The Front Porch

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 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

All contents © 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. 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.

Welcome to your October edition!

Things are starting to look preeeeeeety spoooooky around Marley Park! Although we aren’t quite experiencing “fall” weather yet, fall is in the air and front porches throughout the neighborhood are being adorned with pumpkins, fall wreathes, and scarecrow décor. If this is your first fall in Marley Park, you’re going to love it! No one decorates their homes for Halloween quite like Marley Park residents! Halloween night is an incredible scene of kids and families getting out and about in their costumes to enjoy the festivities, and of course, collect treats from neighbors. Halloween truly embodies the spirit of “The Front Porch” in so many ways.

In the 21 years I’ve lived in Arizona, I can’t remember a Halloween that didn’t have perfect

trick-or-treating weather. This is in stark contrast to the Halloweens of my childhood in Michigan, where we often had to wear rain gear over our costumes…or worse, snow suits! I grew up in a rural area, so trick-or-treating meant getting in the car and driving several miles between houses. It wasn’t very efficient. Not so, in Marley Park, where kids bounce up and down the streets from one house to the next, filling their bags and buckets with ease.

Halloween always feels a little safer in Marley Park, as lots of adults are out and about watching over the kids, even the ones who don’t belong to them. Lots of adults go all-out with costume creativity too…sometimes whole families dress up in themes! A great Halloween – the kind childhood memories are made of – isn’t really about the costumes or the candy (despite what our kids think). A great Halloween is a community celebration of traditions and rituals that connects neighbors and friends. As you plan and prepare for Halloween fun this year, I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom from one of my favorite holiday movies, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966): “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.” ~Linus van Pelt

Follow that advice and you’re sure to have a fabulous and spooktacular Halloween! See you on The Front Porch!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Magazine

Legal Advice

– whether it be for finances; medical health or mental health.

Inheritances for minors, whether children or grandchildren, can be bogged down by a court conservatorship, if a trust is not used. A court conservatorship is more costly and burdensome incapacitated or upon your death and can avoid obstacles and disputes when there are multiple

The court process of probate can be avoided with a revocable trust for some but others can utilize a beneficiary deed with more ease.

Privacy laws can prevent you from being assisted by your spouse or trusted friend or family member. Powers of attorney can be give the right person the legal authority to help you. However, you need the correct power of attorney

Cavanagh Law Firm, PA, Sun City and Phoenix

Sharon’s practice focuses on Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information

On Our Cover

Kaitlyn Favreau is a mother of three beautiful kids a newborn baby born last month. For the past four years, she also added the title of “student” to her name.

After completing one year of college when she was younger, she entered the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program at Strayer University in 2018. Juggling college courses and homework alongside parenting her three kids was one of the hardest things she’s ever done. Juggling all that while also pregnant took it to a whole other level! This past June, all her efforts finally paid off, when Kaitlyn graduated with her degree in accounting. Kaitlyn says that the most difficult season of attending college while parenting was the first trimester of her most recent pregnancy. She was sick often but had the support of family who came from out of

state to help with the kids so she could focus on her classes and homework. Her husband, Charlie, was also instrumental in supporting her throughout her studies. He often arrived home from work and immediately took over the kids so Kaitlyn could focus on school. Kaitlyn is most proud of setting an example for her kids and showing them that it’s never to late to start again and accomplish a goal. She hopes to find a remote accounting position in a few years when her baby girl, Delaney, starts preschool.

The Favreau family moved to Homestead at Marley Park in December of 2019, just before the pandemic hit. They chose the neighborhood because of its beauty and amenities and have loved living and raising their family here. Catching Kaitlyn for a fifteen-minute phone call so I could write this article was challenging in itself. Her “mom taxi” schedule of driving Finnley to tumbling, Lily to dance, and Eli to Taekwondo leaves little time for chit chat! It’s hard to image adding a newborn to the mix, but if anyone can handle it, Kaitlyn can. After all, she’s already proven herself to have the tenacity and determination to handle just about anything!

Submitted by Christie Giannetto | Marley Park Homeowner

Check Your Meds

Do you have expired medications or duplicate prescriptions you no longer need? National Check Your Meds Day is Oct. 21, a good time to take an annual inventory of your family’s prescription medications. It is also a good time to organize a list of the medications in your family’s medicine cabinet in case there’s a medical emergency, according to Char Comfort, a pharmacy manager at Abrazo.

National Check Your Meds Day is particularly important for those with multiple health conditions taking multiple drugs from several providers. Your local pharmacist or primary care physician can review that your prescription drugs are correct, the dosage is correct, you are taking the drug correctly, and the medication has not expired. They can also check your supplements, vitamins, and other over-the-counter medications you are taking, and answer any questions.

“Medication lists are important to have, because not having this information may cause a delay in care, as paramedics or hospital staff try to confirm current medications before providing that information to the physician. A lack of up-to-date medical information may lead to avoidable medication errors or adverse drug reactions,” said Comfort.

“You may prefer to document your medications on paper, but you can keep a list on your phone as well,” said Comfort. “Keep a historical record. This applies to you, along with your spouse and children, and it’s a good idea to ask your parents to do the same, especially if you may be called to assist them with a health crisis.”

Some of the important things to keep track of for emergencies and doctor visits include:

· Medications, including name, dosage and whether it was completed or is ongoing.

· Medical history. This may include chronic conditions or recent illnesses.

· Allergies to medications and foods and the type of reaction.

· Vitamins, supplements, and other overthe-counter items, and dosage.

· Other pertinent health information, including immunizations.

“Update the list when changes occur. It may sound cumbersome, but it’s important to keep your list current. Even the slightest change, such as adding a vitamin supplement, should be noted,” said Comfort.

* Not standard coaching Direc t , real, power ful, empowering, caring, and effec tive

* Our goal is not for you to be in a good place. It is to be in an amazing place taking your life to the highest possible level

Get your life back and better than ever!

Ser ving individuals, couples, and families 18 and over.

Each time you make a change, note the date. Ask your pharmacy (or pharmacies) to print out a list of medications filled in the last year. And make sure someone in your family or circle of friends knows where you keep your medications list. Time is precious, and in an emergency, minutes matter,” said Comfort.

Submitted by Keith Jones of Abrazo West.

Green Thumb

As temperatures drop and seasons turn, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the vivid blooms you love so much in your yard. Adding seasonal plants that can withstand cooler weather is a great way to bring color and dimension to outdoor spaces, enhancing your curb appeal into the autumn months.

There’s no easier way to add autumn atmosphere to your entryway, walkways and flower boxes than with the warm hues of rich yellows and sunny oranges. Blooms in these colors convey happiness and warmth, making them beautifully eye-catching. Some plants in these tones are especially attractive to bees and butterflies, helping create pollinator-friendly spaces.

For example, award-winning Echinacea Artisan Yellow Ombre is a native-type prairie plant that attracts songbirds, bees and butterflies throughout fall, and into winter. It’s drought tolerant and low maintenance, making it a nobrainer for colorful autumn gardens. Another great option as the weather cools is Achillea Milly Rock Yellow Terracotta. This perennial has a breathtaking golden-orange color that is perfect for fall because it is frost tolerant, plus it attracts pollinators while resisting hungry rabbits and deer.

While yellow and orange are quintessential fall colors, you can add an on-trend element to your outdoor space with Spreading Pansy Cool Wave Blue. The stunning dark, moody blue hue plays nicely when combined with a jewel-toned autumn palette. The vibrant shade of solid blue is beautiful in planters and hanging baskets, as

well as in landscaping and window boxes. This sun-loving variety is a spreading pansy, meaning it can serve as great groundcover, as well. You can enjoy this pansy in fall, and with superior overwintering hardiness, it’s the earliest pansy to return in the spring.

Color is one important aspect of landscape design, but to really elevate your outdoor appeal, consider dimension as well. Creating variables in plants through shape and texture adds visual interest, bringing new depth to a space. To create this, mix florals with greenery and don’t be afraid of nontraditional flower shapes. The perfect example is Celosia, which features blooms in unique shapes such as plumes, spikes or wavy crests.

Whether it’s containers, window boxes or several strategic places in your landscaping, you can update your home for the fall season and boost your curb appeal with fall flowers. A dash of color and texture will help your home be a standout on the block.

Yum Yum

We are moving into the “pies and presents” season of the year ~ so many memories are associated with certain aromas and recipes ~ and this one is no different. As a young child I remember my mother mixing up this dough by hand with a wooden spoon ~ the recipe dates back more than 200 years, and if you want to be “authentic” to the time period, you could use lard instead of vegetable shortening!

As with many recipes, time and personal interpretation find their way ~ I use a stand mixer these days and a cookie scoop for consistent sizing, and I also often add in some fresh grated ginger or finely minced candied ginger plus a ½ tsp of cardamom to my version ~ the recipe here reflects as it was originally written.

Lumberjacks

Makes approx 3 dozen cookies

1 C granulated sugar (and extra for dipping)

1 C vegetable shortening or lard

1 C molasses

2 eggs 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp ginger 4 C flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the sugar and shortening; add molasses and the eggs. Sift together dry ingredients and mix into wet ingredients until dough forms. Roll into walnut-size balls and dip in granulated sugar.

Arrange on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes. Let cool on rack.

This dough keeps well in the refrigerator, so you can easily bake these to order throughout the week (if they last that long!) Wonderful with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea!

Submitted by Maureen Woods

Home Sweet Home

If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard about the housing market slowing down in recent months. If you’re asking yourself if you’ve missed your chance to sell your house and make a move, the good news is you haven’t – motivated buyers are still out there, and prices are still historically high. However, you do need to price your house right for today’s market. Here’s why.

As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says, “Homes priced right are selling very quickly, but homes priced too high are deterring prospective buyers.” It’s true buyer demand has slowed over the past few months as higher mortgage rates made it more expensive to buy a home. The result is fewer bidding wars and less competition among buyers, but don’t forget – that’s compared to the severely overheated market we have seen over the past two years.

While this is a slower pace than even one month ago, serious buyers are still actively in the market, and they’re buying homes that are priced right. If you’re aiming to sell your house, be

sure you’re working with your agent to price it for today’s housing market. As buyer demand softens, it’s important to understand

this isn’t the same market as last year. It’s not even the same market as just a few months ago. However, most sellers still have a large amount of equity in their home at today’s prices.

If you’re ready to sell your house, seek the advice of a real estate professional. In some cases, you’ll need to adjust your expectations accordingly to meet the market where it is today. Selma Hepp, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains what’s happening and what it means when you sell, “Signs of a broader slowdown in the housing market are evident…This is in line with our previous expectations and given the notable cooling of buyer demand due to higher mortgage rates…Nevertheless, buyers remain interested, which is keeping the market competitive — particularly for attractive homes that are properly priced.”

While the housing market has cooled from its overheated frenzy, today’s prices still translate to significant profit for most sellers. Let’s connect so you understand what’s happening with buyer demand and home prices in our local area as you

Psychological Abuse in Relationships

Outside of some of the more obvious sins against a relationship, such as physical abuse, sexual coercion and infidelity, there are other forms of abuse that may not be so obvious to some. These include forms of psychological abuse.

Here’s a list of some psychologically abusive things your significant other should never do or say to you. It is by no means comprehensive.

• Demean, belittle or insult you.

• Make you the butt of their jokes, in public or private.

• Call you ugly or rude names.

• Tell you that you’re unworthy of their love or make you do ridiculous things to gain their affection.

• Tell you that you’re stupid, worthless or a piece of crap.

• Tell you that you’re ugly, fat or attack any other aspect of your physical appearance or tell you that you need plastic surgery.

• Tell you that everything that goes bad in the relationship is your fault.

• Tell you that you’re crazy or otherwise try to use your mental health issues against you.

• Tell you that you are overreacting when they obviously did something wrong, illegal, immoral, unethical or otherwise inappropriate.

• Deflect when you try to address an issue or concern by pointing out something you do that bothers or upsets them, never really addressing your concern or owning their mistakes.

• Default to telling you that the reason you two disagree or fight is that you’re just too emotional.

• Blame you for their drinking/drug use/ excessive spending/reckless driving/infidelity or otherwise inappropriate behavior.

• Gaslight you when you try to address an issue with them, turning it around on you or misrepresenting your words.

If you’re reading this and you have to ask yourself if what you’re experiencing in your relationship qualifies as psychological abuse, it probably does. If so, you don’t have to be a victim. Set your boundaries, stand up for yourself. Get help if you don’t know how. You deserve better, and no one is going to do it for you.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. For the full article and more, visit www. doctorbellingrodt.com. Check out free and paid psychoeducational training options at https:// thepsychoeducationacademy. thinkific.com/collections.

Announcement

Natasha Lynn was born at 12:04 a.m. on September 8th to Marley Park residents, Desiree and Nicholas Lenning.

She weighed in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Welcome to Marley Park, Natasha!

Car Shopping

From seeking more fuel efficiency or seating capacity to replacing an older or less reliable car, there are many reasons to be in the market for a vehicle today. Whatever the reason may be, when it comes to purchasing, there are a variety of factors to consider to set you up for success. After all, since the average American drives thousands of miles per year, buying a car is a major decision that can be made easier with a thoughtful approach.

To help in your vehicle search, consider asking yourself these questions:

1. Where should I buy?

Determining who to buy from can play an important role in the overall experience. And there is no shortage of options, like traditional dealerships, online retailers, individual sellers

or rental car companies that offer pre-owned vehicles for sale. Buying from a seller you trust can pay big dividends when it comes to peace of mind. If buying from a retailer versus an individual, consider how long they have been in business and if they have an upstanding reputation, especially when it comes to providing exceptional customer service. Additionally, who you buy from can impact if you’ll need to negotiate on price, which not everyone enjoys doing. Some dealers offer “no haggle” pricing, meaning the price listed is the price you’ll pay, or price transparency, which means the vehicle price, taxes, fees and other costs are clearly labeled and presented upfront.

2. Will I be purchasing a reliable vehicle?

No matter who you buy from, ensuring that you are buying a high-quality vehicle is of the utmost importance. Do your research before signing on the dotted line, and always conduct a test drive.

3. How soon do I need the vehicle? Today, lead times to obtain vehicles can vary widely. For example, wait times for a “build-toorder” car - that is, a car custom-ordered from a factory - may last up to 12 weeks with some lead times lasting six months to more than a year. If you need a vehicle now, purchasing a used car could be a faster option.

4. How do I want to purchase the vehicle? Purchasing a vehicle today can be done in a variety of different ways. Choosing a seller that matches your buying preference is something to consider. Buying a car in person remains a common option, but vehicles today can also be purchased in many states without ever stepping foot inside a dealership.

“There are several considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a vehicle today, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach,” said Mike Bystrom, vice president at Enterprise Car Sales. “One thing is certain - regardless of how or where you choose to purchase, you shouldn’t have to compromise on receiving great customer service.”

Autism Awareness

We have all witnessed what appears to be an individual having a meltdown. The individual is stressed, and the caregiver or person providing support feels overwhelmed. As a bystander and well-meaning person, you may want to offer a helping hand. But there may be more to the situation than meets the eye. For an individual with autism, things like sensory overload, audience or the environment may further impact their behavior. Knowing these few tips can mean the difference between helping or making an already stressful situation worse.

Don’t approach the situation unless asked. This is likely not the first time a meltdown situation has presented itself. A caregiver or person providing support to an individual with autism needs your understanding, not judgment. Approaching a caregiver or person providing support with comments can make them and the individual feel inadequate, uncomfortable, embarrassed, or even increase anxiety.

These caregivers are adept at knowing their reactions to certain situations and will know how

to calm the individual when episodes occur. They will know the individual best and how to support them.

Don’t stare. Some caregivers or persons providing support and the individual may be self-conscious about their behaviors and can be embarrassed by your reactions. The individual may notice your stares and feel blamed for them. Be a gentle presence that doesn’t judge. This is the best way to offer support.

Stop. Look. Listen. Individuals with autism thrive in calm, familiar, and supportive environments. If you come upon a situation where you are wondering if you should help, do the following: Stop: don’t feel the need to comment and only assist if asked.

Look: see if the caregiver or person providing support is signaling for assistance. If so, be helpful and take action by following their instructions.

Listen: pay attention and take action if the caregiver asks you to assist in some way.

More information about autism, diagnosis, and treatment is available at https://www.sbhservices. org/southwest-autism-center.

Samurai Sudoku

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.

Good Luck!

Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com

Difficulty: Evil Thursday, 15th September 2022