Viva

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.

Volunteering at Wild At Heart is a thrilling experience!

Wild at Heart strives towards making a difference between their rescue, rehabilitation, and education. This is why I choose to volunteer with this rescue.

There are a variety of opportunities to get involved.

Come Learn More on April 5th!

From Me To You...

I have been watching our robotic vacuum cleaner a lot recently, we named him Gary after the snail in SpongeBob SquarePants. Now that the kids are away at college I moved him upstairs to give my carpets a regular cleaning without worrying about it. (Also there is much less chance that he will get caught on the detritus of teenage life now that the kids are away.)

The vacuum is supposed to clean on a somewhat random pattern and send himself home when he needs to recharge or empty his bin. The thing is, Gary seems to spend most of his time trying to get home, circling the same area over and over, bumping into walls and furniture. The more he circles, the more I am tempted to pick Gary up and place him on his base to cut out the hours of mindless meandering. It wont help though, if I return Gary to his base without letting him find his own way there then he will not learn how to get home next time.

The parallels to raising children are remarkable. You watch them grow and make mistakes, trying

to find their way in life, turning on the same axis over and over again. As tempting as it is to just tell them how to achieve their goals, or even worse, find the solution for them, that teaches them nothing. I take that back, it teaches them that someone will always be there to pick up the slack and solve their problems. The trick to successful parenting, in my mind, is to allow your children to find their own solutions. I am not saying that you can’t help them or guide them, but the value lies in learning that things can be done by yourself, and the pride in knowing you can do things for yourself is immeasurable.

Having said that, I just found my vacuum in the master closet, he ran out of power trying to get back to his base by himself. Just like kids, if they really fail, we will always place them gently back on their base with a reassuring pat and some encouraging words. “You’ll get it next time, kid.”

Viva magazine

Irish American Club

The PebbleCreek Irish American Club hosted their 14th annual charity golf tournament on March 12. Over $30,000 was raised from our sponsors and 100% of all sponsorship money goes directly to local charities and scholarships. Great fun for a worthy cause.

The PebbleCreek Irish American Club was founded in April 2007 by the club’s first President, John Cronin. He and his wife Peggy emigrated to the US from Ireland.

Our members come from all generations, backgrounds, and interests. While many of our members have an Irish relative in their family tree, others simply have an interest in things that are Irish. Our motto is that our club is for those who are Irish and those who wish they were!

The Club is operated exclusively for social, educational, and charitable purposes and provides an opportunity for people residing in PebbleCreek to meet in a social atmosphere for the common purpose of promoting an interest

in Irish culture. Our club prides itself on its three pillars: Social, Charity and Educational/Culture.

The Club has a commitment to help our community thrive and grow. In 2009, they began their first charitable golf tournament. Since then, they have surpassed six figures in charitable giving to local nonprofits and Millennium High School Scholarships. The club’s premier sponsors for this year’s tournament were American Wealth Advisors and Avondale Toyota.

To join the club you must be a resident of PebbleCreek, however to play in the golf tournament you do not need to be a member, so please join us next year in March to participate in the fun! For more information about the club, sponsorships or the tournament, please see the club’s website: www.pcirish.org

Amy Volstromer Public Relations Director PebbleCreek Irish American Club

Combatting Depressive Feelings

As promised in last month’s article, Blessed AND Depressed, I’m back with 6 ways to combat depressive feelings:

1. Start a gratitude journal by writing down 3 things each day for which you are grateful. It’s all about perspective! If you want a more structured approach, visit ThePsychoeducationAcademy. Thinkific.com for a free GLAD exercise.

2. When negativity comes in, redirect your attention to the positives in your life. Look back at your gratitude journal for reminders. Take some deep breaths and picture the positives in your life or some other scene that makes you happy.

3. If you’re a person of faith, you can pray for positive thoughts, redirection or some other relief and tell the devil to get behind you.

4. Ensure that you’re physically doing what you can to fight depression. Make sure you’re getting the right number and type of calories, drinking plenty of water, exercising and getting adequate sleep.

5. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Maybe a different perspective or a more objective look at the situation can help you reframe things in a more positive–or at least less negative–way.

6. Get out of yourself by helping someone else, like going on a mission trip or volunteering at a soup kitchen, disabled veterans’ association, homeless shelter or other agency that helps people who are struggling. This can also serve as a reality check, reminding you of the good in your own life.

For more ideas, search “depression antidotes” on www.doctorbellingrodt.com. If you’re depression has you thinking you don’t want to be alive anymore, seek immediate medical attention by dialing 911 or dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7/365.

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.

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

The Benefits of Raptors in Our

There are a variety of ways that we can keep our community safe from rodents. One of the most natural and sustainable methods is by raptors. Our community is very fortunate to have the Bald eagle, Harris hawks, and Great Horned owls amongst us. These birds of prey can help reduce rodent populations without posing any danger to humans or other animals. Let’s take a closer look at why using raptors as a resource for controlling rodents is beneficial for our community.

The first benefit to using raptors as a means of controlling rodent populations is that it is incredibly effective. These birds have been preying on rodents since time immemorial, so they have evolved to be incredibly adept at hunting and catching their prey.

Another benefit to using raptors is that they pose no danger to humans or other animals. Unlike rat poison, which can harm other animals that may ingest it, raptors will in most cases only hunt and eat their intended target - rodents. As always, you must be aware of your surroundings and

never leave your small pet unaccompanied. More specifically at night as the owl is very silent when in flight.

Finally, using raptors to control rodent populations is much more sustainable than traditional methods. As these birds are part of the natural food chain, they help maintain a healthy balance between predator and prey in our local ecosystems. They also require minimal resources from us; all we need to do is provide suitable nesting sites for these birds and putting out fresh water during the hot months of April through September for any fledglings on the ground so that they can thrive in our community! Did you know that owls do not build their own nests? They will take over a nest that another raptor has built.

My favorite pair of raptors here in Pebblecreek are the mighty Harris Hawks. We have a mated pair that nest in the trees near the Tuscany Clubhouse. The hunting habits of this hawk is perhaps their most interesting feature.

Our Community

They are the only species of raptor know to hunt cooperatively. This means that two or more hawks will work together to capture prey, communicating with one another through calls and movements. Our pair can be seen sitting in the palm trees on the 15th hole.

Not only will they hunt rodents and rabbits, but they will also hunt those pesky pigeons. As a community and homeowners, we should not be using rodenticides, because they can be hazardous to our health and the environment. Using rodenticides is not the only way to get rid of rodents. There are other methods as trapping them or using natural repellents.

Another great alternative is rodent birth control. ContraPest is a new tool for controlling rodent populations. Developed by Senestech, Inc., it is the first US EPA registered contraceptive pest control tool designed to reduce fertility in brown and black rates. It works by targeting the reproductive capabilities of both male and female rats, using a sweet liquid bait that limits

their ability to reproduce. Studies have shown that ContraPest can be effective in reducing rat populations over time. In one study in Flagstaff, Arizona, ContraPest was deployed alongside traditional rodent control methods and resulted in a decrease of up to 86% in rat population in just two months.

Other reports show a reduction of up to 90% when used for a longer period. Overall, this alternative is a safer method to control our rodent population. Its non-toxic formulation makes it safe for use around humans and other animals, while its long-term effects make it an ideal solution for controlling rat populations over time.

Both Arizona Traditions in Surprise and Wigwam in Litchfield Park have chosen to discontinue using rodenticides. Wigwam Golf Club has joined with Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue and Arizona Wildlife Resource to use Barn Owls to control their rodent population. I would love for Pebblecreek to follow their lead and make our community a raptor friendly one.

Sheri Spirek Pebblecreek Resident Volunteer at Wild at Heart

Trouble Sleeping?

The transition to spring means warmer days and the emergence of spring allergies while we begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning. This variable weather and increasing daylight can be disruptive to your daily routine and nighttime slumber. This spring, try these tips to refresh your sleep routine.

1. Get consistent with when you go to sleep and wake up. Sleep experts agree that children and adults benefit from consistent bedtimes and wake-up times, including over the weekends. If your routine is irregular, start by establishing target bedtime and wake-up windows and try sticking to them for a full week. Eventually, they will become routine.

2. Use transitional bedding that works with fluctuating temps. Warming temps mean it’s time to put away your heavy bedding in favor of more breathable, cooling options like bamboo sheets and waffle blankets. Moisture-wicking, they help to naturally regulate body temperature so you won’t wake up too hot or cold, even when the outside temperatures are unpredictable.

3. Wash bedding to avoid allergens. Planet warming trends are making spring allergy season longer and more intense, and more adults are starting to suffer from allergy symptoms as a result. Allergens like pollen and dander love to collect in plush surfaces like your bedding and could be causing conditions like itchy nose, scratchy throat and congestion that are disruptive to sleep quality. Washing your bedding weekly in hot water can help to prevent a buildup of sleep-stealing allergens.

4. Manage your light intake. Between the season’s increasingly early sunrise and digital screen overload, we are constantly exposed to light sources that may impact our brain’s perception of daytime, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Try tools like blackout curtains and sleep eye masks to block out excessive light sources and update the blue light or dark mode features on your screens and mobile devices to limit your intake of blue light before bed.

5. Refresh your bedroom style. Make sure your bedroom is an inviting place for sleeping. Minimize clutter and look for bedding that incorporates soothing patterns and calming colors like neutral tones, grays, greens and blues.

With the right bedding and a few tweaks to your daily routine, you’ll be waking up with a proverbial spring in your step in no time, ready to conquer the day.

The Bug Guy

Termites are every homeowner’s nightmare. They not only eat through the wood in walls they are difficult to detect. However, there is much more to termites than you may think. Here are just a few fascinating facts about these saw-toothed, silent property destroyers.

Insatiable Hunger - It is not recommended to follow the typical diet of a termite colony. They consume wood, flooring, and even wallpaper non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To better put this in perspective, it is estimated that an established subterranean termite colony, here in the valley, needs approximately a board foot of 2X12 wood to survive for a year. Just imagine the damage that could be done over time if left undetected.

Mob Mentality - Although termite colonies can be made up of millions of individuals, termites do not work alone. Termites are social insects, and the activity of a colony is dictated by swarm intelligence. With this system, colonies can take advantage of resources one termite couldn’t by itself. It helps termite colonies be very efficient

at establishing themselves in a house they have infested.

Colony Cliques - Termites have specialized jobs within the colony. These different groups have specific features that help them perform their job so the colony can grow. A typical termite colony consists of workers, soldiers, nymphs, and reproductive individuals.

•Workers make up most of the colony. They are responsible for foraging as well as maintaining the nest and the colony’s eggs. Worker termites are most likely to be found in infested wood. •Other individuals serve as soldiers who protect the rest of the colony. These soldiers have enlarged jaws that can block tunnels in case of an attack by ants. Interestingly, many soldiers have jaws so large that they cannot feed themselves.

•Nymphs are young termites and, in some species, take on the duties of worker termites. One way in which termites differ from other social insects is that a colony has a primary queen and king who mate for life. However, a colony will also have a class of winged reproductive individuals that can leave to start other colonies.

Submitted by Larry Cash, Estrella Mountain Pest Control

Legal Advice

NON-STRESS PAY ON DEATH DESIGNATIONS

To avoid probate, beneficiary designations work well for accounts and real estate, if you are leaving assets to a few people or charities.

Without a beneficiary designation or trust, you can avoid probate only if the assets do not exceed $100,000 of real property, $75,000 in personal property (cash, accounts and tangible personal property), or you do not expect more than $5,000 in wages in the year after your death.

For accounts, there several terms used: pay on death pay on death (or “POD”) or transfer on death (or “TOD”). For IRAs and 401ks, the terms “designated beneficiary” is used.

Financial institutions do not use the terms POD and TOD interchangeably. If you use one of the terms and are told that the bank does not have that type of designation, then ask for the other type of designation, or even ask whether any beneficiary designation is available.

Remember never to list a minor on a designation for POD, TOD or IRA type account. A minor cannot receive more than $10,000 in a year without a court conservatorship; which is more costly than a probate and distributes the funds when the child reaches 18. In such cases, a revocable trust and Will are more effective and less expensive.

Sharon Ravenscroft, Esq., The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA, Sun City and Phoenix offices, (623) 815-7451 or Sravenscroft@CavanaghLaw. com. Sharon’s practice focuses on Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information www.sharonravenscroft.com

Teen Lifeline

Staff and volunteers at suicide prevention nonprofit Teen Lifeline are urging anyone who knows a teen to Connect with Care on National Telephone Day, Tuesday, April 25, through a phone call or text. Each year, the free, confidential Teen Lifeline crisis hotline, which is staffed by volunteer teen peer counselors, experiences an average 10% increase in calls during the months between Spring Break and the end of the school year.

“Connection, family support and community support are all preventive factors that decrease the risk of suicide for our youth,” says Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline.

Research indicates that suicides by people of all ages, including teens, tend to increase during the spring months. Teen Lifeline received more

than 43,000 calls and texts messages from teens in crisis in 2022. One in three calls and texts was from a teen with suicidal thoughts.

“Any teen death by suicide is one too many,” says Kontz. “The reality is that the entire community needs to get involved if we’re going to stop teen suicide in Arizona.”

According to Kontz, reaching out on National Telephone Day can be as simple as sending a message like this:

• Just checking in. How are you doing?

• Thinking about you today – how’s it going?

• Doing OK at school? Feeling good about finals or do you need some support?

• Haven’t talked in a while and wanted to say hi!

• I hope you’re having a great week!

Adults who suspect a teen may be considering suicide should ask the teen about it directly. Asking the question will not plant the idea of suicide in a teenager’s head and can give them permission to open up, says Kontz.

If a teen replies that they have been thinking about suicide, Kontz recommends thanking them for their honesty and then asking questions about how they’ve been feeling and why.

Experts recommend validating the teen’s feelings while being careful not to be dismissive, pass judgement or act like the teen is being dramatic.

If a teen is in immediate danger of self-inflicted harm or of acting on suicidal thoughts, call 911 or take the child to an emergency room.

If the teen is not in immediate danger, create a plan to get help by calling Teen Lifeline or seeking a referral to mental health services or counseling. While waiting for services, be sure to minimize suicide risks by locking up all medications, sharp objects and poisonous chemicals and securing all firearms, including storing ammunition separately.

For more information, visit TeenLifeline.org.

Yum Yum

To help ring in spring and celebrate the possibilities of citrus, try this standout Lemon Loaf starring Sunkist lemon juice and zest, ideal for brunch, dessert or an afternoon treat.

Ingredients

Loaf

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs, room temperature

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Zest from 2 Sunkist lemons

Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Zest from 1 Sunkist lemon

Directions

* Preheat oven to 350F and line your 8 x 4” loaf pan with parchment paper.

* Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add in your eggs one at a time and vanilla extract. Into a smaller bowl mix together your flour, salt and baking soda. Alternate adding your dry ingredients with your sour cream. Fold in fresh lemon juice and zest and mix until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

* Bake in oven about 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Meanwhile, prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest together until smooth.

* Remove loaf from oven and let cool completely before topping with glaze.

Spring Cleaning

As you’re doing your spring cleaning, how about taking inventory of your family’s prescription medications: Do you have expired prescriptions you no longer need? Many fire and police stations will accept medications for safe disposal. It’s also a good time to organize a list of the medications in your family’s medicine cabinet, in case there’s a medical emergency, according to Danelle Readinger, Emergency Services Director at Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear.

“What if you or a family member were rushed to the hospital, would a loved one be able to provide a current list of your medications to first responders or the Emergency Department? What if it was your child or parent? Would you know the names and dosages of their prescriptions? How about any non-prescription medications?” she asks. “It’s important to know, because not having this information may cause a delay in care, as paramedics or hospital staff try to confirm current medications before providing that information to the physician.”

Health care professionals from Abrazo hospitals throughout the Valley say that keeping your list of medications and health history up to date can help patients avoid adverse effects from dosing errors, omissions, duplications and drug interactions. Some of the important things to keep track of include:

• Medications, including name, dosage and whether it was completed or is ongoing.

• Medical history. This may include chronic conditions or recent illnesses.

• Allergies to medications and foods and the type of reaction.

• Vitamins, supplements, and other over-thecounter items, and dosage.

• Other pertinent health information, including immunizations.

There are some common sense ways to help keep this information: Each time you make a change, note the date. Ask your pharmacy (or pharmacies) to print out a list of medications filled in the last year. And make sure someone in your family or circle of friends knows where you keep your medications list.

Submitted by Abrazo Health

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

ADVERTISING

Viva Magazine

Daniel’s Total Car Care

Desert Sky Express

Earnhardt Auto Glass

Litchfield Auto Repair Trinity Auto Glass

FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES

Cavanagh Law Firm - S Ravenscroft

Fairway Mortgage - D Santalucia

Ganyo Insurance Agency

Right Start Mortgage - B Verschage

HEALTH

Biltmore Cardiology

Good Night Pediatrics

Goodyear Dental

Countywide Plumbing

General Exterminating Pest

J&H Appliance Repair

JBS Roofing

Screen Mobile State 48 Roofing

Younger Bros Pest Control

LANDSCAPING & POOL CARE

West Valley Rock

PET CARE

Gentle Hearts Animal Hospital

REAL ESTATE

Coldwell Banker Realty - A Hurwitz

Homesmart - Sheri Spirek

Realty One Group - Burkhardt Team

Realty One Group - Mary Couzens Team

Realty One Group - Sophie Shrum

Realty One Group - Donna Strand

Realty One Group - Barbara Tissell

West USA Realty - Judy Coventry

West USA Realty - Leslie Henson

West USA Realty - Annette Midboe

West USA Realty - Todd Young

RETAIL

Arie Layne Boutique

Off The Hook Meat Shop