The Park

�e Park A magazine for Litchheld Park residents

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June 2021

Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

FULL SERVICE AUTO REPAIR

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec

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 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 © 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.

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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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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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From Me To You...

I found myself standing at the kitchen counter yesterday, contemplating a cinnamon roll. I had with a simple question in my head.

“Should I eat a sensible breakfast that will provide the nutrients for the start of my day? Or should I grab the last cinnamon roll before one of the children realizes they left this delicious pastry sitting on the plate?”

Now because my coffee had already started zapping my synapses into life, I couldn’t simply take the cinnamon roll and enjoy it, oh no. This was the beginning of my thoughts for the rest of the morning. The rabbit hole widened as I tripped my way down.

Why do we have to make a choice based on what is right for us instead of what we want?

Do others make those choices or just grab the cinnamon roll of life and get on with their day?

What cinnamon rolls have I missed out on, and would it have made a difference if I had just eaten them without a care in the world?

One of the biggest pastries I have chosen in life is the choice to have a large family. We have 4 children and I really would have had more if the stars had aligned. When we began our family we fit neatly into the mold of young parents. This was true for our first and second child. Once I

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became pregnant with child number 3 some eyebrows began to raise. Straying from ‘the house with a white picket fence, 2 kids and a dog’ scenario was not for everyone. But it wasn’t too unusual. Plenty of others had done the same. Sure it meant that we had to get help to cover all the soccer games at weekends, because the little league insisted on scheduling all the games at the same time in different locations around town; and maybe our vacations were not as exotic or expensive as they had been in order to pay for that extra traveller.

But these were minor issues that we cruised though, delighted to have our 3rd on board.

That all changed with pregnancy number four.

We were either irresponsible, careless, immature, or just plain nuts to think that four kids was OK. I, however, had an ace up my sleeve. My good friend, who happens to be a staunch Catholic, had just entered her fifth pregnancy.

So whenever anyone raised an eyebrow at me I would smoothly introduce them to Karen.

I don’t regret that decision for a second. Four was a wonderful number of children. Someone was always available to play with, scheme with, and yes fight with. The noise level in our house is usually high but it is happy noise, full of love and respect for others.

I hear you ask, “But what about the cinnamon roll? Did you go for oatmeal in the end?”

Absolutely not! The other lesson I have learned in a large household is grab your pastries while you see them, because if you wait too long someone else will take it - and that just leads down the rabbit hole of lost opportunities.

Catherine Uretsky Editor, Estrella Publishing info@estrellapublishing.com 623-594-9283

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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June 2021

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

Eye Eye A lot of people take their eyesight for granted, but eyesight allows you to connect to your surroundings, keeps you safe and helps you maintain mental clarity. If you don’t take the proper precautions to take care of your eyes, you could end up hurting them unintentionally.

Fortunately, eyewear products in recent years have allowed for innovative solutions in the ways we take care of our eyes. Here are some of the innovative eyewear solutions that solve the most common problems: • Some people need different glasses for reading, computer use, talking with others and more. If it’s bothersome to take your glasses on and off from one task to the next, Multi Focus glasses can help! The magnification is strongest on the bottom of the lens, and smoothly decreases to about half that magnification at the top of the lens. Whether you’re reading a book, working on the computer or just spending time with a friend, Multi Focus helps you see clearly.

Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

• People are constantly connected to their phones, computers and tablets these days, especially those who are working from home or distance learning. And even when they’re off the clock, people are still looking at screens, streaming media or video chatting with a friend.

Fortunately, blue light glasses can help reduce your exposure to blue light throughout the day. Many blue light glasses brands come with patented lens technology.

• Summer is around the corner. And if you like to sit outside, your standard prescription glasses likely won’t protect you. The sun can shine light directly on you when you’re trying to read. And if it’s hot and bright enough, it can be risky if you’re reading for prolonged periods outside.

Fortunately, clip-on sunglasses can protect eyeglass wearers from the sun’s UV light and provide polarized protection from sun exposure, allowing you to kick back and relax outside while you enjoy your favorite book with ease. Learn more at fostergrant.com.

“Our vision correlates so much with our quality of life,” says Matthew Coon, Senior VP, at FGX International. “When you have eyewear that provides comfort and clarity no matter what you’re doing, the possibilities are endless.”

June 2021

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Money Matters If you’re a dad, you may be in line to get some nice gifts on Father’s Day. But your greatest gift may be your ability to help your children. One way of doing that is to get them started in the world of investing.

Here are three possibilities: • 529 plan – If you invest in a 529 education savings plan, your earnings can grow federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified educational expenses. You can also use a 529 plan to pay for qualified K-12 expenses and registered apprenticeship programs. And you can even use it to repay certain qualified student loans. A 529 plan can affect financial aid, but its effect is generally lower than that of other assets.

As the account owner, you have control of your 529, so, if one child decides not to go to pursue further education, you can switch beneficiaries.

• UGMA/UTMA account – When you establish a special type of custodial account known as either UGMA (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) or UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act), you are providing financial resources that can be

used for education or another purpose that benefits your child, such as summer programs. One potential benefit is that some of the earnings will be taxed at the child’s rate, which is likely lower than your own. Plus, UGMA/UTMA accounts typically allow a wide range of investment choices. However, once children reach the age of majority they gain complete access to the money and can do whatever they want with it.

• IRA – A child with any taxable compensation, such as money from an after-school job, is eligible to fund an IRA. You may want to open one on your child’s behalf – and you can “sweeten” the offer by matching some of their contributions. You can’t directly invest in the IRA, but you can give your child money for that purpose. Keep in mind, though, that the total amount contributed can’t exceed your child’s taxable compensation for the year.

On Father’s Day, you can show your appreciation for whatever gifts you receive from your children.

But by investing in their future, you can gain some longer- term contentment.

Submitted by Chris Carlton, of Edward Jones This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

Yum Yum Spring Vegetable and Apple Orzo This brunch recipe celebrates spring by pairing the sophisticated sweet flavor and crunch of apples with seasonal fresh asparagus and umamirich shiitake mushrooms. Tossed with a bright and zesty lemon vinaigrette, this delightful dish can star as an entree or serve as a side.

For the asparagus: 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the mushrooms: 4 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt For the vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon kosher salt 40 turns fresh cracked pepper

2 cups orzo pasta 1 apple, small diced 4 tablespoons chopped parsley Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Toss the asparagus in olive oil and salt and spread out on half of a sheet tray.

Toss the mushrooms in the olive oil and salt and spread out on the remaining half of the sheet tray. Roast in the oven until asparagus and mushrooms are tender, about 10 minutes.

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined.

Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and then toss with the vinaigrette. Fold in the asparagus, mushrooms, apples and parsley. Serve warm.

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

All residences must be occupied by at least one resident 55 years or older. Services provided are limited to those described in the Lease or Residency Agreement. The community is not a hospital or nursing home. All dimensions and measurements, including without limitation square footages, ceiling heights and window sizes, styles and locations, are approximate and may vary per floorplan.

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Use Less Data

Think about how much of your day is spent on data-dependent activities like streaming video and music, or searching the internet. All of this can be done while using far less, and sometimes even none, of the data from your cellular plan.

Try these simple tips to save money on your wireless plan.

1) Tame the video beast

Watching video on your smartphone is convenient, but it’s a data glutton. A full-length Netflix movie consumes about 1GB of data per hour in standard definition video, and up to 3GB per hour in high definition. At that rate, you’ll burn through even the most robust data package in no time. Try connecting to Wi-Fi instead. It’s widely available, and lets you stream without using any cellular data at all, often with a faster connection. While connected to Wi-Fi, you can also download videos, TV shows or movies to your phone to watch at your convenience, with no data required. In addition, when you’re streaming video on a small screen, such as a cellphone, you really don’t need high resolution.

music

Many apps give you the ability to change video quality settings, and therefore consume less data.

2) Manage social media and streaming

Adjusting your settings to prevent videos from playing automatically will prevent them from eating up your data. On most platforms, like Facebook, you’ll go to your Account Settings and either disable the “Autoplay” feature or change it so that videos will only play automatically when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. 3) Try a smaller plan for bigger savings While an “unlimited” plan may seem like an easy answer to your data needs, they can be more enticing than practical. Read the fine print: Most actually limit your high-speed data to a certain number of gigabytes per month. Once you use up that allotment, you’ll still have unlimited access, but at much slower speeds. This makes it more difficult to load pages quickly, or to stream video, even though you’re paying a premium for “unlimited” access.

Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy streaming movies, listening to music and more while also keeping money in your pocket for things other than a data plan. You can have it all, without needing an unlimited budget to do it.

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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Learning Loss Cumulative learning loss from the pandemic is still unknown, but experts worry it could be substantial. According to research by McKinsey & Company, students on average are likely to lose five to nine months of learning by the end of this school year. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat interrupted learning loss and help students stay on track for the upcoming school year in just 15 minutes a day: Read together Check out books or download e-books from the local library.

For younger kids, read out loud and ask questions to get them thinking deeper about the story. For older kids, both read the same book and then discuss it after each chapter.

Embrace math in your world Select a recipe and cook it together, taking time to explain fractions, measurements and counting. A trip to the corner store can be fun and educational, by counting items in your cart or explaining how tax works at checkout.

Explore armchair travel

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

Many museums and other historic places have extended their offerings to include free virtual visits to help encourage learning while people are at home. For example, no passport is needed when you make a virtual visit to the Louvre in Paris at louvre.fr/en/online-tours. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers virtual tours of current and past exhibits at naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour.

Try STEAM activities Have fun doing science, technology, engineering, art and math activities together.

Who can build the tallest tower out of mini-marshmallows and toothpicks? How about creating tie-dye shirts and learning how primary colors mix to create beautiful new hues? Fill up a pool and play a game of “Sink or Float.” Try growing a container garden of fruit, vegetables and herbs. Keep track of their growth daily in a garden journal.

“When activities are fun and achievable, kids will only focus on the smiles and won’t even realize the important learning that is happening,” says Shannon. “Whether it’s an engaging workbook or a visit to a museum on the other side of the world, just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference in your child’s education now and in the future.”

June 2021

The Bug Guy

As temperatures climb, we naturally look for ways to stay cool and comfortable, including spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, scorpions also find our homes more hospitable during the summer. Locally, the most common species are bark scorpions and Sonoran Desert scorpions, both of which are light beige and small, making them difficult to detect.

Another telltale sign we are in scorpion season is when you start to see more bugs in general.

While they only eat every four to six weeks, the protein-packed cricket is a favorite meal.

unsuspecting hand that finds them in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Scorpion stings are rarely deadly, but usually quite painful on a scale of moderate to excruciating. One wrong grasp and you might find yourself taking a trip to the emergency room or bringing a beloved pet to the vet. This is definitely an instance of an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure. Call a local pest professional to keep you safe and comfortable this summer.

Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest and Termite Control

Inside the house, scorpions like to hide in dark areas. Chair cushions on the patio or knickknacks in your living room are cozy places for them to ride out the heat. Scorpions often hang upside down on the bottom of an object and sting the

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June 2021

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Puzzles & Games Father’s Day Cryptogram

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

Samurai Sudoku for June This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. There are 5 overlapping grids with one unique solution. Each of 4 corners are shaded. To solve this Samurai Samurai Sudoku Puzzle #19 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 This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. There are 5 overlapping grids with one unique solution. Each of 4 corners are shaded. 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.

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Samurai sudoku grid, symmetric, beginner No 19 Created: https://www.sudoku-puzzles-online.com

Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021

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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine

June 2021