Up The Hill

Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 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. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the content of contributing writers and advertisers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion. Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

Home Watch +Plus

Professional Services

HOME WATCH SERVICES

• We perform weekly detailed home inspections while you are away.

• Long/short term, vacations, VRBO properties.

• Providing you peace of mind.

MAINTENANCE SERVICES

• Skilled and dependable professionals

• *Handyman / Maintenance

• *Housekeeping

• *Landscape Design – Construction – Maintenance

• Irrigation repair

KEY HOLDER SERVICES

• Meet with contractors at your home.

• Provide access and reporting for service providers.

• Greet guests at your home on your behalf and close upon departure.

From Me To You...

“Love is in the air” - the song has been running amok in my brain all day. With the February editions front and center on my computer I keep thinking of Valentine’s Day and love. Not that the two are combined in my head, I get really annoyed at the commercialization of the holiday, and the price gouging that goes along with it. You can’t go to a restaurant or buy flowers or chocolate, without seeing dramatic price hikes just for the occasion.

In the spirit of the upcoming celebration I googled ‘Most romantic movies’ and I was surprised to see that I have not watched that many on the list. Don’t tell anyone but I have yet to watch, or even read, The Notebook. I know, sacrilege! What it boils down to is that I don’t like to cry and these love stories are real tearjerkers. I am sure the plots and characters are great, they must be to make it to the top of all these lists, but I can’t bring myself to watch them because of the crying that will inevitably follow.

I have been binging the TV show Bones recently, and I love the kitschy drama with a side of

schmaltz, but there is one episode I have been dreading. (Warning - Spoiler Alert ahead!) If you have not seen season 10 there is a chance I am about to ruin your day. Just kidding, everyone knows that Sweets is murdered. I hated that episode, not because of his death, but because of the way the writers wrung every sad emotion and angry tear from me. And it continued for the next few weeks! Not content with killing off the character, they also went on to investigate his murder (understandable, it is a crime drama) and then mope around for his funeral. Even worse than that, his girlfriend was heavily pregnant and we had to talk about ‘Lance’ for every moment of the birth. Ruined a perfectly good season.

Don’t get me wrong, crying has its place but why do we need it in a love story? Does every couple have to face adversity to prove their love? Can’t we all just get along? I think for this Valentine’s Day I will be watching a classic, like Mission Impossible, that sounds more appropriate to me.

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

My husband, and real estate partner, Darin Smith, is a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser with nearly 20 years of experience. Together, we provide you with all the information you need to make a smart move!

Review:

“Camille far exceeded any expectations I had. I was selling an average sized and priced suburban home, but Camille treated my home and experience as if I were her only, VIP client. Camille was responsive and answered all of my questions thoroughly. She used any time we had together efficiently. Camille understood just how to market my home. Her brochures were beautifully put together and really showcased the features of the house. She also knew exactly how to negotiate. Camille offered sound advice without any pressure and I felt prepared to make the right decision about which offer to take. My house sold quickly, at full-price, and closed right on time. I highly recommend using Camille for all your realty needs!” - A.W.

MY LISTINGS APPEAR ON 1,300+ WEBSITES AROUND THE WORLD!

No two homes are the same. So, each of my sellers receives an individualized marketing plan including a custom, 8-page brochure showcasing their home’s most attractive and marketable features, complete with floorplan, and Estrella amenities.

Most buyers find homes online first, then visit in person when they are ready to purchase. This “forget me not” brochure is a powerful tool to capture their hearts!

Heart Health

February is American Heart Month, and there’s no better time to take control of your heart health. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined.

Millions of adults are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or the aftereffects of a stroke. The fact that the majority of Americans don’t consider themselves at risk for heart disease is why educating the community on the importance of heart health is so important.

“Heart disease can lead to severe disability that can absolutely destroy quality of life for its victims and their loved ones,” said Dr. Timothy Byrne, medical director of cardiovascular services at Abrazo Health. “Left unchecked, it can lead to a wide array of serious and life-threatening health complications, including heart failure, heart attack, stroke and death.”

Fortunately, new discoveries are making a positive, measurable impact treating on those with heart disease. Breakthrough procedures and

research in treating heart valve disease, coronary artery and vascular conditions, atrial fibrillation and more are propelling the treatment of heart disease to a higher level. Medications and other treatments are also helping to keep the estimated 5 million Americans living with heart failure out of the hospital.

Smoking, poor diet, high stress, obesity, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle are all things that can contribute to heart disease. “The most tragic thing about these issues is that they are not genetic or hereditary – we are often doing these things to ourselves,” said Dr. Byrne.

The greatest strides in the fight against heart disease will come from you. There are some simple steps you can take to control the effects of heart and cardiovascular conditions or avoid them altogether. Among them: a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, daily exercise, a smokefree lifestyle and techniques for managing stress. Taking charge of your health in this way not only will help you live longer, but also better. Heart Month is also a good time to make sure you are up-to-date on your health screenings which can alert you to health conditions that need addressing sooner rather than later.

Submitted by Abrazo Health

REALTRENDS TOP TEAM

We were honored, once again, to be recognized in 2021 as the top 14th team in the US by volume.

IN THEIR WORDS

“Our experience with The Rider Elite team has been exceptional since day 1! They always made sure we had everything we needed, made sure to let us know they were available whenever we needed them, and every person we interacted with was so nice!”

Estrella Event

KEEPING IT CLEAN WITH THE ESTRELLA SPRING CLEAN EVENT

A new year has begun, and the Estrella Realtor Networking Group (ERNG) is fast at work looking for ways to give back to the Community that we all love in 2023.

Last year the ERNG worked tirelessly to coordinate, fund, and implement the Community Garden at Presidio. The group has initiated fund raisers for Socktober by collecting sock donations from the community to help the homeless in Phoenix, and we Rang the Christmas Bell to help raise funds for the Salvation Army. The ERNG is consistently working for and with you, our community, to make a positive impact.

I’m sure you would agree that we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful communities in Arizona. Estrella offers wonderful outdoor landscape with magnificent mountain views including miles of trails as well as the refreshing North and South Lakes where residents enjoy riding bikes and walking.

The Estrella Realtor Networking group is committed to giving back whenever and wherever they can, that is why they are having an ESTRELLA SPRING CLEAN EVENT on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Realtors in the group will be walking around specific areas of the community to pick up trash and other debris from our beautiful trails, common areas, and streets. It is the desire of the ERNG to do all it can to make our community clean and enjoyable for the residents who call Estrella their home.

The staging area will be located at the Community Garden at Presidio. We invite you to stop by and say hello to the working Realtors. If you happen to be driving by a group of working Realtors wearing their yellow vests with #local Realtor on the back vests who are picking up trash, honk your horn and give them a wave. They will be showing their love to Estrella by putting their gloved hands to the plow with some sweat equity to keep Estrella beautiful.

Written by, Debbie Young from the Estrella Realtor Networking Group

Yum Yum

Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me (or Engagement) Chicken has been around since the 80’s, but whatever you call it this dish is so good it will have people falling in love with your cooking.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground thyme

1/2 cup chicken broth, divided

1/2 pound bacon

1 (16-ounce) package angel hair pasta

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1 pinch red pepper flakes

Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

∞ Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

∞ To butterfly the chicken, place it on a chopping board. Put your palm on top of the chicken and slice it horizontally through the middle, leaving a small section on the other side uncut. Open out the breast to look like a butterfly.

∞ Melt butter in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Saute garlic, oregano, and thyme for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. It doesn’t need to be cooked throughout at this point. Add in 1/4 cup of chicken broth.

∞ Bake for 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

∞ While the chicken is baking, brown bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, about 10 minutes. Let it cool on a plate lined with paper

towels to drain excess grease, then cut into small pieces.

∞ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta, stirring occasionally until al dente, about 4 minutes. Drain and keep warm.

∞ Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it onto a plate and keep warm.

∞ To make the pasta sauce, place the used skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Whisk flour with remaining chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and whipping cream until combined. Mix in sundried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and salt.

∞ Toss together the sauce and pasta until evenly coated. Top with chicken and bacon.

Enjoy!

The Bug Guy

Spring will be here before you know it in our Grand Canyon state. On top of beautiful weather, longer nights, and fun times, that also means the return of active, spring pests. If you aren’t careful and proactive with your pest prevention, your home and yard could succumb to a pest infestation from a variety of local undesirable pests.

Here are some of the most common pests found in our area along with a few tips to stop them from entering your home to keep you and your family safe this spring.

Ants - There are over 40 known ant species in Arizona. Regardless of the species, you don’t want them wandering in and around your home. Ants are driven by pheromones to lead them to food and back to their colonies. Their small size allows them to easily enter many shelters. Leftover trash or sweets in your kitchen are often the culprit for enticing ants to come inside and stick around. You can play a significant role in preventing an ant infestation by keeping areas

clean as well as sanitizing to remove preexisting. Prevention for the exterior of your home includes regular treatment to reduce the likelihood of infestation.

Scorpions - Arizona has one of the highest concentrations of scorpions in the U.S. There are two common species found here: 1) The bark scorpion. A sting can be very painful, and on very rare occasions, may require medical attention, and 2) The Sonoran Desert scorpion. Largest scorpion found here and can reach up to 10 inches, typically found up to 5 inches long. Scorpions gravitate to areas with moisture, darkness, or food. Typically, scorpions feed on insects like crickets and spiders and are nocturnal creatures. Keeping insect populations away from your home removes their food source.

Spiders - Keep your eye out this spring for spiders. They enjoy dark, cramped areas in both interior and exterior of a home as they feast on tiny insects that may linger there. Most spider species are harmless, but you might encounter a venomous black widow in Arizona. Treat any spider you see as venomous and do your best to keep away from it. Declutter your home, patios, and outdoor living spaces, brighten up areas where you can, and seal off cracks and crevices to prevent spiders.

Pests are more active with warmer weather, so be smart this spring. When considering whether to do pest control on your own, think about the knowledge and equipment the professionals can offer. Training and experience can keep you and your family safe.

Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control, Estrella resident

Resolution Redo

It’s an experience shared by many: You make an ambitious health resolution at the start of the year and a few months - or weeks - later, you lose steam and throw in the towel. This year break the cycle of broken resolutions by focusing on simple, yet effective ways you can impact your wellness long term. The key? Small daily habits.

Nicholas Frye, MS, LCPC, CHES, shares how you can create lasting healthy habits, break those unhealthy ones and create positive changes to your wellbeing:

Forming new habits

As an example, to develop a new, healthy walking habit, first select a specific healthpromoting behavior such as “go for a 10-minute walk.” Then identify a stable cue which occurs daily in your life such as “after breakfast.” Then repeatedly perform the walking behavior in response to the after-breakfast cue which will, over time, result in a habit. It takes 66 days - on average - to develop a new habit, however, the exact timeframe is different for everyone. As the behavior is repeated in response to the

cue, the association between them becomes stronger, more efficient, and automatic until the cue alone is enough to trigger the associated behavior without conscious thought.

Breaking old habits

For example, to break a habit of drinking sugary sodas while watching television, replace the soft drink with sparkling water every time you sit down to binge your favorite show. Eventually, you’ll associate watching TV with this new, healthier behavior.

MicroHabits

Frye recommends instead of committing to a big, audacious goal, try incorporating small daily habits into one’s life. These small behaviors are called microHabits and they can compound to have big results like parking at the back of a parking lot to get your steps in.

“By developing these habits, one small step at a time, we can overcome the intention-behavior gap - in other words, when what you do doesn’t live up to your previous intentions - and it is all the less daunting,” said Frye. “This sets one up for success as opposed to overly ambitious resolutions that don’t guide you from A to B.”

Just In Case

Whether you’re racking up the miles for work or planning a relaxing getaway, look for luggage that can keep up with the journey. To uncover what luggage will last and still be easy to use, look to the advice of those who are always traveling for work and leisure - like Ofelia Silva and Ken Sosko, executives of Travelpro, the pilot-founded luggage brand used by airline professionals from more than 90 airlines globally. Silva and Sosko share their top four tips and tricks that every traveler should know.

1. Quality over trend

Before buying take the time to research the quality of the item. Look at the materials and check it has reinforced stitching, resilient zippers that stay on track and closed, and handles sturdy enough to not bend or buckle.

2. Softside vs. hardside luggage

Looking for a little extra packing space? Softside luggage easily expands, allowing travelers a bit more packing flexibility. Searching for a suitcase that is incredibly sleek in its design yet ultra-

resilient to damage? A hardside suitcase with its clean lines and strong polycarbonate shell is the go-to option.

3. The art of packing

Even if you have lightweight luggage, overpacking is a common pitfall for travelers. Plan a capsule wardrobe you can bring, meaning interchangeable clothes that complement each other. Shoes are often heavy and take up space, so either wear your heavy shoes on the plane or replace them with something lighter. As for the act of packing itself, some travelers opt to roll clothing to save space and eliminate wrinkles, while others swear by packing cubes, allowing you to divide your suitcase into specific compartments. No matter the strategy, consider doing a practice run in the week leading up to your trip to see how everything fits.

4. Luggage set advantages

Since you’ll probably need both a checked bag and a carry-on suitcase at some point, why not buy both as part of a set? Not only will your luggage match, but the price is usually less than buying two single bags. This also gives you the flexibility to choose the right-sized suitcase depending on your packing needs and destination.

MOWW

What is a MOC? And what does it stand for?

The full name of this patriotic ceremony is the “Massing of Colors and Service of Remembrance Ceremony”. This year’s MOC, will be performed on 21 February at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center (13800 Deer Valley Drive in SC West.) The program will start at 11:15 AM with the music of the local renowned Desert Brass Band. Readers of this article are welcome and encouraged to attend . . . since we normally draw 300 attendees, please come early. Thank you.

The purpose of this ceremony is to honor the memory of those who served our nation in times of peace and war, and to recognize the deceased members of the many veterans’ organizations throughout our greater Phoenix area. Our guest speakers offer messages addressing the leadership roles and responsibilities of today’s youth, as they assume leadership roles in their communities.

A past speaker who represents the quality of our speakers is Col Tom Kirk, USAF (Ret). During the Vietnam era, Tom was a POW for five years in

Hanoi Hilton with others, such as John McCain. This year’s speaker is LTC Scott Nelson, who will address both Patriotism and today’s Military Life.

The 35-37 flags that will be massed are from other MOWW Chapters, as well as the many JROTC (Junior ROTC) units from the 17 High Schools we support, as well as other flag units such as “Rosie the Riveters” or the “Navy Seabee Veterans of America.”

This year’s program will be closed with a powerful “Echo Taps” that impresses all.

Readers may contact the author of this article, via jerryojenson@hotmail.com to discuss questions you may have.

Money Matters

Can you count on Social Security to contribute part of the income you’ll need as a retiree? There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding the solvency of Social Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as you might have heard.

Here’s the story: Under current law, Social Security is estimated to exhaust its trust funds by 2035, after which benefits could be cut by 20%, according to the 2022 Social Security Trustees report. However, the large cost of living adjustment (COLA) (8.7%) for 2023 could cause the trust funds to use up their resources sooner. But this outlook may represent a worst-case scenario. For one thing, the cost of the 2023 COLA will be somewhat offset by higher taxes on workers contributing to Social Security. The maximum amount of earnings subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax jumped from $147,000 in 2022 to $160,200 in 2023. Increasing the payroll tax is another possibility for boosting funding to Social Security. And here’s a political reality: Social Security is a popular program and

it’s unlikely that Congress wants to be blamed for reducing benefits. Of course, there are no guarantees, but it seems fair to say that you can reasonably expect some benefits from Social Security when you retire.

But perhaps the bigger issue is just how much you should depend on Social Security for your retirement income. On average, Social Security benefits will provide about 30% of a beneficiary’s preretirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration. But the higher your earnings before you retire, the lower the percentage that will be replaced by Social Security.

Still, you’ll want to maximize the benefits that are available to you — and that means deciding when to start taking Social Security. You can begin as early as 62, but your monthly payments could be as much as 30% lower than your normal (or “full”) retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. Even if you were to wait until your full retirement age before collecting Social Security, you’ll also need to draw on other sources of funding. So, while you are still working, it’s a good idea to keep contributing to your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Ultimately, you should be able to count on Social Security as part of your retirement income. You may want to consult with a financial professional to determine when taking Social Security makes the most sense for you and how you can also get the most from your other retirement accounts. You’ll want a retirement income strategy that’s built for the long run.

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

Home Sweet Home

Signs That It’s Time to Downsize Your Kitchen Gadget Collection

The right kitchen gadgets can make cooking significantly easier and less stressful. And there are some kitchen gadgets that are, for many, non-negotiables—like a microwave or coffee machine. But too many kitchen gadgets can be a problem; not only do they take up precious storage space, but they can make your kitchen appear cluttered—which can be a problem when you decide to sell your home.

So, the question is, how do you know when your collection of kitchen gadgets has crossed the line into “too many” territory? A recent article from realtor.com outlined clear indicators that it’s time to downsize your kitchen gadget collection, including:

You have gadgets you don’t use. Many people buy kitchen gadgets they think they will use or should use (like a juicer or air fryer)—but then they just end up collecting dust on their kitchen

counter. If you have gadgets you never use taking up space in your kitchen, it’s time to get rid of them.

You have gadgets you can’t identify. Having kitchen gadgets you don’t use is a major waste of space. But having kitchen gadgets you can’t even identify? That’s even worse. If you’re in the dark about what a gadget is, what it does, or when you’d use it, it doesn’t belong in your kitchen.

You have mini-versions of your favorite gadgets. Mini appliances have become more popular in recent years. But if you have a fullsized version of a kitchen gadget (like a waffle maker or blender), you don’t need a miniversion.

Submitted by Tara Rutkowski, Realtor and Estrella 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

Business Directory

Budget Blinds of Goodyear

Century Glass & Mirror

Consider It Finished Painting

Countywide Plumbing & Sewer

Creative Surface Solutions

Estrella Mtn Homewatch Services +

Estrella Mountain Pest Control

General Exterminating

Goodyear Home inspection

Hardy Solar

J & H Appliance Repair

JBS Roofing

Screen Mobile

State 48 Roofing

The Window Cleaner AZ

West Valley Fans & Blinds

Younger Brothers Exterminating

LANDSCAPING & POOL CARE

Aquienta Pool & Landscape

Fujiwara Landscape Design

West Valley Rock

REAL ESTATE

AZ & Associates - C Yeo

Elite Mortgage Group

HomeSmart Realty - The Lang Group

Keller Williams - The Rider Elite Team

Realty One Group - J Polansky

Realty One Group - T Rutkowski

Realty One Group - B Tissell

Realty One Group - C Trachsel-Smith

Realty One Group - R Watson

Robson Reserve at PebbleCreek

West USA Realty, Estrella - M Sears

RETAIL & RECREATION

Arie Layne Boutique

Box Drop Mattress & Furniture

Pure Patio