The Front Porch

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Our Emotional Support

Dog Vader

As the end of the school year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about all the exciting plans for the summer that lie ahead. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures, or simply a way to beat the heat, Arizona has something for everyone. From hiking and camping in the great outdoors to exploring local museums and cultural attractions, there are endless opportunities to make the most of your summer in the desert.

For those who love the water, there’s nothing quite like a day at one of Arizona’s many lakes or water parks. Take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Pleasant or ride the waves at Big Surf Waterpark.

And if you’re looking for a more relaxing way to stay cool, why not head to one of the many indoor attractions that our state has to offer, such as the Arizona Science Center or the Musical Instrument Museum?

Of course, summer is also the perfect time to enjoy some of our state’s natural wonders. Take a trip up north to explore the stunning beauty of Sedona or to witness the majesty of the Grand Canyon. And for those who prefer to stay closer to home, there are plenty of parks within Marley Park where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride.

As we look ahead to the summer months, let’s also take a moment to reflect on the end of another school year. Congratulations to all the students who have worked hard and achieved so much over the past year. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you all the best as you move on to the next chapter of your lives.

As summer approaches, I’ll leave you with this quote from Wilma Rudolph, “When the sun is shining, I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.”

See you on The Front Porch!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Magazine

Welcome to the May edition of The Front Porch magazine!

Cutest Kid Contest 2023

Our winners and cover models are Billy Cyrus Johnson and Delilah Zanetta Johnson. These two adorable munchkins make up a family of 5 Mom (Sirseal Johnson), Dad (Billy Johnson), Delilah, Billy and Disney (the dog) They have lived in Marley Park for a year this May.

“ We are a homeschool family so we love to have “Family Fun Fridays.” On our family fun Fridays we pick an activity we all want to do such as hike, bowl, watch movies, and play board games. We also love playing nerf wars at home.”

Delilah is a 9 year old girl who loves to play sports and dance. She is currently in track, gymnastics, and ballet. She looks up to Simone Biles and inspires to be a veterinarian. She is truly the spokesperson for “Girl Power!” Billy is an 11 year boy who enjoys sports, chess, and video games. He is currently in basketball, chess, MMA, and track. He is such a blessing because he loves to take care of his mother. Billy inspires to be a police officer or the Governor of Arizona. He is a good example of servant leadership!

Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures, Marley Park is full of cute kids! We received so many wonderful entries and although we would love it, we can’t print them all! If you didn’t win this time be on the lookout for future competitions. Here are the runners up...

Yum Yum

Overnight French Toast Casserole

Go ahead and sleep in, because this French Toast Casserole is completely prepped the night before, perfect for Mother’s Day!

Ingredients

8 cups cubed French bread, from a thick, crusty loaf

7 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/4 cups whole milk

1 cup half & half cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp almond extract

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup salted butter, melted

1 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

3 TB pure maple syrup

Optional Cinnamon Sugar Topping: 1/4 cup sugar, whisked with 1 tsp cinnamon. Serve with pure maple syrup and fresh berries.

Instructions

• Butter a 9x13 baking dish; arrange bread cubes evenly in the dish. Set aside.

• In a large bowl, add all remaining ingredients (except optional topping.) Beat until fully incorporated and no clumps of brown sugar remain. Evenly and slowly pour liquid mixture over the bread cubes, gently tossing to ensure that all bread is coated with egg mixture. Bread cubes should be mostly soaked. Cover with foil and chill overnight.

• Remove casserole from fridge, uncover, and let it rest at room temp while you preheat oven to 350F. Sprinkle top with Cinnamon Sugar Topping, if using.

• Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until French toast is quite pufffy and golden brown. Let casserole rest at least 5 min before cutting and serving. Serve with pure maple syrup and fresh berries for a perfect Morther’s Day morning!

Triggered Much?

Have you ever wondered why you react so strongly to certain things? Why someone says a specific thing, acts a certain way toward you or doesn’t do what they say they’ll do and you lose your mind? It’s because at least one of your self-limiting beliefs is being triggered. For instance, you’re in a relationship and your partner goes out with friends, which you agreed to, but then you’re rude and disrespectful to her when she comes home. Or maybe your partner goes out with friends, comes home later than expected and doesn’t call or return your texts when it gets really late and you’re trying to check in with him. When he gets home, you go off on him and rant and rave about him not caring about you, or maybe you even accuse him of cheating. Chances are, those situations are triggering your fears of abandonment. When that fear is triggered, like it or not, you are instantly transported back to when those fears arose. It’s not a conscious process, but it’s one that will continue if you don’t do something to overcome it by exploring and changing the self-limiting beliefs that lie beneath it.

Or let’s say your friend becomes really successful with an opportunity that was presented to both of you but that you decided not to take because of a fear of failure. When you see her, she talks about how her career is rocketing to the next level and how she’s feeling so fulfilled and motivated, how she’s so happy that her hard work has paid off. You say that you’re happy for her but then you cry on your way home from her house and snark at your spouse or kids when you get home. But aren’t you happy for your friend? Yes, but you’re also jealous, which is triggered by your selflimiting belief of not being worthy or capable of good things. You have to annihilate your selflimiting beliefs in order to respond differently to both the opportunities and the successes of others.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes 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.

Legal Advice

NON-STRESS IRA DESIGNATION

For 401ks, IRAs and other qualified retirement accounts, the designated beneficiary form directs how the funds will be paid on your death.

Common problems that arise with beneficiary designations are:

a. The “Estate” or no beneficiary is listed, so a probate is needed and the IRA will lose the ability to be stretched beyond 5 years, increasing the income tax.

b. A beneficiary dies before you, and if the trust was not the IRA’s designee, then the financial company rules apply to who gets the deceased beneficiary’s share.

c. The designated beneficiary is a minor, not a trust for the minor, and so a costly court conservatorship is need and much of the deferred tax benefit is lost.

d. Your spouse, who is not your children’s parent, did not sign a spousal waiver, so your spouse is entitled to at least if not all of funds, not your children.

Remember, currently, an inherited IRA must be paid in 10 years, if the beneficiary is not a spouse. Leaving a portion or all of your qualified retirement account to charity makes sense. The charity does not pay income taxes and will receive more funds than a family member. Other assets which are not taxable then can be left to family or friends.

Sharon Ravenscroft, Esq., The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA, Sun City and Phoenix offices, (623) 815-7451 or Sravenscroft@CavanaghLaw.com. Sharon’s practice focuses on Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information visit www.sharonravenscroft.com.

Stroke Awareness Month

Know the BEFAST tips for recognizing stroke symptoms

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, when health care professionals stress the importance of knowing the warning signs of stroke – a medical emergency and a leading cause of death and long-term disabilities in this country.

Stroke is when the blood vessels to the brain become blocked by a clot or worse, burst open and bleed into your brain. It has no age limits, and younger adults are increasingly affected by stroke and its risk factors, said Lisa Ziomek, Stroke Program Coordinator at Abrazo Health.

Every 40 seconds someone in the United States

has a stroke, and one in six people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime. When it comes to spotting stroke symptoms, use the acronym BEFAST for recognizing a stroke.

B - Balance: Watch for sudden loss of balance

E - Eyes: Check for vision loss

F - Face: Look for an uneven smile

A - Arm: Check if one arm is weak

S - Speech: Listen for slurred speech

T - Time: Call 911 right away

“80 percent of stroke are preventable through healthy lifestyle changes and working with your health care team to control health conditions that raise your risk for stroke such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes,” said Ziomek.

Abrazo offers online health assessments including a stroke quiz to help you identify issues and areas to discuss with your doctor, or for more information on stroke care at Abrazo hospitals or a physician referral, visit AbrazoHealth.com.

Simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact on your risk for stroke such as choosing healthy meal and snack options, lowering your BMI, exercise regularly, limit your alcohol consumption, stop smoking and get regular checkups with your doctor.

Submitted by Abrazo Health

Home Sweet Home

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. While it’s still a sellers’ market, homes that are priced right are selling, and they get the most attention from buyers right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this spring, it’s important to lean on your expert real estate advisor when it comes to setting a list price. As Realtor.com explains:

“Move-in-ready homes with curb appeal and in desirable areas—and that are priced to sell—are especially likely to move quickly this spring.” In today’s market, how you price your house will not only make a big difference to your bottom line, but to how quickly your house will sell.

Your asking price sends a message to potential buyers, especially today. If it’s priced too low, you may leave money on the table or discourage buyers who may see a lower-than-expected price tag and wonder if that means something is wrong with the home. If it’s priced too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to lower the price to

drive interest when your house sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag by some buyers who will wonder what it means about the home.

To avoid either headache, price it right from the start. A real estate professional knows how to determine the ideal asking price. They balance the value of homes in your neighborhood, current market trends, buyer demand, the condition of your house, and more to find the right price. This helps lead to stronger offers and a greater likelihood your house will sell quickly.

Homes priced at the current market value are selling faster and at a better price right now. To make sure you price your house appropriately, maximize your sales potential, and minimize your hassles, connect with your local real estate expert today.

Submitted by Christie Giannetto | REALTOR® | REAL Broker

Money Matters

There has been a lot of talk about a “cashless” society, but it’s not here yet. In fact, cash can still be a valuable element of your overall financial picture – if you employ it wisely. But how?

Consider these four key uses of cash:

• Everyday spending – Of course, you need sufficient cash on hand to pay for your cost of living – mortgage, debt payments, utilities, groceries, etc.

• Unexpected expenses and emergencies –Life is unpredictable and sometimes you may encounter “budget-busting” expenses, such as a major home repair or a large medical bill. Prepare in advance by building an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses in cash, or at least in a highly liquid account, held separately from your regular checking or savings account.

• Short-term savings goal – If you’re aiming for a goal that you want to achieve in a year or so – a wedding, a long vacation, and so on – you’ll want to be sure a specific amount of money is there for you when you need it. Consequently,

you’ll want to put away cash for this type of goal, possibly in a short-term savings or investment vehicle that might pay somewhat higher interest than a regular checking/savings account.

• Source of investment – In regard to your longer-term investment strategy, cash can play two important roles. First, it can serve as its own asset class, alongside other classes, such as stocks and fixed-income vehicles. Unlike these other classes – especially stocks and stock-based mutual funds – cash won’t fluctuate in value, so it can potentially help lessen the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. And second, having the cash available in your portfolio gives you the opportunity to quickly take advantage of other investment opportunities that may occur. For example, if you choose to take stock dividends in cash, these dividends can be “swept” into your brokerage account and held there until you’re ready to invest them.

By managing your cash efficiently, and putting it to work in different ways, you can gain some key benefits – and you’ll help yourself to keep moving toward your short- and long-term goals.

Submitted by Wayne Polk, AAMS, Financial Advisor, of Edward Jones

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