Fishhawk Living
April 2018
1
2 Fishhawk Living
April 2018
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 2010-2018 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. 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
Fishhawk Living
Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec
April 2018
3
From Me To You... Welcome to the inaugural edition of Fish Hawk Living magazine!
During a recent conversation with my Mum I found out that my childhood home is up for short term rent. For the next 6 months I could rent my memories. Let me tell you it was very tempting. Due to the location of this house it would probably cost more to get there than it would to rent, and I really could not take advantage of it this year as my summer is ridiculously overbooked already. Plus it is unfurnished and England in the summer is not exactly comfortable to start with. But still. It made me think, can you ever really go home? I flipped through the online pictures and immediately a sense of outrage overtook me. They had cut down nearly every tree that had surrounded my home. The cherry tree that I lay under reading Tess of the D’Urbervilles - gone. The oak I learned to climb and hide in - gone. The broad limbed beauty my siblings and I built a tree house in - gone. What else had changed? Well it seemed they had removed one bathroom only to relocate it on the opposite side of the house. Why? Beats me. In the kitchen there was an addition. A stove. Do people not know how to use an Aga anymore? Even if you don’t know, you can learn. One of my fondest memories was cooking pancakes on the griddle of that Aga. Sure it could be tricky cooking a cake in an oven that was powered with coal but where is your sense of adventure?
challenge if I ever make it onto Survivor. Also the eaves over my sister’s bedroom would collect snow every winter, only to release it in a beautiful waterfall in the spring. In front of her doorway. Inside. I am guessing that may still be a problem. Despite all these glitches it is still the home I grew up in and it holds a special place in my heart. The indoor shutters are still there - 19th century insulation at it’s best. The amazing staircase that wraps around the outside of the entrance hall reminds me of decorating trees at Christmas. And sliding down the bannister, to my parent’s horror. The long driveway where I learned how to use a stick shift and had the horrible job of shovelling when it snowed still winds past fields and around the front of the house. Yes, the house has changed but my home is still there, peeking out behind the improvements that subsequent owners have made. Anyone want to go in on a temporary house share with me?
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, Life on the Rim magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!
I noted that with an energy rating of ‘F’ they had not decided to improve the heating or insulation in the house. Now that I could have got behind. Every room had a fireplace to provide heat, and for that reason I can now win the fire starting 4 Fishhawk Living
April 2018
April Calendar April 2018
◄ March
Sun
May ►
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Passover Easter April Fool’s Day LIFE Basketball Training
2 Passover Autism Awarenes Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM Tae-Kwon-Do Men’s Basketball
3 Passover Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength Tae-Kwon-Do
4 Passover Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM
5 Passover Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength SOS Club Soccer Shots Tae-Kwon-Do
6 Passover Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp FIT4MOM
7 Passover Men’s Basketball Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp
8 Market Day LIFE Basketball Training
9 Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM Tae-Kwon-Do Men’s Basketball
10 Equal Pay Day Nat’l Sibling Day Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength Tae-Kwon-Do
11 Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM
12 Holucaust Remem. Day Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength SOS Club Soccer Shots Tae-Kwon-Do
13 Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp FIT4MOM
14 Men’s Basketball Spring Community Garage Sale Roller Hockey Rockstar Fit Camp
15 LIFE Basketball
16 Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM Tae-Kwon-Do Men’s Basketball
17 Tax Day (Taxes Due) Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength Tae-Kwon-Do
18 Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM
19 Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength SOS Club Soccer Shots Tae-Kwon-Do
20 420 Day Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp FIT4MOM
21 Record Store Day Men’s Basketball Rockstar Fit Camp
22 Earth Day LIFE Basketball Training
23 English Language Day World Book Day Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM Tae-Kwon-Do Men’s Basketball
24 World Immunization Week Starts Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength Tae-Kwon-Do
25 Administrative Professionals World Malaria Day Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM
26 Rockstar Fit Camp Silver Strength SOS Club Soccer Shots Tae-Kwon-Do
27 Arbor Day Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp FIT4MOM
28 Men’s Basketball Rockstar Fit Camp
29 Duke Elington Day Int’l Dance Day LIFE Basketball Training
30 Int’l Jazz Day Engineering for Kids Rockstar Fit Camp Zumba FIT4MOM Tae-Kwon-Do Men’s Basketball
Notes: National Poetry Month, Sexual Assaut Awareness & Prevention, National Autism Awareness, Stress Awareness Month, National Donate Life Month Birthstone: Diamond and Crystal Fruits & Veggies: Green Onions, Leaks, Asian Pears Flowers: Daisy and Sweet Pea Astrological: Aries (til 19th) & Taurus (20th+)
Fish Hawk Living magazine is a new publication for the residents of Fishhawk Ranch right here in Lithia. Send us any story ideas, photos you have taken of the goings on, baby announcements, people or clubs that want to be on a future cover, and anything else you can think of. If you want to see it here send it in! Do you own your own business and want to reach all the homes in Fishhawk Ranch to let them know you are here? Contact us for our low, low advertising rates and help with graphics. We make it easy to advertise. We are a family owned and operated company that knows how hard it can seem to get noticed, let us help! Send all your inquiries to info@estrellapublishing.com
Fishhawk Living
April 2018
5
Holiday Story FINDING HOPE IN FLORIDA
For the Brolo family, the trip to Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay (RMHC-TB) came by way of a Salvadorian beach. The Guatemalan family of four was on vacation in early 2017. Father Alejandro, an insurance representative, and mother Claudia, a makeup artist, had taken their daughter Nina, 3, and son Italo, 3 months, to the beach when Nina began suffering from fevers. Worried, the family visited a local doctor, who immediately ordered lab tests and an exam. “Everything looked normal,” Claudia said, “but then Nina fainted.” The situation was particularly frightening given Nina’s stellar health record. She was a healthy baby, never getting sick and maintaining healthy growth standards. She had been experiencing repository issues in January 2017, but her parents thought it was only congestion. The
6 Fishhawk Living
tests now revealed otherwise; Nina was diagnosed with pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension, and two holes had been detected in her heart. Nina’s illness presented several unique challenges. While she needs surgery to repair the holes in her heart, the pulmonary hypertension diagnosis removed the option of immediate surgery. Sufficient time would be needed for Nina to recover enough from the hypertension and allow for surgery, but that would take several months. Additionally, the high elevation in Guatemala would hinder her recovery period. Frantic, the parents sought the advice of a specialist, who directed them to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida, and advised them of RMHCTB. The sea level of Florida would be more beneficial to Nina’s health, and RMHC-TB would allow the family to stay together while they waited. To a family unfamiliar with Ronald McDonald House (RMH), the suggestion was mystifying. “We knew nothing about RMH,” Alejandro, who resigned from his job to make the journey, comments.
April 2018
While Nina was flown to Johns Hopkins in an air ambulance, her family followed soon after, arriving at RMHC-TB in late February. Nina immediately began treatment, starting the healing period that would eventually prepare her for heart surgery. Treating the pulmonary hypertension requires the continuous pumping of IV medicines, painful necessities that Nina must endure for a six-month period. The coming months will require faith, strength, and family unity. Doctors have recommended that Nina spend the next year living at sea level because of the pulmonary hypertension. Due to her medical needs, Nina cannot go back home. The family currently stays in the country thanks to a six-month travel visa, but they must seek an extension to stay.
birthday there. Nina has finally been cleared for heart surgery, scheduled for late January 2018.
“I don’t know what we would do without it,” Claudia said of RMHC-TB. “They give me their heart, and comfort me through these stressful times.” After staying nearly a year at our St. Petersburg East House, the Brolo family has become part of the fabric of this house, having Despite those challenges, the Brolo family’s time made friends both with staff and other families, as at RMHC-TB will be marked by their gratitude for they continue on this lengthy journey with Nina. the support and love they’ve found here. A relative loaned them a car for transportation, allowing the When asked if they think about returning home family to take in a few baseball games and enjoy to Guatemala, Claudia comments, “We have the sights of Florida, while the House offers them learned to take this one day at a time, and are not the facilities to make some of their own foods in in a rush to leave the wonderful care that Nina the RMHC kitchen. Nina’s baby brother Italo, only is receiving for her condition. We look forward to five months old when they arrived, is growing up at that day, but for now, we must focus on getting RMHC, having recently celebrated his first through the surgery and Nina’s recovery.”
Fishhawk Living
April 2018
7
Spring into action with The Brenda Wade Team CURRENT FISHHAWK RANCH LISTINGS
15218 Fishhawk Perserve Dr
5707 Esker Falls Ln
16208 Bridgepark Dr
8 Fishhawk Living
15204 Fishhawk Perserve Dr
5419 Starling Ridge Dr
15910 Ternglade Dr
16419 Dunlindale Dr
April 2018
We get SOLD signs! 2018 FISHHAWK RANCH PENDING & SOLD LISTINGS
5924 Egret Landing Pl
5938 Caldera Ridge Dr
16113 Courtside View Dr
5015 Oakline View Dr
16204 Ternglade Dr
6059 Sandhill Ridge Dr
6054 Sandhill Ridge Dr
5948 Village Center Dr
5816 Watercolor Dr
2018 PENDING &SOLD FISHHAWK TRAILS BUYERS
14904 Fishhawk Preserve Dr
Looking to buy or sell? Call Brenda to get your  SOLD sign! Fishhawk Living
April 2018
9
Literacy at Home What was your favorite childhood book? Chances are, you can come up with a title right away. That’s because books create powerful memories of stories and characters that inspire kids’ imaginations and will be treasured for a lifetime. Unfortunately, some children grow up with limited access to books, meaning they’re unable to create those memories so many people take for granted. A lack of books in the home is also linked to lower reading scores and less success in school, according to research by the Family and Community Engagement Research Compendium.
Here’s the good news: this problem does have a solution. Having books in the home has been proven to improve children’s reading performance, cause them to read more frequently and for longer lengths of time, and improve overall attitudes toward learning. It’s clear that promoting literacy in your home and in your community are worthwhile investments of your time and money. Wondering where to start?
10 Fishhawk Living
Build reading into the routine: When the kids are small, it’s easy for many parents to create the nightly ritual of story time. Don’t stop just because they’ve started school and are reading on their own. Commit to sitting down every night to read together. When the kids see you reading books too, you set a great example. Ask questions: Asking children questions while you read together helps them develop critical thinking skills. For example, you might ask, “How is the family in this book like our family?” or “The girl in this book likes to swim. What do you like to do?” Give books as gifts: The next time you celebrate a holiday or child’s birthday, consider giving the gift of a book - especially a title or two that you loved growing up. Share, share, share: Every year or so, go through your book collection with the kids and decide which titles should be given a new home. They can be donated to schools and public libraries, or given to other groups that make books available for free or little cost to young readers. Even better, when you buy a book, purchase a second copy to donate or give away.
April 2018
On Our Cover Meet Nancy Lemon, a FishHawk resident since 2004 and Founder of Girls With Confidence (GWC), an organization she established in 2011 that conducts after-school programs, workshops and summer camps for girls in K-12 grades focused on developing confidence, positive selfesteem, and other life skills for girls and young women.
Nancy and her husband of 24 years, Brian, moved to South Tampa in 2014 in order for their son, Jake, to be closer to Jesuit High School but realized after just 3 years that they missed living in FishHawk. “We love living in the FishHawk community. The nature trails are great for running and biking. We enjoy the country feel versus the city life and we love the people.” In addition to Girls With Confidence, Nancy also owns another business called Professional Development Group where she works with clients in the area of Leadership Development, Communication Skills and Public Speaking. “My business background and experience supports a lot of what I do with GWC such as the curriculum development and facilitation.” Nancy also worked with another organization called The Ophelia Project, which offers similar type programs for teen girls. When they moved out of the Tampa area is when Nancy decided to start Girls With Confidence. “After working with teen girls and getting a lot of requests from parents of younger girls, I realized there was a huge need for these programs.”
stories like mine, so I decided this would be a great way to pay it forward and give back. I felt a responsibility towards helping the girls and young women in my community.” Both Brian and Jake have been extremely supportive with Nancy’s passion for mentoring girls and young women over the years. Girls With Confidence offers three segmented programs- Confident Girls (K-5th grades), Girls With Leadership (6th-12th grades) and Confident Moms. As the young girls learn new skills to become more confident, they transition to the Girls With Leadership program where they can attend Middle School workshop series and then start volunteering and mentoring once they enter High School. Another goal is to provide parents with resources, advice and guidance while their girls grow in their confidence. “It’s rewarding to now watch the girls that started with us in 2011, graduating high school and blossom into strong and confident leaders.” Girls With Confidence offers programs in several Tampa Bay markets and recently added Nashville, TN last year. With close to 20 individual workshops, several after school series and more than 13 summer camps being offered this Summer, GWC doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. For more information about the diverse programs offered at Girls With Confidence or to volunteer, please visit their website at www. girlswithconfidence.com.
From the age of 15 years old, Nancy struggled with an eating disorder until her mid 30’s. “From as young as I can remember, I always lacked confidence. You would never know from the outside. I seemed happy, had lots of friends and was outgoing but inside I struggled with my body image and self-acceptance. I realized years later that so many women had similar feelings and Fishhawk Living
April 2018
11
Home Sweet Home With spring officially arriving, home improvement season is swinging into full gear. Fair warning to homeowners looking to hire a professional, 2018 is predicted to be a record-breaker. A recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University projects home improvement spending will approach $340 billion this year the strongest gain for remodeling in more than a decade. Among the costliest of projects is roofing, a large expense with serious implications if put off or improperly done.
“When you tear off, you get a chance to look at the roof deck and repair any deteriorating wood or substrate,” said Rick Taylor, longtime roofing contractor. Typically, doing a layover is more economical, although homeowners need to discuss relevant factors with their contractor, including local building code requirements and implications for the manufacturer’s warranty.
When you add 2018’s remodeling demand with the much-talked-about skilled labor shortage, on top of the recovery from last year’s hurricane season, homeowners could be tempted to jump right into major home work, all without doing their homework first. As this could prove costly, consider the following before anyone sets foot on your roof: 1. Check contractor qualifications Choose a local, reputable contractor. These contractors should have the best knowledge of local building codes, state codes and required certifications and licenses. Ask the contractor to see their certificate of insurance before stepping onto the roof. Consider going the extra mile and choosing a contractor certified by the manufacturer of the shingle the contractor installs. Improper installation is considered one of the major reasons roofs fail prematurely, so finding a contractor with knowledge and experience in the correct application of a particular product is of the utmost importance. 2. Determine layover or tear off Many times, contractors will push for a removal of all existing shingles, or a tear off, over adding another layer of shingles on top of an existing roof, a layover. Although a complete tear off is more expensive due to increased labor costs, there are some advantages. 12 Fishhawk Living
3. Research the warranty It is important to understand the warranty specific to the roof product you have installed. “Some shingle manufacturers won’t warranty the roof unless it is a complete tear off,” Taylor said. Other warranty concerns to consider include proper installation, the required steps to register your roof after installation and the time period allowed for transferring that warranty to future owners of the home. Careful consideration of these steps during your next home exterior project could save you from costly and lengthy rework years later.
April 2018
Moments of Zen If you’re one of the many people who feel frazzled on a regular basis, you’re probably longing for a vacation or a day at the spa. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to cut stress that you can sneak into everyday life. Here are five simple examples of how you can find your own moments of Zen today: 1. Take a 5-minute walk. Whether it’s getting fresh air or just getting yourself moving, a change of place and pace can reduce stress and give you a few moments to relax, especially during hectic times. For example, take a 5-minute break while dinner’s cooking to walk around the block or give your body a quick stretch with an at-home yoga session. 2. Find quick-and-easy solutions. If making dinner for your family seems like a daunting task, choose quick-and-easy options designed to take the hassle out of meal prep. The frozen food aisle is a great place to begin your journey toward finding your happy place in the
kitchen, so you can dedicate more time to doing the things you love, like spending quality time with your family.
3. Choose quality over quantity. Make the most of your time each day by being intentional with your activities. Whether it’s playing a new board game with the kids after dinner or watching a TV show with your spouse, small quality moments can help you relax and enjoy yourself and your family when at home. 4. Take time to reflect. Take those extra moments to reflect on everything you accomplished during your day or week. This will help give you a sense of pride and is a real confidence-booster. 5. Break from technology. Set down your phone, turn off the television and step away from all electronics. Just giving your mind a break from the active world of technology can reduce stress and help you mentally reset, especially during mealtimes, where being present is particularly important. Remember, the little moments are what make the biggest impact in life, and by embracing mindfulness, you’re setting the stage to be able to focus on what really matters.
Contact Us to Donate or Volunteer Today!
Please give the Gift of Togetherness
To Families
with Sick Kids 35 Davis Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33606-3405
Tel: (813) 258-6430 | RMHCTampaBay.org Fishhawk Living
April 2018
13
Ask A Pharmacist There’s no denying that prescription drug coverage and medications can be complex territory. Enter UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement’s Chief Pharmacy Officer Mike Anderson, PharmD, who has spent his career navigating the ins and outs of the Rx world.
Below, Anderson answers some common questions people ask about drug coverage and prescriptions. Q. How do I know if my prescriptions are covered by my Medicare plan? A. Whether you get coverage through Medicare Advantage or a standalone Part D plan, each has a formulary, a list of prescription drugs covered. You’ll want to look closely to make sure your medications are covered. Health insurers post plan formularies online, or you can call your plan to request a printed version. Keep in mind that plans can change from year to year, so don’t assume that prescription drugs covered this year will always carry over. Q. How can I save money while remaining on my medications?
step that could save money. If you are taking brand-name medications now, discuss generic alternatives with your doctor.
Q. Can I split my pills in half? A. Talk to your doctor about whether pill-splitting for your medication is medically advised. Also, consult your pharmacist on whether the actual pill form presents risks. Some pills are dangerous when split, because splitting affects how quickly the drug is released into your body. Other pills become ineffective when split, because the pill contains a coating to protect it from stomach acid, and splitting the pill breaks that coating. Q. I take a lot of pills daily. One I take three times a day. Some I just take once. I get busy and forget to take my pills. Can I just take them all in the morning? A. It’s important to take your medicine as your doctor prescribed it. Some medications need to be taken at specific times to be effective. Plus, taking all your medications at one time can be dangerous as you run the risk of potential adverse interactions, side effects and even overdosing. If you have concerns, talk with your pharmacist.
A. There are many ways to do that: Home-delivery pharmacy benefits can save money and a trip to the pharmacy. Some mail-order pharmacies offer the convenience of ordering a three-month supply of drugs delivered to your home for less than purchasing at a retail location. If you prefer to visit a pharmacy, check if your plan offers programs or preferred pharmacy networks to help you save on prescriptions. Switching to generic drugs or drugs on a lower tier of the formulary is another 14 Fishhawk Living
April 2018
Puzzles & Games
Sudoku for April
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
4
5
1
6 2
1
5
3
5
8
3
8 2 3
6
1
5
4
6
6
9
2
5
7 8
6 2
2 1
9
3
8
8
9
5
1
Sudoku Solution 8
9
3
7
5
1
6
3
2
5
7
4
1
2
9
8
4
6
4 2 6 1 9 8 5 7 3
3 1 7 2 4 9 8 6 5
6 9 4 5 8 3 7 1 2
5 8 2 7 6 1 4 3 9
2 4 9 8 1 6 3 5 7
7
1
6
5
8
3
4
9
3
7
5
2
9
6
2
4
1
8
Fishhawk Living
April 2018
15
MS causes
debilitating fatigue.
I will
knockout MS.
Yvette
Mom. MMA official. Diagnosed in 2014. Explore powerful stories of people doing whatever it takes at nationalMSsociety.org/yvette
16 Fishhawk Living
April 2018