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Time to be proactive, knowledgeable about health

BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF

Adelante Healthcare is urging Arizonans not to wait until the new year to make doctor’s appointments and to get screened for various diseases.

There are 12 screenings that adults should be made aware of, some of which are overlooked.

“Early prevention and detection can save lives,” said Pedro Cons, chief executive offi cer of Adelante Healthcare.

“In 2021 alone, our providers screened 12,567 patients for cervical cancer and 5,478 for colorectal cancer. Studies have found that there’s a much greater survival rate for patients when cancer is caught early.”

Adelante Healthcare has nine locations throughout the state, including Buckeye, Goodyear and Peoria.

Each facility is multilingual, accepts AHCCCS and has certifi ed application advisers to help patients obtain low-cost health insurance to meet their budget and personal needs. Nobody is turned away for fi nancial or insurance reasons.

In the spirit of Christmas, here are 12 essential screenings.

Blood pressure screening

Adults over the age of 18 should have their blood pressure checked every two to fi ve years, in most cases. However, those older than 40 should have annual blood pressure screenings. Untreated blood pressure issues can lead to stroke, heart disease, heart attack and kidney failure.

Cholesterol screening

Children and adolescents should have their cholesterol checked at least once between ages 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21. Healthy adults should have their cholesterol tested every four years, and more often over the age of 40. High cholesterol may have no symptoms but can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Diabetes screening

Experts recommend adults who are overweight and between the ages of 35 and 70 be screened for Type 2 diabetes. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, which can eventually cause kidney damage, often leading to dialysis, eye damage, or an increased risk for heart disease or stroke if left untreated.

Dental exam biannually Skin checks for cancer

Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the country, so everyone should be screened annually for skin cancer, regardless of race or skin tone. Unfortunately, most people aren’t diagnosed with skin cancer until it’s reached a later stage and is more diffi cult to treat.

Depression screening/mental health check

Everyone should visit a dentist for a routine dental exam, oral cancer screening and cleaning every six months, including children beginning at 1 year of age. Gum disease can lead to loss of teeth and a multitude of health complications, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. And unfi lled cavities can cause extreme pain, infection and tooth loss.

Immunizations (including fl u shot and COVID-19 vaccination)

Doctors recommend everyone 6 months and older receive an annual fl u shot. Likewise, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging all people over 5 years old to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A recent study shows that unvaccinated people are 20 times more likely to experience COVID-19-associated death, versus fully vaccinated people.

Infectious disease screening

There are multiple sexually transmitted diseases that adults should be screened for, including chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis, to name a few. Sexually active adults are urged to be tested regularly, especially those with more than one partner. STDs left untreated can lead to serious complications, including death.

Breast cancer/mammogram and cervical cancer screenings for women

The American Cancer Society recommends women receive their fi rst mammogram by age 40 and to continue screening annually. Cervical cancer screenings should begin at the age of 21 and be done every three years until age 30, then every fi ve years, and/ or with a PAP smear every three years.

Colon cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women. Screenings should begin at the age of 45 using recommended screening tests.

Prostate cancer screening

Men should begin getting prostate cancer screenings at age 55, if no one in the immediate family has a history of prostate cancer. Then it’s recommended to continue screenings every year to two years depending on results.

Depression affects nearly 10% of the population and is one of the leading causes of suicide. Doctors recommend all adults and adolescents between 12 and 18 years old be screened for depression annually.

Annual physicals for the whole family

Once a year, everyone, including babies, toddlers, children, teens and adults, should get a well check. Doctors will inspect hearts, breathing, height, weight, ears, blood pressure and more during these visits. Adults will also have routine blood work drawn to check for cholesterol, electrolyte levels, hydration status, liver function, kidney function and blood cell values. Adolescent care visits should be scheduled for newborn babies through 15 months old and well checks for children and adolescents up to 21 years of age.

“You may not be able to put a bow on it, but there is no better gift than the gift of good health and longevity,” Cons said. “Taking the time to visit doctors and receive the appropriate screenings for your age group is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones this holiday season.”

Kasai’s ‘dinnertainment’ coming to Park West in 2022

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Glendale Star Executive Editor

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse is bringing the heat — literally — to Park West.

Known for bright flames outside of its Scottsdale location, the teppanyaki restaurant will move into the Peoria shopping center in late summer, early fall.

“I’m trying to do the four corners of the Valley, with Phoenix in the middle,” said Mike Russello, owner.

“Park West is a nice spot, and it had good parking for us. It’s important to have good parking, because the teppanyaki tables tend to have big parties.”

Russello said he will have possession of the building in January; however, it’s “just a gray shell.”

“We’re going to have the flames on the outside, as long as Peoria approves it,” he said. “The landlords approved it. We’re planning on the bowl with the flames in the back and front, at the two entrances.”

Kasai Japanese Steakhouse’s new Park West location is slated for a late summer, early fall opening. (Photo courtesy of Kasai Japanese Steakhouse)

In Scottsdale, for teppanyaki, guests are treated to seven-course meals of shrimp starter, mushroom soup, house salad, fried rice, seasonal vegetables, protein and Dole Whip Hawaiian pineapple frozen dessert.

Teppanyaki features a slew of options individually or in combinations — filet mignon ($39), New York strip ($37), sumo filet mignon ($52), sumo New York strip ($48), chicken breast ($26), soy-glazed tofu ($21), calamari steak ($22), salmon ($31), scallops ($37), shrimp ($29), sea bass ($44), lobster ($54) and Wagyu filet mignon ($70). Colorful, potent drinks are a centerpiece as well, like the black cherry lemonade with vodka, cherry puree and fresh lemon juice; the P. King cocktail (in honor of original owner Patrick King, who lost his battle with melanoma) made with Toki Japanese whisky, lychee liqueur, fresh lime juice and a dash of bitters; or sweet orchard mule with Akashi Ume plum whisky, pear liquor, lime juice and ginger beer. All are $14.

Russello founded Kasai, under its former name, Sapporo. After 10 years, he sold it, only to repurchase it last year.

“It was still Sapporo, but I wanted to do a remodel, and I named it Kasai,” he said. “We have the first hoodless teppanyaki tables in the Valley. We made some other minor changes in Scottsdale. We’ve been killing it since. We have 460 reservations tonight.”

Russello found Peoria appealing because of its proximity to State Farm Stadium, which will host the 2023 Super Bowl.

“Having one in Scottsdale and one in Peoria will be perfect,” he said. “I just love what’s going on in Peoria. If you ask me, Peoria is trying to be like

SEE KASAI PAGE 22

December 23, 2021

Kurt Warner’s story ready for the silver screen

BY JOSHUA WEISBLY Glendale Star Staff Writer

For those who live in Arizona and bleed Cardinal red, there are a handful of names that are synonymous with the team. Former quarterback Kurt Warner is one of them.

On Christmas Day, audiences will learn the Super Bowl winner’s backstory in the film “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.” It takes a deep dive into Warner’s life before he joined the St. Louis Rams and the beginning of his NFL career.

“American Underdog” tells the inspirational true story of Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stock boy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.

The film centers on Warner’s years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player. It seemed out of reach until he met his future wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin), and received encouragement from his family, coaches and teammates.

Warner attended college at the University of Northern Iowa and went undrafted. He tried out for the Green Bay Packers but landed with the Arena Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers.

Following that stint, Warner made his way back to the NFL, finding a home in St. Louis with the Rams, where he would eventually lead the team to a Super Bowl.

The American gambling company FanDuel offered fans the chance to meet Warner and Levi at WestWorld of Scottsdale in early December.

“With the movie coming out with Kurt Warner, there is a lot of interest in that movie and it made a lot of sense to bring him along for this,” said Jeff Forvour, FanDuel marketing director.

“He and Zach were more than happy to come down and do this with us, which was really cool.”

Levi — who previously starred in “Shazam” and TV’s “Chuck” — called the Warner role remarkable.

“I was watching his story go down in real time, back in ’99, 2000,” Levi said. “And I think, like most of the country, or at least anyone in the country who was paying attention, I was so blown away and inspired by it.”

Warner hadn’t previously met Levi, but he was curious as to how he would work out.

“I don’t know anything about acting ’cause these guys do a great job, but you always feel like you want the person on the screen to be authentic,” Warner said. “You want people to see them and go, ‘Man, I really buy into that.’”

But it didn’t take long for worries to fade.

“Once I got to know Zach, I thought he was going to do a great job with it because it’s true to who he is, on top of his great acting skills,” Warner said. “Without a doubt, I’m extremely happy with how it played out.”

Those who are hoping to see Warner don a Cardinals uniform in the movie will, unfortunately, be disappointed, as the film stops during his time at the Rams.

“The Cardinals years are in that second chapter, such a special chapter for me,” Warner said. “But, it just seems like this is the right time to stop this movie and where it’s going to inspire people and how it’s going to connect with people.”

Levi made a quick joke about it.

“The sequel, ‘American Underdog: Electric Boogaloo,’ is going to just blow people’s minds,” Levi said with a laugh, referring to the 1984 breakdancing movie.

“It’s going to be you (Warner) and Larry Fitzgerald breaking. You have no idea.”

Anna Paquin stars as Brenda Warner and Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner in “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.” (Photo by Michael Kubeisy/Lionsgate; © 2021 Lionsgate)

KASAI FROM PAGE 21 a Scottsdale. There’s so much development going on.

“We’re a destination restaurant. In Scottsdale, people drive from that part of the Valley all the time. We’re also going for Chandler and Gilbert. Phoenix doesn’t have a teppanyaki table. We’re shooting for the Biltmore or Arcadia. We want four or five of them.”

Russello dubs his restaurant “dinnertainment,” and his staff keeps guests engaged.

“They’re not sitting on their phones,” he said. “There’s the fire. The chefs are having fun with them. It’s a dinner show, and they have a great time.

“It’s high energy, and we play fun music. People yell at the tables. They’re just having fun.”

Restaurants are nothing new to Russello. He also owns the ice cream shop The Creek Cookies and Cream at The Shops at Dynamite Creek in Cave Creek.

“We have raspberry Dole Whip there,” he said last year. “But my focus is on Kasai, and we want to grow the concept in the area.”