Mtn 8-1-09 Reduced

August is a FAIR month for all of Tennessee

middletennpaper.com

August 2009

Exhibition of fairs across middle Tennessee provide a month of fun for all

Contents Small Business

2

Fast Food or Fast Fruit

2

Car Care

3

Calendar of Events

4

Sudoku

4

Family Living

5

Tech Talk

5

Green 101

6

Recipe

6

Hickman Happenings

7

Boomer’s

8

Pets 101

10

Take Your Best Shot Kaye Ivanoff, RN

10

Help! I’m Shrinking Dr. Steve Olivas

11

Mommy Talk

11

COUPONS !!!

12

If getting out and having fun is something you like to do, August is a great time to do just that here in Middle Tennessee. Fairgrounds across the region provide families with fun activities just about every weekend in the month. From carnival events to eating just about any southern delicacy and of course, the watermelon seed-spitting contests, you won’t have to travel too far to find one. Below are the dates for each in the region and for more details, check out our calendar of events on page 4. Don’t miss out on all the fun and be sure to take plenty of pictures. Have a great August!

Local Fair Schedule Sumner County Fair August 3 – 8

ir Williamson County Fa Aug. 7 - 15 Cheatham County Fair Aug. 17 - 23 Franklin County Fair Aug. 18 - 22 Hickman County Fair Aug 26 - 29 Maury County Fair Sept 1 - 6

2

Small Business

When do entrepreneurs look to buy a small business? Who says there’s an age limit on the question “What do I want to be?” According to a recent study, a large number of small business owners weren’t bit by the entrepreneurship bug until they graduated from college or started down a completely different career path. Nearly one-third of respondents to Ace Hardware’s Entrepreneurship Study made the decision to become selfemployed during their postcollege career lives -- a time when many of their peers were immersing themselves in their chosen professions. “I don’t think it comes as much of a surprise that small business owners decide to become their own boss later in life when you consider the benefits of financial accumulation coupled with the managerial and business

insight they develop,” says John Venhuizen, vice president of business development for Ace Hardware Corporation. “In general, these older entrepreneurs have a greater knowledge of the inner-workings of the business world -- in addition to strong leadership and managerial skills.”

Those who wait to pursue small business ownership also may benefit from more robust financial assets. An overwhelming 75 percent of study respondents said that they used personal savings to finance start-up costs for their businesses, a move that’s not always possible for young people just gaining independence from their families, or striving to pay off student loans. Gina Schaefer, an owner of six Ace stores in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas and board member for the Ace network of 4,600 independently owned stores, launched her own business after working in information technology. “By that point in my career, I was more financially

stable and able to take advantage of personal savings to become my own boss,” says Schaefer. Of course, some individuals don’t discover their entrepreneurial ambitions until after retirement age -a situation that’s becoming more and more common as baby boomers decide they want to remain in the workforce, although not necessarily in the same job or industry. In fact, a 2008 survey by MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures found that half of Americans ages 44 to 70 -- if not already pursuing a second career -- aspire to have one. “Retirees with entrepreneurial ambitions usually aren’t driven by financial rewards or any of the power or prestige that some might associate with owning a business,” says Venhuizen. “For them, it’s all about creating a purpose for the second part of their lives, and having the chance to live out passions and interests.”’ Courtesy of ARAcontent

Fast Food or Fast Fruit?

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As we talked about in the last column, fast food has potential dangers of too much high fat, high sodium and high caloric intake. A fast food lunch can reach your daily recommended levels in fat, sodium and calories in just one meal! What do you do about the rest of the day’s nutritional needs?? Protection is one way of guarding against improper nutrition. Getting the balance of your RDA’s come from knowing what they are and then making sure you find sources for each of them. One nutritional ‘buzzword’ that has been given a lot of press lately is the acronym ‘ORAC’. This stands for ‘oxygen radical absorbance capacity’. This is the scientific way of saying “ how well does a certain antioxidant help my body defend itself from free radical attacks?” Ok, you probably have heard about free radicals, which are atoms with at least one unpaired electron. In excess, free radicals produce harmful oxidation that can damage cell membranes, accelerate the aging process and lead to certain ailments. Things like tobacco smoke, lake of sleep stress and a poor diet all contribute to the formation

of free radicals. Now how do we protect ourselves? One way is by getting the right foods into our bodies that have ‘antioxidants’. These little guys help fight and destroy the free radicals by donating a ‘free’ electron to the free radical, thereby rendering them harmless, more or less. Ok, so the question is now, where can I find some antioxidants? Most oil change places carry them all right? I am pulling your leg! No, really, you will find them in fruits and vegetables and certain nutritional products. If you watch Oprah any, she is a big fan of one fruit that has been written about a lot lately. The Acai Berry- found in the Brazilian Rainforests, it is one of the richest, most beneficial fruits in all the world. It is a delicate one too-you must harvest it properly or you will loose most of the nutritional values within 24 hours. Check out www.oprah.com and search for acai berry. Time for you to do a bit of homework for yourselves. It will open your eyes! For questions, please contact Tyler Charlton at 615-268-2001 or visit www. theteamrhino.com.

3

Car Care

Are 3,000 mile oil changes really necessary? For years, drivers have been hearing about changing their motor oil every 3,000 miles, but times have changed, and the ‘3,000-mile mantra’ may or may not apply to you and your car. The 3,000 mile oil change is a conservative approach to maintaining your vehicle that, according to General Motors, dates back to 1968. It’s also an oil change interval that continues to be encouraged by the automotive oil change industry. Automobile manufacturers cite modern oil and engine technology as the reason why oil change intervals can be extended. Numerous factors come in to play in determining the oil change interval you should follow including: The car you drive and the way you drive it, oil and filter selection and whether your vehicle has an oil life monitoring system. Every automobile manufacturer establishes recommended oil change intervals for each model they manufacture. Oil change intervals are now between 5,000 and 7,500 miles for many new cars. You should follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations on oil change intervals while the car is under warranty. If your car is no longer under warranty, you can extend your oil change intervals by upgrading to synthetic motor oil. This will reduce the number of oil changes saving you time and money, and reducing the amount of oil purchased and disposed. There are a number of quality synthetic motor oils available to choose from. Most lubricant manufacturers will give a recommended number of miles you can drive between oil changes under normal conditions. The number of miles you can allow between oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidation stability (useful oil life) of the motor oil. Oxidation stability can be measured by international standards board ASTM’s rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). The test is so severe that it lasts 1,300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes. Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil changes intervals to as much as 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions. The motor oil has also been

shown to improve fuel economy. You can find out more at www.royalpurple.com. If you elect to upgrade your motor oil, you should also upgrade your oil filter. Low quality filters are often made with the 3,000 mile interval in mind and may go into ‘bypass’ mode shortly thereafter. There are a number of premium oil filters on the market from manufacturers such as Wix, Purolator and Royal Purple. Check the recommended filter change interval on any filter your purchase. A fairly new technology impacting oil change intervals is the ‘oil life monitor.’ Many people are unaware that oil life monitor systems are simply computer software algorithms that determine when to change oil based on engine operating conditions. An oil life monitor looks at mileage, speed and idling time to calculate when you should change the oil. A better name for the oil life monitor might be ‘oil life predictor.’ There is no actual oil condition sensor or a chemical analysis of the oil. In fact, you could drain the oil and replace it with any fluid and the oil change monitor would have no way of knowing it. Additionally, the oil life monitor does not monitor how well your oil filter is filtering the oil in your system. Contaminated oil is just as, if not more harmful than oxidized motor oil. The bottom line is that an oil life monitor is a useful tool that should be used in concert with common sense and good judgment. Whether or not you have an oil change monitor, if your car is still under warranty, stick with the car manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals. If your car is no longer under warranty, you can go beyond the typical 3,000 mile oil change or beyond the oil change monitor’s recommendations by upgrading to a high performance synthetic motor oil and high performance oil filter. Courtesy of ARA Content

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4

Calendar of Events Fair Schedule Sumner County Fair Mon, August 3-Sat, August 8 Features fun for the entire family including children’s activities, agricultural exhibits, animals, entertainment, music, rides, a wide variety of food and attractions. Commercial Vendors, Entertainment Children’s, Food, Handicapped Access. Sumner County Fairgrounds, Fairground Road, Gallatin, TN. Attendance: 23,000+ (615) 417-5146 or (615) 351-1648 http://www.tennesseefairs. com -----------------------------

Williamson County Fair Aug 7-15 Ag Expo Park, 4215 Long Ln, Franklin, TN, 37067 Mon - Thurs: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm,Fri:6:00 pm - 12:00 am,Sat:10:00 am - 12:00 am,Sun: 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm One-Day Tickets: Adults (ages 13 and older): $6 at the gate, $5 in advance. Children (ages 6-12): $3 at the gate, $2 in advance. Children 5 and younger admitted free. Cash only. We do not accept credit cards at the Ticket Booths. For more info on the web, visit http://www. williamsoncountyfair.org/ or on facebook at http://www. facebook.com/WilliamsonCountyFair or call: 615-7944FUN (4386) -----------------------------

Cheatham County Fair Mon, August 17-Sun, August 23 Features fun for the entire family including children’s activities, entertainment, music, rides, agricultural exhibits, animals, and a wide variety of food and attractions.Additional Features: Commercial Vendors, Crafts, Designated Parking, Entertainment Children’s, Food, Handicapped Access, Midway Rides, Music, Public Transportation. Cheatham County Fairgrounds, Farigrounds Road at Dry Fork Road, Ashland City, TN Attendance: 14,600. (615) 792-4885 http://www. tennesseefairs.com. Carnival: Myers International Midway -----------------------------

Franklin County Fair August 18 - 22 406 Joyce Lane, Winchester, TN. Contact Barbara Finney. Day Phone: (931) 967-5955. Night Phone: (931) 967-5955 E-Mail: [email protected] 2008 Attendance: 5000 Carnival: Family Attractions -----------------------------

If you have an event you would like to put in our paper, please email it to: [email protected]

August 3 Red Cross blood drive- green hills Whole Foods from 11-4pm located in the red cross bus 800-give-life bloodisneeded.org

August 8-9 North American Gun and Knife Show Features exhibitors displaying and selling shotguns, rifles, handguns-new and used, holsters, gun cases, ammo and reloading equipment, modern and custom knives, gun parts, gun books, military items and more. Commercial Vendors, Designated Parking, Gate Admission, Handicapped Access, Public Transportation. Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 625 Smith Avenue, Nashville, TN Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9pm-4pm http:// www.gunshow.net (502) 538-6900

August 9 Kid’s Day 2pm - 5pm Sommet Center - 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN This event is for Nashville K-12 students and their parents. Free.

August 10

Bike Maintenance 101 7:00 pm REI - 261 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN The basics of bike maintenance will be covered in this class. Learn how to repair a flat tire, adjust cables and proper lubrication will all be discussed. Cost: Free

August 13 Chapel Dedication at Southern Hills Medical Center 5-7pm. The Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce (TNCCC) will help celebrate the grand opening and dedication of the chapel at Southern Hills Medical Center, Nashville, TN, by holding its Thursday, August 13th business mixer in the newly remodeled facility from 5 to 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to join area businesspeople in this celebration. There is no charge, but registration is requested by visiting www.tnchristianchamber.org contact: Celeste LaReau at (615) 834-5250 or info@ tennesseechristianchamber.org.

Hickman County Fair

August 14

Aug 26-29 Contact Donna Bradley 931.729.2404 www.hickmancoagpavilion.com -----------------------------

Nashville Sounds vs. Fresno Grizzlies 7:00 pm Herschel Greer Stadium, 534 Chestnut Street, Nashville. Don’t miss a minute of the action as the Nashville Sounds play the Fresno Grizzlies. Cost: In Advance: $6/ General Admission, $10/Reserved Gameday: $8/General Admission, $12/Reserved

Robertson County Fair www.robertsoncountyfair.com Mon, August 31-Sat, September 05 Since 1868, Features fun for the entire family including children’s activities, entertainment, music, rides, a wide variety of food. Come to the fair with a hearty appetite. You can dine on southern barbeque, Polish sausage, turkey legs, bucket-o-fries and many other fair delicacies. Other activities include a demo derby, a baby parade, Antique tractor pull, as well as a hot rod garden tractor pull. Additional Features: Commercial Vendors, Crafts, Entertainment Children’s, Food, Handicapped Access, Midway Rides, Music. Robertson County Fairgrounds, 4635 Highway 41 North, Springfield, TN. Attendance: 28,000. Phone Number:(615) 335-1811 or (615) 2070122 -----------------------------

Maury County Fair Tue, September 1-Sun, September 6 Features fun for the entire family including children’s activities, entertainment, music, rides, a wide variety of food and attractions. Additional Features: Commercial Vendors, Crafts, Entertainment Children’s, Entertainment Free, Food, Handicapped Access, Midway Rides, Music. Maury County Park, 1018 Maury County Drive, Columbia. Attendance: 42,000. Hours: Tues-Fri 5pm, Sat-Sun. 1pm. Phone Number: (931) 381-2900 or (931) 381-9146 http://www.maurycountyfair.com

August 14-15 Lone Star World Championship Rodeo http://www.lonestarrodeocompany.com Riding and roping events, food, western music and prize money. Clarksville Fairgrounds, 1190 Cumberland Drive, Clarksville. Phone Number:(270) 269-6000

August 15 Chefs at the Market 11:00 am Farmer’s Market, 900 Eighth Avenue North, Nashville. Chefs at the Market offers Farmers’ Market shoppers an up-close look at the recipes and techniques used by chefs at member restaurants of Nashville Originals, a group of locally owned establishments devoted to fresh, creatively prepared cuisine. Participating restaurants to date include P.M., Tayst, Acorn and Rumba. Cost: Free Admission. ----------------------------Classic Car Show Classic car show every 1st and third Saturday of each month thru November. Designated Parking, Entertainment Free, Food, Music. Garys Place, 2001 Campbell Station Parkway, Spring Hill, TN. Hours: 6pm-

10pm. Admission:Free http:// springhillsbestbar.com

August 22 The Rally for Recovery 5K Run and Fun Walk 6:30 am. Gateway Island Pavilion and Trail. Gateway Street off Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro. The Rally for Recovery 5K Run and Fun Walk is an annual fundraiser by the Rutherford/ Cannon County Drug Court Support Foundation, Inc. to support the transitional house for women in the Rutherford County Drug Court Program. Event details at nowplayingnashville.com! ----------------------------Nashville Shores Summer Fun Weekend 10:00 am Nashville Shores, 4001 Bell Road, Hermitage. Beautiful white sandy beaches along 14,000-acre J. Percy Priest Lake make for great fun or a kicked-back place to relax in the sun. Cost: $24.95 +tax/General (48” and taller) - [$22.95 +tax online] $17.95 +tax/Junior (47” and shorter) & Senior (55+) - [same online] Free/Children ages 2 and under $5/Parking per vehicle ----------------------------Dragon Boat racing 8:00 am Riverfront Park, First Avenue North & Broadway Nashville. Dragon Boat racing differs from other team sports in that no one person on the team is more important than another. Winning a Dragon Boat race hinges on how well a team works together at paddling in sync at the same time, and how well each paddler perfects the stroke technique. The popularity of Dragon Boat racing has exploded, with an estimated 50 million people participating in the sport around the world annually. Teams are registering now at www.nashvilledragonboat.com. Cost: Free/Spectators Registration fees apply for participants. See site for more information.

August 27

Bowl For The Gold 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Paradise Bar & Grill - 3736 Annex Avenue, Nashville “Be a Fan” of Special Olympics and Bowl For The Gold on August 27. This fundraising event is an opportunity for all ages to show their support of Special Olympics. You can register as an individual or gather friends, family members or co-workers together and register a team. Incentive prizes will be available and prizes will be awarded for Top Individual Fundraiser, Top Fundraising Team, Highest Individual Score and Highest Team Score. Each individual participant must raise a minimum $25 or if part of a team each team member must raise a minimum $20. Registration includes 2 games, ball & shoe rental and an event t-shirt.

GATE WILL ACCEPT CASH ONLY ------------------------FREE ‘Tango in the Park’ 8:00 pm Event runs from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, as follows: 8:00 to 8:30 PM: Tango Lesson 8:30 to 10:00 PM: Dance/Social (‘Milonga’) FREE!!! Come out and get a taste of the Argentine Tango. Learn the basic moves and twists. NOTE: Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes that slide easily (no rubber soles) with a closed heel (strap or full heel). Stay on to dance and socialize with old and new friends, as you show off your newly learnt Argentine Tango dance skills, while enjoying a great atmosphere AND a great selection of Tango music. Bring your packed dinner and a blanket, and enjoy a lovely time with friends, family and new friends! Visit www.tangonashville.com for more information. Tango Nashville’s events and programming are made possible in part by the generous support of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. -------------------------Tennessee is for Wine Lovers! All day. Marriott at Vanderbilt University - 2555 West End Avenue, Nashville. Come discover some of the area’s best kept wine secrets during this intimate retreat for wine enthusiasts! Wine Country Tour! Wine Tasting! Wine Social! Wine Class! Fun Grape Stomp! Live music! Picnic Lunch! and much more! Get info and tickets online now! http://empowermentspa.com/wine.aspx Or call (615) 822-6200.

August 29 Teen Workshop: Printmaking 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Continued on page 8

Sudoku

August 28 Nashville Superspeedway Friday Night Adrenaline Drags 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm 4847 F-McCrary Road, Lebanon Single Event $20/Competitors $5/Spectators $10/Show & Shine $25/Competitor / Show & Shine $10/Buy Back (First Round of elimination only) Free/Children 12 and UnderENTRANCE

Answers on page 7

5

Family Living

Tech Talk

Save money easily on your back-to-school shopping

Computer 101 with Core Technologies

Who doesn’t want to save money these days? With the back-to-school season around the corner, saving money is a top priority in the minds of many parents. Here are some tips to make sure you check everything off your child’s school supply list, and keep some money where it belongs - in your pocket: * Look over your supplies. Let’s face it, your child didn’t use all of his crayons, pencils, erasers and rulers last year. Admittedly, they might not be in the greatest shape, but by taking careful inventory of what he already has and can reuse, you potentially can put a check mark next to one or two items on the supply list. * Reduce the price and get a rebate. Online shopping is growing in popularity - it saves time and gas money, plus you don’t have to take your kids to the store with you. A great site to visit before you start your online shopping should be Ebates. com, where not only can you find coupons and discount codes for more than 1,100 online stores, but you will also get a check back in the mail for a percentage of your purchases. For example, if you shop at Target.com through the Ebates site, you not only can use the discount codes and coupons, but you also get a 4 percent total purchase rebate put into your account. Once a quarter

Q: I want to set up a home office – what do I need? A: To work from home all that is required is often nothing more than high speed internet, a computer, a multi-function printer, fax, and phone. You can even process credit cards through financial software such as QuickBooks - right over the internet. Q: What about when I’m in the field – what do I need to be more efficient? A: Either a light weight laptop with built in high-speed wireless connectivity, or if you already have a laptop, see it will accept a USB or PCMCIA wireless adapter/card. This will make it easy for you access WiFi hotspots on the go. If you don’t want to hunt for hotspots, check out what type of mobile broadband your cell phone service provides. Q: So, now you’ve brought up cell phones – what kind should I have? A: It’s really matter of preference so be sure to hold the one you’re considering buying in your hand to see if it’s the right weight and fits comfortably in your hand. Also, read the screen, and test how user friendly typing on the keyboard is before purchasing. Q: Is it necessary for me to have a mobile phone/Blackberry/Palm or iPhone with a camera? A: Most likely, in the future, camera phones will be used heavily as capture devices which, with some ingenious sites such as Qipit.com or ScanR.com, will eventually replace scanners, fax machines, and photocopy machines. The beauty of this that we’ll cut back on paper and bulky equipment by making use of the devices that are already live in our pockets. Q: I already have a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that I love - what software would help it be more productive? A: When it comes to online applications, not much can beat Zoho. This suite of online tools offers everything from customer relationship management to email, document management and project management. Mobile Platform: Any mobile web browser. Where: www.zoho. com A: Check for Traffic: Not all GPS devices will warn you about congestion on the road ahead but you can use your phone to get a more up-to-date view of the traffic you might be facing. Sites such as 3dMobilEyes.com and MobileTraffic. tv feature connections to live cameras on certain, well-trafficked routes. Check out their sites to see if they have cameras along

you’ll receive a check in the mail for all of your rebates. An added advantage - no rebate forms to fill out or points or miles to redeem. “It’s a great way to save time and money,” says Nikki Laff, a Chicago-based mom of a teenage girl and avid online shopper. “I go in through Ebates to do my shopping and get everything from textbooks to clothing to the basic school supplies and I get cash back. I just do my shopping, I check out, and every three months I get a check, it’s really that simple.” * Sales, sales, sales, need we say more? Retailers recognize that parents are looking for sales when it comes to back-to-school shopping. And by combining coupons, discounts and sale prices, you can get some pretty good deals. Check the fliers, go online and compare everything. * Tax-free holidays. Clothes are usually the big expense on your back-to-school shopping list. Many states offer tax-free holidays in recognition of this. If your state doesn’t offer a tax holiday, make sure you get the most out of available rebates and sales. Soon you’ll be waving goodbye as your children once again head off to school. This year, you can sit back with a huge sigh of relief, knowing that you outfitted them for the coming year with some great bargains. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Volunteers of the Week Thanks goes out to the Bellevue Exchange Club and all the volunteers that came out to help clean up Bellevue on June 13th. Over 100 residents of our community joined in and helped ‘wash and weed’ areas that needed attention. Come join us on Oct 24th for another ‘day of caring’ to keep Bellevue beautiful! Visit www.bellevueexchangeclub. com for more details.

Sponsored by:

Wal-Mart West Nashville - Store #659 7044 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 352-1240

roads you frequently travel. A: If you want to Read the Daily News - FreeRange Web reader app lets your phone deliver news channels to you. You can get up to 10 channels for free. You can read blogs, news feeds and even receive weather updates, sports scores and other information, all without the need to surf any Web sites. http://www.freerangeinc.com/ A: Berry 411 – is a free Blackberry local search program which allows convenient local search when you’re on the go. It searches the yellow pages, white pages, movie times, Froogle price checks, Google results, weather forecasts, and more. The white and yellow pages and driving directions are optimized for the blackberry screen size. You can dial any phone number directly from the display or add it to your phone book. http://thebogles.com/blog/ projects/berry411/ A: Pandora music for mobile phones is equally phenomenal. You can listen to live streaming music on your mobile phone - in the car, at the gym, or at the pool or park wherever and whenever you’re in the mood to listen to great music. You can create stations/playlists on the web - and create new ones right from your mobile phone. Sign up at www.pandora.com. Kathy Diaz is both a mother and an owner of a full service IT firm. She fell in love with technology in 1989 when her children attended one of five elementary schools in the nation that used computers for 50% of their school work, had children video-tape plays, and transfer the film to the computer to edit the final product. It was then she was “wowed” by the amazing capabilities of technology. Kathy Diaz received the Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, was responsible for introducing 21st century technology into a middle school, is a founding member of Attachment Parenting International, and serves as an IT consultant for several non-profit organizations. She is proudest of having her three children live close by and is actively involved as a grandmother. She built a computer for her granddaughter when she was eighteen months old, and continues to build a new one every few years to help her keep up with the pace of new technology. Of the many custom services her firm provides, she enjoys personalized instruction the most because she gets to see the shine in people’s eyes as they grasp the techniques necessary to make technology work for them.

6

Green 101

Recipe

Affordable Ways to Add ‘Green’ to Your Wardrobe

Recipe makeover: make family favorites healthier

In this harsh economic climate, “green” shoppers are looking to save more than the environment; they are looking to save their money too. A recent survey finds that consumers these days are unwilling to spend more on pricier environmentally friendly items. But just because some consumers are turning away from green products due to the price doesn’t mean that there aren’t affordable green alternatives on the market. Companies like Payless ShoeSource are creating affordable green products -- proving that it’s possible for innovative brands to give green a new look, a new price tag and wider appeal. When it comes to eco-style, you can buy green, look chic and not break the bank. It just takes a little scouting. So for all those ecoenthusiasts who like to look as good as they feel, consider some of the tips below from eco-fashion expert Summer Rayne Oakes and her new book, “Style, N a t u r a l l y, The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty.” * Wear clothing made from organic cotton or apparel that uses natural-, water- or vegetable-based dyes. Many mainstream retailers are now incorporating organic cotton into their basic lines. * Accessories -- such as shoes, sunglasses, purses, wallets, jewelry, and other small items -- are a good place to start if you’re looking to “green up” your wardrobe. Accessorize with jewelry pieces

made from recycled glass and metal, sustainably harvested wood, or handbags constructed out of recycled vintage or consumer materials. * Look for affordable green products like the zoe & zac footwear and accessory collection from Payless ShoeSource. This new line of affordable green and fashion-forward shoes, handbags and other accessories are priced less than $30 each and made from ecofriendly materials and components like organic cottons and linen, natural hemp and recycled rubber soles. * When shopping, instead of plastic bags, use a reusable canvas or cloth bag for your purchases to help reduce waste. * Even doing your laundry can be a greener experience. Use cool water instead of hot, and line dry your clothes to save money a n d e n e r g y. Also, use eco-friendly detergents and alternatives in place of the chemically intensive products. When looking for ways to incorporate green into your wardrobe and fashion lifestyle it is important to remember that green chic is possible. “The most common misconception about sustainable fashion is that it comes in one color and looks one way: neutral, boxy, baggy, shapeless,” says Oakes. “On the contrary! The best sustainable fashion is invisible.” And, now affordable too. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Many favorite comfort foods are chock-full of fat and calories. But a few simple tweaks can transform familiar favorites into delicious and nutritious meals your family will ask for time and time again. The nutrition experts at Mayo Clinic share their top five tips for healthy recipe makeovers that cut the calories, boost the nutrition, and keep the taste: 1. Cut the fat and sugar When you cut sugar and fat out of your favorite recipes, you reduce the calories. Most recipes can be altered without making the food taste different. Reduce the amount of sugar by one-third to one-half and play up the other flavors in the dish by increasing the amount of spice, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, the recipe calls for. Replace half the fat (like butter or shortening) in baked goods with applesauce or mashed banana. 2. Swap out Make whole wheat French toast instead of using white bread. Add fiber to family spaghetti night by using whole wheat pasta. Replace whole milk with 1 percent or fat-free milk and you’ll cut fat and calories without anyone even noticing. 3. When in doubt, leave it out

Herb Marinated Steak Ingredients 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons fresh parsley 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound London broil or chuck steak Directions: 1. Combine onion, parsley, vinegar, oil, mustard and garlic in a bowl. 2. Place meat in a sturdy plastic bag. Add onion mixture, spreading it on both sides of the meat. Close bag securely.

Do you really need extra cheese on top of your pasta? Or frosting and nuts on that brownie? While items like mayonnaise, butter and syrup might seem like a delicious bonus, leaving them out can reduce sugar, fat and calories. And, in most cases, you won’t even miss them. 4. Small plates mean a smaller waistline You should eat enough food to be satisfied, but not enough to give you that uncomfortably full and bloated feeling. Strive for a variety of foods and reasonable portion sizes. If you’re served a huge portion of food at a restaurant, immediately ask them to box up half of it. It’s like getting two meals for the price of one. 5. Change techniques Instead of frying, try baking, broiling or grilling. Instead of sauteing, try steaming. Use nonstick cooking spray instead of butter or oil and baste food with wine or vegetable broth instead of oil or fatty meat juices. Making a few simple substitutions and changing your method of preparation can result in mouthwatering new versions of your family’s favorite foods. The next time you are looking for a delicious and nutritious meal without all the fat and calories, try these simple recipes from the Fix-it and Enjoy-it Healthy Cookbook. 3. Place filled bag in a long dish in case of leaks. Marinate in refrigerator six to eight hours, or overnight. Turn over at least once while marinating. 4. Pour off marinade. Place steak on rack in broiler pan so meat is about 5 inches from heat source. Broil about six to eight minutes on each side for rare; nine minutes on each side for medium. You can also grill the steak instead of broiling it. 5. After broiling, allow meat to stand for 10 minutes. 6. Carve diagonally across the grain into thin slices.

Guilt-free Golden Mashed Potatoes Ingredients 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes 2 reduced-sodium chicken bouillon cubes 1/4 cup skim milk Half an 8-ounce package fat-free cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream 1/2 cup low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped Directions: 1. Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes. Place in 4-quart saucepan with bouillon and water to cover.

2. Cover pan. Bring to a boil and cook until very tender, about 30 minutes. 3. Drain and return potatoes to pan. 4. Preheat oven to 425. 5. Mash potatoes with electric mixer or hand-held ricer. 6. Add all remaining ingredients to potatoes except parsley. Mix well. 7. Place six oval-shaped mounds of potatoes on baking sheet, lightly covered with vegetable spray. 8. Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. 9. Garnish with parsley just before serving.

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Hickman Happenings If you think there’s nothin’ happenin’ in Hickman County…. listen up!!

Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their Summer Blow-Out at their location on Highway 50 East from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be available at noon, along with a fun tunnel, horseshoes, a cake walk, petting zoo and games. All proceeds will benefit the community.

By Colleen Ray

Can you believe it is July already?!! I’ll bet the children aren’t any happier about how this summer is flying by! It seems the older I get, the faster the time goes! Summertime is a time for relaxation and regeneration, so… With so many families on vacation and away during the summer season, blood supplies are low. To help with this, there will be a bloodmobile on July 6th from 12:30 to 5:30 pm at Fairfield Church of Christ. Persons 17 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. On July 11th, the Shady Grove

If your child is 11-15 and wants to begin babysitting, please take advantage of the Babysitter Class being offered by the Hickman County Red Cross on July 11th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bon Aqua United Methodist Church. The charge is $30 and covers a babysitting manual, a first aid kit and hands-on training, plus certification for those who stay all day. Bring lunch and a drink. Call 670-6106 to sign up. Come join your friends and neighbors for “A Revitalization Celebration” on the Centerville Public Square to recognize the new look of the downtown

Hickman County High School Student Athletes of the Week Katie finished in May with a 3.2 GPA. She played tennis her junior and senior years. Her senior year, Katie served as Secretary for the Health Occupation Students of America her junior year and as President for HOSA her senior year. She was a member of the Pride and Spirit Club for 2 years. Katie will attend Columbia State Community College in the fall to study nursing.

Katie Pace

Caleb graduated in May with a 3.86 GPA. As a member of the tennis team for 4 years, Caleb also played in Districts his senior year. He was a member of the Beta Club all 4 years at HCHS. Caleb will be entering Columbia State Community College in the fall with a focus in the medical field.

Caleb Truett

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Puzzle Solution from Page 4

business area. Refreshments and live music are planned for July 11 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Do something good for your pets this summer…have them spayed or neutered! The Hickman Humane Society has funds to help low income families pay for the cost of the service for dogs and a lowcost program is available for both cats and dogs. Call the hotline at 1-866-3043352 for information. Don’t know what to do with those “new fangled, curly-que compact bulbs” when they blow out? Well, MLEC can help! They’ve set up a drop-off bucket for disposal in their Centerville lobby. Remember, it is NOT SAFE to just discard them in the trash, so PLEASE, take advantage of this service. Season tickets for the Clay Harris Dinner Theatre, including five shows and one concert, are now on sale for $100 each. Contact the Hickman County Public Library for information.

Montessori Academy Expands Educational Program The new Montessori Toddler program, for ages 18 months to 3 years, will begin fall 2009. Ms. Gretchen Kalus, a certified Montessori toddler teacher, has been hired to be the lead teacher. She, along with a teaching assistant, will maintain a class of 15 young students in a fully refurbished room that will include a Montessori learning environment, an indoor playground, and a large open space for group and rest times. An outdoor fenced playground will be easily assessable from the back porch. The Montessori Toddler program currently has one full-time opening left with a waiting list for parttime positions. The toddler program will become part of the accredited educational offerings at Montessori Academy. More information about the program is available on the website at www. montessoriacad.org or contact via email bbernstorf@montessoriacad. org.

Save the dates of August 7-8 for the Relay for Life of Hickman County. The event, which will be held at the East Hickman High School from 6 pm to 6 am, needs teams to participate. All the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society for cancer research. Donations of at least $5 for luminaria bags, which will be lit during the relay, are being accepted. Contact Sheila Brady, 1068 Riverview Road, Centerville, TN 37033 or call 729-9789. All checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society. The chairperson for the event is Janice Shavers and she can be reached at 670-4395. Please make sure to use sunscreen in the sun and keep yourselves hydrated in the heat! We love our Tennessee summers, but keep yourselves healthy so that you can enjoy our beautiful fall, as well! Email me at raynbow53@bellsouth. net with your tidbits and tales! God Bless you and I’ll be talking to ya’ll!

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8 Continued from page 4 Frist Center For The Visual Arts, 919 Broadway, Nashville Mary Pat Tuner, a Nashville-based artist and visual arts instructor at Lipscomb and Belmont Universities, will lead this one-day workshop in conjunction with the exhibition Chuck Close Prints: Process and Collaboration. The workshop will begin with a tour of the exhibition, during which participants will discuss some of the techniques Chuck Close uses to create his prints. After the tour, the discussion will continue while participants spend the rest of the afternoon in the studios learning how to make linoleum block relief prints. Cost: $40 members; $50 non-members Cost includes all supplies and gallery admission. Participants may bring their own lunches or purchase them in the Frist Center’s cafe -----------------------------------------Tomato Tasting 10:00 am Farmer’s Market - 900 Eighth Avenue North, Nashville The celebration of what really counts in a tomato - flavor - is back at the Farmers’ Market in 2009. Come to Nashville’s

biggest tomato tasting, with a ridiculous array of locally grown heirloom tomatoes ready for you to try and decide which is best. Music, cooking demos and more. Free Admission

September 12 FiftyForward On the Road Again invites you to the... Paris Landing State Park Arts & Crafts Festival Do you like handmade arts and crafts? Then join us for this special trip! You can either browse or purchase various items. The following Centers are scheduled for bus pick-ups: 7:30 a.m. - Sumner County YMCA 8 a.m. - FiftyForward Donelson Station 8:30 a.m. - FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center (behind Harpeth Heights Baptist Church) Cost is $18 per person. $5 extra for non-members Lunch @ State Park Inn for $10.57 per person (including gratuity) For more information or to register for this trip, please contact Joan Sincerbox at 646-0059. Your payment is due at the time of registration. There will be no reservations or refunds after Friday, September 4.

Boomer’s

The high cost of saving money by delaying health treatment You may be delaying medical treatment while keeping yourself and your family afloat through the recession. But if you delay medical treatment for a problem that you feel isn’t bad enough to justify the cost and time lost from work right now, you could be doing more to sink yourself financially than anything the economy may throw at you. One in four Americans put off necessary medical treatment because of cost, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll of more than 1,200 adults earlier this year. Yet health experts agree that delaying needed treatment will end up costing individuals and the country far more in the long run. It may be tempting to put off treatment of health problems that start out minor. But many of these, like high blood pressure, hearing loss, joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, will escalate if untreated, putting you at risk of severe health and financial consequences. Allowing minor health problems to go untreated in order to save money now, could mean a much more serious problem and higher costs to treat it later. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a good example of an ailment you might think you can live with rather than pay the cost of treating it. It’s surprisingly common, with up to 5 percent of the workforce affected, according to the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The National Center for Health Statistics reports CTS results in the most number of days lost of all work-related injuries, with nearly half of all sufferers losing 31 days or more of work. With people spending more time on their computer or online, more people are likely to be exposed to the repetitive motions that can lead to CTS. While severe cases may require surgical treatment, studies have shown that early treatment with splinting and massage can help alleviate this painful condition. Appropriate splinting (or bracing) helps keep the affected wrist in a neutral position, minimizing pressure on the irritated nerve, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Massage can also be effective, researchers have found. A report in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies indicates massage can reduce CTS symptoms. While only your doctor can make an actual diagnosis, once you know you have carpal tunnel syndrome there are simple, low-cost steps you can take to supplement your own treatment, including: * Adjust your posture to minimize strain. Sit up straight and don’t rest your wrists on the edge of your keyboard tray while typing; try to maintain a straight wrist position. * Stay hydrated. Proper hydration is essential to the healthy functioning of all our tissues. * Ask your doctor to recommend appropriate exercises to keep the wrist flexible. * Wear a wrist brace, even when you sleep. A special night brace is best. While you can purchase a low-cost brace in most drugstores, a better option might be one that combines bracing and massage benefits, such as the IMAK SmartGlove. The glove delivers the benefits of two therapies proven effective in the treatment of CTS - bracing and massage. Made of washable, breathable cotton Lycra, the SmartGlove encourages proper hand and wrist position to help alleviate carpal tunnel symptoms, and an ergoBeads pad cushions your wrist and improves circulation with a massaging effect. It makes sense to save yourself longterm pain and money by addressing the problem early. Consult your doctor if you experience wrist pain that might be carpal tunnel syndrome. To learn more about CTS relief, visit www.Imakproducts.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Free Medicare Programs No Insurance Sales!

Providing the vaccinations YOU need for work, school, world travel and everyday life! Vaccines for Teens and Adults Ɣ7UDYHOYDFFLQHVƔ7%6NLQ7HVWV Employee Wellness Clinics Ɣ+HDOWK)DLUVƔ%ORRG7HVWV Fall Flu shots/FluMist Nasal Spray for companies and individuals! Monthly Vitamin B-12 injections are also available which may help increase energy, improve immunity and sleep, decrease allergies, stress, and depression and decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches!

www.SHOTSetc.com 7648 Hwy 70 South #15

Nashville, TN. 37221 615-469-7413 ©2006

Medicare can be a complicated system. With more than 100 plan options in Tennessee alone, it can be quite overwhelming. Sometimes we need a little help.

Churches, senior –communityfitness centers, neighborhood groups: if you know of any group who would like to book a Medicare event, NOW is the time to call.

There are nonprofit and government funded organizations who offer free and objective Medicare programs to the public. Never do any of these programs endorse or sell any insurance products. One on one workshop can also be offered to compare plans.

Contact Mary Beth Best, Voice, Inc., 615-772-4288, MaryBethBest@ myvoiceinc.com

The Annual Enrollment Period begins November 15th. When summer vacations are still in progress, it is difficult to consider scheduling around the holidays. However, the demand for these Medicare presentations is great and the calendar fills up quickly.

Mary Beth Best President & Program Manager Voice, Inc. - P.O. Box 306 Pleasant View, TN 37146 www.myvoiceinc.com - 615-772-4288

10

Pets 101

Take your best Shot!

Scratching the surface of canine allergies

Have You Had YOUR Health Risk Assessment?

Most people consider their dog to be more than just a pet. Dogs are true members of the family. So when your dog is itching uncontrollably, it is frustrating not to know what’s wrong. Once owners rule out the possibility of fleas, they are often left with questions unanswered. One problem frequently overlooked is a skin disease caused by environmental allergies. Like humans, dogs can be hypersensitive to common airborne allergens such as pollen, mold and dust mites. But instead of showing symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose, dogs present symptoms on the skin that they try to relieve through constant scratching, licking and gnawing. These symptoms are typically signs of an allergic skin disease known as canine atopic dermatitis. More than an itch According to Kadence Research, canine atopic dermatitis affects about 16 percent of the canine population. As with human allergies, symptoms are often seasonal but can develop into a year-round problem if not properly treated. Dogs with atopic dermatitis usually start showing signs of the disease between the ages of 6 months and 3 years old, but some will show signs later due to changes in their environment. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by intense scratching or chewing of the skin, hair loss and a foul odor resulting from the nonstop chewing and licking. The continual scratching can be bothersome to owners when their dogs are restlessly itching. It can also make the dog lethargic because they are unable to sleep due to constant irritation. “Sam has had allergies for five or six years,” said Marj Voorhees, owner of Sam the Siberian husky. “He was doing lots of scratching, licking and itching. He lost a lot of hair around his face, eyes and ears.” Voorhees tried using traditional medications and shampoos, as well as immunotherapy and zinc supplements in attempts to end Sam’s suffering. Sam’s therapy made him hungrier than normal and he gained 20 pounds. He also continued to itch. There are numerous methods used to try to control the symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis. Veterinarians regularly try everything from antihistamines to steroid injections to keep their clients’ dogs from itching. “Symptoms range from mild to severe,” said Steve Milden, VMD. “But the quality of life for a dog with atopic dermatitis can be diminished if the symptoms go untreated.” Without a proper diagnosis and treatment

plan, dogs with atopic dermatitis will continue to live in pain and discomfort; they won’t simply “grow out of it.” Anyone with active allergies can attest to how miserable life can be with an itchy throat, clogged sinuses and red eyes, so one can only imagine how unhappy dogs are when they have unstoppable itching. Luckily for dogs and their owners, there is a solution for the

symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Not your average backscratcher The solution for dogs with atopic dermatitis comes in the form of a prescription product called Atopica (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) MODIFIED that specifically targets the immune cells involved in the allergic reaction. Similar to humans taking allergy medicine year-round to prevent flare-ups and misery, the same concept can be applied to treating dog allergies. “I’ve been prescribing Atopica to dogs for about five years,” said Milden. “My clients couldn’t be more pleased. Their dogs seem to be happier now that they don’t itch all the time and their owners are thankful to have finally found relief for their best friend.” Like Milden’s clients, Voorhees was able to find relief for her dog. Once Voorhees’ veterinarian prescribed Atopica, Sam was completely different. “It made a tremendous difference almost immediately,” said Voorhees. “All of his hair grew back. It took care of the itching, too. He’s noticeably more comfortable.” Owners should speak to their veterinarians if they think their dog may be suffering from allergies. The veterinarian will be able to answer questions and recommend a proper treatment. For more information on canine atopic dermatitis and ways to treat the disease, visit www.atopica.novartis.us or the Novartis Animal Health home page at www. petwellness.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

By Kaye Ivanoff, R.N. SHOTS, etc. If you are anything like me, there are many things you would rather do than schedule a wellness visit with your doctor. I have used all the excuses, including “I don’t have time”, “I feel fine”, “I know what’s wrong with me” and “I can’t afford it right now”. The truth is, I can’t afford to NOT see my doctor for a wellness visit! A thorough annual physical is the basis for finding problems with our health BEFORE they get so bad that they have to be managed with medication or some other more drastic measure. An annual physical is covered under many major health insurance plans with some plans requiring a small co-pay, while others require up to 50% of the charges to be borne by the patient. The grim reality today is that many people have lost their insurance through job loss or downsizing of paid benefits by employers. Even though this may seem a good reason to NOT continue having annual assessments of your health status, it is even more important to have some sort of review of your health and wellness in order to make wise decisions about your health! Although it is not intended to replace regular visits to your doctor, a Health Risk Assessment is a valuable tool to help gauge your health according to certain risk factors you have. This Health Risk Assessment (HRA) can be used to augment the healthcare you receive from your primary care physician and can help him/her determine a plan for keeping you healthy throughout your lifetime. SHOTS, etc. has initiated a program aimed at individuals who want help in identifying certain risk factors that will affect their health and wellness. This HRA program is available to individuals as well as companies and involves the completion of a questionnaire, biometric measurements (Height, weight, blood pressure and body fat analysis), comprehensive blood tests and other simple screening tests. The detailed questionnaire addresses eight areas of concern, including personal and family health history, physical activity, eating practices, stress and coping skills, alcohol, drug and tobacco use, social health, personal safety and

medical care. This information (along with the biometrics and blood test results) is entered into a proprietary software program that analyzes the data and prepares an individualized, comprehensive printed report detailing positive behaviors versus risk factors to your health. Individualized counseling is given related to each test result with suggestions for lifestyle changes that will enhance the quality of life and decrease your risk for serious illness or injury. Copies of your blood test results are also sent to your physician of choice for follow-up evaluation and care. The cost of this HRA, including a complete blood count, a comprehensive metabolic panel and full lipid (cholesterol) panel, begins at $50 per person. Additional screening blood tests, including prostate testing for men, hormone levels for men and women and other blood tests may be added at an additional charge as well as other tests for osteoporosis, fitness/ exercise endurance, colorectal cancer screening and basic vision testing. None of these tests are intended to diagnose illness or disease or to be used in place of regular visits to your doctor, but instead should be used as a cost-effective way to help your doctor identify areas that may need more specific medical evaluation. Visit www.SHOTSetc.com for more detailed information of our Health Risk Assessment program and how it may benefit you. If you have no health insurance or if you are responsible for high deductibles and co-payments, you know this is a valuable tool to help keep you and your family members healthy and informed. Many of us know we have certain habits and negative lifestyle factors that put us at increased risk for disease and/or injury. Sometimes it takes seeing it on paper and hearing it from a healthcare professional to understand that our health and wellness lies in our own knowledge and understanding of what we are doing wrong so we can make appropriate lifestyle changes to ensure a happier, healthier life with those we love. Kaye Ivanoff, RN is President and CEO of SHOTS, etc., a Nashville-based provider of vaccines and other wellness services that keep children, adolescents and adults healthy for work or school requirements, world travel and everyday life! Walk-in service is available at 7648 Hwy 70 So. suite 15 at I40 exit 196. Call 615.469.7413 or visit www.SHOTSetc.com for details of services and pricing.

11

Mommy Talk

Help! I’m Shrinkin’

Thoughts from Moms....regarding Motherhood & Work

Returning to Work, is there ever a “perfect” time? Susan Douglas, MD Anne Alexander Vincent, Ordained Minister of Pastoral Counseling Recently several moms I know are giving serious thought to returning to work outside the home, either part-time or full-time. Some have careers waiting and others are starting over “from scratch” or simply choosing a different path. Some have small children and others have school age kids. The questions and feelings, however, are much the same regardless of the situation: 1) Is this the “right” decision right now? 2) Shouldn’t I “want” to stay home while my kids are little if I can afford to do so? (ok, that’s guilt talking--didn’t we already cover that?--yes, but it’s still a very real mommy feeling and it creeps back in) 3) so then you think... I wish I didn’t feel so guilty about working or I wish I just HAD to work so I wouldn’t have to feel guilty choosing it! 4) What if my child is sick and I have to be at work? What will I do? 5) How do I find time to even look for a job? I’m scared and it costs money for a sitter just to job hunt! These are all questions I have heard and so just know if you have thought any of themwhether you work or not-you are not alone.

Anne Alexander Vincent is in private practice, treats individuals, couples, families & can be reached at (615) 354-1395 Susan Douglas, MD practices psychiatry & treats adults on an outpatient basis at Middle TN Psychiatric Clinic 2011 Ashwood Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212 (615) 383-4694

Over the next few weeks we will have guest mommy writers tell us their own thoughts, fears, dreams, hopes, and experiences with the “return to work” issue. For some moms this may have been a “non-issue” and we will hear from those moms too. Single moms or two income families (isn’t that most of us today?) may think this even a luxury question but as we said in the very first article of Mommy Talk...there is room at the table for EVERYONE. We are best together:) Have a perfectly imperfect day! I n t h e i n t e r i m . . . c h e c k o u t w w w. NoMommysPerfect.com and click on the link to join the Facebook Group. It’s growing daily! New Website coming soon!

The Power of Your Porch by Dave Morris I’ve noticed lots of porches on nice homes lately but for the wrong reasons. Does your porch look like your favorite pair of old shoes, all scuffed, no shine, and just plain worn out? Some look downright sad. Absent color, furniture, a pot of flowers or two, a porch can really detract from an otherwise attractive home. And just as important, an attractive porch can turn an ordinary house into an extraordinary home. Here’s how to do a little transformation that can have a huge impact and it won’t cost a lot. Most porches have a walkway leading to them. Use it to your advantage. Many people line the walkway with plants; however, most make the planting area way too narrow. You can visually increase the size of your porch by extending your planting area width to make it a minimum of 2 to 3 feet wide, wider if space is available. This won’t cost you anything. Next, plant flowers or plants in small groups within that area - you don’t need to plant every inch. Use mulch, rocks, pavers, or other materials you may already have on hand as fill between the plantings. Sometimes less is more. Do the same around your porch. Tired of your existing porch floor? You can always paint it or transform it into a wood, porcelain, slate, or granite floor by using interlocking deck tiles. They are perfect for

porches, are a great DIY project, come in many styles, patterns, and colors, and only take a few hours to install. Wrap your columns. You can change the look of your porch columns easily with wraparounds to give it a whole new look. Balusters aren’t as easily changed but they can be painted. Hang several self-watering planters from the railings and a few hanging baskets over them and your porch will sizzle! You don’t need a lot of decorative items; a great focal point will do. Consider finding an exterior painting to hang or a unique object to place strategically on your porch. Garage sales, flea markets, and your garage or attic might be just the place to find such an item. Create great artwork by having your kids paint on a piece of exterior grade plywood, frame it with lattice trim, and hang it as a conversation piece! And last but not least, attack the front door. If painted just the right color your front door can be striking. If you can’t afford new hardware for the door, use products like Brasso to give then new life. Don’t forget the door bell. No one may notice it’s new but everyone notices the ugly, dangling one by your front door! These are just a few ideas to bring new life to your porch. Give your porch the power to make your house proud.

COMMUNICATION! Want Me to Repeat That? By Dr. Steve Olivas Every now and again, an elderly couple will appear on Good Morning America or the Today Show, or an equivalent quasi-news program. They will be shriveled, hunched over, holding hands… and merrily report they have just celebrated their (roughly) 77th wedding anniversary. Say What??? The genius anchor will follow with the usual line of questioning, typically ending with some version of, “So… what is the secret to your success?” The answer, when not involving separate bedrooms or hearing loss, will revolve around the cornerstone of relationships: communication. The problem is, not many people understand that word within the context of a relationship. When I bring up ‘The Big C’ to couples, they say something like, “Uh… whaddya mean? We talk all the time.” There is a BIG difference between chit chat meant as window dressing for the world to see, and conversation exclusive to the interior of your relationship. Ask yourself: are there things you talk about ONLY to your spouse/partner? Things you really can’t talk to anyone else about because they are too personal, they involve strong emotions, or maybe there is nobody else who would understand your point of view? If the answer is “no,” then your relationship may be in trouble. Here is the biggest mistake couples make (in my humble opinion): Something happens that irritates the snot out of one of them. Or maybe its several smaller irritants that build like bricks in a dam. Either way, the offended partner decides, “It just isn’t worth it to talk to my partner about this.” The reason they make this decision is some combination of two things: their own insecurities created by a family of origin that did not allow or respect their feelings; and a partner who creates an atmosphere that basically says, “If you talk about bad stuff, I will tune you

out or get angry or punish/shame you or…” You get the idea. The dam builds, brick by painful brick, until it becomes sufficiently enormous to cut off any love or respect or hope to flow through. Isolated, the partner now drifts into an affair, or throws themselves into friends or children, or does something that takes them further from their partner. And we’re off to the races. Think about it like this: let’s say your dog heisted a sock and you turn your ankle trying to grab the shaggy demon. Rather than treating the ankle, you just keep walking on it. You begin to limp. The limp puts strain on your knees and hips because you are walking wrong. Over time, your back gets involved, and you start to throw it out of whack. You start getting headaches and are irritable most of the day. You are in pain, stressed out, and snarly. Depression appears… your blood pressure rises, and you put yourself at risk for stroke or heart disease. In the end, your sinister dog has set dominos in motion that affect your entire self. Unspoken things in your relationship are like the dog running off with a sock. They seem innocent at the start, but they fester and begin to change the way you approach your partner. Over time, dominos crash into each other and you say things like, “She is just not the man/ woman I married,” or, “We just grew apart,” or my favorite, “I really don’t know what happened…” So don’t just talk, communicate with each other. And not just the negative stuff either - your partner needs to feel appreciated or valued too! If you’re lucky, you could one day be a happy little raisin couple talking to Matt Lauer. You may email Steve for questions or comments at d r. s t e v e . o @ hotmail.com

12