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
Although this summer seemed to drag on for years, we have finally entered the blissful ‘My weather is better than yours!’ phase of Arizona life.
Up north, people are stockpiling supplies as if preparing for nuclear winter whenever the forecast whispers “snow flurries.” Here in Arizona, my biggest winter challenge is remembering where I stored my light jacket last March. That’s it. That’s the preparation. I remember how northern weather forecasts sounded like military operations. “Winter Storm Thor approaching! Expect 8-12 inches of accumulation, wind chills of minus ridiculous, and absolute chaos at every grocery store!” In Arizona, our severe winter warnings are more like, “Alert: Temperature might dip below 60°F. Locals may experience mild confusion about appropriate outfit choices.”
The financial differences are laughable too. My northern friends budget for winter like they’re financing a small nation: snow tires, heavy coats, heating bills that could fund a semester of college, and endless car washes to remove that mysterious gray salt crust that appears every winter. Meanwhile, I’m using my “winter savings” for golf rounds in January.
But perhaps the most satisfying moment is when I send them sunny selfies in February, usually featuring a pool or palm tree in the background. It’s petty? Perhaps. Enjoyable? Absolutely. The responses typically include colorful language and creative suggestions about where I can store my sunshine.
So here’s to you, Arizona winter, you beautiful, mildmannered season. You may not give me snow angels, but you also don’t give me back pain from shoveling, the existential dread of starting a cold car at 5 AM or the sweat inducing olympic level sport of shoving children into snowsuits they despise. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, CB Living Magazine
info@estrellapublishing.com 623.398.5541
P.S. To my northern friends reading this - yes, I know I’m insufferable. No, I won’t stop bragging. Come visit anytime... preferably between November and February.
Cook With Zona
Oreo Cream Cheese Balls
The holiday season is all about creating memories with family and friends, and these Oreo Cream Cheese Balls are a fun and interactive treat to make together with kids or grandkids. Whether you’re preparing them for a Christmas gathering, a New Year’s Eve celebration, or a cozy evening by the fireplace, these bite-sized delights are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can create a dessert that feels special, without spending hours in the kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to make a batch of these Oreo Cream Cheese Balls— perfect for gifting, sharing, or savoring during the most wonderful time of the year.
If you have a recipe you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com to be featured in the magazine!
Prep time: 10 mins | Cool Time: 30 mins | Total time: 40 mins
Ingredients
1. 1 pack of Oreos - regular, not double-stuffed
2. 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
3. Semi-sweet/dark/white chocolate (your choice; this chocolate is for coating the balls)
4. Toppings of your choice: Candy canes, chocolate drizzle, crushed Oreos
Steps
1. Crush Oreos into fine crumbs. Use a food processor or mash them up in a ziplock bag.
2. Mix in cream cheese until combined.
3. Scoop dough and roll it into small balls.
4. Place them on a cookie tray, lined with wax paper or parchment paper and chill in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes.
5. Remove from the freezer and dip each ball in a bowl of melted chocolate.
6. Optional: Sprinkle some additional crushed Oreos, or crushed candy canes, or drizzle more chocolate on top before the chocolate sets.
7. Allow the balls to sit in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. Enjoy!
We love to see our neighbors’ delicious creations, so send us a picture of your Oreo Cream Cheese Balls or tag us on social media @EstrellaPublishing.
The Bug Guy
Deck the Halls (and Protect Them
Too): Pest Control Tips for a West Valley Christmas
As the weather cools and the Christmas spirit fills the air in West Valley, homeowners must also be mindful of unwanted visitors - pests looking to get cozy for the holidays. From rodents seeking shelter to insects hitching a ride on greenery, pest control is an essential part of holiday home preparation in the desert Southwest.
Top of the list are pack rats, a common problem in the West Valley. These rats like areas next to or under outdoor furniture and around the base of cacti, and even the BBQ grill to nest. It’s easy to deny roof rats a warm holiday home. Homeowners should also be on the lookout for rodent droppings and nesting materials.
Another yuletide nuisance, the Sonoran Desert termite, thrives in the mild winters of central Arizona. These wood-munching insects can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked. Regular termite inspections and proper treatment are crucial, especially for homes with wood-based construction.
Decorating with natural greenery also brings increased risk of pests. Spiders, and aphids can easily hitch a ride on live Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands. Carefully inspect all holiday foliage before bringing it inside and consider opting for artificial options if pest problems persist.
While visions of sugarplums dance in residents’ heads, West Valley homeowners must stay vigilant against the realities of seasonal pests. Proactive pest control measures - from sealing entry points to scrutinizing holiday decor - can help ensure a festive and pest-free Christmas in the desert.
From the crew at Estrella Mountain Pest Control, we wish you a spectacular holiday season surrounded by friends and family.
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control
CB Gamers
The Curious History of Monopoly
Monopoly is one of the most popular and well-known games of the past century. It is internationally recognized and has been produced in many languages and currencies. According to the Wikipedia entry on the subject, as of 2015 the game had sold 275 million copies worldwide.
Where did this phenomenon originate? One may think that a diligent designer at one of the larger game companies had a brainstorm. The actual history is more circuitous, though.
In 1903, A Quaker by the name of Elizabeth Magie designed “The Landlord’s Game” to illustrate the dangers of real estate monopolies to renters. She intended to promote the ideas regarding taxation of Henry George, as expounded in his book Progress and Poverty. Magie copyrighted the game in 1904 and self-published it, encouraging players to freely copy the game for their own use.
In 1932, Charles Darrow created an oilcloth version of the game, for the first time calling it “Monopoly”. Parker Brothers became interested, and after learning that Darrow was not the sole inventor, paid Magie $500 for the rights. When Parker Brothers published the game in 1935 after obtaining a copyright, it was
based on streets and locations in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In 1991, Hasbro acquired Parker Brothers and therefore Monopoly. Since that time there have been numerous versions of Monopoly based on different cities, movies, and television shows. Incarnations include Star Wars editions, Wine-opoly, Dog-opoly, Cat-opoly, and versions depicting many universities and cities in the US and around the world.
The irony is that the ultimate legacy of Elizabeth Magie is probably not what she envisioned!
Submitted by Max Fogleman, Coordinator of the Corte Bella Gamers, who host game night every Thursday from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Social Hall.
For more information contact Max at mtfogleman@gmail.com
Window Wisdom
Choosing the Right Windows for Arizona’s Climate
When replacing your home’s builder-grade windows, it’s crucial to consider factors such as materials, style, and energy efficiency, especially given Arizona’s extreme climate. The right windows can significantly impact your home’s comfort and energy costs.
Popular Window Materials:
• Vinyl Windows: Vinyl is a favored choice among homeowners due to its affordability, energy efficiency, and versatility in size and shape. It offers excellent insulation properties, which help keep your home cool during the scorching summer months. When selecting vinyl windows, look for “high-heat” frames that are designed to withstand extreme temperatures without warping or cracking.
• Fiberglass Windows: Although fiberglass windows are equally energy-efficient, they are less commonly chosen because of their higher cost. However, they usually offer a wider range of color options. Fiberglass has a high resistance to thermal expansion and contraction, making it a durable choice for Arizona’s climate.
• Aluminum Windows: While aluminum windows are less energy-efficient than vinyl or fiberglass, they offer a modern, slim profile. If you choose aluminum, ensure you select Thermal-Break Aluminum, which provides better insulation by minimizing heat transfer.
When shopping for windows, familiarize yourself with important terms like Low-E Coating, Argon Gas, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, U-Factor, and Visible Light Transmittance. Understanding these terms will empower you to make informed choices about the glass options available. A knowledgeable sales representative can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your needs. Hiring a reputable and experienced window company is essential for ensuring proper installation. Poorly installed windows can lead to drafts, leaks, and decreased energy efficiency, negating the benefits of
high-quality products. A well-installed window will enhance your home’s comfort, aesthetics, and energy efficiency for decades.
Now Is the Ideal Time to Install Windows in Arizona, the milder temperatures facilitate efficient installations and allow for the proper setting of caulking and sealants. Additionally, avoiding the summer monsoon season minimizes the risk of project delays, ensuring timely completion.
New energy-efficient windows not only improve insulation but also enhance your home’s curb appeal, making it more inviting for holiday gatherings. Investing in the right windows is a decision that pays off in comfort, style, and energy savings for years to come.
Submitted by Weathersby Windows & Doors
Justa Center
More than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County are 55 and older. Challenges that come with aging can be made worse without the right resources and regular medical care. Justa Center is working to address this as the only nonprofit in Arizona that provides resources and services exclusively to seniors experiencing homelessness.
Judgment-free support, navigation, and hope
“A lot of our Justa Center members have fallen on hard times,” Dean Scheinert, Executive Director of Justa Center, said. “Some of them have jobs but can’t afford rent. Other members have serious mental and physical health challenges or substance use disorder. As you can imagine, a younger person is in a better position to find help than a senior.”
Funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement
is helping seniors experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County get the right help and care through Justa Center.
“The funding helps us expand the capabilities of our nurse clinic,” Scheinert added. “One of the biggest issues for our members is that they’re getting pingponged around to different places for their care. Part of our expansion is bringing in as much of the healthcare we can provide in-house.”
As they work to expand their healthcare capabilities, Justa Center currently provides over-the-counter medication to members and helps with wound and burn treatment. They support members in following doctors’ instructions, taking meds as prescribed, and making lifestyle changes. They also do everything they can to meet the unique needs of their members.
“We had a member who was in a wheelchair, and all he needed was a cane,” Scheinert explained. “We had one for him, and he was able to walk out of the Justa Center on his own. We get to change lives here.”
Justa Center member perspective
“You get treated like a person and that’s because all their workers are very nice and kind to everyone who comes in the door,” Marthe Louis said. “I have a pacemaker, and a Justa Center nurse was attentive. She got on the phone with my doctor’s office when I was in pain. She took the initiative and helped me.”
You can help too!
Justa Center is looking for donations, visit their page for a list of current needs and ways you can help: www.justacenter.org
Money Matters
Like most of us, you may someday want to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Your ability to achieve this goal will depend on how much you save — but it also matters how much you spend. And saving and spending are certainly related: Over many years, even relatively small amounts diverted from spending to saving and investing could add up substantially.
How can you go about potentially reducing your spending? Here are a few suggestions:
• Use a budgeting tool. If you’re not already doing so, you might want to consider using a free online budgeting tool. These apps can reveal redundancies that, once eliminated, could save you money. For example, you might find that you’re spending a notinsignificant amount on streaming services you rarely use.
• Take advantage of employee benefits. If you work for a mid-size or large company, you may have an extensive employee benefit plan, which could include discounts on some products and services. Also, if you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan through your employer, you might have access to a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), either of which may let you lower your out-ofpocket health care costs by using pre-tax dollars to pay
for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and some other qualified expenses.
• Shop around for insurance. Many people stick with their auto, homeowners and life insurance policies year after year, even though they might be able to save some money by switching to another company. But even if you stay with your current company, you might find ways to save money by taking steps such as adding a home security system.
• Compare credit cards. Ideally, you should pay off the bill each month to avoid interest charges. Sometimes, though, you may need to use your card for other purposes, and it may not always be possible to pay your bill in full. That’s why you’ll want to review credit cards periodically to find one with lower interest rates, a favorable balance transfer offer and a better rewards program.
It’s not always easy to cut down on your spending, but when you do, it can provide more peace of mind — and an opportunity to boost your savings for what could be a long and active retirement.
Submitted by Brian Polk, Financial Advisor, of Edward Jones, Verrado resident
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
