Hairdressers are such fortunate people.  Every work day we are greeted by clients that want to come
see us.  They choose to come spend their time in our chairs so we can make them look their best.
A great number of these clients become our friends.  We talk about school, life, children, marriage,
divorce, you name it we hear it.  We often laugh with our clients and have even cried with them.
What rewarding job we have!  A recent client visited our salon for the first time.  When she left she had
tears in her eyes and proclaimed she felt so beautiful, “like a new person inside and out.” We have the
ability to transform someone’s look as well as lift their spirit.  That feeling to a hairdresser is the ultimate
compliment.   It didn’t take long for that story to spread across the salon and remind each hairdresser
exactly why we come to work each day.  One idea lead to another as we talked about the feeling of
giving someone a transformation and a the seed of giving back was planted.  To keep the spirit of
giving alive, HeadRush the Salon will hold a contest for 10 hair makeovers.  Anyone can write
to our salon or private message us on facebook and nominate someone who is deserving of a
makover during the month of January.  Each of our stylists will choose one nominee and give
them a hair makeover on February 6, 2012 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  It will be a night dedicated solely
to giving back and lifting spirits.

Denton, we ask you to nominate someone deserving of a complimentary makeover.  Mail us or
facebook private message us a 200 word or less summary of why they deserve the makeover along
with a picture of the nominee. Please include your name, address and phone number and the same
information of the nominee.   This contest is open to anyone 18 or over and does not have to be a
client of our salon. The winning names will be posted on our facebook HeadRush the Salon on
February 1, 2012 and each winner will be contacted by their stylist that same day.  Thank you Denton,
for making our jobs so much fun and allowing us to keep giving even after the holiday season is over!

by Lauren McKelvey

A new year always brings new fashion trends and styles, and this year is no different because this spring season has a lot to offer. Explore this sneak peak into trendy spring fashions and get your shopping list ready so you can stock up early.

Spring trends will focus largely on colors and prints with a few innovative styles making their way to stores and the runway. As far as colors go, keep an eye out for tangerines and oranges, pastels and pinks. All shades of orange will be hot this season and will be present in all outlets of style. Pastels are the perfect spring color as they are seen on longer flowy dresses and skirts. Pink will also be a huge color for the season, but it will come with an interesting new style—the short suit. This suit will come in all shades of pink, along with other colors, and will feature different styles of blazers with coordinating shorts. The shorts can be all lengths—from super short and beachy to a longer, more business-like length.

Prints will also storm the runway in a huge way. From bold and bright to futuristic, we will be seeing it all. Colorful camo print will also be an interesting new look as we see the military influences in a bright new way that is perfect for the spring season. For the more daring, metallic fabric will also be an asset to the season’s trends as we see metallic pants, cropped jackets, and so much more.

Perhaps the most flattering style of all this coming season is the peplum look. For those who have not heard, the peplum look comes in a variety of styles and it simply features a flared ruffle that sits at the natural waistline. Not only is the waist defined and “pinched in,” but the ruffle also disguises the hips. This style is perfect for the body conscious who want to look feminine and chic. Peplum shirts can be casual or dressy and can be paired with dress pants, skirts, or even jeans. This extremely versatile and flattering style for the spring should be at the top of your shopping list—so stock up!

The black-eyed pea…more of a legume, really, has a long history of good luck, starting with the bible (i.e. Jewish New Year), then migrating to Africa and then to the U.S. in the 1600s with the slave trade. This staple crop of the south hit the big time during the Civil War purely out of necessity, when Northern soldiers destroyed everything else growing on rural farms. They are a key ingredient in Hoppin’ John (peas, rice and pork) and part of American soul food. So for the past 400 years or so, black-eyed peas have been a nourishing symbol of a lucky, prosperous new year for those of us beneath the Mason-Dixon Line.

In their most traditional form, black-eyed peas are cooked with a ham hock (or other pork product) and served with Southern delicacies like collard greens (representing money) and corn bread (representing gold). These hearty little peas are inexpensive, high in fiber and they hold up really well to hot sauce (well, it is the south).

Here are other traditions for New Years Luck:

• In Brazil and Italy, eating lentils are a sign of riches to come, since they expand as cooked. As well as eating pomegranates and saving 7 seeds in your wallet, only after dedicating 3 seeds to the three kings who visited Christ by throwing them over your shoulder after calling their names.

• In Spain, consume twelve grapes at midnight – one grape for each stroke of the clock and each grape symbolizing each month of the year. This dates back to 1909, when grape growers in the Alicante region of Spain initiated the practice to take care of a grape surplus. The idea stuck, spreading to Portugal as well as former Spanish and Portuguese colonies such as Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru.

• In France some people eat heart or log shaped desserts, sometimes made of ice cream.

• The Danish eat Kale sprinkled with sugar.

• In Japan, the osechi-ryori, a group of symbolic dishes eaten during the first three days of the New Year, includes sweet black beans called kuro-mame.

• Roast suckling pig is served in Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Austria—Different pork dishes such as pig’s feet are enjoyed in Sweden while Germans feast on roast pork and sausages often with sauerkraut.

• In many Asian countries, long noodles are eaten in order to bring a long life. One catch: You can’t break the noodle before it is all in your mouth.

• Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands eat donuts, and Holland has ollie bollen, puffy, donut-like pastries filled with apples, raisins, and currants.

SOUTHERN BLACK EYED PEAS

Ingredients
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinse and sorted
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt to taste

Additional crumbled bacon, optional

Directions
In a large Dutch oven, place the peas, bacon and enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Do not drain.
In a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in thyme and salt; add to pea mixture. Return to the heat; simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until peas are soft. Top with crumbled bacon if desired. Yield: 6-8 servings.

by Meridian Bank Texas

Many times, people put off saving for retirement, which can seriously derail retirement planning. While it’s always a good idea to have a trusted financial advisor with whom you can speak about your goals and progress, these 10 tips will get you started on the right track to saving for retirement.

1. Put as much money into your company’s 401(k) as you can. The maximum cap is 15%, but at the very least, contribute up to what your company matches. Otherwise, you’re throwing away free money.

2. If your company does not offer a 401(k) plan, open your own IRA (Individual Retirement Account).

3. Pay yourself first. Have money automatically deducted from your paycheck and invested for retirement.

4. Do not dip into your retirement savings, before seeking advice from your financial advisor.

5. Set new priorities to spend less and save more – now. Sometimes this means selling a more expensive car and buying a cheaper one to cut back on your car payments, thus giving you more money to sock away.

6. Develop a retirement savings plan with the help of a financial advisor. It’s important to be realistic and know how much money you will need to live the lifestyle you want in retirement.

7. Invest your savings appropriately. Learn when to take on more risk and when to take on less.

8. Commit to saving more. Calculate the most you think you can put away for retirement, and then add 10% to that amount. That’s a big commitment, but well worth the rewards.

9. Don’t “cash in” your retirement money when switching jobs as you could lose money to taxes and penalties. Instead, roll your money over to another plan or an IRA.

10. Start now! No matter how young or old you are, you don’t have time to waste. Starting to save immediately will get you on the right track for retirement that much sooner.

Preparing your pet for a new baby is as important as preparing your home. Here are some tips to get you started.

Reduce the Attention – Your pet is used to being the center of attention. If a pet is demanding, nudges, paws, or barks for attention, he could injure or frighten the baby. Get him used to sharing you.

The Baby’s Room – Before the baby comes, let him spend time in the room while you set up the crib, etc. Teach him to lie down in a specific place; if he doesn’t, remove him from the room and try again later. If the room is off limits, install a barrier/gate or a screen door, allowing him to see and hear what’s happening.

Check Up & Groom – Visit the vet for a routine exam and vaccinations. Make sure nails are trimmed and edges smoothed before the baby comes home.

Obedience – Your dog should respond to verbal commands (sit, stay, place, etc.) and remain calm when sitting next to you. Practice walking “nice” on a leash when pushing a stroller, in noisy, hectic and new situations. NO jumping on people, furniture, the baby’s crib or changing table; NO play-biting, this can cause serious injury.

Crate Training & Doggie Sitter – Crates provide a safe haven and a place that he can call his own; never crate more than a few hours. Establish a private spot for your dog; stock it with his favorite toys, blanket, food and water. Make plans for a “doggie” sitter; a friend/family member is perfect during the birthing time.

Sights, Smells and Sounds – Using a controlled process, expose your dog to as many babies as possible. Babies look, smell, sound and move differently than big humans. Use treats, toys and positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. A doll can help them get used to the real thing; take a stroller when you walk your dog; sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin to introduce new smells. Before the baby comes home from the hospital, bring home a blanket they have been wrapped in and present it to your dog. Let him smell it completely. After the blanket is received with good behavior have him “sit” and give praise/treats. Use your baby’s name often, socialize your dog, play a recording of baby sounds, toys, mobiles, etc.

Bringing the Baby Home – Have a neutral person carry the baby into the house while you do your normal “greeting,” and keep it brief and calm. Use a leash for better control during the first few encounters. It’s important that “new baby” and “first baby” have a chance to bond. Introduce him to the newest member of the family by holding the baby in your lap; let the dog “smell” but not touch the baby, and be careful that the dog does not nudge or paw the baby. If he misbehaves, remove him from the area, calmly and without emotion, and try again later.

Tending to the Baby – Don’t exclude your dog; instead, let him be part of the activity, allowing him to sit next to you while you are feeding or bathing. Never allow him to sleep or lie under the crib or cradle as they can easily be knocked down. Never leave your dog alone with your baby, make sure that they are supervised at all times.

Play Time – Reserve one-on-one doggie play time; incorporate the new baby at the end of that time. It’s important your dog maintains his position in the “pack.” It’s no longer the same, but he is still a member of the pack.

Remember that no matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet so please remember patience and love go hand in hand!

2nd Annual Kids in Motion Event

Teaching children the value of giving back to their community has a long reaching impact. Involving our children at an early age in charitable organizations instills valuable characteristics: Sympathy, Generosity, Kindness, Compassion, Confidence, and Self Realization. For these reasons, Gail Graves, DBL’s past president implemented a new committee called the Minor League. Under the exceptional leadership of Laurie Dickson and Stacy Hays, DBL hosted their first Kids in Motion event in January of 2011 for the children and grandchildren of DBL. The kids were all asked to bring a non perishable food item to donate to the Denton Food Bank. They had a wonderful time making picture frames for the residents of Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home and cutting out Dog Biscuits for the Denton Animal Shelter. All the children involved created a thumbprint bowl that was later auctioned off at the annual DBL Charity Ball. While the children made their crafts, they were serenaded by the Children’s Childbloom Guitar Ensemble. The very talented Polly Maynard wrapped up the event with a private performance for all the children.

As successful as the event was, there was one thing missing- more children! This year our current president, Jacqueline Jackson would like to extend this opportunity to all the children in our community. “ DBL has a great opportunity to teach all children the importance of giving back to our community.” Our 2nd Annual Kids in Motion event will be held February 4th from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Center for Visual Arts. Once again, Time to Kiln has graciously donated an item for the children to put their thumbprints on. We will be creating another craft to take to Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home. They can make blankets for the animals at Denton Animal Shelter. Finally, they have the opportunity to bring a smile to the face of a resident of Dogwood Estates by creating a hand made Valentine’s Day card. Children will have a further opportunity to directly see the impact they have had by signing up for afternoon field trips to take place throughout the month of February to deliver their wonderful creations.

This event is completely free. We simply ask each child to bring a new or gently used book. Although we have yet to identify the ultimate beneficiary, we see a need to help towards the solution of ending illiteracy in our community. As Dr. Seuss once said, “a person’s a person no matter how small.” This is an excellent opportunity to get our children involved with helping others in the community. Even a small child can make a huge impact.

For more information regarding this event or to make a reservation, please contact Lucy Huff at lucyfhuff@hotmail.com or 940-566-5955. We do request a reservation is made by January 20th. We want every child who wants to have the opportunity to be involved in all the crafts.