By Janice Howell, vice president, MODA Floors & Interiors, www.ModaFloorsandInteriors.com

Area rugs need the same attention and consistent maintenance as your carpeting, ceramic tile or hardwood flooring. Knowing what’s expected of you regarding their upkeep can be a determining factor in the type of rugs you purchase.

Although a handmade rug is a work of art, it’s made to be walked on. So are all machine-made rugs. With usage, as the top layers of pile break, (in most cases wool), the pile looks shinier and smoother, and with light exposure the colors look more harmonious.

Here are a few steps to make sure that your area rug ages gracefully, naturally and beautifully.

ATLANTA -- You have seen them on NBC television network reality series “America’s Got Talent” and if you are a reality-show junkie, you remember them sharing  their high-energy dance experience with singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss and Attorney Phaedra Parks in connection with their travels to South Africa on BRAVO cable network top-rated reality series “Real Housewives of Atlanta”.

Now, the 19-year Atlanta-based ensemble GIWAYEN MATA, is going  to bring their ‘contagious’ high energy drum and dance to the Southwest Arts Center for Father's Day. Between educating audiences about African traditions and breaking barriers as an all-sistah ensemble in a male dominated percussion industry, its no wonder Creative Loafing Magazine named them "Best Local World Music Act" three times!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. Thank you for the sacrifices you make. For staying up all night with a sick child, for helping with homework, running the family taxi to endless ball games, and for all the things you do to keep the household running smoothly. May your day be blessed with flowers, breakfast in bed, extra chores from the kids, handmade crafts, and time to yourself.