Up The Hill

August 2023

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.

RICHARD TAX SERVICES LLC

From Me To You...

As another summer winds down and schools start back up for the fall did you find any relaxation in the last few months? I look back at the summer and see many people trying to cram as much as possible into their ‘free time’, when the children are home for long stretches and the days lengthen into endless possibilities. But do you really gain anything from all that forced activity? There is value in slowing down, taking it one day at a time, really appreciating the moments. This is probably the last year we will see our children come home for the summer and although I know there are many things we could have done we chose to just focus on a few things. We rewatched all the Indiana Jones movies in anticipation of seeing the latest (and most likely last) installment of the franchise. We set the goal of playing all the Indiana Jones Lego Wii games and getting the highest scores possible. We are taking a float down the Salt River with friends and that is about it.

To be honest that sounds like heaven to me. Having raced through so many summers ferrying kids from one summer camp to another. Making

play dates at the pool and water parks, trying to have the ‘best time’ is it really achievable anyway?

We took a trip to Disney World a few years ago and I planned every second of that trip. After 2 miserable days of forcing the kids from one ride to another I realized that there was no way to see everything so why was I making everyone stressed and miserable? At that point I gave up control and allowed the children to lead the way. Did they ride the Muppets 3D ride over and over again? Yes. Did they have the best time doing that? Absolutely!

I am so looking forward to my float trip in a few days, we can relax and catch up without social media or the pressure of having to be anywhere else. And in the meantime I think I will attack my ‘to-be-read’ pile of books, making a dent in that is as much pressure as anyone should have in the summer.

Catherine Uretsky

Editor, Up The Hill magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623-398-5541

On Our Cover

Thank you to everyone who donated school supplies! We took the 125 backpacks and supplies that Up The Hill magazine bought and donated them - along with the generous donations from Estrella Residents and folks at The Sears Group - to Child Crisis Arizona. Together we donated over $5000 worth of supplies! Thank you to everyone who helped!

Child Crisis Arizona operates the only licensed Emergency Children’s Shelter facility for children ages 2 through 10 in Maricopa County. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Children are placed in the shelter through referrals from the Arizona Department of Child Safety and Tribal Social Services, and by community members who for whatever reason may not be able to provide care for their child and need a safe place temporarily.

More than just a place to sleep, Child Crisis

Arizona’s home-like shelter meets all of a child’s needs. Specially trained staff and volunteers provide help, comfort, care, and support. Children in the shelter receive nurturing care

24 hours a day, 7 days a week; balanced meals and healthy snacks; clothing and personal care items; medical screenings and attention to health issues, including vaccinations and visits to the doctor and dentists as needed; plus educational support and counseling.

While kids are at the shelter, they participate in activities like art, music, dancing and swimming lessons, as well as visits from therapy dogs. Through the generosity of our donors and community partners, children at the shelter and in our foster and adoption programs may also attend field trips to museums, cultural events, attractions and family-friendly activities.

If you are in need of help, please contact

(480) 834-9424

Up The Hill Scavenger Hunt - 8/8 @8am

Somewhere in Estrella, Up The Hill magazine has hidden a gift bag containing a secret code and a phone number. The first person to call us on that number and give the secret code will win a $50 Target gift card, an hour of axe throwing fun at LumberJaxes for 2 people and a 1 hour massage at Elements Massage in Goodyear!

Clues to the whereabouts of the bag will be posted on our Facebook group starting at 8am, on Tuesday, August 8th. Make sure you are a member of our Facebook page, Estrella Matters before the 8th - it can take a day to approve your membership so don’t wait until 10 minutes before the clues go live to join!

We will post a picture of the gift bag (so you know what to look for) and a clue to its location every 15 minutes, until someone finds it. The bag will be hidden in a public place, do not go onto private property, please be courteous of your neighbors and other residents. No relative or employee of Estrella Publishing is eligible for the prize. Winners agree to have their photo used in a future edition of Up The Hill magazine and on our online platforms.

Good hunting and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Teacher Grants

Winners from previous years used Adopt-A-Teacher funds to take class field trips, restock classroom supplies, and purchase supplementary equipment for photography, hands-on science and class projects.

To learn more or to apply for the “Adopt-ATeacher” Program, visit DesertFinancial.com/ AdoptATeacher.

Desert Financial Credit Union was founded in 1939 by a group of educators who believed in sharing success with their community. The credit union continues to share its success by giving back to local teachers. In 2022, Desert Financial gave back more than $119,000 to teachers and educational programs in

Hearts of CantaMia & Estrella

The project actually started three years ago (June 27, 2020), during the pandemic. I won’t say that hearts or rocks or whatever are original ideas, but I believe this little act of random kindness helps to make the world a better place.

Like many people around the world, 2020 was a dark, scary, and depressing time for me. I believe that one way to lift yourself up is to lift up others, and so – this started as Covidtherapy for me. I would stitch a little fabric heart, fill it with stuffing, and adorn it with ribbon and a charm. I started leaving them throughout the Estrella area, and quickly expanded to – well –everywhere! I’ve had a handful of people join in (and we’re always looking for more), and hearts have been left from coast to coast, Washington, D.C to Washington (state), Hawaii, and even as far away as Australia!

I’ve personally made over 2000 hearts in the last three years, and I make it a point to leave at least one out – hanging from a tree, bench, on a cluster mailbox, etc., every day. There’s a tag attached that asks the finder to take a picture and let us know where they found it, but in this busy world – most people don’t. But we’ve witnessed – from afar – many people discovering the hearts, and the hearts always bring smiles. That’s what counts!

Submitted by Anonymous

For more information visit HeartsOfCantaMiaAndEstrella on Facebook.

Yum Yum

Taco Puffs

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min. YIELD: 8 servings.

I got this Taco Puffs recipe from a friend years ago. I still make these cheesy sandwiches regularly for dinner alongside a steaming bowl of soup or a fresh green salad. Any leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch. A helpful hint: Plain refrigerated biscuits seal together better than buttermilk types.

—Jan Schmid, Hibbing, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1envelope taco seasoning

2 tubes (16.3 ounces each) large refrigerated flaky biscuits

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Cool slightly.

2. Flatten half the biscuits into 4-in. circles; arrange on greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Spoon 1/4 cup meat mixture onto each circle; sprinkle each with 1/4 cup cheese. Flatten remaining biscuits; place over lling and pinch edges to seal tightly.

3. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes.

The Bug Guy

Ah, August in the West Valley. The scorching sun, the melting pavement, and the delightful company of every pest imaginable. It’s like a summer party where the guests never leave! But fear not, because we have the superheroes of pest control ready to save the day.

First up on the list of unwanted guests are the relentless ants. These tiny troops invade with bold confidence, acting like they own the place. But little do they know; the pest control experts are ready to put on their tactical gear and engage in the battle of a lifetime. The pest control professionals march in, armed with their arsenal of ant-killing sprays and gels, shouting, “For the glory of ant free living! It’s a comical sight that will leave you rooting for the humans in this epic clash of ant vs. exterminator.

But let’s not forget about the most audacious guest of all – the dreaded scorpion. These stingers seem to have an uncanny ability to appear out of thin air, sending chills down our spines. Yet, the pest control professionals fearlessly enter the battlefield armed with Flowzone Typhoon 2.5 backpacks, as if on a scorpion hunt in the wild. It’s like witnessing a bizarre version of Ghostbusters, where the exterminators are equipped with proton packs specifically designed to kill these arachnid villains. And just when you think they’ve caught them all, one sneaky scorpion manages to escape their clutches, resulting in a chase scene worthy of an action-comedy.

As the August heat intensifies and the pests multiply in the West Valley, let’s take a moment to appreciate the comedic side of pest control. Our brave exterminators embrace the heat as they fulfill their role as

pest-fighting comedians, turning what could be a nightmare-worthy situation into a sidesplitting spectacle. With their ingenious gadgets, amusing battle cries, and comic mishaps, they can transform the battle against pests into a source of laughter and amusement.

So, my fellow West Valley dwellers, when those unwanted visitors come knocking at your door this August, remember to call upon the help of our pest control heroes. Sit back, watch the show, and let the laugh-filled battle against pests light up your summer days. After all, laughter is the best defense against even the peskiest of intruders!

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

Community Garden Plots

Calling all gardeners, green thumbs or anybody that just wants to learn, applications are now available for the 12 plots in the Estrella Community Garden. Gather with other like minded people to share knowledge and learn how to plant in the Sonoran desert.

Located at the Southeast corner of Presidio parking lot this 55 x 55 graded Community Garden has easy access to parking, electrical and water. Each plot with their own spicket & timer to control watering for your own individual needs.

Brought to you by the Estrella Realtor Networking Group along with Pioneer Title & Allyson Knappenberger with DK Home Loans. Our mission statement created for this project is, “Volunteers committed to developing a self-

sustainable community garden in Estrella. We do this by bringing together diverse groups of people, with a focus on youth development. Together we strive to develop and beautify the site and empower community members of all ages and abilities”.

If you are interested in getting your own garden plot, or joining the Estrella Garden committee please go on Facebook Estrella Community Garden Page or reach out to one of the helping hands in the Estrella Realtor Networking Group at www.localestrellarealtors.com. Applications are also available on LifeinEstrella.com. Plots are $170 for the season; this covers water, maintenance and access to Master Gardeners! Come and Grow with us!

Submitted by Allyson Knappenberger

specializes in marketing local businesses to affluent master-planned communities.

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Back to School Prep

. Parents and kids of all ages, especially those who are college-bound, can sometimes feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to happen to be ready for this big transition. Fortunately, you can make preparing for the upcoming academic year a lot easier with some tips and tools to help everyone stay on track during the shift from summer to school mode.

1. Tackle time management: One of the biggest shifts from the lazy days of summer back to school again is keeping on top of everyone’s schedules. A tried-and-true tactic is to create and post one big family calendar where everyone can see it. That way everyone can add their appointments, extracurricular activities and upcoming events so the whole family knows what to plan for and look forward to each week. Try using color-coded markers so everyone knows which events are for which family member.

kids in the planning by asking what they want to eat for each meal.

3. Get ready for the move to campus: For college students, the move away from home can be a real test of their organizational abilities. Help ensure they’ll have what they need by printing a list of everything they think they’ll have to pack for the big move. Once their list is complete, they can print out their finalized list for shopping and crossing off items they’ve already purchased. They can also help reduce the homesickness they’re bound to feel their first year away from home by printing out pictures of family members (and pets) making a welcome addition to their dorm room decor.

With these tools and tactics, you should all feel better prepared for the changes to comehelping you and your kids make the transition seamlessly, no matter what the new school year brings.

Are You A Chameleon?

Our perceptions, outlook and even personality are often influenced by the situations and people in our lives. If we too often morph to become what others want, though, we’re not being true to ourselves, and this chameleon behavior comes with consequences. If you think this might be you, I invite you to take a look inside and ask yourself some questions:

• Are the changes I make positive or negative?

• Do the changes I make serve me personally in a good way or are they done just for the benefit of others?

• What kind of energy do I carry around with me? Do I feel down more often than not?

• What kind of vibe do I put out to others? Am I more like a ray of sunshine or a dark cloud when I’m with people?

• If I could step outside myself, how would I describe me?

• How would I describe the people in my life to someone else? Do they build me up, encourage me, support me; or are they negative people who bring me down or surround me with cynicism?

If most of your answers are in the wrong direction, it’s time for a change. It’s very possible that some of the changes you’ve made as a function of being around others are good, they’ve made you happier or made you a better person in some way. Other times, people in our path are there to remind us how not to be.

The bottom line is that you should feel good about who you are whether you are by yourself, with one person or in a crowd. If you don’t, you may need to do the following:

• Eliminate toxic people from your life.

• Do the work to learn to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.

• Decrease the demands on your time that stress you out and make you an unhappy or even angry person.

• Stop changing in ways you don’t like or for people who are not your priority.

• Set boundaries.

It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Ultimately, you want to ensure that your thoughts and behavior align with your personal priorities and goals.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.

Home Sweet Home

There’s a reason the saying “Home Sweet Home” holds a special place in our hearts. Home is more than just a physical space; it’s a sanctuary where we find solace, create lasting memories, and nurture relationships. It’s a place where we can truly be ourselves, surrounded by loved ones and cherished belongings. In this article, we celebrate the concept of home and the profound joys it brings.

Home is a haven, where we can unwind, recharge, and relax. From sinking into a cozy sofa to snuggling under a warm blanket, it soothes both body and soul. Our homes reflect our unique personalities and passions. They allow us to express ourselves through design, artwork, and personal mementos. Each curated corner sparks joy and inspiration, be it a vibrant gallery wall or a meticulously curated bookshelf. Home brings loved ones together. Whether hosting dinner parties or simply spending quality time with family, it’s where memories are made, stories are shared, and bonds are strengthened. The warmth and love within its walls create an irreplaceable atmosphere.

The heart of many homes lies in the kitchen—a culinary playground where delicious aromas waft through the air. Here, we explore our love for cooking, trying new recipes, and nourishing our loved ones. It’s a place of creativity and connection, filling our homes with mouthwatering scents and the sound of clinking utensils.

Home provides a deep sense of belonging. It’s where we find comfort in familiar surroundings and feel part of a community. From waving to neighbors on the street to participating in local events, home roots us in shared experiences and a larger tapestry. In a world of constant change, home remains an anchor that grounds and nurtures us. It’s a place to be ourselves, find peace, and create lasting memories. From the comfort it offers to the connections it fosters, home is a sweet sanctuary—a reminder of the simple joys of life. Let’s cherish and celebrate our homes, embracing the love, warmth, and happiness they bring, for there truly is no place like Home Sweet Home.

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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HOUSEHOLD SERVICES

Budget Blinds of Goodyear

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CJ Door Company

Consider It Finished Painting

Countywide Plumbing & Sewer

Creative Surface Solutions

Estrella Mountain Pest Control

General Exterminating

Goodyear Flooring

Goodyear Home inspection

Hardy Solar

J & H Appliance Repair

JBS Roofing

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Screen Mobile

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West Valley Fans & Blinds

Younger Brothers Exterminating

LANDSCAPING & POOL CARE

Aquienta Pool & Landscape

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Fujiwara Landscape Design

ICS Contracting

REAL ESTATE

CB Realty - Anthony Hurwitz

Elite Mortgage Group - Cindy Givens

HomeSmart Realty - The Lang Group

Keller Williams - The Rider Elite Team

Realty One Group - Jen Polansky

Realty One Group - Tara Rutkowski

Realty One Group - C Trachsel-Smith

Realty One Group - Rhonda Watson

West USA Realty, Estrella - M Sears

RETAIL & RECREATION

Arie Layne Boutique

Off The Hook Meat Shop

Osborne Jewelers

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Shelf Theory