White Tanks View by Estrella Publishing

Estrella Publishing - White Tanks View magazine

December 2021

Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents © 2010-present day 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 and Family Features. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers 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.

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

Christie Giannetto Al Uretsky Associate Editor Publisher & Sales Exec

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December 2021

From Me To You... Welcome to your December edition!

As I sit down to write the last editor’s note of the year, I’m always amazed at how fast the year flew buy. It seems January was just a heartbeat ago. December is always a time of reflection. Another year has come, and almost, gone. The new year is just ahead with all its possibilities for hope, change, improvement, and progress. In 2021, I saw friends welcome new babies and I saw friends send their kids off to college. I saw long-time friends and neighbors move away and I also welcomed many new people into the community. I enjoyed many get-togethers with long-time friends and met new ones as well. I saw neighbors say goodbye to fur-babies and others welcome puppies, kittens, or even snakes into their families. Our own family experienced lots of change this year, but the friendships made over the years have stayed solid through it all. I’m grateful every day for the community of Surprise that has rooted our children’s childhood. I hope 2021 was a good year for you, that most of your change was positive, and that the

Estrella Publishing - White Tanks View magazine

challenges you faced helped you learn and grow. My wish for you this December, is a month full of sweet memories from seasons past, a joyful present, and a hopeful future. After all, in the words of Alexander Smith, “Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” Until next time, I’ll be on my front porch enjoying the White Tanks View!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | White Tanks View Magazine

December 2021

Tis The Season The holidays are officially in full throttle. Going into this holiday season I know many of us are experiencing an array of different emotions ranging from excitement and joy to stress and fatigue. It is easy to succumb to the holiday stress, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. From all the shopping, cooking, entertaining, events, planning, wrapping, decorating, caring for kids, while caring for yourself and typical needs of your family, it is completely normal to have that mix of emotions. Within the liveliness of the time, we often forget our own needs.

This year, I invite you to create a joyful holiday season and reduce holiday stress with peace and ease. For now, take off that busy badge and give yourself permission to sit in this moment to think about what you need out of the holiday season. Is it joy? Being with family? Comfort? Relaxation? Why is this important to you? What actions can you take that will foster love, joy, and peace this holiday season? Sometimes this means removing items from your calendar and setting boundaries, which is as important as ever this holiday season.

4 Estrella Publishing - White Tanks View magazine

For others, this could mean fostering connections by getting together with loved ones.

Now that we have had some time to reflect, here are some ideas for coping with the stress of the holidays. Please sift through and see if you can sprinkle any of these tips into your daily holiday routine: 1. Let go of perfectionism and comparison 2. Say “Yes” to help 3. Carve out time for self-care 4. Align your actions with your intention for the holiday season 5. Simplify your schedule/Stay organized Protecting your peace and mental well-being is a form of self-respect, which is so important this time of year. Give yourself the gift of time and space to take care of yourself too. Take it one day at a time. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and peaceful holiday season and a Happy New Year. Submitted by Christina Demers, M.S. | Surprise Resident

December 2021

Legal Advice AVOIDING PROBATE WITH A BENEFICIARY DEED

A Beneficiary Deed in essence is a “pay on death designation” for real property. It is very useful if you want to leave your house or other real estate to one or two persons upon our death. A Beneficiary Deed avoids probate without giving up any present ownership interest in the property like joint tenants with right of survivorship does.

The Beneficiary Deed is a great tool for people who have all other assets in accounts that have a “pay on death” designation of some type. The Beneficiary Deed is not a good tool if you want to leave your real property to more than two people, to minors or to adults with special needs receiving government assistance. In those instances, a trust should be used.

The Beneficiary Deed is fully revocable. Where there are co-owners, the surviving owner can revoke the Beneficiary Deed.

Submitted by Sharon Ravenscroft, Esq., of The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA, Sun City and Phoenix offices. Contact Sharon at (623) 815-7451 or Sravenscroft@ CavanaghLaw.com.

The owner retains control. The owner does not need to consult the beneficiaries or be concerned about the beneficiaries’ creditors (unlike joint tenants).

Sharon’s practice focuses on estate planning including Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information www.sharonravenscroft.com.

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December 2021

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December 2021

Giving Back The holiday season has arrived, and with it the hunt to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. The holidays are also a great time to give back to local communities and to those in need. From supporting small businesses and charitable organizations to shopping sustainably, here are four convenient ways to give back while you shop this season. Support charitable organizations. Help deliver smiles and holiday cheer to those in need by shopping at smile.amazon.com. AmazonSmile offers the same products and the same low prices, with the added bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price of eligible products to a charity of your choice. You can also donate directly to charities by purchasing requested items from the thousands of AmazonSmile Charity Lists available, which are managed directly by the charities themselves. Support small businesses. Support small businesses this holiday by shopping Amazon’s Small Business Gift Guide, which includes

woman-owned, military family-owned, and Black-owned businesses, and top gift picks from celebrities Gabrielle Union, Drew Barrymore, and Billy Porter. You can also discover one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods and unique gifts by local Makers on Amazon Handmade. Gift (RED). For the fifth consecutive year, (RED) and Amazon are teaming up to provide customers a destination to shop gifts that give back. Every purchase on the Amazon (RED) storefront supports the fight against global health emergencies like COVID and AIDS and funds life-saving programs in communities most in need. Shop sustainable. Reduce environmental impact this season by searching for Climate Pledge Friendly products. The Climate Pledge Friendly label recognizes products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability. Eligible products are certified by sustainability certifications, including Amazon’s Compact by Design certification, as part of Amazon’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and become net zero carbon by 2040. To find more ways to shop and give back this holiday season, visit amazon.com.

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December 2021

Protect Yourself

Strange texts and curious emails requesting personal information. Unauthorized purchases on your credit card. New online accounts being opened in your name. Digital crime can vary greatly and is increasingly concerning as criminals get more sophisticated every day. Unfortunately, many experts predict digital crime to grow in the coming years, especially as largescale data breaches become more common. “Today, Americans lose more money to digital crime than to home burglary,” said Hari Ravichandran, CEO and founder of Aura.

A proactive approach is the best way to keep you and your family safe. Ravichandran shares six simple ways to keep yourself, your information and finances secure. 1. Use complex passwords Update passwords so they consist of a random combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Use a password manager to store and remember them. Set up two factor authentication for your accounts and, when possible, opt to use

an authentication app over text verification codes.

2. Check financial and medical statements monthly Your financial and medical statements are often the first signs that you’ve been involved in a breach. Set transaction alerts to flag large purchases and check your monthly bank statements for fraudulent activity. 3. Monitor your credit Stay familiar with what’s in your credit reports. Order a free annual report from all three credit bureaus to make sure that data in each credit report is accurate and matches the others. 4. Don’t ignore software updates Hackers exploit security flaws in phone and computer operating systems in order to steal consumers’ data. 5. Tighten social media privacy settings Many people provide personal information like their name, birthday, job and hometown on their social media profiles. Remove personal information from online profiles and update your user settings to increase privacy. 6. Don’t click on links in emails or texts Scams can be difficult to identify. As a rule, don’t click on links that are emailed or texted to you from unknown sources. Don’t respond to emails that ask for your personal information, and always be discerning when receiving offers that seem too good to be true.

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December 2021

Revenge Travel After a year and a half of not traveling or taking smaller, local trips, everyone is itching for the vacations the pandemic put on hold. This feeling of being hungry for travel is what some are calling “revenge travel”: the idea that people are more eager to travel after being homebound for so long and want to go big - whether splurging or finally heading to a bucket list destination. Here are some top tips to help you organize the ultimate return to travel adventure. Earn more now, enjoy more later As you embark on planning, get started by

working on a budget to narrow down options. One way to maximize spending, and even unlock destinations that felt out of reach, is to take advantage of credit card miles. These cards offer earning on purchases so you’re able to rack up points now and redeem them for future travel. Set your travel intention After a year without travel, we might feel pressured to pack our first trip with as much adventure as possible. Just remember that vacations are best enjoyed when rest and resetting are part of the plan - and this can look different for all of us. Setting a trip intention can help your trip take shape, giving you an idea of which activities you and any travel companion(s) want to prioritize, but make sure to leave a little wiggle room to relax. Travel safe, travel smart Even if your next big trip isn’t for a while, it’s important to stay up to date on safety and travel requirements. For example, if you don’t have a passport or if it’s expiring soon, it’s recommended to start that process as soon as possible given recent delays in passport processing. It’s also helpful to look into what safety and cancellation accommodations your selected airlines have in place to help you travel with more peace of mind. Most importantly, planning “revenge travel” gives us something to look forward to. Many travel booking sites and services make it possible for you to book well in advance, with low or no fees for cancellations. Plus, if you follow the few tips we’ve outlined, it’s sure to be smooth sailing (or flying!) for your future travels. After a massively unpredictable year, it’s never felt more empowering to plan for the future.

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December 2021

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December 2021

Yum Yum

Peppermint Bark Mini Cupcakes

For a party, family get-together or weekday dessert, enjoy the iconic holiday flavor combo chocolate and peppermint. Ingredients 1/3 cup almond flour 2 tablespoons coconut flour 1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder 2 tablespoons zero calorie sweetener 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Pinch salt 1 Peppermint Bark Quest Bar, chopped 1/2 cup almond milk 1 egg 1 egg white 1 tablespoon melted butter Frosting 1 cup low fat ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons powdered zero calorie sweetener

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1 scoop chocolate milkshake protein powder 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1-2 tablespoons almond milk Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare two cupcake tins with 14 mini liners. In bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut flour, protein powder, sweetener, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, then set aside. In microwave safe bowl, add chopped bar and almond milk and cook on high for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Let cool 5 minutes before whisking in eggs and melted butter. Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until batter forms. Distribute batter between liners and bake cupcakes 12-14 minutes. Let cool. For frosting, use handheld mixer to beat ricotta, powdered sweetener, protein and cocoa powder until smooth. Add almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time for smoother consistency. Transfer frosting to piping bag and add dollop of frosting onto each cupcake and smooth with knife. Top with sprinkles if desired. Makes 14 mini cupcakes.

December 2021

Home Sweet Home

short sale would create. The remaining 7% might not have the option to sell, but if the entire 7% of those 1.22 million homes went into foreclosure, that would total about 85,400 mortgages. The annual foreclosure numbers for the three years leading up to the pandemic were 314,200 in 2017, 279,040 in 2018, and 277,520 in 2019. The probable number of foreclosures coming out of the forbearance program is nowhere near the number of foreclosures that impacted the housing crash 15 years ago. In fact, it is less than one-third of any of the three years prior to the pandemic.

With forbearance plans coming to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. As stay-at-home orders were issued early last year, the fear was the pandemic would impact the housing industry in a similar way. Many projected up to 30% of all mortgage holders would enter the forbearance program. As it turns out, only 8.5% actually did, and that number is now down to 2.2%.

When foreclosures hit the market back in 2008, there was an oversupply of houses for sale. It’s exactly the opposite today. In 2008, there was over a nine-month supply of listings on the market. Today, that number is less than a three-month supply. The data indicates why Ivy Zelman, founder of the major housing market analytical firm Zelman and Associates, was on point when she stated: “The likelihood of us having a foreclosure crisis again is about zero percent.”

As of last month, the total number of mortgages still in forbearance stood at 1,221,000. That’s far fewer than the 9.3 million households that lost their homes just over a decade ago. Additionally, most of the mortgages in forbearance have enough equity to sell their homes. Due to rapidly rising home prices over the last two years, of the 1.22 million homeowners currently in forbearance, 93% have at least 10% equity in their homes. This 10% equity is important because it enables homeowners to sell their homes and pay the related expenses instead of facing the hit on their credit that a foreclosure or

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December 2021

Healthcare Coverage It’s that time of year again - open enrollment for healthcare coverage. While finding the right plan may seem confusing, there are more resources and ways to find reduced-cost coverage than ever before. If you’re currently uninsured or your coverage doesn’t meet your needs, now is a good time to explore available options to save money and reduce stress about your healthcare. Here are 5 things you need to know to help you find the best healthcare coverage for you.

1. Healthcare exchange subsidies can help pay for coverage Millions of Americans are eligible for advance premium tax credits that allow them to purchase coverage with no premium, or lower premiums than they currently pay, depending on their income. In fact, 4 out of 5 people who enroll in reduced-cost coverage through the health insurance exchange can find a plan for $10 or less per month. On certain plans, some people may also qualify for another form of subsidy called Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), depending on income, which reduce how much you have to pay out-of-pocket toward deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. 2. There are various, affordable coverage options More people qualify for reduced-cost coverage through the health insurance exchange than ever before. To be eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act, you must live in the U.S.,

be a U.S. citizen or national, and cannot be incarcerated. If you are offered healthcare coverage through your employer, it is up to you to decide between that coverage or plans offered on the exchange. You can compare them to see which is better for your situation. Keep in mind that, if you qualify for affordable coverage through your employer, you will not be eligible for financial assistance to purchase a plan on the exchange. Also, if you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, those options may be a better fit for you. 3. The open enrollment period is November 1 through January 15 You’ll have more time to shop for 2022 health coverage with an extended open enrollment period, which began November 1, 2021 and ends January 15, 2022, in most states. However, enrollments need to be completed by December 15, 2021 to have coverage begin on January 1, 2022. If you experience a life change such as unemployment, you may be eligible to enroll for coverage outside this open enrollment period. 4. It’s easy to get started Most areas have experts and licensed agents available that speak multiple languages to help you enroll in the best plan for you and your family’s needs. Learn more about coverage options at UHCExchange.com, or call 1-800-8060451 (TTY 711) to speak with a licensed agent about plans in your area.

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December 2021

Name: ___________

Date: ___________

Winter Word Puzzle Search Word Search WINTER WORDS

Find these words. fireplace snowflake blizzard icicle boots parka sledding gloves

hat ice cold slippery chilly snowman December toboggan

hot chocolate slush January freezing skating scarf holidays frost

mittens shovel snow flurries February winter

(The words may be hidden vertically, horizontally or diagonally.)

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December 2021

Samurai Sudoku for December This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. There are 5 overlapping grids with one unique solution. Each of 4 corners are shaded. To solve this Samurai Samurai Sudoku Puzzle #25 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 This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. There are 5 overlapping grids with one unique solution. Each of 4 corners are shaded. 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.

5 7

3 7

3 3

5 2

4 1

7 5

2 8

8 2

8 2 3

5 3

3 9

3 4

1 8 1

6 2

6 9

4 9

7 Samurai sudoku grid, symmetric, beginner No 25 Created: https://www.sudoku-puzzles-online.com

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7 5

6 3

1 5

December 2021

Homes Sold in

SIERRA MONTANA AND SARAH ANN RANCH You are invited to contact me today for a FREE home value analysis 602.740.2313 SOLD

SOLD

18204 W Port Royale Ln

17727 W Wood Dr

17510 W Charter Oak Rd

17570 W Eugene Ter

17214 W Maui Ln

Sold Price .......................$410,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,003 Lot Sq Ft ................................8,524 Amenities ...New AC & Owned Solar

Sold Price .......................$611,000 Sq Ft.......................................3,215 Lot Sq Ft ................................9,470 Amenities...................3-Car Garage

Sold Price .......................$525,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,761 Lot Sq Ft ................................9,274 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$515,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,761 Lot Sq Ft ................................5,853 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$360,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,291 Lot Sq Ft ................................8,899 Amenities.................................Pool

Buyer represented by Christie Giannetto

SOLD

17560 W Crocus Dr

17832 W Voltaire St

17759 W Caribbean Ln

18327 W Caribbean Ln

17588 W Pershing St

Sold Price .......................$499,999 Sq Ft.......................................2,435 Lot Sq Ft ................................7,596 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$485,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,950 Lot Sq Ft ................................7,420 Amenities...................3-Car Garage

Sold Price .......................$467,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,769 Lot Sq Ft ................................6,670 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$550,000 Sq Ft.......................................3,336 Lot Sq Ft ................................8,885 Amenities...................3-Car Garage

Sold Price .......................$448,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,526 Lot Sq Ft ................................7,728 Amenities...................3-Car Garage

SOLD

18134 W Maui Ln

17254 W Country Gables Dr

17749 W Evans Dr

18361 W Becker Ln

17941 W Evans Dr

Sold Price .......................$440,000 Sq Ft.......................................1,737 Lot Sq Ft ................................7,820 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$395,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,291 Lot Sq Ft ................................5,500 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$435,000 Sq Ft.......................................2,215 Lot Sq Ft ................................6,380 Amenities.................................Pool

Sold Price .......................$690,000 Sq Ft.......................................3,644 Lot Sq Ft ................................7,950 Amenities..................Builder Model

Sold Price ....................$1,450,000 Sq Ft.......................................4,933 Lot Sq Ft ..............................48,499 Amenities..................Custom Home

Buyer represented by Christie Giannetto

Your Surprise Neighbor and Real Estate Specialist Christie Giannetto | REALTOR® 602.740.2313 Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com

SurpriseMatters.com

Estrella Publishing * Sales data obtained from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing System.

- White Tanks View magazine

CHRISTIE GIANNETTO REALTOR®

December 2021