Main Street

Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor

623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

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

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From Me To You...

I can feel it in the air, the weather has finally started to change. In the morning I take my coffee outside while I play with the dogs and I no longer have to brace myself before I step onto the patio. The promise of the balmy days we all love hangs in the air, and even though the thermometer is still upwards of comfortable by mid-afternoon, I know it is coming. Fall.

I always find it amazing that even though the miserable portion of the year is shorter than the beautiful one, it feels like summer is exponentially longer than Fall/Winter/ Spring. And then there is my sweater and boot collection. I have never met a sweater, sweatshirt, jumper or hoodie that I didn’t like. Despite the knowledge that I will only wear a small percentage of them each year, they call my name and I can always justify getting more. Now that we have children who are or have been attending 4 separate universities I have an even better excuse to buy them. After all I can’t show favoritism!

When we lived on the east coast boots and winter coats were something you bought every

year and wore until they were destroyed from water or snow or salt. I spent quite some time in the UK last winter and when I was packing I found that I didn’t own a single pair of waterproof shoes, let alone boots! So off I went on a mission to find the perfect pair. I looked forward to wearing them in the appropriate climate, walking through piles of snow and feeling that delicious crunch as my foot broke through the top layer. So imagine my dismay when Britain had one of the mildest winters on record. Plenty of rain but only a few snowstorms and nothing that left enough snow to even make a snowball.

I guess that means a trip to Flagstaff is in order this winter. Thank goodness we have the option to drive a couple of hours to a colder climate - and this year I have my fingers crossed for a winter wonderland!

Catherine UretskyEditor, Main Street magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623-398-5541

Myself, my husband and my daughter were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our second daughter in 2021. However, that dream was short lived when on July 27, 2021 we learned that our full-term daughter no longer had a heartbeat. How does that happen? We always thought that once you get out of your first trimester it was smooth sailing from there. How could she have passed away before ever taking her first breath outside of the womb?

For the 8 months leading up to the heartbreak we were excitedly preparing for her arrival. Her pink crib was put together and her closet became a sea of assorted baby clothes, blankets, headbands and bows. We were READY and so was our 4-year-old who was busting at the seams with excitement of having a little sister of her own. In an instant, all of our hopes and dreams came crashing down. We had been preparing for her life, we didn’t think that instead we would be going into labor and delivery the following day and discussing last wishes and funeral arrangements.

On July 28, 2021 at 4:18 pm Alahni Lynn Sewell was born. She had no heartbeat, no cries or movement, merely the most beautiful petite baby too perfect for Earth. We opted for her to stay with us in our room for the 3 days while I recovered from my c-section. It was at that time that we were introduced to the CuddleCot. What

is a CuddleCot you ask? A CuddleCot is an inroom cooling unit that is roughly the size of a small humidifier. It is essential that the baby(s) body remain cool. The CuddleCot cools to an ideal temperature for preserving baby without being too cold for the parents. It gives families the gift of time, allowing for their precious angel(s) to be at their bedside for the duration of their hospital stay.

We couldn’t have been more grateful for this device! What we thought we would have a lifetime to do with our daughter we had to squeeze into 3 short days. It allowed us to bond with her, to hold her, to take in her scent and memorize all of her features and create everlasting memories. That was all the time we were ever going to have with Alahni. Once we were discharged from the hospital, we would be leaving empty handed and with a pain in our hearts that could never be explained.

Her life and her death have impacted and touched so many. In honor of our daughter Alahni, we have created “Alahni’s Dream” and we recently gifted Banner Estrella Hospital with a brand-new CuddleCot on what would have been her first birthday. The CuddleCot will allow grieving parents cherished time with their baby. In an already confusing, devastating time, we did not want any parent being separated from their child before they departed the hospital. Our hearts go out to all the families facing this devastating loss and know time is of the essence.

Submitted by Amanda Sewell

Vote YES on High School Override:

Vote YES on the High School Bond: bond will keep our students safe and ensure that our high schools can keep up with rapid growth The bond will make at five high schools

Vote YES on the Litchfield Elementary District Override: The award winning Litchfield Elementary School District is widely recognized for educational excellence The override continuation will:

Recruit and retain effective teachers

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

Passions

Last month we introduced the 1st Key of Success – where we discussed the importance of winning the inner game. Our inner game allows us to talk ourselves into or out of opportunities daily. These Thought Habits also impact whether our thinking is positive or negative. The 1st Key is also where our imagination, hopes, and dreams reside. There is a dreamer in each of us: who we desire to become, what we want life to be like, what we want to achieve, places we would like to visit, and more. Yet many let their dreams die unlived. Many let the circumstances in life dictate their lifelong journey and end up as a victim of circumstance, never finding the 1st Key of Success – Thinking.

Realizing you are different, you focus daily on winning the inner game by developing Thought Habits that assist you in becoming your best. You decide you want to make your life more than

a dream. You want to make it your reality. But most importantly, you are becoming passionate about it. It is at this moment you will discover the 2nd Key of Success, the Key of Passion. The moment when the knowledge of the mind becomes knowledge of the heart. It becomes an inner knowing, an inner belief, a driving force. While the first key deals with dreams, the second key is about turning those dreams into reality. Using the IT Formula is how to make the magic happens! (Look for the IT Formula in the December issue.) And remember, if you ever lose your passion, go back to the 1st Key of Success –thinking. You will find something has changed in your thinking.

We will discover the 3rd Key in November’s issue. Until then, write a list of your passions. What are you passionate about?

Submitted by Larry Tracey, founder of Youth4Youth,WOW Coalition Program Director. For additional information, visit www. Youth4Youth.org or http://www.wowcoalition.org

Fun Ways to Limit Screen Time for Your Child

As a parent of two young children, I know how difficult it is to stop devices from creeping into home life. In our increasingly technological world, devices are here to stay. But setting boundaries and limits help children learn good screen habits for the future. Aside from setting a timer, here are some fun ways to balance screen time:

1. Create an imaginative play area in your home with a play kitchen, dress-up clothes, puzzles or

3. Use physical games and exercise. Try dancing to music together as a family after dinner. Play classic games such as duck, duck, goose or hide and seek, or build a fort out of couch cushions. All of these games include physical interaction, whole body movement, and provide valuable social interactions.

4. Make bedtime a special time of the day to unwind and slowly prepare for a deep refreshing sleep. Studies have shown that the blue light on time fun with bath toys or foam letters, and make

We help children explore and discover their interests through play in a safe environment. Highly trained teachers gently guide and encourage children every step of the way as they grow, develop and achieve important milestones.

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, 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.

Submitted by Southwest Behavioral & Health Services and Southwest Human Development. Visit https://www.sbhservices.org/southwestautism-center for more information

Money Matters

Cash is part of any financial strategy and investment portfolio, but how much have you thought about the different uses of cash, and how much you really need? Consider these four key purposes:

• Unexpected expenses and emergencies – If you face an interruption in employment, you need an extensive home repair or you encounter an unplanned medical expense, you may need access to cash. It’s a good idea to have three to six months of living expenses in cash, possibly supplemented by access to a line of credit.

• Specific short-term savings goals – You may have some goals you want to meet within the next year or two, such as a wedding, a vacation or the purchase of a new car. And since you have a little more time to meet these needs than you would for an emergency, you might consider using a money market account or a short-term certificate of deposit (CD).

• Everyday spending – You’ll always need cash to provide for your day-to-day spending needs. If you haven’t already done so, you might want to create a budget, which could help highlight areas in which you can reduce spending to free up funds for investing in long-term goals.

• Source of investment – First, cash can be considered its own distinct asset class, and because it typically behaves differently from other asset classes, it can provide some diversification to a portfolio containing stocks and bonds. And second, the cash in your portfolio could be used as part of a systematic investing strategy in which you put set amounts of money at regular intervals into investment vehicles that are appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.

While cash may seem like a perpetual safe harbor from the

stormy investment seas, it is not without risk. If you hold too much cash, you could underfund your longer-term investments.

Put your cash to work. By using it wisely, you can add a valuable element to your financial picture.

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

MKD-8652A-A

Investing is about more than money.

At Edward Jones, we stop to ask you the question: “What’s important to you?” Without that insight and a real understanding of your goals, investing holds little meaning.

Contact your Edward Jones financial advisor for a one-on-one appointment to discuss what’s really important: your goals.

Wayne Polk, AAMS® Financial Advisor

4252 N Verrado Way Suite 202 Buckeye, AZ 85396 623-386-2821

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Well, it’s that time of year again where our Arizona summer is coming to a close! October brings cooler weather inviting us to get back outside. What are your plans for this fall? Spending time outside with friends and family? Have a BBQ, picnic, or get together with friends and enjoy a football game? Whatever your plans are, make the most of them by reconnecting with your friends, family, and neighbors, now that its not to hot outside.

As the cooler weather invites us to get back outside, it also increases number of bugs that want to enjoy these temperatures, both flying and crawling. It is important for us to have food, shelter, and safety while we are experiencing the outdoors. Those same necessities are equally important to bugs. So, if we think like a bug and look around the yard what do we see? Hmmm… plants low to the ground or touching the ground. From a bug’s eye view that means two things shelter and safety.

We can also see food and water. Standing or running water in the yard is most often found

around irrigation lines. Be cognizant of these areas as water in the desert means life, or an oasis. Water will attract both herbivores and insectivores for the same reasons.

There are many different species of bugs in the desert, most of them we never see. Those we commonly see and hear are crickets. Spiders are also out in the fall, and we see their work in the form of webs, sometimes in the most incongruous locations. The only spider we have here that is a cause for concern is the black widow. They generally do not like it in the house and are very docile. If you see one, it may have been brought in on furniture that was left outside in a low traffic area. The black widows preferred location is along the foundation wall of a house.

What can you do about these bugs? You can keep your foliage trimmed and off the ground. Minimize the amount of ground water. Think about ways you can continue to make the environment around your home less desirable to these unwanted pests. Keep thinking like a bug!

Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control

Furry Friends

October is a great time in Arizona to get outdoors and have fun with your furry companion. Community Paws has some great events to help you get the most out of these cooler days.

Our inaugural golf tournament, Community Paws on the Green, is scheduled for Sunday, October 9. Come out and watch the golfers as they compete for fabulous prizes in this fourperson scramble starting at 8 am at the Verrado Golf Club. Please go to www.cponthegreen. com for more details. If you cannot attend, please consider donating to support Community Paws’ vision to establish The Community Paws Education and Resource Center, a facility to meet the growing needs of our community.

The election for Verrado’s new Dog Mayor is currently underway, with voting to end on November 6. Your well-socialized dog could become the next Major of Verrado for the 20222024 term. The current major, Mayor Behos, describes his experience this way: “Meeting

and interacting with so many kids and other dogs as part of the job has been a rewarding experience, as has helping Community Paws raise money for their work. My brother Davis and I are looking forward to the upcoming election to see who the next Dog Mayor of Verrado will be.” For more information, to enter your dog or to vote for the next Dog Mayor, please go to www.gogophotocontest.com/ verradodogmayor.

Paws on Parade returns this year on Saturday, October 29, from 9 to noon. Walkers and dogs (costumes are encouraged) will gather on the Village Green in downtown Verrado to parade through the neighborhood, followed by a Halloween K-9 costume contest and a pet-centric market with plenty of fun activities for everyone. Dogs are not required to walk in the parade, and entry is free to everyone. If you wish to show your support with a donation for this important fundraising event, please register your pet(s) online. As a sponsor, you will receive a large goodie bag customized for your furry friend and a gift that will identify you as a sponsor. Upload a photo, and we’ll feature it in our gallery of pet sponsors online.

Submitted for Community Paws by Lyndie Mason Warner, a Verrado resident.

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

Business Directory

ADVERTISING

Main Street magazine

AUTOMOTIVE

Daniel’s Total Car Care Exclusive Transportation Service Line X of W Phoenix Litchfield Auto Repair

EDUCATION

GreatHearts Academy - Schools The Goddard School

FINANCIAL/ LEGAL SERVICES

Edward Jones - W Polk

Ganyo Insurance Agency

Johnson Wealth Management Mahoney Law Office

Prime Lending - M Chamberlain

HEALTHCARE & BEAUTY

AZ Medicare Consulting - C Jones Bailey Orthodontics

Buckeye Dermatology

Elite Senior Services Goodnight Pediatrics

Goodyear Dental

Healthy Life Family Medicine

Ironwood Acupuncture Main Street Dental

Majestic Beauty Spa

Monroe Salon & Spa

Omni Women’s Healthcare

Periscope Pediatrics Skincare Extraordinaire & Salon

HOUSEHOLD

1 Buckeye Plumbing

Al’s Plumbing

Arizona Sun Control

Century Glass and Mirror

Estrella Mountain Pest Control

623.398.5541 623.873.0949 480.769.3669 602.909.6755 623.882.8700 602.438.7045 623.255.3290 623.386.2821 623.439.2525 866.575.7020 623.518.3513 480.397.9090 602.432.6314 623.977.0707 602.754.6075 425.785.4498 623.643.9233 623.322.1399 623.889.3477 623.203.5064 623.594.8100 623.986.5790 623.215.6083 623.263.0105 602.686.6830 623.826.3726 623.386.0710 623.329.5170 623.466.7655 623.444.6204 623.925.5427

J & H Appliance Repair

JBS Roofing

Shurfire Solar

The Window Cleaner AZ Younger Brothers Exterminating

LANDSCAPING / POOL CARE

Aquienta Pools

West Valley Rock

PET CARE

Gentle Hearts Animal Hospital Pamela’s Pet Visits & Boarding

REAL ESTATE

Adair Fine Homes Group - C Adair

Impresa Real Estate - L Mendoza

Keller Williams - A King Keller Williams - TK Luxury Group

Keller Williams - T McKenna

Main Street Property Mgmt - K Pellerin

Realty One Group - A Herman

Realty One Group - Wilson/Castiilla Robson Reserve at PebbleCreek

RETAIL & RECREATION

Arie Layne Boutique Osborne Jewelers

623.680.6619 623.247.9252 623.261.4200 623.738.6064 623.487.3147 480.967.6120 623.386.8777 623.298.4200 623.337.7107 480.212.6259 623.570.9555 480.363.6301 623.688.4447 623.980.8504 623.980.4200 480.532.3140 520.240.3560 623.440.6800 602.818.5523 623.925.1815