Kentucky Creative Living

Brrrr it’s coldoutside! So curl upin your favoriteblanket and settlein for a great readabout localbusinesses andgreat deals.

Be sure to checkout the specialcenter spread onthree areabusinesses thathave your bestinterest at heart.

In times of economic hardship, it’s importantto support your local businesses. After all, itstimulates the local economy and localbusinesses are able to provide the goods andservices you need like no other.

Editor’s noteCreativeLiving

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

TopicsRestful nightSleep apnea

DentalGums • Teeth

Local BusinessGoods • Services

Good ServiceYour best interest

3 10 At HomeDecor • Repair

BridalAttire • Honeymoon

Health & FitnessMind • Body

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FeaturesYYoouurr bbeesstt iinntteerreesstt aatt hheeaarrttCheck out what three featured local businesses have to offer you.

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HHooww ttoo eexxppeerriieennccee tthhee eexxcciitteemmeennttDiscover ways to really relish in the joy of becoming engaged.

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HHooww ttoo mmaakkee yyoouurr rreessoolluuttiioonnss llaassttIt’s a new year, so learn some new tricks to keep your goals in check.

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S L E E P H E A L T H

3K e n t u c k y T h u r s d a y J a n . 2 1 , 2 0 1 0

For many of us, Jan. 1 signals thedate for an annual ritual … mak-ing New Year’s Resolutions! We

want to lose weight, have better rela-tionships, and feel better.

Did you know that by treatingyour snoring and obstructive sleepapnea that issues like weight loss,daytime energy, and sleeping in thesame room again can become a reali-ty?

An estimated 40 million Americanssnore and nearly 20 million havesleep apnea, a condition where theairway collapses during sleep, caus-ing the person to stop breathing andawaken multiple times every hourwith a gasp.

Sleep apnea is a life-threateningsleep disorder that left undiagnosedand untreated can shorten your lifes-pan up to 18 years!

Treatment options include CPAPmachines, surgery, and oral appli-ances.

While CPAP is the gold standard ofsleep apnea treatment, many peoplecan’t tolerate the masks and hoses.

An oral appliance is an FDAapprovedCPAPalterna-tive that fitsover yourteeth andholds thelower jawforward,keepingyour airwayfrom col-

lapsing. Every day, patients experience the

benefits of Dr. Kitzmiller’s oral appli-ance therapy and rave about how it haschanged their life.

“Since getting an oral appliance withDr. Kitzmiller I’ve been feeling awe-some! It has significantly affected my

quality of life. I’ve passed on the wordabout this treatment to my patients tohelp them take the right step to get theirsleep apnea treated. You all are excel-lent!” said M. Jones, nurse practitioner

Want to see what a difference oralappliance therapy can be to treat yoursnoring or sleep apnea?

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

Dr. Kitzmiller and his team can coor-dinate your entire care process, includ-ing scheduling your diagnostic sleepstudy, treatment visits, insurance andfollow-up.

Just go to www.cincisleep.com tolearn more!

Dr. Kitzmiller has a New Year’s solution forsnoring and sleep apnea

Not sure if youhave sleep apnea?

Take a quick quiz at

www.cincisleep.comto see if you are at risk.

D E N T A L C A R E

4 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 J a n . 2 1 , 2 0 1 0

There are people out there that arehesitant, even afraid of coming tothe dentist because they are trying

to avoid pain, spending money, or timethey don’t have.

They may feel that their teeth don’thurt yet or that they can’t afford to havefillings done or that work and familydon’t leave enough time to get anythingelse done.

Unfortunately, what is seen all toooften is that patients wait until some-thing hurts.

When they get in they have had tomiss work and most likely end up need-ing treatment that is much more exten-

sive and expensive to a tooth that couldotherwise have been fixed with a simplefilling at a fraction of the cost withoutpain or emergency time off work.

By coming in to have an exam donethe only thing that will change is yourability to be in control of how muchtime and money you spend by planningahead.

Also problems that are addressedwhen they are small cause little or nodiscomfort to fix.

The Mortenson Family Dental teamtruly cares about the comfort of theirpatients and will treat you with theutmost care and respect.

Will you become a self-fulfilling prophesy?

Alot of smiles have come in out ofthe door over the past 40 years atthe office of Anderson, Smith, and

Elliott Family Dentistry and their prac-tice continues to grow.

Known for providing exceptionaldental care in a patient-focused andfamily friendly practice, doctorsAnderson, Smith, and Elliott enjoy car-ing for and meeting the individual den-tal needs of all of their patients.

“We put the patients first and cater totheir individual needs. Several genera-tions of families have been taken care ofhere,” said Dr. Tom Smith .

The dentists and staff strive to pro-vide quality care in a comfortable,relaxed environment and treat theirpatients like they are members of theirown family.

Patients are carefully listened to andtheir questions and concerns areanswered and addressed in a caringmanner.

Staying current on the latest develop-ments and technology in dentistry is ofutmost importance to the staff atAnderson, Smith, and Elliott.

“We have the best staff of hygienists.They are very knowledgeable and it isimportant to them to stay current ontheir continued education,” said Smith.

The complete care provided by thepractice can benefit every member ofyour family.

They are committed to helping theirpatients maintain good oral health and abeautiful smile for a lifetime.

“With an initial visit to our office thepatient can expect to receive a thoroughdental examination, good communica-tion, and to be treated according to the'golden rule',” said Dr. Ronnie Elliott.

Located at 265 Main Street inFlorence, the dental practice ofAnderson, Smith, and Elliott welcomeyou to call their office at 371-4620 andjoin their family of patients.

Generations of smiles trust local dental practice

D E N T A L C A R E

5K 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 J a n . 2 1 , 2 0 1 0

Dr. Tiffany Buller-Schusslerknew she wanted to be adentist from the time she

was 9 years old. Now her determination and

years of education have paid off,and in the past 11 years she hasgained insight and knowledgefrom the patients she has treatedas a dentist.

Last year she opened her fami-ly dental practice in Hebron, inthe Remke Market Plaza – andshe loves it here.

“In our practice we want allof our patients and their familiesto feel welcome and comfort-able,” says Dr. Schussler.

“We have designed our officeto be gentle and inviting, and thisis what we want people to takeaway with them-the feeling ofbeing comfortable while here,like going to a family gathering,or visiting with some friends,”she said.

Dr. Schussler knows that thereare many people who are nerv-ous about, or, uncomfortablewith, dental procedures of anytype, and she works with each

patient to try and determine thesource of the fear, and thus put itto rest by not repeating it.

“During a patient's visit, wespend 60 to 80 minutes withthem, talking about the expecta-tions they have for their smile,performing a comprehensiveexam, taking only necessary X-rays, and cleaning their teeth.This is when most adults willexpress their concerns about anyfuture procedures,” she said.

“Children are different,” saidDr. Schussler. “Some kids willjump right up in the chair andsay, ‘My turn!’ Others are moreshy, so, for very young patientswe perform the exam on theirparent's lap to make it seem lessthreatening. We just take it asslow as they need.”

Dr. Schussler performs mostdental procedures, includingwhitening, extractions, and rootcanals, as well as all routine care.

Patients who require ortho-dontic care will be referred asneeded.

Both doctor and staff commu-nicate the importance of good

oral care to patients, with respectto keeping and maintaining theirteeth in relationship with theirtotal body health.

Studies show links to existbetween oral care and cardiovas-cular health and diabetes.

“We perform a thoroughassessment of each patient, diag-nosing any oral conditions,developing a treatment plan, con-trolling inflammation and dis-ease, and make a plan to keeptheir mouth healthy,” she said.

“Through education and coun-seling, we gently put the patienton the right path for good oralhealth,” said Dr. Schussler.

“One of the goals I have formy practice is to be here for sev-eral generations. I hope to followthe children I see today, right intothe time when they can bringtheir children in, too.

“I want to see the whole fami-

ly, not just a few members. Infact, we'd like to remind parentsto schedule their children's visitsregularly, as even though schoolhas just let out for the summer,that time will quickly be hereagain,” she said.

In conclusion, Dr. Schusslersaid that she would like to pro-vide treatment to each generationwithout fear of dental proce-dures, counseling the ideal thateveryone will consider good oralcare an to be an integral part ofthe health of the whole person.

Dr. Tiffany Buller-Schussleroffers digital radiographs, paper-less charting and registration,and has convenient office hoursincluding one evening per week,and Saturdays.

Visit them at www. schussler-dentistry.com, or call her compe-tent and friendly staff at 653-0525to set up your appointment.

High-tech dentistry, family-friendly environment

CCrreeaattiivveeLivingCall 248-7685

D E N T A L C A R E


This is the time of yearwhere most peoplemake their New

Years Resolutions, starttheir diets and professchanges to their lifestylethat will make them hap-pier healthy people.

This means physicals,eye exams, and dental vis-its. None of which tend tobe very popular places togo.

However, at GentleDental Care Dr. Dallmannand her wonderful teamdo all they can to makedental visits a pleasantexperience.

The best place to startmay be with an exam andcleaning.

Everyone feels betterafter their cleaning,because you know you

are doing something tonot only enhance yoursmile but most important-ly keep you healthy.

Dr. Dallmann wantsyou to start the New Yearoff right.

What better way toencourage dental healththan to protect what youalready have withsealants.

What are sealants?Sealants are a plastic

material that is applied tothe chewing surface ofback teeth, molars andside teeth (bicuspids).

The plastic materialseeps into grooves of

chewing surfaces and ishardened.

Sealants create a barrierthat protects from bacteriaand plaque acids, prevent-ing cavities.

What factors couldmake an adult a candidatefor sealants?

The best way to deter-mine the need for sealantsis to evaluate the person’srisk for pit and fissuredecay, which continuesthroughout adulthoodand varies from one per-son to another.

Risk can also vary forthe same person overtime, because changes in

personal habits, healthstatus and medication useare known to increase riskfor decay.

Lack of access to fluo-rides and fluoridatedwater, a history of previ-ous decay, and chronicxerostomia (dry mouth)are also factors Dr.Dallmann will considerwhen evaluating you forsealants.

Do sealants help savemoney?

Prevention is betterthan treatment. When oneconsiders that properlyapplied and maintainedsealants are extremely

effective in preventing pitand fissure decay, sealantsare a very cost-effectivemeasure.

Savings in both dollarsand discomfort can begained by application ofsealants, rather thanallowing decay andrequiring the tooth to berestored.

Gentle Dental Care isoffering adults over age18 a “buy one get onefree” on all sealants whenaccompanied by an examand cleaning.

Plus if you bring thisad in you can received $10off your cleaning as well.

Happy New Year from Dr. Tara Dallmann and her team at Gentle Dental Care

Don’t miss theFebruary issue...


The Gentle Dental Care team does all they can to make dental visits a pleasant experience.

L O C A L B U S I N E S S


DDoonn’’tt bbee lleefftt oouuttCall 578-5501 to learnhow you can be a partof the February 2110edition of the Private

School Directory, pub-lished bi-annually by

The CommunityPress/Recorder.

CCrreeaattiivveeLiving

Reach all of the familyCall 578-5501

previously bad experiences and if I canprovide that patient with a better expe-rience and make the comfortableenough to trust me and come back,then I have succeeded and that sense ofsuccess makes me feel very good,” sheexplained.

Dr. Buller-Schussler has known she’swanted to go into dentistry since shewas 9 years old.

“As a young child I had to have somesubstantial dental treatment performed.As we had very little money, my mothertook me to IU School of Dentistry forcare by the students and residents there,”she explained. “I saw what they weredoing, watched closely and becameinstantly interested. That is when Idecided that I wanted to be a dentist. Inever waivered and my interest is as

keen now as it wasthen.”

“Providing care iswonderful but speak-ing to my patients,learning about themand developing rela-tionships with them iswhat makes me cometo work every day.”

Visit Dr. Buller-Schussler and her staffat www. schussler-dentistry.com, or call653-0525 to set upyour appointment.

Cedar VillageCedar Village, a

retirement communi-ty, located in Mason,has a strong commit-ment to the sense offamily.

“We feel there’s ahigh level of energyand strong sense ofcommitment to theresidents here,” CedarVillage CEO CarolSilver-Elliot said.“Nothing replicatesthe experience ofwalking down the halland having a residentkiss you on the cheekand say, ‘You are myfamily.’”

Cedar Village, inaddition to livingoptions, offers innova-

tive services. They have full time pas-toral care, including both Reform andOrthodox Rabbis. There’s a large andactive programming department andactivities are specifically designed tomeet varying needs. There’s also a suc-cessful rehabilitation program with agreat staff that have seen great outcomesfor residents.

“Our mission is to enrich the qualityof life and make aging a good experi-ence,” Silver-Elliot said. “Life begins aCedar Village – no matter what age orlife stage, you’re able to grow and learnhere.”

For more information visitwww.cedarvillage.com.

on all stand-up units, regular bedaand regular beds with face tanners.Ultimate beds will be half price.

For more information call 336-3162.

Dr. Tiffany Buller-SchusslerDr. Timffay Buller-Schussler wants

you to feel comfortable when youcome into her dental practice for avisit.

“You must make a patient feelcomfortable and at ease with you andwith your treatment or they willnever trust you and never relax,” saysBuller-Schussler. “We have designedour office to be gentle and inviting,and this is what we want people totake away with them – the feeling ofbeing comfortable while here, likegoing to a family gathering, or visit-

ing with some friends.”Dr. Buller-Schussler and her staff

schedule 80 minutes for new patientsso they can take their time and get toknow them, listen to their concernsand try to come up with a plan tohelp them that is best for them.

“We don't rush them in and out,”she said. “Personally, I talk to all ofmy patients, explain all proceduresvery thoroughly and just try to makethem feel at ease. I also have nitrousoxide (laughing gas) available if theyare nervous and this helps themrelax.”

When Dr. Buller-Schussler creates agood relationship with a fearfulpatient it makes her feel as thoughshe has “truly” done her job.

“Fearful patients have often had

A Total TanJason Roeder, owner of A Total Tan, has the goal

of “providing the best tanning service on the Westside.

“We’ll stop at nothing until that is done,” hepromised. “We have the highest quality tanningservice at the lowest price.”

A Total Tan, with locations on Delhi Pike,Glenway and Harrison avenues, began its servicein February of 2000. All types of tanning levels areavailable and all packages are all access. You canbuy one package and get in any bed they have. Bestof all there’s no contracts - setting them a part fromthe competition.

“We strive to provide the cleanest envioronment,friendliest staff, and latest equipment and we nevertake appointments,” said Roeder. “And we haveunbeatable prices.

Roeder said that a tanning session is a “shortescape” where customers can come in, relax andget away from it all.

“Everyone feels better when they have somecolor, and this is a good place to come for that,”Roeder said.

During the month of February to celebrate theiranniversary they will be offer $1.50 tanning special

G O O D S E R V I C EG O O D S E R V I C E

8 9K 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 m n k y. c o mC R E A T I V E L I V I N G K e n t u c k y

Local businesses haveyour best interest at heart

T h u r s d a y J a n . 2 1 , 2 0 1 0 T h u r s d a y J a n . 2 1 , 2 0 1 0

In times of econmichardship it’s impor-tant to support yourlocal businesses. Afterall, it stimulates yourlocal economy andlocal businesses justseem to be able toprovide the goods andservices you need likeno other place.

A Total Tan strives to provide the cleanest envioronment, friendlies staff, and latest equipment.

Dr. Tiffany Buller-Schussler provides a family-friendly envioronment at her dental practice.

If you have ever pickedup a home improve-ment magazine and

gazed longingly at thestriking granite counter-tops, thinking that theywere too far out of yourbudget to be a reality,don’t be discouraged.

Excellence By Naturecan put that remarkablefinishing jewel in yourhome, too.

“So many people thinkthat granite is out of theirreach, even though theydream of incorporatinggranite in their kitchen orbathroom,” said SarahCollins, operations man-ager for Excellence ByNature.

“But granite can be apart of your home. Comein and let us show youour designs for yourdream project, and keepyour budget in line, too,”she said.

One of the most excit-

ing things aboutExcellence By Nature isthat it is the onlyNorthern Kentucky fabri-cating company thatkeeps a large selection offull slabs of granite on thepremises in their fabricat-ing shop.

This allows customersto hand select the graniteslabs that will be used fortheir own project, elimi-nating the guesswork cre-

ated at other companieswhere the customer onlyhas a small square ofgranite with which toimagine their whole coun-tertop.

With many nationalstores, customers wouldhave to travel distances ofup to several hours toview their inventory ofstone.

Currently, the nationaltrend leans strongly

toward granite counter-tops, due to granite’s dura-bility, cost effectiveness,and its signature featurethat every slab is one of akind, never duplicated.

However, ExcellenceBy Nature does offer otherchoices, such as laminate,Corian, and quartz, sodon’t be discouraged ifyou think granite isn’t theright choice for yourhome.

“In this economy, wesee many clients replacingexisting laminate counter-tops with new laminatecountertops in a newcolor or with a differentedge treatment,” saidCollins.

“The new countertopsgive the kitchen an updat-ed look and feel,” shesaid.

There are even newFormica colors that close-ly resemble the look andfeel of granite, at a lowercost.

Although ExcellenceBy Nature’s main focus ison granite countertops,there is also a wide vari-ety of other uses for thisbeautiful and durablestone. Excellence ByNature’s skilled craftsmenfabricate granite, marbleand limestone for smaller

custom projects as well. Granite Lazy Susans

are a handy, sparklingaddition to any kitchen ordining room table. Clientscan hand-select from awide range of colors andpatterns for their owncustom-made Lazy Susan.

Excellence By Naturealso offers one of a kindmarble, granite, and lime-stone for your bathrooms,showers, baking counters,fireplaces and floor decos,as well as wall caps andtable tops.

You as the customer,come up with a picture oran idea, and we will recre-ate it from scratch. Thepossibilities of what canbe done with these beauti-ful natural stones are lim-ited only by your imagi-nation.

At Excellence ByNature, customers cancount on 40 years of expe-rience with natural stonefrom our professionaldesigners in the show-room to the installers onyour job.

“We pride ourselves oncustomer service fromstart to finish,” said JulieSchneider, owner of EBN.“We take no detail forgranite, not even ourrocks.”

A T H O M E


Granite … thinking outside the rocks

Before After

A T H O M E


Aprominent HuffRealtor calledRooftime last week

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

She wondered ifRooftime could come andinvestigate why thenewly applied paint waspeeling on the wood sid-ing of a 100 year old vin-tage home; why painterswere not able to keep anypaint adhered to thewood siding for anyextended period of time,and how much a new sid-ing job would cost thehomeowners.

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, over3,300 children are killedevery year this way, dueto the lack of air flow inand 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 a

plastic bag wrappedaround its neck, and itwill die even faster.

New siding, Tyvekwrap and insulationboard are not the problemper se, but can mask thefact that major problemsstill exist but 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 of

peeling paint, too? Thenyou may still have prob-lems. Just as a suffocatingperson can be saved byadding oxygen, so can adying home be made torecover by adding airflow.

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.

Homes must breathe.How do professionalroofers help a home tobreathe?

By installing a bal-anced ventilation systemat the Soffit (overhang)areas of a home, whichallows air to come into ahome and flow upwardthrough the attic area.

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 that

Rooftime installed anew, properly balancedventilation system, for lessthan one-third the cost ofnew vinyl siding, and thehome was saved.

Have your home pro-fessionally inspected andreceive a free copy of aDVD or CD-ROM thatcompletely demonstratesthe keys to proper roofventilation by calling on ANew Rooftime at 513-753-TIME, or in NorthernKentucky at 859-344-TIME, or by visiting,www.newrooftime.com.

Is Your Home Dying? Call Rooftime


A T H O M E / B R I D A L


For many homeowners, the beginning of a new decade is bringing fresh ideasand desires for a new look in their homes and they are turning to Fort MitchellInteriors to help them bring about an exciting change.

A full service interior design store, Fort Mitchell Interiors offers anything andeverything you need for your designing project.

Kitchen cabinets, appliances, flooring, hardware, paint, wallpaper, upholstery –you name it and this first-class design company will have your bases covered fromthe beginning of the design project through its completion.

Mary Pennington-Wolfe is the owner and head designer of Fort MitchellInteriors and has been providing excellent interior design service to her customersfor 31 years.

“We are like a pyramid – we can do everything under one roof; a one stopshop,” said Wolfe.

Fort Mitchell Interior is known for its excellent client care and design, givingtheir clients exactly what they want and matching their taste of design.

“The client’s opinion counts and is important. I allow people to keep the thingsthey currently own and we work with what they have and add to it,” said Wolfe.

In today’s competitive housing market, it’s a good idea to keep your house freshand up to date.

If you are considering updating a kitchen or bath in your home, Fort MitchellInteriors carries cabinets, flooring, and appliances and has a team of professionalinstallers to get the job done and keep your home looking its best.

“I think it’s a good idea to pick a room every year and give it a new look,” saidWolfe.

If you know you are ready for a fresh change in your home but just not surewhere to begin, call Fort Mitchell Interiors and a designer can come to your homefor a design consultation.

Whether your change is as small as bursts of new color on the walls or as largeas a whole house re-design, Fort Mitchell Interiors will complete your look fromstart to finish.

You deserve a new look and should enjoy living in your home. With Fort Mitchell Interiors as your designer you only have to go one place to

have all of your design needs met. Visit Fort Mitchell Interiors today at 2514 Hazelwood Drive (across from

McDonald’s) or call 331-5327 and take advantage of their New Year, New Look saleto jump-start your interior design project.

New year, new look Congratulations – you’re engaged! This is a special

time, leading up to the big day that will changeyour lives forever. Don’t wait for the nuptials to

arrive, however, before you bask in the bliss. Savorevery minute of your engagement experience.

“Brides may find that making wedding plans candistract them from the simple joy of being engaged,”says Raymond Miller, a wedding planning expert withthe Web site My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. “Butsome advanced planning and creative ideas can helpthem fully enjoy their engagement while still prepar-ing for the wedding day of their dreams.”

Miller offers brides-to-be some simple advice forgetting the most enjoyment out of being engaged:

Announcing your big newsNews of your engagement is one of the most excit-

ing pieces of information you’ll ever share with familyand friends. Get creative and fun with your engage-ment announcement, but don’t overlook practicality.You want to announce your engagement and weddingdate in a way that will be quick and easy for you - andmemorable to those receiving the message. Save thedate magnets can be a great way to get the word outand put your wedding date front-of-mind for thosewho are invited.

Traditional engagement announcements in localnewspapers limit your creativity and the reach of yournews. Save the date wedding magnets can relay infor-mation about your wedding plans across the countryto distant loved ones. And because we all have a ten-dency to hold on to magnets (How many pizza deliv-ery magnets do you have on your refrigerator?) in con-spicuous places in our homes, your guests-to-be willsee a constant reminder of your special day.

My Wedding Reception Ideas.com can help you cre-ate customized wedding save the date magnets thatreflect your individuality, convey the theme of yourwedding and keep your date on the minds of friendsand family.

Sharing the celebrationSure, your maid of honor and other girlfriends will

probably throw you a bridal shower. But you don’thave to wait to begin celebrating the good news. Youand your fiancé can involve loved ones in the celebrat-ing – and do it at a time you choose – by hosting yourown engagement party.

Staging your own party allows you to share theexcitement sooner. Plus, you can use the occasion as anopportunity to “test drive” wedding day seatingarrangements or check out a restaurant you’re consid-ering for the rehearsal dinner. You can also experiment

Experience all the excitement of engagement

Engagement see page 14

CCrreeaattiivveeLiving

Call 578-5501

Advantage Tent andParty Rental hasmuch more to cele-

brate than just the newyear.

In the rental businessfor more than 10 years,the company specializesin celebrations of all kindsand has everything youneed to make your wed-ding, graduation, retire-ment, birthday, or otherspecial occasions every-thing you dreamed itwould be.

Advantage provideshigh quality tents, tables,chairs, lighting, and otherdécor and accessorieswith competitive pricingand excellent customerservice.

The company also hasbounce houses and festi-val booths available for

rent. “We have everything

you need for your specialevent,” said operationmanager Jim Harney.

“This year we are offer-ing pink tents to our cus-tomers. Ten percent of ourproceeds from the pinktents will be donated tothe Susan G. Komen foun-dation,” he said.

With graduation seasonaround the corner, letAdvantage Tent and PartyRental assist you in plan-ning your event to honorthe special graduate inyour life.

For more informationon Advantage Tent andParty Rental and all of theparty rentals they offercall 581-0390 or visitwww.advantageten-trental.com.

B R I D A L


Top-notch rentals at great prices

Jim Barrie wants toshare his love for scubadiving, so he’s letting

everyone try it for free. His dive shop, The

Scuba Shack, located inFlorence, is offering a free“Try scuba Experience” toanyone interested in div-ing.

“We want to expose asmany people as we can tothis wonderful activity,”said Barrie.

“Scuba diving is not asport, it’s not a hobby, it’sa lifestyle,” Barrie said.

The Scuba Shack willconduct free one-hourdives every Saturday.

Barrie has owned TheScuba Shack for 10 years,and in that time has beentold by countless peoplethat they would love totry diving. He knows that

if they do, they’ll love it!So he wants to give themthe opportunity.

All those wanting totry scuba diving will befully geared up and go fora dip in The ScubaShack’s indoor, heated 10-foot-deep pool.

The dives will be leadby The Shack’s certifiedinstructors.

Reservations arerequired and can be madeby calling 283-1550.

The Scuba Shack alsooffers scuba certificationtraining. Through train-ing, divers learn propertechnique, safety meas-ures, and how to useequipment.

Divers certified at TheScuba Shack are givenunlimited training classesat no extra charge.

The Shack also offersunlimited access to equip-ment and their pool forcertification customers.Once certified a diver isready to go on one of thestore’s trips to dive loca-tions in the United Statesand abroad.

In 2010 and 2011 TheShack will lead trips tolocations like St. Lucia,Bonaire, Cozumel,Bermuda, Florida, Fiji,and the Bahamas. Pricingvaries by destination.

Many trips are enjoy-able for both divers andnon-divers, so the divercan bring a spouse orfriend. However, tripsspecifically for divers arenoted.

“There’s nothing quite

like a group trip,” saidBarrie. “Both divers andnon-divers come backwith a group of new

friends having seen someof the world’s most beau-tiful locations” he said.

Take a dip, try scuba diving for free

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


It comes every January –a commitment to startafresh and turn over a

new leaf. But, how successful are

you at keeping your reso-lutions? A recent surveyshowed that chances ofsuccess are up to 50 per-cent better when youbreak your resolutionsinto smaller steps.

One small step thatwomen in NorthernKentucky can take is todedicate 30 minutes, three

times a week to their localCurves. Ladies, that’s justan hour-and-a-half eachweek.

Thirty minutes to getstronger. Thirty minutesto feel better. Thirty min-utes to make a differencein your own health.

Created specifically forwomen, Curves offers acomplete fitness andnutrition solution.

The Curves 30 minuteworkout exercises everymajor muscle group and

burns up to 500 caloriesthrough a proven pro-gram of strength training,cardio and stretching. Inaddition, club promotionsand events encouragewomen to support chari-table causes, learn abouthealth-related issues andforge lasting friendshipsas part of the globalCurves community.

Through provenresearch and the latesttechnology, Curves hashelped millions of womenlose millions of pounds.Its exercise program isbased on hydraulic equip-ment where women pushand pull at their ownstrength level.

And its weight man-agement program pro-vides the nutrition com-ponent based on provenmethods and provenresults. Plus, monthlyweight management class-es are free to membersand non-members.

What small step willyou take in 2010 to behealthy?

Curves, whose themein 2010 is “StrongerTogether,” can help and

will make you able to takebigger steps. Call 1-800-CURVES30, visitcurveskentucky.com, orcall a Curves near you toget started today.

A small step at Curves can lead to lasting results

with linens and décor; using colorsyou’re considering for your weddingwill give you an idea of what these dec-orator items will look like in an elegantsetting. Or, use the engagement party asway to preview your wedding theme -for example, host the party at a seasidelocation for a beach-themed wedding.

And don’t forget to celebrate as acouple, as well. If planning starts to feeltoo stressful, consider taking a pre-hon-eymoon trip that will help you decom-press and reconnect as a couple. Timeaway together will help remind youwhat all your wedding planning is real-ly about - your love for each other. Thebreak could be as simple as a weeklydate night or as elaborate as a weekendgetaway.

Be resourcefulThe Internet has made wedding plan-

ning easier than ever. Use onlineresources, like sites that allow you toexperiment with seating charts forreceptions, compare color schemes andcreate sample menus. My WeddingReception Ideas.com can help you pickand plan personalized wedding favors,accessories and gifts for your weddingparty. The site also provides tips on dif-ferent kinds of napkins and how tochoose them, and other useful planninghints. Visit www.myweddingreception-ideas.com to learn more.

“Planning a wedding should be partof the enjoyable experience of beingengaged,” Miller says. “With creativityand some expert help, it’s possible tomake the months of your engagement asmemorable and special as the weddingday itself.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Engagement from page 12

Keep your commitment to live healthy with the help of Curves.



Failed New Year’s resolutions are a dime adozen. That promise to go to the gym everyday dwindles to three days a week, then twodays a week, before falling into “whenever Ican make it” territory. Diet and weight lossresolutions are among the most common,year after year, which says a lot about whatkind of results people are getting from thepromises they make to themselves.

The problem with so many resolutions isthat they’re simply too strenuous, too unfor-giving and just plain unrealistic. We don’tbecome superhuman masters of willpowerwith the turning of the year, nor do our busyschedules change. The best, most effectiveresolutions, especially for weight loss, arethe ones that fit in with the lives we’realready living.

Resolutions for weight loss and those foreating better can easily go hand in hand.One key to a positive, effective plan for car-rying out these resolutions is to not viewfood as the enemy – or, at least, not all food.As a first step, start taking a good, hard lookat the ingredient list on foods that you buy.

You should also be honest with yourselfabout your eating habits. If you’re a habitualsnacker in the mid-afternoon, own up to it.Next, armed with that knowledge, shopsmart and stock better-for-you options foryour snacks. Many people starting out onnew eating regimens buy products thatsound “healthy,” but don’t satisfy cravingsand can lead to too much snacking.

Look for products that you know youlike, but find versions that incorporate natu-ral ingredients or offer lower fat options. Forexample, if you crave potato chips, CapeCod Potato Chips are a good option. Theingredient list on their 40 percent reducedfat kettle-cooked chips is refreshingly sim-

ple: potatoes, canola oil and salt.What’s even better is that they don’tadd chemicals to reduce the fat con-tent - they simply flash-bake thefreshly-cut potatoes.

When those hunger pangs comearound, take a no-nonsenseapproach with yourself. Limit yourintake by putting what you’re eating

in a small bowl, which automatical-ly helps you stop eating, or look atthe nutritional label and stick to theserving size listed on the product.And eat slowly – you’ll feel full on asmaller amount of food if you don’trush it. If you’ve got a sweet tooth,

How to make yourNew Year's

resolution lastResolution see page 16

skip the candy bars andfind some dark chocolatethat you can break off insmall pieces. Let one piecemelt on your tongue andyou’ll cut the craving witha minimal intake of calo-ries.

If you’re not a snacker,you can still apply thoseideas to your main meals.Be sure to choose maindishes that are made withnatural ingredients andgive yourself some flavorvarieties. Add in CapeCod Potato Chips as aside (they’re available innearly 10 different vari-eties to compliment what-ever you’re serving), andtreat yourself to a darkchocolate square for

dessert. To make yourselfeat more slowly - and payattention to what andhow much you’re eating -turn off the TV, step awayfrom the computer andhave a sit-down mealwith the family or afriend.

If you add in simpleexercise, like going forwalks on your workbreaks, you’ll be taking anextra step toward ahealthier lifestyle, withouthaving to turn your worldupside down. With thosesimple adjustments, thiscan be the year that yourresolution finally laststhrough the whole year.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If your dog could makehis own New Year’sresolution, he may

have also resolved tobecome healthier andmore active in 2010.

Like us, your caninecompanion needs motiva-tion and a plan to live bet-ter. Your dog’s life span ismuch less than your ownso it is imperative thatyou give him the propertools to live well-don’twait, start your pet’s planof healthier living today!

Here are a few stepsthat you can implement tohelp Fido be healthy:

Institute a regular exer-cise plan. Although yourdog may go out into thebackyard – is he reallyachieving exercise?

A few brief bursts ofrunning and barkingprobably do not constitutea regular workout. Rather,you can organize regular

workout sessions whichallow your dog to becomefit and toned.

Examples of appropri-ate exercise for your dogmay be taking a walk atleast three times eachweek. The walk shouldlast a minimum of 30 min-utes and you should betraveling at a brisk pace-no stopping and smellingthe roses.

Please keep in mindthat the exercise you pro-vide for you dog shouldbe age and size appropri-ate depending on yourdog’s particular breed.

A few more exerciseroutines could consist ofregular sessions of ballplay again lasting approx-imately 30 minutes andallowing your dog tomaintain a high level ofworkout during the playsession.

If your neighborhood

or weather does not per-mit outside activity, youmay re-purpose your ownexercise equipment. Mostdogs caneasilylearn touse atreadmillwithsupervi-sion toachieveregularworkouts.

Don’tforget the all importantbut often overlookedstretching exercises. Likeall athletes, your dog canbenefit from stretchingand a massage eitherbefore or after their work-outs. Make that belly rubcount!

No healthy living planis complete without theaddition of a balancedhealthy diet.

For your dog, thisincludes feeding a goodquality balanced dogfood-preferably a dry kib-

ble and having access toclean water particularlyafter exercise.

Although it makes youfeel good to share yourown food with Fido, it’snot a healthy choice forhim.

As the New Yearbegins, make a commit-ment to help your doglive a happy, long, healthylife.

As you institute anexercise program for Fido,you may just experiencesome benefits yourself!

If you would like helpgetting started on the pathto wellness for your dog,please call the experts atCanine CompanionTraining and BoardingCenter in Walton at 859-356-6457.

Training can help youenjoy your walks, encour-age healthy behaviors,and get you started offright in 2010!



Canine health and fitness resolutions

Resolution from page 15

As the New Year begins, make a commitment to help your dog live a happy, long, healthy life.

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