Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor Talia Uretsky, Assistant Editor
Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com
Have you ever left the house, then a few minutes later gone back to check that you did indeed turn the stove off, or tried the door handle to make sure it was locked? I know I have, and I am sure many of you have too. I recently read about an extreme case where the person who was afflicted with this particular obsession had devised an ingenious solution. She videoed herself doing all the tasks that she completed in the morning before leaving the house. That way, when her brain tried to convince her that the stove was still on, or the dog had not been fed, she was able to look at the recording and calm her nerves. Now I am not saying that we should go to that extreme, but it is an elegant solution.
We all build rituals into our lives, not usually as a response to a compulsion, but they do help us get through the day, nevertheless. Every morning, I make a cup of coffee and take it into the garden where my manic dog plays fetch with a tennis ball until he is out of breath and ready to start his daily round of napping and trying to eat everything in the house. It is a nice way to wake up and get
my day started. Some rituals are ingrained in us during childhood, sometimes we develop them as we age. I usually have a yearning for a cup of tea and a cookie around 3pm, a result of my English upbringing no doubt. It brings me comfort, and as I sip my tea, I reflect on those who introduced me to this daily habit. It connects me to my heritage in a way that is soothing and grounding.
Some rituals are life-affirming, and some are a way to maintain a connection with those we love, making the trek to Aunt Sally’s house for Thanksgiving dinner for example, or dragging yourself to a monthly Bunco with your besties, no matter how much you would rather be curled up watching a TV show at home. These things are valuable and necessary, and we should honor and cherish all the things that help to get us through the day.
Catherine Uretsky Editor, Up The Hill Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com
623.398.5541
Teacher’s Notes
As the beginning of the school year approaches, many parents wonder what they can do to prepare their little one(s) before entering Kindergarten. There are many things that can be done to prepare for this big change, however there are 2 things that come to mind that would be greatly appreciated.
1. Being able to sit in a seat for a specific amount of time can be quite a challenge, especially during lunch. Practicing the ability to eat their lunch and remaining in a specific seat for approximately 25 minutes doesn’t seem like much but can be difficult for children. I know that lunchtime will be full of excitement and many distractions that can distract a child from the task at hand, but when a child does not eat an adequate amount of food, a majority of the time resulting in classroom behaviors caused by being ‘hangry’. Hangry is a term referring to the feelings of being angry due to hunger. When a child gets ‘hangry’ it can cause a disruption to their environment and damper their learning ability.
Why not provide a snack when the child appears ‘hangry’? This is not always feasible as there may not be a designated time during the day allotted for snacks as this depends on the school/district policy and/or the teacher’s policy. There is quite a lot that teachers are expected to get through in a single school day, and there might not always be time allocated for snacks.
There might not be food available during the school day unless purchased by the teacher or donated to the classroom by a parent/guardian. (If you want to contribute to this, PLEASE check with the teacher and school to confirm any/all policies in regards to this as it is different for each school.)
2. Good sportsmanship is also important! Being able to interact and play nicely with others can make any experience more enjoyable. You don’t always need to be the first one to the finish line to win. In my classroom I have this mantra with the students: As long as you had fun, you are always a winner!
Mastering these two things will go a long way towards helping your child succeed this year and making it a good one for you both.
The Bug Guy
“Scorpions,
Crickets, and Cockroaches, Oh My!
August in the west valley isn’t just about melting steering wheels and sidewalks hot enough to fry an egg – it’s prime time for the creepy-crawly residents to stage their annual takeover attempt. Picture this: You’re enjoying a refreshing iced tea, basking in the artificial chill of your living room, when suddenly you see something scuttle across your floor, looking like it’s on a mission from the underworld. Welcome to August in the west valley, where your home becomes the frontline in the war against nature’s tiny terrors. But with the right tactics, you can turn the tables on these miniature invaders.
First up: scorpions. These little arachnids are like the ninjas of the pest world – stealthy, potentially painful, and oddly attracted to your shoes. Pro tip: Invest in a blacklight flashlight. At night, scorpions glow like tiny,
your yard. While their chirping might seem charming at first, by day three, you’ll be ready to call security. Combat these unwelcome musicians by keeping your yard uncluttered and eliminating standing water. No stage, no show!
Let’s not forget the cockroaches – the ultimate survivalists. These critters could probably outlast a nuclear apocalypse, but they won’t survive your strategic cleaning spree. Seal up cracks, keep food in airtight containers, and maintain a spotless kitchen. Remember, a clean home is a roach’s worst nightmare.
As you wage war on these tiny terrorists, remember that prevention is key. Seal entry points, declutter your yard, and consider professional pest control services. After all, in the battle against bugs, sometimes you need to call in the cavalry. So, as you hunker down this August, keep your eyes peeled and your flip-flops at the ready. And remember, when the temperatures finally drop in September, you can proudly declare victory –
S A V E T H E D A T E ! Join EBeauty Community's Premiere Annual Event. Wigs & Wishes
Making wishes come true for women in the Valley undergoing cancer treatment
Date: November 2nd, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Heritage Swim ParK
Featuring Music by TJ Rifkin and Band! Green Pepper Catering! Silent Auction | Live Auction | Raf e TO BECOME A SPONSOR Contac t: Laura@ebeauty.com
Registration will begin September 1st | $75 per person For more information: www ebeautycommunity org
Cook with Zona
Brownie Batter Protein Balls
Hello again, I wanted to say I appreciate everyone who has been reading and recreating my recipes! I am truly feeling the love from these communities! Regarding last month’s Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Skillet recipe I apologize for leaving out the measurements for the egg noodles. For all previous recipes you can visit the recipes page on Estrella Publishing’s website.
If you can’t tell by now, I am nuts about any and all things chocolate. Chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, chocolate milk, chocolate bars, you name it! When I was a child my mother used to make me chocolate cake for breakfast. Granted, now that I think about it, probably not the most nutritious breakfast for a 13 year old, but hey look at me now! Totally fine, I only have a slight chocolate addiction, and it made me love my mother even more than I thought was
ever possible! My son developed a peanut intolerance when he was 4 years old, so most dishes I make I stray away from peanut butter, and these Brownie Batter Protein Balls are amazing! If you prefer peanut butter and regular milk you can absolutely sub those in at no measurement change.
If you have any recipes you’d like to share with me I would love to try them out! Email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com.
Prep time: 10 mins | Cool Down Time: 15 mins | Total time: 25 mins
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup almond flour (or all purpose flour)
¼ cup cocoa powder
¾ cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
½ cup chocolate protein powder (protein of choice)
¼ cup maple syrup (or honey or agave)
¼ cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
¼ cup chocolate chips
Steps
• Line a tray with parchment paper.
• Mix together the almond flour, cocoa powder, almond butter, chocolate protein powder, maple syrup, and almond milk with a hand mixer or just arm muscle until a play dough like consistency forms.
• Add in the chopped chocolate chunks and mix till evenly incorporated. Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form 16-20 1.5”-2” balls. Place them on the prepared tray and freeze for 15 minutes.
• Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer.
Enjoy!
We love to see our neighbors’ delicious creations, so send us a picture of your Brownie Batter Protein Balls or tag us on social media @EstrellaPublishing.
Home Sweet Home
Keeping Your Home Cooler Can Make it A
LOT Sweeter! As temperatures rise, keeping your home cool becomes essential for comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some effective ways to maintain a cooler indoor environment:
1. Use Window Coverings: Install blinds, shades, or curtains to block out direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Light-colored coverings can reflect heat away from your home.
2. Optimize Ventilation: Use fans strategically to improve air circulation. Ceiling fans create a breeze that can make a room feel cooler, while exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms help remove heat and humidity.
3. Seal Air Leaks: Check windows, doors, and any other openings for drafts that could be letting warm air in. Seal them with weather stripping or caulking to keep cool air inside.
4. Limit Heat Sources: Appliances like ovens, dryers, and even incandescent light bulbs can generate a significant amount of heat. Minimize their use during the hottest parts of the day or switch to more energy-efficient options.
5. Insulate Effectively: Ensure your home is properly insulated, especially in the attic and walls. Good insulation helps keep cool air in and hot air out.
6. Adjust Thermostat Settings: Set your thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re not at home or during the night when outdoor temperatures are cooler. Programmable thermostats can automate this process.
7. Create Shade: Plant trees or install awnings outside windows to provide natural shade. This helps reduce the amount of heat that enters your home through windows and walls.
8. Use Cool Bedding: Opt for lightweight, breathable bedding materials like cotton, linen or bamboo to stay cooler while you sleep.
9. Stay Hydrated: Keeping yourself hydrated helps regulate your body temperature, making you feel more comfortable in warmer environments.
10. Consider Cooling Alternatives: If you live in a particularly hot climate, consider investing in a portable air conditioner or evaporative cooler for targeted cooling in specific rooms. Keeping your home cooler doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – simple adjustments can make a significant difference in your comfort level during hot weather.
Submitted by Tara Rutkowski, Realtor and Estrella Resident
Eating Well
Eating healthily on a budget
As temperatures soar and wallets shrink, maintaining a healthy diet can seem like a daunting task but with some creativity and planning, you can eat nutritiously without breaking the bank or sweating over a hot stove.
Embrace no-cook meals
When it is too tiring to cook, turn to refreshing nocook options. Try overnight oats for breakfast, loaded with fruits or nuts. For lunch and dinner, experiment with hearty salads, veggie-packed wraps, or cold sandwiches.
Frozen is your friend
Do not underestimate the power of frozen fruits and vegetables. They are often cheaper than fresh, they last longer, and retain most of their nutrients. Use frozen berries in smoothies or frozen veggies for quick stirfries for that nutritious boost.
Hydrate!
Stay hydrated without resorting to expensive, sugary drinks. Infuse water with sliced cucumbers, citrus fruits, or herbs for a refreshing twist.
Bulk up on staples
Buy nonperishable staples like rice and pasta in bulk. These items are cheap and can form the base of many meals. Combine them with seasonal vegetables for balanced, affordable dishes.
Seasonal and local produce
Take advantage of Arizona’s local produce. Visit farmer’s markets or join a community supported agriculture (CSA) program for fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables.
Meal prep and portion control
Dedicate a few hours each week to meal prep. Cook larger batches and portion them out for the week. This not only saves money but also helps control portions and reduces the temptation for unhealthy snacking.
Snack smart
Keep healthy, budget friendly snacks on hand. Think carrots and hummus, apple slices with peanut butter, or homemade trail mix. These options are nutritious and can help curb cravings for expensive, processed snacks.
Remember, eating healthy on a budget is all about planning, creativity, and making the most of what is available. With these tips, you can nourish your body and mind without emptying your wallet, even during the hottest months of the year. Stay cool and eat well!
Stay Vigilant
Join Silent Witness in Keeping Our Community Safe
Silent Witness is a community-oriented program fostering a unique partnership between police departments in Maricopa County and its communities. Established in 1979, Silent Witness works diligently to highlight felony cases that impact the safety of our neighborhoods. By collaborating with victims’ family members, community partners and law enforcement, we aim to solve these cases through social media and traditional media platforms, encouraging the public to provide crucial tips that help solve felony crimes. The goal is to provide an easy opportunity for citizens to give the police information about felony criminal activity with a guarantee of anonymity and cash rewards as an incentive.
Our program offers rewards of up to $2,000 for tips leading to arrests or indictments, with specific
cases such as homicides eligible for the maximum reward. These rewards are funded through private contributions and sponsorships to our 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Additionally, family members or private donors can contribute extra rewards to specific cases through contingency contracts.
In 2023, Silent Witness paid over $20,000 in rewards, was responsible for 34 felony arrests and helped solve 107 crimes in Maricopa County.
If you recognize a suspect or have information about a crime, call 480-WITNESS (480-TESTIGO for Spanish) or visit silentwitness.org to provide a tip. Additionally, you can download our mobile app at p3tips.com to send in tips. Calls are answered by a live person 24/7, and online or mobile tips are accepted at all times. For urgent or in-progress information, please call 911 and follow up with a call to Silent Witness to advise on the information you provided. Remember, you must contact Silent Witness before an arrest or indictment to be eligible for any reward.
We encourage all readers to follow us on social media and be part of the solution by visiting silentwitness.org and view the different cases that are still unsolved.
HEALTHY SCHOOL SNACK TIPS
Nut Free
In many school districts, nut free snacks are a must whether your child is allergic or not.
Individual Portions
Serving snack in single servings is very convenient and something kids often like. It’s quick and easy.
Get Your Kid to Help
Give them a few choices that you approve of, and if possible, have them help get it ready for school.
Avoid Super Messy Foods
Teachers will thank you when you don’t send a crumbly or greasy snack!
Bagel Box
Smoked Salmon
Hard Boiled Egg
Cucumber Slices
Pita Crackers
Cream Cheese Dip
The
Classic Deli Turkey Cheese Cubes Grapes
Prezel Crisps
Mediterranean
Deli Turkey
Kalamata Olives
Carrots
Celery
Hummus
Garden Fresh
Sweet Peppers
Grape Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Hard Bouled Egg
Yogurt Dip
Sweet Classic
Deli Turkey
Pretzel Crisps
Apple Slices
Peanut Butter / Yogurt
Movie Theatre
Unsalted Popcorn
Trail Mix
Orange Slices
Celery / Apple Slices
Pumpkin Seeds
Reading Village
The Reading Village at EMES – Part 2
The July article mentioned using periodic reading assessment data to indicate a student’s progress on the path to reading at or above grade level. The year-end assessment results are in. Among 1st graders, 86% read at grade level at the end of the year, and 89% of 2nd grade readers were at grade level. One 1st grade class and one 2nd grade class hit the 100% mark. Due to recent outstanding results, the 2024-25 program will be expanded to include the 4th grade classes.
“Walk to Read” is a literacy model where students walk from their home classrooms to read with small groups of readers who have similar instructional needs. “Read Live” is a key element in the EMES program. It provides students with targeted individual instructional time using an online program that helps them increase reading fluency and comprehension.
More than 90% of EMES 1st and 2nd graders benefitted from “Read Live” during the past year, and EMES was the 2024 National School of the Year Read Live runner-up for their “Estrella Read Live Rock Stars” video, which showcases all of the “Read Live” activities. Each “Walk to Read” group meets Monday through Thursday for about 40 minutes: 1st & 2nd at 9:00; Kindergarten at 11:40; and 3rd & 4th at 2:00. Most reading volunteers are at school one or two days per week.
For as little as 30 minutes per week, volunteers make a difference for EMES students and staff. Step one for prospective volunteers is to attend an orientation meeting, tour the campus and learn about specific volunteer opportunities. Volunteer orientations are scheduled for: August 7 @10:00; August 8 @ 2:00; August 12 @ 9:30; and August 21 @ 2:00.
RSVP to Suzanne Wold at Suzanne@WoldSoldHome. com or text to 602-451-4748.
Olympic Games
I hope everyone has cleared their schedule because the 2024 Summer Olympic Games have commenced! There’s an event for everyone in the family to enjoy; from Gymnastics and Swimming to Skateboarding and Breaking. This summer we’ll see 10,500 athletes from 206 countries compete in 329 events across 32 sports in.
Yet, the Olympics we know and love today weren’t always the same. The first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC in Athens, Greece and began as part of a religious Greek festival honoring Zeus. The first recorded Olympic Games in 776 BC featured only one event: a 192-meter foot race called the stadion. All free Greek males were allowed to take part, from farm hands to royal heirs, although the majority of Olympians were soldiers. Women could not compete or even attend.
In 393 AD, the Olympic Games were canceled by Emperor Theodosius I, a Roman ruler and Christian. He banned the Greek Olympics as he considered it a pagan festival, due to the religious element of the celebration. So, that was the end of the Olympics until 1896, when Baron Pierre de Coubertin adapted the Games. He called this new event the ‘Modern
Olympics’ - which became the spectacle we know today.
From 1921-1948, artists also participated in the Olympics - painters, sculptors, architects, writers, and musicians took part in the games! They competed for medals by creating works of art that often celebrated the sporting successes going on at that time. While artists stopped officially competing in 1948, many still design posters and other merchandise for the Games.
The Olympic Games are arguably the biggest and most prestigious sporting event on earth. And while competitive spirit is important, the Modern Olympic Games aren’t just for our entertainment and about athletes competing for their country and gaining medals while setting records. The International Olympic Committee was founded on the belief that sports can contribute to peace and the harmonious development of humankind. The Olympic Movement continues to use sports to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sports practice without discrimination of any kind, and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.
College Costs
Savvy Student Savings
As the scorching Arizona summer winds down, it is time to gear up for another school semester. But let us face it, college life can be expensive. Fear not, parents of future college students! This guide will help you navigate back to campus shopping without breaking the bank.
Textbooks: The ultimate money pit
First up, textbooks. Before going to the campus bookstore, check online marketplaces like Amazon, Chegg, or Abe Books for used copies. Even better, see if your university library has them. Pro tip: Some professors put copies on reserve in the library, so your kid can use them for free.
Tech on a Budget
While that shiny new laptop is tempting, consider refurbished models from certified sellers. They are often just as good and come with warranties. For
software, do not forget to use your student email for discounts on everything (yes, everything).
Dorm essentials: Thrift and collaborate
Thrift stores are gold mines for dorm decorations. Go to your local consignment shops for unique finds. For bigger items like mini-fridges or microwaves, team up with your roommate to split the cost. Alternatively, most dormitories have communal kitchens, so you may not even need your own appliances.
School supplies: Timing Timing Timing
I do not recommend buying things such as notebooks and pens until you arrive on campus. Local stores usually have back to school sales and attending your school’s welcome week could score you some freebies
Clothing: Quality over Quantity
Instead of getting an overhaul on your wardrobe, focus on pieces that can provide versatility by mixing and matching. You could look for end of summer sales at outlet stores or you could go to 3rd party sellers online.
Food and meal prep
Let me be the first to warn you not to become a victim of fast-food alternatives, they are not healthy and with rising inflation, you will be spending more than you think. If you live off campus, bulk shopping at Sam’s club or Costco can save you money long term - if you enjoy eating what you purchase. Invest in some tupperware and plan your meals in advance to avoid costly impulse food purchases.
Being budget conscious does not mean missing out, it is about being smart with your resources and prioritizing what really matters. Happy shopping!
Puzzle Time
This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. To solve this Samurai puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9 grid: each digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
