The Park is a free, monthly magazine produced by Estrella Publishing for the residents of Litchfield Park.
The Park ™ A magazine for Litchfield Park residents From Your Neighbors, For Your Neighbors
January 2026
January 2026 1
Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor Talia Uretsky, Assistant Editor Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents © 2010-present Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the content of contributing writers and advertisers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion. Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.
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January 2026
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January 2026
From Me To You... It’s amazing how making friends has evolved over my lifetime. At seven years old, making friends was beautifully simple. “You like unicorns? I like unicorns. Let’s make friendship bracelets.” Boom. Bond sealed with embroidery floss and glitter glue.
Now, in my fifties, I’ve discovered friendship has evolved into something gloriously uncomplicated. My best friend is the one who doesn’t judge when I forget why I called her mid-conversation. Friendship is the woman who’ll admit she also can’t read the menu without her readers. It’s the neighbor who understands that “I’m not feeling it today” needs no further explanation. We’ve earned the right to stop pretending. I’ve also noticed something peculiar: friendship requirements have circled back to childhood simplicity. “You also consider 8:30 PM wildly late? We’re soulmates.” “You prefer canceling plans to making them? Friendship achieved.” Turns out, after decades of complicated friendship politics, we’ve returned to the friendship bracelet philosophy. The only difference? Now it’s wine, and we’re all asleep by 9:30. Catherine Uretsky Editor, The Park Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.398.5541
Fast forward to middle school, where friendships became Shakespearean dramas. Someone wore the same shirt as you? Obviously coordinated against you. A friend talked to your crush? Friendship over. Forever. Or at least until you both needed bathroom company next period. College friendships operated on a fascinating principle: shared trauma plus questionable fashion choices equals lifelong bonds. “We ugly-cried together at 3 AM about boys who weren’t worth it while eating nachos” creates surprisingly durable connections. Then came adulthood, where “Let’s grab coffee!” becomes a negotiation spanning four months, six rescheduled dates, and one group text thread titled “WE NEED TO SEE EACH OTHER” with forty- seven heart emojis but zero actual plans. We’re all very busy being exhausted and pretending to have our lives together.
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College Football 3 Universities Ripe for Football
credibility, abundant campus space, and strong school spirit. The struggling Pac-12 needs solid programs, and Gonzaga could answer that call while building an instant rivalry with Washington State University, just two hours south. The infrastructure and fan base exist—only the decision remains. Finally, New York University presents an intriguing urban challenge. As one of America’s largest universities, NYU sits in Manhattan’s heart without a football program. Imagine autumn Saturdays with purple-clad fans streaming through Washington Square Park toward a Violets home game. The fanbase potential is enormous, though Manhattan’s space constraints and astronomical operating costs present serious obstacles. Starting in the FCS division with regional competitors like Stony Brook might offer a realistic path forward. For now, these remain “what-ifs”—but with the right timing, funding, and vision, any could transform Saturday afternoons for their communities. Whether it’s GCU energizing Arizona’s college sports landscape or Gonzaga and NYU pursuing their gridiron dreams, college football’s future expansion story continues to unfold.
College football season transforms campuses into electric celebrations of school spirit with marching bands, tailgating traditions, and packed stadiums. Yet several universities with passionate student bodies remain on the sidelines, dreaming of their own Saturday traditions. Three schools stand out as prime candidates to join the gridiron glory. Right here in Arizona, Grand Canyon University represents perhaps the most compelling case. GCU’s explosive growth and investment in athletics have created one of the nation’s most energetic college sports atmospheres. Basketball games regularly sell out, and the school’s facilities continue expanding. With the restructured Pac-12 seeking new members, GCU could seamlessly join the conference and immediately create intense rivalries with NAU, ASU, and U of A— keeping travel costs manageable while delivering the high-stakes matchups fans crave. Across the country in Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga University brings a different dimension to the conversation. Already renowned for its powerhouse basketball program, Gonzaga has established athletic
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January 2026
A small-town chorus girl lands her big break in this tap-dancing spectacle full of Broadway glitz, showbiz charm, and underdog triumph.
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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
The Doctor Is In
Being Triggered Means You’re Living in the Past Being triggered means you’re living in the past. This means that emotional reactions in the present often originate from past, unresolved experiences, not just the present situation. A trigger is an event, word or situation in the present that reminds your subconscious mind of a previous trauma, wound or painful event in the past. When you’re triggered, the emotional response is disproportionate to the current event because your mind and body are reacting with the intensity of the original past pain. For example, a minor criticism today might elicit feelings of intense shame or abandonment that truly belong to a childhood experience. In that moment of being triggered, you are not responding as your adult self to the adult situation. You are effectively living in the emotional state of your younger self who first experienced that pain, causing the past to powerfully influence the present moment.
Despite triggers, it’s important to remember that you are responsible for how you feel. This does not mean you are responsible for the actions of others. Responsibility here means that after an external event happens, you have the ultimate power over your internal reaction, which includes the meaning you assign to the event and how you choose to process and manage the resulting emotion. If you believe others make you feel a certain way, you give them power over your emotional state. Taking responsibility means recognizing that while an external event might activate a feeling, the way you interpret, hold or act upon that feeling is an internal, personal choice. By accepting responsibility for your feelings, you commit to exploring the past pain driving your triggered response so that your emotional state becomes less dictated by unresolved history and more by conscious choice in the present. So, what do we do with this? First, recognize that your intense reactions are a signal, a red flag pointing to a place where you need to heal old wounds. Next, empower yourself: Instead of blaming the person or event that caused the trigger, shift your focus to the internal pain it unearthed. Lastly, understand that your responsibility is not to stop feeling but to use the feeling as information, process the underlying pain and change your habitual, disproportionate reaction over time. Submitted by Dr. J. Paweleck-Bellingrodt, Psy.D. Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.
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January 2026
Money Matters Your 2025 Financial Refresh: Simple Steps for a Stronger Year
it adds up to $300 annually, money better directed toward savings or family activities. Don’t hesitate to pause subscriptions for a few months. If you genuinely miss a service, you can always resubscribe. Meanwhile, check for duplicate subscriptions across different email accounts or family members’ devices. These often go unnoticed but drain resources unnecessarily. Budget for Clarity, Not Restriction Effective budgeting isn’t about deprivation, it’s about clarity. Understanding where your money flows each month creates confidence and control. When you know exactly what’s coming in and going out, unexpected expenses become manageable rather than catastrophic. Start simple: track one month of spending to establish your baseline. Then allocate funds intentionally across necessities, savings, and discretionary spending. This visibility helps you make informed choices aligned with your goals, whether that’s building an emergency fund, saving for your children’s education, or planning that family vacation you’ve been postponing. Small adjustments now can significantly impact your financial comfort throughout the year. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress and peace of mind.
As we settle into 2025, we have a valuable opportunity to strengthen our financial foundations. January offers the perfect moment for a financial check-up, not because resolutions demand it, but because fresh starts make establishing new habits easier. Before changing everything, identify what’s already successful. If your current savings strategy is building your emergency fund consistently, keep it going. If certain investments are performing well, consider maintaining or gradually increasing those allocations. The key is recognizing and reinforcing positive patterns rather than overhauling a system that works. For those new to investing, even modest contributions to retirement accounts or diversified funds can compound significantly over time, providing greater financial security down the road. Trim the Excess Review your monthly subscriptions with fresh eyes. Many people discover they’re paying for streaming services, apps, or memberships they rarely use. That $25 monthly subscription might seem minor, but
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You’re not just along You’re not just along for the ride. Passengers protect lives. for the ride. Passengers protect lives.
10 Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
January 2026
The Bug Guy
January in Phoenix: Where Pests Think It’s Spring Break
is prime time for discovering that your “heated” garage is actually a luxury resort for spiders. And let’s talk about those adorable pack rats that decide your attic insulation makes the perfect winter nesting material. While other rodents are sensibly burrowed underground somewhere in Minnesota, our local rats are renovating. They’re probably up there right now, hanging pictures and arguing about whether the space needs more natural light. The silver lining? At least our pest control professionals don’t have to work in a blizzard. They can spray, trap, and seal in perfect 68-degree weather while wearing shorts. It’s the most Phoenix solution to a very Phoenix problem. So if you’re new to the Valley and wondering why your neighbors are still getting monthly pest service in winter, welcome to the desert. Where the weather is always beautiful, the sunshine is endless, and the bugs didn’t get the memo about seasons. Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control.
While the rest of the country is battling polar vortexes and ice storms, valley residents are dealing with a different kind of winter problem: explaining to our insect population that January is supposed to be cold.
Apparently, nobody told the cockroaches.
You see, in most parts of America, January means pests are hibernating, frozen solid, or at least having the decency to take a winter vacation. But here in the Valley of the Sun, our bugs are out there living their best life, probably wearing tiny sunglasses and sipping margaritas by your pool. The snowbirds aren’t the only ones who think 70 degrees in January is paradise. Scorpions are still doing their terrifying glow-in-the-dark routine under black lights, crickets are hosting nightly concerts outside your bedroom window, and the occasional roach will scurry across your patio like it owns the place. Because honestly? In January, it kind of does. The most Phoenix thing ever is calling a pest control company in the middle of winter and having to explain, “No, really, I have ants. I know it’s January. Yes, I’m serious.” The exterminator isn’t even surprised anymore. They’ve seen it all. In fact, January
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Cook With Zona At this time of year my mind goes to soup. Here is an easy, satisfying recipie that is sure to please. Enjoy! Chicken and Stars Soup Yield: 4 people/Prep Time: 20minutes mins/Cook Time: 25minutes
Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 sweet onion, diced • 3 carrots, peeled and diced • 2 celery sticks, diced • 3 garlic cloves, minced • kosher salt and pepper • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning • 1 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken
Instructions
• 7 to 8 cups chicken stock • 1 parmesan cheese rind
1. Heat the butter in a large stock pot over medium- low heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. Stir in the garlic cloves, poultry seasoning and chicken. 2. Add in 7 cups of chicken stock and the parmesan rind. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Stir in the star pasta. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente - about 8 minutes. 3. Add in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste the soup and if it needs more salt and pepper, add it. If the parmesan rind didn’t melt entirely, you can scoop it out at this point. You can also decide if you’d like to add the additional cup of chicken stock here - it depends on how hearty or how brothy you like your soup. The pasta will soak it up as it sits! 4. Serve immediately with a lemon wedge for sprinkling, parmesan cheese for topping and parsley sprinkled on top. 5. Enjoy!
• 1 cup uncooked stelline pasta, mini pasta stars • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, plus more for topping
• parmesan cheese, for topping • lemon wedges, for spritzing
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12 Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
January 2026
I Solemnly Swear
Making Your Resolutions Actually Stick (No, Really This Time) January is famous for two things: credit card bills and resolutions that die faster than my houseplants. I’ve personally declared “New Year, New Me” so many times that Old Me is getting a complex. But here’s the thing, I’ve finally cracked the code and it only took me three decades of failure to figure it out. The Mindset Problem (AKA My Personal Nemesis) Most resolutions crumble because we’re excellent at finding excuses. My resolution is hitting the gym to lose weight? Flat tire. Can’t go. Obviously the universe wants me to stay home and eat crackers. Except (plot twist) I could do a home workout. I know this. You know this. We all know this. But acknowledging it means actually doing it, and that’s uncomfortable. Here’s where I’ve learned to trick myself: when I wake up thirty minutes earlier for that workout, I’m unbearable to be around for approximately twelve minutes. But then? I feel like a functional adult human who makes good choices, including working out. It’s unsettling but effective. The Overachiever Trap (Been There, Living There) Want to know why my resolutions fail? I aim for the moon while currently sitting on my couch. “I’ll lose fifty pounds!” I declare, having just discovered last week that my gym membership expired in 2022.
The secret nobody tells you: make boring, achievable goals. Break everything into embarrassingly small steps. Instead of fifty pounds, aim for one pound per week. That’s it. That’s the whole goal. In a year, you’re down fifty-two pounds. But more importantly, you haven’t quit by January 9th, which is my personal record. The Circle of Resolution Life Whatever your resolution (fitness, friendship, finances, finally learning what “networking” actually means) success requires strategy, not superhuman willpower. Because here’s what I’ve realized: I’m the same person this January who failed last January. The only difference? Now I’m older and my knees crack more. So maybe this year, I’ll just resolve to accept myself exactly as I am.
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January 2026 13
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Puzzle Time Numbers, Numbers, Numbers!
All the puzzles this month involve numbers, have fun and as always the solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com Easy Sudoku EASY SUDOKU #3
5x5 NUMBER CROSS EASY Cross out numbers in each grid so that each row and column of the grid sum to the specified numbers written outside the grid.
Number Search Find each number in the grid below. Numbers can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Numbers may also overlap one another.
EASY PUZZLE 1
EASY PUZZLE 2
Number Cross Cross out the numbers in each grid so that each row and column add up to the specified number written outside the grid. EASY PUZZLE 3
EASY PUZZLE 4
Copyright © 2014 puzzles-to-print.com. All rights reserved.
Sarah Carter | @mathequalslove | mathequalslove.net |
14 Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
January 2026
Lessons Learned Testing Hot - One Million and Counting
Fact: Opioids are a class of drugs that include synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and pain relievers legally prescribed, such as Percocet® and Vicodin®, codeine, morphine, and the illegal drug heroin. Fact: All street drugs now contain fentanyl. Counterfeit pills are just like counterfeit money. They look like the real thing. Youth and adults may think they are buying a pill such as Percocet, Vicodin, or Xanax. Fact: Opioids (including fentanyl) are highly addictive. They can quickly lead to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition (3PC) is a local group of prevention leaders that provides free presentations to businesses, school staff, parents, and community groups. We create awareness and understanding on multiple topics related to current teen drug trends, vaping, opioids, fentanyl, and more—email stephanie.siete@3PCoalition.org to learn more about booking a free presentation. Submitted by Larry Tracey, Executive Director of Youth4Youth and a member of the Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition.
I just got off the phone with a mother whose twenty- five-year-old son tested “hot” for opioids—again. As she spoke, I listened, and with every word, my heart grew heavier. Her son has been admitted to a treatment center, but this is not the first time. Each positive test chips away at her hope. You can hear it in her voice—the exhaustion, the fear, the quiet bargaining with reality. She finally said what so many parents are afraid to say out loud: Is my son going to become another statistic? Another name added to an ever-growing, unwanted club— parents who have buried a child lost to an opioid overdose. I’ve had that conversation before. Three years ago, I was on the other end of that same call. And the son we were talking about is no longer alive. Fact: Fentanyl overdoses are now the number one cause of death in males ages 18 – 45. Fact: Over 1 million Americans have now died from an opioid overdose.
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