Grand Funk Railroad, medium Theresa Caputo coming to casino in spring PAGE 3
DECEMBER
18 2025
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December 18, 2025
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December 18, 2025
In this week’s edition: Cleanup evokes memories of West Valley’s patented waste disposal invention See Page 4
Grand Funk Railroad, medium Theresa Caputo coming to casino in spring BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
SALAMANCA — Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino will welcome two powerhouse acts to perform on the event center stage this spring. Classic rockers Grand Funk Railroad will roll into the Seneca Allegany Event Center at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Then, medium Theresa Caputo will move audiences with her remarkable gift at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. Grand Funk Railroad has been delivering hardhitting classic rock for more than 50 years. The band helped define the pop music landscape of the 1970s with mega-hits like “We’re An American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/ Closer to Home,” “The Loco-Motion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” all of which continue to enjoy regular airplay today. Formed in Flint, Mich., in 1969, by Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, keyboards and harmonica), Don Brewer (drums and vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass) until their first disbandment in 1976. The original trio reunited at various times later in the band’s career, but after Farner’s final departure in 1998, Brewer and Schacher have continued touring as Grand Funk Railroad. Four of the five members of the current iteration of Grand Funk Railroad have been together for 25 years and counting. Over their
Photo Provided Grand Funk Railroad will roll into the Seneca Allegany Event Center for a rockin’ concert on May 2.
quarter-century together, the group has settled into a nice groove. “Our lead singer, Max Carl, formerly of .38 Special and Jack Mac and the Heart Attack, is probably one of the last blue-eyed soul singers on the planet and just a great fit for Grand Funk,” Brewer told the New York Post in 2023. “He’s from Omaha. I’m from Flint, Michigan, and we’re Midwest boys with a love of R&B.” In all, Grand Funk
Railroad charted 19 singles, eight Top 40 hits and two No. 1 singles, selling more than 25 million records and performing to sold-out audiences around the world. Tickets start at $33. MEANWHILE, medium Theresa Caputo, best known as the star of the hit reality series “Long Island Medium” and “Theresa Caputo Raising Spirits,” is also a New York Times best-selling
author. Born and raised on Long Island, Caputo has been a practicing medium for more than 20 years and aims to use her gift to deliver healing messages that help people learn, grow and embrace life. Caputo claims that she receives messages from Spirit — her name for whatever force she claims to be channeling, which isn’t exactly a ghostly apparition in the way some mediums claim to speak with the dead.
“Spirit mostly speaks to me through a sixth sense — a kind of feeling and knowing,” she explained on her website. “When I get information, it feels like very strong intuition, or recall. Spirit also uses a vocabulary of signs and symbols that they show me during a reading.” Caputo said she’s grateful for an ability that’s brought countless people comfort and joy, helped many believe in an afterlife, led others
to trust that their loved ones are safe and at peace, and shown them that those souls are guiding, encouraging and loving them from “the Other Side.” “My wish for everyone I meet is that Spirit gives them a message that brings them the most peace at that moment,” she said. In addition to her television appearances and live show, Caputo has authored four books and also hosts the popular podcast “Hey Spirit!” Tickets start at $60.50. In addition to Grand Funk Railroad and Theresa Caputo, other upcoming performances at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino include: • Jan. 31 – Tesla. Tickets start at $50. • Feb. 13 – Ranch Hands Cowboylesque. Tickets start at $11. • March 27 – Morgan Jay. Tickets start at $49.50. • April 11 – Clint Black. Tickets start at $38.50. Seneca Resorts & Casinos uses all paperless ticketing for all events at all of its properties. Tickets may be purchased online at SenecaAlleganyCasino. com or ticketmaster. com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at The Garden Nook inside Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino or The Logo Shop inside Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. A secure link, sent by either e-mail or text, allows guests to save tickets to their phone or mobile device.
HoliMont opens for another year of premium winter sports BY DEB EVERTS ELLICOTTVILLE — HoliMont Ski Resort opened for this year’s ski and snowboard season on Dec. 13, anticipating another year of great snow, smooth operations and the kind of service that sets HoliMont apart. The snowmaking crew began making snow on Dec. 1 to get the slopes ready for its members and guests. Snowsports Director Travis Widger said preparations have been going great. They had a busy summer updating and improving their snowmaking season. Widger said HoliMont has been preparing all year long by conducting lift inspections, performing maintenance on the slopes and inside the chalet, as well as providing full-time and seasonal staff training, from ski patrol to snowsports. “We installed over a mile of new snowmaking pipe, two new compressors and have recently taken delivery on our newest groomer, a PistenBully 600 Polar, which will all allow us to stay true to our promise and commitment to ‘Great Snow and No Lift lines,’” he said. HoliMont installed new underground pipes in 2023, which were expected to enhance snowmaking capabilities. Widger said that made a significant difference. “Every time we have
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley Another great winter season began Dec. 13 at HoliMont Ski Resort. The snowmaking crew has been out on the slopes working hard to give guests their best ski experience.
to replace or repair existing pipe, we have a detailed master plan with engineering that specifies the diameter and dimensions of the pipe we use to improve flow and consistency, so we can make more snow in shorter windows and at
different temperatures,” he said. Other improvements include a new heated patio that has been installed behind the HoliCenter Snowsports Building, Widger said, and they have lots of new gear, swag and rental items in
their GearUp Ski Shop. “We are committed to continuing to provide generations of outdoor family fun and, for the first time this season — thanks to our Bike Park and Summer Operations — we provided lift access to our venues for our
membership and guests,” he said. “As a family-centered resort, there is something for everyone.” Several special events are scheduled for the new year, including the Phoenix Adaptive 30th Anniversary Gala, Jan. 17 from 6:30-10
p.m.; Ladies Day, a funfilled day for the women of HoliMont and their guests, Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Contractors Day, a great day on the slopes for local contractors and vendors, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Ski 4 a Cure to help raise money for Roswell Park Cancer Center, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Located at 6921 Route 242 in Ellicottville, HoliMont is said to be America’s Largest Private Ski Club. With 700 feet of wall-to-wall snowmaking and state-ofthe-art grooming, guests are guaranteed to have an excellent day on the slopes. Check out the action of the snowmaking crew live on the snow cam at holimont. com. To hear a slope report, call (877) 754-4654. Members of HoliMont Ski Club have the opportunity to enjoy all the resort has to offer while they make memories to last a lifetime. Widger said they are always looking for new families to join their community and guests to enjoy the freedom and independence to experience the HoliMont Experience Monday through Friday when the private resort is open to the public. For more details about HoliMont and its scheduled events, or rates for memberships and daily ski passes, call HoliMont’s main office at (716) 699-2320 or visit online at holimont. com.
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Cleanup evokes memories of West Valley’s patented waste disposal invention WEST VALLEY — As West Valley Demonstration Project workers prepared a miscellany of legacy items for disposal this year, they dug up memories of a patented invention for the safe disposal of radioactive waste created by a group of engineers working on the site’s cleanup in the 1980s. The invention was a subsurface recoverable packaging system, or SUREPAK. It was unique in that it could be inspected, had its own liquid collection and monitoring system and was configured to eliminate gaps between waste containers for improved storage. The system also provided shielding for personnel involved with waste storage and disposal. The engineers who created the SUREPAKs were with Westinghouse’s Waste Technology Services Division. West Valley Nuclear Services,
Photo provided Dan Meess, a longtime team member of the West Valley Demonstration Project cleanup, was among a group of engineers who created a patented invention for the safe disposal of radioactive waste at the site in the 1980s.
a Westinghouse subsidiary, began
operations as the management-andoperations contractor for the site’s cleanup in 1982. Dan Meess was chief engineer with the Westinghouse group. He has been a longtime employee of the West Valley cleanup and currently supports the project part-time. “I was proud to help develop and implement the SUREPAK storage and disposal modules that were more environmentally
friendly and reduced personnel dose,” Meess said. In addition to three SUREPAKs, the present-day cleanup team demolished 28 degraded liners, or waste boxes, and 17 vitrification vault lid sections this year. They loaded the debris into 22 waste containers weighing nearly 1.2 million pounds — equivalent to more than 440 small cars — for shipment to an offsite disposal facility.
The vitrification vaults had stored contaminated equipment removed from the Vitrification Facility during its deactivation. In 2018, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management workers demolished the 50-foottall, 10,000-square-foot facility once used to solidify thousands of gallons of radioactive waste. Stephen Bousquet, assistant director for
West Valley’s Office of Project Management, said the demolition and disposal of the SUREPAKs and other items this year continues the mission to reduce legacy waste and risks at the site. “The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management will continue advancing safe and compliant progress at the site for the surrounding communities,” he added. Daniel Way, Decontamination and Decommissioning manager for cleanup contractor West Valley Cleanup Alliance, said his team planned and executed the demolition and disposal work safely, compliantly and efficiently. “This crew used lessons learned to enhance safety, improve efficiency and reduce exposure to jobrelated hazards,” Way said. “They put their collective knowledge into practice.” Bousquet noted that West Valley’s presentday team carries on the spirit of innovation seen in the early days of the site’s cleanup. “The West Valley team continues to be innovative in the cleanup mission while maintaining safety, reducing costs and addressing the legacy of the past,” he said.
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December 18, 2025
Hobbies that encourage adults to be creative Parents of young children have undoubtedly read or learned about the benefits of giving children time to engage in creative pursuits. Such activities can help foster cognitive development in youngsters, but the benefits of being creative don’t end in adolescence. In fact, adults also have much to gain from being creative as well. A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health noted a positive relationship between creativity and
subjective well-being in adults. Such findings are a feather in the cap of creative pursuits, and enough to compel some adults to wonder which hobbies they can pursue in an effort to ignite their creative fire. Creativity can be defined in a number of ways, particularly with respect to recreational pursuits, but various activities might be just what adults need to reap the rewards of being more creative. • Painting: Many adults who paint characterize this recreational activity as a great way to unwind and ease stress. Painting requires
creativity, and even avid painters may not recognize that painting is a mental exercise that encourages problemsolving. That can have a profound impact on mental health, as a 2015 study in the journal Neurology found that adults who engaged
Baked brie is a cheesecentric crowd pleaser Cheese is beloved all over the world. While cheese features more prominently in some cultures than others, its popularity still knows no bounds. That popularity is something hosts can keep in mind as they plan to welcome loved ones into their homes during the holiday season. Couple the popularity of cheese with a little spice, as this recipe for “Baked Brie With Blackberry Compote and Spicy Candied Pecans” from Lines+Angles does, and hosts are sure to have a crowd pleaser on their hands. Baked Brie With Blackberry Compote and Spicy Candied Pecans Makes 4 to 6 servings For the compote: 3 cups blackberries 1⁄2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons water 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract For the pecans: 1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger 1 pinch chilli powder 1 small egg white 1 tablespoon water 2 cups pecans
oil
For the cheese: 2 Brie wheels 2 tablespoons olive
oven and let cool to one side. Increase oven to 350 F. 7. For the cheese: Remove the tops of the rinds from the Brie wheels. Place the Brie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 8. Drizzle with olive oil before baking for 25 to 30 minutes until melted and bubbling. 9. Remove from the oven and let cool briefly before topping with the blackberry compote, spiced pecans, pomegranate seeds, and
thyme sprigs. 10. Serve with the multigrain crackers and any remaining compote and pecans on the side.
in creative pursuits like painting were 73 percent less likely to develop cognitive issues that can lead to dementia. • Writing: Writing is another creative pursuit that can make for a great hobby. Writing in a journal,
ELLICOTTVILLE — The CA BOCES CTE Center at Ellicottville has announced a new partnership with Connecting Communities in Action (CCA) to launch a Weekend Backpack Program aimed at supporting students in the region who face food insecurity. Through this initiative, students in need will receive backpacks filled with nutritious, easy-toprepare food items to take home each weekend. The goal is to ensure that every student has access to healthy meals outside of the school week. The program, in its pilot, will reach students in four school districts over a 40-weekend time span.
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instrument affords adults an opportunity to express themselves. Playing a musical instrument also has been linked to a range of cognitive benefits, including sharpened decision-making, improved memory and focus and enhanced mental flexibility. Various activities encourage adults to be creative and foster a greater sense of creativity in men and women. Such pursuits make invaluable hobbies and pay both short- and long-term dividends.
Ellicottville CTE Center partners with CCA to launch Weekend Backpack Program
1 pomegranate, seeded Fresh thyme sprigs Multigrain crackers 1. For the compote: Combine blackberries, sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a heavy-based saucepan. 2. Cover and cook over a medium heat, stirring from time to time, until the blackberries are soft and jammy, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to one side. 3. For the spicy candied pecans: Preheat the oven to 250 F. Stir together sugar and spices in a large mixing bowl. 4. Whisk egg white with water in a separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in egg white mixture before removing and tossing in the spiced sugar to coat. 5. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 1 hour, turning over every 15 minutes, until dry and crisp. 6. Remove from the
even if it’s a recap of the day’s events and not writing fiction, can clear up mental clutter, which in turn can open a pathway to more creative thinking. Adults also can utilize a journal to do some creative writing. • Knitting: Knitting is another hobby that allows adults to indulge their creative side. Adults must design patterns, choose colors and even create items wholly from scratch when knitting, which makes this a great way to be more creative with personal time. • Playing an instrument: Learning to play a musical
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CA BOCES Senior Administrator for CTE Amanda Miller said that CA BOCES is pleased to be a bridge between CCA and local schools. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support students’ overall wellness,” she said. “We are grateful for organizations like CCA who are providing programming that assists the community in such profound ways.” The program will begin with a “soft launch” during the month of December, allowing school personnel to discreetly share information and paperwork with students and families who may benefit from the program. Jacob Fellows, director of nutrition services for CCA said
he is proud of the partnership and how it will benefit regional students. “CCA’s partnership with CA BOCES for the Weekend Backpack Program is a win for our whole community — together we’re making sure students have nutritious food all weekend long, so they can come back to school ready to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Fellows. Community members who wish to support the Weekend Backpack Program can make donations directly to help sustain and expand this effort. Contributions of nonperishable food items or financial support are greatly appreciated.
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December 18, 2025
Tips for those new to skiing Millions of people across the globe love to ski. Unofficial Networks Ski & Mountain News reports that the 202425 season recorded 61.5 million skier visits, the second-highest on record, which suggests the popularity of skiing and snowboarding shows no signs of slowing down. With so many active participants, those who plan to ski for the first time may be eager to hit the slopes. But it is important for new skiers to heed some beginner tips. • Get a ski pass. If possible, find a ski resort nearby and purchase a pass in advance. Once you have the pass you can visit the mountain and ski whenever you have available time. Plus, the expense of the pass can be incentive to get out and use it, ensuring you get your money’s worth. • Expect to fall. On a first day out, it is likely you will fall down quite often, and it can be challenging to get up. Knowing this will occur in advance can help you avoid embarrassment. Also, expect people to be
more skilled than you, even young children who have been skiing for quite some time. • Protect your feet. Novices may feel that their feet get too cold, wet or sore. It is important to get boots that are comfortable and fit well. Harvard University suggests boots that enable you to wiggle your toes, but not
allow you to turn your foot side-to-side within the boot. Try several boots when renting, and eventually purchase your own boots with a custom fit. • Take lessons. A private lesson can be very helpful for novices, teaching them form and instilling confidence. The instructor also can help you avoid bad
habits. • Wear thick ski pants. Ski pants insulate against the cold and wet snow, and when falls inevitably occur, the thickness of pants can offer padding. • Layer on top. Wear a waterproof jacket and layers so you can add or remove layers as needed. A zippered jacket is easier to take on and off
or simply loosen when you’re hot. • Rent skis. Bearfoot Theory suggests renting skis at the resort before investing in your own so you get an idea of what you like. Skiing clothing and gear goes on sale at the end of the season, which enables you to save money when it comes time to invest. • Ski with those
better than you. Skiing alongside those who are more advanced than you can help. Find people you trust to be patient and invite you along. Chances are you will learn a little more quickly because you’ll be compelled to keep up. It’s also perfectly alright to ski solo once you gain some measure of comfort on the slopes. • Start with groomed runs. As a beginner, focus on getting a strong foundation on groomed runs. Then move on to powder to test out something a little more intense. • Build up leg strength. Focusing on workouts that involve strengthening your calves and quadriceps can lead to greater endurance when it comes time to hit the slopes. Skiing is an entertaining recreational activity that draws scores of enthusiasts each year. Beginners are urged to start slowly and develop the skills necessary to become competent and confident skiers.
How to stay healthy while traveling for the holidays The holiday season is always a busy time of year for the travel industry, and 2025 figures to be no exception. A November report from CNN indicated that the aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that passenger booking on major airlines for Thanksgiving were up by 2.22 percent from a year earlier, when holiday travel reached a record high. Traveling is indeed a key component of the holiday season for millions of people, and long lines at airports, crowded train stations and trains, and even heavily trafficked roadways are among the challenges such individuals must navigate as they aim to spend time with loved ones between late November and the first week of January. Finding ways to stay healthy while traveling is another challenge such individuals face. While that can be difficult, travelers can look to various strategies to stay healthy when taking to the rails, roads or friendly skies this holiday season.
• Take some creature comforts to ensure a good night’s rest. The Clayton Sleep Institute reports that as much as 80 percent of travelers report sleeping worse while traveling than they do at home. Jet lag, general weariness and unique sleeping environments can compromise travelers’ ability to get sufficient and quality rest while away from home. When possible, taking
some creature comforts along, such as the pillow you sleep on at home, can facilitate better rest on the road. That can promote a healthier holiday season, as the Mayo Clinic notes people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to get sick after exposure to a virus, including the common cold. • Do some homework on nutrition. Healthy food and the holiday
season are not exactly synonymous, and it’s easy to overindulge in unhealthy fare like baked goods when visiting loved ones between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. It’s also more difficult to eat healthy when traveling, regardless of the time of year. Some pre-travel homework can help travelers find restaurants that offer healthy fare on the road to their destination and
locate restaurants with nutritious foods once they arrive. Travelers also can pack healthy snacks to enjoy during their travels. • Stay somewhere you can exercise. Many hotels now feature onsite fitness facilities and/or swimming pools so guests can exercise during their stay. Travelers can book stays in these facilities rather than staying in hotels with no such
offerings or in loved ones’ apartments. Some hotels may include access to a local fitness facility with each booking in lieu of an on-site exercise room. Travelers who want to stay healthy while on the road can take advantage of these offerings during their stay. • Take something along to calm the stress. Even the most seasoned travelers can succumb to travel-related stress, especially during the busy holiday travel season. Take along an engaging book, a tablet pre-loaded with films and television shows, a smartphone with a full array of podcasts to listen to, or additional items that might help you remain calm should a stressful situation arise during your travels. Stress can compromise the immune system, so having a distraction during travel delays can help people get through their holiday travels in a healthy way. Staying healthy when traveling during the holiday season can come down to some simple planning.
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Tips to make a home more accommodating for holiday guests Millions of people host family and friends during the holiday season. According to a recent report from the travel and finance experts at Upgraded Points, 57 percent of adults surveyed planned to host a holiday gathering in 2024, while 70 percent of respondents indicated they planned to attend such celebrations. Hosting is a significant responsibility, but it’s also a fun way to catch up with loved ones in a laid back environment. Chances to catch up are even stronger when hosting overnight guests, whose comfort should be a priority as hosts ready their homes for holiday celebrations. Hosts preparing to welcome loved ones into their homes this holiday season can take various steps to make their homes as accommodating as
possible for overnight guests. • Offer a secluded spot to sleep. The holiday season can be hectic, and it can be hard to keep things calm and quiet when returning home. That’s especially true in homes with young children. Overnight guests who might be a little weary from traveling will undoubtedly appreciate a place away from the hustle and bustle to rest their heads. Though hosts must make due with the space they have, make a concerted effort to ensure residents remain quiet around guest rooms or other areas where overnight guests will be sleeping. If possible, choose a secluded spot away from areas of the home that tend to be noisy, such as the kitchen and living room/game room. • Offer some in-room entertainment. Access to the internet and
streaming services is nonstop in the modern world, and it can be a nice gesture to ensure overnight guests can stream their favorite content and stay connected during their stay. Hosts can outfit guest rooms with a smart TV for as little as $100 and load it up with popular streaming apps
so guests can watch an episode or two of their favorite show in private before calling it a night. • Offer kid-friendly creature comforts. Adults may be accustomed to sleeping outside their own homes, but younger guests might not be as familiar or comfortable sleeping somewhere
other than their own bedrooms. If young children will be staying overnight, hosts can consider putting them up in the same bedrooms as their own children, which can be especially fun when kids are roughly the same age. Additional kid-friendly creature comforts include a stuffed animal
or two, an in-room night light and some storybooks on a bedside nightstand. • Include guests in fun traditions. Tradition is a big part of the appeal of the holiday season, and hosts can make guests feel more welcome by inviting them to participate in their own family traditions. Expand family baking sessions to include overnight guests, encourage willing loved ones to pitch in when preparing family meals and let guests pick their favorite holiday film for a family movie night. Millions of people will host overnight guests this holiday season. Hosts can employ various strategies to ensure overnight guests feel welcome and comfortable during their stay.
Pitfalls that can compromise dog training Dogs are not just pets, they often become cherished family members who share in all of the joys and accomplishments of a household. Training a dog that’s new to a home can be deeply rewarding, but various pitfalls can slow the progress of training and potentially contribute to confusion or even lead to behavioral problems. Pet parents can get a leg up on what can go wrong and why, and adjust to help make the training process go more smoothly. Problem #1: Inconsistency Everyone in the family may want to take part in training the new pet and this can create confusion if everyone isn’t on the same page. People who use different commands or allow different behaviors may confuse the dog. To fix the issue, it’s important that everyone use the same commands and consistently reinforce the same rules. It’s not alright for the dog to jump up on the furniture when the rule is no furniture lounging, for example. Problem #2: Poor reward timing Rewarding dogs for good behavior is one of
everyone utilize the same commands when training a dog. Saying “come here” one day and “get over here” another can be confusing and result in slower learning. Dogs may respond better to visual cues along with verbal ones, so people can utilize hand gestures when setting commands as well.
the hallmarks of positive reinforcement training. However, rewarding or correcting the pet even a few seconds too late can mean the animal may not connect the feedback to the action. It’s important to deliver rewards or corrections within one to two seconds of the desired behavior for the best results. Leerburg Training suggests using marker training, also known as clicker training, which affords trainers a way to immediately
communicate with the dog the instant they do something favorable. Withholding the click/ mark, tells the dog that you don’t like what they are doing without any punishment. Problem #3: Overusing punishment Positive reinforcement is the best method of training a dog, and the one that most professional
trainers rely on. Still, it can be challenging to avoid yelling or using aversive tools to try to stop a behavior if other methods are slow to work. However, hitting an animal, yelling excessively or using shock collars can create fear or aggression. In some instances, such tactics may border on animal abuse. Advanced Canine Techniques says that dogs can sense a
human’s energy level and confidence and any negative energy, which can be discouraging and adversely affect motivation. Taking a break while training until it can be more fun and positive may stem stress and negative behaviors for both dog and person. Problem #4: Unclear commands It’s important that
Problem #5: Inconsistent results Many people have dogs that behave wonderfully while in the house, but poorly at a dog park or elsewhere. A dog may not realize that commands and behavior expectations apply everywhere. That’s why it is necessary to practice in different environments and only periodically introduce distractions. It’s also important to know that a dog that is bored may exhibit restlessness or destructive behavior and won’t be able to focus during training. Meeting the dog’s physical needs first can help when training comes afterwards. After all is said and done, if training is not going as expected, consult a professional trainer for assistance.
AUTO CORNER Why regular car washes are important
There are a number of steps involved in keeping a car or truck in top form, as much as 20 percent more for above-average condition, according to Kelley Blue Book. Maintaining a clean and shiny vehicle can protect its long-term and that includes regular car washes. value. Car washes keep a vehicle shiny and clean, which can help it look good • Remove salt: Drivers who live near the ocean or in areas where roads are while sitting in the driveway or cruising the highway. However, regular car salted in the winter to melt snow may have cars with high salt corrosion rates. washes are more than cosmetic. • Protection from the sun: A car that is routinely and properly washed and Unless it’s washed off frequently, salt can take its toll, leading to damage. • Improve fuel efficiency: Drivers have felt pain in their wallets at the waxed is less vulnerable to damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. • Extend the life of paint: Dirt and debris can build up on the paint surface fuel pump in recent years. Dirty cars may be less aerodynamic and less fuelefficient as a result. Keeping a car clean may improve its fuel efficiency. and eventually lead to scratches and other damage. Bird droppings and sap • Maintain the interior: Car washes are not only about the exterior. can be corrosive. Washing will help remove grime and protect the paint in Keeping a clean and tidy interior can help improve the air quality inside of the process. the vehicle and prolong the life of upholstery, mats and interior components. • Preserve the vehicle’s value: Drivers who plan to sell or trade in their Car washes should be a routine part of vehicle maintenance. vehicles in the future should realize that a well-maintained car can bring in
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Christmas Eve fun for families The day and evening before Christmas is a time of much anticipation for young children, particularly those awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. What children do not realize is their parents have been working hard behind the scenes for many weeks to help maximize the holiday magic, and Christmas Eve often is the final push to get everything done before the big day (and man in red) arrives. Keeping children happy and entertained on Christmas Eve can free up time for adults to check off their to-do lists and savor some of the holiday spirit themselves. Here are some traditions to explore on Christmas Eve that are entertaining for kids and adults. • Bake some cookies. Santa is going to want a fresh batch of cookies to refuel for a long night of delivering presents. Therefore, having children prepare and bake some cookies can be a Christmas Eve tradition that keeps little ones occupied. When cooled, and after sampling one or two
themselves, kids can feel pride placing a dish of cookies out for the jolly old elf. • Decorate gingerbread houses. Christmas Eve is a great night to decorate gingerbread houses. Families who do not freshly bake the panels for the gingerbread houses can rely on premade kits available at various stores. It’s a smart idea to have some extra icing available, especially if kids are anxious to “glue” on extra candy embellishments. • Attend evening services. Most churches hold Christmas Eve services, with some offering a Midnight Mass for parishioners. Spending time at these services enables families to slow down and celebrate their faith. • Do a Christmas pajama reveal. It’s traditional in some families to buy matching PJs to wear to bed on Christmas Eve and then lounge around in them on Christmas morning. Whoever is in charge of wrapping gifts can set apart the Christmas PJs by wrapping them
in a different patterned paper. Then everyone opens the pajamas at the same time for the big reveal. • Leave out reindeer food. Kids can have a fun time putting together a batch of special reindeer food. After all, Santa isn’t the only one doing the heavy lifting delivering gifts; his reindeer probably get hungry, too. Reindeer food can be made using a few different ingredients, namely oatmeal, shredded carrots and glitter. Children can decide where to toss this reindeer food, with some opting to make a path along the front lawn leading toward the house. • Watch a holiday classic. Choose a Christmas movie and gather the family around to watch it. Some options include “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Elf,” or “A Christmas Story.” Set up a popcorn bar nearby where everyone can customize their popcorn with different add-ins, like chocolate candies, cheese or seasonings.
Christmas Eve traditions can be fun
for kids and families as they anticipate all the
festivities to come on Christmas morning.
Tips to clear a cluttered home The dawn of a new year is often characterized as a chance to wipe the slate clean and start anew. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions reinforces that characterization, as many people resolve to turn over a new leaf and commit to a year of self-improvement on January 1. While the phrase “wipe the slate clean” may be figurative, some also might take it literally, particularly in regard to their homes. Those who want to turn over a new leaf in a cluttered home can consider these storage solutions to give spaces a fresh and less claustrophobic feel in the year ahead. • Clear kitchen countertops. Kitchens are the most popular rooms in many homes, and that popularity can come with a cost. Clutter can quickly accumulate on kitchen
countertops, which is both inconvenient when preparing meals at home and unsightly to residents and guests. Appliances used with frequency, such as coffee machines and toasters, can be given countertop real estate, but store lesser used
items, like blenders and waffle makers, in cabinets or pantries. Mail or materials sent home from children’s schools also can pile up in a kitchen, so resolve to go through the mail each day and discard unnecessary items. School papers can be
read when children arrive home from school and any that need to be kept can be stored in a folder placed inside a drawer in the kitchen or a home office. • Install drawer dividers. Drawer dividers can help clear up cluttered spaces that
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might not be visible to the naked eye. Dividers inserted into kitchen drawers can ensure leftover containers are stored neatly and are easily accessible. Drawer dividers in a home office space can make sure desks don’t fall victim to disorganization, which can make it harder to find supplies and important documents. • Consider furniture that pulls double duty. Some home furnishings are more than meets the eye, and that multifunctional utility can help people conquer cluttered spaces. Storage ottomans are a prime example of furniture that serves multiple purposes. Blankets and throws left out on chairs and couches can make living areas feel more cramped and less
organized. A storage ottoman can be a great solution in such spaces, providing both a place to put one’s feet and also a clever storage solution for blankets and pillows. A coffee table with a small drawer or two can make for a multifunctional centerpiece to store remote controls, coasters and other small items that can encourage the buildup of clutter if left out when the room is not in use. A storage bench in bedrooms and guestrooms also can ensure these spaces stay clear of clutter. • Think vertical. It might be possible to work your way up if storage is a problem in certain areas of the home. Vertical storage solutions might be especially useful in areas like a garage, which can be difficult to navigate if garden tools and other outdoor items are left on a floor. Overhead storage racks that utilize a crank to raise and lower the rack when items need to be accessed and stored can be great ways to store holiday decorations and other items. Kitchens with high ceilings also can employ a hanging pot rack to create more cabinet space and reduce the amount of items that need to be stored on countertops. Clutter can quickly take over a home. But some simple storage solutions may be all anyone needs to more effectively organize a home.