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
February 2026
February 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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February 2026
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February 2026
From Me To You... I don’t know about you but I am a devoted list maker. I believe deeply in the power of writing things down. Every morning, I sit at my desk with a fresh piece of paper, ready to conquer the day ahead. Groceries, appointments, that article deadline, the three emails I’ve been avoiding all week. It all goes on the list. I am organized. I am prepared. I am, for approximately sixty minutes, a functional adult.
Sometimes I find my lists later in random places. In the washing machine, slightly damp and illegible. Wedged between the couch cushions with some popcorn kernels and loose change. Once, inexplicably, in the refrigerator next to the butter, I have no idea how that one happened. Why not use my phone like a normal person, you say? Where’s the satisfaction in that? There’s something deeply gratifying about physically crossing items off a paper list. Plus, you can’t lose your phone in the refrigerator. Well, you can, but then you have bigger problems than finding a list. So I persist. Every morning, I make a new list. Every day, I lose it. And without fail you will find me in Fry’s trying to remember if we need milk, while wondering if this is just what being over fifty looks like. Catherine Uretsky Editor, The Park Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.398.5541
And then I lose the list.
Not immediately, of course. That would be too simple. No, I lose it right when I need it most, usually while standing in the middle of Fry’s trying to remember if we’re out of milk or if I just saw milk in the fridge this morning. I check my purse. I check my pockets. I check my purse again because surely I missed it the first time. Nothing. The list has vanished into the same mysterious void that claims reading glasses, pens, and that mismatched sock. The irony is not lost on me. I make lists specifically to avoid forgetting things, and then I forget where I put the list. It’s like putting my keys in a special place so I won’t lose them and then forgetting where the special place is.
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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
Love, Arizona
This February, as much of the country shivers under winter’s grip, Arizonans are basking in sunshine and celebrating what makes the Grand Canyon State truly special. From perfect weather to stunning landscapes, there are countless reasons to love calling Arizona home. The February climate alone is worth celebrating. While other states are buried in snow, Arizona families are having picnics in the park, riding bikes after school, and playing outside in shorts and t-shirts. That mid- winter sunshine feels like pure gold, a daily reminder of why so many people choose to build their lives here. The light in Arizona deserves its own love letter. Sunsets paint the sky in impossible shades of pink, orange, and purple, creating nightly spectacles over mountain silhouettes. Even longtime residents find themselves stopping mid-task to watch the desert sky transform, a gift that never gets old no matter how many years you’ve witnessed it. Arizona’s incredible variety of landscapes and adventures sets it apart. In a single day, it’s possible to snowboard in the morning and hike among red rocks by afternoon. Few places offer such diverse outdoor
experiences within such close proximity. The state truly gives its residents everything. The sense of community runs deep across Arizona towns and cities. Neighborhoods still feel like extended families, where people know their neighbors, help each other out, and maintain that small-town warmth even in larger metropolitan areas. That genuine friendliness and connection makes the state feel like home. The iconic desert scenery captures hearts daily. Saguaro cacti standing tall against brilliant blue skies, rugged mountains rising from sandy valleys, and endless horizons create a landscape that turns every drive into an adventure. Children grow up hiking, exploring, and developing deep appreciation for nature’s wonders. As February brings Arizona’s most perfect temperatures and crystalline skies, it’s easy to understand why residents are so devoted to their desert home. The weather, scenery, and community spirit combine to create something truly special in the Southwest.
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February 2026
ABT Founder & CEO Kiel Klaphake Returns to the Stage in 42nd Street
Arizona Broadway Theatre presents a major production of 42nd Street, the iconic Broadway musical known for its precision, scale, and relentless energy. For the first time in years, ABT Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Kiel Klaphake steps back onstage in the commanding role of Julian Marsh — the legendary director who demands excellence
and turns potential into performance, mirroring Klaphake’s own 20 years of building and leading a large-scale professional musical theatre. This 42nd Street features a rare alignment of talent and leadership: nationally cast performers, eight standout local actors , and choreography led by ABT’s Artistic Director Kurtis Overby — all coming together in a production built on discipline, momentum, and classic Broadway spectacle. Driven by tap-heavy choreography and timeless songs like “Lullaby of Broadway” and “We’re in the Money,” 42nd Street delivers the joy, glamour, and scale audiences expect from a flagship production — paired with Arizona Broadway Theatre’s signature dinner-and-show experience for a complete night out. 42nd Street runs January 16 – February 27, 2026 at Arizona Broadway Theatre. Tickets available at azbroadway.org or 623-776-8400 .
JANUARY 16 – FEBRUARY 27, 2026
One small-town girl. One huge Broadway break. 42nd Street is the ultimate showbiz fairly tale—where a single step into the spotlight can change everything.
azbroadway.org | 623.776.8400
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Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
The Doctor Is In
It’s Time to Rewrite Your Narrative
much” or “not enough”; those chapters were written for you by external circumstances. Because you aren’t the sole author of your origin story, it is incredibly difficult to change the plot alone. As we move into 2026, let this be the year you do something different. Attempting to change a narrative you don’t fully understand is like trying to fix a complex machine without a manual. You can’t edit a script if you don’t know where the dialogue came from. This is where professional help becomes the bridge to a new life. Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic move to mind the gap between your past perceptions and your future responses. We weren’t put on a planet of nearly 8 billion people to go it alone! A therapist or counselor acts as a co-editor, helping you identify the “red lights” and “green lights” that have been governing your behavior. Change requires more than just willpower; it requires a new set of tools. If you find yourself hitting the same walls in 2026, acknowledge that the script needs a fresh set of eyes. You deserve to understand how your narrative was written so that you can finally take the pen and write the rest of the story yourself. Submitted by Dr. J. Paweleck-Bellingrodt, Psy.D. Disclaimer: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.
We often live our lives according to a personal narrative—an internal script that dictates how we view our worth, our relationships and our potential. For many, this script is filled with self-doubt, patterns of all-or-nothing thinking or the heavy weight of emotional neglect. We tell ourselves, “This is just who I am,” or “I’ve always been this way.” But there is a profound truth we often overlook: If you didn’t talk yourself into your current mindset, you’re going to need help talking yourself out of it. Most of our deepest core beliefs were written long before we had the cognitive tools to edit them. They were drafted in childhood through DNA contributions from our gene pool, our upbringing and the lens of our environment, the reactions of our caregivers and the “invisible” experiences of what we lacked. You didn’t consciously choose to believe you were “too
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February 2026
After over thirty years of marriage, I can tell you that love is beautifully weird. It’s spontaneous and overwhelming, yes, but it’s also surprisingly scientific. What poets call fate, researchers call biology mixed with learned behavior and a whole lot of choice. Here’s what nobody tells you when you’re starry-eyed and dating: that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling has a name. It’s dopamine flooding your brain, the same chemical that makes you check your phone fifty times waiting for his text. Add oxytocin, the bonding hormone released through physical closeness, and you’ve got the perfect cocktail for falling head over heels. This chemical rush is why new love feels intoxicating, like you could stay up talking until 3 AM every night and somehow function the next day. But chemistry only gets you so far. The uncomfortable truth is that our childhood experiences shape how we love as adults. Attachment theory explains why some of us feel comfortable with intimacy while others panic at the first sign of real closeness. I spent my thirties learning that my need for constant reassurance stemmed from watching my parents’ rocky marriage, not from anything my husband was doing wrong. Understanding these patterns doesn’t erase them, but True Love
it helps you recognize when you’re reacting from old wounds rather than present reality. Sustaining love after the dopamine fades requires different skills entirely. It needs communication when you’re exhausted and don’t want to talk. It needs empathy when your partner is being difficult and you’d rather be right than understanding. It needs the ability to say “I’m sorry” and actually mean it. The couples who make it aren’t the ones with the most chemistry. They’re the ones who learned to listen without defensiveness, express appreciation regularly, and resolve conflicts without keeping score. Love is both a feeling and a practice. Biology sparks it, but commitment sustains it. The honeymoon phase eventually ends for everyone. What replaces it, if you’re lucky and intentional, is something deeper. Something built through thousands of small choices to show up, stay present, and keep choosing each other.
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10 Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
February 2026
The Bug Guy
Love Bugs and Other Uninvited Valentines in Phoenix Ah, February in the Valley—when the temperature hits a perfect 70 degrees, the desert blooms with wildflowers, and the scorpions emerge from winter hiding to crash your romantic dinner. Nothing says “I love you” quite like your partner screaming and jumping on the couch because a bark scorpion just photobombed your couples’ selfie. While you’re planning the perfect Valentine’s evening with chocolate-covered strawberries and candlelight, Arizona’s least romantic residents are planning their own festivities. February’s mild weather is like sending out engraved invitations to every pest in the valley. Ants form conga lines to your kitchen counter, roaches think your pantry is the hottest nightclub in town, and those gorgeous desert roses you planted? The rodents think they’re an all-you-can-eat Valentine’s buffet. Let’s talk about the real love triangle nobody wants: you, your significant other, and the family of roof rats living in your attic. They’ve been up there since December, and now that it’s warming up, they’re feeling frisky. Nothing kills the mood faster than
hearing mysterious scratching sounds above your bedroom at midnight. Is it romantic? Only if you’re into horror movies. And don’t even get me started on the pigeons. These flying romantics choose February to scout out prime nesting spots—usually your tile roof or air conditioning unit. They’re basically the reality TV stars of the bird world: loud, messy, and impossible to get rid of once they move in. The good news? A pre-Valentine’s pest control visit is actually more thoughtful than drugstore chocolates. Your partner will appreciate that you value a scorpion- free bedroom more than overpriced roses that’ll die in three days. Plus, pest control professionals work on Valentine’s Day—because love might be patient and kind, but termites definitely aren’t. So this February, show your Valley home some love. Schedule that pest inspection. After all, the only thing that should be bugging you on Valentine’s Day is deciding which restaurant has the shortest wait time. Happy Valentine’s Day from the pest-free zone! Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control.
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February 2026 11 12/22/25 11:06 AM
Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
Superbowl Sunday
Ready, Set, Hike! February has one day that matters. Not Valentine’s Day. Super Bowl Sunday. This is what we’ve been grinding toward since September kickoff. Thirty-two teams started the season. Now it’s down to two, and the rest of us are planted on couches with enough buffalo wings to take down a linebacker. Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just about the game, though the game is everything. It’s about the entire experience. Your buddies crammed into the living room, jerseys on, beer cold, volume cranked. Everyone’s suddenly an expert on defensive schemes and play calling. The refs are blind. The coach is an idiot. Your team would have dominated if they’d just made the playoffs. The prop bets are where it gets good. Forget the spread. We’re betting on the real stuff. Gatorade color dumped on the winning coach? National anthem sung off key over/under? Will someone streak the field? How many times will the announcers mention Tom Brady even though he’s not playing? Loser makes everyone’s plates. Stakes are high.
Food is non-negotiable and requires game-day strategy. Wings are mandatory. Pizza, nachos, sliders, seven- layer dip, mozzarella sticks, anything you can grab with one hand because you’re not missing a play. The debate: order everything and wait three hours because every joint is slammed, or cook it yourself and miss the first quarter? Either way, someone’s taking the loss. Plan accordingly. Commercials have become part of the competition. Some are legendary, some are trash, but we watch every single one and argue about them like they matter. Halftime show? Either epic or a complete train wreck we’ll be roasting for the next decade. The game itself is why we’re here. Fourth quarter, score tied, two-minute warning. This is peak football. One team walks away champions. The other goes home thinking about what could have been. Win or lose, Super Bowl Sunday is what separates football from every other sport. It’s tradition. It’s battle. It’s the biggest stage in sports, and we wouldn’t miss it for anything. Just don’t expect anyone to function at work Monday.
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February 2026
Cook With Zona Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
Steps 1. Slice all of the sausage and peppers. Place them on a large baking sheet. 2. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning in a small bowl with olive oil until it’s completely combined. 3. Drizzle the seasonings over the sausage and peppers and mix it all together so the season coats everything then spread it out in an even layer. 4. Bake in the oven at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through. The onions and peppers should be soft and the sausage should be browned and crispy. Serve it as is, over rice, a salad or in a bun! 5. Enjoy!
Sign me up for colorful, delicious sheet pan dinners every weeknight. Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers is filled with protein, vibrant veggies and Italian seasoning. The versatile ways to serve it make it a meal you can come back to every week.
If you have a recipe you’d like to share with your community email me at ArizonaCooks71@gmail.com to be featured in the magazine! Prep time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Total time: 45 mins Ingredients • 12-16 ounces pre-cooked sausage sliced into rounds (I prefer Aidells Brand)
Want to see previous recipes by Zona? Scan the QR code to see all past recipes on our website!
• 2 red bell peppers sliced • 2 green bell peppers sliced • 1 medium yellow onion sliced • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 3 cloves garlic minced
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February 2026 13
Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
Puzzle Time S olutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com, scan the QR code.
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 4
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February 2026
February invites us to think about connection, compassion, and the quiet ways we show care in everyday life, these actions are rooted in Kindness. True kindness is not just grand gestures; it is found in small, intentional acts that make others feel seen and valued. One of the simplest expressions of kindness is attention. The winter, especially in these early months, many people feel isolated or overlooked. We can all take time to notice someone near us; it is a powerful and easy moment. Actions such as asking a sincere question, recalling their name, or spending time listening without distraction all are ways to show kindness. These actions may seem minor, yet they build trust and emotional safety. Kindness also begins inward. Winter months can be mentally and emotionally heavy for yourself just as much as it is for others. This weight includes self- criticism, and low energy moments. In those moments, Kindness
we need to treat ourselves with gentleness. As we do so, we are better equipped to extend that same grace outward. From a practical standpoint, kindness strengthens relationships. People who feel valued are more cooperative, more engaged, and more likely to pass kindness along to others. Psychologically, kindness boosts mood and reduces stress. Physiologically, it has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the body’s stress response. These benefits extend to both the giver and the receiver, creating a shared sense of wellbeing. February reminds us that kindness does not require a special occasion, or chocolates – although chocolates are always nice to give and receive. Kindness thrives in consistency. • Holding a door • Offering encouragement • Choosing patience instead of irritation As winter continues and routines remain demanding, kindness can be the quiet force that softens our days and deepens our connections with one another.
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