Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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March 2019
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
Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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From Me To You... Every now and then I find myself scrolling through an online newspaper from my youth. It is a well known and respected piece of journalism, but I don’t usually go there to read the news. I gravitate towards a piece called ‘A Letter To...’ in which ordinary people write letters that they would never send to the intended recipient.
There is another side to reading these letters too. The sneaky side of superiority. That feeling you get when you read an advice column or watch Reality TV.
I suppose it is a catharsis for them, and me in a way. It allows me to explore and validate (in some instances) feelings I have had about some situations.
And let’s face it, Reality TV is the train wreck of humanity. I do love to watch it, sampling the lives of people I would never meet in real life. Realizing that no matter how much money or fame these fabulous people accumulate, they have problems too. Their grass may seem greener on the other side of that fence, but they still have to mow it.
Some of the letters are scandalous “A letter to the wife of my boyfriend.” Or “A letter to the couple who died in my house.” Others are more humorous, “A letter to my lazy spouse.” Then there are the ones that tug on your heart. “A letter to my brother who passed away.” And “A letter to our surrogate, who had second thoughts.” Reading these letters, I feel a sense of completion for the authors. They have been able to say their piece and get those feelings out in a healthy way.
“My life may have problems but thank goodness it is not as bad as this!”
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, Fish Hawk Living magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
We have all been in situations that were left unfinished. The witty comeback you wished you had thought of at the time but now it would be too late, perhaps even petty, to say out loud. These letters allow the writers to speak those thoughts and feel those feelings in a safe way. Of course they are all anonymous and I am sure the recipients don’t ever read them, but sometimes just putting things on paper is enough. I am sure you have been told in the past that when your feelings are at a boiling point you should write an e-mail then delete it. I have written many quick, emotion filled e-mails then thought better of them and hit the delete button. These letters are an extension of that - the ability to blow off steam and get your point across without hurting anyone else’s feelings. 4 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
On Our Cover
Donations poured in, with Camden raising $7,000. She was able to purchase 150 shoes for the first and second graders at B.T. Washington. For many students, it was the first time they owned a brand new pair of shoes.
No matter your age, you can always make a big impact. Newsome High School student, Camden Grant is just 14 years old, but she’s already changing the world, one “sole” at a time!
Third-grader Keira Jackson calls her pink and gray sneakers her “lucky shoes”. “She didn’t have to do that but she wanted to be nice and give us all shoes,” said Keira. “I love my shoes and I never want to take them off. Sometimes, I try to sleep with them but my mom would take them off”.
Soles Shaping Souls: How a teenager from Lithia is building her nonprofit to purchase shoes for students in need
It started last year, when she was a student at Randall Middle School. Camden would volunteer to read books to first graders at B.T. Washington Elementary. She couldn’t help but notice many students had worn out shoes. That’s what prompted her to start a shoe drive program called “Soles Shaping Souls”. “I wanted to make a difference, so I started a GoFundMe with a goal to raise $2,500,” she said.
In order to make her program grow and raise more funds, Camden would need to start a 501 c3 nonprofit but the journey hasn’t been easy. That’s where Jessica Rivelli comes in. She’s a businesswoman who started the Working Woman of Tampa Bay Foundation, which helps women network in order to achieve success and find business opportunities. Rivelli helped connect Camden with a woman in her network to help set up her nonprofit “Soles Shaping Souls.” “I want to make it bigger to make more students lives better,” said Camden. “I just want to make more people happy.” Students like Keira who first received the shoes, also wish her much success in starting her organization. “I want other kids to be happy and feel good like I did with my new shoes,” she said. Camden wants to help all the students at B.T. Washington before moving to other schools in Hillsborough County. You can follow all of Camden’s adventures on Instagram – @solesshapingsouls
Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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Culture Club
The Florida Orchestra has the power to rock you, move you In March, The Florida Orchestra starts out rocking before delving into some of the most beautiful music ever written. All live, with concerts in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Here are highlights: Women Rock (March 1-3): This Raymond James Pops concert pays tribute to the women who changed rock ‘n’ roll forever, including Carole King, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Pat Benatar and more. Featuring I Feel The Earth Move, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Proud Mary, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, I Love Rock n’ Roll and You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, with premiere vocalists. Conducted by Bob Bernhardt. Special performance Friday, March 1, at Busch Gardens in Tampa. The French Connection Coffee concert (March 14): French works that are simply fantastique! Featuring Debussy’s Clair de Lune, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette and Saint-Saens Danse Bacchanale. Stuart Malina conducts. Free coffee and doughnuts at this morning matinee. Broadway Tonight (March 16 & 17): Performers straight from Broadway revisit your favorite classics, featuring songs from Lion King, Evita, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and many more. William Waldrop conducts. The Creation (March 22-24): Haydn’s crowning achievement takes all the drama of creating the
world and transforms it into a resounding choral masterpiece, featuring soloists and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. Michael Francis conducts. Free tickets for kids and teens in advance to this and all Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts. Special performance March 22 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 (March 2931): Michael Francis leads one of the world’s most sought-after pianists, Benjamin Grosvenor, on Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, along with a deeply moving performance of Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night, played mostly in the dark. 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.
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA Upcoming Concerts
Raymond James Pops
Tampa Bay Times Masterworks
Mar 16 & 17
Mar 22 - 24
Broadway Tonight
The Creation
Tampa Bay Times Masterworks
Raymond James Pops
Apr 12 - 14
Apr 27 - 2 & 8 pm
Brahms’ Symphony No. 1
The Music of John Williams
LISTEN LOCAL | Concerts in Tampa, St. Pete & Clearwater FloridaOrchestra.org | 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286
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March 2/7/2019 20192:04:39 PM
Allergies
Spring. The time of year when, as Tennyson famously said, a young man’s fancy “lightly turns to thoughts of love.” That is, of course, if you’re not sneezing, coughing or dealing with itchy eyes. Spring allergies seem to get worse every year. Is there anything you can do to avoid them? Yes, says allergist Todd Mahr, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). These tips will help you enjoy the season instead of sitting it out indoors. 1. See an allergist. Before the season kicks in, make an appointment with an allergist to find out exactly what is causing those itchy, watery eyes. Discovering the allergen that you’re reacting to is the first step in treating it. 2. Find out if it’s allergies or asthma. Or both. The symptoms from asthma can be similar to those of
Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
allergies. To make matters worse, allergies plus asthma can be a one-two punch for some allergy sufferers. 3. Consider allergy shots... They may be the best way to treat tree, grass, mold, dust mite, cat and dog allergies. Allergy shots are immunotherapy. That means your allergist will gradually give you increasingly larger doses of whatever you’re allergic to. 4. ...or get a prescription. Research has shown that most allergy sufferers find prescription medications more effective than those they can get over the counter. An allergist can discover exactly what you’re allergic to and prescribe the right medication to ease your symptoms. 5. Commit to a thorough spring cleaning. A deep clean will reduce allergens like mold, which build up in areas where you might not go every day. With a few commonsense tactics, you can get ahead of your allergies and keep them in the rear-view mirror all season long.
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h t i w n o i t c A o t n i g n i r Sp m a e T e d a W a d n e r B e Th Our happy clients say....
"We couldn't have asked for more. You delivered exactly what we expected! The entire team was professional, kind, responsive and eased our stress level. You're the best!" Harrierridge Pl "It was a pleasure having you as our agent. The experience was great!" Courtside View Dr "You guys rock! Thank you for getting our house sold!" Fishhawk Preserve Dr "Client - Customer service is definitely not a lost art with this company! The education and thoroughness ensured there will be no buyers remorse!" Churchside Dr "Incredible team effort!" Ternglade Dr  "Everything went as scheduled and as planned. Susan O'Connor and The Brenda Wade Team went way beyond what was required. We couldn't be happier! Thank you so much!" Candler View Dr "Thanks Pamela, you really made this easy!" Herronglen Dr "It was awesome, looking forward to working with you again when we sell!" Lambert Bridge Ln "All around outstanding and very professional!" Tanagerside Rd
We love our clients and love working in this community! Call Brenda to get your SOLD sign! Office 813-655-5333 Cell 813-924-8677 Brenda@BrendaWade.com 8 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine www.BrendaWade.com
March 2019
Brenda's New Listin gss iin YOUR Ne igh borho od 15105 Fishhawk Preserve Dr
16415 Dunlindale Dr
16946 Falconridge Rd
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15907 Sorawater Dr
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15006 Eaglepark Pl
5907 Alana Leigh Pl
5701 Ternwater Pl
Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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School Zone
On January 22, almost 200 people attended Bevis Elementary’s 3rd annual Math Night, a true community partnership event hosted by Mathnasium of Brandon, the Bevis PTA and the Student Advisory Committee. Food was provided by the Valrico Chik-Fil-A and Eddie Bulls Cookie Dough. Mathnasium staff set up 18 fun and engaging math game stations of varying difficulty levels, and gave each student a math “passport.” Following dinner, students were encouraged to travel from station to station, playing the math-centered games and collecting stamps from each one. Bevis teachers, PTA members, and Randall/ Barrington Middle School volunteers ran the stations and helped dissect different math strategies while having fun with the students. The completed passports were entered into a drawing to win prizes such as math games and complimentary math tutoring. Math Night introduces math topics in a different
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way than they are introduced in class, which is appealing to the students’ different learning styles. It is an event for students and their families that extends beyond their everyday schoolwork. Parents can jump in and play along with their students. It provides busy parents and teachers a chance to connect with each other and with a valuable resource in their community. Most importantly, it shows children that math is fun! “It’s become a tradition for us to attend Math Night. I love watching my son play with his friends and learn math along the way. This is math made fun and it’s a great event for the students.” - Tricia Sportsman, Bevis parent. Becky McDaniels, Mathnasium of Brandon’s owner and center director, emphasizes that math should be fun, not intimidating. To bring the point home, she offers a discount of $25 for any new student who registers for tutoring during the month following a Math Night event. Mathnasium is a supplemental math education authority for grades 1-12. The goal of this learning center is to enhance children’s math skills, understanding of math concepts, and overall school performance. Mathnasium is a year-round program seeking to support students who are struggling with math as well as students who would like to dig deeper into math concepts for enrichment, while building confidence and seeing measurable progress. Mathnasium of Brandon is located in the Plaza Bella Shopping Center on the corner of Bloomingdale and Bell Shoals. To learn more, please visit their website at www.mathnasium.com/brandon.
March 2019
Yum yum!
Instant Pot Minestrone Soup with Ricotta Pesto Crostini Ingredients: For the minestrone 4 ounces thick cut bacon, small dice 1 teaspoon each rosemary, thyme & sage 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 medium size carrots, medium dice 1 red bell pepper, medium cut 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium sweet potato, peeled & medium dice 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1/2 bunch of kale, stems removed & chopped 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 3 quarts beef stock or broth 1/2 cup dried white beans Small rind of Parmesan cheese
1 dried bay leaf 9-ounce package of Buitoni Cheese Tortellini Olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt Fresh pepper For the crostini: 1/4 cup Buitoni Pesto with Basil 1 small baguette 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1 cup cherry tomatoes Olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt & fresh pepper Instructions: Pre-heat instant pot to the saute “normal” setting along with 1 teaspoon of oil. Add the bacon and cook for 5 minutes, then add the rosemary, thyme and sage. Cook for 3 more minutes or until the bacon is golden in color, then add the onions, carrots, bell peppers, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few cracks of pepper. Mix well and turn the saute setting to “more” on the instant pot and cook for 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the kale, crushed tomatoes, beef stock, dried beans, Parmesan rind, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few cracks of pepper. Make sure you don’t add liquid past the max line on the instant pot. Mix well and check for seasoning; you will likely need a bit more salt. Press cancel on the instant pot, put the lid on, and set to pressure cook on high for 40 minutes. Once the cook time is done, let the instant pot sit for 10 minutes, then carefully release the pressure manually. Make sure to remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rind. When the soup is ready, bring a 4-quart pot of water to boil and cook the Tortellini according to package instructions. Drain well and add the tortellini to the pot of soup and stir. Make the crostini by seasoning the tomatoes with 1 teaspoon of oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a couple cracks of pepper, and roast in a 400 F oven for 15-20 minutes. Once the tomatoes start to burst they are ready. Toast the bread, schmear on some ricotta cheese, spread on the Buitoni Pesto with Basil and top with roasted tomatoes. Serve the soup with the crostini and enjoy!
Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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Outdoor Living
Now is the perfect time to plan updates to outdoor living areas so you’re ready to enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest. Joe Raboine, director of residential hardscapes at Belgard, offers his expert insight into top outdoor design trends of the year.
Home designs are truly blending indoor and outdoor areas thanks to features like folding walls and collapsible screens. Imagine a family room that opens up completely to an outdoor patio for easy entertaining, made possible by retractable walls plus smart lighting and strategic heating and cooling sources for seasonal comfort. These types of integrated spaces make the backyard a one-of-a-kind extension of the home. Contemporary style with clean lines, textures and shapes have taken over more traditional styles, particularly among younger homeowners. Modular, large-format pavers embrace this trend and are expected to continue to increase in popularity, with smoother textures gaining traction.
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The contemporary trend also leans toward monochromatic color schemes. These muted hues blend seamlessly with the landscape, plus they allow homeowners to use strategic pops of color with furniture and flowers to create customized spaces that reflect their personalities perfectly. In an effort to make outdoor spaces an authentic extension of the home, livability is a priority. That means outdoor kitchens and fire features continue to be a top trend. Kitchen additions like pizza ovens are reflective of the foodie movement, while fire features using gas fuel rather than wood are reflective of the desire for convenience, plus they are a good fit for many municipal regulations. Water features are growing in popularity, used to add a tranquil element to outdoor spaces while masking unwanted sounds, such as traffic or other noise pollution. These 2019 outdoor living trends will prove to create outdoor projects that fit the needs of every homeowner.
March 2019
Credit Scores
Review your report and take action: Carefully review for any inaccuracies or problem areas. For instance, high accumulations of debt such as maxed out credits cards and unpaid bills will likely be reflected in your credit report. Taking the first step towards financial wellness Unpaid collections are also commonly reported can provide a sense of empowerment as you delinquencies that can cause a big hit, even when get rid of everyday financial stressors. Though increasing your credit score might seem daunting, as low as $100 or less. Inaccurate information caused by identity theft can also lower your credit following these healthy credit behaviors can score and should be disputed online. help you make positive changes to your financial health. Create a plan for better credit: After resolving any outstanding issue, create a plan towards Understand your credit: Begin by familiarizing yourself with your current credit standing, as well improving your financial health, which should as understanding what factors may be negatively include: impacting your credit score. A great place to start is with your Annual Credit Report, which provides one free credit report each year from all three nationwide credit reporting agencies. The information in these reports directly impacts credit scores, so it’s important to carefully review for any factors that could cause your score to be lower than it should be.
1) On-time payments: Paying your bills on time and in full each month is key as it builds a positive history of on-time payments. 2) Credit utilization: It is recommended that you use no more than 30 percent of the available credit, otherwise, your score could be suffering. 3) Evaluate your credit cards: Strategize which cards you use regularly and keep daily spending concentrated to one or two cards total. However, don’t close an old account just because you aren’t using it. Longstanding credit accounts are vital for building credit as this demonstrates a responsible credit history. Remain vigilant about credit monitoring and protection: Once you’re in control of your credit, the next step is to be diligent about monitoring your credit and cautious about your personal information, which includes fraud protection. Understanding and managing personal information is vital to achieving life goals such as owning a home, financing your education or having the convenience of credit cards for everyday purchases. With responsible financial behaviors, discipline and consistency, you’ll be on your way to improving your credit, and in turn, feeling more confident about your overall financial health. For more information, visit TransUnion. com.
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March 2019
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Money Matters If you’re a gardener, your busy season is at hand. But could the skills you deploy at gardening be transferred to other areas of your life – such as investing? Here are a few ideas for doing just that: Establish a timeline. As a gardener, you typically follow a well-defined timeline. You need to get the soil ready a few months before you want to plant, and you need to plant at different times, depending on what plants you choose. You even need to set up a schedule for watering, feeding, weeding and other garden care. As an investor, you may also need to observe a timeline. During the early and middle stages of your career, you probably need to invest primarily for growth, so you can build resources for a comfortable retirement. Then, as you near retirement, you may want to lower your risk level by shifting some – though certainly not all – of your investment dollars from growth-oriented vehicles into more income-producing ones. And once you do retire, your focus will shift to preserving your money, so one of your key decisions will center on how much you can afford to withdraw each year from your investment portfolio. Choose “healthy” investments. Gardeners like to choose plants they know will really last. That’s why they look for things such as green leaves, as opposed to brown or yellow ones, and thick stems, which usually indicate a plant is strong, healthy and capable of surviving a transition from the pot to the ground. And when you invest, you, too, should look for signs of health in the investments you choose. For example, when picking stocks, look for companies with solid fundamentals, such as experienced management, strong earnings and the demonstrated ability to produce products and 14 Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
services attractive to consumers. Or, when considering bonds, consider those that independent rating agencies have awarded the highest grades, in terms of the financial strength of the issuer.
Feed your investments properly. Things like fertilizer and plant food can be valuable, but the most important element in plant nutrition is water. Under-watered plants will not survive, but overwatering your plants can certainly damage them severely. When you invest, you also need to know the right amount of “food,” or “nutrients,” to apply. If you don’t put enough money into investments, they may not grow as much as you’d like. On the other hand, it is possible to “overwater” certain investments. For example, if you constantly put money into just one or two investments, they could end up crowding out others in your portfolio, causing you to lose the value of diversification. And if these particular investments are already growth-oriented vehicles, highly subject to market risk, they could take a big hit during a market downturn. Ultimately, seek a balance in how you distribute your investment dollars. Year after year, successful gardeners reap the rewards of their labors. And following some of their habits can help you work toward a longlasting and fruitful investment garden, too. Submitted by Michael Seipp, of Edward Jones
March 2019
Puzzles & Games 2 Sudokus for March - Breezy & Medium
Breezy 8
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Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
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Medium
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Estrella Publishing - Fish Hawk Living magazine
March 2019
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MS sat me down.
I will
dance
at my daughters’ weddings. Jim
Dad. Podcaster. Diagnosed in 1998. Explore powerful stories of people doing whatever it takes at nationalMSsociety.org/jim
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