MAY 2019
Fish Hawk LivingÂŽ From Your Neighbors, For Your Neighbors
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May 2019
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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 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents Š 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Some content is provided by Brandpointe and Family Features. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion. Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.
Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor
Lisa Aber Assistant Editor
Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec
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From Me To You... There is something about a front porch that has always called to me. A place to sit and sip, take in the world and let the neighborhood get acquainted with you. It screams Americana to me. One of the iconic things about this country that I was quite surprised did not exist as much as I had thought.
I always imagined that when I bought a house it would have a front porch, complete with a swing, comfy cushions, a flag waving proudly on a pole, a dog curled up at my feet while I sipped coffee and waved my children off to school in the morning. None of that ever happened. Except the coffee - I have sipped a lot of coffee in the mornings as I scrambled through the chaos that is getting children ready for school. Back to the iconic image idea. As a foreigner moving to this country I imagined many things that I would find. The vastness of the country that one is very true - this country is bigger than some continents. As a young adult I travelled across country by Amtrak. If you ever have the chance, travelling by rail is a wonderful way to
see and appreciate this beautiful country. Its states are as different as countries and are worth taking the time to visit. Opportunity is another iconic ideal that many people come here for, streets not quite paved with gold but at least the ability to find your place and do well if you try hard. To some extent that is true, I have done well and it was due to a lot of hard work, but that is changing for our children. Despite their endeavors and opportunity the sheer cost of everything is holding them back. Many young adults are either foregoing college because of the cost, or if they do go they are crippled with debt that they will most likely carry well into their 50’s. Families are forced to welcome their offspring back into their homes so they can survive. Not the image I carried in my backpack 27 years ago when I first landed at JFK. Then we moved west. Into the Wild Wild West land of cowboys and rugged desert. Surprisingly there were more front porches out here than I expected, still not at my house though... I had heard that there were Coyotes and Roadrunners to be found out here. Images of large brightly colored creatures zooming around dodging cunning animals wielding TNT danced through my head. Imagine my surprise to see the diminutive brown bird scurrying across the street one morning without a Meep-Meep to be heard. That was a Roadrunner? Wow, sadly disappointing. Now the coyotes, those I have found to be as wiley and scrawny as in the cartoons, but thankfully with less access to explosives.
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, Fish Hawk Living magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
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Clean Up
American households are sitting on goldmines. Experts estimate there’s almost a trillion dollars worth of unused items in our homes. Rather than letting those things gather dust, people are digging into their closets, garages and basements to make money back on unused items. If you want to make some money clearing out things you no longer want or use, consider these smart tips: Have a yard sale: Make sure to mark items with a reasonable price and promote your sale to bargain hunters that’ll search through your treasures. This is also a wonderful way to meet new neighbors. Sell online: You can reach a much broader audience and potentially get more money for things using an app like OfferUp. Simply snap a picture on your phone, add a brief description and set a price. Safety is always a priority when selling online and meeting people in-person, and OfferUp works with police departments across the country to designate safer places to meet, which you can find in the app or by going to SafeTradeSpots.com.
easier to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs when everyone is near each other. Donate: For things you don’t end up repurposing or selling, donate them to a local charity. Many nonprofits accept a variety of items in good condition for resale or auction. There are a number of different organizations accepting donations, and depending on what you donate, you can get a receipt for a tax write-off that can hopefully get you a larger refund the following year.
Tap into consignment: Consignment stores have been a staple for reselling for a while, but it could take the store some time to sell your items, and the store can take as much as a 50 percent cut on your merchandise for managing the transaction. On the plus side, consignment stores may be able to sell your items for a higher price than you’d be able to sell them for online, and it can be more convenient to let a consignment store sell for you instead of going through the trouble of listing the items yourself. Post in a neighborhood forum: You can also try posting in your local neighborhood classifieds or on social media. You can offer a discount to your neighbors and plan on quicker sales since it’s 4 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
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Safety Around Water Two children die every day due to drowning, and according to a study from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 88 percent of children who drown do so while under adult supervision. Many don’t realize that drowning can occur quietly, with no overt signs that the child is in trouble. Teaching children how to be safe in and around water is one of the most important life skills parents can give their children. In fact, research shows that participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children 1 to 4 years of age. Lindsay Mondick, Senior Manager of Aquatics at YMCA of the USA offers important safety tips to protect your children from harm around water, whether it’s in the bathtub, at the beach or in a pool. Never swim alone. Nobody should swim by themselves, in case of accident. Teach your children that they should never enter the water anywhere without a lifeguard and/or responsible caregiver attending them.
Don’t practice holding your breath under water. Children should not have breath-holding contests or participate in underwater swimming challenges that could risk their lives. Learn CPR. When seconds count, bystanders may be the first to help, so learning CPR may save a life. If you were CPR certified years ago, take a refresher course. CPR classes are available at community centers, hospitals and the American Red Cross. Teach basic swim skills early. Not only do most children enjoy swimming lessons, but taking formal lessons can save their lives. Water safety not only saves lives but also builds confidence. Water safety and swimming lessons promote a lifelong enjoyment of swimming while encouraging healthy living. For more information visit www.ymca.net. Easy Financing No Credit Needed We Deliver! Best Price Guarantee
Stay attentive and watch without distraction. If you’re with a large group, or even if a lifeguard is present, designate one person to watch the child or children at all times. If children are in a pool or near a body of water, a caregiver needs to be close, paying full attention and not distracted by a phone or other diversions. Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Children and adolescents must wear appropriately sized and weighted life jackets in or around watercraft. It’s important to understand that not all life jackets are Coast Guard approved. Adults can check this feature by looking at the tag on the inside of the jacket. Non-swimmers and small children should always wear life jackets when near water and while swimming. Adults should also wear them to model safe behavior. Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
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Culture Club Nothing like Mahler in May with The Florida Orchestra Did you know The Florida Orchestra performs more than 130 concerts a season? Many of them for free or little cost. And that’s how the season wraps up in May, with a mix of stellar concerts in the concert hall and in the community. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (May 3 & 4): Mahler’s spellbinding Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” is framed by Steve Reich’s unusual Music for Pieces of Wood and Andrew Norman’s ridiculously virtuosic percussion concerto Switch, featuring Colin Currie. Switch was written especially for Currie, who has said he feels like “being trapped inside a pinball machine’’ when performing it on instruments stretched across the stage. Michael Francis conducts. Tickets start at $18; free tickets for kids and teens in advance. Free Pops in the Park (May 10 & 12): This spring TFO performs concerts in two parks, Coachman Park in Clearwater (May 10) and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa (May 12) – perfect for Mother’s Day. TFO Assistant Conductor Daniel Black directs film scores, Broadway hits and symphonic favorites, with a grand finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and a patriotic salute. All free. Bring a blanket, picnic, and plenty of canned goods for Tampa Bay Harvest. Inside Shostakovich (May 23): Michael Francis blends humor, smart analysis, and live orchestra demos to take you on a journey through
Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, ending with a performance of the entire symphony. You’ll never listen to music the same way again. Admission is pay what you can at the door at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (May 24-26): TFO’s 51st season wraps up with Tchaikovsky’s dashing yet graceful Violin Concerto, a highly demanding piece that shows the virtuosic skill of TFO Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer. The concert ends on Shostakovich’s heroic masterpiece, Symphony No. 5. Michael Francis conducts. Tickets start at $18; free tickets for kids and teens in advance. The Florida Orchestra: Performs regularly at the Straz Center in Tampa, Mahaffey in St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. The orchestra offers affordably priced tickets to a variety of concerts; prices vary. See FloridaOrchestra.org or call 727.892.3337 and 1.800.662.7286. Submitted by Kelly Smith
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA Season Finale Concerts Tampa Bay Times Masterworks
Mahler’s Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 Violin Concerto Mahler’s spellbinding Symphony No. 1 is framed by Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood and Norman’s ridiculously virtuosic percussion concerto Switch, featuring Colin Currie. Michael Francis conducts.
May 3 & 4
Tchaikovsky’s dashing yet graceful Violin Concerto is performed by TFO Concertmaster Jeffrey Multer. Also: Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Michael Francis conducts.
May 24 - 26
Free tickets for kids and teens in advance
LISTEN LOCAL | Concerts in Tampa, St. Pete & Clearwater FloridaOrchestra.org | 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286
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On Our Cover A Fishhawk Teacher Needs Your Help This Year To Honor Her Husband’s Memory It has been almost two years since Debbie Morrell lost her husband, Larry, to pancreatic cancer. “He was just getting ready to retire after 38 years of working with law enforcement when he found out he had stage four cancer,” said Debbie. While the loss was filled with much sadness, Morrell wanted him to be remembered for his mission -- keeping our roads safer. Larry was a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the DUI taskforce. He was dedicated to removing drunk drivers from the roads and preventing underage drinking. It’s a passion that started after a drunk driver killed his friend. “He always felt like every drunk driver he took off the road was saving someone’s life and my husband saved thousands of lives,” said Debbie. From 2002 to 2011, Larry made more than 2000 drunk driving arrests and in 2011 was appointed to take over the SAVE unit, which stands for Sheriff’s Alcohol Vender Enforcement. The group works closely with venders, bars, restaurants, and casinos to be responsible when serving alcohol. Last year, Debbie, a teacher at Fishhawk Creek Elementary, honored her late husband by raising 10 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
close to $8,000 for Mothers Against Drunk Driving under the name ‘MADD about Larry’. MADD is a nonprofit organization that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and strive for stricter impaired driving policies. It’s an organization Larry and Debbie always advocated for – and one Debbie will continue to support for life. “Sometimes I decorate my door with MADD ribbons and let my kids know that sometimes adults don’t make the best decisions,” she said. “So, they can make sure that they don’t get in a vehicle when they or someone they know has been drinking.” However, raising money for MADD has been more difficult for Debbie this year. A few months ago, she was diagnosed with cancer. “I was undergoing treatment so I wasn’t able to participate in the MADD walk this year,” she said. “When I do something, I go all out or not at all and it just wasn’t possible.” But her outlook on the future remains positive. Debbie hopes to participate in next year’s MADD walk and raise even more money. For now, she calls on the public’s help to make donations in her husband’s honor. Contributions can be sent to : MADD West Central Florida 13902 N. Dale Mabry Ave. Tampa, Florida 33718 ATTN : Larry Coggins In the MEMO : MADD about Larry
May 2019
Green Is Good Let’s face it. We all want a beautiful carpet of green to create the backdrop for entertaining, playing and relaxing. However, what you may not realize is the benefits of a beautiful lawn go well beyond its aesthetics. Well-maintained lawns support healthy community environments. For instance, grass captures dust, smoke particles and other pollutants to help keep air cleaner. Plus, grasses absorb carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen and carbon. Healthy lawns also protect important water resources. A thriving lawn can help absorb unhealthy runoff that would otherwise reach water sources used by communities. An average, healthy lawn can absorb more than 6,000 gallons of water from a single rainfall, according to the Journal of Environmental Quality. Additionally, lawns are natural coolants. Lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. Just consider: If you don’t have to turn on the air conditioner, you save energy and reduce your electric bill. Communities that house healthy lawns, parks and commercially landscaped spaces just look nicer and feel more welcoming. Properly managed green spaces also help minimize the growth of weeds that can cause allergies, making it difficult for residents to enjoy time outdoors. Additionally, studies show that public green spaces can reduce stress, lower health care costs and improve quality of life.
noise levels by 20 to 30 percent over hard surfaces like concrete and pavement. More than just providing a quiet, calm space, healthy landscapes make communities safer, too. Neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and larger yards have reduced crime rates, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The benefits of a healthy lawn are limitless environmentally, emotionally and financially. Take the first step in creating a beautiful - and healthylawn by consulting a lawn care professional. Find one near you using the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ directory at www. loveyourlandscape.org/find-a-pro. Get a head start on smart lawn care with these fast tips from the experts at NALP: 1. Daily watering is not necessary. Instead, give your lawn a deep soak every couple of days, so the moisture can penetrate the soil down to the roots. 2. When mowing, never remove more than onethird of a grass blade for a finished height of 2 to 3 inches. 3. Keep grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. They break down and provide nitrogen and nutrients to the soil for a healthier lawn. 4. Change directions when mowing. The pattern change will control coarse grass and create more even surfaces. For more lawn care tips and information on the benefits of a healthy lawn, visit www. loveyourlandscape.org.
Noise reduction is another big benefit for communities with healthy landscapes, particularly important in urban settings. Studies show that lawns and landscapes can reduce Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
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School Zone Local School Gives Back to the Community
Colleen Bevis Elementary was established in 2000 as an integral part of the FishHawk Ranch residential community. Its mission that all students will maximize their potential for learning and acquire skills necessary for success in the 21st century, captures the essence of the school’s culture. Personal character development, in conjunction with intellectual growth, underlies the school’s mission. Opportunities for philanthropic projects engage students in humanitarian skills. Through these projects, children start making a difference in the lives of others and in doing so, more fully embrace their roles as ongoing contributors of society. Schools can offer a beautiful partnership of instilling in children a fundamental understanding of the value of community service and giving to those less fortunate. Community service helps children become socially compassionate and responsible citizens that understand the invaluable life skills of empathy, humility, and selflessness.
talents while bringing in more guests to the event. Students are also taught lessons on how their contributions can make a difference in others’ lives who may have been affected by this horrible disease. Along with the main event, Bevis has held a number of events to help raise funds and awareness for the cause such as staff jeans week, raffles, dance parties, coins for a cure, and each year they hold their very own Mini Relay Event where the students have a chance to walk laps under the big purple arch to gain an understanding of the real event. Students also participate in Kids Heart Challenge Service Learning Event which prepares children for success through physical and emotional well-being. Each spring, Coach Bill Franklin and Coach Lowell Patterson hold a week long Jump Rope for Heart Event where students learn jump roping skills, how their heart works, and raise funds for the cause. With that event, combined with a glow dance party held also to raise funds for the cause, they increased their results 300% raising more than $21,000 this year, for a total of more than $44,000 total to help fund life-saving research and educational programs funded by the American Heart Association.
Relay for Life is an event to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, advocacy, education, and patient services. This year’s community event was held on March 30th at Newsome High School. Bevis Elementary, participating for more than 10 years, has donated over $100,000 to the American Red Cross for the cause! The students learn that giving back can be done in a variety of ways such as donating or volunteering. Each year, like other schools, the Bevis Chorus sings at the event. This serves as an opportunity to showcase their 12 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
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This year’s top fundraiser, kindergartener, Alyssa Pinzon, raised $1120. She stated, “It makes me feel so good to help kids that are sick. I would want kids to help me if I was sick like I helped them.” The program provides real-life stories of “Heart Heroes” which an opportunity for children to make real life connections and gain a sense of empathy for others. Coach Bill Franklin said, “The American Red Cross provides rewards for students’ donations but the school focuses on its purpose of giving back to others less fortunate and participating as a selfless act out of kindness for others.” Eric Stommes, the AHA Rep added, “Bevis Elementary has helped the American Heart Association save over 840 lives by the funds raised and has aided in the AHA providing $1.7 million in research grants to the USF College of Medicine.” Over the years, Bevis has also participated in other projects to help local area schools and families in need such as their annual canned food drive in November and toy drive in December. Franklin continued,
“In an affluent community like FishHawk, these projects help teach children the importance of having empathy for those less fortunate and giving back to make others’ lives better.” Betsy Massey and Laura Mueller, the chairs of Bevis’ Community Outreach program, also helped organized their annual Holiday Craft Night which raised $2,000 this year that was donated to MacDonald Elementary. These, and other, various and enduring acts of compassion and philanthropy, not only serve to help those less fortunate, and help our youth to become thoughtful leaders, but they also inspire our larger community by infusing us all with hope and optimism for an ever better world. Submitted by Jackelyn Waluzak
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Money Matters If you work for a business that offers a 401(k) plan, consider yourself fortunate, because a 401(k), with its tax advantages and variety of investment options, is a great way to save for retirement. But what if you need to tap in to your plan before you retire? Is it a good idea to borrow from your 401(k)?
To begin with, you need to determine if a loan is even available. You can only borrow from your 401(k) if you’re still working for the company that offers the plan, but even so, you’ll have to check with your human resources area to determine if loans are allowed. If they are, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons before taking action. On the “pro” side, it’s pretty easy to get – there’s no formal loan application and no minimum credit score required. Plus, you’re only borrowing from yourself, and you can generally repay the loan with automatic paycheck deductions.
However, you’ll also encounter some “cons”, particularly concerning taxes. When you borrow from your plan, you will have to repay it, along with interest, with money you’ve earned – and been taxed on – and then, when you withdraw it later, you’ll pay taxes on it again. Furthermore, if you leave your employer before fully repaying your loan, the outstanding balance likely will be taxable. And perhaps even more important, taking money from your 401(k), even if you repay it later, will almost certainly slow the growth potential of your account – which, in plain terms, means you may have less money available for retirement. Of course, if you encounter an emergency, and you have nowhere else to turn, you may need to borrow from your 401(k). And some plans allow hardship withdrawals for medical expenses and other needs, although you’ll still be taxed on the amount you withdraw. But you’d probably be better off if you can prepare in advance, for situations in which you need immediate access to a sizable sum. One way of doing this is to build an emergency fund containing six months’ to a year’s worth of living expenses. You also might find some resources in your investment portfolio. For example, you can always withdraw contributions to a Roth IRA without incurring taxes. In any case, you work hard to build your 401(k) – so, no matter where you are in life, think carefully about how you will use the money.
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Puzzles & Games 2 Sudokus for May - Medium & Hard
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
Medium
7
5 5
8
4 2
4
5
5
3
4
3
6
4
5
7 8
8
2
7
7
2
6
1 2
4
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2
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7
2 4
7
4
1
2 9
1 1
Hard
8
8
6 4
1
5
5
9
6
6
7
4
1 8
9
5
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