challenge for everyone, whether it’s the possibility of slipping on the sidewalk or delayed flights due to icy runways.

Cold temperatures only add to the frustration of winter travel.

It’s little wonder that some people forgo the fun of holiday gatherings to stay home. For seniors, in particular, the ice and snow of winter is more than a discomfort – it’s a hazard. It’s so easy to slip and fall that many choose to stay inside, rather than take the risk of an injury from falling. Going outside to simply get the mail can seem like a chance they don’t want to take.

The best way to face down winter and all its challenges is to think ahead and be prepared. A few simple solutions will make winter much safer - and more enjoyable – for you and any guests you might invite over.

• Get the right gear – Clothing has to go to the next level in winter and serve a real purpose. Not only do you need added warmth, you have to have traction gear for ice and material that will keep out the dampness of snow, sleet and rain.

Clothing technology has come a long way in helping us deal with winter. New, lighter-weight fabrics fend off sub-zero cold and all kinds of precipitation without adding bulk, which is great for everyone, but particularly for professionals who need to maintain dress standards at work.

Most shoes just aren’t able to stand up to the conditions of winter, and become hazardous when the world is glazed with ice. Innovative products like Stabilicers, ice

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cleats from 32 North, make any shoes into ground-gripping wonders.

A variety of Stabilicers models are available. The Stabilicers Lite is adaptable to a wide variety of casual shoes and can be put on using only one hand. Plus, they’re small and easy to stash, so you can easily carry them with you when you travel.

• Prepare your car – Winter driving poses its own unique challenges and needs.

First, make sure your car is ready by checking that its fluids are temperature-appropriate and up to the correct lev-

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els, its wheels are in good alignment, its tire treads are in good condition, and that its battery, belts and hoses are in good shape.

Whether you’re driving long distances to visit the family or just heading to work, it’s a good idea to keep an up-to-date emergency kit in the vehicle in case you become stranded.

Include good jumper cables – if the ones you have are getting worn, spring for a new pair because if you get caught in the cold with a dead car, they will be your ticket home.

Also include blankets, a flashlight, flares, a first aid kit, a small shovel, a window scraper and a bag of something that will help you gain traction, like kitty litter, sand or salt.

Extra hats and gloves can be handy, too, as can small, non-perishable snacks like energy bars or granola bars.

• Pay attention to your property – It’s important to keep a close eye on your gutters, steps and sideStay safe this winter. walks, even when you’re not in the middle of a snow or ice storm.

Make sure that icicles aren’t forming, or if they have, knock them down (carefully) to avoid damage to your home and to prevent them from falling on anyone.

If ice forms on your walkways, keep ice melt, sand or salt near the door so you can easily distribute it and prevent slips and falls. When the snow starts to fall, be sure to shovel regularly.

If you’re a city dweller, your neighbors will thank you. If you’re not, you’re taking steps to protect yourself and any visiting guests. The Stabilicer ice cleats can also come in handy while you’re doing these chores, giving you better traction to make the job quicker, so you can get back in out of the cold.

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How to dodge or deal with winter aches, pains

ply experience the aches, pains and stiffness associated with past injuries or with aging, winter's cold and dampness can exacerbate these problems. Plus, there's the potential to suffer painful injuries from winter activities like shoveling snow or hazards like slipping on icy ground.

Here is some simple advice to minimize winter's impact on chronic pain and avoid new pains from injuries:

Arthritis and fibromyalgia While both conditions can cause excruciating pain, both also respond well to positive influences like exercise, diet and hot/cold therapy.

To help minimize winter's impact on these two chronic ailments, be sure to stay active and maintain prescribed medications and therapies. Dress warmly when going outdoors, wearing layers that help trap heat near your body.

Turn to hot and cold therapy to soothe sore muscles and aching joints. You don't need to resort to a hot water bottle or an ice pack to get hot/cold therapy relief.

The IMAK Therapy Wrap is a 38-inch wrap that fits virtually any part of the body. Insertable gel packs can be heated or chilled, depending on what works for your pain. Breathable cotton Lycra fabric keeps the wrap comfortable against the skin. Visit www.IMAKproducts.com to learn more.

Hot and cold therapy had also proven useful in treating normal aches and pains associated with aging, and with pain resulting from injury. To avoid common winter injuries from shoveling snow or slips and falls, follow this advice:

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appy holidays, time with friends and family, the freshness of a new year – there are many things to look forward to with the arrival of winter.

If you're among the millions of Americans, however, who suffer from chronic pain, winter can bring on a whole new set of problems and pains.

Whether you suffer from chronic ailments like arthritis or fibromyalgia, or sim-

Healthy exercise is a good way to avoid winter aches.

Seniors see page 19

Independent living: A BLC priority

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nhancing the quality of life for seniors is a priority, even a motto at Baptist Life Communities, Northern Kentucky’s largest senior care service provider.

At its Baptist Towers

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facility (at 800 Highland Avenue, Covington) the organization manages 64 independent living apartments in a seven-story building primarily devoted to independent care.

A 40 bed Personal Care

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facility is located on the building’s third level. The proximity of this medical care facility enables Baptist Towers to provide emergency medical response to all of the independent living apart-

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ment in the building at a simple touch of a button.

The apartments have been updated over the past year. Area interior designer, Henry Vittetoe created two model apartments, which have become templates for the individual apartment renovations.

His design work included four elegant colorways, the use of hardwood look flooring and extensive contoured wooden moldings that upgraded the look and comfort in the studio and one bedroom apartment featured at The Towers.

At Baptist Village in

Erlanger, renovation work is underway to upgrade the 48 apartments in the luxurious Long House facility.

The manor house exterior appearance is carried through in a Victorian/Traditional decorative mode of the interior spaces And each apartment.

Residents at The Long House have the option of Studio, one or two-bedroom apartments.

The Village also offers 58 independent living apartment in the Munro House. The facility was opened in 1996, offering affordable senior living.

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S E N I O R Seniors from page 18 • Stretch before you start, just as you would if engaging in a workout.

• Shovel while it's still snowing and shovel repeatedly throughout the snowfall. That way, you're not trying to move a large amount of heavy, wet snow when the snowfall is over and the accumulation greater.

• Use a small shovel a large one may tempt you to overdo it – and let the stronger muscles of your legs do most of the lifting and pushing work.

Bend at the knees to avoid excess strain on your back.

with yourself and others. By observing Fido, you’ll see how his posture changes command. During play, this likely and how he uses his ears, eyes, eyemeans that your dog is engaged and brows, lips, nose, mouth, tail, and coat participating in the activity. to express his mood.

Frontal Approach: A dog standing You can be certain that your dog has still facing another dog or person with studied your expressions and body landirect eye contact, hackles raised, and guage. Your dog is usually an expert on ears and tail up indicates dominance or you! By carefully interpreting the hidden a sign of imminent attack. Only an meanings behind his/her behaviors, extremely confident and likely dominant you’ll be one step closer to improving dog assumes such a forward posture. the relationship you have with your dog.

Raised Paw: A dog who raises a paw Canine Companion Training and with a bent foreleg is showing submission. Boarding Center has been helping dog Sitting On Your Feet: A dog who sits owners build better relationships with on your feet is usually showing domitheir pets since 1994. Feel free to call nance or ownership. This behavior is often 859-356-6457 today to schedule a behavmisinterpreted by owners as affection. ior evaluation or visit www.caninecomYou can learn much about your dogs panionky.com for more information personality by noticing his interactions about our training programs.

Dog from page 16

sible. If you're sitting for long periods in the cold, dress warmly in layers and be sure to protect your neck with a warm scarf.

Shift position often, standing up when possible, bending forward and gently stretching your neck, arm and shoulder muscles to avoid stiffness.

Hot and cold therapy can also help alleviate neck pain if you do end up straining muscles.

IMAK's Hot/Cold Neck Support allows you to put the therapeutic effects of heat or cold directly on sore neck muscles.

A microwave-safe gel pack can be heated or chilled as needed.

Finally, be aware of the risk and dangers of inclement winter weather.

Slips on ice and frostbite from snow send thousands to emergency rooms every winter. If you must walk on ice, take measures to ensure your footing is good, such as using special cleats that attach to your shoes or wearing thick-soled snow boots.

Never shovel snow, play in snow or spend time outdoors in snow unless you are appropriately dressed in warm layers, including hat, gloves and warm boots.

With a few precautions and the right therapy, you can enjoy winter months free of the aches and pains associated with colder weather.

“With a few precautions and the right therapy, you can enjoy winter months free of the aches and pains associated with colder weather.”

If you do overdo it and wind up with some aches and pains, turn to hot and cold therapy to soothe sore muscles.

Other outdoor dangers Raking leaves, shoveling snow, even sitting for long hours in the cold on stadium bleachers watching a football game – all can put undue strain on your neck and shoulders.

When performing outdoor physical activity that could strain your neck, be sure to take regular breaks, and let your strong leg muscles do as much of the work as pos-

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CreativeLiving Share your story with your neighbors Call 578-5501

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Add life, color to your winter landscape: Attract wild birds to your backyard

only brings a little life to your backyard during the cooler months, but also helps the birds thrive through the winter, so they – like you – will be ready to enjoy spring when it arrives.

Getting started is simple: • Offer a feeding station that consists of a birdfeeder filled with a quality seed mix.

Choose a blend that is specially formulated to attract a variety of birds.

Ingredients should include bird favorites like black oil sunflower, thistle and peanuts, which are attractive to a wide range of birds including cardinals, chickadees, finches, native sparrows and more.

Feeding a premium wild bird food like Scotts Songbird Selections ensures birds will get adequate energy and nutrition to help

use a lot of energy, especially in the winter, and suet is the high-energy snack that can help keep them going through the tough times.

Rich in calories because it’s primarily made of fat, suet attracts woodpeckers, chickadees and many other species. Some suet, like Scotts Songbird Selections MultiBird Suet with Fruit and Nuts, is embedded with other treats birds love, such as seeds, nuts or dried fruit.

Present the suet in a wire cage. The birds will cling to the cage and peck at the suet through the gaps.

Other tips for winter feeding: • If you live in a region that receives significant snow accumulation, make sure feeders are raised high enough off the ground to

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eeding wild birds is an easy way to add a splash of color and song to your outdoor living space this winter, plus help the birds thrive through the toughest season for them.

Attracting birds to your backyard is as easy as setting out bird feeders filled with quality food.

In fact, winter is a perfect time to feed wild birds, as a variety of species, including dark-eyed juncos and native sparrows, migrate south.

Other species such as cardinals, woodpeckers and goldfinches will stay around through the winter and will be eager to frequent feeders where they find a ready, steady supply of food.

Feeding wild birds not

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Attract wild birds to add beautiful color to your backyard.

weather the winter. Visit www.scottswildbirdfood.com to learn more about feeding wild birds.

• Choose a feeder appropriate for the type of seed blend you are feeding.

Common types include covered or open platforms for any size seed blend, cylinders or tubes for small seeds, and a hopper or “house” style to hold larger seeds like sunflower. You can easily make your own bird feeder, or purchase one of the many types available in home improvement, hardware and other mass retail stores.

To attract even more birds: • Offer more than one feeder with different foods to give birds with varying feeding preferences options and ensure you attract a variety of species.

• In addition to a variety of quality seed blends, consider offering suet as well. Birds

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escape the snow buildup. Place feeders close to the house in locations with a good view from a favorite window. If possible, keep feeders a short bird’s flight from the cover of protective trees, to help birds feel more secure when feeding.

• Wild birds have a particularly hard time finding fresh water in the winter.

Consider adding a few heated birdbaths to your backyard landscape. Heated baths, many with thermostatic controls, are available in most home improvement, hardware and bird specialty stores.

• If you’re worried about squirrels raiding and damaging your feeder, consider feeding them too. Offer something the squirrels will find even more enticing than bird food – like corn – and they’ll be less inclined to visit your birdfeeder.

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