Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor Talia Uretksy, Assistant Editor Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Well, we finally made it! As you read this, we will be days away from one of the most contentious elections this country has ever seen. Whichever side you are on, I sincerely hope you use your voice and vote on or before November 5th. It matters. You can be happy or sad at the final tally, but if you do not vote then you have no right to voice an opinion about the results.
As a UK citizen I am not able to vote in this country, but due to a recent rule change I was able to cast my vote for the first time in the latest UK elections. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to finally be able to have a say in the future of my country.
I am always amazed at the people I talk to who say they don’t vote. They think their vote does not count. Or assume they know the outcome, so they don’t bother to go to the polls. I can tell you with certainty, that is not true. As Lenny Kravitz famously sang, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.”
Cast your mind back in time to the late 1990’s, a blockbuster movie was set to hit the screen — Titanic. I resisted the ads and trailers. Pushed back at the people who swooned over Leo and Kate’s love story. Mocked those who called it the best movie they had
seen in years. Why would I want to go to all the effort of driving to the theater, fighting the crowds, (remember when there were crowds at the movies?), pay for a ticket and watch something, when I knew how it would turn out? I knew that the boat was touted as an unsinkable vessel. I knew that there was a class war on board and that the majority of those saved were from first class. I knew that in the end the majority of the characters would die a horrible death — so why bother?
Well I eventually did see the movie and I was wrong about so much. It was a fantastic story, well acted, beautifully told and stunningly filmed. And I loved it. I cried my eyes out but it was worth the effort.
Do you see the parallel I am making here? I am not saying that the future of our country is as trite as a movie, but it is something you should make the effort to participate in. For your future.
Catherine Uretsky Editor, The Hamlet Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com
623.398.5541
Cook With Zona
Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
Thanksgiving is a wonderful celebration, filled with traditions that bring families and friends together to enjoy what we love most of all…FOOD! While the star of the feast is undoubtedly the turkey, the side dishes often take a backseat, despite their crucial role in creating a memorable meal. These often-overlooked accompaniments deserve more recognition. This Thanksgiving, we’re going to shift our focus and make our side dishes a star! Our goal is to have your family and friends begging you to bring this dish to every family event in the future!
The combination of maple syrup and bacon is one of the most underrated pairings of all time. Your friends and family will be drooling over these brussel sprouts, so be prepared to forward them this recipe!
If you have any recipes you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com to be featured in the magazine!
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total time: 35 mins | Yields: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
8 slices of thick-cut bacon
2 lbs brussel sprouts
⅛ tsp smoked paprika
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup dried, unsweetened cranberries
¼ cup chicken stock
¼ cup maple syrup
Salt and pepper to taste
Steps
1. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon oven medium-high until crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, rough chop the bacon into chunks.
2. Wash the brussel sprouts, trim the stem, and cut in half lengthwise. Remove any yellowed or blemished outer leaves.
3. Add the Brussels sprouts to the skillet, stirring well to coat with the bacon grease. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, without stirring, until the sprouts start to brown and caramelize, about 6 minutes. Stir in the salt and cayenne, and continue to cook until the Brussels sprouts are just tender, 6 to 8 minutes more.
4. Stir in the cranberries, chicken stock, and maple syrup. (If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, I recommend adding the maple syrup, little by little.)
5. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to coat the Brussels sprouts. Add the cooked bacon and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
We love to see our neighbors’ delicious creations, so send us a picture of your sweet and spicy Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts or tag us on social media @EstrellaPublishing.
Sports Desk
The Heisman Blind Spot
In the glimmering world of college football, one award stands above the rest: The Heisman Trophy. Given yearly to the most outstanding player in NCAA football, the Heisman is meant to recognize excellence across all positions. Yet, a closer look at its recipients reveals a startling bias – quarterbacks have become the de facto favorite, which often overshadows equally deserving players in other roles.
The Heisman has been awarded 87 times. Of those, 35 have gone to quarterbacks, including 18 of the last 22 winners. This means that since the year 2000, the award has gone to a separate position 3 times. This favoritism raises questions about the award’s true representation of overall excellence in the sport.
The reason behind this quarterback centric approach is multi-faceted. Quarterbacks often accumulate the most impressive statistical records, throwing thousands of yards and dozens of touchdowns each season. They are the focal point of most offensive plays, making their contributions highly visible. Moreover, the media tends to spotlight quarterbacks making them the face of their teams and, by extension, top candidate for the individual honors.
However, this focus on quarterbacks overlooks the invaluable contributions of other positions. Explosive running backs, game-changing wide receivers, and dominant defensive players can profoundly impact their team’s success. An example of this is star
Running Back on Boise State, Ashton Jeanty, who might as well be called “Mr. 1st down” after averaging 10.8 yards per carry thus far in the season.
Or take the case of Ndamukong Suh in 2009. The Nebraska defensive tackle had one of the most dominant seasons in college football history, recording 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. Despite single handedly altering opposing teams game plans, Suh finished fourth in Heisman voting behind 3 (you guessed it) quarterbacks.
The Heisman’s QB bias not only diminishes the accomplishments of non-quarterback players but also perpetuates a narrow view of football excellence. It sends a message that only those under center can truly be considered the “most outstanding” players in college football. Until such changes are implemented, the Heisman Trophy risks becoming little more than a “best quarterback” award – very different from the comprehensive recognition of excellence it was intended to be.
Submitted by Ross Uretsky
Money Matters
Scammers seem to be getting more and more sophisticated, and older adults are often the target - especially of financial scams. And imposter fraud is on the rise. That email seemingly from your bank or broker, the urgent message from a tech company alerting you to a computer problem, or the notorious grandparents scam saying your grandchild is in trouble and needs money - all are examples of imposter fraud. It’s easy to be taken in, so we all need to be on the alert and aware of how to protect ourselves and our finances.
At Charles Schwab, we’re committed to providing information and resources to help keep older investors - and all investors - safe. So here are five ideas to help you avoid falling prey to financial fraud.
1. Look out for unsolicited offers
These can come from a text, email or messaging app, as well as on the phone. Don’t rely on caller ID to determine if a call is legitimate. Scammers use tools to make it appear they’re calling from a genuine government or business number. If you receive a call from a company you do business with and they ask for information, hang up and call the company directly using the customer service number listed on your invoice, account statement, or the corporate or government website.
2. Avoid clicking suspicious links
Don’t click on links or attachments included in unknown or suspicious emails and texts. In an email, hover over links to reveal the website’s URL and see where the link really goes, and double check the sender’s domain name in the email address to ensure it matches what you’d expect to see.
3. Beware of urgency and pressure tactics
Be cautious of communications urging immediate action or pressuring you to invest quickly with promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns. And be wary of investment opportunities based on alleged “insider” or confidential information. Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
4.
Don’t give sensitive information
Is someone asking for credit card details, your Social Security number, or your one-time password? That’s a red flag. Never share sensitive information unless you’re sure you know who you’re dealing with. Be skeptical of anyone requesting that you share your one-time password, as criminals may be requesting your code so they can login and access your money.
5. Don’t send money to someone you don’t know
There are so many easy ways to send money these days. Be extra cautious. Make it a rule to never send money to someone you don’t know, someone you think you may know but aren’t sure, or someone you’ve only met online.
Whether you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, share these tips and encourage everyone you know to protect themselves in the face of increasing financial fraud.
The Doctor Is In
Ask Dr. Jen: The #1 Ingredient for Success, Part 2
Last month, we talked about using lack of confidence as an excuse for lack of success. This month, we’re discussing where fear comes from and how to reframe it to get out of your own way.
Fear is a feeling, and feelings ALWAYS come from thoughts. Some people feel fear when they see a spider; others don’t. The difference is the thoughts that occur to them when they see the spider. Those thoughts lead to feelings, which then generate behavior in response to the spider. But fear is just a feeling, not a fact, and you have to learn to put a different feeling in its place: Confidence. Fear happens when your brain plays tricks on you. It starts with your underlying self-limiting beliefs, which generate objections in your mind. You have to CHOOSE to see things differently. Instead of letting fear stop you, reframe it as “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Fear is a liar. Think about it: most of the things we worry about never actually happen.
Believe it or not, you were born with a decent amount of confidence. How do I know this? How did you learn to walk, talk, ride a bike and tie your shoes? You did those things because you had some level of belief in yourself that you could. Otherwise, you would have never even tried. Somewhere along the way, you lost some of your confidence. To overcome this, you have to change the way things occur to you.
The truth is we don’t have control over the thoughts that pop into our heads. For example, if I said to you, “Hey, I’ll give you $1,000 if you do NOT picture a pink elephant in your head right now.” What did you just envision? It’s the same with negative automatic thoughts. They’re like unwanted guests: You may not be able to control when they pop in, but you can decide when they leave. It’s how we sort and dispose of our negative thoughts that makes or breaks us.
Have a question for Dr. Jen? Email it to AskTheDoc@EstrellaPublishing.com.
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 Paweleck-Bellingrodt, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Open Enrollment
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which runs from October 15 to December 7 is here, and with it comes a wave of changes that could make this year one of the most challenging yet for beneficiaries. But navigating AEP doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s how you can prepare and make the most of this crucial time:
1. Review Your Current Plan
Start by reviewing your Annual Notice of Change letter, which arrives in September. It will outline key changes to your current plan, including costs, doctor, pharmacy networks and other additional benefits. Knowing these changes can help you decide whether your current plan still meets your needs.
2. Compare Your Options
Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans can vary significantly. Use this time to compare plans and assess how they meet your prescription needs, preferred doctor networks, medical facilities and budget. Doing so could save you money and ensure you’re getting the coverage that best fits your health and financial situation.
3. Use Available Resources
If comparing plans feels overwhelming, there are resources available to help. Platforms like eHealth provide easy-to-use tools that allow you to compare a wide range of plans from top insurance companies, both online and over the phone. According to a recent study of 67,884 user sessions nationwide, eHealth found that Medicare Advantage enrollees who compared their current Medicare Advantage plan with available 2024 plans using eHealth’s platform could be saving an average of $1,100 per year on medical bills and prescription drugs with a lower cost plan.
4. Get Help from a Professional - For Free Licensed insurance agents can provide personalized assistance at no cost to you. They’re knowledgeable about different plans and can help match you with one that suits your needs. An eHealth survey of more than 2,100 Medicare Advantage enrollees conducted
in March found that beneficiaries who work with an agent feel more confident in their choice, with 66% feeling “very confident” in their plan selection. And remember, agents are paid the same for similar plan types and there is no obligation to enroll. Their goal is to help you find the best fit for you.
5. Don’t Procrastinate
It’s tempting to delay deciding, but waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed choices that may not be in your best interest. Schedule time early in the AEP period to review your options, consult with an agent if needed, and make a confident decision.
This year, tackle your insurance plan coverage with confidence. To learn more, compare plans and find help from a professional licensed insurance agent and benefits advisor please visit eHealth at www.ehealth.com or call 844-373-9751, TTY 711
The Bug Guy
Turkey Day Terrors: When Pests Crash Your Phoenix Feast
As Thanksgiving approaches in the West Valley of Phoenix, residents are gearing up for a day of gratitude, family gatherings, and enough food to feed a small army. But while you’re busy basting that bird and whipping up grandma’s secret stuffing recipe, uninvited guests may be plotting their own holiday invasion.
Welcome to the wild world of Thanksgiving pest control, where the battle between man and critter reaches its annual crescendo. In the West Valley, where the desert meets suburbia, our creepy-crawly neighbors are always looking for a reason to party –and your perfectly roasted turkey might as well be a billboard screaming, “All you can eat buffet!”
Local pest control expert, Barry “The Bug Buster” Johnson, has seen it all. “Last Thanksgiving, I got a panicked call from a lady in Goodyear. She’d just pulled her pumpkin pie out of the oven when a family of scorpions emerged from her oven mitts, doing the macarena. Talk about spicing up dessert!”
But it’s not just scorpions getting in on the action. Ants have been known to form conga lines from your
backyard to the kitchen, each carrying a microscopic “We’re Thankful for Leftovers” sign. And let’s not forget the rats, who’ve been spotted in homes wearing tiny pilgrim hats and attempting to carve the turkey with their incisors.
Even the birds are getting bold. One Litchfield Park resident reported a flock of pigeons tapping on her window in perfect rhythm to “We Will Rock You,” presumably demanding their share of the corn bread.
So, what’s a West Valley resident to do? Larry suggests a few pre-feast precautions:
1. Inspect your oven for scorpion squatters before preheating.
2. Set up a decoy turkey in the backyard to distract wandering wildlife.
3. Train your dog to bark “gobble gobble” to scare off potential pest invaders.
So this Thanksgiving, as you gather around the table, raise a glass to family, friends, and the pest control heroes keeping your stuffing safe from six-legged saboteurs. And if all else fails, there’s always next year’s traditional Thanksgiving takeout.
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control
Hear Hear!
Think about the last time you had your hearing tested. Was it recently? If it wasn’t and you find yourself turning up the television or straining to hear conversations in crowded rooms, it’s time to have an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist check your hearing.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), by the time people reach age 65, more than 30% experience hearing loss, and that percentage only goes up as people age. The NCOA also reports nearly 30 million Americans could significantly benefit from wearing a hearing aid. That’s why HearingLife, a global leader in hearing care, has become USA Pickleball’s official hearing care partner to raise awareness about the importance of hearing health and the dangers of hearing loss. At select USA Pickleball events throughout the year, HearingLife is offering complimentary hearing assessments to attendees and players.
“Hearing loss can prevent people from doing activities they love, like pickleball,” said Dr. Leslie Soiles, HearingLife’s chief audiologist. “And it’s ironic because these types of activities and exercises can actually help slow hearing loss. That’s why getting your hearing checked is so important. It’s a gateway to a more active, fulfilling life.”
Many people brush off hearing loss and don’t think about hearing as essential to health and longevity. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loneliness, social withdrawal and even problems at work if you miss instructions or don’t understand coworkers. Worse, it can cause cognitive decline, memory problems and even increased risk of falls.
You care for your teeth by brushing twice each day and for your body by eating right and exercising. What about your ears? Here are some ways to care for your hearing, from the pros at HearingLife.
1. Mind your exposure to loud noises. Loved those packed concerts in your youth? We did, too. For the reunion tour, it’s wise to wear earplugs. That also goes for exposure to construction sites or loud machinery.
2. Monitor how long you wear headphones or earbuds. Turn down the volume of your favorite podcast or playlist, and don’t wear the ear devices for an extended period of time.
3. Get regular checkups. Visit your hearing care professional on a regular basis, especially if you notice worsening hearing loss or other symptoms such as ringing in your ears.
4. Manage chronic conditions. High blood pressure, diabetes and smoking can contribute to hearing loss. Managing those conditions and quitting smoking helps keep your ears healthy.
5. Keep active. The improved blood flow you get from exercise is great for your ears. Walking, cycling, canoeing, working out at the gym, all contribute to good hearing health. Why not take up pickleball?
Puzzle Time
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. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
