West/Northwest Creative Living (November)

CreativeLiving Features 4 6 10 14 16 18

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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

At Home Decor • Repair

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Holiday Dining Restaurants

Business 5 Local Shopping

13 Better Hearing

6 Health & Fitness

14 Winter Fun

9 Unique Gift Guide

Living 15 Senior Apartments • Care

Mind • Body • Spirit

Specialty shops

Communication

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 923-3111.

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Is your home dying? Time to call Rooftime

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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 dan-

gers 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 prob-

lems. 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, 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, venting 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.

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 923-3111.

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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, 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

Country bird house.

to care for and that will appeal to your sense of the holidays not City bird house. just this year, but next year and you create crafts with your chilthe year after that as well.”

• Give yourself plenty of time dren, you’re not just making decorations, you’re making memoand space in which to create. ries that will stay with them You’re not rushing the season if throughout their lives. Plus, makyou start working on your holiing crafts together will make day crafts in early November or even late October. You’re just giv- each item feel that much more meaningful when you use it to ing yourself plenty of time to accomplish everything you want decorate your home.

Try this creative craft - a to do. Also, dedicate a specific handcrafted birdhouse - that can area of your home to your craftbe customized to fit with either a ing and keep all your projects in city or country theme: one place – this way you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.

A Country Birdhouse • Get kids involved. When Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall

Supplies and tools 1 wood birdhouse 1 can Rust-Oleum 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.

Crafts see page 5

Your one-stop shop for unique gifts is A Sweet Life

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on’t forget to visit A Sweet Life during this, the most wonderful time of the year, for all your gifting needs.

The specialty boutique has been called “a little touch of Gatlinburg all in one spot.” A Sweet Life features works of 34 local crafters, antiques and collectibles!

Check out their custom items including pillows, picture frames, and name frames that can be designed to match any room in your home.

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There’s also a variety of Christmas home decor including ornaments and flowers.

Don’t forget that special child in your life. A Sweet Life has an array of wonderfully handmade children’s gifts including clothes for Barbie and American Girl Dolls, baby items, jewelry and more.

They now have pottery, mosaics, and stained glass.

Looking for a beautiful, unique way to dress your gifts, check out their line of handmade cards and

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gift bags. A Sweet life is truly a one-stop shop.

There are also lots of items for $5 and under.

A Sweet Life will host a holiday open house Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments and craft demos throughout the day. For every $25 you spend, you’ll receive $5 holiday bucks, redeemable at your next purchase before Dec. 24.

A Sweet Life is located at 9898 Colerain Avenue.

Call 741-7800 for more information.

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Personal, compassionate service at Rosenacker

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or more than 100 years, MihovkRosenacker Funeral Homes has been providing families with personal, compassionate funeral services. Family owned and operated, they are dedicated to serving families in their time of need.

Mihovk-Rosenacker Funeral Homes offers total service from Preneed to After Care. They

have a complete selection of all funeral and cremation products including caskets, cremation urns, grave markers, and printing services. They offer several packages for families to choose from and work with each family to honor all of their requests.

To take some of the burden off of loved ones and for peace of mind that their family members

wishes be granted, Mihovk-Rosenacker offers advanced funeral planning and services. Preplanning your funeral guarantees today’s funeral prices, making it a smart financial move, as well.

They have two state-ofthe-art facilities that they are constantly improving for increased family comfort. On the West side of Cincinnati, they are locat-

ed in White Oak/Monfort Heights area on Cheviot Road near North Bend. In the Blue Ash / Evendale / Sharonville area on Plainfield Road they are located on the grounds of the Rest Haven Memorial Park and have a formal chapel and a large community room for luncheons after services.

The compassionate, friendly staff at Mihovk-

Rosenacker is dedicated to providing high quality services at affordable prices. For Four generations they have been building the trust of families and are dedicated to the dignity of funeral service. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 513-385-0511 or visit their Web site at www.mrfuneralhome.com .

Uptown (City) Birdhouse

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 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.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Crafts from page 4 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, aligning plaids and 1 allowing ⁄4 inch margin around each piece.

6. Trim around roof 1 panels – 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.

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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, Glitter Organza 5⁄8-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 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

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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 overindulge at a later hour, but with a little snack preparation, you can stay on schedule and on track with healthful eating habits.

Tips include:

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.

day. Try crackers that are made 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 Snack responsibly Keep a variety of healthy no cholesterol or trans fat. If you're feeling creative, pair snacks on hand that aren't any variety of these crackers too large in portion but are easy to grab throughout the with a low fat spread or

Share your healthy eating habits with friends.

Carry on-the-go snacks

cheese.

Travel with a light and Healhty see page 7

Your favorite place to be: WTFC

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hen you walk into Western Tennis & Fitness Club you’re amongst family and friends.

That’s the common sentiment among members of the family-owned club that offers indoor tennis, fitness, outdoor swimming and social activities that appeal to all ages.

The neighborly, subdued ambiance offers a welcome contrast to the high-tech, high-intensity, high-energy atmosphere of franchise fitness cen-

ters.

Western Tennis & Fitness isn’t just a place you come to work out. It’s a place you come to feel better about yourself and also to socialize with old and new friends.

Club facilities include a lobby area with snack bar and men’s and women’s newly remodeled locker rooms. There are 9 indoor air-conditioned tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness cardiovascular equipment, strength machines, tread climbers, free weights, an outdoor pool with separate children’s

pool, snack shack, sand volleyball, basketball, and picnic area. Group fitness with instructors, Yoga classes, Spinning, and personal training are also offered. Group fitness, yoga, spinning and Zumba are free to members. Child care is also available for a nominal fee. They even offer a seven-day pass to try out the club.

Western Tennis & Fitness Club is located at 5490 Muddy Creek Road.

For more information call 451-4233 or visit www.esterntfc.com.

Get the skinny on Shake Shack Nutrition

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hake Shack Nutrition opened on Ruwes Oak and Rybolt Road six months ago. The Shack has since become a destination point for many locals. It is easy to understand why, given the weight loss and health success of clients.

Tracey Westheider started with two shakes daily three months ago.

Tracey states she was a whopping 247 lbs. and is now under 200. Her new

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nickname is “skinny.”

Nancy Bachus tells how she has been a diabetic since 1995. Nancy shares that she had the best results for her A1C number (average blood sugar level) over the past 2 to 3 months. Nancy credits the shakes as a contributing factor to her success along with losing weight and inches.

Wellness Coach Laureen Beckner says these successes are the

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result of proper eating and a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Namely, people have to stop making excuses and take a proactive approach to their health. No more next week or next year.

Make a commitment to feel better today.

The food tastes amazing, and it is easy to prepare and affordable. Call 574-7200 to schedule an appointment with a Wellness Coach.

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H E A L T H Healthy from page 6 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.

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.

Share your healthy habits 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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Diabetic foot care

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he podiatrists at Centers for Foot and Ankle Care (CFAC) are dedicated to providing you the highest level of foot care.

If you have diabetes, it is critical that you seek immediate treatment for any foot problems.

Because diabetes increases the chances for foot problems, even minor infections or friction injuries

can quickly lead to amputation and serious complications.

CFAC podiatrists have the experience and elite education to effectively treat diabetic patients.

CFAC podiatrists specialize in providing preventative diabetic foot care, Medicare approved diabetic shoes, wound care and focus on limbsaving treatments.

Reach every neighbor Call 923-3111

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 923-3111.

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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 lifethreatening sleep disorder that left undiagnosed and untreated can shorten your lifespan up to 18 years! Treatment options include surgery, Oral Appliance Therapy, and

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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 feeling. This is an easy and uncomplicated solution to managing my

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Not sure if you have sleep apnea? Take a quick quiz at www.cincisleep.com to see if you are at risk.

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 2488848 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.cincisleep.com to learn more!

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Favorite Things for your favorite time of the year

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here is a special appeal about a home decor and gift shop that excites curiosity, wonderment, and creates home accessorizing ideas and gift giving – especially during the holidays.

What better way to relax and indulge the senses during all the hustle and bustle than to spend some time brows-

ing in a unique shop filled with charm and items sure to delight.

Step inside Favorite Things, located at 4465 Bridgetown Road, and you'll be impressed by the extensive collection of Christmas treasures.

Favorite Things’ selection consists of small furniture pieces, art, lamps, mirrors-all of those items needed to make a home

comfortable, whether the decor is traditional or contemporary. Baby gifts, jewelry, invitations and personalized items add to the array of unique gift items.

Stop in and browse awhile, especially during their Christmas Open House Nov. 12-14, refreshments served and drawing for a Christmas decoration.

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 furlined 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

collection.

Preview Production is now showing their highly anticipated Christmas dresses, as well as a full

“With such reasonable prices, this season is the perfect time to add several of the latest ready-to-wear fashions to your favorite someone’s doll collection.”

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come with matching boots.

With such reasonable prices, this season is the perfect time to add several of the latest ready-towear fashions to your favorite someone’s doll

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complement of doll shoes, hats, scarves, skates, and many other accessories.

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

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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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Lutz Flowers makes perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece

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dd natural beauty to your Thanksgiving table with a lovely centerpiece by Lutz Flowers.

From an artful autumn bouquet to a delightful cornucopia laced with ravishing fall-colored flowers, Lutz Flowers can provide the finest in decorations for your home or

office parties.

Lutz Flowers has been providing Cincinnati the finest in flowers and gifts at affordable prices since 1918. They were recently voted the best community florist on the West side by Community Press readers.

They offer fresh floral arrangements, fruit and gourmet baskets and personal care gift baskets.

In addition, Lutz Flowers carries an array of gifts and charms that can add the perfect touch to any planter or floral arrangement.

They also have a fine collection of memorial garden stones.

Visit Lutz Flowers at 5110 Crookshank Road or, for more information, call 921-0561.

Kennings Circle K adds special touch to holiday parties

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ake your holiday gathering worth coming to by hosting it at or catering it with Kennings Circle K, 6166 Bridgetown Road.

Reserve their specially decorated holiday room today for your gathering.

Reservations are accepted for 20 to 65.

Or take advantage of their catering options.

Kennings can accommodate groups from 10 to 300. They will deliver your food, complete the set up and can even work the party and take care of cleanup.

The family owned and operated restaurant has a

full menu including a full line of appetizers, sandwiches and dinner entrees. Dinners include baby back ribs, prime rib, home-cooked comfort foods, and fresh seafood.

Kennings will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 1 to 8 p.m. and will offer a traditional holiday menu and other selected entrees. For more information or to make reservations for four or more any day of the week call 574-5613.

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 923-3111.

To advertise in CreativeLiving call 923-3111.

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Give the gift of Connectedness

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or most people, the holidays are a time for reconnecting.

Sadly, people with hearing loss can feel even more isolated at this time because untreated hearing loss itself or the lack of assistive devices that make communicating with family and friends easier.

So this holiday, give the gift of connectedness.

Help someone you love hear more clearly on the telephone, watch TV at a level comfortable for everyone, or know when a guest is at the door. Assistive listening devices, or ALDs, offer people with hearing loss simple solutions for talking on the phone, watching TV, and hearing the alarm clock, doorbell, or smoke detector. ALDs alert you to sounds you don’t hear well and amplify sounds you’d like to hear better. They can make listening and communicating less stressful and tiresome in everyday situations, even for those who already wear hearing aids.

Add-on devices for hearing aids now offer

connective capability as well, helping wearers stay connected at work, home, and play. These devices ensure that they can hear phone calls in both ears and listen to just about any other audio device at their comfort level. The

“Take away the isolation and give the gift of hearing with our full line of ALDs or a connective device. To try out ALDs, including amplified phones and TV Ears,...”

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devices also reduce signal delay so that eyes and ears are always in synch when watching TV and are compatible with cell phones and other wireless and Bluetooth accessories, turning hearing aids into the world’s smallest wireless headset.

Take away the isolation and give the gift of hearing with our full line of ALDs or a connective device. To try out ALDs, including amplified phones and TV Ears, or for your free copy of The Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Aids, call 5989444 today.

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Call 923-3111

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

not 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

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 escape the snow buildup. Place feeders close

Attract wild birds to add beautiful color to your backyard.

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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

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nutrition to help 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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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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You have the power to change your life

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ake sure you hear more of everything this holiday season. If you are having trouble with your hearing, you know the holidays will be challenging. It’s tough to stay in the conversation with so many people talking all at once. This year, don’t let hearing loss come between you and your loved ones. Enjoy the little things – the jokes, the whispers, the memories.

The Place for Better Hearing

wants to help you change your life. We work with the most advanced hearing aids available today: S Series, by Starkey. They are the next generation of hearing aids, available today! They are powerful enough to process sounds quickly and efficiently, yet sophisticated enough to pick up a whisper.

Every hearing aid in the S Series family has been designed to perform in the most challenging listening situations. If you’ve

“The time for better hearing is now. Only you have the power to change your life.” been waiting for hearing aids that provide performance, comfort, and personalization, S Series are the hearing aids for you.

The time for better hearing is

now. Only you have the power to change your life. Call The Place for Better Hearing at 922-0123 to schedule an appointment or visit us at www.hearingbetter.net.

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It’s OK to brag about yourself!

Call 248-8600

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How to dodge or deal with winter aches, pains

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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 simply experience the aches, pains and stiffness associated with past injuries or with aging, winter's cold and dampness can exacerbate these problems. Plus, Healthy exercise is a good way to avoid winter aches.

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: • Stretch before you start, just as you would if engaging

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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.

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

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breaks, and let your strong leg muscles do as much of the work as possible. 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 thicksoled 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.

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Senior living: Staying healthy

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he weather is definitely changing and it brings with it different challenges for staying well. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to stay healthy this winter and to keep those around you healthy too!

Keeping germs at bay It is inevitable. The damp, chilly days bring with them the coughs and sneeze of those around you. How do you keep from getting it? Believe it or not, the simplest way is the best and that is good, old-fashioned hand washing. When you wash your hands properly, you prevent the spread of many germs.

Properly means soaping for 30 seconds and then rinsing thoroughly. How do you know if it is 30 seconds? Some people sing two choruses of “Happy Birthday” to themselves. Others use the “A, B, C” song.

Whatever works for you, make sure you spend the time to keep those germs away. And when you leave a public restroom, don’t grab the door handle with your nice, clean hand. Use a paper towel

to create a barrier and then dispose of that towel properly.

Fight the flu We’re all reading about H1N1 and the dangers in the current flu season.

Well, turns out that the regular seasonal flu is just as dangerous and, for seniors, even more so. If you have no medical reason not to, a flu shot is the most important thing that

local malls open their doors early so that you can walk. You might even find a congenial group of mall walkers to join! If you can’t get out, walk in place in front of your television; add an extra flight or two of stair climbing; turn on an exercise show and follow along. The worst thing you can do is just sit – so don’t just sit there, do something!

“...Keep your head covered, keep your feet dry and you can avoid a lot of winter-related health issues.” you can do. And flu shots are very available, both at your doctor’s office and in many other locations. It is a small step to take for very powerful prevention.

Stay Warm

If the weather is inclement, dress properly for it. Keep your head covered, keep your feet dry and you can avoid a lot of winter-related Keep moving health issues. It’s a small If the ground is wet or thing to do but protecting slippery, it makes it diffiyourself from the elecult to go out and exerments was good advice to cise-even though we give your children and it’s know how important it is good advice to follow to do that. There are a lot yourself. of reasons that you need A few simple acts can to keep moving. It’s good make winter a healthier for your heart, your season for you and all of weight, your joints and those around you. Take your overall state of mind. care of yourself as 2009 What can you do? Many winds to a close!

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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, lighterweight 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 cleats from 32 North, make any shoes into ground-gripping wonders. A variety of Stabilicers models are avail-

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able. 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 levels, its wheels are in good alignment, its tire treads are in good condition, and that its

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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 sidewalks, 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 Stay safe this winter. 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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Quality nursing Happy holidays from care, rehabilitation Oak Hills Nursing and C Rehabilitation Center lovernook provides quality care, careful monitoring, and a unified team quality nursing care and rehabilita- approach, the professiontion, as well as one of the als at The Progressive most progressive, effective Wound Centre advance wound care centers in the healing in dramatic ways.

The Progressive Wound Tristate. Clovernook is Centre is like no other in nestled into six park-like the region! acres in the residential All rehabilitation theraneighborhood of North College Hill and its caring pies: Physical, Occupational, Speech, professional staff is dediRespiratory, and cated to serving the needs of the resi“Clovernook is Medicaid and Medicare dents and certified and provides private pay, as their families. well as some private insurances.”

The Progressive Wound Recreational are available Centre was opened in 2004, due to Clovernook’s to their residents.

Clovernook is Medicaid successes in healing vasand Medicare certified cular, venous, diabetic, and provides private pay, surgical, pressure and as well as some private complex wounds. The insurances. They provide Progressive Wound Centre team uses state-of- long-term and short-term the-art products and inno- care, and skilled and intermediate care. vative treatments. With

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By Melissa Simpson Director of Marketing/Admissions

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hen I think of the Holidays, the first thing I think about is family. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob and don’t forget the cousins. Every family has their own holiday tradition whether it is going to a particular family member’s house for a nice homemade dinner, or going to a favorite restaurant and letting someone else do the cooking.

Whatever your plans are for the holiday the most important thing you can do is tell your family how much you appreciate and love them.

Our family at Oak Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center like to slow things down a little and go back to the basics.

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We prepare and serve a traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings, while listening to live entertainment. This has been our facility’s tradition since we opened two years ago, and it gives everyone a chance to enjoy some time to spend with their loved ones without the mess to clean up.

Thanksgiving dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 for the residents on the first floor, and on the 25th for the residents on the second floor. On Dec. 21 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. we will have an open house where we will serve h’orderves, dessert and enjoy musical entertainment.

From our family to yours have a blessed and safe holiday season and tell someone close to you how much you love them!

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‘Your family is our family’

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ith a motto like, “Your family is our family,” you can rest assured that your loved ones are being well taken care of at Judson Village Retirement Community.

Their caring and professional staff is dedicated to meeting all of the residents’ health care, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Judson Village was founded in 1948 in the heart of Western Hills in a beautiful Victorian mansion as a charitable, Christian organization. Initially they housed eight residents but today they provide accommodations for almost 200 people. Judson Terrace Apartments offer independent living apartments. The Judson Care Center building offers Assisted Living, the Sedziol Therapy Unit, and the Matthews

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Judson Village is more than just a place to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle without the concerns of home ownership. It is a place Unit for Memory Impairment where you choose accommodaand Skilled Nursing. They are tions based on your individual fully approved by Medicare and needs and desired level of indeMedicaid. pendence. You choose the living Situated amongst 30 rolling arrangement that makes you feel acres on Harrison Avenue, most comfortable.

Judson Village offers many activiResidents can choose from ties and amenities to ensure their two different living options. One residents can maintain their indeand two bedroom apartments are pendence and live with comfort available in assisted living for and convenience. There are many those who want a secure and comfortable lounges throughout independent lifestyle. And for the facility for residents to socialthose who require more aroundize with one another or visit with the-clock nursing care they can family and friends. There is a gift choose the Care Center. shop and snack bar, a beauty Judson Village recently undersalon and barber shop and an went a $1.4 million renovation in activity center and wood shop. order to add a short-term rehabilResidents can take an exercise itation unit, as well as Matthew’s class, attend a morning concert, Unit, a memory impairment unit. participate in a Bible study or join The Rehab Unit offers physical, some friends for a pen pal social. occupational and speech therapy Judson Village’s objective is to provided through Genesis Rehab make each day fun and fulfilling.

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The staff is experienced in orthopedics, stroke and dementia issues. Patients are comprehensively evaluated upon admission allowing Judson Village to provide individualized treatment plans to each patient. Prior to discharge, each patient’s home is evaluated for safety and to assess equipment needs.

The Matthew’s Unit for Memory Impairment is located in a secure, locked area with a specially equipped dining room on the unit. The Matthew’s Unit staff work with the dementia residents’ remaining capabilities using a social model of care. This model has proven successful in care facilities throughout the county in slowing the progress of the disease while enhancing the quality of life of the resident and their family.

To learn more, visit www.judsonvillage.com or call 662-5880 to schedule an appointment to tour the facilities.

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