�e HamletŽ A magazine for Palm Valley residents
From your neighbors, for your neighbors Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
March 2020
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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
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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 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.
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From Me To You... If you are privileged to live long enough you will come to realize that everything changes. Relationships change, circumstances change, heck even people change. The key in life is to roll with those changes, learn from them when you can, and move along to the next phase in your life.
Personally I usually enjoy change. As an optimist I will always look for the good in a situation or person, and that means that even when something knocks me for a loop I will dust myself off and find the positive. In fact I have come to see change as a personal challenge. What can we do with this? Does it open up opportunities that were not there before? Moving across the country can be scary but what about the new best friend who is waiting to be discovered? Or the amazing vistas that you have only seen on a computer screen? What about the smell of creosote after it rains? OK, not everyone will like that one but I do! Perhaps my love of change is inherited, my paternal grandmother lived in government housing and could not afford to buy a new house. So the people on her street would swap homes every few years. My uncle emigrated to New Zealand to effect change in his life - a poor farmer, he saw an opportunity to work for land in a new country and he lived out his life as a
contented kiwi farmer, with many acres to call his own.
I love moving, not the physical effort of the job, but the change and newness of a different situation thrills me. Of course moving is a time consuming and expensive proposition and is not always realistic, so when I am in one place for too long I start to change my house on the inside. Some would call it updating, for me it releases the pressure of ‘sameness’. I have known people who have bought a home after visiting the model and placed their own versions of that furniture in exactly the same configuration as the home they first saw. Crazy. And they kept it that way, for as long as they owned the house! Now that makes my head ache. When my husband worked in corporate America and was away on business trips I would make the most dramatic changes. He would return to rooms painted different colors and furniture rearranged. I have even moved rooms around inside the house. One of our daughters commented that during her childhood she had a bedroom in almost every room of the house. True story. Now that he works from home I have to fly thing by him first. My long suffering husband has come to accept my need for change and usually agrees with my ideas although painting the kitchen white took me two years of persuasion, but as soon as the first door was done he agreed it was the right move. Now that I think of it I can remember my father often using the phrase, “A change is as good as a rest.” I believe I have taken that expression to heart and I encourage you all to do the same.
Catherine Uretsky
Editor, The Hamlet Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
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Cutting The Cord
Ditching cable for “streaming” services is all the rage these days. Despite what one may think, it’s easy to make the move from traditional cable or satellite TV to a highly affordable TVwatching experience. Cutting cable not only gives you access to the TV shows and movies you already love, but will open up a new world of entertainment you can watch when you want and where you want on TVs or almost any device you own like cell phones, tablets, and more. But where do you start? If you’re thinking of cutting the cable cord and don’t want to go cold turkey, you can test the waters with this quick-start guide that will prepare you for the jump to being a full-fledged “Cord Cutter” at a fraction of the cost of cable. Here’s how to get started. 1. What do you want to watch? Love nail-biting true crime dramas? Are you a
romantic who needs to see every heart-warming ending? Perhaps a sports nut who needs to see every game? There are streaming TV services that appeal to every appetite, and you can subscribe to more than a few for a lot less than traditional cable or satellite. It is easy to imagine a bundle of services that is perfect for you, yet costs less than what you’re paying now. 2. Check out free trials Not sure what streaming TV services are best for you? Try some free trials. Almost all TV streaming services offer free trials, so you can pick a couple to try out before making any commitments. If a service requires a credit card to sign up for a free trial, don’t panic. There should be the option to cancel before the trial ends and you are charged anything. 3. How to watch Chances are, you already have a number of ways to stream TV in your home. There are apps for computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming systems; and of course a slew of devices like Roku, Android TV, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. If you have a smart TV, you can watch streaming content directly on your TV via an internet connection. If you need to pick up a streaming device, it’s a one-time cost. 4. An antenna for local Prospective cord cutters are sometimes hesitant to make the change and miss out on local sports, news or other programming. With a one-time purchase of an HDTV antenna, you can grab all the free, over-the-air channels available in your area and bring it directly to your TV. To find out how many local channels will be available using an over the air TV antenna, go to AntennaWeb. org and enter your address. There’s a ton of additional information available online about the next steps, but once you have a high-speed internet connection and a streaming TV device, all you need to do is decide what to watch!
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March 2020
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Money Matters It’s important to have cash available for your everyday spending and the inevitable rainy day. However, you also need to develop a cash strategy that can contribute to your long-term financial success. But just how much cash do you need? And in what form? To answer these questions, it’s useful to look at the four main uses of cash: • Everyday spending – Your everyday spending includes the cash you use for your mortgage, utilities, groceries and so on. As a general guideline, you should have one to two months of living expenses available during your working years, and perhaps a year’s worth of living expenses when you’re retired. You’ll need instant access to this money so it may be a good idea to keep the funds in a checking or cash management account.
• Unexpected expenses and emergencies – If you needed a major car repair or a new furnace, would you be able to handle the cost? You could – with an established an emergency fund. During your working years, this fund should be big enough to cover three to six months of living expenses; when you’re retired, you may be able to get by with one to three months’ worth. You’ll want your emergency fund to be held in liquid vehicles that protect your principal, such as savings or money market accounts or short-term certificates of deposit. • Specific short-term savings goal(s) – At various points in your life, you may have a specific goal that you’d like to reach within a year or two. Your first step is to identify how much money you’ll need. Next, you’ll need to choose an appropriate savings vehicle. Consider opening a separate account – and tell yourself this money is for one purpose only. • Source of investment – You can use cash in two ways as part of your overall investment strategy. First, cash can be considered part of the fixedincome allocation of your portfolio. The second benefit of cash, in terms of investing, is it’s there for you to purchase a new investment or to add more shares in an existing investment. In any case, you probably don’t want to be too cash heavy, so you might want to keep no more than 10% of your fixed-income assets in cash. As you can see, cash can be valuable in several ways – so use it wisely.
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March 2020
Is Your Teen Stressed? Stressful situations at home, work and school are real and can be extremely detrimental to the success of your teen throughout the academic year. So how can parents help their children avoid, manage and relieve stress? The following tips provide a great start: • Teens need to take time for self-care and to have a little fun. Find activities that support their ability to be successful. If they don’t like sports, don’t expect signing them up for football to help. • Help teenagers learn to change their thinking. Do they know it’s ok to fail at something? Help them see failure as opportunity. • Take assignments one step at a time and set obtainable goals. Ask if you can help them prioritize their tasks and then encourage them to focus on one at a time. When stress levels become more than a motivating tool, or when pressures are too
intense or last too long, it may be a sign your teen is in stress overload. In order to avoid this situation, follow these tips: • Be physically active. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep stress levels under control. • Laugh. Strive to have one big belly laugh a day. • Practice positive self-talk. • Encourage mantras such as “this too shall pass” or “I can handle this.” • Make sure the things that bring your teenager joy are included in daily and weekly routines. • Let your teenager know it’s ok to share their feelings with friends and family. • Make the best out of stressful circumstances – be optimistic – your outlook, attitude, and thoughts influence the way they see things. • Let your teenager know it’s ok to ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better. Helping your child learn how to avoid stressful situations and manage stress when they’re in the heat of it, prepares them for the academic years to come. Submitted by Alysson Zatarga, Carrie Holmes, and Kathy Villa, Program Directors for the School and Community-Based Counseling Services program at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services. More information about the benefits of school and community-based counseling services is available at www.sbhservices.org.
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Yum Yum! Garden Frittata
Fresh vegetables mixed with eggs and cheese make for the perfect meal. Note: This recipe adheres to the rules of many specialty diets, including vegetarian, keto and gluten-free. Ingredients: 4 Eggland’s Best Eggs (large), beaten 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped fresh spinach 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
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Directions:
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• Melt butter in 10-inch skillet until sizzling; add garlic and onions. • Cook over medium heat, stirring
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occasionally, 4-5 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add spinach, saute 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Whisk eggs and salt together in bowl. Add eggs to vegetable mixture in pan; sprinkle with basil. Cover; continue cooking 4-6 minutes or until center is almost set. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; remove from heat. Let stand 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into wedges. Garnish with chopped tomatoes.
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March 2020
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Pet Of The Month
Disclaimer - this is my puppy and I think he is amazing. If you think your pet is as adorable as Bandit send a picture and a little information about him/her to me catherine@estrellapublishing.com and your pal could be featured as Pet Of The Month in a future issue. 10 Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
March 2020
Outdoor Decor
2020 outdoor living trends are all about enjoying your backyard - but with the comfort and ease you expect from your indoor spaces. Today’s outdoor spaces are transforming into an extension of the home. The current outdoor design also takes into account the look and feel of your entire home, including the interior and exterior, building materials and surroundings.
Connecting with nature: Biophilic design Biophilic design is achieved when natural elements are incorporated into the space, helping people feel connected to the natural environment. It creates a calm, tranquil space and reduces stress. Biophilia makes sense for indoor urban environments needing to bring the outdoors in, but how does it work when you’re already outside? A plant wall or raised garden bed can integrate greenery and pops of color with the built elements of your outdoor space. It also means using natural materials, like wood and stone, to complement the surrounding environment.
Homeowners also have many options when it comes to the design and price point of their outdoor kitchen. Some may lean toward a grill island, adding prep and storage space to their grilling station, while others might create a full-on outdoor kitchen with a grill, smoker, refrigerator, sink, seating area and more. Whether your home is in an area with limited green space, or you want to optimize your outdoor living, get creative: * Add vertical planters * Hang hammocks for lounging * Create built-in seating * Build raised garden beds * In the harsh sunlight, large umbrellas and movable shade walls or screens can keep your space cool and more comfortable. Whether you have a straightforward vision for a patio or dream of elaborate outdoor living spaces, these ideas can help you create your oasis.
More than just a grill Today’s homeowners want much more than a grill in the backyard. With aspirations to cook and entertain guests outdoors with everything the best outdoor kitchen can offer, the possibilities are endless - from grills to cooktops and ovens or even a wine cooler and an outdoor bar.
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Make A Wish It’s hard to imagine what life has been like for a child who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at just 2 years old, followed by years of surgeries, doctor visits, medications and treatments. Eleven-year-old, four-time cancer survivor Alika has endured all of that - but maintains a positive and optimistic attitude, with the support of her family. She loves going to school and learning new things. While battling cancer for the fourth time, a social worker referred Alika to Make-A-Wish “We’ve always known about Make-A-Wish,” said Alika’s mom, Leah. “But between the MRIs and hospital stays, we hadn’t even had a moment to think about the impact a wish could have.” Spending most of her life in and out of hospitals and doctor appointments means Alika and her family have never had the chance to take a
vacation together. In identifying her wish, Alika expressed her desire to travel with her family to Hawaii. When she recently finished her last round of treatment, Alika’s doctors cleared her for her wish to go to Hawaii, although she will still need to be monitored closely to watch for any recurrence of cancer. After enduring three surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, Alika’s wish will come true thanks to the support Make-A-Wish has received from Subaru through the Subaru Share the Love Event. Alika, who says she wants to be a chef or an actress when she grows up, recently appeared in a commercial promoting Subaru’s support for MakeA-Wish through its annual Share the Love Event. After filming the commercial, Alika turned to her mother and said, “Mom, this commercial was made just for me!” Alika dreams of traveling the world, starting with her wish to go to Hawaii. Her family has always felt a strong connection to Hawaiian culture, making her wish a transformative opportunity for her entire family. To help Alika document their special trip, Subaru also gifted her a GoPro camera. Alika is looking forward to visiting Hawaii with her family and is especially excited to see the waterfalls when she gets there. It will be the first time they will enjoy quality, stress-free time just relaxing together. Her family imagines having fun dancing to music on the beaches of Hawaii. If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact, there’s nothing more fulfilling than helping a child’s wish come true, especially knowing how their life has been affected by illness. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish and Subaru partnership, visit wish.org/Subaru.
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March 2020
Sleepaway Camp As a parent, you worry about your child’s future. Will they be confident enough to weather life’s ups and downs? Will they find happiness and success? How will they navigate their future challenges? According to research by the American Camp Association (ACA), a traditional sleepaway camp - where a child or teen spends 1-4 weeks away from home - helps them experience growth and development. Enhanced selfdevelopment Camp can be a huge boost to their confidence, independence and resilience. It also builds socialemotional skills to benefit them through adulthood. * Confidence comes from doing. A child who must do things on their own, without a parent nearby, learns they can accomplish much more than they thought. * Becoming self-reliant and developing a feeling of competence comes from attempting until they succeed. * Learning to persevere through discomfort helps a child feel like they can handle anything, creating resilience. Expanding horizons Being away from home means your child leaves their comfort zone. Sharing space with kids they’ve never met, from different backgrounds, states or countries is also a completely new experience. Exploring challenging activities Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
expands your child’s world, which can be fun, exhilarating and selfaffirming. Trying a variety of new things changes a child’s idea of what they’re capable of - much more than camps focusing on one subject - fostering curiosity, perseverance, a love of learning and inner confidence. Unplugging from technology Giving up technology for weeks may seem impossible, but the results are astonishing. A decrease in anxiety and an increase in happiness are noticeable in most campers when they unplug. In the ACA research, teens and children who unplugged reported learning how to live in the moment. They stopped worrying about the past or future, instead focusing on their present experiences. They develop better social skills while reading each other’s non-verbal cues, like facial expressions and body language. Face-to-face interaction is the only way to develop those skills. Lifelong friendships Kids at sleepaway camp bond with other campers in a deep, lasting way. Sharing the camp experience creates a sense of community, fostering lifelong friendships. In the ACA research, children and teens said making new friends was the best part of camp. They - and their parents - said social skills learned from camp helped them develop friendships at school, long after camp ended. While you may initially feel reluctant to send your child to camp, giving your child this gift can be life-changing. March 2020
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Financial Conversations For most people, personal finances are a private matter. When you are in a relationship, it can be difficult to discuss this typically taboo subject. Whether you have been married for years or are just beginning to date, fear of your partner judging your financial choices runs deep. Money challenges can create stress and cause walls to form in a relationship. Financial conflicts have even worse repercussions. Tackling the topic head-on can lead to a deeper understanding of each other’s financial history, emotions and goals for the future. In fact, talking about personal finance, while not a particularly romantic topic of conversation, builds intimacy in any relationship, according to Amanda Clayman, financial therapist and Prudential’s financial wellness advocate. Amanda shares the following simple advice to help partners navigate this challenging conversation. Turn back the clock: Ask your partner about their earliest memories of money. Our relationship with money begins at a young age, and can shape a person’s feelings about wealth (or lack thereof). Talk about money related events that took place in your childhood, the 16 Estrella Publishing - The Hamlet magazine
lessons you learned from your parents or other adults, and the way it made you feel. Explore your money languages: Most couples are familiar with the “Five Love Languages,” which explain how people interpret and show affection in different but equally valuable ways. The same goes for money styles. Everyone approaches spending, saving and managing their money uniquely. Learn about your partner’s preferred strategies without judgment and tell them about yours. Prepare for differences: Setting realistic expectations going into this conversation is vital for a positive outcome with your partner. You may discover your money style is entirely dissimilar from your partner, which is still progress because what we perceive as conflict is often a pathway toward greater understanding. Resist the urge to pressure your partner into seeing your own view of money and discuss how you can split responsibilities so that you are both comfortable with your financial responsibility. Don’t stop: This should be the first of many future conversations about money as a part of your overall wellness. Just as you’d periodically check in about your partner’s work, family and health, make a point of asking how they feel financially. With time and consistency this conversation will get easier as your relationship grows. While it’s easier for many of us to avoid money conversations, it is actually one of the most intimate and emotional pillars in a relationship. When you take a proactive approach, you remove the taboo and help build a strong partnership and better understanding of each other’s finances.
March 2020
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Puzzles & Games 2 Sudokus for March - Easy & Medium
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
Medium
Easy
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