March Creative Living (KY)

Ah, can you feelit? Spring is in theair! You know whatthat means … timeto get outdoors.

Roll up yoursleeves, get downon your knees andplant until youcan’t plant nomore!

Gardening ismaking a popularcomeback, according to one of this month’s fea-ture. Read about other current trends and incor-porate them in your own back yard!

Also, this month we have our annual SummerCamps topic. Read about some wonderful localopportunities, as well as ways to help your childchoose the perfect summer camp that will have apositive lasting impact on their lives.

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

TopicsSnoring/Sleep ApneaResting well

Dental CareGums • Teeth

Health & FitnessMind • Body • Spirit

3 9 At HomeDecor • Repairs

Local BusinessGoods • Services

Summer CampsEducation • Fun

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FeaturesHHeellppiinngg yyoouurr cchhiilldd cchhoooossee aa ssuummmmeerr ccaammppSummer camp can have a great impact on a child’s life. Here’s some tips on how to choose a good camp.

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GGaarrddeenniinngg iiss mmaakkiinngg aa ppooppuullaarr ccoommeebbaacckkFrom beautiful flowers to delicious vegetables, gardening is making a comeback in America.

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S N O R I N G / S L E E P A P N E A

3K e n t u c k y T h u r s d a y M a r. 1 8 , 2 0 1 0

Do you snore or know someone whodoes? Do you have obstructive sleepapnea but just can’t tolerate your CPAPmachine?

You’re not alone! An estimated 40million Americans snore and nearly 20million have sleepapnea, a conditionwhere the airwaycollapses duringsleep, causing theperson to stopbreathing andawaken multipletimes every hourwith a gasp.

Sleep apnea is a life threatening sleepdisorder that left undiagnosed anduntreated can shorten your lifespan upto 18 years! While CPAP is the gold stan-dard of sleep apnea treatment, manypeople can’t tolerate the masks and pres-sure.

An oral appliance is an FDAapproved CPAP alternative that fits overyour teeth and holds the lower jaw for-ward, keeping your airway from col-lapsing. A sleep apnea sufferer himself,

Dr. Kitzmiller and his wife Lori knowfirsthand the disruptions that untreatedsleep apnea can cause.

“We used to think that snoring wasnormal, but when Tim would stopbreathing for up to 20 seconds at a time

and then wake with agasp, I got scared. Afterbeing diagnosed withsleep apnea he tried touse CPAP but his sleep-ing habits made it toodifficult to use. He’sbeen using and treatingpatients with oral appli-ance therapy now for

years… and now we’re both getting arestful night’s sleep!” Lori explained.

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

Give Dr. Kitzmiller a call at 513-248-8848 to schedule your complimentaryconsultation. Dr. Kitzmiller and his teamcan coordinate your entire care process,including scheduling your diagnosticsleep study, treatment visits, insuranceand follow up.

Snore? Can't tolerate CPAP?Dr. Kitzmiller has a solution

Quick quizNot sure if you have sleep

apnea? Take a quick quiz atwww.cincisleep.com to see if

you are at risk.

Dr. Kitzmiller and his wife Lori.

Can a life be changedsimply by a smile?

The Gentle Dental Careteam and their patientssay yes. One case in par-ticular comes to mind forKim Fisk, new patientcoordinator and dentalassistant.

“The case was recom-mended to us by anorganization,” sheexplains. “We donated thetime, materials and serv-ice.”

The gentleman whoneeded the work hadmissing and decayedteeth.

“He was very self-con-scious about his appear-ance and it was effectinghis entire life,” Kim says.

His teeth were pulledand a “beautiful” denturewas put in the same day.

“He was very emotion-al,” Kim says. “He was sograteful that he couldfinally smile. He reallylooked amazing!”

Not too long after, theGentle Dental Care teamreceived a card from theman thanking them againfor their service. He wrotehow it had completelyturned his life around. Hetold them how he wasable to get a job and anapartment. They were allin tears.

“This is why we dowhat we do – to changelives,” says Dr. TaraDallmann.

Gentle Dental Care is apatient-focused generaldentistry practice locatedin Independence. Theteam is committed to pro-viding every person whocomes to their office withthe most up-to-date dentalservices and treatments ina comfortable, relaxingsetting. They treat theirpatients like family.

Dr. Dallmann and herteam provide a full rangeof services, from preven-tive care such as cleaning

and oralexamina-tions torestorativemeasuressuch as fill-ings andcrowns. Forpeople whowant toimprove thelook of theirteeth, theyoffer cos-metic treat-ments suchas bonding,veneers andrecontour-ing.

They treateach patientwith warmth and respect,and make sure that everyperson understands anyproposed treatments.They work with you todevelop an overall dentalplan that suits your needs,one that is affordable andtimely.

Are you in desperateneed of dental care, buttoo afraid to go to thedentist? Are you facingextensive treatment whichyou cannot fathom with-out being “out”? You arenot alone. For patientswho need that extra helpto relax, Gentle Dental

Care offers both IV andoral conscious sedation.

“For some people ittakes a lot of courage justto pick up the phone andmake an appointment,”explains Fisk. “We under-stand this and do all thatwe can to make your visitcomfortable for you.”

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

However, what reallysets Gentle Dental Careapart from all other prac-tices is the caring staff.

“We encourage ourpatients, as well as com-fort,” Fisk says. “For thosewho are fearful we letthem know that we aregenuinely proud of themfor coming in. This care, iswhat makes us different,it’s the reason why wehave patients drive all theway from West Chester tosee us for treatment.”

Call Gentle Dental Caretoday at 859-363-1616 to“Experience theDifference.”

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 M a r. 1 8 , 2 0 1 0

Gentle Dental Care changes people’s lives with a smile

The Gentle Dental Care team.

Do you suffer continu-ally from low back pain,sciatica or tendentious?How about fibromyalgia,knee pain or carpal tun-nel?

If you experience painfrom soft tissue injuries inthe back and neck, degen-erative joint conditionssuch as rheumatoid arthri-tis or osteroarthritis, youmight consider laser ther-apy.

The beneficial effects oflaser therapy have beenknown since 1880. But itsclinical benefits in treatingpain have been availablecommercially only sincethe late 1970s.

Laser therapy usesnear-infrared light overmuscle or tissue injuriesto stimulate healing andoffer pain relief.

It is a noninvasive,drug-free approach thatcan help strengthen dam-aged tissues (from sprainsor injuries), eliminateexcess fluids and toxinsfrom tissues, increaseyour circulation by creat-ing capillary production,increase joint mobility andhelp to improve yourrange of motion.

Better HealthChiropractic now offerslaser therapy to help easeyour pain and increaseyour energy level. Dr.Nanci Allen, D.C., canhelp you decide if lasertherapy is right for you.

Here are some fre-quently asked questionsabout laser therapy:

QQ:: HHaass iittss eeffffeeccttiivvee--nneessss bbeeeenn ddeemmoonnssttrraatteeddsscciieennttiiffiiccaallllyy??

A: Yes. Thousands ofstudies have been pub-lished that demonstratethe clinical effectiveness oflaser therapy.

Among these, morethan 100 vigorously con-trolled, scientific studentshave documented itseffectiveness. And, afterFDA approval in 2001,laster therapy is quicklygaining popularity.

QQ:: WWhhaatt ddooeess tthheerreesseeaarrcchh ddeemmoonnssttrraattee??

A: For one thing,injuries treated with lasertherapy heal faster. Foranother, laser therapy hasstrengthening effect ontissue repair. In addition,

it improves blood flowand lymphatic drainage aswell as immune response.

QQ:: WWhhaatt aaddvvaannttaaggeeddooeess llaasseerr tthheerraappyy hhaavveeoovveerr ootthheerr ffoorrmmss ooff

tthheerraappyy??A: It does not require

drugs or surgery, it hasfewer side effects or risksand it is quick and con-venient. Studies haveshown that laser therapyis equal to or more effec-tive than other forms ofphysical therapy.

QQ:: DDooeess iitt hhaavvee aannyyssiiddee eeffffeeccttss oorr aassssoocciiaatteeddrriisskkss??

A: After more than 20years of use by health careproviders all over theworld, very few sideeffects have ever beenreported. A patient who isallergic to light may get arash or blister for a fewdays. Occasionally someold injuries or pain syn-

dromes may feel aggra-vated for a few days, sincethe healing response ismore active after treat-ment.

QQ:: CCaann iitt bbee uusseeddaalloonngg wwiitthh ootthheerr ffoorrmmss ooffttrreeaattmmeenntt??

A: Yes. Laser therapy isoften used in conjunctionwith other kinds of thera-py – including physicaltherapy, chiropracticadjustments and massage.

For more informationon laser therapy and itshealing effects or for anappointment, call BetterHealth Chiropractic at578-0550 in CrescentSprings.

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

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 M a r. 1 8 , 2 0 1 0

You can benefit from laser therapy treatment

Laser therapy can help patients enjoy more freedom in movement.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8 • K e n t u c k y

A n a d v e r t i s i n g - s p o n s o r e d m a g a z i n e f r o m T h e C o m m u n i t y P r e s s

Get theFASHION

411

Get theFASHION

411

M O T H E R ’ S D A Y C O N T E S T A N N O U N C E M E N T ! P A G E 2

HEALTH & FITNESS 6

SENIOR LIVING 5

TRAVELING IN COMFORT 5

HEALTH & FITNESS 6

SENIOR LIVING 5

TRAVELING IN COMFORT 5Call 578-5501to advertise

There are some deci-sions in life that we neverexpect to make.

When we go throughdifficult experiences thatrequire us to make adjust-ments along the way, thepeople we surround our-selves with can make sucha difference in our atti-tude and determination.

Many women needingwigs and scarves as aresult of receivingchemotherapy or for othermedical reasons havecome to BurlingtonPharmacy Health Carebecause of the outstand-ing support and care ofthe professional fitting

specialists there. Karen Sue Murphy has

been a certified fittingspecialist for many yearsand is honored to sup-port, encourage, andadvise women who arelooking for head cover-ings at BurlingtonPharmacy Health Care.

“It is an emotional timeand it is important forthem to have a supportteam that cares. Our per-sonal care and qualitycustomer service set usapart,” said Murphy.

“At the end of the day,we are making a differ-ence in a life,” addedMellissaa Morris, another

certified fit-ting specialistat BurlingtonPharmacyHealth Care.

“We wantto help ourcustomersfeel comfort-able andmeet all oftheir needs,”she said.

BurlingtonPharmacyHealth Care carries a wideassortment of qualitywigs, scarves, sleep capsand other headpieces.

“We have a great selec-tion of products and

many color swatches,”said Morris.

The company offerspersonalized and privatefitting appointments withtheir professional fitting

specialists. “It is a very private

atmosphere and we liketaking time with each cus-tomer to get to knowthem as a person beforewe begin the fitting,” saidMorris.

“It is very important tous that it be a pleasantand comfortable experi-ence for our customer,”she said.

Burlington PharmacyHealth Care also encour-ages their customer’sfriends and family tocome and support womenas they choose wigs,scarves, and other head-pieces while they receivetreatment.

“We invite them tocome with our cus-tomers,” said Murphy.

“Getting opinions fromfriends and family thatthey know and love isvery reassuring and help-ful,” she said.

For more informationon Burlington PharmacyHealth Care and the prod-ucts they carry, please call859-586-6700 and one oftheir professional fittingspecialist would be happyto answer your questions.



Wig, scarf fitting specialists at Burlington PharmacyHealth Care offer women outstanding service

“It is very important to us that itbe a pleasant and comfortableexperience for our customer …”



Jim Barrie wants to share his love forscuba diving, so he’s letting everyonetry it for free.

His dive shop, The Scuba Shack,(www.TheScubaPlace.com) located inFlorence, is offering a free “Try SCUBAExperience” to anyone interested in div-ing.

“Scuba diving is not a sport. It’s not ahobby. It’s a lifestyle! We want to exposeas many people as we can to this excit-ing way of life.” Barrie said.

The Scuba Shack conducts free one-hour dives every Saturday.

Barrie has owned The Scuba Shackfor 11 years, and in that time has beentold by countless people that they wouldlove to try diving. He knows that if theydo, they’ll love it! So he wants to givethem the opportunity.

All those who would like to try scubadiving will be geared-up and go for adip in The Scuba Shack’s indoor, heated,10 foot-deep, diver training pool.

The dives are led by The Shack’s cer-tified instructors.

Reservations are required, and can bemade by calling 859-283-1550. The ScubaShack also offers scuba certification

training. Through comprehensive class-room and pool training, divers learnproper technique, safety measures, andhow to use the equipment.

Divers certified at The Scuba Shackare given unlimited training classes atno extra charge.

The Shack also provides unlimitedaccess to their pool and use of scubaequipment for certification students.Once certified, a diver is ready to go onone of the shop’s many trips to divelocations in the United States andabroad.

In the next 14 months, The Shack willlead trips to locations such as: St. Lucia,Hawaii, Bonaire, Cozumel, Florida, Fiji,and the Bahamas. Pricing varies by des-tination.

Many trips are enjoyable for bothdivers and non-divers, so the diver caneasily bring a spouse or friend.However, trips specifically for divers arenoted.

“There’s nothing quite like a grouptrip” said Barrie. “Both divers and non-divers come back with a group of newfriends, having seen some of the world’smost beautiful locations” he said.

Scuba diving is a lifestyleThe Scuba Shack is offering a free “Try SCUBA Experience.”

CCrreeaattiivveeLivingCall 578-5501



For those of you reading this articlewho are not patients at the MortensonFamily Dental, they would like to inviteyou to get to know their dental team.

The dentist, Dr. Zimmerman, is agreat person! He truly cares for hispatients and employees, always doingmore than expected to make everyonefeel comfortable.

Shauna is the team leader and han-dles issues from scheduling to insuranceand everything in between making surethe office runs seamlessly.

Cassandra and Niki are Dr.Zimmerman’s dental assistants andwork in conjunction with him to discusseach and every patient’s individualneeds and make sure they feel at ease.

Jodie and Sandra are the dentalhygienists who monitor patients’ homecare, overall oral health and periodontalconditions as needed. Each patient’sneeds are so different that it keeps themall on their toes!

The team’s goal as an office is tomake each and every patient comfort-able. They have regular discussions onhow they can improve both individuallyand as a team to become better at whatsome say we are already great at! Theyoffer snacks, blankets and headphonesfor additional comfort, and arrange-ments can be made to have your den-tistry done under conscious sedationwhen a blankie just won’t cut it!

At Mortenson Family Dental, they arealso committed to safely offeringpatients the latest proven technologies in

dentistry. To ensure that you receive thebest, we work hard to apply the latesttechnologies in our services we offer.They use the technology of fluorescenceto find decay in its very beginningstages which can often be fixed withoutthe use of anesthetic. Another exampleis the use of the Velscope, a light wandthat can detect oral lesions in the mouththat are not visible to the naked eye.

They are also proud to be a memberof the Crown Council, an organizationof leading-edge dentists here in theUnited States. Through this organizationthey participate with the children’s char-ity organization Smiles for Life. Howdoes this benefit you as a patient youask? From March through June theyoffer their professional tooth whiteningat a considerably reduced price and 100percent of the proceeds are donated tocharity. Half of the proceeds collectedstay right here in Kentucky and aredonated to Kosair Children’s Hospitalwhile the other half will be distributedto worthy and approved children’s char-ities across the United States! You as apatient get a bright, beautiful smile andyour donation brings smiles to the facesof hundreds of needy children.Everybody wins!

Whether you’re in need of a cleaningor require more extensive dental treat-ment Mortenson Family Dental is hereto meet you and your family’s dentalneeds big or small. Call 525-7586 toschedule an appointment and become apart of the family!

What’s new at Mortenson Family Dental?The Mortenson Family Dental team.

Call 578-5501

to advertise in

CCrreeaattiivveeLiving

A T H O M E


For many homeowners,the beginning of a newdecade is bringing freshideas and desires for anew look in their homesand they are turning toFort Mitchell Interiors tohelp them bring about anexciting change.

A full service interiordesign store, Fort MitchellInteriors offers anythingand everything you needfor your designing project.

Kitchen cabinets, appli-ances, flooring, hardware,paint, wallpaper, uphol-stery – you name it andthis first-class design com-pany will have your bases

covered from the begin-ning of the design projectthrough its completion.

Mary Pennington-Wolfe is the owner andhead designer of FortMitchell Interiors and hasbeen providing excellentinterior design service toher customers for 31 years.

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

Fort Mitchell Interior isknown for its excellentclient care and design,giving their clients exactlywhat they want andmatching their taste of

design. “The client’s opinion

counts and is important. Iallow people to keep thethings they currently ownand we work with whatthey have and add to it,”said Wolfe.

In today’s competitivehousing market, it’s agood idea to keep yourhouse fresh and up todate.

If you are consideringupdating a kitchen or bathin your home, FortMitchell Interiors carriescabinets, flooring, andappliances and has a teamof professional installers

to get the job done andkeep your home lookingits best.

“I think it’s a good ideato pick a room every yearand give it a new look,”said Wolfe.

If you know you areready for a fresh changein your home but just notsure where to begin, callFort Mitchell Interiors anda designer can come toyour home for a designconsultation.

Whether your changeis as small as bursts ofnew color on the walls oras large as a whole housere-design, Fort Mitchell

Interiors will completeyour look from start tofinish.

You deserve a newlook and should enjoy liv-ing in your home.

With Fort MitchellInteriors as your designeryou only have to go oneplace to have all of yourdesign needs met.

Visit Fort MitchellInteriors today at 2514Hazelwood Drive (acrossfrom McDonald’s) or call331-5327 and take advan-tage of their New Year,New Look sale to jump-start your interior designproject.

New year, new look with Fort Mitchell Interiors

Matracia Contracting Inc. would liketo take this opportunity to introduce youto the concrete lifting process.

Concrete lifting is a process in whicha concrete slab is raised back to its origi-nal position. It is the economical alterna-tive to tearing out and replacing con-crete.

Your concrete is lifted by drilling oneor more holes into the surface of theconcrete slab, and pumping a cement-based material through the holes. Thisfills any voids and displaces any stand-ing water under the slab which mayhave occurred by settling or rodentsburrowing under it. We continue pump-ing until enough material is pumpedunder the slab to raise it back to its orig-inal position.

The cement-based material is a sandyloam containing lime and cement. It isnon-toxic and environmentally safe.

This process works on any concreteslab, sidewalks, porches, garage floors,driveways, house floors, steps, pooldecks and more.

Their portable pump allows us to goanywhere on your property withoutdamage to your lawn or landscaping.Their trucks stay on the street. There isno mess and no heavy equipment.

And most jobs are completed withinone day – or less.

Give them a call. Their estimator willcall you back within 24 hours and set upa time to receive a free estimate. Toreach the professionals of MatraciaContracting, call 371-1398.

Concrete lifting: Attractivealternative to replacement

Read aboutgreat gifts formom in thenext issue.

Rick Beckett of WestChester rests better atnight because he has com-plete confidence in theroof over his head.

“Wow, my roof was oldand every time I wentoutside, I’d find brokenshingles in my yard,” hesaid.

His peace of mindtoday is due to hiringRoof Time.

“I knew nothing aboutroofs,” the homeowneradmits. “But Roof Timespent time with me andhelped me understand.

They showed what wasneeded, what they woulddo, and then they did it.The experience was fan-tastic.”

Beckett recommendsRoof Time, because hewas satisfied, not onlywith their expertise, buttheir impeccable commit-ment to his satisfaction.

Cincinnati Bell’s Website has listings for 650roofers!

“Every local roofer hasto ask why their businessexists,” explains ProjectManager Justin

Shoemaker. “On the low end, there

are guys working withoutinsurance and using thecheapest labor they canget to offer a super cheapquote. On the high end,you have bigger outfitsthat spend a fortune onTV ads and have bloatedoverhead that a customerhas to pay for, if they hirethem,” he said.

“Roof Time exists toinstall a top quality roofsystem that will add valueand protection for ourhomeowners,” said

Shoemaker.Roof Time

invests in itsstaff withongoingtraining andequipment.The installersand estima-tors are certi-fied byOwensCorning anduse thermalimage cam-

eras, laptops, and digitaltechnology, to accuratelydetermine and quote onlywhat a home needs.

Roof Time has wonAngie’s List Super ServiceAward every year since1997, and was voted“Favorite Roofer” by TheCommunity Press readersin 2009.

Estimators arrive ontime and prepared, inneatly lettered vehiclesand uniforms; inspect the

roof from underneath,then inspect and measurefrom the roof top.

An estimate can be pre-pared right from theirvehicles or e-mailed backthe same day! Estimatorsare non-commissioned,and only bid work thatneeds to be completed.

Written estimates arefree, and feature digitalroof top photos.

Roof Time is an OwensCorning PreferredContractor and has theadded distinction of beingone of only three localroofers to be qualified asTop of the House certifiedby Owens Corning.

Roof Time has beenserving the communitywith offices in Boone andClermont counties since1995 when patriarch andfounder Rick Feltner firstbegan the family business.

Grandson JustinShoemaker represents thethird generation of thistop quality business.

For more informationon Roof Time or to sched-ule a free roof inspection,call Sandy the office man-ager at 859-341-TIME or513-528-TIME. Visitwww.time2roof.com for avaluable Internet onlyoffer.

A T H O M E


Have confidence in the roof over your head

Roof Time has been serving the communitywith offices in Boone and Clermont

counties since 1995 when patriarch andfounder Rick Feltner first began the family

business.

Rick Beckett’s West Chester home.

Spring is almost hereand Lasting Impressionsis the perfect place to findunique home accessoriesand new spring merchan-dise to bring your homeback to life after the long,cold winter.

Excellent customerservice is the norm at thisbeautifully decoratedstore which is such a treat,located in the warehousebuilding at 241Grandview in Bellevue,

Kentucky. If you are look-ing for a mantle display . .. something beautiful forthe top of your cabinets . .. a breathtaking customfloral … this is the placeto find it!

Are you ready to begin

thinking about doingsome redecorating aroundyour home? An In-HomeConsultation ($90) withLinda Barbian is just whatyou need to develop yourplan to revitalize a room

that needs a lift. Lindawill be glad to assist youwith color selection, roomarrangement, accessories,window treatments, arearugs, or whatever youneed to complete yourspace.

New spring merchan-dise has arrived and moreis on the way! You willwant to see the gorgeousspring displays featuringnew items from theJanuary trip to market.New artwork from Ashtonand Picture Galleries is ondisplay as well as theAshton custom mirror linewhich gives you the flexi-bility to add just the rightframed mirror to a specialspace. You will be able tochoose from many styles

of frames to make yourbeveled mirror your owncreation at a very reason-able price.

Boxwood topiaries andsprays, excellent qualitysilk ivies and greens, fernbaskets, nests, trunks, andbeautiful ivy-trimmedbowls and pitchers aredisplayed throughout thebeautiful showrooms.

Light-hearted rabbits(both brown and white)have taken up residencein the showrooms alongwith some birds, a coupleof deer, and even a bear.You never know what youwill find here, but youknow it will always besomething interestingwhich would look great inyour home and set it apart

from the ordinary.Linda, Judy, and Nancy

are looking forward toseeing you soon at 241Grandview in Bellevue.It’s a shopping experienceyou are going to enjoy!

A T H O M E


Lasting Impressions …

“When you care enough to make yourhome a warm, welcoming place for family

and friends … you need to visit us.”

DirectionsTraveling south or

north on I-471: TakeExit 5 (Newport/Bellevue)

Turn right ontoRoute 8 (FairfieldAvenue) Continue toTaylor Avenue and turnright. Travel 6 blocks toGrandview Avenue.Turn right onGrandview

Enter the warehousethrough the LastingImpressions door onthe right Prepare to beamazed …

Looking for a summercamp designed to make

kids happy and fit yourneeds?

Call Skidaddles, theDrop-in Anytime Kid

Care Center located at8660 Bankers Street, at thecorner of Houston Roadand Highway 18 inFlorence.

Skidaddles has the flex-ibility you need for yourbusy summer schedule.

The summer camp is

available for ages 4 to 12with field trips, greatactivities, and lots of funplanned for all!

You choose the weeksand amount of days thatwork for you, and

L O C A L B U S I N E S S / S U M M E R C A M P S


Are you frustratedwith your local schoolbecause you know itcould serve the studentsso much better, but youdon’t know why the stu-dents aren’t learning?

According to moststudies, you are in themajority. Is more moneythe solution? Better par-ents? Better teachers?Better administrators?Better buildings?

Well, we’ve triedalmost all of those for 40years, and our schoolscontinue to deteriorate.So, what’s wrong with our

schools?Here’s a hint: it’s not

money. Spending on pub-lic education has climbedfor 40 years, and theresults continue to getworse.

Jon Ryker and JoRogers both had consider-able experience in scientif-ic research before choos-ing to teach science in avariety of Tristate publiceducation settings.

Along the way, they’velearned a great deal aboutwhy good schools succeedand bad schools fail. Theybring a real-world, practi-

cal angle to the debateover public school reformwhich, quite frankly, hasbeen dominated by emo-tional grand-standing,brinksmanship over leveevotes, and an almost com-plete lack of mutualunderstanding amongconstituent groups.

Why all the conflict,while the students contin-ue to graduate withoutsufficient knowledge orskills to either go onwardfor a college degree ormove straight into pro-ductive roles in the work-place?

The answer is that for40 years, all the blame forthe failures and theresponsibility for the solu-tions to the failures hasbeen placed in the handsof the professional educa-tion establishment.

The result has been 40years of focus on schoolattendance and gradua-tion percentage, with nofocus on or accountabilityfor student learning any-where in the K-12 system.

It’s time we admit: theprofessional educationestablishment is not capa-ble of solving these sys-

temic failures by itself. It is necessary for tax-

payers, parents, students,teachers and administra-tors to come together andfocus on maximizing actu-al student learning.

To do this, radicalchanges will need to bemade and these groupsmust take on actualresponsibilities to eachother. In effective schools,they already do.

For a common startingpoint, buy this book (fea-tured in the ad). Getinvolved. Your schoolneeds your help!

What’s wrong with public schools?

Skidaddles offers a summer camp that sizzles

Skidaddles see page 13

Skidaddles will provide the fun!Spaces are limited so register now.

In addition to summer camp,Skidaddles offers Drop-inAnytime Care for ages 12 monthsto 12 years.

It offers convenient reliable

care that is available withoutreservation so you can drop-indays, evenings and weekendswhenever you need childcare.

Whether you need a fewhours, all day or part of the day,they can accommodate all your

childcare needs. You’ll feel confident knowing

your children are having fun andlearning while being cared for bywell-qualified staff in a safe,clean, and top quality environ-ment.

Skidaddles is open Mondaythrough Thursday from 7 a.m. to9 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to11 p.m. and Saturday from 10a.m. to 11 p.m. For details callSkidaddles at 647-7529 or visitwww.skidaddles.com.

S U M M E R C A M P S


By Melissa Hayden • EditorA summer camp pro-

gram can have a signifi-cant impact on yourchild’s life. Therefore, it’simportant that you assistyour child in the processof choosing a program.After all, choosing a sum-mer camp should be afamily decision.

First, determine thesort of experience yourchild desires. Does he or

she want to develop anew skill or perfect onethey’ve already acquired?Is your child interested inmore social activity? Askyour child what he or shewants out of the experi-ence. Find out yourchild’s needs, interests,goals, and expectations.

Next, start making alist of camps that seem tomeet your child’s goals.

Determine your camp

budget.Consider the location.

Do you want somethingnear or farther away? Askyour child if he or she isready for a sleep-overcamp experience. Select alocation that both you andyour child are comfortablewith.

Look into the staff.How long have the direc-tors been at the helm andwhat are their priorities

when selecting staff mem-bers. Do they conductbackground checks? Whatis the staff to camperratio? What is the age andexperience of the staff?

Look at the camp’smission statement andtake a look at their Website, literature or campvideo to see how the mis-sion is included into theoverall camp experience.

After you’ve narrowed

your list down to a few,review Web sites,brochures and videoswith your child. Thenchoose the camp you bothare most interested in andset up an appointment tospeak or meet with thecamp directors or repre-sentatives.

Sources: www.summer-camp.org; www.camp-

page.com

Helping your child choose a summer camp

Skidadles from page 12



SummerCare 2010:Adventures inWonderland offers a sum-mer filled with fun, excit-ing and educational activ-ities for children ages 5-11.

Days are filled withage-appropriate activities,visits and field trips thatrevolve around suchweekly themes such as:

• Down the RabbitHole

• A Very MerryUnbirthday

• Nonsense &Curiosity

• Fractured Fairy Tales& Folklore

• Playing by the Rules • Who in the World

Am I?• In the Garden • Waking from a

Dream In addition to the

weekly theme activities,SummerCare will haveplenty of special guestsand field trips.

Visitors include MadScience of Cincinnati, theMagician with a Mission,and Out of Control

Wildlife! Field trips include out-

ings for swimming, a pic-nic in the park, and visitsto Coney Island and theCincinnati MuseumCenter.

And don’t forget waterfun days, cookouts andice cream days!

SummerCare operatesJune 7 through July 30,from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. attwo central NorthernKentucky locations: FortWright ElementarySchool, Fort Wright (closeto I-75 Kyles Lane Exit)and OckermanElementary School,Florence

Tuition is $128 perweek, or $29 per day.Tuition assistance is avail-able to families who quali-fy for free or reducedlunch.

Programs are fullylicensed by the State ofKentucky with superioradult to child ratios. Staffhave special training inthe care of school-age chil-dren, as well as CPR andFirst Aid certifications.

Children, Inc. SchoolAge Services SummerCareis a day camp providingpositive social, recreation-al and educational experi-ences for elementary chil-dren ages 5 through 11.

SummerCare keepskids’ brains growing withweekly themes that makethe fun and learning comealive with zany arts andcrafts, science, reading,drama, math, servicelearning, dance, sportsand good old-fashionedsummertime adventure.

In addition toSummerCare, School AgeServices offers the follow-ing programs at elemen-tary schools throughoutNorthern Kentucky:Before School Care, AfterSchool Care, ExtendedEducational Care(before/after half day pre-school and kindergarten)and Breaks, Holiday andSnow Day Care.

For more informationabout Children, Inc.’sSummerCare or to regis-ter, visit www.children-inc.org or call 431-2075.

Day camp offers themedactivities for summer weeks

Change has come to

America. The pop culturephrase “show me the

money,” boiling through-out business and industry,

has cooled down and isforcing people to take a

hard look at what is reallyimportant in life.

“Just look around you,” saysSusan McCoy, trend spotter andoutdoor living expert. “Our rela-tionship with money has changed.Hard work, common sense and areturn to small-town values arecausing a shift in priorities fromboardrooms to backyards.”

According to GMG’s 2010Garden Trends Report, “Therewards of growing your own –from basil to berries to flowers – areboundless,” says McCoy.

Here is a glimpse of whatMcCoy and her team of trend spot-ters see for 2010.

• Edible gardens are in. Lawnsare out.

Growing yourown groceries is hot-ter than ever and istransforming homesand communities.

Front lawns arebeing transformedinto vegetable and

rain gardens.Gardeners with

limited space arefinding ways to havefresh herbs and veg-etables in theirkitchens.

Innovative plantsystems like FertileEarth’s new SimpleGardens come withsoil, seeds and ahow-to guide packedin stylish square con-tainers that make it asnap to grow kitchen

Gardening is makinga popular comeback

Gardening see page 15



For both parents and kids, it'snever too early to start thinkingabout plans for the summer.Parents want to be sure their chil-dren are safe, supervised, andengaged in activities that keeptheir kids' minds and bodiesactive after school lets out for thesummer. Youngsters look for-ward to the free time, and simplywant to have fun and learn some-thing new. YMCAs have beenserving communities for morethan 150 years, and YMCA daycamp is a perfect option for par-ents who are looking for a safeand fun place for their kids tobuild healthy mind, body andspirit this summer.

“Children are our greatesttreasures and greatest responsi-bility,” said David Martoranofrom the Clippard Family YMCAin Colerain Township. “YMCAday camp helps kids grow posi-tively, meet healthy role modelsand learn good values-all whilehaving fun. We not only providememories that last a lifetime, butwe also assure parents that theirkids are in good hands duringthe summer.”

Day camp for youth – themost popular program offered byYMCAs-provides youngsterswith a unique opportunity toconnect with their peers and theircommunity. At the YMCA ofGreater Cincinnati day camps,our campers enjoy a broad range

of age-appropriate programs,events and activities

In addition to all of the activi-ties offered at YMCA day camp,

parents also have the flexibility ofenrolling their youngsters duringsessions that suit their needs. Forexample, if a parent only wants achild to participate two weeksout of the summer, our day campcan accommodate that schedule.Different levels of supervision arealso available, depending on theage and interests of the parentand child. “YMCA programs aredesigned to meet the needs andschedules of today's busy fami-lies,” states Trish Kitchell fromthe Gamble Nippert YMCA.

YMCA day camps provide awealth of opportunity for kids to

get active through play. This isespecially important as rates ofoverweight and obesity amongyouth have increased dramatical-

ly over the past 25 years. In fact,a 2009 report from the Centersfor Disease Control andPrevention recommended thatschool-age children should par-ticipate in moderate to vigorousactivity for a minimum of 60minutes a day. YMCA day campshelp kids build healthy habitswhile having fun.

“The need is as strong todayas ever before,” said CindyTomaszewski of the PowelCrosley YMCA. Being morephysically active through playhelps children better managestress, succeed in school, reduce

stress, build energy and, most ofall, learn skills that encourage alifetime of activity.”

The YMCA of GreaterCincinnati is the largest providerof summer camps for kids ages 3to 18. More than 10,000 childreneach year spend their summerwith the YMCA through day andovernight camps at more than 16locations.

Each week area YMCA daycamps have a fun and differenttheme. However daily activitiesinclude: swimming, environmen-tal education, arts and crafts,service learning, science, litera-ture, free time and more. YMCAday camps also include: servicelearning, leadership develop-ment, sports, cheerleading, cre-ative arts, and more. Also, daycamps offer pre and post campoptions for busy parents.

Day campers will be dividedinto groups with activities andchoices appropriate to the ageinterests and needs of eachgroup. Camp ages range from 3-5years for preschool camp, 6-12for day camp and 13-15 for teencamps.

For a complete list, the publicis invited to contact their localbranch or visit www.myy.org fora complete camp and branch list-ing. How can families learn moreor register for a camp? Visitwww.myy.org or call the YMCAat 362-9622.

YMCA day camp offers an abundance of newexperiences, skills, peace of mind for parents

YMCA day camps provide a wealth of opportunity for kids to get active through play.

gardens in any bright spot. Just add water.• Slow gardening is in. Instant gratifica-

tion is out. With the rising demand for locally grown

food, organic and energy-efficient products,people are gardening for the greater good.According to Lifestyle of Health andSustainability, (LOHAS) seed sales are up 30to 50 percent and canning saw a whopping45 percent increase. Along with vegetables,

people are planting and picking fruits andberries – especially blueberries and raspber-ries – for their nutritional value and orna-mental good looks.

• Multi-tasking is in. Single-purpose gar-dening is out.

Roofs are no longer just for parties. Greenroofs are springing to life in cities and smalltowns, transforming barren space into lushgardens that help cool buildings, absorb rain-water, filter air pollutants, and create wildlifehabitats.

• Perennials and shrubs are in. Divas areout.

Sustainable landscapes, water conserva-tion, perennials and small edible shrubs arehot as gardening with natives attracts neededpollinators and birds, critical for the balanceof nature. Consumers are looking for plantsthat are easy care, have great color, and arepest- and drought-resistant, like the newhardy early and repeat blooming daylily –Jersey Earlybird “Cardinal.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Gardening from page 14

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March Creative Living (KY)