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AUGUST 2019
Tooth Be Told
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The start of a new school year always seems to sneak up on me. When I first moved to Alabama, I was surprised to learn kids started going back to school in August! Where I grew up, we didn’t go back to school until September. My own girls are getting ready to start a new school year and meet their new teachers, which got me thinking about some of the teachers I had when I was in school. One year while I was in high school, I took a bunch of AP classes, which included double math. That’s right. I took two periods of math each day. How awesome is that? I know not many people would agree with me, but I loved math, so double math was a dream come true. Since these were AP classes, we were learning some really challenging problems. Fortunately, my teacher that year was Mrs. Tulik, one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. The subject was tough, but Mrs. Tulik managed to make it fun, like we were solving a puzzle. She loved math and never gave up on a student. Even if you were struggling with a problem, she TEACHERS WHO MADE MATH FUN Top of the Class
I got to participate. It made my sophomore year really fun, thanks in no small part to how wonderful Mrs. Tulik was.
Mrs. Tulik wasn’t the only awesome math teacher I had. Another great teacher was Mr. Wengenroth. He loved math and got really amped up while he taught. The trouble was that Mr. Wengenroth had a problem with spitting when he talked, especially when he got really amped up. Usually, spitting would disqualify a teacher from the favorites list, but Mr. Wengenroth was aware of the problem. Every week, he rotated the seating chart so the same students weren’t sitting in the front row spit zone. It was still pretty gross, but we all appreciated the gesture. Plus, I really liked having a teacher so excited about math. It’s amazing how much of a difference a great teacher makes on your experience as a student. I had teachers who made me dread coming to class because, even though they taught a subject I liked, they never tried to connect with their students. While I don’t often use the equations from Mrs. Tulik class, I use what she taught me about being a good teacher every day at the office. As a dentist, it’s my responsibility to teach my patients how to best care for their teeth and their smiles. I can’t just lecture them about flossing; I make an effort and get to know my patients, so we can connect and learn from each other.
remained so optimistic and supportive. “I know you can get this,” she’d say. “I’m not letting you give up. Go back to your desk and keep trying.” In addition to being great at teaching math, Mrs. Tulik was just a great all-around teacher. She had a high-pitched voice that would crack occasionally. When it did, Mrs. Tulik was always the first to laugh and make a joke about herself. She made you feel comfortable and welcome in her classroom. Everyone loved her. Because the school didn’t offer double math the next year, I’m so glad
“In addition to being great at teaching math, Mrs. Tulik was
Good luck to all students and teachers starting a new school year. May you learn a lot and make some wonderful memories!
just a great all-around teacher.”
—Dr. Elizabeth Duling
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARVEL MOVIES?
3 Marvel Movies to Watch Out For
For the past 10 years, Marvel movies have delighted families and comic book nerds alike with their memorable characters, incredible action scenes, and sprawling, interconnected storylines. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the story of the Avengers so far, told through 23 movies. Even though this year marked the end of a massive arc that Marvel Studios dubbed “The Infinity Saga,” there are still more movies coming out that will feature everyone’s favorite heroes. Here are a few films coming up next in the MCU. International assassin Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, was the first female member of the Avengers and made her debut appearance in “Iron Man 2.” She never got her own movie, but Marvel announced recently that a Black Widow movie is officially in the works for the next phase of Marvel movies. Besides the fact that they’ve started filming, there’s not much information about it yet. But for many excited fans, this movie has been a long time coming. A BLACK WIDOW SOLO MOVIE
detail, “Avengers: Endgame” and the post-credits scene of the second “Guardians” movie provided some clues about the plot and possible main villain. Though details are slim, “Vol. 3” is sure to be another rollicking ride through the cosmos.
‘BLACK PANTHER 2’
“Black Panther” was immensely popular (it earned nearly $700 billion domestically), and its success removed all doubt that there would be a sequel. Audiences will journey back to Wakanda and see the newest adventures of King T’Challa and crew, although not much is known about the plot or the release date as of now. But you can rest assured that the creative minds behind the sequel are taking their time to make it as good as the first. The future storyline of the MCU is up in the air, but, if the previous movies are any indicator, families, fans, and audiences everywhere have a lot to look forward to.
‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3’
Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, and the gang are all back in the third installment of this smash-hit franchise. Without getting into too much
BIRD
Cove Family Dentistry wanted to be in a great location for our patients. It just so happens that we’re also in a great location for birds! All day, we’re able to look out our office windows and spot many different species of birds. This month, we’re watching the American goldfinch. While most animals start looking for mates in the early spring, the American goldfinch is what you might call a “late bloomer.” These small songbirds begin courtship in July, far later than any other native North American songbird. American goldfinches don’t start nesting until August, which means if you listen carefully in the coming weeks, you might hear baby goldfinches that have just hatched. Another thing that’s special about the American goldfinch is that it’s the only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt. While all birds lose and regrow their feathers, the American goldfinch has a pretty dramatic transformation. In the summer, the male goldfinch lives up to its name, showing off brilliant, bright yellow feathers with black accents. These colors are perfect for attracting a mate. Once fall starts to set in, a male goldfish will lose all his vibrant feathers and regrow a new set. His winter look will be a drab olive color. Like most birds, the female goldfinch isn’t quite as audacious. A female American goldfinch will have yellowish-green feathers in the summer, almost blending in with the leaves on a tree. In the winter, a female goldfinch’s colors will change to grayish brown, with very little yellow anywhere on her body. THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH’S SUMMER LOOK
WATCH
Though the American goldfinch is migratory, these finches tend to stick around all year long. Fill your bird feeder with their favorite food, Nyjer seeds, and keep an eye out for this vibrant little bird.
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Back to Basics
TAKE A BREAK! August Word Search
L C K S C J Y C S
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X N O C N V U Z J
C W Q K D
L R O X S H P N E R D L I
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F L E M N P O K C A B R B X N Z B D H L A Z O N A E Q C R M L S N I C N S P L M W Z T E I I L E S K A H P M L E A V E S W S A T J L E U H U J A Y W I V R K F U C S T W T U E F H O U Q J Q T H N B Z A D U F J T D A A S E I E F J U T K G V S R W M R Y L O W D Q M J G X U F X O J V L F O Y W K J K S G D U Y F R Y H E K Q T Y T Q U Y I H G M N I L F M F Y O I A
AUGUST CHILLY AUGUST CHILLY FALL SUMMER FALL SUMMER
BACK COOL
CHILDREN
BACK COOL LEAVES SUPPLIES
CHILDREN END SCHOOL TEACHERS
When it comes to oral health, one thing most patients are concerned about is cavities. The technical name for cavities is “caries,” and we get quite a few questions about how to deal with them. Where do cavities come from? THE PROPER WAY TO TREAT A CAVITY
END
LEAVES SUPPLIES
SCHOOL
TEACHERS
Roasted Corn Salsa
There’s a lot of bacteria in your mouth. Don’t panic; this is perfectly normal. The plaque on your teeth is actually millions of bacterium all stuck together.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
Most of this bacteria is natural and doesn’t cause any harm — as long as you practice good oral hygiene, of course. The bacteria feeds on the sugar in the food you eat. When the bacteria eats sugar, it releases an acidic substance. If you don’t regularly clean your teeth, this substance will break down tooth enamel and cause cavities. How do I get rid of the bacteria? It’s impossible to banish all the bacteria in your mouth, and you wouldn’t want to even if you could. There’s good bacteria in there too, and it’s important to the health of your oral biome. However, it’s important to clean your teeth daily to avoid letting the bad bacteria — which can cause tooth decay and gum disease — build up. Brushing your teeth twice a day helps remove a lot of bad bacteria, but the bristles of your toothbrush can’t clean between your teeth. This is why you need to floss at least once a day to remove all the bacteria hiding in the crevices. What if I already have a cavity? Never fear! Even those who brush and floss every day might find themselves with cavities every once in a while. It’s not a sign of dental failure. It is important to take care of cavities as soon as they are through the enamel. Letting small cavities go unchecked is how patients end up with broken teeth, crowns, or root canals down the road. Drilling out the decay and filling your tooth goes a long way to protecting your oral health. It’s much easier to take care of small cavities today than deal with bigger problems later. At Elizabeth Duling DMD, we’re always ready to deal with almost any dental problem, including cavities. We take regular X-rays of our patients’ teeth to ensure we find cavities early and treat then in the least invasive way possible. Don’t wait until it hurts!
Corn is plentiful during the summer months, and this easy-to- make salsa is sure to be a hit at your next get-together. INGREDIENTS
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2 medium ears of corn, shucked 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, diced
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1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced
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Juice of 1 lime
Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
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210 Sutton RD. SE Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 256.534.1475 www.elizabethdulingdmd.com
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Inside
Who Was Your Favorite Teacher?
The Next Phase of Marvel Movies
Nature’s Costume Change
What Is a Cavity?
Roasted Corn Salsa
Not Your Average Vacation Lodgings
This Ain’t Motel 6!
AMERICA’S WEIRDEST AIRBNBS
When Airbnb was founded a little over a decade ago, the developers hoped to provide an alternative to traditional travel accommodations. Today, with annual revenue in the billions, the service is an industry unto itself. While most people use Airbnb to “live like a local” while traveling, you can find some truly wacky lodging options if you spend some time searching the platform. Here are just a few of the many contenders for the title of “Weirdest Airbnb in the U.S.” For ease of searching, the listings here have the same titles as they do on Airbnb.
Brand New Studio Earthship Taos, New Mexico
Earthships, houses run by clean energy and featuring reused materials, are a fixture of the Taos area. This one, which looks almost like a crashing wave with a living space in its undertow, combines the rustic charm of truly getting away from it all with modern amenities like Wi- Fi and in-home laundry. It’s a truly unique living space surrounded by pristine nature and not far from the historic Taos Pueblo.
You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a theme restaurant featuring eclectic aviation. Memorabilia lines the walls with a bar front and center, and the bed is in a loft high above the ground.
Dog Bark Park Inn B&B Cottonwood, Idaho
ManCave Apartment/Airplane Hangar Geneva, Florida
As you approach the Dog Bark Park Inn, you won’t have to guess if you’re in the right place. After all, how many buildings are shaped like beagles? When describing the space on Airbnb, the hosts make no bones about who this rental is aimed for. “Stay in a giant dog!” they say. In addition to being inside a massive wooden dog, you’ll find canine- themed games, books, and more. Talk about ruffing it.
Airbnb super hosts Dan and Deborah have no shortage of quirky properties for rent — including yurts and treehouses — but their apartment fashioned out of an airplane hangar surely takes the cake.
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