KY Creative Living (November)

I just love hand-made items. I lovemaking them asgifts and receivingthem as gifts.They’re usuallyaffordable and canbring the greatestjoy. This holidayseason, why notsave a little moneyand give a few giftsthat come from your own two hands? Thecover feature is all about making gift items,gives you a few suggestions on what you canmake and some helpful Web resources.

Also, while you’re in the spirit of makingthings, check out the article on homemadedecor items.

This is the season of giving and CreativeLiving wouldn’t be complete this month with-out our annual Unique Gift Guide. Check outwhat local businesses have to offer you this hol-iday season. You won’t be disappointed. Happyholidays!

Editor’s note

Specialty Publications Editor

Creative Living is a monthly advertising-sponsoredmagazine published by the Specialty Publications

Department of The Community Press/TheCommunity Recorder.

Questions and comments can be sent to EditorMelissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/394Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail

[email protected].

For advertising call 578-5501.

Contact

CreativeLivingFeatures

TopicsHealth & FitnessMind • Body • Spirit

Unique Gift GuideSpecialty shops

At HomeDecor • Repair

Holiday DiningRestaurants

3 16 Pet SenseCare

Senior LivingApartments • Care

Winter FunIndoor • Outdoor

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EEaatt hheeaalltthhyy eevveenn wwhhiillee oonn tthhee ggooStay healthy despite all the hustle and bustle.

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UUnniiqquuee ggiifftt iiddeeaass ffrroomm yyoouurr hhaannddss,, hheeaarrttLooking for a special gift this season? Look no further than your own heart.

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HHaannddmmaaddee ggiiffttss aarree tthhee uullttiimmaattee hhoolliiddaayy ddeeccoorrDress your home for the season with affordable decor handmade by you.

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SSttaayyiinngg ssaaffee tthhrroouugghhtt tthhee hhoolliiddaayy sseeaassoonnLearn how to keep yourself healthy and safe.

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HHooww ttoo ddooddggee oorr ddeeaall wwiitthh wwiinntteerr aacchheess,, ppaaiinnssHelpful tips.

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AAdddd lliiffee,, ccoolloorr ttoo yyoouurr wwiinntteerr llaannddssaappeeLearn how to attract wild birds in your backyard.

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Every day, Dr. TaraDallmann and herGentle Dental Care

team continue to comeacross more and morefearful patients.

In Dr. Dallmann’squest to help the mostfearful patients, sheentered a year-long edu-cational course at MiamiValley Hospital in Dayton,Ohio.

This program is one ofthe most stringent andhighly regarded programsin the country for certify-ing dentists in intra-venous sedation and thetraining and testing Dr.Dallmann receivedexceeds that required bythe state of Kentucky.

Dr. Dallmann believesin going aboveand beyond the call ofduty when it comes to thesafety and comfort ofher patients.

Because she is trainedand licensed to do both IVand oral conscious seda-tion, Dr. Dallmann canchoose which method willbe best for each individualpatient, based on theirneeds alone.

Sedation is a way forpeople that would notnormally go to the dentistto get the treatment andattention they so desper-ately need.

From the moment youcall the caring team atGentle Dental Care, youare comforted, and yourfears are relieved. Thisbegins a trust that devel-ops between Dr. TaraDallmann, her team, andyou.

Embarrassment is thefirst hurdle to overcome.Put your mind at ease,because Dr. Dallmann andher team see patients likeyou every day. They

understand how hard itwas for you to call andapplaud you for takingthe first step.

Whether it has been ayear or 20 years sinceyou have seen a dentist,no one will make you feelbad.

Here is what to expecton your first visit:Depending on your chiefcomplaint, most sedationpatients come in for athorough examination.

This allows Dr.Dallmann to find every-

thing there is to knowgoing on with your oralhealth.

After the examination,which is guaranteed to bepainless, Dr. Dallmannwill create a treatmentplan just for you.

Lastly, Dr. Dallmannand Brenda, the treatmentcoordinator, will discusswith you all of youroptions and give you rec-ommendations on how toproceed based on yourtimetable and budget.

Dr. Dallmann will then

talk to you about whichform of sedation will beright for you.

Here’s what one recentsedation patient said:

“Wow… from my firstphone call to the full 2.5hour visit, I have nothingbut good things to sayabout your practice andespecially your staff.

For someone who hashad numerous bad dentalexperiences, I felt Dr.Dallmann was thoughtful,thorough and comforting.I was embarrassed by

how long it’s been since Ihad gone to the dentist,but no one looked downon me or the state of myteeth. I look forwardto getting the proceduresdone!” – M.D. Fort Wright

The day of yourappointment your comfortand care are

Gentle Dental Care’snumber one priority.From your heatedblanket, warm neck pil-low, and soothing spamusic, all efforts are madeto keep you comfortable.

“Everyone was great.The visit was much betterthan I expected and pain-less! I was quite embar-rassed about my lack ofdental care over the past“many” years, yet every-one made me feel at easeand non critical of mypast mistakes! Thank youall.” – J. G. Alexandria

Call Gentle Dental Caretoday and ‘Experience theDifference.’

H E A L T H & F I T N E S S

3K e n t u c k y C R E A T I V E L I V I N Gn k y. c o mT h u r s d a y N o v. 1 2 , 2 0 0 9

Gentle Dental Care now offers IV, Oral Conscious Sedation

The Gentle Dental Care team.


4 K e n t u c k yT h u r s d a y N o v. 1 2 , 2 0 0 9

Do you wake up inthe morning feel-ing like you never

went to sleep? Do you feelsleepy throughout theday?

Excessive daytimesleepiness could be asymptom of one of themost widely undiagnosedconditions known asobstructive sleep apnea.

An estimated 20 mil-lion Americans have sleepapnea, a condition wherethe airway collapses dur-ing sleep, causing the per-son to often snore, stopbreathing and awakenmultiple times every hourwith a gasp.

Sleep apnea is a lifethreatening sleep disorderthat left undiagnosed anduntreated can shortenyour lifespan up to 18years!

Treatment optionsinclude surgery, oral

appliance therapy, andCPAP.

While CPAP is the goldstandard of sleep apneatreatment, many peoplecan’t tolerate the masksand pressure.

An oral appliance is anFDA approved CPAPalternative that fits overyour teeth and holds thelower jaw forward, keep-ing your airway from col-lapsing.

Every day patientsexperience the benefits ofDr. Kitzmiller’s oral appli-ance therapy and raveabout their new daytimealertness.

“I was so tired of beingtired! I went to Dr.Kitzmiller and have beenthrilled with the resultsfrom using my oral appli-ance. I saw improvementin just a few days andnow I wake up rested,without that exhausted

feeling. This is an easyand uncomplicated solu-tion to managing mysleep apnea.” – Jan

Want to see what a dif-ference Oral ApplianceTherapy can be to treatyour snoring or Sleepapnea?

Give Dr. Kitzmiller acall at 248-8848 to sched-ule your complimentaryconsultation.

Dr. Kitzmiller and histeam can coordinate yourentire care process,including scheduling yourdiagnostic sleep study,treatment visits, insuranceand follow up.

Just go to www.cincisleep.com to learn more!

Tired of being tired? Dr. Kitzmiller has a solution

Excessive daytime sleepiness could be a sign of untreated sleep apnea

Not sure if you have sleepapnea? Take a quick quizat www.cincisleep.com to

see if you are at risk.

Thyroid diseaseaffects more womenthan men but it has

no age, gender, or ethnicbarriers.

Symptoms of hypothy-roidism (low levels of thy-roid hormone) mayinclude fatigue, cold andheat intolerance,headaches or migraines,apathy, anxiety, irritability,low sexual desire, memo-ry and concentrationimpairment, enlargedtongue, deep voice,swollen neck, PMS, irreg-ular menstrual periods,weight gain (especially inthe stomach), low bloodsugar, low body tempera-ture, hypotension, fluidretention, dry skin and/orhair, constipation, infertili-ty, aching muscles andjoints, depression, slowedmetabolism and decreasedheart rate, and high cho-lesterol and triglycerides.

Despite this myriad ofsymptoms, hypothy-roidism may not be diag-nosed for years, and morethan half of all peoplewith thyroid disease areunaware of their condi-tion.

Thyroid hormone isproduced in response tothe release of thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH) from the pituitarygland and helps the bodyconvert food into energyand heat, regulates bodytemperature, and impactsmany hormonal systemsin the body.

Thyroid hormoneexists in two major forms:Thyroxine (T4), an inac-tive form that is producedby the thyroid gland andconverted to T3 in otherareas of the body, andTriiodothyronine (T3), theactive form.

When T4 and T3 levels

drop, TSH levels normallyincrease, and TSH meas-urement is the standardway to diagnose hypothy-roidism.

However, there aremany factors contributingto hypothyroidism that arenot revealed by standardTSH, T4 and T3 testing.

Often, patients withhypothyroidism are treat-ed only with levothyrox-ine (synthetic T4).

A randomized, double-blind, crossover studyfound inclusion of T3 inthyroid hormone replace-ment improved cognitiveperformance, mood, phys-ical status, and neuropsy-chological function inhypothyroid patients.

Two-thirds of patientspreferred T4 plus T3,tended to be lessdepressed than after treat-ment with T4 alone, andstated they had moreenergy, were better able toconcentrate, and simply

felt better. One reason that T3 is

not commonly prescribedis because the only com-mercially available formof T3 is synthetic liothyro-nine sodium.

This immediate releaseformulation is rapidlyabsorbed, and may resultin higher than normal T3concentrations throughoutthe body causing seriousside effects such as heartpalpitations.

Research has shownthat use of a compoundedsustained-release T3preparation significantlydecreased the incidence ofadverse effects.

Many patients havetried other types of thyroidhormones, such aslevothyroxine and liothy-ronine, and have foundthat desiccated naturalthyroid (Armour Thyroid)is the only form that worksadequately for them,reporting that they simply

do not feel as well whenthey take levothyroxinealone or with liothyronine.

Armour Thyroid’smanufacturer, Forest, hasbeen plagued by unex-plained product shortagesand back orders.

Currently, there is anationwide shortage ofArmour Thyroid, andForest has not indicatedany date when the prod-uct will be back on themarket.

The compoundingpharmacy at Nie’sPharmacy & WellnessCenter uses Thyroid USPthat is shown by analysisto meet the same potencystandards as that which isused to manufacture com-mercial products that arecurrently on back order.

They can also customblend the right balance ofT-4 and T-3 that is rightfor you, if the ratio in des-iccated natural thyroid isnot what you need.

Commercially availabletablets contain fillers andexcipients that may not betolerated by all patients.When they compoundcustomized dosages, theyhave the ability to omitany problem-causing inac-tive ingredients and sub-stitute non-reactive fillers.

Always follow yourhealth care provider’sadvice.

The expertise of thepractitioner, appropriatetesting and proper inter-pretation of results, anddosing and formulation ofthyroid hormones willultimately determine thesuccess of treatment.

If you or someone youknow has had difficultyattaining their desiccatedthyroid products or feelthey need to find theirnatural hormone balance,Nie’s Pharmacy &Wellness Center may beable to help. Contact themtoday at 356-3941.



Restoring your natural balance


6 K e n t u c k yn k y. c o mC R E A T I V E L I V I N G T h u r s d a y N o v. 1 2 , 2 0 0 9

Busy schedules and holi-day activities can keepyou on the run, making

it hard to eat healthy at thistime of year.

There are times when youmiss a meal and over-indulgeat a later hour, but with a lit-tle snack preparation, youcan stay on schedule and ontrack with healthful eatinghabits.

Tips include:

Start your day with breakfastEat a healthy breakfast

every morning to get your

Eat healthy – evenwhile on the go

day started off right. Toastwith fruit jams, yogurt, oat-meal, a vegetable omelet orwhole grain cereal all are fan-tastic healthy options to get your day started ona good note.

Snack responsiblyKeep a variety of healthy snacks on hand that

aren't too large in portion but are easy to grabthroughout the day. Try crackers that are made

with real, but simple ingredients, such as Back toNature's Seed and Herb Crackers. Available in threeflavors – Poppy Thyme, Sesame Tarragon andSunflower Basil – these crackers contain no artificialpreservatives, no artificial flavors or colors and con-tain no cholesterol or trans fat. If you're feeling cre-ative, pair any variety of these crackers with a lowfat spread or cheese.

Carry on-the-go snacksTravel with a light and

healthy snack that youcan fit into your purse. Abag of nuts, handful ofgranola, a snack bar oreven an apple can helpyou keep those hungercravings at bay whileyou're shopping, pickingyour children up afterschool or running errandsaround town.

Maintain a meal scheduleTry to eat at the same

time every day. This canbe difficult to control withmultiple family sched-ules, but by eating mealsat a consistent time everyday, your body won'tsend you hunger painsfrom a delayed meal.

Share your healthy habitsServe healthy snacks

that not only look good,but taste good too at par-ties. Great options includecookies that contain realchunks of fruit and nutssuch as those from Backto Nature.

Try Back to NatureGranola Cookies inCranberry Pecan andHoney Nut that aresweetened naturally withcane juice, fruit juice andhoney.

If you're looking forsomething sweeter, optfor Back to Nature'sChocolate Chunk cookiesthat contain RainforestAlliance-certified choco-late. Combine the cookieswith fruit slices or amixed fruit salad andyou'll have the perfectparty snack mix.

By keeping yourselfhealthy while on the go,you can enjoy life andaccomplish more activi-ties. But don't keep thesesecrets to yourself - sharesome of your great-tastingsnacks with friends.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Share your healthyeating habits with

friends.

H E A L T H & F I T N E S S / U N I Q U E G I F T G U I D E


Inspire Salon and Spa,located inIndependence’s new

Centennial Plaza, will betop on your holiday listthis year after just onevisit.

Northern Kentucky’sfirst eco-salon, InspireSalon and Spa offers serv-

ices including cutting, col-oring, waxing, manicures,pedicures, massage andfacials.

Dana Ison, owner andIndependence resident,wanted to create a relax-ing and rejuvenating envi-

Be inspiredInspired Salon is located at 2045 Centennial Circle in Independence.

Inspire see page 8

As a MortensonFamily Dentalpatient your dental

health is their number onepriority. With that in mind,they want to be sure thattheir patients maximizetheir insurance benefits.

Many individuals whoare paying for dentalinsurance don’t realizethat their insurance planprovides coverage up to acertain dollar amountannually. Consequently,

some patients are notscheduling the dentaltreatment they need,deserve, and have insur-ance to cover. Those dol-lars cannot be carried overyear-to-year. The bottomline: What the patientdoes not use, they lose.

Clearly, it pays in manyways to schedule the pre-ventative care or otherdental treatment that youneed. Mortenson FamilyDental is here to help you

secure the insurance cov-erage available to you onevery dental procedureyou schedule.

Give them a call todayat 525-7586, and togetheryou’ll make sure you arein excellent dental health.They look forward to see-ing you and sharing someof the many innovativemeans we now haveavailable to provide youwith superior dentalhealth care.

Mortenson Family Dental is there for you

www.nky.com

To advertise inCreativeLivingcall 578-5501

ronment, while usingrenewable resources. Shekept the health of guestsand team members inmind, as well as thepreservation of the envi-ronment, while selectingmaterials, paint, furnitureand products used in thesalon daily.

“It’s more than a hair-cut, it is an experience”said Bill Thatcher,Independence businessprofessional.

As a guest of InspireSalon and Spa, you aregreeted by a friendly

guest services representa-tive, offered a soothingcup of tea and surround-ed by the natural aromasof the Aveda products.Time to spare? Interestedguests are invited toembark upon an insight-ful sensory journeythrough aromatherapy.

Guest Sande Yeltoncommented: “The warmgreeting, relaxing atmos-phere and the complimen-tary mini-facial providedme a moment to decom-press from a long week.”

As a new business

owner, Dana says it’s beenmost amazing to have theopportunity to meetfriends, neighbors andother business owners inthe community. To cater tothe community this holi-day, Inspire Salon and Spawill assist you in creatingunique custom-gifts, giftsunder $25.00, and for thehard to shop for lovedone – gift cards. Or, juststop in during the hustle-bustle of the holidays andtreat yourself to a relaxingand rejuvenating experi-ence.

U N I Q U E G I F T G U I D E


Dazzle up yourfavorite 18-inchdoll with a

sparkling ruby, burgundy,emerald green, or goldChristmas gown, and asumptuous velvet, fur-trimmed cape. Or keep herwarm and cozy with alovely fur-lined jacket.

All this and more canbe found at PreviewProductions in Newtown.

Owner Joyce Rosselotand her assistants Susan

Lehr and Sarah Wattershave been busy as elvesdesigning, sewing, andstocking the doll clothingboutique with the latest inholiday and winter fash-ions.

They have everythingfor special occasions andeveryday winter wear,some outfits even comewith matching boots.

With such reasonableprices, this season is theperfect time to add sever-

al of the latest ready-to-wear fashions to yourfavorite someone’s dollcollection.

Preview Production isnow showing their highlyanticipated Christmasdresses, as well as a fullcomplement of doll shoes,hats, scarves, skates, andmany other accessories.

The best selection isalways in the store, locat-ed at 6720 Main Street inNewtown. Call 271-2524.

Preview Productions presents latest winter doll fashions

It’s time to start plan-ning for one of thebiggest shopping days

of the year. Make CreativeStamper’s Annual After-Thanksgiving Day Saleyour first stop when doorsopen at 7 a.m. on Friday,Nov. 27.

Find in-stock items 40percent off from 7 a.m. to8:30 a.m., 30 percent offfrom 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.,and 20 percent off from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m.Creative Stamper,

located at 225 Main Street,in Florence, is NorthernKentucky’s only rubberstamp store servicingscrapbooking and stamp-ing enthusiasts for nearlyseven years.

It’s a great place to getideas for holiday decora-tions, Christmas cards,and special gifts.

Owner Barbara Bruder

encourages everyone tomark their calendar andstop back for CreativeStamper’s SeventhAnnual Christmas OpenHouse on Friday, Dec. 4from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be severalfree make and takes,refreshments, prizes andsales.

For more informationcall 344-0700 or visit www.creativestamper.com.

Get creative for Christmas

Inspire from page 7

Share yourstory with your neighbors

Call 578-5501

When you’re look-ing for the latest,trendiest, cutting-

edge fashions, MerleNorman Cosmetic Studioand Boutique in CrestviewHills Town Center is theplace. Super-easy, creativefashion statements can behad on an affordable budget!

Tired of wearing thesame old boots? SocksAppeal were made specif-ically for the fashion-savvy female who wantsto satiate her shoe-shop-ping thrills without burn-ing her budget.

Socks Appeal are sockstopped with high-qualityfaux fur trim in a varietyof styles like sassy pom-pom, ribbon, elastic orbuckle, and easily turn anold boot into a fashion-able foot statement.

Simply slip them onunder your boots andvoila, you’ve added asexy, stylish twist thatenhances any outfit andgives you great SocksAppeal. A pair of designerboots will set you back

big time, but with SocksAppeal, you can spice upan old pair of boots foronly $39 to $45. Nowthat’s fiscal responsibilityof the highest fashion.

The Miche Bag, nowavailable in classic andlarge sizes, is one of thehottest bags in the nation,and it’s no wonder!

One bag with inter-changeable covers allowsyou to give your purse adaily facelift without hav-ing to change the con-tents. Ingenious! Over 50fashionable designs tomatch the changing you.

Switchflops set theshoe industry on fire withtheir changeable series ofstraps in a variety ofstyles and colors that allfit the same shoe. Nowthey’ve introduced a gen-uine leather ballet flatwith 12 interchangeabledecorative snaps. It’s themost stylish and versatileshoe you’ll ever own nextto your Switchflops san-dals! And with the popu-larity of ballet flats this

season, you’ll definitelywant this one!

Purses, jewelry,scarves, hats, watches,stylish accessories andmore! Many are one-of-a-kind and found only andexclusively at the MerleNorman Boutique.Chances are that smartlydressed woman you seetoday that stands apartfrom the rest shops atMerle Norman CrestviewHills. Go ahead. Ask her.

Merle Norman gift cer-tificates are always a wel-come gift, plus pick up aselection of affordablestocking stuffers. Best ofall, you’ll be earningBonus Bucks for yourselfwhile you shop.

Each time you pur-chase Merle Norman cos-metic, skincare and bou-tique items during themonths of November andDecember, you’ll earn $5in bonus bucks for every$50 you spend!

Visit Merle Norman inthe Crestview Hills TownCenter, or call 344-0500.

U N I Q U E G I F T G U I D E


Merle Norman has hottest trends of the season

Need some time toyourself to go hol-iday shopping or

attend a holiday party?Call Skidaddles the

drop-in anytime kid carecenter located at 8660Bankers Street, at the cor-ner of Houston Road andHighway 18 in Florence.

Skidaddles has theflexibility you need dur-ing the busy holiday sea-son. They offer convenientand reliable care that isavailable without reserva-

tion so you can drop-indays, evenings and week-ends whenever you needchildcare.

Whether it’s care for afew hours, all day or partof the day, they canaccommodate all yourchildcare needs.

You’ll feel confidentknowing your childrenare having fun and learn-ing while being cared forby well-qualified staff in asafe and clean environ-ment.

Skidaddles is openMonday throughThursday from 7:30 a.m.to 9 a.m., Friday from 7:30a.m. to midnight andSaturday from 10 a.m. tomidnight.

They have special holi-day shopping hours onthe day afterThanksgiving and sun-days.

For more informationcall Skidaddles at 647-7529 or visit www.skidad-dles.com.

Drop-in anytime kid care

To advertise inCreativeLivingcall 578-5501

A T H O M EA T H O M E

10 11C R E A T I V E L I V I N GC R E A T I V E L I V I N G K e n t u c k yn k y. c o m n k y. c o mN o v. 1 1 , 2 0 0 9

Compiled by Melissa Hayden • Editor

Looking for a specialgift? Just search yourheart.

Sometimes the best giftscome straight from yourown hands. These are inex-pensive and are often themost favored. Here’s someideas to get you started thisholiday season.

Bird houseGive the gift of spring

early with this unique andpersonalized gift to the birdlover in your life.

Unique giftideas from your

hands, heart

What’s inside thepretty box? A

special gift fromthe heart.

MaterialsGourdSpoon (to hollow out Gourd)Drill11⁄2” diam. drill bit (for entrance)Drill bit matching the diameter of your perchsmaller drill bit (for hanging hole)small twig or branch for perch (optional)Twine, leather, or wire (for hanging)glueNo VOC paint

Instructions1. Using your 11⁄2” 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 thisstep by purchasing a ready-made Gourdfrom your craft store).

3. Allow to dry4. Measure the diameter of your perch

material, using the same/similar diame-ter drill bit, drill a hole one inch belowyour entry hole.

5. With the smallest drill bit, drill ahole in the top 1⁄2” on the gourd. This willbe 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’shole.

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

Hobby boxGreat for the kid who likes to collect

marbles or coins or for the crafter whoneeds help organizing.

MaterialsWooden boxes (sold at craft stores)Fine-grain sandpaperLatex wood primerAcrylic paints and paintbrushesAcrylic varnishFeltHot glue gunAssorted items, such as costume jewelry, for-

eign coins, or golf tees

Instructions1. To prepare the box for painting, lightly

sand the wood and then brush a coat of primeron all its surfaces. Once the sealer dries, lightlysand the box once more.

2. Paint the box. This will have to be done instages (the inside first, the bottom next, and thetop and sides last), allowing the paint to dryeach time.

3.To paint multicolored stripes, as shown onthe pencil box, apply strips of Easy MaskKleenEdge tape (sold in most craft or paintstores) in a parallel pattern and paint betweenthem. When the paint dries, remove the tape (itwon’t peel off the paint), tape over the freshly

painted areas and paint new stripes betweenthem. Once the paint dries, apply a coat ofacrylic varnish to protect and enhance thecolors and let it dry completely.

4. Next, glue a felt liner to the inside ofthe box. Then glue decorative items thatreflect the recipient’s interests onto thetop. With items that are hard to stick,try gluing bits of felt to the bottomsand then gluing the felt to the box.

Family treeThis family tree will fit into most

standard scrapbook albums. Youcan also purchase a 12 x 12 scrap-book frame to hang it on a wall.

Materials12 x 12 inch recycled card stock

- 1 piecePaper scraps - see suggestions

abovePhotos of baby, parents, and

grandparentsCircle Cutter or scissorsPencilGlueOptional: Leaf Paper Punch,

Decorative Label, Charcopaperor carbon transfer paper

Instructions1. Cut various size circles from scrap paper. If

you don’t have a circle cutter, trace a few differ-ent sizes of round objects (cup, paint bottle, bot-tle cap, etc.) onto paper and then cut them outcarefully with scissors. Recommended sizes: 1-33 large circle for baby, at least 6 - 2 3 circles forparents and grandparents, 12-15 - 1 3 circles, 12-15 - 1⁄2 3 circles for filling in between larger circles

2. Arrange circles on 12 3 x 12 3 recycled cardstock. Use photo above as a guide for placementor make up your own pattern. Largest circleshould be near center with second largest circlesradiating from it. Use smaller circles to fill ingaps.

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

4. Glue scrap paper circles in place. 5. Cut out faces of family members about 1⁄2 3

smaller diameter than the scrap paper circlesthey will be placed on. Cut out baby to be 2.5 3in diameter. Cut parents and grandparents to be1.5 3 in diameter.

6. Glue family pictures onto appropriate cir-cles. Glue baby on largest circle. Glue parents ontwo circles closest to baby. Glue maternal grand-parents on two circles closest to mom. Gluepaternal grandparents on two circles closest todad.

7. OPTIONAL: Add leaves to your tree. Use aleaf paper punch to cut leaf shapes from addi-tional scrap paper.

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

9. OPTIONAL: Name your tree.

Wine glass charmsA charming gift for the wine collector in your

family.MaterialsVarious Colored BeadsBase Metal (or Sterling Silver) Earring Hoops

(found in the jewelry-making section of yourcraft store)

needle nosed plierssmall tin or container

Instructions1. Slip one bead onto your earring hoop. If

making 4 charms (or 8, or 12), make sure eachbead is a different color.

2. Using your needle-nosed pliers bend thefemale end of the earring hoop so that it’s a 90degree angle (see images below)

3. package in a small tin or container

Sources:http://100handmadegifts.blogspot.com,

http://familyfun.go.com, http://craftingagreen-world.com

A T H O M E


Here’s another silver liningto the dark economicclouds still on the horizon

this holiday season: handmadeholiday decorations are not onlyless costly, they’re perceived asmore meaningful as well.

From spending more timewith loved ones to an improve-ment in our overall health, storiesabound on the positive sideeffects of the shaky economy.Here are a fewpointers:

• Choosecraft itemsthat comple-ment yourhome’s overalltheme. Forexample, ifyou loveclean, contem-porary mod-ern lines,make items thatmimic that look. Crafts thatincorporate reflective surfacesand metallic looks will fit wellwith contemporary themes.Softer fabrics and materials willmesh with a country theme.

• Make crafts that will endureand be durable for seasons tocome. “You’ll invest your timeand a bit of yourself in everyitem you make,” Skinner says.“Opt for items that will be easyto care for and that will appeal toyour sense of the holidays notjust this year, but next year andthe year after that as well.”

• Give yourself plenty of timeand space in which to create.You’re not rushing the season ifyou start working on your holi-day crafts in early November or

even late October. You’re just giv-ing yourself plenty of time toaccomplish everything you wantto do. Also, dedicate a specificarea of your home to your craft-ing and keep all your projects inone place - this way you’ll haveeverything you need at your fin-gertips.

• Get kids involved. Whenyou create crafts with your chil-dren, you’re not just making dec-orations, you’re making memo-ries that will stay with themthroughout their lives. Plus, mak-ing crafts together will makeeach item feel that much moremeaningful when you use it todecorate your home.

Try this creative craft - ahandcrafted birdhouse - that canbe customized to fit with either acity or country theme:

A Country BirdhouseDesigned by Connie Glennon-Hall

Supplies and tools1 wood bird-

house1 can Rust-

Oleum multicol-ored texturespray paint,autumn brown

1 eachacrylic paints indark brown,green and ivory

woodenpicket fence

Deco ArtSnow Writer

1 piece, 12 inches by 12 inch-es, brown cardstock

1 piece, 10 inches by 4 inches,Homespun fabric

Xyron 510 machine withadhesive cartridge

Tacky glue and glue stick1⁄2-inch flat paintbrush1⁄2-inch detail paintbrushwire cuttersscissorspaper trimmerrulersandpaper

Assembly instructions1. Sand the birdhouse hole

openings to remove rough edges.2. Paint the entire birdhouse

with dark brown acrylic paint.

When dry, spray with autumnbrown multicolored texturedpaint. When dry, paint ivory lineswith the detail brush.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstockslightly smaller than the bottomof birdhouse. Glue cardstock tobottom of birdhouse using gluestick.

4. With wire cutters, cut anine- to 10-picket length from thefence. Dilute green paint andapply a wash coating over fence.When dry, glue to the front ofhouse, along the front base.

5. Measure the three sectionsof the roof and cut brown card-stock to fit. Run the cardstockthrough the Xyron machine.Press the sticky side of the card-stock onto the homespun fabric,aligning plaids and allowing 1⁄4inch margin around each piece.

6. Trim around roof panels -keeping the 1⁄4 inch margin of fab-ric - and fray the edges bypulling out threads. Glue thethree panels to the birdhouseroof, allowing fringe to remainexposed.

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

Uptown (City) BirdhouseSupplies and toolsWood birdhouseRust-Oleum textured paint,

desert bisqueDeco Art Dazzling Metallics

acrylic paint, Champagne gold1 piece, 12 by 12 inches, tan or

gold cardstock1 piece, 4 inches by 9 inches,

Glitter Organza 5⁄8-inch ribbonDeco Art Snow WriterXyron 510 machine with

adhesive cartridgetacky glue and glue stickdouble-sided tapescissorspaper trimmerrulersandpaperpaintbrushbeaded trim

Assembly instructions1. 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 cham-pagne gold acrylic paint.

3. Cut a rectangle of cardstockslightly smaller than the bottomof birdhouse. Glue cardstock tothe underside of birdhouse usingglue stick.

4. Attach beaded trim to theside edges of the upper roofusing tacky glue.

5. Measure and cut a piece ofribbon slightly longer than thelength of lower roof. Put a stripof double-sided tape on one sideof ribbon. Squeeze a thin line oftacky glue over the lower roofand then apply the ribbon stripover that. When dry, trim ribbonends.

6. Measure the two sections ofthe large roof and cut two piecesof cardstock to fit.

7. Run the cardstock throughthe Xyron machine. Position thecardstock on work surface withadhesive side up. Cover adhesiveside with five overlapping stripsof ribbon. Repeat for both roofpieces. Trim ribbon edges.

8. Place the two roof sections,peak to peak and ribbon sidedown, over the wrong side of thesheer fabric; cut the sheer fabric3⁄4-inch larger all around the roofshape.

Create a “hinge” between thetwo roof pieces (wrong side) witha strip of tape. Apply two morepieces of tape along the bottomedges of the wrong sides of theroof sections. Fold the sheer fab-ric over both long edges of the

Handmadecrafts are the

ultimatecustomized

holiday decor

Country bird house.

City bird house.

Crafts see page 14

What a wonderfultime to visitL a s t i n g

Impressions and Santa-in-the-City/Hosea SharingHouse at 241 Grandviewin Bellevue!

If you want to get that“old-fashioned Christmasspirit,” it is well worthyour time to visit thiswinter wonderland full ofholiday decorating ideasand unique holiday mer-chandise.

The Christmas mer-chandise line includes“Santa’s Own” trees,which are as authenticlooking as any tree youwill find on the market.

Does your home need abit of “sprucing up” forthe holiday?

This is definitely theplace you will want to visitto find that spectacular

centerpiece for your diningroom table or that little

piece for a special corner inyour kitchen or bathroom.

The fragrance of lus-cious candles fills theroom as you enter theLasting Impressionsshowroom.

The wonderful scentsof Candleberry candles inthe newest Christmas fra-grances make it a difficultdecision as you choosejust the right one for yourhome… Bourbon RoastedPecans… Santa’sCookies… HollyberrySpiced Toddy… VanillaDipped Cinnacrisp… andmany more!

You won’t find anyother brand of candle thatwill fill your home with amore inviting aroma toplease your family andguests.

A T H O M E


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

Lasting Impression’s Santa Tree.

Lasting see page 15

hinged roof, sticking thefabric to the three strips oftape. Add bits of tape tothe bottom roof cornersand fold raw fabric edgesin, as though wrapping agift.

Secure the roof to thebirdhouse with tackyglue. Glue only one roofplane at a time; tip thebirdhouse over andweight it down, until glueis dry. Then, repeat for theother roof plane.

9. Decorate the housewith Snow Writer, cover-ing up the raw fabricedges between fabric andwood roof.


Aprominent HuffRealtor calledRooftime last week

to request a siding esti-mate on her newest listing.

She wondered ifRooftime could come andinvestigate why the newlyapplied paint was peelingon the wood siding of a100-year-old vintagehome; why painters werenot able to keep any paintadhered to the wood sid-ing for any extended peri-od of time; and how mucha new siding job wouldcost the homeowners.

The estimators fromRooftime suspected thetrue problem, even beforethey arrived onto the site!

Another sick and suffo-cating home; dying fromwhat roofers call, “theplastic bag” effect.

Adults constantly warnchildren about the dan-gers of placing their headinto a tightly wrappedplastic bag; after all, morethan 3,300 children are

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

A house is no different!Homes must be able tobreath.

Cut off the air flowingin and out of their atticsand they suffocate anddie, (the plastic bageffect), just like us.

Peeling paint is justone of the most easily rec-ognized signs of a sickhome!

Homeowners often getfrustrated with a recur-ring paint problem andcall on a contractor toinstall an expensive, vinylsiding job. This will onlymake a bad situationworse!

The newly sided home,now really does have aplastic bag wrappedaround its neck, and itwill die even faster. Newsiding, Tyvek wrap andinsulation board are notthe problem per se, butcan mask the fact that

major problems still existbut are going on, un-noticed.

What little air-flow thatmay have been occurringthrough old cracks andcrevices, has now beencompletely sealed off bythe installation of newsiding.

Now you really havean unhealthy home; proneto accelerated moldgrowth, a build up of inte-rior pollutants, and higherutility bills due to ineffi-cient economies of heatingand air conditioning.

Is your home sick?Most older homes are!Have you just installednew siding because ofpeeling paint, too?

Then you may stillhave problems. Just as asuffocating person can besaved by adding oxygen,so can a dying home bemade to recover byadding air flow.

Roofing professionals,shingle manufacturers,

and DIY-gurus, all stressthe importance of properroof - attic ventilation inrelationship to lifeexpectancies of shingleroofs, formation of icedams and excessive utilityconsumption. Homesmust breathe.

How do professionalroofers help a home tobreathe? By installing abalanced ventilation sys-tem at the Soffit (over-hang) areas of a home,which allows air to comeinto a home and flowupward through the atticarea.

And, by installingfunctional outlet vents, atthe peak or gable ends ofa home, which allows badair to exit the home, vent-

ing excessive heat in thesummer and humidity inthe winter.

The good news for theold home the realtorcalled about, was thatRooftime installed a new,properly balanced ventila-tion system, for less thanone-third the cost of newvinyl siding, and thehome was saved.

Have your home pro-fessionally inspected andreceive a free copy of aDVD or cd rom that com-pletely demonstrates thekeys to proper roof venti-lation by calling on ANew Rooftime at 513-753-TIME, or in NorthernKentucky at 859-344-TIME, or by visiting,www.newrooftime.com.

A T H O M E


Is your home dying?

Crafts from page 12

“Have your home professionallyinspected and receive a free copy of

a DVD or cd rom that completelydemonstrates the keys to proper

roof ventilation...”

• Christmas openhouse – Friday andSaturday, Nov. 27-28 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) andSunday, Nov. 29 (1 p.m.-5 p.m.)

• Holiday hours -Tuesday through Saturday10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Openuntil 8 p.m. on Thursdays,December 3, 10,and 13

• Life-sizeChristmas villageon the fourth floor(18,000 square feet)

Santa in theCity/HoseaSharing House

• Gorgeous holi-day floral arrange-ments

• Beautifullydecorated trees

• Candleberry candlesfeaturing the newest holi-day fragrances

• Unique Christmasornaments and gifts

• Unique home acces-sories

• Furniture, area rugs,window treatments

• Ashton picturegallery at www.ashton-company.com

In addition to theexquisite Christmas deco-rations and trees in theLasting Impressions show-room, you will want tovisit the 18,000 square footSanta-in-the-City show-room on the fourth floor.

Wow! How can weadequately describe thelife-size Christmas villageyou will find as you enterthrough the archway thatleads to the brick and

stone corner building, lit-tle white church, rowhouses, Santa in his sleighwith reindeer, tons of dec-orated trees, the PlumPudding area, theNaughty-or-Nice tree...and so much more. Youhave to see it to believe it!

The Hosea Sharing

House is also located onthis floor and individualsare invited to contributecanned goods and takeadvantage of the manydonated items that areavailable in this area.

All canned goods willgo to the Henry HoseaHouse in Newport, whichserves meals to needyindividuals daily.

All visitors to Santa-in-the-City are invited tocontribute canned fruitsand The Hosea SharingHouse is a great way foryour local group or organ-ization to raise moneythrough donations ofitems from your groupvegetables for this worthycause.

A children’s area hasbeen provided in this areato allow children to tradecanned goods for a gift formom and/or dad.

The Hosea SharingHouse is a great way foryour local group or organ-ization to raise moneythrough donations ofitems from your group.

1. Your organizationcollects donations such asfurniture, householditems, miscellaneous

household goods, etc. (nobedding or clothing).

2. Contact Linda (859-655-8189) to arrange forpickup of items.

3. The items are sold atauction in the SharingHouse (designated dateand time).

4. Your organizationreceives 50 percent of thesale of the items.

5.The Henry HoseaHouse receives 25 percentof the sale of the items.

6. The other 25 percentis used for administrativecosts.

Call Linda at 859-655-8189 or 859-462-2006 formore information abouthow you as an individualor your organization canparticipate in the SharingHouse. Donations to theSharing House are taxdeductible.

Are you looking fora unique holidaygift? Give your

own personalized wine. Vintner’s Cellar

Custom Winery inFlorence offers the enter-taining experience of cre-ating a custom wine withcustom labels.

Enjoy the taste of finewine with good friends.Host a wine tasting partyand have some fun!

Get started by schedul-ing a wine tasting party.Invite a group of yourfriends to come out to thestore to sample some ofhe delicious wine vari-eties.

Wine tasting parties area fun way to learn anddiscover a variety ofwines.

And by sharing theexperience with your

friends, perhaps youwould like to order abatch of wine with the fla-vor adjusted to yourtastes build a customwine with your privatelabel for a holiday gift.

Parties can generallyconsist of up to 30 guests.

Your party can eitherbe catered, or if you wishyou can bring your ownhors d’oeuvres. Vintner’sCellar will prove thetables, the space and, ofcourse, the wine.

Come enjoy the chanceof tasting a wide varietyof Vintner’s Cellar winesand having some greatfun!

Visit Vintner’s CellarWinery on Mall Road orcall 371-WINE (9463) formore information or toschedule a wine tastingparty.

H O L I D A Y D I N I N G & E N T E R T A I N I N G


Lasting from page 13 Best gift of the season

“The Hosea Sharing House is a greatway for your local group or

organization to raise money throughdonations of items from your group”

To advertise in CreativeLivingcall 578-5501

Studying dog behaviorallows us to learnmore about mans best

friend. Each dog has a specific

language that he/she usesto communicate their feel-ings, desires, and thoughtsto another canine.

When a dog becomes amember of our pack orfamily, they use thesesame mannerisms to com-municate with us.

You can develop a bet-ter understanding of yourdogs behaviors if youlearn to interpret the sig-nals Fido is sending you.

Like a person’s specificpersonality may affecttheir mannerisms, Caninebody language can also bespecific to a dog.

Below is a list of a sig-nals which are typicallyuniversal to all canines.Learning these manner-isms can give you an

insight into your favoritecanine’s mood.

A few things are obvi-ous. For example, a dogthat is happy and excitedwill be wagging his tail,prancing around and/orjumping around.

A dog that is coweringin the corner is afraid.Here are a few other com-mon canine mannerismsand their meanings:

PPllaayy BBooww:: Rear endup, front down, and tailwagging generally means“I want to play.”

TTaaiill WWaaggggiinngg:: Doesn’talways mean that the dogis happy or friendly as isgenerally assumed. Somedogs also wag their tailswhen they are scared, agi-tated or unsure about asituation.

Look for other signalsto determine the dog’smood. A insecure dogmay wag their tail just

before they bite if theyfeel threatened or cor-nered.

RRoolllliinngg OOvveerr::Generally means the dogis being submissive. Ineffect the dog is saying,“You’re the boss.” Often,dogs will roll over whenthey want their tummiesrubbed. This can also be asign that your dog ishappy and well-adjusted.

TTaaiill BBeettwweeeenn LLeeggss aannddEEaarrss BBaacckk:: The dog isafraid or feeling appre-hensive about something.

Rarely an aggressivedog, this dog is more likelyinsecure and his behavioris asking to be left alone.

EEaarrss PPeerrkkeedd UUpp:: Thisoften signals anticipationin your dog. During train-ing, this could mean thatyour dog is paying closeattention and awaiting a

What is your dog saying:Understanding canine body language

H O L I D A Y E N T E R T A I N I N G / P E T S E N S E

16 K e n t u c k yT h u r s d a y N o v. 1 2 , 2 0 0 9

StoneBrook Winery isa small farm familywinery located in

Camp Springs, Ky., just 20minutes south ofCincinnati.

StoneBrook offers mag-nificent vineyard views, arenovated 120-year-oldfarm house converted intoa cozy wine tasting room,old country charm and alittle bit of history.

StoneBrook vints avariety of wines includingthe Estate bottled VidalBlanc, Estate, CabernetFranc and Domain winesas well as a wide varietyof other fabulous, award-winning grape and fruitwines.

The tasting room isopen Fridays from 5 p.m.to 9 p.m., Saturday from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundayfrom 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For $5 you are able totaste five palette pleasinggrape or fruit wines.

Tours through theaward -winning vineyardsand carriage rides are alsoavailable by appointment,weather permitting.

StoneBrook also offersunique, monthly diningexperiences that havebecome a local favorite

Please visit the Website, www.stonebrookwinery.com to see ourschedule of monthlyevents.

Fine wine, good times

n k y. c o mC R E A T I V E L I V I N G

Dog see page 19

S E N I O R L I V I N G


Even if you’re not drivingthrough a blizzard, theeffects of winter weather

pose a mobility challenge foreveryone, whether it’s the pos-sibility of slipping on the side-walk or delayed flights due toicy runways.

Cold temperatures only addto the frustration of wintertravel.

Tips for stayingsafe through the

holiday season

It’s little wonder that some peopleforgo the fun of holiday gatherings tostay home. For seniors, in particular,the ice and snow of winter is more thana discomfort – it’s a hazard. It’s so easyto slip and fall that many choose to stayinside, rather than take the risk of aninjury from falling. Going outside tosimply get the mail can seem like achance they don’t want to take.

The best way to face down winter and all its chal-lenges is to think ahead and be prepared. A few simplesolutions will make winter much safer - and more enjoy-able – for you and any guests you might invite over.

•• GGeett tthhee rriigghhtt ggeeaarr –– Clothing has to go to the nextlevel in winter and serve a real purpose. Not only do youneed added warmth, you have to have traction gear forice and material that will keep out the dampness ofsnow, sleet and rain.

Clothing technology has come a long way in helpingus deal with winter. New, lighter-weight fabrics fend offsub-zero cold and all kinds of precipitation withoutadding bulk, which is great for everyone, but particularlyfor professionals who need to maintain dress standardsat work.

Most shoes just aren’t able to stand up to the condi-tions of winter, and become hazardous when the world isglazed with ice. Innovative products like Stabilicers, ice

cleats from 32 North, makeany shoes into ground-grip-ping wonders.

A variety of Stabilicersmodels are available. TheStabilicers Lite is adaptable toa wide variety of casual shoesand can be put on using onlyone hand. Plus, they’re smalland easy to stash, so you caneasily carry them with youwhen you travel.

•• PPrreeppaarree yyoouurr ccaarr ––Winter driving poses its ownunique challenges and needs.First, make sure your car isready by checking that its flu-ids are temperature-appropri-ate and up to the correct lev-

els, its wheels are ingood alignment, its tiretreads are in good con-dition, and that its bat-tery, belts and hoses arein good shape.

Whether you’re driv-ing long distances tovisit the family or justheading to work, it’s agood idea to keep anup-to-date emergencykit in the vehicle in caseyou become stranded.

Include good jumpercables – if the ones youhave are getting worn,spring for a new pairbecause if you getcaught in the cold witha dead car, they will beyour ticket home.

Also include blan-kets, a flashlight, flares,a first aid kit, a smallshovel, a windowscraper and a bag ofsomething that will helpyou gain traction, likekitty litter, sand or salt.Extra hats and glovescan be handy, too, ascan small, non-perish-able snacks like energybars or granola bars.

•• PPaayy aatttteennttiioonn ttooyyoouurr pprrooppeerrttyy –– It’simportant to keep aclose eye on your gut-ters, steps and side-walks, even whenyou’re not in the middleof a snow or ice storm.

Make sure that icicles aren’t forming, or ifthey have, knock them down (carefully) toavoid damage to your home and to preventthem from falling on anyone.

If ice forms on your walkways, keep icemelt, sand or salt near the door so you caneasily distribute it and prevent slips andfalls. When the snow starts to fall, be sureto shovel regularly.

If you’re a city dweller, your neighborswill thank you. If you’re not, you’re takingsteps to protect yourself and any visitingguests. The Stabilicer ice cleats can alsocome in handy while you’re doing thesechores, giving you better traction to makethe job quicker, so you can get back in outof the cold.


Stay safe this winter.

Enhancing the qualityof life for seniors is apriority, even a

motto at Baptist LifeCommunities, NorthernKentucky’s largest seniorcare service provider.

At its Baptist Towers

facility (at 800 HighlandAvenue, Covington) theorganization manages 64independent living apart-ments in a seven-storybuilding primarily devot-ed to independent care.

A 40 bed Personal Care

facility is located on thebuilding’s third level. Theproximity of this medicalcare facility enablesBaptist Towers to provideemergency medicalresponse to all of theindependent living apart-

ment in the building at asimple touch of a button.

The apartments havebeen updated over thepast year. Area interiordesigner, Henry Vittetoecreated two model apart-ments, which havebecome templates for theindividual apartment ren-ovations.

His design workincluded four elegant col-orways, the use of hard-wood look flooring andextensive contouredwooden moldings thatupgraded the look andcomfort in the studio andone bedroom apartmentfeatured at The Towers.

At Baptist Village in

Erlanger, renovation workis underway to upgradethe 48 apartments in theluxurious Long Housefacility.

The manor house exte-rior appearance is carriedthrough in aVictorian/Traditional dec-orative mode of the interi-or spaces

And each apartment.Residents at The LongHouse have the option ofStudio, one or two-bed-room apartments.

The Village also offers58 independent livingapartment in the MunroHouse. The facility wasopened in 1996, offeringaffordable senior living.



Independent living: A BLC priority

Happy holidays, timewith friends andfamily, the freshness

of a new year – there aremany things to look forwardto with the arrival of winter.

If you're among the mil-lions of Americans, howev-er, who suffer from chronicpain, winter can bring on awhole new set of problemsand pains.

Whether you suffer fromchronic ailments like arthri-tis or fibromyalgia, or sim-

How tododge ordeal with

winteraches,pains

ply experience the aches, pains and stiffness associatedwith past injuries or with aging, winter's cold anddampness can exacerbate these problems. Plus, there'sthe potential to suffer painful injuries from winteractivities like shoveling snow or hazards like slippingon icy ground.

Here is some simple advice to minimize winter'simpact on chronic pain and avoid new pains frominjuries:

Arthritis and fibromyalgiaWhile both conditions can cause excruciating pain,

both also respond well to positive influences like exer-cise, diet and hot/cold therapy.

To help minimize winter's impact on these twochronic ailments, be sure to stay active and maintainprescribed medications and therapies. Dress warmlywhen going outdoors, wearing layers that help trapheat near your body.

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

The IMAK Therapy Wrap is a 38-inch wrap that fitsvirtually any part of the body. Insertable gel packs canbe heated or chilled, depending on what works foryour pain. Breathable cotton Lycra fabric keeps thewrap comfortable against the skin. Visitwww.IMAKproducts.com to learn more.

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

Healthy exercise is a good way to avoid winter aches. Seniors see page 19



• Stretch before youstart, just as you would ifengaging in a workout.

• Shovel while it's stillsnowing and shovelrepeatedly throughout thesnowfall. That way, you'renot trying to move a largeamount of heavy, wetsnow when the snowfallis over and the accumula-tion greater.

• Use a small shovel -a large one may temptyou to overdo it – and letthe stronger muscles ofyour legs do most of thelifting and pushing work.Bend at the knees to avoidexcess strain on yourback.

If you do overdo itand wind up with someaches and pains, turn tohot and cold therapy tosoothe sore muscles.

Other outdoor dangersRaking leaves, shovel-

ing snow, even sitting forlong hours in the cold onstadium bleachers watch-ing a football game – allcan put undue strain onyour neck and shoulders.

When performing out-door physical activity thatcould strain your neck, besure to take regularbreaks, and let yourstrong leg muscles do asmuch of the work as pos-

sible. If you're sitting forlong periods in the cold,dress warmly in layersand be sure to protectyour neck with a warmscarf.

Shift position often,standing up when possi-ble, bending forward andgently stretching yourneck, arm and shouldermuscles to avoid stiffness.

Hot and cold therapycan also help alleviateneck pain if you do endup straining muscles.IMAK's Hot/Cold NeckSupport allows you to putthe therapeutic effects ofheat or cold directly onsore neck muscles.

Amicrowave-safegel pack can beheated or chilledas needed.

Finally, beaware of the riskand dangers ofinclement win-ter weather.Slips on ice andfrostbite fromsnow send thou-sands to emer-gency roomsevery winter. Ifyou must walk

on ice, take measures toensure your footing isgood, such as using spe-cial cleats that attach toyour shoes or wearingthick-soled snow boots.

Never shovel snow,play in snow or spendtime outdoors in snowunless you are appropri-ately dressed in warmlayers, including hat,gloves and warm boots.

With a few precautionsand the right therapy, youcan enjoy winter monthsfree of the aches andpains associated withcolder weather.


“With a fewprecautions and the

right therapy, you canenjoy winter monthsfree of the aches and

pains associated withcolder weather.”

CCrreeaattiivveeLiving

Share yourstory with your neighbors

Call 578-5501

Seniors from page 18command. During play, this likelymeans that your dog is engaged andparticipating in the activity.

FFrroonnttaall AApppprrooaacchh:: A dog standingstill facing another dog or person withdirect eye contact, hackles raised, andears and tail up indicates dominance ora sign of imminent attack. Only anextremely confident and likely dominantdog assumes such a forward posture.

RRaaiisseedd PPaaww:: A dog who raises a pawwith a bent foreleg is showing submission.

SSiittttiinngg OOnn YYoouurr FFeeeett:: A dog who sitson your feet is usually showing domi-nance or ownership. This behavior is oftenmisinterpreted by owners as affection.

You can learn much about your dogspersonality by noticing his interactions

with yourself and others. By observingFido, you’ll see how his posture changesand how he uses his ears, eyes, eye-brows, lips, nose, mouth, tail, and coatto express his mood.

You can be certain that your dog hasstudied your expressions and body lan-guage. Your dog is usually an expert onyou! By carefully interpreting the hiddenmeanings behind his/her behaviors,you’ll be one step closer to improvingthe relationship you have with your dog.

Canine Companion Training andBoarding Center has been helping dogowners build better relationships withtheir pets since 1994. Feel free to call859-356-6457 today to schedule a behav-ior evaluation or visit www.caninecom-panionky.com for more informationabout our training programs.

Dog from page 16

W I N T E R F U N


Feeding wild birds is aneasy way to add asplash of color and

song to your outdoor livingspace this winter, plus helpthe birds thrive through thetoughest season for them.Attracting birds to yourbackyard is as easy as set-ting out bird feeders filledwith quality food.

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

Other species such ascardinals, woodpeckers andgoldfinches will stay aroundthrough the winter and willbe eager to frequent feederswhere they find a ready,steady supply of food.

Feeding wild birds not

Add life,color to your

winterlandscape:

Attract wildbirds to your

backyard

only brings a little life to your backyard dur-ing the cooler months, but also helps thebirds thrive through the winter, so they –like you – will be ready to enjoy springwhen 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 formulatedto attract a variety of birds.

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

Feeding a premium wild bird food likeScotts Songbird Selections ensures birds willget adequate energy and nutrition to help

weather the winter. Visit www.scottswild-birdfood.com to learn more about feedingwild birds.

• Choose a feeder appropriate for thetype of seed blend you are feeding.Common types include covered or openplatforms for any size seed blend, cylindersor tubes for small seeds, and a hopper or“house” style to hold larger seeds like sun-flower. You can easily make your own birdfeeder, or purchase one of the many typesavailable in home improvement, hardwareand other mass retail stores.

To attract even more birds: • Offer more than one feeder with differ-

ent foods to give birds with varying feedingpreferences options and ensure you attract avariety of species.

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

use a lot of energy, especially in the winter,and suet is the high-energy snack that canhelp keep them going through the toughtimes.

Rich in calories because it’s primarilymade of fat, suet attracts woodpeckers,chickadees and many other species. Somesuet, like Scotts Songbird Selections Multi-Bird Suet with Fruit and Nuts, is embeddedwith other treats birds love, such as seeds,nuts or dried fruit.

Present the suet in a wire cage. The birdswill cling to the cage and peck at the suetthrough the gaps.

Other tips for winter feeding:• If you live in a region that receives sig-

nificant snow accumulation, make sure feed-ers are raised high enough off the ground to

escape the snow buildup. Place feeders closeto the house in locations with a good viewfrom a favorite window. If possible, keepfeeders a short bird’s flight from the cover ofprotective trees, to help birds feel moresecure when feeding.

• Wild birds have a particularly hardtime finding fresh water in the winter.Consider adding a few heated birdbaths toyour backyard landscape. Heated baths,many with thermostatic controls, are avail-able in most home improvement, hardwareand bird specialty stores.

• If you’re worried about squirrels raid-ing and damaging your feeder, considerfeeding them too. Offer something the squir-rels will find even more enticing than birdfood – like corn – and they’ll be less inclinedto visit your birdfeeder.


Attract wild birds to add beautiful color to your backyard.

Date post:	07-Mar-2016
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