The Front Porch is a free, monthly magazine produced by Estrella Publishing for the residents of Marley Park.
A magazine for Marley Park residents From Your Neighbors, For Your Neighbors The Front Porch
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Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine
Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor Christie Gianetto, Assistant 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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From Me To You
Welcome to your Feburary issue! February always feels like a bit of a reset. The holidays are behind us, the calendar has finally slowed down, and there’s a subtle shift toward what’s next. It’s a month that invites reflection without the pressure of big resolutions, and one that quietly reminds us how much the rhythm of community shapes our everyday lives. The Front Porch Magazine exists for that exact reason. It’s meant to be a place where neighbors feel connected, informed, and rooted, whether that’s through shared experiences, local updates, or simply knowing what’s happening around the neighborhood. Sometimes that connection comes from big events or milestones, and sometimes it comes from the small, familiar moments that make a neighborhood feel like home. As we move through the early part of the year, we’re also reminded that community isn’t just something that shows up during holidays or special occasions. It’s built over time, through consistency, shared spaces, and the quiet understanding that we’re all living life
side by side, often juggling the same challenges and celebrations in different ways. February does not ask us to do more. It asks us to notice more, to appreciate the routines we’ve settled into, the neighbors we see regularly, and the sense of place that makes Marley Park feel familiar and welcoming. Thank you for being part of this community and for continuing to support a publication that’s created for residents, by residents. Whether you read every page cover to cover or flip through at your own pace, we hope this issue feels like an extension of the neighborhood itself. Steady, welcoming, and always evolving. After all, in the words of Thomas Moore, “The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”
See you on the front porch!
Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Magazine
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Surprise Events
February is a great time for Marley Park residents to enjoy what winter in Surprise does best: comfortable weather, community events, and easy opportunities to get out and connect locally. One popular winter gathering is the Sunday Market at Elm Street City Center. The market takes place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Elm Street City Center, located at 14462 West Elm Street in Surprise. It’s a simple way to spend a Sunday morning browsing local vendors, grabbing a bite to eat, and enjoying time outdoors without traveling far from home. Local arts and music are also part of the February calendar. Play Your Way to the Park, a city-hosted live music competition, is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at The Vista Center for the Arts, located at 15660 North Parkview Place in Surprise. The event showcases local musicians and offers a relaxed, community-oriented evening option close to Marley Park. Later in the month, Surprise hosts one of its larger cultural events, the Festival of Nations. This two-day multicultural celebration will take place on Saturday,
February 28, and Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Mark Coronado Park, located at 15960 North Bullard Avenue in Surprise. The festival features international food, music, performances, and artisan vendors, creating a lively atmosphere that draws residents from across the city. February’s mild temperatures also make it an ideal time for Marley Park residents to enjoy neighborhood parks, walking paths, and community green spaces. Whether it’s an afternoon walk, time at the playground, or simply spending more time outside before warmer weather arrives, winter offers some of the most comfortable outdoor conditions of the year. Overall, February in Surprise is about enjoying everyday moments close to home, with just enough community events mixed in to keep the month feeling active and connected.
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Play Ball! Spring training season is one of the best parts of living in Marley Park, and this March, residents have a fun opportunity to come together for a night of
attendees ages two and up. All tickets will be available for pickup at the Will Call window on game day, making entry easy and straightforward. For those who miss the initial free ticket allotment or would like additional seats, discounted lawn tickets will be available for purchase at a special $5 rate. These tickets may be purchased online using the code “Marley” or directly at the Surprise Stadium box office, while supplies last. Registration will be available through MyMarleyPark.com once dates are announced, so residents are encouraged to check the website regularly to secure their spots. This event is about more than baseball. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Surprise Sundancers, a local nonprofit organization with more than 750 members who volunteer at Surprise Stadium and throughout the community. The funds raised help provide scholarships to students in Surprise and the Northwest Valley, supporting education and service close to home. A special thank you goes to AAA Landscaping for generously donating 200 tickets to the community and helping make this event possible.
baseball, community, and giving back. Marley Park Community Association is hosting a Spring Training Game Night on Wednesday, March 5, with first pitch at 6:05 pm. The Kansas City Royals will face off against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium, making it a
perfect evening outing for families, neighbors, and friends who enjoy America’s favorite pastime under the lights. MPCA residents will want to keep an eye out for registration details, which will be announced soon. Lawn admission tickets will be free for the first 400 MPCA residents who register, with a limit of four tickets per household. Tickets are required for all
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We’re enrolling Kindergartners for the 2026-2027 school year. Join us on February 24 at 5:30pm for our Kindergarten Showcase where you can tour schools, meet teachers, and learn why Dysart schools are “A” Rated! Dysart.org/Kindergarten
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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A Match Made in Print
Connect with local customers through Estrella Publishing
Call/text for details - 623.398.5541 INFO@EstrellaPublishing.com ESTRELLAPUBLISHING.COM
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Home Sweet Home
Here’s something that surprises a lot of homeowners. The number one regret sellers have when they sell without an agent is not the paperwork or the stress. It’s pricing, specifically not pricing their home correctly for the market they were actually in. According to data from the National Association of Realtors, sellers who chose to sell on their own said pricing their home was the hardest part of the process. That ranked higher than preparing the house, timing the sale, or handling the legal details. That makes sense, because pricing a home is not as simple as pulling a number from an online estimate or copying what a neighbor got last year. It takes real context, understanding what buyers are willing to pay right now, how much competition you have, what comparable homes are selling for, and how your home stacks up against others on the market. Pricing help also does not end once the house is listed. One of the biggest advantages of working with an agent is guidance on the decisions that follow. When showings slow down. When buyer feedback starts coming in.
When the market shifts. Knowing if a price adjustment is needed, when to make it, and how much to adjust based on what is happening in real time is where many sellers struggle on their own. Pricing mistakes tend to snowball. Buyers skip overpriced homes, showings drop, offers disappear, and price reductions follow. NAR reports that 59 percent of homes sold without an agent had to reduce their asking price at least once. The problem is that price cuts do not always fix things. They can attract bargain hunters, and some buyers assume a price drop means something is wrong with the house. By the time the home sells, many sellers net less than they would have if the home had been priced and adjusted strategically from the start. Homes sold with an agent sell for nearly 8 percent more on average, not because of magic, but because pricing decisions along the way are informed and timely. The biggest risk of selling without an agent is not the hassle. It’s the price, and the decisions that come with it.
Submitted by Christie Giannetto, REALTOR®, ΓEAL Broker
REACH OUT TODAY! The consultation is always FREE and without obligation. You should know what your home is worth in today’s market! Christie Giannetto | REALTOR ® Christie@AZLifestyleTeam.com SurpriseMatters.com
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Cook With Zona Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 3 cloves garlic minced
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.
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!
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
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Reptile Show
Marley Park residents are invited to a unique and educational community event this March that offers an up close look at some truly special reptiles. The Endangered Species Reptile Show will take place on Thursday, March 7th at 11:00 AM on the Heritage Club back lawn. This engaging event is designed to be both informative and interactive. Attendees will learn about several reptiles, including species that are considered endangered, followed by a hands on opportunity with each animal. It is a rare chance for residents to see these reptiles up close while learning more about them in a safe, guided setting. The Reptile Show is a free event exclusively for MPCA residents. Space is limited, and registration is required in advance. Registration will be open from February 2nd through March 2nd and can be completed online at MyMarleyPark.com. Residents are encouraged to register early to secure a spot. The event will be
held outdoors on the Heritage Club back lawn, providing a relaxed and accessible setting for families and residents of all ages. It is a great opportunity to enjoy a morning together in the community while learning about wildlife in a memorable way.
For residents who have questions about the event or registration process, additional information is available by emailing kara.lowry@fsresidential.com . Mark your calendar for March 7th and plan to join your neighbors for this fun and educational experience.
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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 is a great month to focus on small interior updates that can make a noticeable difference, starting with cabinet hardware. Over time, knobs and pulls loosen, finishes wear, and styles begin to look dated, even if the cabinets themselves are still in good shape. Walk through the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry areas and check for loose screws, missing hardware, or pieces that no longer function smoothly. Tightening or replacing hardware is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh a space. If you are considering updating hardware, consistency matters. Choose one finish and style for each room to create a cohesive look. Matte black, brushed nickel, and champagne bronze remain popular choices because they work well with many cabinet colors and hold up to daily use. Before purchasing replacements, measure the distance between screw holes on existing hardware to avoid unnecessary patching. Many modern options are designed to fit standard spacing, making upgrades straightforward. February is an ideal time for these projects because they can be completed indoors and without major disruption. Small updates like this help maintain your home’s appearance and prevent minor issues from becoming bigger ones later. Home Maintenance
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Puzzle Time Solutions 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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From The Heart
After years of celebrating Valentine’s Day together, even the most romantic gestures can start feeling routine. Another dozen roses, another box of chocolates, another crowded restaurant with a prix fixe menu. If you’re looking to surprise your partner with something truly memorable this February, read on. Don’t abandon what your partner loves. If they adore receiving flowers, bring the flowers. The familiar gestures still matter. But after five, ten, or twenty years together, those traditions deserve a companion surprise that shows you’re still finding new ways to celebrate your relationship. Think of the classics as your foundation, not your entire plan. ❤ Nothing says “I thought about you” quite like something crafted with your own hands. A heartfelt card detailing specific moments you’ve cherished together carries more weight than any store-bought sentiment. Take time to write about the little things: how she laughs at your terrible jokes, or the way he handles challenges with grace, or when you realized all over again why you chose each other. ❤ Consider your skills when planning something handmade. Woodworking? Create a personalized
keepsake box or cutting board engraved with your anniversary date. Photography enthusiast? Frame a beautifully printed collection of your favorite moments together. Enjoy cooking? Compile a custom recipe book of meals you’ve shared. Even if you’re not naturally crafty, the effort itself becomes the gift. ❤ Sometimes the best surprises don’t come wrapped at all. Skip the overpriced Valentine’s restaurant and recreate your first date meal at home, complete with candlelight and their favorite music. Plan a sunrise hike to a spot with special meaning, bringing thermoses of good coffee and breakfast pastries. ❤ In Arizona, February offers perfect weather for outdoor adventures. Consider a hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert, a sunset picnic at Papago Park, or stargazing at a nearby observatory. The most valuable thing you can offer isn’t found in stores or craft supplies. It’s your undivided attention, your thoughtfulness, and your willingness to step outside comfortable routines to show your partner they’re still worth the effort. This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of intentionality.
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SOLD
SOLD
SOLD FOR FULL PRICE
12540 N 154th Ave
14372 W Aster Dr
14640 W Dahlia Dr
Sold Price ...................... $335,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,517 Lot Sq Ft..............................4,913 Amenities ..........Huge Front Porch
Sold Price ...................... $465,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,929 Lot Sq Ft..............................5,760 Amenities .............Three Bedrooms ................................................. Den
Sold Price ...................... $472,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,921 Lot Sq Ft..............................5,760 Amenities .............Three Bedrooms ................................................. Den
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD FOR FULL PRICE
SOLD FOR $15K OVER LIST PRICE
14196 W Georgia Dr
15289 W Valentine St
15432 W Corrine Dr
15170 W Corrine Dr
Sold Price ...................... $591,750 Sq Ft ...................................3,220 Lot Sq Ft..............................9,104 Amenities ................3-Car Garage
Sold Price ...................... $670,000 Sq Ft ...................................3,637 Lot Sq Ft............................11,139 Amenities ..............................Pool ................................4-Car Garage
Sold Price ...................... $480,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,907 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,600 Amenities ...Pool and Owned Solar
Sold Price ...................... $565,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,928 Lot Sq Ft..............................7,084 Amenities ..............................Pool .................................Owned Solar
SOLD 12961 N 151st Dr
14925 W Dreyfus St SOLD 14196 W Georgia Dr
SOLD 12744 N 146th Ln
SOLD 15359 W Corrine Dr
SOLD 15457 W Corrine Dr
Sold Price ...................... $675,000 Sq Ft ...................................3,541 Lot Sq Ft............................19,139 Amenities ........Pool and Huge Lot Buyer Represented by Christie Giannetto
Sold Price ...................... $475,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,465 Lot Sq Ft..............................3,720 Amenities ..............................Pool Homestead at Marley Park
Sold Price ...................... $510,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,470 Lot Sq Ft..............................7,542 Amenities ..............................Pool
Sold Price ...................... $460,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,198 Lot Sq Ft..............................8,400 Amenities ..............................Pool Buyer Represented by Christie Giannetto
Sold Price ...................... $412,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,085 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,600 Amenities ..........Three Car Garage
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