5 Tips to Help Get Your Kids to the Dentist for a Post-Halloween Check-up

Halloween Dental Tips for Trick-or-Treating in Charlotte, NC

Halloween is finally here and every parent knows what that means. Yes, you got it right. It spells, C-A-N-D-Y! And, of course, we know what candy turns out to be: CAVITIES! We know where cavities lead, a visit to the dentist’s office.

You’re probably already dreading the thought of taking your kids to the dentist for a post-Halloween check-up. If your kids are totally cool with seeing the dentist, then you are way better off than most parents. According to a recent study, out of the 240 children who were part of the study, 74.1% are found to have dental fear or dental anxiety and ranged from mild to severe anxiety.

Imagine if your kid is a part of that 74.1%. There are several ways you can help eliminate dental anxiety.

1. Start on their First Tooth

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it’s better to start them young. It’s also important that they become familiar with their dentist in worcester as they grow up so do your research for good pediatric dentists in your area!

2. Save the Details

Kids don’t understand medical terms so avoid piquing their curiosity with technical terms! You’ll end up having a kid with never ending questions about what a dentist does! Keep it plain and simple.

3. Careful What You Say

As much as possible, do no associate a visit to the dentist with trigger words such as, ‘hurt’ or ‘pain’. That automatically registers to a kid’s mind to be related. Use positive words like, ‘healthy and clean teeth’.

4. Give Way to the Dental Staff

If you bring your kid to see a pediatric dentist, trust that the staff knows how to handle kids with dental anxiety. Friendly Dental Group of South Park dentists specialize in general and pediatric dentistry which means they are used to kids kicking up a fuss.

You might as well believe they have the best dentist in Charlotte, NC. Step aside for the staff to handle your kid but stay close enough in case you child needs you to hold his or her hand.

5. Make It a Habit

Kids are incredible at understanding what we say to our surprise. So, emphasize why oral hygiene is important. Make brushing at home fun.

Play dentist with them so they think it’s fun. Make it a habit. Take them in regularly so they get used to it. Pretty soon it’ll be part of their routine.

C‑SPAN Bus Coming To Charlotte On Battleground State Tour

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C-SPAN’s award-winning Bus will visit Charlotte on Friday, November 1 to engage students, teachers, community members and elected officials. The stop by the state-of-the-art, 45-foot customized mobile classroom and production studio is part of the Battleground States Tour, which includes some of the states that will play a pivotal role in the 2020 presidential election.

After kicking off in September in Iowa, where the first caucuses in the nation are held, the Bus traveled to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire and Tennessee. It continues the tour in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Maryland before ending in December in Washington, D.C.

In some cities along the tour, the Bus will host guests for live interviews during C-SPAN’s signature morning call-in program, Washington Journal. Guests will discuss the role these battleground states have in the upcoming election.

“These states will be among the key battlegrounds in the 2020 presidential race,” said Steve Scully, Political Editor for C-SPAN. “By visiting these communities, C-SPAN will provide another component to our extensive Campaign 2020 coverage and give our viewers an in-depth, unfiltered look at politics, from the early days on the campaign trail right up to Inauguration Day.”

Bus visitors will also be invited to share their thoughts on issues they want presidential candidates to address during the campaign as part of the “Voices from the Road” project. During the Battleground States Tour, students and educators will learn about C-SPAN’s national documentary competition, StudentCam. Awarding $100,000 in prize money annually, the competition challenges students to produce a 5-to-6-minute documentary using C-SPAN video to explore a local or national issue of importance. This year’s theme, “What’s Your Vision in 2020?,” asks students to explore the issue they most want presidential candidates to address during the campaign.

Through interactive kiosks and demonstrations aboard the Bus, visitors will learn about C-SPAN’s in-depth coverage of the American political process, Campaign 2020 programming and comprehensive online educational resources, including C-SPAN.org. The website includes an extensive video library containing over 252,000 hours of searchable content for viewing, research and education purposes.

“Spectrum is excited to bring the interactive C-SPAN Bus to North Carolina and continue our long-standing partnership with C-SPAN,” said Adam Falk, SVP, State Government Affairs for Charter Communications.  “We are proud to serve Charlotte by providing residents and local leaders the C-SPAN Networks and to share their robust educational and political resources with the community.”

EVENTS :

Friday, November 1

7:30AM-9:30AM                West Charlotte High School- Lift Academy

                                              1400 North Graham Street, Charlotte, NC 28206

                                                   Bus will be parked in front of school

 

11AM-1PM                          Johnson C. Smith University

                                                  Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216

                                                  (The bus will be in front of Biddle Hall next to an area called the block)

Top 10 Places To Get Free Food on Halloween

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Happy Halloween everyone!

If you have kids, this might be one of the cheapest days of the year for you – free snacks and entertainment at night, and now more an more restaurants are offering free food during the day.

Here are the top 10 best Halloween deals we could find:

#1 Free Krispy Kreme Donut

Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut to anyone who dresses up for Halloween. You must be inside the store with your costume on to get a free donut.

#2 Free Pancake at IHOP

12 Places to Get Free Food on Halloween

Via IHOP

Any kids 12 and under can get a free ‘scary-pancake’ at IHOP – even without a costume. There’s no limit on the amount of children you can bring – they all get a free pancake.

#3 Free Dessert at Outback Steakhouse

On October 31st your kids can enjoy a free dirt cup dessert with a purchase of a Joey Meal.

#4 Free Smoothie at Jamba Juice

Today from 2-7pm, kids can get a free smoothie at Jamba Juice.

#5 $3 Meal at Chipotle (burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos)

12 Places to Get Free Food on Halloween

Via Chipotle

Anyone in costume can get a $3 tex-mex meal during today’s Chipotle’s Boorito event. Also, if you text BOORITO to 888222 you’ll be entered for the chance to win free burritos for a year.

#6 $1.50 Ice Cream Cones at Baskin Robbins

All day today, Baskin Robbins is offering $1.50 scoops of ice cream (reg $2.79).

#7 $0.50 Corn Dogs at Sonic

Via Sonic

Anyone can enjoy $0.50 corn dogs all day on Halloween at Sonic.

#8 Free Photos at Bass Pro Shop

Ok, this isn’t ‘technically’ food, but if you go to the Bass Pro Shop in Concord Mills, you can get a free professional photo taken of your kids.

#9  25% off Pizza Hut Pizza

Via @pizzahut

On all take-out and delivery orders, you can use code SCARYGOOD25 to get 25%-off your Pizza Hut pizza – no child required.

#10 Free Pizza at Cici’s

Via Cicis

Kid’s 10 years and under can eat unlimited free pizza all day today with the purchase of an adult buffet and a costume.

7 Tips to Save Money When Remodelling Your Kitchen

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Are you bored of your kitchen? Are you thinking of remodeling it to give it a fresher, more modern look?

According to a study, the average American spends 27 minutes a day in the kitchen. That’s a significant chunk of our lives spent either preparing, cooking or eating in the same room. 

A kitchen remodeling company can bring about a lot of overwhelming decisions to make, but we are here to help. You can lean on our decades of experience to help you design every detail of your new kitchen, from the flooring and cabinetry, to appliances and every single lighting and plumbing fixture.

When you consider how much time you spend in the kitchen even when you’re not eating, you realize how important it is that you enjoy this space. That its a place that makes you feel safe, comfortable and content. 

However, we realize that not everyone has huge amounts of money to throw around on renovations.  Luckily, we have some tips for you to help you save money when remodeling your old kitchen. 

 

  • Start With a Plan

 

First of all, you need to have a plan of what you want your remodeled kitchen to look like. Mark out the areas you don’t like, and leave the areas you’re happy with. 

Do plenty of research. Think about the areas you’d like to change. Getting some help from interior design websites and apps like Instagram and Pinterest can give you a few ideas to work with. 

Once you’ve picked out several pictures of the design you want, you need to price it. Compare the prices on different websites, and consult with an interior design specialist. If you have a friend who has recently renovated their house, chat to them as they’ll likely have a few tips and tricks to share. 

 

  • Consider the Decor

 

Some kitchens don’t require drastic transformations. They simply need a change of appliances, fixtures, and miscellaneous tools. 

In order to save money on remodeling your kitchen entirely, look up the items you want to change on the internet or by visiting local stores near you. Before you buy anything, make sure it will fit in with the color, texture, and overall look of the final kitchen. 

For example, you can transform your kitchen by simply replacing your white goods and kitchen table in a different color scheme. When everything matches, it makes your kitchen look a lot more modern!

 

  • Get Painting! 

 

You can transform your kitchen by changing the color of the decor. Paint one of the walls a bright new color, or give your kitchen cabinets, window panes, chairs, tables, and drawers a new lick of paint.

Bear in mind that hiring a professional painter will be costly, compared to a DIY attempt made by you. You can find plenty of videos on YouTube demonstrating how you can paint practically anything with a little guidance, and the results are outstanding. 

What’s more, the paint, brushes, rollers, and other tools won’t cost as much as getting expert help. You just have to prepare to give your time and attention to the task at hand. 

 

  • Maximize Your Storage Space

 

By maximizing the storage space in your kitchen, you’re creating more space and allowing more light to illuminate the room. There are a few techniques that you can apply to store utility items without losing the aesthetics of the overall kitchen. 

Compartmentalize everything according to type, color, and usage, and make sure they are all stored out of sight, such as inside cabinets or drawers. The fewer objects you keep on the surfaces, the more spacious and visually appealing your kitchen will look. 

Be ruthless when you consider the items in your kitchen. Don’t hold onto anything you haven’t used for a very long time. Clear the space by donating those items to people who need them. 

 

  • Spray Paint Small Commodities

 

Another way you can redecorate your kitchen without spending too much is by spray painting small commodities, such as cabinet knobs, drawer handles, and the faucet

You can spray paint any object you want, as long as you stick to the color scheme. For instance, if your cabinets are white, spray paint your windowsills in white as well. 

A good rule of thumb is to not use more than two shades of color in the kitchen otherwise it can dominate the aesthetics. 

 

  • Donate What You Don’t Need

 

We are all guilty of keeping unnecessary items in the house that we simply don’t use. The same goes for kitchen appliances. 

By selling or donating these items to others in need, you’re freeing your kitchen from clutter. You’re also able to make a bit of money that you can put back into your new kitchen, or in the case of donating, giving back to the community. 

So, get rid of anything you don’t need from your kitchen and you’ll be surprised at how it transforms the space. 

 

  • Buy Eco-friendly Materials

 

If you have broken chairs, cabinet doors, or fixtures that need to be replaced, save yourself some cash by purchasing eco-friendly materials. For instance, you will profit from replacing your countertops with green, recyclable materials, like glass slab, paper composite, wood, bamboo, glass tile, or aluminum. 

Likewise, if you need to replace old or broken cabinets, you can invest in green, non-toxic materials, such as lyptus or wood cabinets, formaldehyde-free cabinets that are free of carcinogen, FSC and ESP certified cabinets or bamboo cabinets. 

Environmentally-friendly materials are natural, recyclable, and biodegradable. So, not only will you be making a difference to your home, but also to the environment. It’s a win-win!

  1. Upgrade Kitchen Appliances

If you are still using old appliances, your kitchen won’t look much different after renovation. So instead, also consider upgrading the old appliances that

you have for more advanced ones!

A few of the essentials a kitchen must-have are:

These and a few other interesting devices that will enhance your overall

kitchen experience.

That’s It

Remodeling your kitchen on a budget is not only possible but fun too! You can add your own personality into the room by recycling old furniture and giving it a fresh lick of paint. Not everything has to be brand new to look good. 

Don’t go with a professional unless you have the budget to allow for it. It’s much more affordable to do the work yourself, rather than paying someone else to do it for you.

Always do plenty of research before you begin your kitchen renovations so you don’t have to dig into all of your savings. There are all sorts of ways you can save money. 

Once the job is complete, you can use your newfound knowledge to help others renovate their kitchen. Who knows, you may have found your true calling! 

New Fourth Ward Dentistry Advancing Charlotte’s Urban Lifestyle

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Charlotte’s newest dentist office just opened in the heart of Uptown Charlotte with a goal of changing smiles and lifestyles.

Fourth Ward Dentistry was launched by Dr. Raghav Sundaresh on the ground floor of the gleaming new Skyhouse Uptown Apartments. The new dental practice was strategically located and designed to provide for maximum ease, speed, and precision.

Fourth Ward is located just a couple blocks from the new Blue Line Light Rail extension, steps from a massive parking garage (offering free validation), and an elevator ride down for hundreds of new uptown residents.

Their lobby features a paperless IPad check-in stations and complimentary Starbucks coffee, and their treatment rooms come fully-loaded with flat-screen tvs, noise-canceling headphones, blankets, and warm scented towels.

They also utilize the latest technology in dentistry has to offer from intraoral scanning to 3D printing.

Dr. Sundaresh first moved to Charlotte in 2006 and earned his dental doctorate from UNC Chapel Hill. Like most other transplants, he quickly fell in love with the people and atmosphere of the Queen City.

“Charlotte is home – it’s where I got my first job working in Banking, where I met my wife, and where we bought our first home,” said Sundaresh. “I love Charlotte because it is vibrant and full of energy. We are excited to be a part of Charlotte as it grows and reaches new horizons.” 

You can schedule your first appointment easily online, including free whitening, on their website here.

Two Killed During Amtrak Train Collision Between Charlotte and Concord

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A tragic accident occurred yesterday that resulted in the death of 2 Cabarrus County residents.

At about 3:30 pm yesterday afternoon, a North-bound Amtrak train collided with a vehicle in Harrisburg, overturning the vehicle and killing both passengers.

Emergency responders pronounced the two victims of the crash dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been revealed.

According to the Harrisburg Fire Department, the 45 passengers on the train bound for Raleigh were unharmed in the collision.

The accident took place at the Saddle Creek Court crossing, adjacent to Highway 49;

FDA Issues Recall For Apples Sold in North Carolina Due To Listeria Contamination

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The FDA has just issued a massive recall for nearly 2,300 cases and 2 full bulk bins of apples due to a Listeria contamination.

According to an official press release;

“Recalled apples were sold in plastic bags under the brands; Great Lakes, North Bay Produce Pure Michigan as well as unbranded in clear plastic tote bags, white paper tote bags, and individually from retailers display trays. The recalled apples were shipped between October 16th, 2019 and October 21st, 2019 from one North Bay facility to wholesalers, retailers and brokers in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.”

The recall includes the apple varieties of; McIntosh, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Fuji, Jonamac and Red Delicious.

The recalled apples has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,” noted the FDA. Listeria infection has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.”

If you or anyone you know has purchased affected apples, please do not consume them. They should either be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Panthers Coach Rivera Announces Starting QB For This Sunday’s Game Against Titans

According to Head Panthers Coach Ron Rivera, backup QB Kyle Allen will once again start this coming Sunday afternoon for the 6th consecutive time.

In referring to starting QB Cam Newton, Coach Rivera said, “We have make sure he is ready” during yesterday’s press conference.

Although some fans may have been holding their breath for Cam Newton to take the field this past Sunday, Allen was never actually in danger of being put on the bench.

Prior to the game, Rivera told reporters that he believes Allen needs the extra reps to continue helping him grow as a quarterback.

“Cam is going to continue his rehab,” Rivera said prior to the 49ers’ game. “As I told you guys last week, we’re not putting any pressure on Cam. He’s done a great job doing the things that we’ve asked of him. He’s gone above and beyond in terms of working with our quarterbacks and helping them along the way. He’s just going to continue to do his program.”

Top 10 Best Breweries in Charlotte

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Charlotte’s largest Reddit community featured a poll, that was created by Reddit user RBEvans, to find out where everyone thought the best brewery in Charlotte is.

Besides the ‘best beer’ category, the poll also included ‘best food trucks’ and ‘best atmosphere’, as well as the best regional breweries for beer, food trucks, and atmosphere.

Here are the results for the top 10 best beer-making breweries in Charlotte, according to the Reddit users who responded to the poll:

#10 Heist Brewery

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Quick snack before heading back home! @heistbrewery

A post shared by Chris (@shotgun_chris) on

#9 Sugar Creek Brewing Company

#8 Sycamore Brewing Company

#sycamorebrewingrunclub #runclub

A photo posted by Nick Milby (@nickmilby) on

#7 The Unknown Brewing Company

#6 Triple C Brewing Company

All Play and NO work makes for a happy man!! @triplecbrewing #fillyourlifeup #beerfacial

A photo posted by Fill Your Life Up (@fillyourlifeup) on

#5 Legion Brewing

Chillin’ in Commonwealth

A photo posted by Phillip McCreight (@phillipmccreight) on

#4 The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Getchu a girl that can do both 🍺🕉

A post shared by Jennifer Dixon (@jmdixon10) on

#3 Birdsong Brewing Company

“Don’t even think about touching my Samoas.” – @thegoldenwhonevergrew

A post shared by Hayley Lawrence (@thedogphotognc) on

#2 NoDa Brewing Company

Hoppy IPA Day!! #hopdropnroll #par4 #aprinox #goodwillhopping #nodabrewing @nodabrewing

A photo posted by Mindy Stull (@__mindles) on

#1 Wooden Robot Brewery

#queencity @woodenrobotbrewery

A post shared by misspiggy0407 (@misspiggy0407) on

I realize this may be one of the most controversial articles Charlotte Stories has ever published, given the extremely diverse and loyal beer culture we have in the Queen City – but we felt this could be a great conversation starter!

Do you agree with Charlotte’s Reddit community? Who do you think makes the best beer in Charlotte?

Let us know in the comments below!

The Expert’s Guide To GRE Prep While Working

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Whether you’re planning on taking the general GRE or one of the GRE subject tests, you have quite a bit of test prep in your future. Many experts recommend treating your GRE prep as a full-time job, but what are you supposed to do if you already have a job? Not everybody can take a couple of weeks off (let alone a couple of months) to devote all of their time to studying.

Don’t feel discouraged! While it may be difficult, it is possible to crush the GRE while keeping your regular job. Here are three key tips for expert-level study prep.

Utilize Any Available Time

Working full-time can put a damper on your free time, especially if you’re one of many who find the office constantly zapping away any time they try to claim for themselves. Be prepared to set some boundaries with your boss and coworkers. Let them know that there will be certain times that you are unavailable because you are working on something very important. The GREs are a self-investment, make sure your coworkers realize that this is something you’re taking very seriously.

One way to utilize your time is to try making your lunch breaks a midday study session. Even sitting in your car or at a nearby café for your lunch can help you get away from distractions so you can focus on your studies. This may be one of the times where you have to set boundaries with coworkers, but it will be worth it.

You can also try utilizing your morning commute. Whether you’re taking the bus or driving yourself, there are ways you can make the most of your non-work time. Flashcards, audio lectures, and GRE specific phone apps are great ways to help you squeeze in some extra test prep each morning.

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

You shouldn’t feel like you have to tackle GRE prep alone. Make sure that you’re communicating with friends and family about this very busy time in your life. This way they can give you some necessary space to study, but they can also help out by just being another voice. Explaining the material to somebody who isn’t familiar with the subject forces you to think about things from a different perspective, which can be useful.

You can also consider finding a GRE tutor or class to help you make the most of your study time. By having an expert there to work through the material, you won’t waste as much time trying to figure out complex concepts on your own. They can also help you find the best quality material to make sure you’re covering the most important concepts.

Create A Study Plan

This is a very important step as it ensures that you have enough time to study everything you need to. Before you begin your test prep, write out a schedule for every day/week/month between now and your test date. You should plan out what material you’re going to go over every day and when exactly you’ll be studying. This is something that a GRE tutor can easily help you with as they’ll know exactly how you should be prepping.

A study plan can help you make sure that your study sessions are reserved exclusively for your test prep. It will also make sure that you stay on track with your test prep, so you don’t miss anything by mistake. If you tend to procrastinate, this is an especially important tool to keep you from putting anything off.