From Me To You...
There’s an old story that gets told in elementary schools and boardrooms alike, usually by someone trying to make a point about resilience. It features a mighty oak tree and a young sapling growing side by side in a forest. My favorite version is all about the value of flexibility over pig-headed stubbornness.
Picture an ancient oak that’s been dominating its patch of woodland for decades. This tree has weathered many storms, standing firm whilst everything else gets knocked about. It’s the arboreal equivalent of that blowhard at the bar who’s never wrong about anything. Next to it grows a slender young tree that looks about as sturdy as a wet tissue. When the wind picks up, the oak barely budges, maintaining its dignity and standing firm. The sapling, meanwhile, bends and sways about like it’s auditioning for Dancing with the Stars.
Any sensible person would back the oak to survive whatever nature throws at it. After all, it’s got size, strength, and experience on its side. The young tree on the other hand, appears to be held up by wishful thinking and good intentions.
Then along comes the storm of the century—the sort that has weather presenters getting genuinely excited for the first time in years. The oak does exactly what it’s always done: stands its ground, refuses to yield, essentially tells the hurricane to go away. Unfortunately, this time the hurricane takes exception to such cheek. With a tremendous crack that probably woke up half the county, down comes the mighty oak, taking a fair chunk of the forest floor with it. The sapling, however, has been having what can only be described as an elaborate dance-off with the wind. It bends so far it nearly touches the ground, then springs back up like a jack-in-the-box. When the storm finally dies down, guess which tree is still standing?
The moral here is that adaptability beats obstinacy, and the smartest thing you can do is give way rather than dig in your heels. The trick is in knowing when to bend and when to stand firm — I’ll leave that one up to you.
Catherine Uretsky Editor, Mountain View Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com
Lights, Camera, Action!
Theater vs. Home Viewing
The way families enjoy movies has transformed dramatically in recent years. With streaming services and digital rentals at our fingertips, the question isn’t whether we can watch the latest blockbuster from our couch—it’s whether we should.
The Appeal of Home Viewing
Budget-Friendly Entertainment: Renting or purchasing a movie digitally often costs less than buying theater tickets for the whole family, especially when you factor in gas, parking, and concessions.
Comfort and Convenience: Home viewing offers unmatched comfort. You can pause for bathroom breaks, prepare your favorite snacks without paying premium prices, and create the perfect viewing environment.
Building Your Collection: When you purchase movies digitally, they become part of your permanent library. Family favorites can be enjoyed again and again, making them perfect for cozy movie nights.
Flexible Scheduling: Watch on your timeline— whether that’s a lazy Sunday afternoon or after the kids’ bedtime. There’s no need to work around theater showtimes or worry about late-night drives home.
The Magic of the Theater Experience
Supporting Local Economy: When theaters thrive, they contribute to the local economy and provide valuable job opportunities for neighbors.
The Big Screen Difference: Some movies are truly meant for the theater experience. The massive screen, surround sound, and shared excitement of the
audience can make certain films far more memorable and impactful.
Industry Impact: Box office numbers still influence which movies get made and how much studios invest in future projects. Theater attendance helps ensure continued production of the big-budget family films and creative projects we all enjoy.
Finding the Right Balance
Rather than choosing one option exclusively, many families find success in a balanced approach.
When to Choose Theaters:
- Big action or adventure films with spectacular visuals
- Special family outings or celebrations
- Supporting a beloved local theater
- Movies you’re genuinely excited to see immediately When to Choose Home:
- Casual movie nights with young children
- Films you’re curious about but not committed to
- Rainy day entertainment
- Building your family’s movie collection
Whether you’re sharing popcorn in a darkened theater or snuggled together on the family couch, what matters most is the time spent together enjoying great storytelling.
The Great Debate
Every family has them—those heated discussions that arise over seemingly simple food choices. From pizza toppings to cereal preparation, these culinary debates can divide households and spark passionate arguments at dinner tables everywhere. Let’s tackle some of the most contentious food questions with a bit of humor and logic.
Pineapple on Pizza?
Consider this: we regularly pair fruit with cheese in other contexts. Apple slices with cheddar, grapes on a cheese board—these combinations are celebrated. Hawaiian pizza simply applies this principle with melted cheese and savory ham. The sweet-salty balance creates a surprisingly harmonious flavor profile that deserves more credit.
Milk or Cereal First?
This one’s straightforward: cereal first, always. Adding milk to an empty bowl means your cereal sits on top, staying dry while the milk lurks below. Pour cereal first, and the milk properly coats each piece, ensuring every spoonful delivers the perfect milk-to-cereal ratio.
Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?
Despite ongoing debates, a hot dog occupies its own category. While it involves bread and filling, calling it a sandwich is like calling all four-wheeled vehicles cars—technically possible but unnecessarily confusing. Hot dogs have earned their distinct identity through decades of ballpark traditions and backyard barbecues.
Steak with Ketchup?
Quality steak shouldn’t need condiments, but taste preferences are personal. If you enjoy ketchup on your steak, that’s your choice. However, consider trying other options like garlic butter or herb seasoning that complement rather than mask the meat’s natural flavors.
Toasted or Untoasted Pop-Tarts?
Both methods have merit. Toasting creates warm, gooey centers and slightly crispy edges—a delightful texture contrast. Untoasted Pop-Tarts offer
convenience and a different, chewier experience. The “right” way depends on your mood, available time, and personal preference.
Chewy or Crunchy?
Whether you prefer chewy or crispy cookies often relates to childhood memories and personal associations. Chewy cookies offer soft, tender bites, while crispy versions provide satisfying crunch. Rather than declaring one superior, appreciate that different occasions call for different textures.
While these debates make for entertaining dinner conversation, remember that variety in food choices makes meals more interesting. The real joy comes from sharing food with people you care about, regardless of how they prepare it.
Biz Spotlight
Red, White & Blue... and Paint Too! A Local Veteran Brings Pride to the West Valley
As we celebrate the 4th of July, we also honor those who continue serving their communities long after military duty ends. One of those leaders is Freddy Alvarez, a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran, longtime West Valley resident, and proud owner of PAINTCORPS of Phoenix West, a veteran-owned painting company serving homeowners and businesses across the West Valley. Freddy and his wife Laura have called Arizona home for over 24 years, raising four sons and investing deeply in their community. A Painting Company Built on Patriotism and Precision, PAINTCORPS of Phoenix West brings military-level discipline and integrity to residential and commercial painting services. As part of the Veteran Service Brands family, PAINTCORPS is exclusive to U.S. military veterans, offering the West Valley a reliable, high-quality painting experience rooted in service values.
From interior and exterior home painting to largescale commercial projects, Freddy and his team approach every job with precision and pride. The business has also expanded into epoxy flooring for garages and patios, and Kool Seal reflective coatings for pool areas, helping customers stay cooler while enhancing their properties. Their latest offerings include heat-reflective (Uniflex) roof coatings, designed to improve energy efficiency, a true Arizona innovation.
Based in Goodyear, the company is truly local and truly family-run. Freddy leads daily operations alongside Laura and business partners Doug and Patty Ostrander, with both families’ children involved in the work. Their deep connection to the West Valley shows
in their customer care and commitment to improving neighborhoods, one home or business at a time.
This Independence Day, the PAINTCORPS family reminds us that patriotism lives not only in uniform but also in how we build, serve, and uplift our local communities. The team is always open for a cup of coffee, ready to share military stories, connect with neighbors, and support fellow veterans, first responders, educators, and hardworking trades professionals.
Wishing you a safe and colorful 4th of July, from our family to yours!
623-321-3439 www.paintcorps.com/phoenix-west-az
Cook With Zona
Congratulations to Cindy Buda, winner of our recipe competition. We really enjoyed the easy bake, it is perfect for a celebration on a hot, summer afternoon!
4th of July Boozy Trifle (Or not if serving children)
Syrup:
1/4 Cup — Plus 2/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Amaretto (or 1/4 Teaspoon Almond Extract if serving children)
Assembly:
1 Premade Angel Food Cake, Cut Into 1-inch Slices (can use store bought or from scratch recipe)
1 Pound Cream Cheese, at Room Temperature
and light. Add the cream and beat on mediumhigh speed until smooth and the consistency of whipped cream.
2 Cups Heavy Cream, at Room Temperature
2 Pints Blueberries
2 Pints Strawberries, Hulled and Sliced
1. Heat 1/4 cup sugar, the lemon juice and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract/Amaretto.
2. Lightly brush both sides of each slice of cake with the syrup. Cut the slices into 1-inch cubes.
3. Beat the remaining 2/3 cup sugar and the cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth
4. Arrange half of the cake cubes in the bottom of a 13-cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Dollop half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread. Top with a layer of strawberries.
5. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then sprinkle with more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture. Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a decorative pattern.
6. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
7. Enjoy!
The Bug Guy
Freedom from Pests: A Phoenix Valley 4th of July Declaration
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the bands which have connected them with creepy crawlies, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to call the exterminator.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all homeowners are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of a scorpion-free patio. But here in the West Valley, our founding fathers never had to deal with 115-degree heat AND an army of desert invaders plotting their Independence Day barbecue takeover. Picture this patriotic scene: Uncle Sam himself, sweating through his star-spangled suit, wielding a can of Raid like a musket while declaring, “Give me liberty, or give
me death – but definitely give me death to these cockroaches!”
The British may have taxed our tea, but Arizona’s real tyranny comes from uninvited guests who don’t need visas – just tiny cracks in your foundation. Scorpions crash pool parties like they own the place. And don’t get us started on the black widows who think your garage is prime real estate.
This Fourth of July, as fireworks light up the sky and the smell of freedom (and grilled burgers) fills the desert air, remember that true independence means never having to share your celebration with six-legged party crashers. Our forefathers fought for freedom from taxation without representation, but we fight for freedom from infestation without invitation. So raise your citronella candles high, fellow patriots! Let freedom ring, let eagles soar, and let professional pest control services handle what the Declaration of Independence somehow forgot to mention: that among our unalienable rights should definitely be the right to a bug-free Fourth of July barbecue. God bless America, and God bless pest-free patios from sea to shining sea!
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control.
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
Difficulty: Easy Monday, 16th June 2025
Money Matters
Financial Independence Day
We’re getting close to the Fourth of July, and this celebration may get you thinking of the many freedoms you enjoy. But have you thought of what you might need to do to attain financial freedom?
Your first step is to define what financial independence signifies to you. For many people, it means being able to retire when they want to, and to enjoy a comfortable retirement lifestyle. So, if this is your vision as well, consider taking these steps: Pay yourself first. Waiting for leftover money to invest for retirement often leads to procrastination. With a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan, contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck before you can spend them. For an IRA, you can arrange automatic transfers from your checking or savings account, making saving effortless and consistent.
Invest appropriately. Your decisions should align with your retirement goals, the time you have until retirement, and your comfort with investment risk. Straying from these principles—by taking on excessive or insufficient risk—can lead to choices that hinder your progress toward financial independence. Avoid financial “potholes.” Debt is a major hurdle; strive to live within your means to reduce your debt burden. Another challenge is unexpected expenses. To avoid tapping into your retirement savings, build an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses, held in a liquid, low-risk account.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll steadily progress toward your goals. When you reach your personal “Financial Independence Day,” it may not call for fireworks, but it will undoubtedly bring a lasting glow to your life.
Submitted by Michael Gray & Brian Polk, Financial Advisors, Edward Jones
Solar Update
The End of the 30% Solar Credit is Coming
One of the greatest benefits of installing Solar on your home has been the 30% Solar Federal Tax Credit. This credit has made solar very affordable and for most homeowners it helps deliver a typical 6-year payback period on your investment. Unfortunately, it appears that current legislation will end the 30% credit at the end of this year. If the Senate eliminates it, as expected, there will be no solar tax credit next year.
If you have been waiting for the opportunity to lower your electricity bills and gain some energy independence, now is the time. To capture this credit, your solar system (and/or battery system) must be installed and working before the end of the year. There is also another important factor in ordering your solar system within the next two months and that is the APS solar buyback rate. APS pays solar customers a rate for excess solar power sent back to the
grid. APS will lower that rate 10% for all new solar projects permitted after September 1st. To avoid the lower rate, order your system no later than August 15th.
Right now is a golden opportunity to make a smart, high yield green investment in your home that will typically return 12-15% on your solar investment each year. Why pay 30% more in 2026? Why receive 10% less compensation from APS for your excess solar? Experienced, local solar companies can now provide high quality and fair priced solar systems that come with a 25-year parts and labor warranty on the solar panels and the inverters. Impressive long-term savings and peace of mind are two of the current attributes of ordering your home’s new solar system this summer. The cost of solar systems will be much higher next year. APS has announced that they are seeking a 14.5% price increase next year.
Submitted by Dave Hardy, of Hardy Solar
1/4 ACRE LOT
