Up The Hill
April 2018
1
Estrella resident serving Estrella residents!
Locally owned and operated.
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! You don’t have to live with them. A maintenance program can reduce or stop an infestation in its tracks! Call Larry Cash, to schedule your inspection today! 623.680.6619
www.estrellamtnpest.com Your full service pest control company Ask for your new customer discount! Check out “The Bug Guy” article!
2 Up The Hill
April 2018
MS tried to
silence me.
But 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 Š 2010-2018 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. 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.
I won’t let it. Kim
PML survivor. Mom. Diagnosed in 2000. Explore powerful stories of people doing whatever it takes at nationalMSsociety.org/ kim
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.
msaw_ad_kim.indd 1
Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor
3/2/18 2:40 PM
Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec
p u e k a M t i n r a e k n y a b Perm
Why Permanent Makeup? Allergies, skin conditions, failing eyesight,, shaking hands Call Kari for an appointment today!
602-295-7373
On Jackrabbit near Southern Ave check us out online www.softaps.com/my/kari_layton.html www.facebook.com/PMUbykari
Up The Hill
April 2018
3
From Me To You... Welcome to the April edition of Up The Hill magazine! During a recent conversation with my Mum I found out that my childhood home is up for short term rent. For the next 6 months I could rent my memories. Let me tell you it was very tempting. Due to the location of this house it would probably cost more to get there than it would to rent, and I really could not take advantage of it this year as my summer is ridiculously overbooked already. Plus it is unfurnished and England in the summer is not exactly comfortable to start with. But still. It made me think, can you ever really go home? I flipped through the online pictures and immediately a sense of outrage overtook me. They had cut down nearly every tree that had surrounded my home. The cherry tree that I lay under reading Tess of the D’Urbervilles - gone. The oak I learned to climb and hide in gone. The broad limbed beauty my siblings and I built a tree house in - gone. What else had changed? Well it seemed they had removed one bathroom only to relocate it on the opposite side of the house. Why? Beats me. 4 Up The Hill
In the kitchen there was an addition. A stove. Do people not know how to use an Aga anymore? Even if you don’t know, you can learn. One of my fondest memories was cooking pancakes on the griddle of that Aga. Sure it could be tricky cooking a cake in an oven that was powered with coal but where is your sense of adventure? I noted that with an energy rating of ‘F’ they had not decided to improve the heating or insulation in the house. Now that I could have got behind. Every room had a fireplace to provide heat, and for that reason I can now win the fire-starting challenge if I ever make it onto Survivor. Also the eaves over my sister’s bedroom would collect snow every winter, only to release it in a beautiful waterfall in the spring. In front of her doorway. Inside. I am guessing that may still be a problem. Despite all these glitches it is still the home I grew up in and it holds a special place in my heart. The indoor shutters are still there - 19th century insulation at it’s best. The amazing staircase that wraps around the outside of the entrance hall reminds me of decorating trees at Christmas. And sliding down the bannister, to my parent’s horror. The long driveway where I learned how to use a stick shift (and had the horrible job of shovelling when it snowed) still winds past fields and around the front of the house. Yes, the house has changed but my home is still there, peeking out behind the improvements that subsequent owners have made. Anyone want to go in on a temporary house share with me?
Catherine Uretsky Editor, Up The Hill Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283
April 2018
April Calendar
April 2018
◄ March
Sun
Mon
May ►
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Passover Easter April Fool’s Day
2 Passover Autism Awarenes Bridge 12:45pm EMR Communications Comm. Meeting 5:30pm Games Club 6pm
3 Passover EMR Biz Group 8am EMR Social Comm. Meeting 5pm
4 Passover Ladies of the Lake 12pm EMR Budget Meeting 4:30pm Bridge 6pm
5 Passover Hugs & Stitches 9am Bunco 7pm
6 Passover Coffee Social 8:30am Life Adjustment Group 6pm LP Arts in the Park 7pm
7 Passover Estrella Badlanders 11am Goodyear Lakeside Music Festival 12pm
8 Estrella Motorcycle Riding Group 11am
9 Bridge 12:45pm Games Club 6pm City Council Meeting 6pm
10 Equal Pay Day Nat’l Sibling Day
11 Book Club 10am Bridge 6pm City Planning & Zoning Meeting 6pm Photo Group 7pm
12 Holucaust Remem. Day Hugs & Stitches 9am
13 Coffee Social 8:30am Brew & Banter @ EFHS 8:30am
14 LP Community Garage Sale 7am Estrella Car Club 9am Vet & Military Group 12pm
15
16 Bridge 12:45pm Games Club 6pm Genealogy 6:45pm
17 Tax Day (Taxes Due)
18 Gallery Comm Meeting 4pm Bridge 6pm
19 Edward Jones Coffee 9a Hugs & Stitches 9am
20 420 Day Coffee Social 8:30am
21 Record Store Day Shred-a-thon 7am Doc Shredding Event 10a Farmers Market 10am RC Mariners Regatta 10am
22 Earth Day
23 English Language Day World Book Day Bridge 12:45pm Games Club 6pm City Council Meeting 6pm
24 World Immunization Week Starts EMR HOA Meeting 6:30pm
25 Administrative Professionals World Malaria Day Coffee with a Cop 5pm
26 Hugs & Stitches 9am Crafters Club 6:30pm Photo Group 7pm
27 Arbor Day Coffee Social 8:30a EMR Landscape Meeting 3pm
28 80’s Prom 6pm
29 Duke Elington Day Int’l Dance Day
30 Int’l Jazz Day Games Club 6pm
Up The Hill
Notes: National Poetry Month, Sexual Assaut Awareness & Prevention, National Autism Awareness, Stress Awareness Month, National Donate Life Month Birthstone: Diamond and Crystal Fruits & Veggies: Green Onions, Leaks, Asian Pears Flowers: Daisy and Sweet Pea Astrological: Aries (til 19th) & Taurus (20th+)
April 2018
5
Goodyear P.D. School Threats Are NO Joke!
We live in a nation gripped with fear over the recent school shooting at Douglas High School in Florida. Unfortunately, as we look back over the past 18 years, what should be an impossible fear has somehow become a reality in this country. Children are afraid to go to school and parents are even more afraid to see their children walk out the front door. As we approach the 19th anniversary of the first large scale mass killing at Columbine High School, we are seeing this type of tragedy happen more and more frequently. Threats in general, but especially threats against our children, teachers and schools are always taken very seriously by the Goodyear Police Department. Our top priority is the safety of our community, especially our children! Unfortunately, there are individuals out there, some of whom are teens or even younger children, who have a common motive, a desire to gain attention through empty threats and hoaxes. They seem to get a thrill out of scaring the community
and getting a reaction out of authorities and media. The Goodyear Police Department will not tolerate such behavior. All threats are thoroughly investigated and those individuals deemed responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent allowed under the law.
The Goodyear Police Department enjoys a great partnership with our schools and district personnel. In addition to having 3 dedicated School Resource Officers in our three high schools and servicing the other schools in each of their districts, the police department also has a Police School Sub-Station Program, located at three schools around the city; Mabel Padgett, Centerra Mirage and Westar Elementary. This unique and innovative program has proven to be very effective in not only deterring crime on campuses but also providing a quick response time when a problem does occur at a school, an officer is likely on campus, utilizing the substation. Goodyear Police encourage parents and school administrators to discuss with their students the serious nature of threats against schools, real or not. A threat is never funny, even if it is intended to be a joke or hoax. We always encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious activity, especially as it relates to the safety of a school, to report it to authorities immediately, so it can be properly investigated. Submitted by Lisa Kutis, M.Ed. Public Information Officer, Goodyear Police Department
6 Up The Hill
April 2018
Cooling & Heating Contractor Installations Sales & Service Preventative Maintenance Residential & Commercial NOT Commissioned-Based NO Gimmicks Quality Products
C-39 ROC 264451 L-39 ROC 264452
602.377.1999 www.urgentair.com
Up The Hill
April 2018
7
8 Up The Hill
April 2018
On Our Cover
We are so excited to revamp and relaunch The Estrella Running Group! My name is Dani Forsythe and I’ve been a runner for years. I began running after I had my first son 11 years ago. After completing my first race, I was hooked. I’ve had the pleasure of running dozens half marathons and 2 full marathons, including the New York City Marathon. I also was the chairman of the first Autism Speaks 5k in St. Louis, Mo. Although I run at a snails pace, running is a passion of mine. I created this group for Estrella Residents to find other running partners to meet up with, bounce training or injury advice off other runners and create friendships within our community.
Up The Hill
My family has lived in Estrella for 2 years now and I love that we live in a small community. We have the unique opportunity here to create a group with individuals with similar interests to join together and make connections. No matter where you are as a runner or if you’re even just interested in starting to run, please join our Facebook group! Feel free to post when you are looking for someone/people to go running with you or when you need running advice. We’ll also plan group runs that anyone can join in on. Runners of all levels and jogging strollers are welcome on group runs that we plan. We are about to welcome our 4th baby, so we will be out there in the community with our jogging stroller and I’m starting to run again after nearly a year off. This will be a zero intimidation, all levels group! We can’t wait to meet you! Let’s get out and get active together! ~ Dani Forsythe Facebook.com/groups/EstrellaRunning
April 2018
9
Home Sweet Home As a pastime, gardening can help you eat delicious, more flavorful food while transforming your patio or yard into a colorful hangout for butterflies and bees. One of the most exciting parts of gardening is deciding what to grow. With thousands of plants to choose from - flowers, vegetables and herbs - a small pot of soil can be a canvas for creativity.
To find the most popular flowers and plants this year, we checked in with Ball Horticultural Company to see what the top trends are in 2018. When spring arrives, we all crave color and warmth to celebrate the end of winter. To get that wow factor - and get it fast - try planting flowers that grow and fill in quickly and thrive in extremes. The Megawatt Begonia brings magnetic color even in shaded spaces. It’s also a low-maintenance option if you’re new to gardening. Likewise, the Echinacea Sombrero Sangrita is a perennial flower that returns each year with stunning red blossoms.
10 Up The Hill
Every chef knows the secret to tasty cooking is great ingredients. For many gardeners, the truly magical combination is finding that edible veggie that looks as good as it tastes. Take 2 Combos combine two sweet pepper plants with a touch of heat and beautiful orange and yellow fruit. There’s also a combo of a slicer and cherry tomato perfect for small spaces and for snacking and cooking. Speaking of peppers, a new, attractive variety is Candy Cane Red Pepper. It has green fruit striping that ripens to red and offers up crisp, sweet flavors, much like a candy cane! There are dozens of reasons people choose to garden: fresh food, interior and exterior decoration, relaxation, stress reduction and more. One emerging trend is that people want to make their garden a destination for pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Gardening helps you relax and decompress. What’s more, there is a huge amount of satisfaction involved in seeing your vegetables and flowers grow. Follow these trends and watch your plants blossom and beautify your home and yard. After all, we could all use a little more color in our lives.
April 2018
KFNX Exclusively Features Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage Ranked Top Ten Shows in the Country
THE LAURA INGRAHAM SHOW
THE SAVAGE NATION WITH MICHAEL SAVAGE
To advertise, host a show, or for more information: Call (602) 277-1100 or visit our website: www.1100kfnx.com
Up The Hill
April 2018
11
12 Up The Hill
April 2018
The Bug Guy Top 9 Reasons to Hire a Pest Control Professional
Pest control professionals are well known for their bug-zapping abilities, but many homeowners still attempt to handle pest infestations by themselves. Usually, they’re motivated by a desire to save money, but this article shows the many reasons why hiring a professional exterminator in the first place is simply the best choice. 1. The services of a pest control professional may cost less in the long run than attempting to battle household pests yourself. Many homeowners purchase treatment after treatment – sprays, dusts, and baits in every shape, size, and color – in a vain attempt to rid themselves of pests. The costs of these treatments individually may be low, but the total amount spent often far exceeds the cost of an exterminator visit. 2. Professional exterminators are trained to safely use chemical pesticides. All chemicals, whether available to consumers or only to professionals, carry certain hazards and risks. If these pesticides are applied or stored improperly, damage to property, ill health effects, or even death may occur. Up The Hill
3. The pesticides that professionals use are more powerful and more effective than those that are available for purchase by consumers. They begin to kill and/or repel pests very quickly, often within just a few hours. 4. Professional pesticides last longer. They provide residual protection for as much as six weeks to five years, depending on the type of pesticide applied. 5. An exterminator can identify the pest that has invaded your home and plan a treatment program to target that exact pest. Some species of ant, for example, are attracted to protein-based baits but will totally ignore sweet baits. 6. Some pests pose a danger to humans in the form of bites or stings. Professional exterminators will wear protective clothing that prevent bees, fire ants, rodents, or other pests from coming into close contact with them. A homeowner is, of course, safer allowing a professional to do the job. 7. Professional pest control companies often provide an effectiveness guarantee that their treatment efforts will keep pests at bay for at least 30 days. If pests should return during that time, the exterminator will come back and treat the home again at no charge. 8. When dealing with chemical pesticides, accidents may sometimes occur and damage to property can result. A professional exterminator will carry insurance to cover any potential damages. 9. Using the services of a pest control professional will save time and effort on your part. Applying liquid insecticides, placing baits, and setting traps are all time consuming endeavors. It takes much less energy to let a professional take care of things. Another helpful hint provided by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control, Estrella Resident April 2018
13
Positive Parenting What was your favorite childhood book? Chances are, you can come up with a title right away. That’s because books create powerful memories of stories and characters that inspire kids’ imaginations and will be treasured for a lifetime.
Unfortunately, some children grow up with limited access to books, meaning they’re unable to create those memories so many people take for granted. A lack of books in the home is also linked to lower reading scores and less success in school, according to research by the Family and Community Engagement Research Compendium.
books too, you set a great example.
Ask questions: Asking children questions while you read together helps them develop critical thinking skills. For example, you might ask, “How is the family in this book like our family?” or “The girl in this book likes to swim. What do you like to do?” Give books as gifts: The next time you celebrate a holiday or child’s birthday, consider giving the gift of a book - especially a title or two that you loved growing up. Be sure to make time to read at least one of them together. It’s a great way to bond. Share, share, share: One way to spread literacy is to help make books more available in your community. Every year or so, go through your book collection with the kids and decide which titles should be given a new home. They can be donated to schools and public libraries, or given to other groups that make books available for free or little cost to young readers. Even better, when you buy a book, purchase a second copy to donate or give away.
It’s clear that promoting literacy in your home and in your community are worthwhile investments of your time and money. Wondering where to start? Build reading into the routine: When the kids are small, it’s easy for many parents to create the nightly ritual of story time. Don’t stop just because they’ve started school and are reading on their own. Commit to sitting down every night to read together. Or, make reading into an event the whole family can enjoy by reading a chapter book out loud. When the kids see you reading 14 Up The Hill
April 2018
Up The Hill
April 2018
15
16 Up The Hill
April 2018
Moments of Zen From work to working out, kids’ activities to household tasks and so much more, modern life has never been busier. The problem is hectic schedules can lead to unnecessary stress. If you’re one of the many people who feel frazzled on a regular basis, you’re probably longing for a vacation or a day at the spa. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to cut stress that you can sneak into everyday life. From mealtime to bedtime, if you start embracing small moments to be more mindful, you’ll be surprised how fast you can cut down on overall stress. Here are five simple examples of how you can find your own moments of Zen today: 1. Take a 5-minute walk. Whether it’s getting fresh air or just getting yourself moving, a change of place and pace can reduce stress and give you a few moments to relax, especially during hectic times. For example, take a 5-minute break while dinner’s cooking to walk around the block. Weather not right for a walk? Give your body a quick stretch
with an at-home yoga session.
2. Find quick-and-easy solutions. If making dinner for your family seems like a daunting task, choose quickand-easy options designed to take the hassle out of meal prep, like SeaPak’s Shrimp Scampi or Popcorn Shrimp. The frozen food aisle is a great place to begin your journey toward finding your happy place in the kitchen. Here, you can find a variety of products that taste great and require minimal prep work, so you can dedicate more time to doing the things you love, like spending quality time with your family. 3. Choose quality over quantity. Make the most of your time each day by being intentional with your activities. Whether it’s playing a new board game with the kids after dinner or watching a TV show with your spouse, small quality moments can help you relax and enjoy yourself and your family when at home. 4. Take time to reflect. When using great-tasting, low-hassle products like SeaPak to make dinner, you’ll be spending way less time in the kitchen. Take those extra moments to reflect on everything you accomplished during your day or week. This will help give you a sense of pride and is a real confidence-booster. 5. Break from technology. Take a break from technology, even if it’s only for 5 minutes. Set down your phone, turn off the television and step away from all electronics. Just giving your mind a break from the active world of technology can reduce stress and help you mentally reset, especially during mealtimes, where being present is particularly important. These are just five simple examples, but moments of Zen can be found anywhere if you take the time to look for them. Remember, the little moments are what make the biggest impact in life, and by embracing mindfulness, you’re setting the stage to be able to focus on what really matters.
Up The Hill
April 2018
17
Money Matters
Should You Make Extra Mortgage Payments or Boost Your Investments? Every month, you pay your mortgage. And, depending on your circumstances, you may be able to afford to put in additional payments – perhaps sizable ones. But should you? Or, if you really have the extra money, should you invest it? Initially, you might think it would be quite nice to rid yourself of that mortgage sooner, rather than later. But is it really the burden it seems?
Actually, you get some real benefits from a mortgage. It certainly provides something of great value to you – your home. If you got your mortgage – or refinanced your home – within the past decade or so, you are borrowing money at a pretty favorable interest rate, by historical standards. And even assuming a mild rate of inflation, such as we’ve had for the past several years, you’ll essentially be paying off your mortgage with cheaper and cheaper dollars over time. Plus, your interest payments may well be tax deductible. (The new tax laws limit deductions on new mortgages of $750,000 or more. For questions on your specific situation, consult your tax professional.) So, given these advantages, an argument could be made that you should be in no hurry to pay off your mortgage. Still, you might be tempted to make the extra payments because you’ll be building home equity. After all, isn’t this equity valuable? It is – to a degree. The larger your home equity, the more money you’ll get to keep when you eventually sell your home.
buy more shares in an investment such as stocks – and the more shares you own, the more valuable your investment will be if the price per share rises.
Also, if you were to experience a temporary job loss or some other financial emergency, your home equity might not help you much; if you’re not working, you could even have trouble getting a home equity loan. Conversely, your investment portfolio can offer you greater liquidity, depending on your specific investments. Most investment vehicles, such as stocks and bonds, generally can be sold quickly, without much difficulty. (Keep in mind, though, that if you were forced to sell investments when their price was down, you could take a loss on the sale.) Clearly, you could gain some advantages by using any extra money to invest, rather than paying down your mortgage. Nonetheless, you may simply get emotional and psychological satisfaction by speeding your progress toward the day when your house is paid off – and that type of satisfaction certainly has value. You’ll need to weigh these intangible factors carefully in deciding whether to increase your investments or make extra mortgage payments – because, ultimately, you need to feel that you’re doing the right thing, for the right reasons. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Chris Carlton
But in the meantime, that home equity may be less useful than you might imagine. For one thing, just building more equity won’t make your home more valuable – it will rise (or fall) in value along with whatever’s happening in the housing market. By contrast, you could take the extra money and 18 Up The Hill
April 2018
Up The Hill
April 2018
19
Furry Friends Pet parents know that there’s nothing like the love of furry family members. Keeping your pets healthy is a priority because you want them to live as long as possible. However, health care costs for pets are expensive, and if you are dealing with additional expenses such as prescriptions for chronic conditions, it can become a burden to your budget.
Obesity is a growing concern for many pets. Poor nutrition paired with limited exercise causes pets to put on additional weight. This weight can put them at higher risk for health concerns like diabetes, osteoarthritis and ligament injuries. These health concerns not only risk the quality of life for Fluffy or Fido, but also can deeply impact your pocketbook.
Fortunately, there are several things pet owners can do proactively to keep pets healthy and save money on health care costs. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is just as applicable to pets as it is to their human caregivers. One of the most important things a pet parent can do to ensure the ongoing health of any animal is to bring them in for annual checkups. During wellness checkups, veterinarians can screen for a variety of health conditions. They provide insight on diseases, age-related concerns, dental health, nutritional considerations and so much more. Plus you’re able to provide your pet with important vaccinations. Regular checkups help vets identify problems sooner rather than later, and this can translate to more affordable health care costs to pet parents in the long run.
20 Up The Hill
Pets, just like humans, require exercise and proper nutrition to stay healthy and feel their best. Whether that’s letting your rabbit out of the cage to run or going on a walk with your dog, be sure to make regular exercise a part of your fur family’s routine. If you’re unsure what is appropriate for your pet, call your veterinarian or bring it up at a wellness visit. They’ll be delighted you reached out for more information to keep your pet healthy. Choosing between a pet and an unexpected health expense is something no one wants to experience. Being prepared can make a big difference when facing difficult decisions, so it’s wise to have savings set aside in case of a rainy day. Some people are starting pet health savings accounts (HSAs) that are similar to the accounts that people hold for themselves to pay for medical expenses. Whether you choose that path or a traditional savings account, when you have an emergency fund you won’t have to worry about any unexpected expenses, so you can simply focus on getting your pet well again. April 2018
Up The Hill
April 2018
21
22 Up The Hill
April 2018
Healthy Living It’s easy to look forward to spring. Unless, of course, you have allergies. Then, the path to warmer weather and additional daylight could be marked with watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose. Makes it hard to be excited, right? It doesn’t have to. “People think they’re doing everything they can to battle spring allergies,” says allergist Bradley Chipps, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “But many still find themselves under siege from pollen and other allergens that appear once the weather starts to warm up. ” As you start your spring allergy planning, keep these five tips from ACAAI in mind. Use them and your spring will be filled with flowers and breezes, not coughing and sneezes. 1. It may not only be allergies. Research shows two-thirds of people with asthma also suffer from allergies, making symptoms worse during the spring season. If your symptoms include a persistent cough or feeling winded quickly, asthma could be the cause of your trouble. If this sounds familiar, consult your allergist.
Clearing dust and cobwebs can ease your sneezing, but for better results, roll up your sleeves and give your home a deep scrub.
3. Start your relief early on. Don’t wait for your eyes to begin watering before taking your allergy medicine. Start your medications at least two weeks before the season begins, and they will already be in your system when you really need it. 4. Clean your air effectively. If you have central air, change your filters every three months and use filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12 to keep your air as clean as possible. 5. Resist the urge to breathe in fresh air. Opening windows allows pollen and other debris into your home where they can settle in your carpet or upholstery. As hard as it can be, you’re better off keeping your windows closed during peak allergy season. Use your air conditioning to regulate your home’s temperature instead. For people with allergies, spring’s annual arrival feels like a mixed blessing. By using the tips above, you can ensure that you have everything you need to make spring great. And you’ll do so with less of the coughing and sneezing that can go with it.
2. Take a deep dive for spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is a must for many people, but if you suffer from allergies, it’s even more important. Up The Hill
April 2018
23
Life As A Caregiver I knew the day would come when I could no longer care for my mom in the manner it took to keep her comfortable. I knew it because I had read about it over and over. I knew it because the support group I attend spoke about it. I knew it because that is the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. I knew it because all the people I know whose loved ones are victims of the disease have experienced it. Here is a perfect example of logic and intellect colliding with emotion. I knew the day would come….but when it did, I just couldn’t believe it. I delivered mom to her new care facility: I brought what little stuff she had from my casita, helped arrange her new room the way she liked, gave her a big hug & told her I loved her with all my heart…and left. I wasn’t allowed to return for two weeks. It honestly felt like someone had socked me in the stomach (on the one hand), but I also felt an enormous amount of relief (on the other hand). The kind people at her new home said their job was to take care of her…and MY job was to enjoy her. That sounded like a good plan. I could deal with that. So when the day finally came when I could visit her, I was so excited and anxious to see her. I came through the beautiful living room and found her sitting in the family room. Her face lit up when she saw me. It was wonderful. There wasn’t too much to talk about since she doesn’t remember much of what happens during her day, but we laughed and hugged….that was all we really needed. I left after about an hour…and would return in two days.
sat together while she ate. Then she said she needed to lie down, so I kissed her and said goodbye.
Putting our precious cargo in the caring hands of others is exactly the right thing to do as Alzheimer’s patients decline. These professional caregivers are emotionally removed from the horrible reality of the disease and can care for our loved ones efficiently and without hesitation. The constant reminder of how mom is declining surrounds me mentally but not visually like it did when she lived here. That is the healthy ‘break’ that people speak about when warning family members who are caregivers…the ‘break’ from the visual picture we get of our loved ones in discomfort and decline 24/7…the frustration and sadness that we feel all of the time while trying to enjoy them. I continue to work on getting over the guilt and the powerless feeling of not being able to control the situation. I am slowly getting my life back, but it is a new life. Life with my mom in a care facility. The reality of this is that I will have to go through this loss again when she passes away. Hopefully, I will be stronger and better prepared. Hopefully. Submitted by Kathy Linton, West Valley Resident
That day wasn’t as positive. She was still in bed when I arrived in the afternoon because she was suffering from one of her horrible chronic headaches. But when I woke her up, she was happy to see me. I could see the pain on her face, but she smiled and decided to have some lunch. So, they brought it to her and we 24 Up The Hill
April 2018
Puzzles & Games Sudoku for April
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
4
5
1
6 2
1
5
3
5
8
3
8 2 3
6
1
5
4
Word Search
6
6
9
2
5
7 8
6 2
2 1
9
3
8
8
9
5
1
Sudoku Solution 8
9
3
7
5
1
6
3
2
5
7
4
1
2
9
8
4
6
4 2 6 1 9 8 5 7 3
3 1 7 2 4 9 8 6 5
6 9 4 5 8 3 7 1 2
5 8 2 7 6 1 4 3 9
2 4 9 8 1 6 3 5 7
7
1
6
5
8
3
4
9
3
7
5
2
9
6
2
4
1
8
Up The Hill
April 2018
25
Business Directory
AUTO SERVICES A Plus Automotive Cien Motor Werks Desert Princess Car Service Estrella Mountain Detailing Litchfield Auto Repair
623.986.1586 623.322.8333 602.300.7076 623.387.2010 623.882.8700
BUSINESS & LEGAL SERVICES Edward Jones - Christopher Carlton Kramer Legacy Documents Mahoney Law Office Richard Tax Service State Farm Insurance - D Aaron State Farm Insurance -T Gremillion The Insurance Lady
623.386.1940 623.299.2592 623.518.3513 623.925.9953 480.948.2005 623.386.7767 602.799.8410
HEALTH & BEAUTY Dr. Nemechek Consultative Medicine Healthy Life Family Medicine Mtn. Ranch Family Dentistry Permanent Make Up Skincare Extraordinaire
623.208.4226 623.889.3477 623.327.0231 602.295.7373 623.826.3726
HOUSEHOLD SERVICES 1 Buckeye Plumbing 5 Dog Electric A Call Painting Al’s Pumbing Beckham Electric Canyon Lake Construction Century Glass & Mirror Cluff Mechanical Heating & AC Desired Handyman Dirt Busters House Cleaning Eco Maids 4 You Estrella Mountain Pest Control Hardy Solar Solutions J & H Appliance Repair Merry Maids The Window Cleaner AZ Urgent Air Williams Air & Heating Younger Brothers Exterminating Younger Brothers Plumbing
623.386.0710 623.313.5685 602.422.3648 623.329.5170 480.370.1014 602.574.6760 623.444.6204 602.765.COOL 623.910.5183 623.977.6725 623.910.2202 623.680.6619 206.399.4652 623.925.5427 623.738.1789 623.738.6064 602.377.1999 602.549.9222 623.487.3147 623.487.3130
26 Up The Hill
LANDSCAPING & POOL CARE Buckeye Desert Landscape Classic Pool & Spa, LLC Estrella Owner Services Gemstone Landscape Jackrabbit Nursery Lakeside Pools Montufar’s Tree Service Pool & Landscape AZ
602.527.2818 623.224.3805 623.693.5695 623.695.5338 623.386.4700 602.799.3623 602.330.5281 480.999.3348
MOVING SERVICES Atlantic Relocation Systems Lifetime Moving
602.352.6683 602.344.9988
PET CARE Creatures Companions Estrella In Home Animal Care
623.215.6699 623.476.7074
PHOTOGRAPHY & WEB DESIGN Estrella Partners Web Design
623.594.9283
REAL ESTATE Realty One Group - Gale Samuelsen Realty One Group - Jen Polansky Realty One Group - Tara Rutkowski REMAX Preferred Choice - Estrella West USA Realty - Budge Team West USA Realty - Lisa Sowada
602.327.7938 480.577.3918 623.640.6546 623.850.0005 623.694.3907 623.326.4721
RECREATION Elutheria Wellness Center KFNX 1100AM Radio
623.986.5110 602.277.1100
RETAIL SERVICES & RESTAURANTS Budget Blinds of Goodyear Element Sun Screens Estrella Ordnance Haymaker Restaurant Co Monat by Jennifer Pure Patio
480.629.8854 602.999.4384 623.262.2154 623.536.9000 602.616.5505 623.299.8000
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! April 2018
Useful Numbers HOA CONTACTS: Community Services - after hours CCMC Starpointe Residents Club Youth Club Yacht Club Community Patrol
623.386.1112 800.274.3165 480.921.7500 623.386.1949 623.386.1949 623.386.3411 602.329.0462
GOVERNMENT CONTACTS: Animal Control City Hall Code Compliance Finance Department Post Office (Estrella Pkwy & Yuma) Public Relations Public Works State Wildlife Dept
623.882.7820 623.932.3010 602.942.3000
MEDICAL / FIRE: Emergencies Police - Non-Emergency Fire Department - Non-Emergency Poison Control Center West Valley Hospital
911 623.932.1220 623.932.2300 800.222.1222 623.882.1500
MISCELLANEOUS: Golf Club of Estrella Players Grill Elliot Market Up The Hill magazine
623.386.2600 623.386.2600 623.386.2111 623.594.9283
602.506.7387 623.932.3910 623.882.7815 623.932.3015 623.882.9143
ESTRELLA GROUPS & CLUBS: Book Club 623.810.3494 Bridge mmendrick@q.com Bunco 623.242.7877 Car Club estrellamountaincarclub@yahoo.com Hugs & Stitches 623.393.9255 623.386.5238 Mah Jong Badlanders Motorcycle Group 602.469.2496 Motorcycle Riding Group Lacy.Wetzel@gmail.com Guitar Club 623.800.3997 Hiking Group mhartsfield@cox.net Ladies of the Lake 623.386.4754 LD04-MC Democrats Group 623.696.5962 Photo Group 623.327.0240 Pickleball 623.262.1437 602.803.1389 Play Group Poker 602.206.8580 Sisters In Stitches 623.251.7920 Travel Club 623.327.9730
RELIGIOUS SERVICES: Estrella Mountain Church 623.386.0300 Estrella Foothills Community Church 623.363.7857 SCHOOLS: Estrella Mountain Elementary School 623.327.7171 Westar Elementary School 623.327.2840 Estrella Foothills High School 623.327.2470 UTILITIES: APS Cox Internet Southwest Gas City - Water/Sewer/Trash Up The Hill
602.371.3614 855.766.9812 602.861.1999 623.932.3010 April 2018
27
28 Up The Hill
April 2018