The Front Porch

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

October 2026 1

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 Ebert, 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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2 Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

October 2026

From Me To You

Welcome to your October issue! October is finally here, and if you live in Arizona, you know what that means: we can start remembering why we live here. After months of planning our lives around triple-digit temperatures, October is when Marley Park really starts to come alive again. Mornings are cooler, evenings are more comfortable, and suddenly walking the dog, riding bikes, sitting on the front porch, or taking the kids to the park sounds enjoyable again instead of slightly insane. It’s also one of my favorite times of year in our neighborhood. Halloween is such a fun holiday in Marley Park, especially when people go all out decorating their homes. This month, both Marley Park and Homestead at Marley Park are holding Halloween decorating contests, so there should be plenty to see throughout the community. Marley Park is also hosting a Pawstume Parade on October 24, which may be one of the cutest excuses possible to get outside with your neighbors. This issue also includes a look at something a little less festive but increasingly relevant in Arizona: data

centers. They’re being built in more communities across the country, including here in our state, and they’re becoming another type of development homeowners and buyers should understand. We’ve broken down some of the research about what they can mean for nearby homes and communities without all the hype. Mostly, though, I hope this month gives everyone a chance to enjoy being outside again. Walk to school if you can. Take an evening bike ride. Visit one of the parks. Sit on the porch for a while. Go see the Halloween decorations, even if your own decorating consists of putting a pumpkin by the front door and calling it good. We spend a lot of the summer waiting for this weather. Now we finally get to enjoy it. After all, in the words of A. A. Milne, “The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October!

See you on The Front Porch See you on the front porch!

Christie Giannetto | Assistant Editor | The Front Porch Mag

Christie Gianetto, Assistant Editor

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As new neighborhoods push farther into once-open desert, Surprise faces a balancing act that could shape the city for decades: accommodating growth while protecting the mission of nearby Luke Air Force Base. Luke is more than a familiar presence in West Valley skies. It’s a major regional employer and military installation, and its pilots depend on surrounding airspace and compatible land uses to train. That grows more complicated as Surprise approves development in its expanding northern and western reaches. New subdivisions bring needed housing and customers for local businesses, but they also place more residents beneath or near military flight paths. For homeowners, the most immediate concern may be noise. Military aircraft differ considerably from commercial flights, and training can occur regularly. Buyers need clear information about what living near an active military installation means. Luke AFB

For Luke, the stakes go beyond noise complaints. Development that isn’t compatible with military operations can create what planners call “encroachment,” civilian growth that gradually limits how a base can operate. Conflicts over housing density, building heights or lighting can make training more difficult. That gives Surprise officials and developers an unusual responsibility: today’s zoning decisions can affect a military mission that has been part of the West Valley for generations. Growth and Luke don’t have to be competitors. Careful planning, buffers, compatible land uses and strong disclosure requirements can help communities expand while protecting the base. The question is whether those protections will stay strong as developable land grows more valuable.

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October 2026

The Bug Guy Halloween in the Valley: Where Scorpions Don’t Need a Costume

under-blacklight treatment before a single candy bag gets extended. Parents aren’t just checking candy wrappers anymore, they’re checking corners. Then there’s the pest control trucks, doing their best business of the year right alongside the costume shops. Nothing says “October in the Valley” like a technician in a full Halloween-adjacent hazmat getup, treating a baseboard while a giant inflatable Frankenstein wobbles ominously in the yard next door. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which visitor is scarier: the trick-or- treater in the werewolf mask, or the actual javelina rustling through the cactus out back looking for candy of its own. So this year, when you’re setting up your fake tombstones and cotton-web spiders, maybe give a little nod to the real MVPs of Phoenix Halloween: the pest control folks quietly making sure the only things haunting your house are the decorations you put there on purpose. Stay spooky, Keep your shoes shaken and your door screens intact.

Let’s be honest, West Valley: we didn’t need Halloween to have things skittering around that make people scream. We’ve had that covered since roughly March. While the rest of the country is out here decorating with plastic spiders, we’re just... looking down before we put our shoes on. Nothing says “spooky season” quite like shaking out a boot and hoping today isn’t the day a bark scorpion decides to make a statement. Our neighbors to the north hang fake cobwebs from their porches for atmosphere. Ours are load-bearing. And don’t even get me started on the pack rats. Every October, some poor soul in Arcadia hangs up a cute little skeleton decoration, only to discover a week later that something has been using it as a chew toy. Nothing ruins the illusion of a haunted house quite like realizing the “ghost” in your attic pays rent in droppings and has excellent taste in insulation. Trick-or-treaters here have developed a sixth sense the rest of the country doesn’t need: the pre-doorbell scorpion scan. Every porch light gets the flashlight-

Submitted by Larry Cash, of Estrella Mountain Pest Control.

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Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

Take A Walk By the time October arrives, one of the best things about living in Marley Park is that it finally starts to feel good to be outside again. The mornings are cooler, the evenings are more comfortable, and walking or riding a bike around the neighborhood becomes a lot more appealing than it was during the height of summer.

spaces, and front porches also give kids places to spend time together in a way that feels natural. Not every playdate has to be scheduled. Sometimes friendships are built simply because kids see each other outside, stop to talk, or end up playing together at the park. There’s something nice about the way that creates connection for adults, too. When more people are outside walking dogs, pushing strollers, riding bikes, or sitting on the porch, you naturally see more familiar faces. You get to know your neighbors, even if it’s just through a quick hello as you pass by. After months of working around the Arizona heat, October feels like the start of the season when we can enjoy all of that again. It’s a good reminder that one of Marley Park’s biggest strengths isn’t just how the neighborhood looks, but how easy it is to get outside, move around, and feel connected to the people who live here.

That makes October a great time to appreciate one of the things that makes Marley Park such a nice place to raise kids: so much of the neighborhood is designed around being outside and getting from one place to another on foot or by bike. Walking to school, riding bikes to a friend’s house, heading to the park, or just taking a walk after dinner can become part of everyday life instead of something that has to be planned. For kids, that kind of independence matters. Being able to walk or ride somewhere nearby helps them build confidence and responsibility a little at a time. They learn how to navigate their own neighborhood, make plans with friends, and become more comfortable doing things on their own, while still being close to home. The parks, sidewalks, green

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6 Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

October 2026

Boo! Halloween decorating is coming to both Marley Park and Homestead at Marley Park this fall, with each community holding its own home decorating contest. • In Marley Park, registration for the Halloween Home Decorating Contest is open September 9 through October 5. Residents who would like to enter their decorated home can register at mymarleypark.com. Community judging will take place October 9 through October 21, with prizes awarded for People’s Choice, Second Place, and Third Place. Questions about the Marley Park contest can be directed to Kara Lowry at kara.lowry@fsresidential.com. • Homestead at Marley Park is also holding a Halloween Home Decorating Contest. Residents may begin decorating September 1 and must register by email no later than October 13. Registration should be sent to cfranco@associatedasset.com QR code lawn signs will be issued October 14. Voting in the Homestead contest will run from October 16 through October 29, and the winner will be announced October 30.

Be sure to pay attention to the different deadlines. Marley Park residents have the earlier registration deadline of October 5, followed by community judging beginning October 9. Homestead at Marley Park residents have until October 13 to submit their registration, with voting beginning October 16.

With separate contests happening in both communities, October will offer plenty of

opportunities for residents to enjoy Halloween displays throughout the Marley Park area. Those who love decorating can get creative with their own homes, while neighbors can enjoy seeing what participating residents come up with and take part in their community’s voting period. Whether you’re planning an elaborate haunted display, carving pumpkins, stringing up lights, or simply looking forward to seeing the neighborhood dressed up for Halloween, both contests offer residents a fun way to celebrate the season close to home.

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Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

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October 2026

Home Sweet Home

Data centers are becoming a bigger part of the conversation around growth and development, especially in states like Arizona. They may not be the first thing most people think about when buying a home, but as more of these facilities are built, buyers and homeowners are starting to ask what they could mean for nearby neighborhoods. The good news is that the research so far doesn’t show a clear pattern of data centers hurting home values simply because they’re nearby. HousingWire reported that home prices in ZIP codes with large data centers generally performed similarly to comparable areas without them. That suggests the presence of a data center alone isn’t enough to predict whether property values will rise or fall. That said, the details still matter. A home located very close to a large facility, electrical substation, transmission lines, or increased commercial traffic may be viewed differently than one several miles away. Noise, construction activity, and changes to the surrounding landscape can all influence how buyers feel about a particular property.

Data centers may generate property tax revenue, create jobs, and lead to improvements in roads, power systems, and fiber infrastructure. At the same time, they use a large

amount of electricity, and some cooling systems also require significant water. Those demands can raise questions about long-term infrastructure and utility costs. For buyers, the bigger takeaway is to look beyond the homes and amenities you see today. Large vacant parcels and future zoning plans can matter just as much as current development. For homeowners, a proposed data center nearby isn’t automatically bad news. It’s simply another local development issue worth understanding before making assumptions about what it could mean for your property. Submitted by Christie Giannetto, REALTOR®, ΓEA Broker L

There can also be benefits to this type of development.

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Pawstume Parade

Marley Park is giving four-legged residents a chance to join in the Halloween fun with a Pawstume Parade on October 24. Residents are invited to dress up their furry friends and bring them to Marley Park Neighborhood Park for a morning of costumes and Halloween fun. The Pawstume Parade begins at 9:00 AM and will feature pets dressed in their Halloween best. Whether your pet is ready to become a superhero, a pumpkin, a favorite character, or something completely original, this is a chance to get creative and show off their costume. There’s a little extra incentive to dress to impress, too. Prizes donated by local vendors will be awarded, giving participating pets a chance to go home as winners. The event offers Marley Park residents a fun way to include their pets in the Halloween festivities and spend time with neighbors before the holiday arrives. Even residents who don’t have a pet to dress up can enjoy seeing the costumed participants gathered at the park. When choosing a costume, make sure your pet can move comfortably and that the outfit doesn’t interfere with its ability to see, hear, breathe, or walk normally. Pets may react differently to costumes, crowds, or other animals, so owners should consider their individual

pet’s comfort when deciding whether to participate.

The Pawstume Parade will take place Saturday, October 24, at 9:00 AM at Marley Park Neighborhood Park. Residents who plan to participate should arrive with their furry friend already dressed and ready for the occasion.

From cute and clever to spooky and silly, the parade should bring plenty of Halloween spirit to the neighborhood. Start thinking about your pet’s costume now and get ready to see Marley Park’s furry residents take center stage for a morning.

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October 2026

The Doctor Is In

Managing Your Mental Bandwidth As we navigate the demands of a busy Fall, I wanted to share a concept I often discuss with my patients: the difference between your mental hardware and your mental software. Sometimes, we feel “glitched”— anxious, overwhelmed or stuck in a loop. When this happens, we tend to blame ourselves. But often, the issue is that our Internal CEO is trying to run too many high-energy programs on an exhausted battery. Here is a quick audit to help you optimize your mental operating system this week. 1. Identify the Background Apps Just like a smartphone slows down when too many apps are open, our brains lose efficiency when we carry “open loops”—those small, unfinished tasks or unspoken worries. The Fix: Do a Brain Dump. Write down every tiny thing nagging at you. Once it’s on paper, your Internal CEO can stop using active RAM to remember it, lowering your baseline anxiety. 2. Check Your Hardware Basics We often try to solve psychological problems with logic, but if the hardware is glitching, the logic won’t stick. Before you over-analyze your mood, check your physical inputs:

• Sleep Hygiene: Is your recharge cycle consistent? • Movement: Are you clearing out cortisol through physical activity? • Fuel: Are you giving your brain the nutrients it needs to maintain focus? 3. Strengthening the Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and impulse control. It is essentially the CEO of your mind. You can strengthen this “muscle” daily through: • Labeling: When a big emotion hits, name it. “I am feeling overlooked” or “I am feeling overstimulated.” This simple act moves the energy from the emotional center (the amygdala) back to the logical CEO. • The 90-Second Rule: Scientific research suggests that the chemical surge of an emotion lasts about 90 seconds. If you can breathe through those 90 seconds without reacting, the fire usually begins to cool on its own. In my 20+ years of clinical experience, I’ve seen that the most resilient people aren’t those who never feel “off.” They’re the ones who recognize the “glitch” early and have the tools to reset their system. Submitted by Jennifer Paweleck-Bellingrodt, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist

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YOUR VOICE OUR COMMUNITY

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October 2026

Cook With Zona

Pumpkin Bread

just combined. 5. Spoon into prepared baking pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs and the top springs back when lightly touched. 6. Enjoy!

It’s October and that means pumpkins! This delicious pumpkin bread is packed with pumpkin flavor and fragrant autumn spices and your house will smell amazing all day. Ingredients • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg) • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 & 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree • 1/2 cup vegetable oil • 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar • 2 large eggs

Want to see previous recipes by Zona? Scan the QR code to see all past recipes on our website!

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x5” loaf pan. 2. In a large bowl, toss together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Set aside 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. 1 & 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 large eggs 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until

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Puzzles & Games Soduku rules. Fill every row, column, and 3 × 3 block with the numbers 1 to 9 without repeating them. Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com, or scan the QR code. Easy 8 2 7 3 4 9 6 4 9 5 8 3 Medium 7 4 4 2

9 8 5

4 8 9 6 6 1 2

8 3

2 1 4 9 1 8

4 9 6

1 8 3

1 5 7

9 4

2 4 7 7 3

5 7

1 8

8 3 5

3 4 1

8 5 6

Spot the Difference!

Hard

Expert 5

2 4

9 5 6

9 6

6 3

3 8 2

4 3 6 5

8 5

9 7

4 2 3

2 4

7 9

7 8

6 1

Master 2

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14 Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

October 2026

Download the original Sudoku.com mobile application and play thousands of

9 1

October 2026 15

Estrella Publishing - The Front Porch magazine

14602 W Aster Dr JUST LISTED

15388 W Alexandria Way UNDER CONTRACT

15362 W Eugene Ter SOLD FOR FULL PRICE

SOLD FOR FULL PRICE

12865 N 151st Dr

14137 W Voltaire St

List Price ....................... $435,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,679 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,000 Amenities ..... Walk-in Tile Shower

List Price ....................... $600,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,973 Lot Sq Ft..............................9,757 Amenities ..............................Pool

Sold Price ...................... $475,000 Sq Ft ...................................3,032 Lot Sq Ft..............................8,775 Amenities ..............................Pool

Sold Price ...................... $425,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,909 Lot Sq Ft..............................5,350 Amenities .....New Roof & New AC

Sold Price ...................... $440,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,337 Lot Sq Ft..............................3,600 Amenities ...............Great Location Homestead at Marley Park

SOLD FOR FULL PRICE

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14917 W Dreyfus St

14560 W Dahlia Dr

12321 N 145th Dr

14377 W Surrey Dr

15173 W Larkspur Dr

Sold Price ...................... $365,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,323 Lot Sq Ft..............................3,833 Amenities ..............Great Location

Sold Price ...................... $485,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,728 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,042 Amenities .................Owned Solar

Sold Price ...................... $485,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,933 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,960 Amenities ..........Amazing Backyard

Sold Price ...................... $410,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,488 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,000 Amenities .......... Close to Schools

Sold Price ...................... $427,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,022 Lot Sq Ft..............................6,345 Amenities ..............Great Location

Homestead at Marley Park

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14196 W Georgia Dr

15480 W Corrine Dr

14640 W Dahlia Dr

12540 N 154th Ave

14372 W Aster Dr

Sold Price ...................... $591,750 Sq Ft ...................................3,220 Lot Sq Ft..............................9,104 Amenities ................3-Car Garage

Sold Price ...................... $335,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,517 Lot Sq Ft..............................4,913 Amenities ..........Huge Front Porch

Sold Price ...................... $500,000 Sq Ft ...................................2,085 Lot Sq Ft..............................7,179 Amenities ..............................Pool

Sold Price ...................... $472,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,921 Lot Sq Ft..............................5,760 Amenities .............Three Bedrooms ................................................. Den

Sold Price ...................... $465,000 Sq Ft ...................................1,929 Lot Sq Ft..............................5,760 Amenities .............Three Bedrooms ................................................. Den

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