VOLUME 5. NUMBER 1 www.myhometownestrella.com my hometown Dr. Hurley was recently honored as a female leader in edu- cation at the American Association of School Administrators in Arlington, VA. She was also selected as one of twenty- four people in the West Valley that continually mentors and makes a difference in other lives through her team work and innovations. Most recently, she has been nominated for the 2011 AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award. Page 4 Bring the kids and the family dog to meet your neighbors at the Starpointe Residents Club for a 2.4 mile walk around the lovely lakes of Estrella. Page 11 Estrella’s New Year - New You Family Lake Walk & Wellness Fair District Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hurley Receives Honors january 2011 Area Youth Named to National All-Star Bowl Branden Leon Jr., 13-year-old, eighth grader at Estrella Elementary School, has been named to the 2nd Annual Offense-Defense Youth All-American Bowl. Branden, a runningback/cornerback for Far West Pop Warner, will join dozens of peers in his age group nationwide in an East meets West clash that is part of a week-long series of events leading up to the nationally- televised 5th Annual Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, an All-Star foot- ball game of similar format showcasing 80 of the top high school seniors in the country, played in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on January 1, 2011. Page 4
Transcript
Volume 5. number 1www.myhometownestrel la .com
my hometown
dr. hurley was recently honored as a female leader in edu-
cation at the American Association of school Administrators
in Arlington, VA. she was also selected as one of twenty-
four people in the west Valley that continually mentors and
makes a difference in other lives through her team work
and innovations. most recently, she has been nominated for
the 2011 AAsA national superintendent of the Year Award.
page 4
bring the kids and the family
dog to meet your neighbors at
the starpointe residents club
for a 2.4 mile walk around the
lovely lakes of estrella.
page 11
estrella’s new Year - new You family lake walk & wellness fair
district superintendent dr. beverly hurley receives honors
january 2011
Area Youth named to national All-star bowlbranden leon Jr., 13-year-old, eighth grader at estrella elementary school,
has been named to the 2nd Annual offense-defense Youth All-American
bowl. branden, a runningback/cornerback for far west pop warner, will join
dozens of peers in his age group nationwide in an east meets west clash
that is part of a week-long series of events leading up to the nationally-
televised 5th Annual offense-defense All-American bowl, an All-star foot-
ball game of similar format showcasing 80 of the top high school seniors in
the country, played in myrtle beach, south carolina on January 1, 2011.
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my hometown: page 3www.myhometownestrel la .com
Volume 5. number 1
january 2011
this month...
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohib-ited. The Fountain is a monthly publication highlighting house, home and community building. The Fountain accepts freelance contributions, though there is no guarantee that unsolicited material will be returned. The Fountain 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. We reserve the right to restrict all advertisements to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy.
Our mission for My Hometown Estrella is to connect Estrella residents to each other and to key resources with the goal of build-ing community in Estrella and the greater Goodyear area.
My Hometown Estrella is a great example of what can happen when neighbors build strong relationships and get busy putting their ideas and skills together for the good of the community.
We hope you find this community publica-tion reflective of our excitement to be in Estrella and our desire to build something that brings us all closer together. We invite you to join in the fun and get involved.
A friend recently reminded me of a story about a boy who accompanied his father to the country to view the lives and homes of poor people. The pur-pose of the trip was to gain an understanding of poor, so that the boy might better appreciate the richness of his own life. Ah, a humbling lesson that might be for any of us, to see first-hand, a less-fortunate life-style that would enable us to appreciate our beautiful community, our families, jobs, our friends; a perspec-tive easily blurred or discounted by the elements of the times.
The observations on the trip produced surpris-ing findings. The boy noted the fact that although he had a pool in his own backyard; the ‘poor’ people had creeks that disappeared into the horizon. He noted that his families’ imported garden lanterns were diminished by stars that lit the skies for the ‘poor.’ Upon their return, the boy thanked his father for showing him just how poor he and his father truly are. His unexpected perception was the lesson of gratitude that his father intended, in reverse.
Are you celebrating richness?
Our continual quest to introduce individuals that make a positive impact on this community features the Superintendent of the Buckeye Union High School District, Dr. Beverly Hurley. Dr. Hurley has received and is nominated for several outstanding awards of achievement. We’re sharing information on a financial peace workshop, designed to help you gain a new per-spective on your budget and introducing some exciting events, so you’ll want to have your calendars handy. The Budget Committee continues to keep us updated with information on assessments and the introduction of the City of Goodyear Candidates at a special get-together. You’re invited! And, as always, you’ll meet interesting individuals in our Meet Your Neighbor and Business Spotlight sections.
If you’re an entrepreneur, launching something new this New Year within the community; outreaching to others in your neighborhood or nationwide, I want to hear from you. Email [email protected], describing your business plans for 2011. And, if your plans include giving back to others, then you’ve already taken the first step into a successful, wealth-building business year - the way I see it!
Kim AlVArAdo
editor’s corner
landscaping 14
family 15
food 15
community lifestyle
community news
on Your doorstep news & eVents hAppening in And Around estrellA 4
clubs, clAsses, meetings stArpointe residents club progrAms & communitY cAlendAr 10
hoA eVents & bulletin boArd Your hoA is hArd At worK with these fun resident eVents 11-12
people in your neighborhood
the sims fAmilY neighbors & friends You’d liKe to meet 12
business spotlight
gentle fAmilY dentistrY & orthodontics 18
page 4 : my hometown www.myhometownestrel la .com
estrellA
on your doorstep
superintendent of buhs district receives honors
Area Youth named to national All-star bowl
Branden Leon Jr., 13-year-old, eighth grader at Estrella Elementary School, has been named to the 2nd Annual Offense-Defense Youth All-American Bowl. Branden, a runningback/cornerback for Far West Pop Warner, will join dozens of peers in his age group nationwide in an East meets West clash that is part of a week-long series of events leading up to the nationally-televised 5th Annual Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, an All-Star football game of similar format showcasing 80 of the top high school
seniors in the country, played in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on January 1, 2011. Branden was selected from a group of young athletes numbering in the thousands across the country to participate in this one-of-a-kind All-Star game. Branden has been playing football since he was five years old, immedi-ately falling in love with the sport. Branden has two older sisters, Stefani and Domonique. Stefani is a college student at Glendale Community College and Domonique is a varsity cheerleader at Estrella Foothills High School. Domonique will be cheering her brother on from the sidelines during his next football season. Both of Branden’s parents are employed with the City of Phoenix and will attend the All-American Bowl game as his biggest sup-porters in this amazing experience.
Offense-Defense Sports has been running full-contact football instruc-tional camps for the past 42 years and currently operates in approximately 40 camp locations nationwide every summer. For more information, visit http://www.o-d.com.
Dr. Beverly Hurley, Superintendent of the Buckeye Union High School District, has recent-ly received a number of honors and continues to make a difference in the lives of others through her dedication to continually improve education, despite budget challenges.
Dr. Hurley was recently honored as a female leader in education at the American Association of School Administrators in Arlington, VA. She was also selected as one of twenty-four people in the West Valley that continually mentors and makes a difference in other lives through her team work and innovations. Most recently, she has been nominated for the 2011 AASA National Superintendent of the Year Award.
Beverly Hurley credits the success of the Buckeye Union High School District to her team of dedicated Board members who practice conservative fiscal management. Since she has assumed the position of Superintendent, student population growth has grown over 130 percent and her plans to open a new private placement facility, as well as a future on-line school continue. Another element of success is her ‘pay it forward’ approach. She believes that you get what you give and genuinely loves connecting with the kids. One of Dr. Hurley’s favorite quotes is a Chinese Proverb, “Tell me, I forget; show me, I remember; Involve me, I understand.”
Her energetic involvement with the kids seems to reflect a true element of success district wide. You’ll often find Dr. Hurley at a school sport-
estrella book club
Love to read? The Estrella Book Club joins together members of our Estrella community who share the joy of reading! The book club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 am in the Starpointe Residents Club to share thoughts and observations about each month’s reading selection. Some of the group’s previous books have included “Shadow Divers” and “The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” Upcoming books include “Making Toast,” a memoir by Roger Rosenblatt told through the eyes of a father. The story focuses on how a family faces the untimely death of their 37-year old daughter. Also, you won’t want to miss “Water For Elephants,” This Genre fiction novel about a veterinary student who abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins the traveling circus spares no detail in chronical-izing circumstances of human-animal bonds. Join the Estrella Book Club and share a wonderful hour of good company and good books! For more informa-tion contact Sandy Kehs at [email protected].
ing event, proudly wearing school colors and cheering for the home team. She sponsors a Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, collaborating projects with five students, dem-onstrating leadership potential, from each school, as a way of maintaining interaction and improving community involvement through service projects from these students. She firmly believes that the next generation of children will need to be prepared to meet the challenges of their time, through education and she’s leading the way through example. “Schools are the new staple for our children. With so many programs being cut, it is imperative that
students have a safe educational environment, where they can actively par-ticipate and develop through challenging courses and activities,” she added.
As a leader in the education profession since 1976, Dr. Hurley’s “glass half-full” attitude coupled with her extensive experience in education has changed underperforming schools within the district to their current labels as performing and above by the Arizona Department of Education. This is true for all schools within the district. She has added honor courses, dual enrollment courses and advanced placement courses to the availability list for students. None of these options were available in 2003 before Dr. Hurley assumed her position as Superintendent.
A special congratulations to a true professional in her continued pursuit for educational excellence within this community and the entire Buckeye Union High School District.
my hometown: page 5www.myhometownestrel la .com
estrellA
on your doorstep
ironman and Xterra world championship competitor-amy vasquez
Amy Vasquez, 19-year resident of Estrella, wears many hats. She’s a wife, mother, real estate agent, outdoor enthusiast, and triathlete. Last year, she competed in her first Ironman which she concludes was one of her most fulfilling and amazing experiences. This year, she competed in the Xterra World Championship race. Her quest for fitness continues.
“I was fortunate to have a wonderful support crew and athletic friends with similar goals,” she recalls. “You may have seen us riding in the big road bike group every Saturday morning at 7:30 am.” Amy is grateful for this supportive group of friends, claiming that she couldn’t have completed the Ironman competition without their support.
But Amy didn’t stop with the satisfaction of completing the Ironman competition. She decided to perform at the Xterra World Championship race series, which is an ‘off-road’ version of a triathlon with very challenging courses. The Xterra World Championship is a culmination of a national and international series of more than 90 qualifying events. In the United States, more than 50 races pave the way to the World Championship. These events bring athletes from around the world to compete each year in Maui.
Her first Xterra race in Showlow, Arizona proved to be a good start. She wasn’t prepared and nearly bonked on the hilly run, but her strong mountain biking skills helped her take 2nd place. She realized that if she were to give Xterra a real shot, she would have to train harder and focus on all three disciplines in order to compete. Maybe you saw Amy biking the hills and
streets of Estrella, running around the lakes (with or without her son Caidan in tow), or swimming laps in the Starpointe Residents Club lap pool. This aggressive training helped her earn a 1st place title in her next race at Snow Valley, California, bringing her closer to qualifying for Nationals. Several more races, including a Nationals race in Ogden, Utah qualified her for the Xterra Worlds in Maui earlier this fall.
Amy’s family arrived in Maui a couple of days before the big event. Together they soaked up the Hawaiian sun and became familiar with the course, while meeting an abundance of new friends from all over the world who share a passion for fitness and competition. The big race commenced on a clear, sunny morning, following a Hawaiian blessing on a white sandy beach. When the gun went off, over 550 racers made their way across the sand into the crystal clear ocean for a mile swim filled with sea life, followed by a short run up the sandy beach and a bike ride up Haleakala. The top of that mountain revealed heaven-like lush greenery, which rolled down the mountainside to where it met the ocean, with no visibility of man in sight. After riding un-ridden trails covered in sharp loose lava rock, Amy broke away from the pack finding herself on the most steep, treacherous lava rock covered hill, called “The Plunge.” She recalled seeing videos of racers slid-ing out of control on this portion of the course. Taking the advice given to her earlier from one of the pros, she ‘went for it,’ never looking back. The hills continued on totaling over 4,000 feet of climbing before transitioning into the final leg. The grueling run across sections of the sandy beach, up hills runs and finally, the stretch across the gorgeous palm tree lined golf course at Makena Beach resort, where she was greeted by her wonderful supportive husband and her little boy, who yelled, “Go Mommy, Go!” to complete a 5th place finish at the Xterra World Championship, alongside her new friends from all over the world!
“Through my Ironman and Xterra training, I learned a wonderful life lesson…if you work hard enough towards a goal, you can achieve anything you desire. Practice, train, work hard and be merry!”
Amy believes that you don’t need to be an Ironman to be f it and feel good, but that we all need regular physical activity. She encourages you to contact her for guidance or sugges-tions on getting physically f it. She can be reached at [email protected].
spring training baseball schedules set
The National League Central Division Champions Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians are scheduled to play a combined total of 31 home spring exhibition games in 2011. Game day events such as Autograph and Fan Appreciation Days will return, as will popular post-game activities like Kids Run the Bases, Seniors Stroll the Bases and Play Catch on the Field. NEW FOR 2011
Special discounted Child Tickets. HALF-PRICE child ticket with the purchase of a single game ticket in the Outfield Box, Outfield Reserved and Berm. Child Ticket Pricing is valid for children 12 and under with the pur-chase of a regularly priced ticket in the designated areas.
New 2011 Mini Game Plans available. Fans now have the opportunity to pick any three (3) or more Indians and/or Reds games.
Improved Fan Access Areas at the Indians Player Development Complex. You will have the chance to get autographs and see your favorite Cleveland Indians taking batting practice up close like never before in this newly improved Fan Access Area located at Field 1.
Tickets are available in person at Goodyear Ballpark Ticket Office, online at indians.com and reds.com, by phone at 800-745-3000 and at select Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, fans may log on to goodyearaz.gov/ballpark, indians.com/spring, or reds.com/spring or contact Goodyear Ballpark Ticket Office at 623-882-3130.
estrella mountain church hosts financial peace class
The Estrella Mountain Church, located at 10485 S. Estrella Parkway, will host a 13-week Financial Peace Class on Sunday evenings beginning January 30 from 6 to 8 pm in room 203.
Statistics indicate that more than 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Many American families are one paycheck away from a financial disaster.
The Dave Ramsey course incorporates information and provides instruction on staying out of debt, outlines a budget that really works and helps participants prepare for college, retirement and financial emergencies. Some of Dave Ramsey’s popular sayings are: “Is there too much month at the end of your money? Act you wages. Life like no one else, so later you can live like no else.”
There is no charge for this class, but the informative material pro-vided by Dave Ramsey is $93 per family. For more information on the course outline visit www.daveramsey.com or contact the church office at 623-386-0300.
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on your doorstep
fresh christmas tree recycling
If you’re one of the many residents that enjoyed the inviting scent of a live Christmas tree this year, you’ll want to know what to do with it, now that the holiday is over. The Goodyear Public Works Department has its annual tree recycling program in place through January 10. There are many drop-off sites throughout the entire city, which are available to you 24 hours per day. Please be sure to remove all ornaments, wires and lighting from the tree. These trees are chipped daily and used for mulch and ground cover for local farms. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 623-932-3010. The convenient drop off locations are:
Foothills Community Park-12795 S. Estrella Parkway (next to the parking lot).
Pebble Creek Eagle’s Nest Parking Lot – 3645 N. Clubhouse Drive
Palm Valley Park- 13133 W. Monte Vista Drive, on the north side of the park
Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, in the northwest corner of the parking lot
Goodyear Parks Operation Yard – 200 S. Calle Del Pueblo- 7 am-3:30 pm.
meet the candidates–city of goodyear elections
Come and meet the future City of Goodyear Mayor and Council Members. On February 1, 2011, Estrella will be hosting a “Meet the Candidates” forum, involving Mayoral and City Council candidates running in the March 8, 2010, City of Goodyear election. The mayoral election is for the remaining two years of James Cavanaugh’s term. There are also three council positions open due to the expired terms of Dick Sousa, Joanne Osbourne, and Sheri Lauritano, and there is one additional election for the remaining two years Georgia Load’s term.
Estrella’s Meet the Candidates forum will be held on Tuesday night, February 1 from 6 to 8 pm at the Starpointe Residents Club. The candi-dates will open the meeting by introducing themselves to the community. Then the meeting moderator will ask the candidates questions collected from Estrella’s residents. Residents will be able to hear firsthand the views of the candidates on city related issues and judge for themselves who will be best for Goodyear and Estrella.
The prospective candidates have filed candidate packets with the Goodyear City Clerk. The packets included nomination petitions with at least 402 signatures from registered Goodyear voters that were submitted for validation by December 8, 2010. Other key dates are February 7, 2011, the close of Voter Registration, February 10, 2011 when ballots should arrive in the mail and early voting begins, and March 8, 2011 when the “All Mail-In” election closes.
Remember, come to Starpointe on February 1 and participate in an informative exchange of the candidates’ ideas and convictions with the future City of Goodyear leaders.
estrella Author releases new book
Bill Sambito has an ear to ear grin as he humbly reveals a few secrets about his first novel, “Justice Delivered.” He mentions that he never meant to write a book, really. He just wanted to write a ‘manuscript’ of some sort. In his retire-ment years, he gained a love of reading and writ-ing and has authored several Marine Corps avia-tion histories published by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Although characters in the story of his first novel, “Justice Delivered” are based on personalities that the author has known from various times in his life, names are gathered from his real-life friends and family members. Golf buddies and neighbors, here in Estrella, and even his sister, are names in this novel, manipulated slightly to protect identity. The novel, which took only a couple of months to write, takes readers on an action-packed journey, through the deserts of Arizona, with twists and turns concluding in the deliverance of justice.
As the fiction story unfolded in his mind, author Bill Sambito tells a multi-layered story of a young Marine Corps Officer, Major Moyer, who is involuntarily assigned to a covert Special Operations unit comprised of Marines and CIA operatives. The officer completes a decade of service and numerous missions but becomes disenchanted with his occupation after falling in love. Major Moyer resigns from the military, gets married and establishes a charitable foundation with his multimillion dollar family fortune. Then a murder in the family and some loose detective evidence leads to a discovery of a major drug operation, and a motivation for murder. The twists and turns of this story make this read much more than just a murder revenge plot.
Bill is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and Naval Aviator; his service of more than twenty years included combat missions in Southeast Asia. Bill and his wife, Kimberly, currently live in Estrella. If you would like to share in the excitement of this novel by local author, Bill Sambito, you can do so by contacting Xlibris Corporation at 1-888-795-4274 or by visiting www.Xlibris.com and [email protected].
estrella lacrosse club gears up for spring season
It is that time of year, time to gear up for the spring season. This year the Estrella Lacrosse Club will field teams in 4 boys divisions and 1 girls division:
Practices are already in progress and new teams will begin practic-ing in early January. It is crucial that everyone is registered early this year so that uniforms and practice gear can be ordered in time for the first game. Please go out to www.estrellalax.com to register with the team. Team dues can be split into multiple payments if necessary. Please contact President/Head Varsity Coach, Shawn Alexander at 623-670-0373. Team dues can be split into multiple payments if necessary. All players must be US Lacrosse members and must ensure that their membership will not expire prior to the end of the season (March for JHS and Junior Wolves, May for HS Boys and JV Girls), www.uslacrosse.org. All boys must also go to www.azlax.com to register and pay their player dues. (Yes, you must register on both the AYLL and Estrella Lax sites). Please complete the entire registration form. If you have any questions, email Shawn Alexander, [email protected]
new group forming
Estrella Resident is interested in forming a group of ‘spiritually-oriented, like-minded friends’ to meet once per month. This group would not be focused on a particular set of beliefs, but would encourage spirituality through self-improvement. Those familiar with “The Secret,” the works of Dr. Wayne Dyer, Neale Donald Walsh or those interested in natural healing modalities such as Reiki, crystals & stones, polarity, etc. are invited to con-tact Mary Lou Morris at 386-2685 to set up the first gathering.
my hometown: page 7www.myhometownestrel la .com
ESTRELLA
on your doorstep
750 N. Estrella Parkway, Suite 20 ∙ Goodyear, AZ 85338
Friendly, exceptional care to keep your child's health….for life
Pediatric Medicine Specializing In The Care Of
Infants ∙ Children ∙ Adolescents
Raj S. Patel, MD
Call 623-298-4642
For an appointment
www.estrellafamilymedical.com
Board Eligible Pediatrician
Immunizations
Sports & School Physicals
Well Child Exams
Flu Shots
Same Day Appointments
Office Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday
750 N. Estrella Parkway, Suite 20 ∙ Goodyear, AZ 85338
Friendly, exceptional care to keep your child's health….for life
Pediatric Medicine Specializing In The Care Of
Infants ∙ Children ∙ Adolescents
Raj S. Patel, MD
Call 623-298-4642
For an appointment
www.estrellafamilymedical.com
Board Eligible Pediatrician
Immunizations
Sports & School Physicals
Well Child Exams
Flu Shots
Same Day Appointments
Office Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday
Estrella Mountain Elementary School
Estrella Mountain Elementary Helps Families in Need
Student Council Members at Estrella Mountain Elementary, in com-bination with the City of Goodyear, collected 791 items to benefit local families in need. The Staff at Estrella Mountain Elementary School also adopted 28 angels for the holidays. Office Manager, Michele reports that they are fortunate to work with wonderful students, families and staff and thank everyone who helped make the holidays a little brighter for others.
7th Grade Basketball Team Wins
District Championship
Congratulations to Estrella Mountain Elementary 7th and 8th grade basketball teams. Both teams played exciting champion-ship games at Estrella Foothills High School on December 9. Our cheerleading teams rocked as the crowd roared. Our 7th grade took first place and 8th grade took second place. Nice work, COUGARS!!!
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
The holidays may be over, but winter fun is on the calendar at Phoenix Children’s Academy.
Just in time for their Grand Opening in January, Phoenix Children’s Academy is hosting a Winter Carnival on Friday, January 7 from 4 to 8 pm. Keri Rifkin, School Director, and her teachers have planned wonderful activities for everyone. Ready to make a snowman? Grab your hat and mittens and get ready to play in the REAL snow. Too cold for you? Then enjoy the train ride, bounce house and games. Relax with snacks and refresh-ments. Families and neighbors are invited to stop by and join in the fun. For more information, call Keri at Phoenix Children’s Academy: 602-396-5990.
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school news
Acrylic painting-beginner to intermediate
instructor: debra goley
Age 10-Adult
saturday, february 5 from 12:30-5:30 pm
location: estrella mountain church, room 203
fee: $59 without materials, $69 with materials
instructor will have a still life set up for stu-dent to use, or bring your own. utilize each of the tools, paint mixing, planning a focal point, techniques for beginners. this class will be an overview for intermediate painters.
feel free to bring your own picture or objects to paint. instructor will help you arrange the items and compose your art. After a brief color lesson, painting will begin. instructor will visit you throughout the day to give helpful hints and critiques. You will go home with your per-sonal art and knowledge to use for your next painting.
bring: brushes (bristle, oil and softer synthetic), masking tape or painter’s tape, and a set of acrylic and/or oil paints (red, yellow, blue, white and black), canvas size of your choice, snack and water bottle. Questions: email [email protected]
crazy Quilt fun
instructor: sue bailey
Age 13-Adult
Quilting workshops (3) three sessions
location: estrella mountain church, room 203
fee: $79
January 17, tuesday, 6:30-9:30pm
January 24, tuesday, 6:30-9:30pm
January 31, tuesday, 6;30-9:30pm
bring your scrap bag and your sewing machine for some spontaneous quilting. instruction includes using any shape, such as squares, tri-angles, strips, etc., to create blocks that could become anything from a lap quilt to a bed quilt. this class takes you through all the steps to complete a pieced top quilt, making it ready for
quilting. the class will meet for three, 3-hour sessions. class time will be spent in lecture, demonstrations, cutting and sewing.
Supplies Needed:
scrap bag of fabrics
A themed fabric for center individual block
rotary cutter and small mat and ruler
sewing machine
neutral colored cotton thread
pins
thread snips or small scissors
seam ripper
descriptive writing
instructor: Kim Alvarado
Age 13- Adult
interactive workshop (3 sessions)
location: estrella mountain church, room 203
fee: $49
January 11, tuesday, 6:30-9pm
January 18, tuesday, 6:30-9pm
January 25, tuesday, 6:30-9pm
this introductory mini-course is designed to help you uncover your own creative writing potential as you tap into tech-niques and writing exercises that help uncover your full potential as a writer. this interactive class encourages both group participation, and individual expres-sion to create original compositions for personal growth. bring a notebook or jour-nal and your favorite pen.
enjoy three weekly sessions of creative writing to produce interesting narra-tives, short essays and creative journaling. Questions: email [email protected].
Murder Mystery dinner and auction
The Creative Arts Academy cordially invites you to our Second Annual Murder Mystery Dinner and Auction! This year, we will be presenting an interactive, musical mystery dinner theater original production. Join us on a walk down the red carpet, back to that golden age of Hollywood: Oscar Night, 1954. We will be offering two performances for our production, entitled “Final Cut: The Show Must Go On!” Our Friday, February 25th performance will commence at 7:00 PM and feature a four-course, gourmet dinner, catered by PF Changs. The Saturday, February 26 performance will commence at 5 pm, and feature a lighter theater supper. Friday evening’s menu features an appetizer of crispy green beans and spring rolls, lettuce wraps, salad, sesame chicken, beef with broccoli and steamed rice with cheese-cake for dessert. The food and entertainment are sure to be amazing!
Tickets are on sale now on our website: www.caa-az.org. A night out for a delicious dinner and delightful entertainment makes a great holiday gift, and it is right here in the community for you and your loved ones to
enjoy! Discounts are being offered now on tickets purchased before January 1, 2011
If you are interested in sponsoring or hosting a table, purchasing tickets or learning how you can be a part of the ensemble cast, please visit our web-site for more details.
We look forward to having you as our special guest for a fabulous night of glitz, glamour, murder and mystery!
creative arts academy Offers winter courses
interested in trying something new this year? get creative with the creative Arts Academy. to register for the following classes, simply visit www.caa-az.org.
landscape design-Quick
instructor: sue bailey
Age 13- Adult
Quilting workshop (2) two sessions
location: estrella mountain church, room 203
fee: $50
January 20, thursday, 6:30-9pm
January 27, thursday, 6:30-9pm
instructor will guide you using some of the beautiful landscape fabrics on the mar-ket today. create a wall hanging by using only three different fabrics. A variety of kits will be available at the workshop for $8. bring: good sharp scissors and large white or beige bath towel.
Art of photography
instructor: Jennifer isaacs
Age 8-Adult
interactive workshop
location: estrella mountain church, room 203
fee: $49
saturday, January 22, 10am-3pm saturday, march 12, 10am-3pm (this is a separate session)
enjoy five hours of exploring, experiment-ing and learning about the art of photog-raphy. bring a sack lunch, your camera and a creative mind. A great opportunity to have an open dialog with the instructor, tackle different outdoor ‘challenges,’ prac-tice with indoor studio time, etc. learn the basics about color and composition, as well as different ways to train your eyes to see the world in a completely new way.
my hometown: page 9www.myhometownestrel la .com
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As we begin our 2011 Operating Budget within Estrella and we all make adjustments to the small increase in assessments, a reasonable question to ask is, “How is my monthly assessment of $84 being spent?” Hopefully, you were able to attend the last Town Hall meeting and have taken some time to review the details of the Operating Budget, which was mailed to homeowners last month. For a little history of the last few years and the reasons behind the increase in assessments, please read our article on page nine of the December 2010 issue of My Hometown Estrella (www.myhometownestrella.com).
Of the $84 monthly assessment, approximately $59 funds the adminis-trative functions of the Estrella Joint Committee that oversees all common areas in the community. The three largest expenses are Contract Services ($27), Salaries and Wages ($13) and Reserve Fund contributions ($7). The remainder ($12) consists of costs associated with Repairs and Maintenance, Administrative & General, Parts and Supplies, Utilities, Insurance and Miscellaneous Expenses. The largest costs in the Contract Services category are Common Area Landscape Maintenance ($22).
An additional $21 per month funds the costs of Starpointe Residents Club. The largest expenses are Salaries and Wages ($7), Contract Services ($5), Reserve Fund contributions ($3) and Utilities ($3). Resident Programs, Repairs and Maintenance, Parts and Supplies, Administrative & General, and Taxes make up the remaining ($3) expenses.
Of the total $84 monthly assessment, approximately $4 is reserved for anticipated bad debts due to non-payment of assessments by homeowners and builders. For 2011, the Estrella Community Association is reserv-ing 6% of projected income for bad debts, while the Villages Community Association is reserving 8% for this purpose.
The base assessment increase of $5/month represents a compromise between the needs of the community and acknowledgement of the econom-ic hardship homeowners are experiencing. In recognition of these realities, the Committee elected to defer a number of desirable projects. The most significant includes $235,000 in additional Reserve Fund contributions (this is beyond the increased contributions of $76,957 included in 2011 budget) as recommended in this year’s Reserve Study, $91,089 to expand community patrol hours of coverage as endorsed by homeowners in a survey earlier this year, and deferral of more aggressive Annual Tree and Plant Replacement ($72,500) and Gravel Replenishment ($71,500) Programs. These deferrals reduce our ability to address homeowner concerns regarding the appearance of common areas and increases the risks associated with failing to make recommended contributions to the Reserve Fund. Reserve Funds cover the costs associated with the refurbishment/replacement of community assets approaching the end of their useful lives.
For more information on the 2011 Operating Budgets, details are avail-able at www.lifeinestrella.com.
estrellA
on your doorstep
how are My Monthly assessments spent?submitted bY 2010 estrellA budget And finAnce committee
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classes, clubs, meetingsstarpointe residents club program
pleAse note: events take place at starpointe residents club unless otherwise noted. for all starpointe events, please call 623-386-1949. please see www.lifeinestrella.com for a comprehensive calendar of
events and to be included in reminders/changes related to upcoming events.
my hometown: page 11www.myhometownestrel la .com
Estrella Mountain Church
Church Office Hours: Mon. –Thurs. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Church 623-386-0300 Website: www.emcaz.org
“It is in families we are broken and it is in families we are healed.” (Carl Whitaker)
Saturday, January 29, 2011 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Call the church office for more info and to register!
mondAY, JAnuArY 10
Papa John’s trivia night
monday, January 106:30 pmstarpointe residents clubcan you beat a team that’s “wicked good?” how about one that is “in it to win it?” if you want to show off your general knowledge skills or if you are just “in it for the pizza” come out to trivia night this month. the cost is $5 per person, up to 4 people per team. papa John’s pizza, water, soda, and coffee will be provided. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded. please rsVp at starpointe by January 7.
sAturdAY, JAnuArY 15
cocktails & conversation
saturday, January 156 to 8 pmstarpointe residents clubchinese new Year is the theme of this month’s cocktail party at the starpointe residents club. come out for cocktails and conversa-tions with your neighbors while enjoying chinese cuisine from Yan’s chinese including orange chicken, fried rice, and more. sip on one of the January signature drinks, “the red lotus” or “mango margarita”. the cost for this event is $10 for residents and $15 for guests. please rsVp at the starpointe front desk by wednesday, January 12 to secure your tickets.
eVerY fridAY
resident coffee social
every friday8:30 to 10 amstarpointe residents clubour resident coffee social is a great way to get to know the resi-dents of estrella over coffee and a continental breakfast. the cost for this event is $1.00 per person. we hope to see you this friday from 8:30 am – 10 am. there are sure to be some sweet treats and a few surprises from the kitchen.
estrellA
hOa eventssAturdAY, JAnuArY 22
estrella’s new Year - new You. family lake walk & wellness fair
saturday, January 2210 am starpointe residents clubbring the kids and the family dog to meet your neighbors at the starpointe residents club for a 2.4 mile walk around the lovely lakes of estrella. the registration fee is $7 for residents. this includes water, oranges, granola bars, and a t-shirt upon completion of the fun walk. Also, stick around and check out our vendor booths that focus on helping you to meet your new Year’s resolutions. whether you are looking to get fit, eat right, or get your finances in order, there will be something new for you to learn at estrella’s new Year-new You wellness fair.
thursdAY, JAnuArY 27
Potluck bingo
thursday, January 276 pmstarpointe residents clubb.i.n.g.o!! starpointe will be hosting bingo night “potluck” style. bring your favorite dish and share with fellow residents. water, soda, and coffee will be provided. bingo games will start promptly at 6:30 pm. cost is $5 a card for 10 rounds (additional cards are $5). You must be 21 to play and win. the preschooners club will be open for your chil-dren to enjoy during bingo. Are you feeling lucky?
Youth Club Hours:Mon.-Fri. 3pm-8pmSat.and Sun. 1pm-6pmClosed January 1, 2011
Yacht club hours
Monday-ClosedTuesday-Friday 2-7pmSaturday and Sunday 10am-7pm623-386-3411
community Patrol’s Phone number
602-329-0462, 10pm - 4am (7 days a week)
estrella ManagementEstrella is professionally managed by Capital Consultants Mgmt. Corp. (CCMC)
Estrella Management Team Community Manager: Jerry Evans
Operations Manager: Mary Chamberlain
Facilities Director: Scott McVay
Administrative Coordinator: Sharon Thunstedt
Recreation Associate: Tammy Campbell
Compliance Director: Jodi Matlock
VCA Compliance Coordinator: Amy Helms
Design Review Coordinator: Jodi Matlock
Recreation Director: Dean Westover
Lifestyle Director: Holly Aguilar
Yacht Club Coordinator: Jeff Beuthin
assessment billing address:
Payment Processing Center
c/o CCMC-Western Region
PO Box 105260
Atlanta, GA 30348-5260 or pay online at www.ccmcnet.com.
community association board Members:
Estrella Joint Committee (EJC) Developer Appointed Board Members: Alper Adli, Mike Heath, Brian Konderik Pete Tieche, Lesle Sweeney
Estrella Community Association (ECA) Developer Appointed Board Members: Alper Adli, Lesle Sweeney, Mike Heath,
Resident Elected Board Members: Bill Zednik, Barbara Ertl
Villages at EMR Community Association (VCA) Developer Appointed Board Members: Alper Adli, Pete Teiche, Lesle Sweeney
Resident Elected Board Members: Dennis Brungardt, Tom Mineo
hOa contactJust a Friendly Reminderif your assessment payments are set up on
an automatic withdrawal through your private bank or through smartstreet, please remember to update the payment amount to reflect the 2011 assessment rate.
if you have a surepay direct debit account set up through ccmc, that amount will be updated automatically. feel free to contact the estrella community services office with any questions. 623-386-1112. thank you!
Neighborhood Voting Membersthank you to the Volunteers who have sub-
mitted applications to be their neighborhood Voting member/Alternate for 2011. neighborhood Voting members and Alternates serve an impor-tant role in the community and help ensure the quality of life that residents in estrella have come to enjoy.
for a list of neighborhoods not yet repre-sented, please visit www.lifeinestrella.com. please consider volunteering your experience and exper-tise to the community.
if you are interested in representing your neighborhood, applications are available in the document library on www.lifeinestrella.com, or at the starpointe residents club and community services office.
Christmas Tree Recyclingcheck the community website at
www.lifeinestrella.com for christmas tree recy-cling in January.
Start the New Year by Getting Involved in Your Community! Celebrate the Spirit of Volunteering – Meet People & Have Fun!
There are volunteer positions available to serve on the following committees, briefly described below:
the Budget and Finance Committee reviews financials, capital reserve contributions, and rec-ommends an annual budget to the board of directors.
the Social Committee recommends monthly activities, and assists our lifestyle director with programming those events.
the Trails Committee is instrumental in the devel-opment and maintenance of the many pedestrian and cycling trails within estrella.
the Communications Committee assists the man-agement company with website communications, newspaper communications, as well as other com-munication based functions serving the commu-nity.
the Landscape Committee assists the manage-ment company with issues relating to common Area landscaping within estrella.
Applications are available on www.lifeinestrella.com (document library), starpointe residents club and community services office. please submit your application if you wish to:
• Serve on one of the committees
• Re-apply for committee membership
• Apply for another committee
if you have further questions regarding committee responsibilities, please feel free to call the community manager at 623-386-1112.
“let’s work together.”
“would you help?”
“thanks for your interest.”
this month our focus is on Jodi matlock. Jodi is our compliance director and works in the community services office inside starpointe. she has been with ccmc in estrella for over four years, initially working as the starpointe entry coordinator supervising the front desk staff. A year later, Jodi was promoted to her current posi-tion, overseeing the compliance department, focusing on ecA enforcement and all of estrella’s new home design reviews.
Jodi was born in madison, wisconsin, and grew up in st. charles, illinois, on the fox river. As a teen in st. charles, she was involved in gymnas-tics, dance, and cheerleading.
in 2001, Jodi moved from illinois to estrella, and has never looked back. she has two children, ages 9 and 10, with a third due in march. Jodi enjoys fishing, hunting, camping and all that the
Arizona outdoors has to offer, as well as watching foot-ball.
when asked why she likes her job, Jodi replied, “every day is a new day, with new challenges, and the relationships i have built with other staff members over the years have been great. truly, work is like a home away from home.” Jodi went on to say, “i love the fact how residents love and enjoy our community as much as i do, and you can see the excitement in new residents as soon as they arrive in estrella.”
Jodi has done an excellent job at estrella over the years, and is a valuable part of our team. next time you visit the community services office at starpointe, please stop by and say hello to her.
working for You - Jodi MatlockEach month, Capital Consultants Management Corporation will be highlighting an employee working in Estrella.
my hometown: page 13www.myhometownestrel la .com
who Are the
people in your neighborhood
David and Jessica Sims agree that stumbling upon Estrella in 2004 was like hitting the jackpot. The two were anxious to get away from the overcrowding and high cost of living in California and wanted to migrate to a community where it was safe to raise children, a place where Jessica could be a stay at home mother. They have since nestled into their Lakeview home where the Sims family tree has branched out a bit since their adventure into Arizona just slightly more than six years ago. Caleb (7) and Cassidy (5) are the two school-aged youngsters that give their dad a number of reasons to be involved in coaching. And the new-est ‘branches’ on the Sims family tree are the twins, Camryn and Camille. Their double abundance of nineteen-month old energy allows mom to continue her love of running, and has frankly redefined the definition of ‘running’ all together.
David coaches soccer, basketball, and baseball with Estrella Youth Sports and is on the Board of Directors for Flag football in the community. He surrounds himself with activity and likes to keep himself in shape by running, swimming and working out at the fitness center. On an occa-sional get-away, he catches a sporting event with the guys. David is a Real Estate Agent with the Estrella Homes and Land group, located in Estrella Marketplace, next to Safeway. His love of this community, as well as the Southwest Valley, helps families like his find the home of their dreams. Visit his website at www.davidsimshomes.com.
Jessica has been a runner for ten years and has incorporated runs around the pathways of North and South Lakes with a unique stroller designed for the twins. Together, the girls get to enjoy the great outdoors, as mom gets in her routine fitness workouts. As a former teacher, Jessica stays
Meet the sims familyinvolved in community through playgroups, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) and various bible studies at Estrella Mountain Church. She, too, enjoys being with girlfriends occasionally at Bunco gatherings and meal swaps.
I couldn’t help but ask these friendly folks, who maintain a household of a half-dozen, just what might be the most surprising thing about being par-ents. And Jessica and David sum it up with the fact that you can bring each child up, using the very same methods, in the same home, yet each child is so dif-ferent and unique.
In this New Year, the Sims family plans to become involved in some volunteering efforts and Jessica would like to launch an elementary school tutoring business. David and Jessica would also like to incorporate a few family vacations, as the twins get older and believe it will be exciting to experience the world through the eye of a child all over again. ”It’s funny,” says Jessica, “The older you get, the more you love to just be with your family. Being with the kids is the thing that we love to do the most.”
share Your story!
do you have a story or
article idea you’d like to
see in my hometown
estrella? give our editor,
Kim Alvarado, a call at
800-497-1309 x705 or
kim@myhometown-
estrella.com.
we look forward to
sharing your story with
the community!
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
page 14 : my hometown www.myhometownestrel la .com
pruning Announcement:
Seasonal pruning occurs November through April at Estrella. You may have noticed the DLC landscape crew has pruned back the Bird of Paradise and are now working on the Sages, Baja Ruellias and Cassias. If you would like more information and tips how to seasonal prune your shrubs, please click on the Proper Shrub Pruning link in the Landscape Group at www.lifeinestrella.com.
cOMMunitY lifestYle: hOMe & garden
Less Water/Healthy Plants
A good majority of water consumed in the average home is applied to the landscape. With some attention and basic knowledge it’s highly likely that you can reduce your water usage and still maintain a healthy landscape. Once new plantings become established (one growing season for shrubs and two for trees) they can live on less water than you think, the trick is determining the thresh-old.
here are a few tips:
1) Make sure your system is not leaking. With everything off, inside and out, observe the dial on your water meter (usually located in the front yard), if it’s still turning, there is water leaking.
2) Cap off emitters to the desert adapted trees (Palo Verde, Ironwood, Mesquite, etc.). Their roots are extensive and normally receive enough water from surrounding shrubs.
3) Now, to determine the threshold, turn your water off to the plants. Then, over the next several days, pay special attention to shallow rooted plants like Lantana or Bursage (these are the ones that need the most frequent
water). Look for signs of wilting on the leaf surface. This may take a few days in the summer, or in cooler weather, may stretch to weeks. Count the days until you notice the wilt, (this is your threshold) this will give you an idea of how many days you can go between water cycles. The opti-mum programming is to apply water just before the wilt point of the neediest plants (smaller, shallow rooted) on that particular irrigation zone.
4) The same idea can be performed in the turf. The added difference here is that the grass will usually dry up in select-ed areas. These are the locations to focus in on as they are probably receiving less water, indicating that the system is unbalanced. Balancing the system usually involves adjust-ments to sprinkler nozzles, head heights and head spacings.
Improving the balance is worth the effort. A balanced system can mean sav-ing a water cycle or two per week. Note: for equal areas of granite (with drip irrigation) and turf, turf requires 4-6 times the amount of water.
5) Adjust your program with the seasons. May to the beginning of mon-soon season are the heaviest months. With increased humidity (usually mid July through August) systems programs can be reduced by 10-25%. Spring and fall can be reduced 25-50% off the heavy months, with winter months 75 to 100%.
6) Take advantage of every rainfall. Turn your clock to the “off ” or “rain” position and monitor for the wilting point before reactivating.
7) Keep a log of your cycles per week. Monitor the current usage on your water bill and compare with your watering cycles and previous month’s usage.
For further information visit http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/region/arizona
dlc resources, Your common AreA lAndscApers
( )
Each office independently owned and operated.
A nice looking landscape with less water?
desert plants typically take much
less water than you might think. in
some cases, emitters can be com-
pletely capped to save water and still
maintain a healthy plant.
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my hometown: page 15www.myhometownestrel la .com
cOMMunitY lifestYle: faMilY
cOMMunitY lifestYle: fOOd
bY AndY rAgone, resident of estrellA, dAd And pAstor of “ insideout” Youth fellowship
The three of us sat at the cleared dining table pondering our next move at the Scrabble board. On one side, sat my dad, and on the right sat my son, Michael. Three generations of competitive—and might I say stubborn—Ragones.
Growing up, Scrabble was the game of choice for my family. Towards the end of the game, it wasn’t uncommon for Dad to be 100+ points ahead of us, and he didn’t hesitate to “run up the score.”
We were hooked! Since leaving home, my brothers and I have gone up to visit from time to time, and our routine would be the same each morn-ing: Have coffee, eat breakfast, and head to the Scrabble board, trash talking while drawing our tiles from the bag. We would go head to head, over time, learning new strategies and secrets to playing.
Vee and I have played off and on for the past several years, and the game has become more competitive since Michael started improving. One of the challenges that came with Michael’s improvement was learning and making use of the two-letter words in Scrabble. With this, Michael became a master and changed the nature of how we play.
So when the three of us (Dad, Michael and me) sat in front of the board, the gloves were off and the trash talking started as if it never stopped from years prior. Michael began taking advantage of the two letter words and was keeping up with Dad—which surprised them both. At first using the two letter words didn’t worry my dad. Only as Michael became a threat did dad begin to grow impatient. The game wore on, and the score was even. Enough was enough. He challenged Michael with the use of a two-letter word and brought out his well-used dictionary. Seeing this coming, Michael brought out the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (4th edition) that he actually packed in his suitcase. I’m not kidding.
Dad wasn’t pleased. He questioned the validity of the official Scrabble dictionary. In fact, he insisted upon using his dictionary—an older diction-ary that made no use of the Scrabble two-letter words. Michael retaliated by explaining how he was playing by the official Scrabble rules. We were at a stalemate. Man, I wish I had video-taped this!
What we had here was a failure to agree on our rules.That’s the challenge with rules. I can have standards in one area of life
and completely ignore them in another. Furthermore, what happens when my standards don’t agree with yours? That was the issue with Michael and my dad.
You might be asking, how does this relate with marriage and parenting? What happens when your spouse doesn’t agree with your decisions, or your
Makes 4 snacks sized servings
ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (I use sharp cheddar)
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
1 4 ounce can sliced, pickled jalapenos, chopped
1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Foundations - Who Makes The Rules
Jalapeño Popper Dip
kid thinks your rules are about as idiotic as an episode of Family Guy? It makes you take a step back and think, “Okay, where did I get this value? I figured it was good enough for me when I was growing up. Why can’t my kids see the value in it like I do?” Times change, right? Does that mean our values change too? Sometimes. But what about those standards that are transferrable from generation to generation? Who determines which one gets trashed and which one sticks? It can become quite subjective. So, what are the unifying standards for your family? Who determines and enforces those standards? Furthermore, what are they based upon? In a cul-ture where relativistic thinking (my truth is not your truth) has become the norm, how does transferring values to your family stick?
The heart of the idea of faith is figuring out who makes the rules. This is where belonging to a community of faith can be vital. Why? Quite sim-ply, it’s because a faith community will recognize the standards of a higher power. When the expectations of a higher power are established, those expectations become the standard for living. When it comes to parenting and being questioned by our children about why a certain rule exists, our answers are a lot better met with these deeper reasons than the standard, “Because I said so, son, that’s why.”
preparation
1. mix the cream cheese on medium speed with a mixer until soft. fold in mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, parmigiano reggiano and jalapenos in a bowl and pour into a baking dish.
2. mix the panko bread crumbs and parmigiano reggiano and sprinkle over the dip. if the breadcrumbs seem a little large, pulse them in the food processor a few times and add the parmigiano reggiano.
3. bake in a 375f oven until bubbling on the sides and golden brown on top, about 20-25 minutes.
This dip is a big hit! Help warm a wintery potluck with this spicy appetizer. It would also make a great Super Bowl sidekick for hearty football fans. This easy to make and serve recipe calls for just over a handful of ingredients. “I love this recipe and double or triple it for parties. Sometimes I bake and serve these in individual ramekins,”
bY chef terri cAmpbell, estrellA resident, meAls in motion personAl chef serVice,
the day after thanksgiving,
when many people head out for
holiday shopping, dee and her
mother were experiencing a very
different day. the mother-to-be
visited banner thunderbird for
her routine non-stress test, which
proved to be anything but routine. within three hours an emergency c-sec-
tion produced their beautiful son, liam david Josef hanke, who weighed 6
lbs. 3ozs. liam is blessed to have two older siblings, caleb, age 13 and olivia,
age 11. both children have taken on unique roles in anticipation of his arriv-
al. caleb is looking forward to “showing his little brother the ropes”. olivia
has enjoyed picking out cute outfits for liam– however, this may simply be
the little fashionista’s excuse to shop! either way, she is excited to have a
real-life doll.
congratulations to the hanke family on their new addition, liam!
liAm dAVid Josef hAnKe
born noVember 26, 2010
page 16 : my hometown www.myhometownestrel la .com
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Do you have a story or article idea for My Hometown Estrella? Give our Editor, Kim Alvarado, a call at 800-497-1309 x705 or [email protected].
We look forward to sharing your story with the community!
look for these businesses...advertiser index
company phone website page #
American family insurance ........................................................................... 623-877-8700 ...........................................www.amfam.com ...................................................................................... 13
creative Arts Academy .................................................................................... 623-696-5693 ...........................................www.caa-az.org .......................................................................................... 07
design Array garage door store ................................................................. 623-915-7777 ............................................www.makemydoor.com ......................................................................... 13
dr. Joshua hong ................................................................................................. 623-925-8822 ...........................................www.joshuahongdds.com .................................................................... 19
elite shutters and blinds .................................................................................. 623-935-9484 ...........................................www.eliteshuttersandblinds.com ....................................................... 09
estrella family medical ..................................................................................... 623-298-4642 ...........................................www.estrellafamilymedical.com ......................................................... 07
estrella mountain church ............................................................................... 623 386-0300 ...........................................www.emcaz.org .......................................................................................... 11
flooring gallery and more ............................................................................. 623-935-6088 ...........................................www.fl ooringgalleryandmore.com ................................................... 09
gentle family dentistry ................................................................................... 623-848-0100 ...........................................www.charlesclausendds.com ........................................................... 09
golf club of estrella ........................................................................................... 623-386-2600 ...........................................www.estrellagolf.com............................................................................... 11
golf club of estrella grill & patio ................................................................. 623-386-2600 ...........................................www.estrellagolf.com............................................................................... 18
west usA premier properties ........................................................................ 623-474-5900 ...........................................www.hometownestrella.com ............................................................... 19
www.myhometownestrel la .com
new! online business directory www.myhometownestrella.commy hometown estrella is excited to bring you another great community resource tool. we have moved our business directory online where you can sort, search and click through to business websites. our new online business directory promises to be a helpful tool for you to look up and research local businesses and resources. Visit our new online business directory at www.myhometownestrella.com.
page 18 : my hometown www.myhometownestrel la .com
estrellA
business spotlight
Dr. Charles Clausen has been creating healthy smiles in the greater Phoenix area for more than 20 years. In fact, many of his patients are second genera-tion, whose families have been seeing him for over 15 years. What is the secret for maintaining long-term patients? “It’s a group effort,” concludes Dr. Clausen. “I have a very caring staff. We receive many compli-ments regarding our gentle touch. Each morning, our staff meets to discuss patient needs and how we intend to meet those needs.”
The team at Gentle Family Dentistry serves patients in the West Valley, providing a variety of services, which include orthodontics, smile designs and hygiene in this broad-based family dental office. Dr. Clausen refers to himself as “a bread and butter family dentist,” and proves to be quite artistic, as he reveals several recent success stories that brought patient’s smiles to beaming conclusions using his expertise to rebuild broken- down mouths. It’s no surprise that smile designing is a favored aspect of Dr. Clausen’s profession. He explained that an aging patient naturally experiences attrition (the gradual diminution of strength due to stress and aging that breaks down teeth, crowns and bridges over a lengthy period of time). Results from restoring those mouths, liter-ally brought several patients’ smiles back 20 years in time and dramatically improved their oral health. Additional dental services include: whitening, root canal therapy, wisdom teeth removal, and gum disease treatment.
Dr. Clausen is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He and his wife, Kim, have four children. Dr. Clausen became fond of Arizona as a youngster, when he visited the state with his parents periodically during Spring Break vacations from school. It was his memories of the sunshine and horseback riding as a child that brought him back out west, permanently, more than 20 years ago.
Gentle Family Dentistry is located at 13055 W. McDowell Road, Suite G103 in the Rancho Santa Fe
Center, Goodyear. A step through the front door of Dr. Clausen’s office is the first step of being welcomed into the ‘family.’ Patients feel naturally at ease with the soothing office setting, which is tastefully decorated in warm Tuscan colors, with a variety of tasteful artwork. The office was completely designed by Dr. Clausen’s wife, Kim.
As we enter a brand new year, Dr. Clausen reminds us, “Now that we are done with all the sweets from the recent holiday, strive for a New Year’s Resolution to floss once per day for optimum oral health. Consider spending your holiday gift certificates on a one of the highly-rated rotary toothbrushes on the market. Your smile will thank you!”
Gentle Family Dentistry is currently accepting new patients and accepts most insurance. They can be reached at 623-848-0100. See their ad in this issue of My Hometown Estrella.
gentle family dentistry & Orthodontics
Estrella_My Home Town_final.indd 1 4/16/10 2:04:52 PM
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It’s a rare instance in our recent economy for anyone to talk about sales growth at a Phoenix, Arizona master planned community development. But that’s exactly what we had in 2010 at Estrella!
More people in 2010 saw the beauty, the value, the amenities and more that Estrella has to offer and they responded to it by buying homes. For all of you who bought in our community, we welcome you and congratulate you on a very smart decision! Here are some of the year’s highlights:
exceedingly well.
hundreds of new visitors
fan page
invested in our community with wonderful new neighborhoods, new models or new floor plans in 2010:
As 2011 starts out, we wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year! Next year will bring new additions to the community including:
in the summer
Keep checking www.lifeinestrella.com and become a fan on our Facebook
designs with distinctive roof lines and four sided architectural detailing for custom styling, including exterior shutters, iron detailing, recessed windows, gable details and more!
Estrella, please visit their web site www.rosewoodhomes.com and click on the
