Win an Ipad OR a $500 Apple Gift Card!

Have you been drooling over the new Apple Ipad...or maybe there is some other shiny Apple gadget that's caught your eye.  Now's your chance to enter and win a FREE APPLE 16 GB IPAD with WI-FI OR a $500 Apple Gift Certificate!  Keep reading for details on this exciting contest and how YOU can earn up to 15 entries...

Here’s how to enter:

Become a FAN by “Liking” our Facebook Page = 1 Entry
Existing Facebook Fans are already eligible and automatically have 1 Entry! Be sure to CLAIM YOUR ENTRY by posting "In it to win it" on the Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics Face Book Page or drop an email to seemysmile@stewartandlabbe.com.
 
Follow our Blog = 1 Entry
 
*Pick the office you visit the most and write a review on our Yahoo or Google listing! Just click and follow the link:
 
(Don't worry...will also be adding Bing as an option.  Be sure and check back early next week...)
 
Write a review for our Annapolis office on Yahoo or Google! = 2 Entries
Write a review for our Crofton office on Yahoo or Google! = 2 Entries
Write a review for our Greenbelt office on Yahoo or Google! = 2 Entries
Write a review for our Bowie office on Yahoo or Google! = 2 Entries
 
*Feel like having some Fun?  Post a video testimonial to our Facebook Page and get 3 Entries!
 
Want to share the Fun?  Refer a friend to Stewart & Labbe Orthodontics.  If they come in for a New Patient Consultation before 1/16/11, you get 5 Entries!! 

(Remember our Care to Share Program too...earn Wahoos AND $$ too!)
 
Don't forget:

Upon entering the contest, please be sure to email seemysmile@stewartandlabbe.com to have your entries verified and tallied.  Entries for this contest will be accepted from 11/24/10 – 1/16/11.  Winner will be announced on 1/18/11 via our Facebook Page. Limit of 15 entries per person.  Winner MUST be or have been a patient or parent of a patient of Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics.
 
The winner will have 2 weeks (until 2/1/11) to claim the prize.  If the prize is not claimed, another winner will be drawn (same rules will apply).

If you have any questions, please send a message via Facebook or email seemysmile@stewartandlabbe.com. 

*We ask that you please refrain from posting any negative reviews or testimonials.  If you have a complaint regarding Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics, please let us know.  We promise that we will do all that we can to address it. You can email nikkid@stewartandlabbe.com OR call 888.828.8558.
 
Winner will have their choice of a 16 GB Apple Ipad with Wi-Fi OR a $500 Gift Certificate to Apple.  No substitutions. 
 
Great Luck!!

FUNNY!

Happy Halloween to Ghouls and Goblins!
Have a safe and fun time...
Don't forget to smile!!

Here's a little something to get your weekend started... enjoy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Ghosts and Ghouls, Princesses and Pirates!

Halloween is coming! Halloween is coming! Such an exciting time...so pull out those costumes, get your cobwebs hung and prepare yourself for yet another spookalicious good time!

It seems like every year there are more and more interesting things to do for Halloween. It really has become a HUGE holiday! So what are your plans for this ghostly day? Haunted House perhaps? What about a fun hayride? Whatever it is, we want you to be safe and have fun!

PLEASE remember to stay away from anything sticky, chewy or gummy and take care of those teeth. Also, on Friday, October 29th, ANY patient that comes into either our Greenbelt, Crofton or Bowie office with a costume on will get 10 WaBOOS! Come on down and join in the fun.

Click HERE to read a great article from About.com listing some of the goings ons in our area for Halloween.

If you have other ideas of what to do during this festive time, please post them below.

Have a great rest of the week and don’t forget to SMILE SMILE SMILE!

A Great Celebration!

Hello Bloggers! I hope that all is well with you…
Can you believe that the fall time is finally here?! All the kids are back in school, the leaves are already starting to change, and the weather is perfect for sleeping with the windows wide open!
Time sure does fly…case in point…our Annapolis Office has now been open for almost 6 months! So…I think that it is official now…don’t you? We had one more party just to be sure. This time with many of the Dentists that we work with! It was a ton of fun!

We sure do hope that your fall is a great one! Stay safe and don’t forget to smile lots.

If you would like to see some pictures of the celebration, please click on the picture below.

BACK TO SCHOOL....ALREADY?

Can you believe how fast the summer flew by? The first day of school is here already! Well…all of us at Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics wish you a very safe and happy school year.

Here are some important links to help you out:

Anne Arundel County Public School Website

Prince George’s County Public School Website

A great article on how to have fun at school

Free templates for school calendars

Homework Helper

So go and have fun this year....whether it is your first, seventh, last or whatever…make the most of it! Remember to smile and put your very best foot forward.

We are proud of all of our students and can’t wait to hear all about your new school year!

Here’s a little something to make you giggle too…do you remember this?

Stewart and Labbe New Annapolis Office Open House Party!

On Thursday, August 12th, we had our first official party at the New Annapolis Office! What a great night this was! The Drs., the Staff and our patients had a fantastic time.

After watching the weather all day long and doing plenty of “ant-rain” dances, we lucked out! Sure there were a few showers in the beginning, but we ended up with some blue skies. Then, right when the party was over and the DJ had played his last song, the rain came down HARD! No one seemed to mind at that time.

The food at the party was unbelievable. I am a HUGE fan of good food and Harborque definitely delivered. They have location in Baltimore and if you like great BBQ, then is worth checking out.

We had such a good turn out…despite the threat of bad weather… and it was such a fun night. Music was playing and the dance floor was packed.

After such a successful event, we hope to have m ore parties like this in the future. It was fun to chill out with our patients and a perfect way to spend a summer night.

Click on the picture below to see the pictures!

YUCK!? The GROSS Truth about Morning Breath!

Well doesn’t this article just want to make you brush your teeth…again and again and again. Written by Howard Bennett for “KidsPost”, it gives some insight as to why we all get “morning breath”. Don’t knock anyone over trying to get to the sink to freshen up tomorrow morning. Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Monday, June 28, 2010
It's a cozy Sunday morning as you sneak into your parents' bedroom for some snuggle time. You carefully slip between your mom and dad, feeling the warmth of their bodies. Then your mom turns over, smiles gently and pulls you close for a little kiss. However, instead of the inviting smell you normally associate with your mom, you are enveloped in the foulest breath that has ever left a human body!
How could someone who looks so good on the outside smell so bad on the inside? When you complain about your mom's breath, she tries to convince you that yours is just as bad. You're sure she's wrong. After all, when you exhale into your hands and sniff, your breath smells fine.
Is your mom right? Does your morning breath smell just as bad as hers? If it does, whose idea was it to turn the human mouth into a garbage can after a night of blissful sleep?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but your mom is right. It's a fact that people are unable to smell their own breath.
The human mouth is home to billions of bacteria. These microscopic organisms don't make you sick, but they grow like weeds on every structure in your mouth: tongue, teeth, gums, cheeks, etc. And like all living things, bacteria produce waste products. It is their waste products that give your parents (and you) such horrible breath in the morning.
People can have bad breath during the day as well, but something happens at night that makes the problem much worse when you wake up. Because you don't eat or drink when you sleep, huge numbers of bacteria that would normally be washed down your throat have the opportunity to "party" til dawn. And as those bacteria gorge themselves and reproduce, they foul the air around them.
However, instead of being mad at these invisible fiends, you should pity them. As soon as you wake up, eat breakfast and brush your teeth, most of them will be swallowed and killed by the acids in your stomach.
-- Howard Bennett

Howard Bennett, a Washington pediatrician and author of health-related books for kids, writes about gross things for KidsPost

2 MONTHS?!

YOUR new Annapolis office at 114 Forbes Street has been open now for 2 whole months. Sooo…what do you think? Are you happy with the way that it turned out? This is YOUR office by the by…

As a team, we are all very happy there. LOVE the amount of space that we have…don’t feel like we are on top of each other…and we also like the relaxing atmosphere of it. Not that our other locations aren’t relaxing as well…but this Annapolis office in particular has a certain “chill” to it.

So if you haven’t made the rounds and come on in to check it all out yet, here are some pics to hold you over till you can make it in. We sure hope to see you soon…

Big Smiles to all!
Click on this pic to see a few more...and yes, they are on the roof!

BOWIEFEST TOMORROW!

Come on down and join in the fun at BowieFest! Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics will be there Tie Dying some T-Shirts and having some fun! And HEY…Did you know that if you tie dye a shirt and then wear that shirt to a New Patient Consultation, we will give you $200 OFF TREATMENT! It’s a wearable coupon!

Already a patient of Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics? Then be sure to wear your Stewart and Labbe T-Shirt that you already have to the fair. Stop on by the booth and we will give you 25 Wahoos! THEN…Tie Dye yourself a NEW T-Shirt and wear THAT to your next appointment and we will give you ANOTHER 25 Wahoos! IT MADNESS!

Here is some more information on the Big Day:

Bowiefest 2010 at Allen Pond Park on Saturday

Rides, activities, crafts, music, entertainment, food and more food can be found this Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm for Bowiefest 2010 at Allen Pond Park (rain date Sunday, June 6th). Here is a sample of the activities and rides:


Giant slide
Moon bounce
Pony ride
Petting zoo
Rock wall
Face painting
Crafts

The entertainment includes a live reptile show and several area bands.

Parking at Allen Pond Park could be an issue because the amusement rides will occupy the grassy area that usually serves as the overflow parking lot. Shuttle bus service is available from 10:30am to 6:30pm between the Park & Ride lot on Northview Drive and Allen Pond Park.

The City of Bowie put together an informative program that you can see in PDF format. Click here to see the complete list of rides, activities, food vendors and entertainment. I didn't notice the second page the first time I opened it up, so be sure to look for both pages in the PDF file.

The city also issued the following press release:

Bowie, Maryland - May 24, 2010 - Join your neighbors and CELEBRATE BOWIE at the annual Bowiefest on Saturday, June 5, 2010, from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Allen Pond Park (3330 Northview Drive).
Bowiefest is a long-standing tradition in the City that brings the best of Bowie's civic organizations, entertainers, and businesses to one place for one day. Around the pond you can sample food from area vendors including cotton candy by the Collington Masons, fish & chips provided by the Bowie Xpress, and beef barbecue by the Belle-Aires Twirlers. Other festival favorites include soft serve ice cream, funnel cakes, Italian sausage, frozen fruit drinks, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Entertainment will be provided on two stages featuring Bowie's own Reptile World with Michael Shwedick, Belair Square Cats, C&C Dance Company, and including Bowie's own Proverbs Reggae Band who will fill the stage with music from Jamaica and is sure to get you up and dancing on the amphitheater lawn. The East Pavilion Stage brings you the Bands of Bowie playing a variety of music all day with 40 Dollar Fine, Good Kemistry Band and Stavagant to name a few.

In addition to the plethora of food and entertainment, don't forget to stop by the craft tables organized by the Soroptimist International of Bowie/Crofton and purchase beautifully handcrafted wares.

Stop inside the Ice Arena for the Business Expo, organized and operated by the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.

Back outside there are a number of non-profits organizations providing information about their organization's services. Rides, games, and activities make a day at Bowiefest complete. From moon bounces to rock walls and petting zoos to pony rides, there is sure to be something for all ages. (Rain Date June 6th)

For more information about Bowiefest call 301-809-3078.

Summer 2010 is FINALLY HERE!

Not sure what to do this Memorial Day Weekend? Well here on some suggestions for in and around our area that are sure to make you smile! Candice Thompson, a writer for the Baltimore Sun, has some wonderful ideas! Check it out and see if there’s something on this list for you and your family. Whatever you decide to do, make it fun and be safe…smile lots and we look forward to seeing you in the summer of 2010!

MAY 24, 2010 Three days in May: Last-minute Memorial Day suggestions So you still haven’t made Memorial Day weekend plans yet. For the first time in forever, I actually have a plan. But, believe me, I feel your pain. Let’s throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and see what sticks. We’ll keep adding all week, so check back. If you have a can't-miss suggestion, jump in. 1) On Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, take a guided bicycle ride on the Western Maryland Rail Trail near Hancock. Just meet other riders at Hancock Bike Shop, 9 S. Pennsylvania Ave. It’s free. Call 301-842-2155 for more information. 2) The fishing is easy and fun from the two floating piers at Piney Run Park in Sykesville. Kids can catch bluegills, sunfish, largemouth bass and catfish. Rent a canoe or kayak or pay $8 to launch your own non-gas-powered boat. The 300-acre reservoir is surrounded by nearly twice as many acres of woods. Park entrance fee is $5 for each carload of Carroll County residents and $10 for a carload of nonresidents. The park phone number is 410-795-3274. 3) See Maryland’s largest cascading waterfall at Cunningham Falls State Park. The 78-foot-high plume is just a short walk from Route 77 outside Thurmont. Cross the road and stop at the visitor center at visit Catoctin Mountain Park, run by the National Park Service. Drive the Park Central Road for easy access to vistas and overlooks. Try to guess where Camp David is located within park boundaries. Do not annoy the Secret Service. 4) For a chance to see bald eagles, osprey and herons on Harness Creek outside Annapolis, take a guided paddling adventure Friday night or Saturday morning that starts at Quiet Waters Park. The price ranges from $35 to $60, depending on the trip and type of boat you want. For an unaccompanied paddle, canoes and kayaks run from $15 to $60, depending on the length of the rental. Details are at 410-271-7007 or paddleorpedal.com. 5) Take a wildlife tram tour through the wetlands and forests of the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel. The open-sided tram runs at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The National Wildlife Visitor Center is off Powder Mill Road, between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 197 south of Laurel. Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens 55 and older, and $1 for children under 12. The visitor center number is 301-497-5580. 6) Take a seven-mile hike Saturday on the Valley View Trail along the Patapsco River with the Howard County Sierra Club. There will be several stream crossings. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in Rockburn Branch Park, the entrance off Landing Road one mile north of Montgomery Road. Park in the lot at the end of the road under the power lines. For details, call James Perschy, 410-964-1902 or jameshike@verizon.net. 7) On Saturday or Sunday, pick up some items for you boat at the Annapolis Nautical Flea Market, Navy Marine Corps Stadium, Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday. Tickets: $5. Parking: $5. Details: 410-268-8828 or sheilaj@usboat.com.

To see this article in it’s entirety or to learn more about the writer, please click here.

Have you ever wondered if Invisalign is right for you? Well now is your chance to get all your questions and concerns answered about Invisalign or Invisalign Teen and….
SAVE $500 on Invisalign Treatment!

On Thursday, May 27th from 6 – 9 pm in our Crofton office, we will be hosting
an “Invisalign Night”! Join us and 103.1 WRNR and learn more about what Invisalign can do for you.

*Attendees will receive a thorough examination from one of our Orthodontic Specialists.
Our doctors are Elite Premier Providers of Invisalign...
this recognition is given to only the top 1% of Invisalign Providers worldwide.
*You must RSVP to reserve an examination time*

Refreshments and appetizers will be served, The WRNR Roadshow
will have bundles of cool stuff to give away and GREAT door prizes will be raffled off.

The best part is that we are prepared to start your Invisalign treatment that night!
So come prepared and for May 27th evening only, we will take
**$500 OFF INVISALIGN TREATMENT!
This is an incredible opportunity, so get started with Invisalign NOW!
**Special price good for May 27th ONLY. NO other coupons or discounts may apply.

Take advantage of this special pricing and come visit us in our Crofton office on
Thursday, May 27th. Doors open at 6 pm.
Please call to reserve an appointment 410-451-7202 or toll free 1-888-828-8558.Adults and Teens…this is the start of a whole new YOU!
Get that beautiful smile you have always wanted.

INVISALIGN and INVISALIGN TEEN

Our Crofton office is located in “The Villages of Waugh Chapel”2630 Brandermill Blvd, Gambrills, MD 21054
Doors open at 6 pm.
SEE YOU THERE!!

Camp Blaze Children's Fair

Hey Everyone! On Saturday, May 1st, at the Big Vanilla in Arnold, MD, the HOTTEST even to the year is going to be happening. The Camp Blaze Children’s Fair! Join in the fun…

At 9:00 am there will be a Town Meeting
Meet the your Hometown Heroes
Surprise Guests
Food
Music
Bowling
Rock Climbing
Gymnastic Maze
100 Ft. Skate Ramp
Moonbounces
Characters
Silent Auction
Tons of our area’s talented kids
Much, much more!

Festivities start at 9:00 and go till 3:00!

Come by the Stewart & Labbe Orthodontics Booth and Tie Dye a FREE T-Shirt! Just like your smile…these shirts are ONE OF A KIND! A smile to DYE FOR! New Patients ~ Wear your T-Shirt to a New Patient Consultation and get $200 off Treatment!

Already a patient?? Then wear your tie dyed T to your next appointment and we will give you 25 Wahoos!

Want to REALLY rack up some Wahoos? Wear your CURRENT Stewart & Labbe T-Shirt to the fair and we will give you 25 Wahoos ON THE SPOT!

Come on down….we hope to see your BEAUTIFUL SMILE there!

Our New Annapolis Office is OPEN!!

After what seems like an eternity, OUR NEW ANNAPOLIS OFFICE IS FINALLY READY TO OPEN ITS DOORS! There is no doubt that when you walk in you will see that this office is different than our others. Instead of our traditional blue coloring, Drs. Stewart and Labbe chose more neutral colors to blend with the natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and the historical city of Annapolis.

The reception area and clinical area have large flat screen TV’s for our patients. We plan on showcasing educational DVD’s such as “Planet Earth” and other Discovery Chanel favorites.

The game room will feature the latest games from Play Station as well as Xbox…which we know ALL of our patients are going to LOVE! And for the more serious side of things, we have a separate and more private room just in front of the reception desk to discuss more delicate matters such as payment contracts and hygiene issues.

I think the MOST exciting thing for our patients…at least for our parents…is the adequate amount of parking that we will now have! YAHOO!

The things that will undoubtedly be the same at our new Annapolis location are great customer service and BEAUTIFUL Smiles!...and the phone numbers…

So…starting Tuesday, April 20th, 2010, all Annapolis appointments will be at our new address:

114 Forbes Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-267-7300

Even if you don’t have an appointment…please feel free to come on by and check it out! We would love to have you…

All of us here at Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics are VERY excited about our new location and hope you will be too.

EARTH HOUR

Three years ago in Sydney, Australia, 2.2 million homes and businesses disconnected from the modern world by turning off cell phones, televisions, computers, video games AND the lights for one hour. This was a stand against climate change and marks the very first Earth Hour. One year later, Earth Hour became a global movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Major global landmarks such at the Sydney Harbor Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and Rome’s Coliseum, all braved the darkness as a symbol of hope for our earth’s future.

In March of 2009, Earth Hour had grown and hundreds of millions of people participated. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries took a one hour time out to pledge their support for the planet. This was the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

This year Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 pm (local time). This is your chance to stand up, take responsibility, get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future for all mankind. So sign up now and make 2010’s Earth Hour the BIGGEST yet!


What to do for an hour in the dark?
Gaze at the stars
Take a moonlit walk
Gather some friends and have an Earth Hour party
Play a board game with your family by candlelight
Play some of your old favorite musical instruments
SMILE LOTS
What ideas do you have for Earth Hour?

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

Well My My…Chicken Pot Pie! I went by and checked out our new Annapolis Office and HOLY MOLY! That place is looking GREAT! You guys are going to LOVE it!
The colors are all very natural and therefore give the place a wonderfully relaxing vibe. There is a TON of storage so you know the girls are going to be happy about that. The view is great…nothing better that sitting back in a comfy chair and glancing out at the Naval Academy Stadium. I have a feeling that everyone is going to be extremely pleased.

As far as I know, there is no official move in date as of yet. But…I am certain that will change in the next week or so. And to be honest…I am not sure who is going to be moving us either. I think that our clinical coordinator, Cathy will be in charge of that! (HeHeHe) Seriously though… Dr. Stewart and Dr. Labbe always have a great plan in place.

As soon as I know more, I will gladly pass it on to you our cyber friends. More importantly, as soon as I know the Grand Opening Party date…I will pass it on!

Here’s a quick movie showing some of the spacious inside. What do you think?

Dental Health Month

February is Dental Health Month and Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics sure does know how to celebrate. Despite the snow, our Dental Health Month Team is out and about in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County in full force. We have a total of 21 schools on our schedule to visit and spread the good word of Dental Health. Primarily we speak to third grade classes. This year, we have been fortunate enough to talk to several different ages of children.
What is Dental Health Month you ask…just read below:

The annual observance of children's dental health began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3, 1941. During that year, February 3-7 was designated as Children's Dental Health Week in Akron, Ohio.
The American Dental Association held the first national observance of Children's Dental Health Day on February 8, 1949. This single day observance became a week-long event in 1955. In 1981, the program was extended to a month-long celebration known today as National Children's Dental Health Month.
Since 1941, the observance has grown from a two-city event into a nationwide program. NCDHM messages reach millions of people in communities across the country and at numerous armed service bases abroad.

From the website of Santa Clara County Dental Society
http://www.sccds.org/public/resourcesfordentalcare/TeachersResources/dentalhealthmonth.asp
For us, it’s a wonderful way to get out and talk to kids about the importance of good dental hygiene. We have fun, the kids laugh and we use a giant orange snake puppet named George. Who wouldn’t LOVE Dental Health Month?
Speaking of Dental Health Month...here is a little something to make you giggle. I PROMISE you a SMILE!

BRING ON THE SNOW!

So here we are, in our little state of Maryland, about to get pummeled by yet another HUGE snow storm! If you ask me…this is reason to celebrate. Time to snuggle up to family and friends and spend quality time at home.

Here at Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics, our staff is definitely looking forward to the fun. Nikki is going to try her hand at making some Turkey Chili (thanks for the recipe ladies!) while Wendy is excited to watch a few good movies. Jenn C is going to catch up on lost time with her hard working policeman husband. Kari plans on doing a lot of cleaning to make room for the baby (they’re expecting!) and Jessie…she’s not really a big fan of the snow. Let’s see what she has to say:



So as you can see Jessie's not a big fan. Sara? She's just excited to chill out and eat some good ole' "comfort food".

Where ever you are and what ever you do this weekend please be safe, have fun and SMILE!

Wake Up!! It's Wednesday! SMILE!

I LOVE this! Hope you enjoy too...



Happy Wednesday!

NO SMILE FOR YOU!

Well here is something interesting! Can you imagine NOT smiling when you get your picture taken for you driver license? Sure…you just stood in a long line and more likely so than not brought the wrong paperwork with you to the DMV… BUT there is a camera in your face and for most, it’s impossible not to flash your pearly whites.

However, despite our natural need to say “CHEESE”, the authorities “Down Under” and now in four states are asking applicants NOT to smile! Such a change as we head into an even more technological world. Check it out…

Why You Won't Smile For Your Future Driver's LicenseWhen Science Hits Your ID
Posted: Jan, 22 2010
by Jonathon Ramsey
To see the original article, please click here.

It seems that it won't be long before you'll find facial recognition technology when you apply for a driver's license. And as a result, you better wipe that smile off your face.

In fact, the technology is already in place in Australia. When Aussie drivers apply for licenses they'll have their pictures taken, and the new software will then measure three distances: the spaces between the eyes, nose, and mouth.

License applicants won't notice a drastic difference in the process, but they'll notice they are asked not to smile while the photo is being taken. The machines require a "neutral expression" in order to pick up the correct measurements. According to creators of the facial recognition software, two photos of the same person can be mismatched if there is a strong expression in one versus the other.

Why all the fancy technology? Australia is using the calculations in comparison to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) database, and if it appears that an applicant is trying to get a license under a different name the system will flag the authorities.

Although it's stated that the "system is designed to prevent people who have had their license taken away from applying for a second one," stopping "license cheats" is only the skin-deep argument.

The deeper issue is identity theft. According to David Borger, the state of New South Wales' assistant transport minister, "Identity fraud costs Australia more than $3.5 billion a year." That's about a third of a percent of the nation's entire gross domestic product, almost as much as New South Wales spends on its entire road system in a year.

If it sounds like things are getting all Minority Report in the land Down Under, well, that's nothing compared to what could potentially happen in the U.S.

In fact, four states already implement the "no smiling" rule, including Arkansas, Indiana, Nevada and Virginia. Over 30 in the U.S. have a digital photography capture for their identification cards.

Between the security measures states are adding, the trials of Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs), the federal government's Real ID program, and corporations actively planning for higher security, a mere RFID chip is going to look like the 19th century when you could just write an "X" to sign your name.

And unsurprisingly, a number of people aren't exactly happy about it.

To be honest, though, this isn't just about gathering information. Just with the records currently stored by your driver's license, cell phone and wireless carrier, Internet Service Provider, credit card companies, Facebook, and even your Amazon Kindle, the authorities only need a few phone calls to build a good profile and history on you.

Wisconsin started comparing digital driver's license photos to those in its database back in 2005. In 2008, New Mexico began comparing photos to its own database and to a national database called the Problem Driver Pointer System. Last year Virginia began taking photos at the beginning of the application process so it can figure out if you're who you say you are before any paperwork gets shuffled. It also began issuing licenses from one central location instead of passing them over-the-counter at regional DMV offices.

On the national level, the Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is encouraging institution and study of Enhanced Driver's Licenses that will allow border crossings in North America. More than an ID but less than a passport, it is currently available in some border states and only to U.S. citizens. In fact, even the people who issue the EDL must be American citizens. The EDL must contain an RFID chip, and some, like New York's EDL, have additional machine readable zones (MRZs) that contain license information.

But the grandaddy is the Real ID, another Homeland Security program, which has been delayed a few times as individuals, states, and even Congressional representatives have fought it. Final nationwide implementation set for 2014 or 2017 depending on when you were born, and while there is no reason it couldn't get pushed back again, there is every reason to believe that its adoption is inevitable.

The Real ID, effectively a national identity card, will require issuers will go through background checks and all information will be centrally stored.

The expected pockets of opposition to all of this come from various corners, from those worried about privacy to those worried about gun rights, terrorism, and even identity fraud.

Thankfully, there is an out: about a dozen states still allow you to get driver's licenses that don't even have photos on them.

Just the Ticket for a GREAT New Year!

New Year’s Reflections
By Joanna Fuchs

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.
Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.
And when we ponder those who do,
We immediately think of you.
Thanks for being one of the reasons
We'll have a Happy New Year!

Hello faithful Stewart and Labbe friends and fans! A very happy New Year to you and yours. All of us here at Stewart and Labbe Orthodontics hope that you had a warm and happy holiday season and are as excited about 2010 as we are!

Optimism is in the air and it smells good…

So this is just a note to all of you… and those curious folks in cyber world that have stumbled upon our fun little blog… a note that will hopefully make you smile now and encourage you to do so each and every day of the year that lies ahead.

I found this article on the website about.com. Here is the link if you would like to read it in its entirety: http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm

10 Reasons to Smile:

1. Smiling Makes You More Attractive
People are drawn to other people who smile. It is instinct to want to know a smiling person and to try and figure out what’s so good.

2. Smiling Changes Your Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile! Chances are your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious
Don’t spread germs…spread smiles! When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others and make things generally happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them!

4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress has a habit of showing up on your face. Smiling can help to prevent you from looking tired, worn down and overwhelmed. When you feel the stress coming on, put on a smile!

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling can help the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves. This could possibly be because you are more relaxed and surrounded by happy people. Prevent the cold and flu and by smiling!

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try! If you have a blood pressure monitor at home take a reading. Then smile for about a minute and take another reading while you are still smiling…do you see a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Smiling is a natural drug that will make you feel good!

8. Smiling Lifts Your Face And Makes You Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face and therefore can make you look younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day! It’s a great way to look younger and feel better!

9. Smiling Makes You More Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted and more approachable. When the doors to your bright future open, great it with a smile! Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this simple test: Smile. Now, try to think of something negative without loosing your smile. It’s a difficult thing to do. When our mouths are smiling, our brain is sending out the message “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by simply smiling.

So as 2010 makes itself comfortable in your life, remember this: You can be a super hot, happy, stress free, healthy, successful, positive person that spreads good cheer, enjoys a natural high and generally rocks if you just SMILE!