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
In the age of Instagram-or-it-didn’t-happen, I’ve become an accidental photographic rebel. Picture this (pun absolutely intended): I’ve just returned from a trip with a grand total of five photographs. FIVE. In a world where most travelers return home with enough digital memories to crash a cloud storage server, I’m looking at a collection that would make Marie Kondo weep with joy.
I realize that may seem tragic to some of you but I like to think that I was so present and engaged during my holiday that pictures were not necessary. Not once did I interrupt the moment to ensure my followers get visual proof of my adventures. Of course it could have been the fact that my friend of over 25 years and I were gabbing away so much we didn’t have time to stop and snap a memento.
I am not the first in my family to follow this path. There was a famous (in our family) holiday we took to France when I was a teenager. We spent a month driving to famous sites, traipsing around countless cathedrals, and soaking up all the culture you could want as a bored 14 year old. Only to find that my Dad had forgotten to load the film in his camera.
“I thought I got a lot of value in that roll!” he is quoted as saying when he discovered the problem, turning a potential photographic disaster into a legendary family joke. We’ve been laughing about it for years - a memory far more vivid than any perfectly staged vacation snapshot.
If I have trouble picturing my recent holiday all I have to do is think of the sunburn I got on my shoulders. My mind is flooded with memories of an afternoon spent laughing and enjoying myself so much that I forgot to reapply my sunscreen.
So here’s to the unphotographed adventures, the memories stored in our hearts rather than our camera rolls. Sometimes, the best vacation souvenirs are the stories we’ll tell - not the pictures we’ll scroll through.
The Crumbling Gridiron: How College Football’s selection committee might be making the great sport worse.
College Football is standing at a critical crossroad, with the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee looking increasingly like the architects of the sport’s supposed unraveling. What was originally a cherished tradition of regional pride and athletic excellence is quickly turning into a high-stakes financial arms race that threatens to fundamentally alter the game’s landscape.
The current system in place for the playoffs, intending on crowning a true national champion, has instead created a stratified ecosystem where only a handful of elite programs feel they have an opportunistic path to championship contention. Schools like Oregon, Ohio State, and Georgia have become a privileged class this year due to economic stature, while other programs are suddenly watching from what is now a looking glass.
This concentration of power is not just revolving around winning, but about money. The financial disparities between top-tier programs and... the rest... have never been more pronounced. Television contracts, recruiting budgets, and facility investments create an almost insurmountable gap that the selection committee seems content to perpetuate.
The committee’s selection criteria are increasingly opaque and subjective. Traditional metrics such as the conference champions and strength of schedule are often debated in comparison to the committee’s “eye test” and brand recognition. This approach disproportionately favors programs with established national reputations, which makes it that much harder for an emerging program to break through in the industry.
The recent expansion to a 12-team playoff (which as of mid-December is already being discussed about becoming 14 teams) seems to be a more helpful solution but could actually exacerbate existing problems. More spots could paradoxically mean less meaningful opportunities, with p4 teams still dominating most slots (This is where you root for Boise State University if you are a fan of the underdog).
Smaller conference champions may technically have a path, but the obstacles in their way are extremely difficult, with the team either needing to finish the season undefeated and/or having a Heisman level player to bring in media.
As the 2024 season comes to a close, college football finds itself at a pivotal moment. The selection committee’s decisions will play a crucial role in determining whether the sport can preserve the competitive spirit it is known for or devolve into a closed ecosystem dominated by mega-programs.
Cook With Zona
Loaded Potato Soup
With the weather getting… slightly cooler I decided it’s officially time to start making soups and stew!
A fan favorite soup in our house is Loaded Potato Soup. How can you go wrong with potatoes, bacon, cheese, and garlic? Whether you’re curled up at home or hosting a cozy dinner, this soup recipe will surely become one of your favorites too!
If you have a recipe you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com
to be featured in the magazine!
Prep time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Total time: 55 mins
Ingredients
6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
16 oz bacon, bite-sized pieces
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 med onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup mild or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
¾ cup sour cream
green onions, to serve
Salt and pepper, to taste
Steps
1. Place sliced potatoes into a stockpot and completely cover with 1” of water. Season with ½ tsp salt and cook 10-15 minutes or until potatoes pierce easily with a knife then drain.
2. Meanwhile, saute bacon in a Dutch oven until crispy and then transfer to a plate, reserving 1 Tbsp bacon grease in the pot.
3. Add 4 Tbsp butter and chopped onions then saute until tender. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Quickly whisk in the flour then slowly add 2 1/2 cups milk and 2 1/2 cups broth, whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a soft boil.
5. Add drained potatoes and season soup with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper or season to taste.
6. Stir in 3/4 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and half of your cooked bacon (reserving the rest for serving). Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and serve with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy!
We love to see our neighbors’ delicious creations, so send us a picture of your Creamy, Loaded Potato Soup or tag us on social media @ EstrellaPublishing.
Money Matters
Now that the calendar has flipped, it’s time for some New Year’s resolutions. You could decide you’re going to exercise more, lose weight, learn a new skill — the possibilities are almost limitless. This year, why not add a few financial resolutions to your list?
Here are a few to consider:
• Reduce your debts. It may be easier said than done, but if you can cut down on your debt load, you’ll increase your cash flow and have more money available to invest for your future. So, look for ways to lower your expenses and spending. You might find it helpful to use one of the budgeting apps available online.
• Build an emergency fund. It’s generally a good idea to maintain an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Without such a fund, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments to pay for short-term needs, such as an expensive auto or home repair.
• Keep funding your non-retirement goals. Your traditional IRA and 401(k) are good ways to save for retirement — but you likely have other goals, too, and you’ll need to save and invest for them. So, for example, if you want your grandchildren to go to
college or receive some other type of post-secondary training, you might want to invest in a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan. And if you have shortterm goals, such as saving for a wedding or taking an overseas vacation, you might want to put some money away in a liquid account. For a short-term goal, you don’t necessarily need to invest aggressively for growth — you just want the money to be there for you when you need it.
• Review your estate plans. If you haven’t already created your estate plans, you may want to do so in 2025. If you have already drawn up estate plans, you may want to review them, especially if you’ve recently experienced changes in your life and family situation, such as marriage, remarriage or the addition of a new child. Because estate planning can be complex, you’ll want to work with a qualified legal professional.
You may not be able to tackle all these resolutions in 2025. But by addressing as many of them as you can, you may find that, by the end of the year, you have made progress toward your goals and set yourself on a positive course for all the years to come.
Submitted by Brian Polk, Financial Advisor, of Edward Jones
I Resolve To...
In the realm of personal growth, sensible resolutions are the unsung heroes of self-improvement. The key is to approach personal development with wisdom, patience, and a genuine commitment to sustainable change. The most sensible resolutions share common characteristics: they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). They acknowledge human limitations while still encouraging personal growth. They recognize that change is a journey, not a sudden transformation.
Instead of declaring dramatic, sweeping transformations, focus on modest, achievable objectives that align with your current lifestyle and capabilities. For instance, rather than vowing to become a marathon runner overnight, consider setting a goal of increasing your daily physical activity by taking a 15-minute walk or choosing stairs over elevators.
Financial sensibility is another critical area for meaningful resolutions. Instead of promising to save an unrealistic amount of money, start with something more attainable. Perhaps commit to saving a small, consistent percentage of your income each month or creating a simple budget that tracks your spending. Health-related resolutions benefit immensely from a measured
approach. Rather than eliminating entire food groups or committing to an extreme diet, focus on incremental nutritional improvements. This might mean adding one extra serving of vegetables to your daily meals, drinking more water, or introducing moderate portion control. Mental health is equally important—consider dedicating just ten minutes each day to mindfulness, meditation, or simply unplugging from digital devices.
Professional growth requires a strategic mindset. Instead of setting impossibly broad goals like “get a promotion,” break down your career aspirations into specific, actionable steps. This could involve learning one new skill, networking with one professional contact monthly, or dedicating an hour each week to professional development reading or online courses.
Relationship resolutions should prioritize quality over quantity, focus on small, meaningful improvements. This might mean being more present during conversations, expressing gratitude more frequently, or setting aside dedicated time for meaningful connections with family and friends.
Ultimately, sensible resolutions are about creating lasting habits, not achieving perfection. They embrace the understanding that small, consistent steps lead to significant long-term changes. By setting realistic expectations and approaching personal growth with compassion and patience, we can actually achieve meaningful progress.The beauty of sensible resolutions lies in their simplicity—they respect our humanity while gently nudging us toward becoming slightly better versions of ourselves.
Be Prepared
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s a critical financial responsibility that everyone should consider, regardless of age or income level. The key is to approach estate planning as a dynamic process that evolves with your life circumstances. Share these tips with your family and friends so they can be prepared.
In Your 20s and 30s:
This is the foundation stage of estate planning. While you might feel invincible, creating basic legal documents is crucial. Start with a simple will that outlines how you want your assets distributed. If you have dependent children, this becomes even more critical. Designate a guardian and create provisions for their care and financial support. Create a basic healthcare proxy and living will. Designate a trusted family member or friend to make medical decisions on your behalf. Additionally, consider basic life insurance, especially if you have dependents or significant debt that could burden your family.
In Your 40s and 50s:
Review and update your will regularly. Consider establishing a trust to provide more controlled asset distribution and potential tax benefits. This is particularly important if you have children with special needs or want to create specific provisions for inheritance. Retirement planning becomes critical. Maximize contributions to retirement accounts and ensure beneficiary designations are current. Review life insurance policies to ensure coverage matches your family’s potential financial needs. Consider long-term care insurance as a proactive measure.
In Your 60s and Beyond:
Work with a financial advisor to minimize tax implications for your heirs. Consider strategies like gifting to reduce estate tax liability. Update your will and trusts to reflect current family dynamics and financial situation.
Comprehensive End-of-Life Planning:
Regardless of age, create a comprehensive document that includes:
- Detailed will
- Healthcare proxy
- Power of attorney
- List of important financial accounts
- Digital asset instructions
- Funeral and burial preferences
Estate planning is an act of love and responsibility. It provides peace of mind and protects your loved ones from unnecessary financial and legal complications during difficult times.
The Doctor Is In
Do You Struggle with Imposter Syndrome?
Do you feel insecure about your worth? Do you doubt your abilities? Do you fear you’ll one day be revealed as a fraud? If so, you may have Imposter Syndrome (IS). Studies suggest 70% of people experience IS at some point in their career. IS stems from self-doubt. Instead of attributing your success to your skills, you might downplay your success and attribute it to luck. Do you relate to any of these patterns?
Perfectionism. You may set high goals for yourself. Or you may feel you have to obsessively prepare for things.
Attributing success to luck. You downplay your success because you don’t believe you deserve it, or you believe you’re just lucky.
Inability to recognize success. Instead of celebrating your accomplishments, you worry that others will see “the truth” about your skills and abilities.
Using charm to win approval. Maybe you feel you have to be charming, witty or funny to divert attention away from areas in which you feel like a fraud.
Procrastination. Maybe you deny being a procrastinator and instead say that you work well under pressure. You may also be subconsciously giving yourself an out for when you think the end product isn’t as good as it should’ve or could’ve been.
Minimization. When you do succeed, maybe you have a tendency to minimize your success and say that you just have people fooled.
Paralysis by analysis. Maybe your perfectionism turns into paralysis and you avoid finishing a project or task altogether. If you don’t perform, you avoid the shame of being criticized.
Fear of failure. You might limit yourself because you fear failure. Maybe you stay under the radar or hold yourself back.
Self-sabotage. Maybe you subconsciously set yourself up for failure by staying up too late, not taking care of yourself or getting involved in more things than you have time for. These things give you something to blame if you don’t perform well.
Difficulty asking for help. You might have difficulty asking for help because you believe asking for help will show that you’re inept, wrong or unqualified.
Experiencing imposter syndrome can limit your confidence to go after new opportunities because you feel that you don’t deserve them.
Submitted by Dr. Bellingrodt
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.
The Bug Guy
Embracing New Beginnings: A Fresh Start for Your Home and Heart
As the calendar turns and a new year dawns, we’re presented with a beautiful opportunity for renewal and hope. Just like we clear out the old to make way for the new in our lives, there’s something symbolically powerful about cleaning house—both metaphorically and quite literally.
Consider the humble act of home maintenance as a metaphor for personal growth. Just as we meticulously seal entry points to prevent unwanted guests from disrupting our living spaces, we can also protect our mental and emotional landscapes from negative influences. Those tiny cracks where doubt and discouragement might creep in? It’s time to seal them shut with determination and positivity.
Pest control isn’t just about keeping insects at bay—it’s about creating a sanctuary of peace and cleanliness. Similarly, the new year offers us a chance to identify and remove the “pests” in our lives: bad habits, toxic relationships, self-limiting beliefs. We can methodically inspect our personal foundations, patch up weak spots, and create an environment where growth and happiness can thrive.
This year, approach your goals like a professional pest management expert. Be strategic, patient, and
thorough. Preventative care is always better than reactive solutions. Whether you’re targeting mice in the attic or obstacles in your personal development, the principle remains the same: consistent, careful effort leads to remarkable results.
As we step into this fresh chapter, remember that every small action counts. Just like how sealing a tiny hole can prevent an entire infestation, each positive choice you make can transform your entire year. Embrace the potential of new beginnings, arm yourself with hope, and get ready to create something beautiful.
Here’s to a year of clean spaces, clear minds, and unlimited potential!
Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control
Green Thumb
January in Arizona presents unique gardening opportunities, balancing the state’s mild winter with strategic preparation for the upcoming growing season. Unlike many regions, Arizona gardeners can actively work in their landscapes during this cooler month, making it an ideal time for planning and selective planting.
Cool-season vegetables thrive in Arizona’s January climate:
Now is the perfect time to plant leafy greens like kale, spinach, lettuce, and Swiss chard. Root vegetables including carrots, radishes, and beets also do exceptionally well. These crops appreciate the cooler temperatures and can withstand light frost, making them resilient choices for winter gardening.
Soil preparation is crucial during January: The cooler temperatures make it an excellent time to amend garden beds. Incorporate organic compost to improve soil structure and nutrient content. Given Arizona’s typically alkaline soils, consider adding some sulfur to balance pH levels, particularly for acid-loving plants.
Citrus trees demand special winter care:
While they’re relatively hardy, protect younger trees from potential frost by covering them when temperatures dip below 32°F. Use frost cloth or old bed sheets, avoiding plastic coverings that can trap moisture and cause more damage.
Native plants shine in January:
Species like brittlebush, desert marigold, and various cacti require minimal maintenance during this time. These plants have adapted to Arizona’s unique climate and can withstand winter conditions with little intervention.
Irrigation requires careful management: Despite cooler temperatures, Arizona’s dry climate necessitates occasional watering. Water deeply but less frequently, focusing on the root zones of plants. Morning watering is ideal, allowing moisture to absorb before potential cold nights.
Pest management continues even in winter: Check plants for signs of infestation, removing any visible pests manually. The cooler temperatures reduce pest activity, making this an excellent time for preventative treatments and inspections.
Ornamental gardens benefit from selective pruning and cleanup:
Remove dead annuals, trim back perennials, and prepare beds for spring planting. Consider adding winter-blooming plants like cyclamen or primrose to add color to your landscape.
Remember, Arizona’s microclimates vary significantly. Local elevation and specific location can dramatically impact gardening strategies, so always consult local extension services for hyper-local advice.
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 Difficulty: Easy
Healthcare Help
New “GUIDE” Provides No-Cost Healthcare to Caregivers and Dementia Patients
Exciting news is hitting the caregiving and at-home care industry. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced that 400 centers nationwide have been chosen to participate in a new Medicare alternative payment program designed to support caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia.
My personal journey caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s disease motivated me to start “Hearts for Dementia”. I know first-hand how frustrating and demoralizing caregiving can be, and how additional services are desperately needed.
Under this new GUIDE model, which stands for “Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience,” participating agencies will receive support to increase care coordination and improve access to services, a welcome relief for round the clock care.
The GUIDE Model will also offer a no-cost approach to key supportive services for people living with dementia. This will include comprehensive assessments, a 24-hour helpline, respite, and care navigators for clinical and non-clinical services. This could have significant impact on Medicare families hoping to keep their loved ones in their homes longer, which is often beneficial to the patient. It can also help reduce strain on caregivers who need extra support, and it opens doors for families struggling to afford a personalized approach.
This innovative plan also fulfills the Biden administration’s Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and aligns with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.
Remember to ask if you qualify, as participants represent a wide range of facilities: large academic medical centers, group practices, community-based organizations, health systems, and hospice agencies. It’s exciting, as the founder of Hearts for Dementia, to have been selected as one of those participating homecare agencies, with GUIDE services beginning in July 2025. Through GUIDE, help is near, and we hope to bring comfort and support to families in need. For more information: www.HeartsForDementia.com
Submitted by Lolita Tramel, Family & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner & Founder of Hearts for Dementia
www.torchandkiln.com | @torchandkiln | hello@torcha ndkiln.com 20980 W Sentinel Dr. Suite 105 Buckeye, AZ
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