Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor
Talia Uretsky, Assistant Editor Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com
There’s an old story that gets told in elementary schools and boardrooms alike, usually by someone trying to make a point about resilience. It features a mighty oak tree and a young sapling growing side by side in a forest. My favorite version is all about the value of flexibility over pig-headed stubbornness.
Picture an ancient oak that’s been dominating its patch of woodland for decades. This tree has weathered many storms, standing firm whilst everything else gets knocked about. It’s the arboreal equivalent of that blowhard at the bar who’s never wrong about anything. Next to it grows a slender young tree that looks about as sturdy as a wet tissue. When the wind picks up, the oak barely budges, maintaining its dignity and standing firm. The sapling, meanwhile, bends and sways about like it’s auditioning for Dancing with the Stars.
Any sensible person would back the oak to survive whatever nature throws at it. After all, it’s got size, strength, and experience on its side. The young tree on the other hand, appears to be held up by wishful thinking and good intentions.
Then along comes the storm of the century—the sort that has weather presenters getting genuinely excited for the first time in years. The oak does exactly what it’s always done: stands its ground, refuses to yield, essentially tells the hurricane to go away. Unfortunately, this time the hurricane takes exception to such cheek. With a tremendous crack that probably
woke up half the county, down comes the mighty oak, taking a fair chunk of the forest floor with it. The sapling, however, has been having what can only be described as an elaborate dance-off with the wind. It bends so far it nearly touches the ground, then springs back up like a jack-in-the-box. When the storm finally dies down, guess which tree is still standing?
The moral here is that adaptability beats obstinacy, and the smartest thing you can do is give way rather than dig in your heels. The trick is in knowing when to bend and when to stand firm — I’ll leave that one up to you.
Catherine Uretsky Editor, CB Living Magazine
Biz Spotlight
Red, White & Blue... and Paint
Too! A Local Veteran Brings Pride to the West
Valley
As we celebrate the 4th of July, we also honor those who continue serving their communities long after military duty ends. One of those leaders is Freddy Alvarez, a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran, longtime West Valley resident, and proud owner of PAINTCORPS of Phoenix West, a veteran-owned painting company serving homeowners and businesses across the West Valley. Freddy and his wife Laura have called Arizona home for over 24 years, raising four sons and investing deeply in their community. A Painting Company Built on Patriotism and Precision, PAINTCORPS of Phoenix West brings military-level discipline and integrity to residential and commercial painting services. As part of the Veteran Service Brands family, PAINTCORPS is exclusive to U.S. military veterans, offering the West Valley a reliable, high-quality painting experience rooted in service values.
From interior and exterior home painting to largescale commercial projects, Freddy and his team approach every job with precision and pride. The business has also expanded into epoxy flooring for garages and patios, and Kool Seal reflective coatings for pool areas, helping customers stay cooler while enhancing their properties. Their latest offerings include heat-reflective (Uniflex) roof coatings, designed to improve energy efficiency, a true Arizona innovation.
Based in Goodyear, the company is truly local and truly family-run. Freddy leads daily operations alongside Laura and business partners Doug and Patty Ostrander, with both families’ children involved in the work. Their deep connection to the West Valley shows
in their customer care and commitment to improving neighborhoods, one home or business at a time.
This Independence Day, the PAINTCORPS family reminds us that patriotism lives not only in uniform but also in how we build, serve, and uplift our local communities. The team is always open for a cup of coffee, ready to share military stories, connect with neighbors, and support fellow veterans, first responders, educators, and hardworking trades professionals.
Wishing you a safe and colorful 4th of July, from our family to yours!
623-321-3439 www.paintcorps.com/phoenix-west-az
The Great Debate
Every family has them—those heated discussions that arise over seemingly simple food choices. From pizza toppings to cereal preparation, these culinary debates can divide households and spark passionate arguments at dinner tables everywhere. Let’s tackle some of the most contentious food questions with a bit of humor and logic.
Pineapple on Pizza?
Consider this: we regularly pair fruit with cheese in other contexts. Apple slices with cheddar, grapes on a cheese board—these combinations are celebrated. Hawaiian pizza simply applies this principle with melted cheese and savory ham. The sweet-salty balance creates a surprisingly harmonious flavor profile that deserves more credit.
Milk or Cereal First?
This one’s straightforward: cereal first, always. Adding milk to an empty bowl means your cereal sits on top, staying dry while the milk lurks below. Pour cereal first, and the milk properly coats each piece, ensuring every spoonful delivers the perfect milk-to-cereal ratio.
Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?
Despite ongoing debates, a hot dog occupies its own category. While it involves bread and filling, calling it a sandwich is like calling all four-wheeled vehicles cars—technically possible but unnecessarily confusing. Hot dogs have earned their distinct identity through decades of ballpark traditions and backyard barbecues.
Steak with Ketchup?
Quality steak shouldn’t need condiments, but taste preferences are personal. If you enjoy ketchup on your steak, that’s your choice. However, consider trying other options like garlic butter or herb seasoning that complement rather than mask the meat’s natural flavors.
Toasted or Untoasted Pop-Tarts?
Both methods have merit. Toasting creates warm, gooey centers and slightly crispy edges—a delightful texture contrast. Untoasted Pop-Tarts offer
convenience and a different, chewier experience. The “right” way depends on your mood, available time, and personal preference.
Chewy or Crunchy?
Whether you prefer chewy or crispy cookies often relates to childhood memories and personal associations. Chewy cookies offer soft, tender bites, while crispy versions provide satisfying crunch. Rather than declaring one superior, appreciate that different occasions call for different textures.
While these debates make for entertaining dinner conversation, remember that variety in food choices makes meals more interesting. The real joy comes from sharing food with people you care about, regardless of how they prepare it.
Cook With Zona
Congratulations to Cindy Buda, winner of our recipe competition. We really enjoyed the easy bake, it is perfect for a celebration on a hot, summer afternoon!
4th of July Boozy Trifle (Or not if serving children)
Syrup:
1/4 Cup — Plus 2/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Amaretto (or 1/4 Teaspoon Almond Extract if serving children)
Assembly:
1 Premade Angel Food Cake, Cut Into 1-inch Slices (can use store bought or from scratch recipe)
1 Pound Cream Cheese, at Room Temperature
2 Cups Heavy Cream, at Room Temperature
2 Pints Blueberries
2 Pints Strawberries, Hulled and Sliced
1. Heat 1/4 cup sugar, the lemon juice and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract/Amaretto.
2. Lightly brush both sides of each slice of cake with the syrup. Cut the slices into 1-inch cubes.
3. Beat the remaining 2/3 cup sugar and the cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and light. Add the cream and beat on mediumhigh speed until smooth and the consistency of whipped cream.
4. Arrange half of the cake cubes in the bottom of a 13-cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Dollop half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread. Top with a layer of strawberries.
5. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then sprinkle with more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture. Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a decorative pattern.
6. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
7. Enjoy!
The Doctor Is In
How an Insult Changed My Life
When I was in Army residency after graduate school, I had a clinical supervisor tell me that she didn’t like my answer to a question I gave in a seminar and that she thought that I was getting by on my looks without really any substance behind them. The implication was that I didn’t have what it takes to do well in my field. I was honestly wrecked. I remember crying in her office and afterwards at home, on the way home, all of it. Her words hit hard as I called into question all I’d achieved up until that point in my mid-20s. I looked up to this woman and respected her opinion. I remember swimming in feelings of self-doubt and self-loathing. I remember the tornados of negative thoughts in my head for what seemed like forever.
By the time she said this to me, I’d already had 3,000 hours of patient contact, but that awareness wasn’t enough to comfort me. Then, one day, I got sick and
tired of my negative thoughts and decided I wasn’t going to be a victim of her opinion. I started pursuing the truth. I dissected what it was from my past that created the self-limiting beliefs that her words tapped into. I took my inventory and looked at how far I’d come, what I’d objectively achieved and where I planned to go in my psychology career. After some mental gymnastics, I realized she was wrong, that I had plenty of evidence to the contrary, and I turned all of my butt-hurt feelings into determination.
Now, that situation could’ve gone either way for me: I could’ve decided she was right and given up my psychology career right then and there, and I wouldn’t be a published author, hosting my own podcast, helping thousands of people in my lifetime or even writing this article. Fortunately, I’m stubborn as hell, so I dug deep into my conviction about who God created me to be and cultivated enough distance between MY beliefs and HER thoughts that I was able to say to her in my mind, “Hold my beer.”
It’s all about perspective! When life hands you lemons, you have the opportunity to be a victim or a survivor. The choice is yours.
Submitted by Dr. J. Paweleck-Bellingrodt, Psy.D.
DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.
The Bug Guy
Freedom from Pests: A Phoenix Valley 4th of July Declaration
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the bands which have connected them with creepy crawlies, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to call the exterminator.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all homeowners are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of a scorpion-free patio. But here in the West Valley, our founding fathers never had to deal with 115-degree heat AND an army of desert invaders plotting their Independence Day barbecue takeover.
Picture this patriotic scene: Uncle Sam himself, sweating through his star-spangled suit, wielding a can of Raid like a musket while declaring, “Give me liberty, or give me death – but definitely give me death to these cockroaches!” Even the Statue of Liberty would trade her torch for a bug zapper if she had to spend one summer in the West Valley.
The British may have taxed our tea, but Arizona’s real tyranny comes from uninvited guests who don’t need visas – just tiny cracks in your foundation. Scorpions crash pool parties like they own the place. And don’t get us started on the black widows who think your garage is prime real estate.
This Fourth of July, as fireworks light up the sky and the smell of freedom (and grilled burgers) fills the desert air, remember that true independence means never having to share your celebration with six-legged party crashers. Our forefathers fought for freedom from taxation without representation, but we fight for freedom from infestation without invitation.
So raise your citronella candles high, fellow patriots! Let freedom ring, let eagles soar, and let professional pest control services handle what the Declaration of Independence somehow forgot to mention: that among our unalienable rights should definitely be the right to a bug-free Fourth of July barbecue. God bless America, and God bless pest-free patios from sea to shining sea – especially in the Valley of the Sun!
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control, Estrella resident.
Eat Well
Taza Catering & Events | Wine Bistro
Established in 2019, Taza is a husband and wife locally owned and operated Scottsdale gem, dedicated to providing delicious food and excellent service to residents in the West Valley. Our menu is modern American fare inspired by Mediterranean dishes designed and made from scratch by chef Sandra.
Catering Service
Our professional staff travels to you! We offer full service buffet or plated dishes and passed appetizers. If you prefer to serve yourself, we deliver and set up your buffet so it’s ready when your guests arrive. You may also opt to pick up at our location in Scottsdale. Taza caters all celebrations from small backyard milestone birthday parties to large weddings at your venue, and everything in between.
Private
Event Venue
We host private events at our location so you can enjoy your party in a private, intimate setting. Allinclusive dining room includes a custom menu served family style or plated, full bar access, linen service, no minimum, waived venue rental fee. Whether it’s a
rehearsal dinner or a holiday party, you can decorate however you like.
Personal Chef Experience
Hire chef Sandra to come into your home for a truly culinary experience. Select the menu or ask us to customize it, she will prep and cook in your home and serve you and your guests a full plated meal.
Themed Events
From wine dinner pairings, belly dance night, paint and sip, and other themed events, Taza is always a fun place to dine. You can find our latest scheduled event on our Events page.
Dine-in Wine Bistro
Taza is a full bar known for our unique assortment of European wines you can’t find at a grocery store. Come in on Wine-Wednesday for a special that changes from week to week. Our menu du jour also changes from week to week so you are always in for a treat.
Contact Us @ TazaBistro.com, 480-842-2275 hello@tazabistro.com
Money Matters
Financial Independence Day
We’re getting close to the Fourth of July, and this celebration may get you thinking of the many freedoms you enjoy. But have you thought of what you might need to do to attain financial freedom?
Your first step is to define what financial independence signifies to you. For many people, it means being able to retire when they want to, and to enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle. So, if this is your vision as well, consider taking these steps: Pay yourself first. Waiting for leftover money to invest for retirement often leads to procrastination. With a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan, contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck before you can spend them. For an IRA, you can arrange automatic transfers from your checking or savings account, making saving effortless and consistent.
Invest appropriately. Your decisions should align with your retirement goals, the time you have until retirement, and your comfort with investment risk. Straying from these principles—by taking on excessive or insufficient risk—can lead to choices that hinder your progress toward financial independence. Avoid financial “potholes.” Debt is a major hurdle; strive to live within your means to reduce your debt burden. Another challenge is unexpected expenses. To avoid tapping into your retirement savings, build an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses, held in a liquid, low-risk account.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll steadily progress toward your goals. When you reach your personal “Financial Independence Day,” it may not call for fireworks, but it will undoubtedly bring a lasting glow to your life.
Submitted by Michael Gray & Brian Polk, Financial Advisors, Edward Jones
Puzzle Time
This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. To solve this Samurai puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9 grid: each digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
Difficulty: Easy Monday, 16th June 2025
Useful Numbers
Years of Excellence
Celebrating 36 Years of Success and Smiles
For over three decades, Freedom Plaza has been a trusted name in senior living—offering peace of mind, comfort, and community. Now celebrating 36 years of excellence, we continue to provide programs designed to meet your personal retirement goals, whether you choose to purchase or lease.
From Independent Living to Long Term Care, our full continuum of on campus support ensures that your needs are met today—and in the future. Enjoy the small-town charm of friendly neighbors, beautiful surroundings, and a vibrant lifestyle—all without the burdens of home maintenance.
“America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities” Ranked #1 in Arizona for 2025 by Newsweek Magazine.
