NOVEMBER 2013

As we move towards the end of the year many of us will reevaluate our lives and take inventory on ourselves. Personally, I do not believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I prefer this formula - "I will + ".wishes + due date

EDITOR in chief Latoya P. Corbin

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Thomas & Latoya Corbin

FEATURES EDITOR Yvette Seabrone ARA Content

ART DIRECTOR Thomas Corbin Contact: Paragon Publishing, LLC 757-256-0305 757-228-8811 latoyacorbin@gmail.com

When you are evaluating your life, business, accomplishments etc., remember that it is important to be grateful even before you have accomplished your goals. A positive mindset and attitude will propel you forward and help you to .be successful in the new year Your Goals list This is the list in which you are setting for the incoming year. Instead of making Resolutions try setting goals using the "I will + wishes + due date." They are practical and more or less realistic. It is important to realize that there is always room for improvement. Think about Prosperity -- your business or job, bank accounts, etc.; Health - exercise, nutrition, etc.; Relationships - family, friends, etc., and Lifestyle-.hobbies, fun and recreation, etc Your Gratitude List This is a list in which you write all the positive and negative aspects of your life during 2013.

Actually, you make two lists, one for each. You will write with appreciation all that happened to you, and then give a reason why, explaining what .you have learned from the lesson The positive list you also appreciate and keep; the negative, you let it go and burn. You can .make a little ritual of this burning if you wish Now, you are all set for the New Year and great things that will happen for you! I would like to suggest you start immediately. Why put off planning your future and setting your goals? I hope that you know that you have everything you need within in to change the direction of .your life I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has shown their support to Seven !Magazine. This is only the beginning

selves."

Bunge offers the following tips for consumers to protect themselves from cyber attacks: * Boost password strength: Weak and ineffective passwords enable identity theft. The first rule of password construction is to go long. Short passwords can be uncovered by high-speed programs built to steal password combinations. * Ditch the debit cards: Debit cards are the least secure option for e-commerce purchases. PayPal and credit cards offer much better consumer protections including dispute resolution and fraud prevention.

Consumers often associate holiday shopping with long lines, crowded stores and overpriced goods. In recent years, many have turned to e-commerce as an easier alternative - holiday shopping without the headache. This year e-commerce sales are projected to reach $262 billion, a 13-percent increase over 2012.

This growth is due, in part, to the rising popularity of online "shopping holidays" like Cyber Monday, which is celebrated annually the Monday after Thanksgiving and accounts for more online sales than any other day of the year. Last year, Cyber Monday sales reached $1.46 billion a record for online spending in one day.

Hampering celebration of this stressfree alternative to in-store shopping is the rapid growth of cybercrime. Cyber thieves are to blame for $113 billion in consumer financial losses in the last 12 months. That's enough money to host the London 2012 Olympics nearly 10 times

over. An equally alarming statistic is the rising average loss per victim, which doubled from 2012 to 2013 to $298.

Despite the aforementioned dangers, many online shoppers are unaware of the risks associated with online shopping and don't believe they'll become one of the 556 million annual victims. Forty-eight percent of smartphone and tablet users do not take even the basic precautions such as using passwords, installing security software or backing up files from their mobile devices "As the popularity of online shopping continues to skyrocket, so do the opportunities for hackers to steal personal information," says Bob Bunge, professor in the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University and consultant at the William Factory Small Business Incubator in Tacoma, Wash.

"Online shoppers need to be aware of the risks associated with e-commerce and take proactive steps to protect them-

* Use the most secure network possible: Wired networks are always preferable to wireless. If a wired network is not an option, make sure to use a secure

wireless network that requires an encryption key. Be especially wary of accessing public Wi-Fi services at places like airports and coffee shops. * Don't store personal finance information: Don't store credit card details online. Storing any payment information online exponentially increases the probability of a cyber attack. * Shop on reputable sites: Scammers often begin fake URL's with names of reputable companies to lure consumers in. To avoid accidently clicking on an infected site, look for the SSL certificate and ensure the site starts with https:// and has a padlock icon.

"Cyber Monday is the Super Bowl of online theft," says Bunge. "While consumers should follow these tips all year long, they should remain extra vigilant during the holidays to avoid the increased risk of falling victim to cybercrime."

He later moved back to VA so that he could find work in an area that will accept him for who he is.“I went to every station about 30 times dressed up in a suit… walking home every day feeling discouraged,” said B Long. It wasn’t until he ran into Misty Goodson, the director of a mentorship program he participated in while he was a senior in high school, that he was finally able to set up a meeting with program director of Hot 91.1, Doug Perry, through her. “The first time he told me I was going to be onair, I went home and cried, because it was so long since I’ve been on the air…I definitely had tears in my eyes, this has been my dream.”

Barry “B. Long” got his start on radio with a bold move on-air that could have quickly got him fired. While interning at 97.7 KRCK in Palm Springs, California, “B Long” hopped on-air after the host left for lunch (which is a sin in radio), leaving the air open for minutes. The program director scolded him first then complimented his sound offering him the position to start that week. He worked there for five years before moving on to produce at Sirius XM in Hollywood where he worked with the infamous Jack Ass crew. “It was a great experience but I always felt that I didn’t fit in,” said B long.

The night of the Zimmerman verdict, B Long aired a two hour show with no music, where he listened to viewers discussing the verdict and how they felt about it. Doug Perry was pleased at the level of seriousness B Long was able to depict on-air and immediately had him try out for the morning show.

He met his co- hosts, Kim Fields and Alexis Jay, and through conversation found that Kim Fields also took the B12 vitamin, coining themselves “The B12 Crew”. Co- host, Kim Fields got her start on YouTube, interviewing artist and celebrities. She was later approached by the producer for Urban Life TV, which airs on MYTVZ channel 2, to join their crew as an interviewer.

As for radio, Fields was persuaded to switch from AM radio to FM. Doug Perry listened to her on-air, where she hosted the “11:10 Talk Show” and knew that she would be

a great addition to HOT 91.1. “Doug said that once I switched to FM I would never look back at AM and that’s exactly what I did… I love what I do, I can’t sleep sometimes, It’s a good feeling to work somewhere and be where you want to be,” said Fields.

Fields originally joined HOT 91.1 to co-host the morning show, “Herm and the Angels” with Herman Hurston, a local comedian. “He was a great host but he didn’t allow our personalities to show, B. Long gave everyone an opportunity to be themselves,” said Fields.

Alexis Jay, owner and founder of “J Management”, is a Norfolk State University graduate. She was introduced to the radio station as a student and expressed her desires to be on radio with Perry. She auditioned for HOT 91.1 and began doing fill-ins before she began hosting mid-day.

Upon graduating, she decided to take on the big city, NY, where she got a lot of behind the scenes actions working for Tom Joyner and DL Hugley.

“When I got out there I was constantly telling people what I wanted to do,” said Alexis. She worked as an editor for “thesource.com” before returning back to Norfolk at HOT 91.1. She currently hosts “The B12 Morning Show” alongside B. Long and Kim Fields. “I’m the balance of the show, you might see me a little hesitant but that’s because I have to thoroughly think out what I will say before I say it,” laughs Alexis. “The B12 Crew” is paving their way as the voice for the community. The show airs Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Approaching the new normal with a positive attitude can help people adjust. "Don't eschew a part-time job even though it may not be an ideal vehicle," says Rinsky. "In terms of advantages, it gives you a foot in the door of a potential permanent employer. It can be a good way to sharpen skills and develop new ones."

With ever-changing technology, active engagement in the workforce is a good way to stay up to date. Taking on part-time work also eliminates employment gaps on your resume, which can be uncomfortable to explain during an interview.

The unemployment rate has edged lower as the nation slowly recovers from the economic crash of 2009 but unemployment is still a concern for many Americans. Millions of people have filled part-time positions, to make ends meet.

Many people are signing up to work several part-time jobs in lieu of a full-time position. It seems as though part-time jobs have become the new normal for U.S. workers.

"Part-time and temporary positions have been the trend for a long time," says Jason Rinsky, National Director of Career Services at the Brown Mackie College system of schools. "At the beginning of the recession, it was a way not to lay people off. Employers reduced workers to part-time hours to keep them employed.

It made sense to keep the talent and resources available to them."

"At first glance, there are obvious drawbacks to replacing one full-time job with several part-time positions,"

says Grace Klinefelter, business and organizational leadership program chair at Argosy University, Washington DC. "Perhaps the most troubling shortcoming is the unavailability of health insurance through part-time work.

"It can become expensive to get sick with or without health insurance coverage. People without coverage don't know what to do," continues Klinefelter. This sobering reality prompts many Americans to turn to parttime and temporary employment options.

In so doing, they discover unexpected opportunities including scheduling work shifts. Those who typically work from nine to five on weekdays may appreciate the flexible hours afforded by part-time work.

Younger workers tend to like the freedom of flexible hours; older employees often find more time available to care for their children - or an aging parent - with different work hours. It's also possible to reduce daycare costs by tag-teaming childcare responsibilities between spouses.

"Think of it as an opportunity to expand your network," says Klinefelter.

"People with several jobs get more exposure than those who are in a fulltime position with one employer. Do your best on the job; show them what you can do. When there is a full-time opening, you want them to think of you."

There are money-making alternatives to going into the office every day.

Some have turned to their hobbies to bring in extra income in the midst of the restrictive job market. "Many people have a creative side and an eye for an entrepreneurial experience," says Klinefelter. "If you have a creative idea and a fire under you, part-time work gives you more time to put it together and set it up. This is difficult to do with a 40-hour work week."

The new normal of reduced work hours can open doors to fresh ventures that you may not otherwise consider. It helps to be prepared for change and to be flexible about what directions your skills can take you.

Music, Talk, News and Entertainment… you can find it all in one place! The Beat Drops Radio (TBDR) is an online radio station based in the metro Atlanta area using cutting-edge technology to deliver quality content streamed directly to your Mac, PC, laptop and can be heard on your smart devices 24/7 by simply downloading the free ‘Tune In’ app found in Apple’s App Store and Android’s Play Store. If you want to see the show as it happens just go to the website and click on the “Watch Live!” link and see everything unfold, truly this station is like no other. Bianca Burwell, and her supportive husband Bobby, officially launched the station April 27th of this year with an impressive turnout of hundreds of supporters including a fashion show highlighting up and coming designers and a live band with international recording artist 400 taking center stage.

Among attendees were business owners, doctors, stylists, comedians, actors and International recording artist Tony Terry!

Just because it’s a relatively new station, don’t be fooled, The Bianca Burwell Show has been nominated ‘ATL’s Hottest Online Radio Show! This station is run by a passionate, professional and dedicated power couple determined to fill the void they see within radio and entertainment today.

“Too often we have to turn to different stations to get the music we want here, sports highlights there, current events another and

pay to receive tips on business, branding, how to raise funds, marketing, health and wellness! This is what I saw missing and began to build on that one point that the college student on up to the maturest of adults can be entertained, educated, updated and enlightened!” She goes on to say that “We have themed days such as ‘New Music Monday’ where indie artist can be featured as the artist of the day by submitting their music and get credited spins and fans can call in to request it.

‘Take Me Back Tuesday’ where we play the real old skool music to get you through the work day, Wild Out Wednesday, Think About It Thursday’ and ‘Free For All Friday’ that includes hair tips by Imani B.” The Beat Drops Radio features Top 40, Pop and R&B music and is loaded with content that will keep you tuned in for hours. In fact, one of the station’s goals is to offer such diverse and intriguing content that you will never have to change the station.

I can’t say enough about how impressed I was when listening to Bianca discuss her goals for building and expanding the station.

TBDR prides themselves on being involved in the community and providing their listeners with a growing variety of shows: taking on stories such as overcoming abuse, fighting drug and alcohol addiction, asking hard questions to campaigning politicians, bringing to light social injustices and many more – this is what separates The Beat Drops Radio from all other online and terrestrial stations. In such a short period of time Bianca has managed to expand TBDR’s listening audience to well over 43,000 monthly listeners spanning throughout the United States to over 70 countries including UK, Canada, Germany, Brazil, South Africa and France just to name a few. I encourage you to check out The Beat Drops Radio for yourself and see why so many listeners have chosen to make The Beat Drops Radio their source of listening enjoyment. Internship

opportunities are available for individuals who have a background in communications, broadcasting and social media, or are interested in exploring a new career in radio. You can email Bianca at thebeatdropsradio@gmail.com to find out more information or to ask general questions. Like the station on Facebook, follow on Twitter and tune in to ‘The Bianca Burwell Show’ everyday on The Beat Drops Radio.com 3-5P ET! The Bianca Burwell Show Keeping you current, entertained and giving entrepreneurs creative tips on how to build their brands and interviewing the industry’s most savvy professionals while playing the best hits of yesterday and today with Cohost Doug Lehman Monday-Friday 3-5PM EST The A-T-Elle The A-T-Elle (pronounced A-T-L) Show, hosted by Reggie Love and AC, showcases exclusive Atlanta area events, establishments, talent, personalities, hot topics, travel opportunities, movements, business concepts, trends and other exciting information for the A-T-Elle's intriguing A-Listeners. Tuesday's 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST Eating with Erica Eating with Erica spotlights the trendiest restaurants, introduces the most amazing chefs that make dining an experience, showcases amazing events and interviews your favorite celebs throughout the country getting the inside scoop of where they like to dine! Beginning November 2013 (check programming tab for air times)

When celebrity game show host Howie Mandel was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) not caused by a heart valve problem, he didn't know that he was one of approximately 5.8 million people living in the U.S. with the condition or that it put him at a five times greater risk of stroke.

"I was shocked when I learned how serious this condition is," said Mandel. "Since then, I've tried to learn everything I could about AFib. Now, I am challenging others to learn more about AFib and its increased risk of stroke at www.FibsOrFacts.com."

Fibs or Facts The Emmy(R)-nominated game show host makes a living challenging people, and now he's teamed up with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer to encourage people to test their knowledge of AFib and its increased risk of stroke with the Fibs or Facts educational campaign.

"Because AFib is really close to my heart, it is important to me to share my experience with it and help others learn more about AFib and its increased risk of stroke," said Mandel.

Mandel is encouraging people to visit www.

FibsOrFacts.com to take the Fibs or Facts quiz to test their knowledge while raising money for National Stroke Association.

For each person who completes the quiz, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer will make a $1 donation to National Stroke Association, up to $25,000.

A medical opinion "Nearly one in four people over the age of 40 will develop AFib," said Dr. Annabelle Volgman of Rush University Medical Center.

"Yet many people are unfamiliar with the condition and its increased risk of stroke," said Dr. Volgman.

With AFib, the top chambers of your heart (the atria) do not contract properly to push blood through the heart. As a result, some blood remains in the atria, which can pool, and a clot may form. These clots can travel to the brain, blocking or limiting blood flow, and result in a stroke. In fact, 15 percent of strokes are attributable to AFib not caused by a heart valve problem.

If you have AFib not caused by a heart valve problem, it's important to talk to your doctor about treatment options that can help reduce the risk of stroke.

The Fibs or Facts campaign is sponsored

by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. Howie Mandel is a paid spokesperson.

Your backyard is a space where you enjoy quality time with your family from running around with your kids in the fall leaves to playing catch with your furry friend in the snow. It's a place to escape, but remember accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and just like you childproof your house, you need to ensure your backyard is safe as well.

Keeping your backyard safe begins with your fence. A yard without a fence is a little like a house without walls. Fences help protect children from danger, keeping toddlers out of swimming pools, hot tubs and ponds, or keeping them in the yard, away from busy traffic or strangers. Fences can also help keep your own pets in your yard, and other animals out. They can reduce your liability by preventing injuries to uninvited guests on your property, or damage or injury caused by escaped pets.

"A good weekend winterizing project is making sure your fences and gates are functioning properly and are protected from rust, a destructive force that can render gate hardware useless or dangerous," says Jim Paterson, senior vice president of D&D Technologies, which manufactures gate latches and hinges made of ultra-strong engineering polymers. "In our research, we found that when homeowners consider their fencing needs, rusty metal gate hardware that no longer functions properly or becomes a threat to children was their top concern. Rustfree and adjustable gate hardware is available."

a lifetime warranty and are adjustable both vertically and horizontally for quick and easy adjustments.

Seasonal weather, ground settling and other factors can cause a gate to become misaligned over time and not function properly. It's important to have gate hardware that can be easily adjusted to overcome this. TruCloseself-closing, tension adjustable hinges are an ideal solution. Some models are vertically and horizontally adjustable as well. Combined with D&D adjustable, locking gate latches will ensure your gate will always function properly.

See the entire line of D&D Technologies' rust free gate hardware and child safety latches at www.ddtechglobal.com or under the Stanley Hardware brand through most Lowe's stores.

Additional precautions to take when improving the safety of your backyard: * Tighten and cover any protruding bolts on swing sets and do not attach ropes or cords, which could become strangulation hazards. * Remove old tree stumps and rocks, level concrete footings to avoid tripping. *Seal wooded items such as decks, swing sets and picnic tables before inclement weather sets in. * Fence in pool and spa areas with adjustable self-closing hinges like TruClose and self-latching gates, ensuring latches are out of the reach of children such as the Magnalatch Safety Gate Latch. Both products carry

* Eliminate access to lawn equipment and chemicals. Put these items completely out of the reach of children. * Keep a first aid kit and a rescue kit for those backyards with water features easily accessible.

Your backyard can be one of the most exciting places for your children through the entire year. A little prevention along the way will keep it safe and provide wonderful memories for your family.

Mitchell Hill Farmers Insurance Agency was established January 2013. The agency focuses on growing individuals in the knowledge of insurance. Owner, Mitchell Hill, educates his customers of how insurance can help them to achieve some of their financial goals. The agency is tailored for participants to have a personal agent, verses clients dealing with people that do not really get to know them. Though the office hours are from 9 to 6, clients are still able to reach Mr. Hill via phone, once the office doors close for the day. The agency takes much of an interest in making sure that the customers of Mitchell Hill Farmers Insurance Agency are satisfied and secure.

The agency assists people with securing their lives by offering various insurance services as well as the in-depth details of auto insurance, home insurance, and life insurance. Mitchell Hill is also licensed to broker-out and assist the requesting clients with health coverage through Assurant Health Insurance. Seven Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Mitchell Hill, and realizing the importance of having a more personable insurance agency in your corner … the knowledge of security makes insurance feel even that much more assured.

Seven Magazine: There are many people that do not have rental insurance. What is the importance for a person that is renting, rather than owning a home, to have renter’s insurance?

Mitchell Hill: Rental insurance is to cover your content; whether you are renting an apartment or renting a house. That owner has his house covered, but there’s nothing inside of the dwelling of yours that is covered. Such as your television … all of the things that a person works hard for, they should want covered in case of a fire or a hurricane. Imagine some states when a hurricane hits.

People just don’t know the devastation; now you’re out of all of your things. But that owner is going to get his house built back up with his home owner’s insurance.

Also important is liability coverage, where you are covered $100,000 to $300,000.

That’s for if someone gets hurt … have a serious accident at your home. Some people have dogs where the dog might bite someone. When someone tries to go through you for your personal possessions and finances, you will have insurance to cover that circumstance. Rental Insurance is really inexpensive. It’s usually between $6.00 and $10.00 a month.

Seven Magazine: What about apartment complexes? Why do many apartments require tenants to have rental insurance?

Mitchell Hill: Most apartments are beginning to make their tenants carry liability. They are not even caring what the tenant gets for the content. They care about the liability. Someone may be visiting the tenant’s apartment, or someone may break-in and shoots that person. The family knows they can’t get any money from the resident so they would sue the apartment complex … because it happened in their apartment complex. The apartment complex owners began to get wise and put in the lease that a tenant must carry rental insurance with a specific amount of liability coverage.

People need that anyway because we are in a suing type of society. That’s why it is important to have that liability coverage.

Seven Magazine: As for home insurance … how much does that usually cost and how much does it cover?

Mitchell Hill: Home insurance is going to vary according to the house and the price that it will cost to rebuild it; the replacement cost. One thing that people would want to know about home insurance is that there is replacement cost, verses actual cash value. You would

want replacement cost because it takes in account for what it costs to replace it in the present time. Actual cash value is comprised of appreciation and depreciation; and you never come out on the right end of the stick with that.

Seven Magazine: What does home insurance cover?

Mitchell Hill: It covers the dwelling and the content.

Seven Magazine: Is there an extra coverage that you would have to obtain with your home insurance in case of flooding, or is that an automatically included coverage?

Mitchell Hill: Your flood insurance is a totally separate policy. It is usually covering the same amount of your dwelling. Some areas flood insurance is mandatory. However, flood insurance’s prices are not going to be as high … the prices are set by the government.

The government is the one that sells it; every company has to go through the government to actually get the flood insurance. The government sells it through us.

Seven Magazine: Mortgage insurance … what exactly is that?

Mitchell Hill: Mortgage insurance is basically a life policy that is paying off your mortgage if you pass. It decreases as your mortgage decreases. Mortgage protection insurance can be added to your life insurance. Also at the same time they’re asking for liability insurance in their mortgage. If the person gets hurt, that insurance is paying that individual the decided amount per month. While the home owner recovers from the injury, during the time of not being able to work, mortgage can be paid.

Seven Magazine: Explain permanent life insurance compared to term life insurance?

Mitchell Hill: Permanent life insurance builds up money while you’re paying your policy. It goes through your whole life … unless you live to 100 years old. Then you get whatever your policy is; and then you still get the coverage. If you have a $200,000 policy and you live to 100, then you get that $200,000 and you still get $200,000 when you pass.

People go with term life insurance because term life is somewhat inexpensive. The average 20 year old or 25 year old can get a 20-30 year term while they are young. They are going to get their $200,00 or $300,000, and probably get it for $20 or $22 a month.

You can take $20 and leave your son or daughter over a quarter million dollars if you happen to pass before you gain it.

Seven Magazine: Would you say that it is an advantage to have a permanent life insurance instead of a term life insurance?

Mitchell Hill: The advantage of permanent life (or whole life) insurance is that it can actually work as a savings while it is covering your life.

Seven Magazine: Mr. Hill, your knowledge concerning insurance seems to be bottomless. What brought you to presenting the Tidewater - Hampton Roads area with Mitchell Hill Farmers Insurance Agency?

Mitchell Hill: I always have been about people. I’ve found many people are not aware of the value to have insurance. I look at my career in insurance as my means to not just help me take care of my family, but at the same time to educate people on the value of insurance. I’m informing how to keep what they work hard to possess; and to even leave their children’s children an inheritance.

Kenny Wiggins started Street Music in his backyard in April 1993 and has been in business and servicing the community for the past 20 years. He prides himself and his business on providing each of their customers with dynamic customer service. Because of this, Kenny says that he has loyal customers who have continued to do business with him year and year. In fact, at least 50% of his business is repeat business. He even has clients that are in New York, Delaware, Petersburg and Richmond who faithfully return to Virginia when their vehicles need servicing.

When Street Music first opened, Kenny offered services like car audio installation.

As his business grew he expanded his services to include window tinting and selling rims. For window tinting,Street Music uses high grade automotive film, scratch resistant with excellent UV protection and great performance and looks. Many vehicle owners choose to tint their windows themselves. However, it is important to use skilled tinters, like Street Music, with lots of experience in window tinting to assure that your windows are tinted with perfection and meets the state’s strict requirements. When it comes to rims, Street Music offers a wide variety of sizes and design styles for their customers to choose from. For car owners with older vehicles who want to improve the appearance of their cars, Street Music has recently starting offering auto body

modifications to decorate old cars and bring them back to life.

The fact is, Kenny Wiggins and Street Music are a one stop shop. With that said, it’s no wonder that when it comes to sounds systems, window tinting, body mods, and rims, Street Music has the installation experience and have become experts in the installation industry. Their customers know that when they come to Street Music they will encounter skilled certified technicians know how to make the right connections, modifications, and installations leaving them satisfied.

Kenny Wiggins believes that his business has been successful because of the type of person that he is. He describes himself as having a good attitude, being honest and straight forward, and what you see is what you get. He treats people the right way and he never burns bridges.

As a result, he has a lot of friends. Having started his business in his backyard, who would have imagined that Street Music would now span an entire block.

Kenny says that being a business owner hasn’t always been easy but he is grateful to have been able to weather the storm. His advice to business owners is to be sure to open a business that you can do yourself and be sure that you love what you are doing.

Contact: (757) 624-1717 2714 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA 23517

mixed metals. For example, I start with a casual piece, like a solid Fiesta color, and dress it up by adding a more elaborately decorated piece to make the setting more sophisticated. I often use platinum trim to create a frosty winter feel, or a gold trim to warm up the setting and create a sense of warm and cozy. Either finish creates sparkle and adds flair."

For those who simply choose not to abandon tradition, Griffith says keep with seasonal colors like greens, reds and golds, but don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, like using bright apple green or fun hip designs like polka dots. If you have a contemporary pattern, mix in vintage pieces such as pressed glass drinkware to create a sense of tradition and nostalgia.

If you use a non-holiday pattern, Robbins says you can mix in family heirloom china or ornaments to bring tradition to your table. She also suggests looking outside for nature's accents, such as pine cones, boxwood cuttings or even recycling branches from your Christmas tree to incorporate into your tabletop design.

"If you don't want to purchase an entire set of holiday china, think about getting cups and saucers or accent plates from seasonal patterns that coordinate with your everyday dinnerware. You can use those at mealtime, or just for coffee and dessert. We're even mixing and matching various holiday accent plates on the same table to create a fun festive feel," adds Griffith.

"Creating a holiday place setting is almost like making a stew; you have to keep tasting and looking to see which ingredients you need to add, whether that's a shape, color or sparkle," says Robbins. "Have fun mixing and matching until you get the look that reflects your own personal style." about mixing colors, finishes and mediums to achieve looks that are seasonal, but last beyond the holidays," says Robbins. "So many people have neutral everyday patterns, which I like to think of as a blank canvas.

For example, I've mixed taupes and pinks for the holidays and tied the look together "Traditional patterns and colors are wonderful with ornaments as accents. Blues and silvers and such a big part of the holidays," says visual are great winter colors that work well for the season; I'm actually decorating my own merchandiser John Griffith. "That said, those home in blue." can also limit the imagination. I think people attach very specific imagery to the holidays and get so focused on certain colors and patterns So how do you create your own festive flair?

Robbins says think about where you want to and that holds them back from daring to do go - are you an empty nester setting a formal something different." gathering now that the children have left home, or are you looking for a fun, casual Griffith's teammate Julie Robbins creates setting for the grandkids' first time sitting at seasonal magic at Replacements, Ltd., the the big table? She suggests looking for things world's largest retailer of old and new china, crystal silver and collectibles. This holiday you already have at home you might not season she is focusing less on traditional and think of using together. more on festive.

"I'm not only mixing color families, but I'm "Festive is about fun and playful. It's more also incorporating stoneware, fine china and Do you have the blues this holiday season?

How about the pinks? Non-traditional holiday colors are a popular trend in home decor this yuletide, especially when it comes to decking the table for special gatherings with family and friends.

Griffith says you can find a listing of Replacements' top holiday patterns on the company's website www.replacements. com. You can find additional decorating tips on Replacements' Facebook page www. facebook.com/Replacements.

extremely high rates of edentulism - the loss of all natural permanent teeth.

Loss of teeth often results in a person forgoing nutritious food choices due to the inability to chew properly. * Deficiencies in preventive programs - 13 states have about 60 percent of residents living in communities where fluoride is not added to drinking water, despite the fact that it's been recognized for 68 years to markedly reduce dental decay.

"While we are seeing improvements in certain areas of older adult dental care, there is still a lack of progress in advancing the oral health of such a vulnerable population," says Dr. Ira Lamster, professor, Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. "Older adults face significant health challenges if their oral health is poor, and there is no coordinated program to help fund necessary services."

When it comes to caring for those who are aging, older Americans are not receiving the recommended standards of oral health care.

This is a cause for concern, as maintaining a healthy mouth is essential for overall health and well-being at every age.

The oral health of older Americans is in a state of decay, according to a new national report released by Oral Health America (OHA). A State of Decay, a state-by-state analysis of oral health care delivery and public health factors impacting the oral health of older adults, reveals more than half of the country received a "fair" or "poor" assessment when it comes to minimal standards affecting dental care access for older adults.

One reason for the decline in oral health care is that many older Americans do not have dental insurance. In fact, only 2 percent of Americans who retire do so with a dental

benefit plan. In addition, transportation issues, mobility limitations, fear of dentists, and lack of awareness of available oral health services are other factors which impact dental care.

According to the report, the factors negatively affecting the oral health care of older Americans include: * Persistent lack of oral health coverage 21 states do not offer dental benefits for low-income Americans or only provide emergency coverage through Medicaid dental benefits. * Strained dental health providers - 31 states have a shortage of dental health providers, meaning they only have enough providers to cover 40 percent of the population. * High rates of tooth loss - Eight states had

In response to the need for reliable, readily available, cost-effective, and digestible oral health resources for older adults, Oral Health America has created www.toothwisdom.org, a user-friendly website that connects older adults and their caregivers with local oral health resources. With funding from the DentaQuest Foundation and support from the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the Special Care Dentistry Association, toothwisdom.org offers dependable oral care information from oral health experts across the country, so older Americans can learn why it's so important to care for their mouths as they age. Visitors to the site can also utilize an interactive map to find resources where they live for affordable dental care, transportation, social services, financing care and support for caregivers.