APRIL 2019
INSIDE Easter Egg Scramble and More...
Living
Toscana Lifestyle YOUR NEIGHBORS' FAVORITES
TL
By Mark Gatchell, Lifestyle Director
Who doesn't love ooey, gooey, stick-to-your-teeth caramel corn? This recipe is sure to please the whole family (and I bet your neighbors wouldn't complain if you brought some by)! INGREDIENTS • 7 quarts plain popped popcorn • 2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional) • 2 cups brown sugar • 1/2 cup light corn syrup • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 cup margarine • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5450 E. Deer Valley Drive Building 2 Phoenix, AZ 85054 www.toscanaliving.net Phone: 480-585-0808 Fax: 480-585-2859 Night Manager: 480-861-0875 Gate House: 480-513-0602 STAFF Nicole Careaga, CMCA Community Manager ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Christine Reeder Assistant Community Manager creeder@toscanaliving.net Mark Gatchell Lifestyle Director mgatchell@toscanaliving.net Katie Lucas Concierge Director klucas@toscanaliving.net Dani Wall Administrative Assistant dwall@toscanaliving.net
DIRECTIONS 1. Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. You may use roasting pans, jelly roll pans, or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts to the popped corn if using. Set aside. 2. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. 3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated. 4. Bake for 1 hour, removing the pans and giving them each a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.
NIGHT MANAGERS: Don Meeks Jackie Hernandez 480-861-0875 MAINTENANCE: John Raabe Maintenance Supervisor Keith Buc Robert Hollis Ignacio Santana GATE HOUSE: Ron McCroskey, Saffron Caudle Chet Sanders, Hector Perez, Mariya Lilith 480-513-0602
ON THE COVER Vendor Expo
Toscana Living | 3
TL
Toscana Lifestyle
TOSCANA UPCOMING EVENTS RESIDENT FRIDAY SOCIALS Fridays in April, Palazzo Grande RSVP by Thursday at noon Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. Friday Socials are FREE. VIP SPOTLIGHT-LUNCH SPONSORED BY HIKE AND HEAL EXPERIENCES Thursday, April 4, from 11:30am-12:30pm Palazzo Grande Join us for another VIP Spotlight featuring Hike & Heal Experiences! Residents are invited to sit down and have lunch with VIP Partner Jay Rothman, who offers the chance to heal your mind, body and soul while out in the beauty of nature. Each experience can focus on a different area in your life you'd like to improve! For more information on available experiences and other services, check out his website here: https://healmindbodysoul.com/ EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE Saturday, April 6, from 9-11:30am Palazzo Grande; $3 per person The Easter Bunny is hopping over to Toscana for a special breakfast and egg hunt! Make sure you bring your most egg-cellent egg-hunting basket and your most photo-worthy bunny ears to make the most of his arrival. TOMBSTONE ADVENTURE Tuesday, April 9, from 8am-5pm $99 per person Relive the old west with this exciting day-long trip to Tombstone Arizona. Belly up to the bar in Big Nose Kate's Saloon and walk the streets of the old west. Famous for its lawmen and bandits, Tombstone was the metropolitan hub of the American West for its commerce, mining, and cattlemen. RESIDENT BINGO NIGHT Wednesday, April 10, from 6:30-8pm Palazzo Grande; $6 per person Resident-Organized Bingo will be held Wednesday, April 10th. Bingo cards will be available at 6pm, with game play starting at 6:30pm. Please bring exact change. Seating is limited, please do RSVP early. Thank you to the resident volunteers for pulling everything together! Please contact Marge with questions at 480-585-0494. SPRING FLORAL CREATIONS Tuesday, April 16, from 10am-12pm Palazzo Grande; $59 per person Learn to create your own special Spring Floral Arrangement with Tina from "Create Yours with Flowers". What a fun way to celebrate everything Spring! Tina is offering a flat rate of $59.00 per person so come explore Spring Flowers and create your very own inspired arrangement!
Toscana Living | 4
Toscana Lifestyle
TL
TRUCKIN' TUESDAY Tuesday, April 16, 5-7pm Palazzo Grande Cobblestones It's twisty, it's cheesy, it's the Twisted Cheese food truck! Take your wallet on a nice walk down to the Palazzo Grande cobblestones for a date with one of our most popular food trucks! You're sure to twist head over heels for their cheesy creations! RESIDENT BOOK CLUB Wednesday, April 17, from 6-7pm Palazzo Vacanza Join your fellow book club members for the Wednesday, April 17, 2019 book club meeting in Building 10. "A Fall of Marigolds" by Susan Meissner will be discussed. Book club will be starting at 6:00 PM so please mark your calendars. ANTIQUE WRISTWATCH ROADSHOW Saturday, April 20, from 10-11:30am Palazzo Grande Ever wonder if Grandpa’s wristwatch is valuable? Join Toscana resident, Keith London, an antique watch (horologist) and precious gem collector, as he presents a seminar on wristwatches. Learn the history of watches with examples of period pieces. Bring your wristwatches and Keith will appraise them for you! DR. MARTIN HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SEMINAR Tuesday, April 23, from 6-8pm Palazzo Vacanza Please join us for a presentation by Dr. Martin about the latest technology on Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery. This technology seminar is being presented by Dr. Martin who has performed over 2500 successful robotic assisted hip and knee replacements. Dr. Martin is a leading expert in the field of robotic joint replacement. BIG RIVER "HUCKLEBERRY FINN" Saturday, April 27, from 1-6:30pm $24 per person Join the irrepressible Huck Finn on a musical journey as he helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom. Big River is a hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming celebration of pure Americana, with a jubilant score of cajun, gospel, folk, country and blues by country music legend Roger Miller. Only 10 tickets are available so RSVP today!
Toscana Living | 5
TL
Toscana Lifestyle COMMUNITY CONNECTION By Katie Lucas, Concierge Vendor Expo-Thank You!
Thank you, so much, to all the residents and vendors who came out to our Vendor Expo last month! It was a huge success with almost 200 residents and 35 vendors in attendance! Residents were able to speak with vendors providing goods and services in everything from sun-less tanning, to in home restoration, to fitness classes, and more! Arguably the best part? The El Autentico food truck was there to provide some much-needed tacobased sustenance to keep our vendors and residents energized as they won prizes, made contacts and booked services. If you missed out on attending, or lost your business cards, click here for a full list of participating vendors and their contact information. Keep an eye out for next year's Vendor Expo and don't forget to join me in the Fall for Restaurant Night! VIP Spotlight Events In an effort to help our residents get to know all the amazing products and services featured in our VIP Guide, I have decided to start putting on periodic VIP Spotlight events. These events will be focused on a particular VIP partner who offers our residents a special offer or discount just for living in Toscana! Last month, Club Pilates at Desert Ridge put on a special Toscana Resident Intro Class, where you were invited to drink wine, get to know your neighbors and try out their amazing reformer machines. Residents who were
Toscana Living | 6
unable to attend, but still want to try them out, can call the store at 480-795-3357 and get scheduled for one of their upcoming wine-free intro classes. It's still free! Don't forget, any resident who shows their VIP card when signing up gets 10% off for the entire life of their membership and no enrollment fee! This month, our VIP partner Jay Rothman with Hike and Heal Experiences will be hosting a lunch for our residents over at Palazzo Grande. This VIP Spotlight will allow residents to get to know Jay, his story and a little more about how taking a hike out on the Arizona trails can help you learn how to heal relationships, find happiness, increase your spirituality, or grow in just about any other part of your life you'd like to! Registration is required for this event, please let us know by noon on Wednesday, April 3rd if you're coming by clicking here. More Spotlights will be coming throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye out on your Concierge e-Blasts for future dates and more information! Is there a vendor you'd love to get to know more about through a VIP Spotlight? Email me at klucas@toscanaliving.net and let me know! Employee Anniversary Please join us in congratulating Ignacio Santana on five years at Toscana! Ignacio is the Association's porter, and you will often times find him outside or in the parkades doing maintenance. Next time you see Ignacio out and about, make sure you say hi and thank him for all the hard work he does keeping Toscana beautiful!
Toscana Lifestyle
TL
DANI'S DIGEST
By Dani Wall, Administrative Assistant Spring Fling Living in Arizona there is a short window of time where you can get outside, and really enjoy the weather. I have been trying to find new ways to make the most of this gorgeous weather while we can. Whether you are taking a vacation, staying at home, or even making the best of a stay-cation, just remember to relax and take it all in. Dani’s 5 Ways To… Enjoy Spring! 1. Cook or Eat Meals Outside (or Both)• Grill up a bunch of asparagus at our beautiful grilling stations. Toss some spices and the oil of your preference on your asparagus spears and throw them directly on the grill. • Steam some artichokes and eat them leaf by leaf. • Enjoy some fresh snap peas and strawberries. • Enjoy your meals on your patio, or at the pool area (just make sure you’re not eating in the pool or within 4ft of the water’s surface). • Make a delicious cocktail and enjoy it in a cute plastic cup at the pool area. Try going to www. theadventurebite.com/spring-cocktails/ for some fun new drink recipes, including even non-alcoholic ones! 2. Enjoy the Great Outdoors• Go to the pool for the day. • Get the dog out on a walk, or to a park to play fetch. • Take a hike with some friends (or join Toscana’s Hiking Club).
• Have a picnic at a local park. There are some really cute picnic baskets and accessories on www. sunnylife.com, as well as some adorable items to get you ready for summer. 3. Support Local Businesses• Visit a local Farm. They often have tours and yummy fresh produce for sale. Visit www.localharvest.org for details and options. • Sit outdoors at a local café or coffee shop. • Go to an outdoor mall or art walk. • Venture out to High Street’s weekly Farmers Market. Every Sunday from 10AM-1PM, now through the end April. They have a full block of over 100 vendors! Visit www. highstreetaz.com/far mersmarket for more details. 4. Awaken Your Inner Child• Feed the ducks at a pond. Did you know, feeding bread to ducks and other birds is actually bad for them? Try: corn (frozen, canned or fresh), lettuce and other greens, frozen peas (defrosted), grapes cut into small pieces, oats or seeds. • Grab a bubble wand and some dish soap- blow bubbles! • Eat jelly beans and Peeps (if you’re not a fan of either you can never go wrong with chocolate). 5. Just Stop, Relax, and Appreciate Nature• Notice the trees budding • Take in the beauty of an Arizona sunset, or patches of wildflowers. • Listen to the birds sing. • Feel the sun on your face (but don’t forget your sunscreen)!
Toscana Living | 7
Toscana Events and Programs
TL
Clubs
April 2019 Monday
Sunday
MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
Association
Tuesday 1
7
Events
8
Wednesday 2
TOMBSTONE ADVENTURE 8AM-5PM LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE PV 2PM
PARKADE CLEANING B1, B10, B11 6AM-6PM
3
Thursday PARKADE CLEANING B14, B26 6AM-6PM VIP SPOTLIGHT PG 11:30AM12:30PM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
Friday 4
PARKADE CLEANING B15, B24 6AM-6PM COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
Saturday 5
EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE PG 9-11:30AM
6
9
10 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM RESIDENT BINGO NIGHT PG 6:30-8PM
11 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
12 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
13
14
15 HIKING CLUB 8:00AM MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
16 SPRING FLORAL CREATIONS 10AM-12PPM LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE PV 2PM TRUCK'N TUESDAY PG 5-7PM
17 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB PV 6PM
18 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
19 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
20 ANTIQUE WRISTWATCH ROADSHOW PG 10-11:30AM
21
22 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
23 DR. MARTIN HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT SEMINAR PV 6-8PM
24 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING PV 9AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
26 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
27 BIG RIVER "HUCKLEBERRY FINN" 1-6:30PM
28
29 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
30
Toscana Living | 8
Live Your Best Life in Desert Ridge NOW PRE-LEASING 335 LUXURY APARTMENTS Opening Summer, 2019, Montreux is the perfect example of modern luxury apartment living. Our resort-style property offers an exceptional collection of first-class amenities. Resident clubhouse with double-sided fireplace, exposition kitchen Two heated pools/spas including outdoor grills, and fire features Business center and conference room • Fully equipped fitness center Billiards area and game room with multi-sport simulator •
Sun deck
Tennis, bocce, and pickleball courts • Pet park • Indoor mailroom • Interior elevators Walk-in pantries and closets •
Spacious floor plans •
5550 E Deer Valley Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054
|
Expansive 12-foot ceilings on top floors
480.248.3311
|
www.rentmontreux.com
This literature is for “Marketing Purposes” only and no representations of any type are made by this marketing material, which is subject to change without notice. Floor plans are artist’s renderings and not to scale. Square footage and amenities may vary between apartment units and are subject to availability. ADRE #LC566897000.
TL
Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
By Mark Gatchell, Lifestyle Director meals. After all, there is nothing better than getting those Spring has Sprung! perfect grill marks on a big, juicy steak or the right char on The warmer weather is quickly some fresh vegetables. However, every great grill comes approaching and it’s that time with great responsibility…so, here are some tips to keep of year when a lot of our part- yourself (and others) safe this grilling season! time residents head back to their 1. Using or storing grills summer homes! We at Toscana that utilize an open flame, want to wish you safe travels charcoal and propane and look forward to your return later in the year. tanks on patios or balconies is prohibited. In the first quarter of 2019, we decided to change the Toscana boasts multiple gas grills around the property for number of “Fun Friday Socials” by eliminating one per month in an effort to allow us to “enhance” one of the resident use. These grills are cleaned daily, to help ensure other Fun Friday Socials. So far the feedback has been very safety and keep them looking beautiful. positive. Starting in May we will be replacing one of the Fun Friday Socials with a themed dinner. These will not 2. Grills in use must be supervised at all times. Fires be a Fun Friday Social but a new event which will range double in size every minute. Make sure you plan and prep in cost from $3.00 to $5.00 per person depending on the in advance so you can focus on grilling. evening's theme and catering requirements. Of course, we will have more information on our new themed dinner 3. Have baking soda on hand to control a grease fire and a fire extinguisher nearby for other fires. If you don’t have evenings soon! a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand next to the grill. This time of year we get our largest number of attendees Never use water to put out grease fire. at our Friday Socials which we love to see but it also creates a much larger mess to clean up. I would like to 4. NEVER turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. extend a heartfelt thank you to the residents that stay and It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you clean up after each Friday Social. If you attend the Friday do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face. Social and a regular basis please take some time to help clean up! It’s wonderful to see residents take pride in their 5. Don’t overload your grill with food (especially fatty meats). The basic reason for this tip is that if too much Toscana community! fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up And finally, the Easter Bunny will hop to Toscana that could light nearby things on fire. for breakfast and an egg hunt on April 6th! It’s a great 6. Never use a grill indoors, not even a small one. In opportunity for a photo with the bunny! We hope you enjoy the wonderful Spring Season in addition to being a fire hazard, grills release carbon Arizona and we hope you take full advantage of what monoxide- a deadly, odorless gas. Phoenix and Toscana have to offer this time of year! 7. Turn off your grill after each use! Leaving the gas on after you're done cooking is extremely dangerous. Once Grill Safety all your food is off the grill check and double check that As Spring brings Toscana some beautiful weather, many you have turned off the grill completely before leaving of our residents are looking to get outdoors and grill their the area.
Toscana Living | 10
In and Around Toscana COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Focus: The Body How Yoga May Enhance Heart Health
According to the Harvard Medical School, yoga is not only good to keep your body in shape, it can help keep your heart in shape, too! Read more about why yoga is good for your exterior and interior wellbeing with this article retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing... Many people think of yoga mainly as an activity that promotes flexibility and balance. But this ancient tradition also includes breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. Together, these practices can lead to measurable improvements in factors connected with cardiovascular health, such as lower blood pressure, better sleep, and less artery-damaging inflammation. "There are four distinct but interconnected areas in which yoga has specific benefits, not just for heart disease but any disease," says yoga researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Following are summaries of the four areas.
TL
BETTER OVERALL FITNESS Active forms of yoga, such as power or Vinyasa yoga, are listed as examples of moderate-intensity exercise in the federal exercise guidelines. But the lessvigorous forms of yoga (as well as the active forms) boost muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. These features, which are often overlooked in other forms of exercise, are vital for overall physical fitness and wellbeing, Dr. Khalsa says. Yoga also encourages deep, slow breathing, which helps lower blood pressure by an average of five points after a few months of regular practice, research suggests. SUSTAINED SELF-REGULATION The relaxing, meditative aspect of yoga can build up your emotional resilience, helping you to stay calmer during times of stress. Stress — an unavoidable Article continued on next page...
NICOLE'S NOTABLES
By Nicole Careaga, Community Manager How Prepared Are You? Living in a condo is an awesome thing, you have beautiful landscaping that you never have to pull weeds or trim hedges. You have beautiful pools and you never have to brush, or clean. But you also share a lot of things with your neighbors, water lines, walls, and floors. Part of being a condo owner means being prepared for an emergency in your unit, the unit above you, and protecting the unit below you. One of the easiest ways for you to do this, is to have an emergency contact close to home that can assist should something arise. Time is of the essence when water is flowing, and we may need to gain access to your unit, not only to protect your asset, but also the assets of the units next to and below you. All residents, full time, and part time should elect a neighbor or friend to have a key, and should be listed in DwellingLive.
In addition to having someone available to respond in the event of an emergency, it is also recommended that if you are going to be away from your unit for an extended amount of time, have someone that is able to run your water and inspect your unit. The CC&R’s require that the water be run in all areas of your condo every 30days. This ensures that your systems are functioning properly, and helps maintain the integrity of the plumbing for the building. Selling your unit? We ask that you let the management office know if your unit is going to be vacant for an extended amount of time, and who can be reached in your absence. This year, we have had two water issues originate from units that were no longer occupied. Tracking down owners, and realtors take precious time and causes further impact to those units below. Should you have any questions about your unit, please let myself or any member of the team know and we will assist you.
Toscana Living | 11
TL
In and Around Toscana
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONT.
Focus: The Body
part of our daily lives — activates the body's fightor-flight response. This triggers a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones, all of which are hard on your cardiovascular system. Yoga helps activate the opposite effect, known as the rest-and-digest response. Over time, a regular yoga practice cultivates this "relaxation response," enabling you to be less reactive to stress and intense emotions, Dr. Khalsa maintains. A single 90-minute session of yoga can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to one study. GREATER MIND-BODY AWARENESS In a 2012 survey from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, more than 80% of yoga enthusiasts said the practice decreased their stress. Nearly two-thirds reported that yoga motivated them to exercise more regularly. And four in 10 said they were inspired to eat healthier. These changes may reflect the heightened mind-body awareness that yoga practitioners experience. "You're more aware of the positive feelings you enjoy when you eat healthy foods and exercise. You're also more likely to notice the negative effects of eating junk food and sitting on a couch all day," says Dr. Khalsa. Making healthy lifestyle changes is perhaps the most important thing you can do to prevent heart disease, he points out. TRANSFORMATION OVER TIME? After years of doing yoga, some people find that the practice transforms their lives to an even greater degree. "They have a different perspective on the meaning and purpose of their life, and their goals become less materialistic and more spiritual and charitable," says Dr. Khalsa. While the relevance to heart disease may be tenuous, some research has found that people with a higher sense of purpose in
Toscana Living | 12
life are less likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or related cardiovascular problem compared with people who have a lower sense of purpose. Moreover, there's good evidence dating back to 1990 that a lifestyle that includes yoga as one of its four key components (along with a low-fat vegetarian diet, moderate exercise, and the maintenance of loving, supportive relationships) can actually shrink blockages in arteries, without the use of medication. In fact, the Ornish Lifestyle Medicine program (www.ornish.com) is so well accepted that Medicare has been reimbursing participants since 2010. GETTING STARTED WITH YOGA If you're new to yoga, seek out a beginner or "gentle" class, especially if you're over 65 or have any medical conditions. To reap the greatest reward, find a class that features all four pillars of yoga: postures, breathing practices, deep relaxation, and meditation. In addition to dedicated yoga studios, many health clubs and community or senior centers now offer classes. You might need some persistence to find a teacher and style of yoga that resonates for you. It's like buying a car, says Dr. Khalsa. "You wouldn't walk onto a car lot and buy the first car the dealer recommends. You shop around." For more information on starting a yoga practice and its other health benefits, see the Harvard Special Health Report An Introduction to Yoga (www.health. harvard.edu/yoga). Article retrieved from https://www.health.harvard. edu/heart-health/how-yoga-may-enhance-hearthealth
In and Around Toscana
TL
CHRIS'S CORNER
By Chris Reeder, Assistant Manager ensure all residents, contractors, board members and Toscana Tidbits management team members are treated with respect and Your Toscana Board of Directors that communications occur in a dignified and appropriate has a variety of responsibilities. manner. Everyone should feel safe expressing their One of the most important is opinions and attending meetings and events within the upholding the existing CC&R’s and community. Aggressive and hostile behaviors will not be tolerated. creating policies when necessary. Over the years, the board has adopted several policies, All of the above policies are enforced by violation notices, including the policies listed below. and fines when necessary. I you have any questions about Moving Policy – This policy was approved by the board Toscana policies, or would like to read them in their in 2016 and includes a $25.00 moving fee as well as a entirety, they are posted on the www.toscanaliving.net $250.00 refundable deposit. Both are paid by the resident website. prior to a move or large item delivery. This policy was put RESIDENT GROUPS, CLUBS AND CLASSES in place to assist in paying the costs related to damage in BILLIARDS CLUB GENTLE YOGA the hallways, elevators and front doors during a move. Wednesdays at 1pm Fridays at 11am in PV The associated form is used as a parking pass for a Billiards Room in PG $5 Drop-In moving company. Contact: Lynn at 602-301-5010 Remodel Policy – This policy includes a $500.00 refundable deposit for ALL remodels done by a resident to their unit. Again, the idea is to assist in the costs related to damage to the property by contractors both in the building and to the surrounding landscape. Pet Policy – Some of the highlights of this policy include: Pets must be registered with the association, Pets must be kept on a leash that does not exceed 6’ in length (extension leashes are prohibited), and pets are not allowed on turf areas for their elimination needs. Package Policy- Although this policy has been in place for quite some time, we frequently have questions about how package delivery service works at Toscana. Regardless of delivery carrier, packages should not be left in front of unit doors. Acceptable packages at the association office must be under 25lbs, and less than 16 cu. ft. Package pick up service is available at the Palazzo Centro (Building 2) from 8am-8pm daily. Code of Conduct – The code of conduct is asked about from time to time. The intent of the policy is to
BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR Mondays at 5pm in PG BYOB BINGO Wednesday, April 10 6pm in PG $6 per card Contact: Marge at 480-585-0494 Register Here BOOK CLUB Wednesday, April 17 6pm in PV "A Fall of Marigolds" by Susan Meissner Register Here CHAIR YOGA Wednesdays at 11am in PV $5 Drop-In
HAND & FOOT CLUB Thursdays at 6 pm, PG Contact Marge at 480-585-0494 HIKING CLUB Monday, April 15 8am; Meet at Front Gate Contact Allen Poppa at apoppa@yahoo.com MAHJONG CLUB Mondays at 6:30pm in PG Contact: Susan at susan4266@aol.com STUD POKER CLUB Wednesdays at 6pm in PG Bring $5 and your poker face Contact 480-513-3615 WATER AEROBICS TBD
COFFEE SOCIAL Each Wednesday and Friday, 9am in PG
To share new clubs and classes ideas, please email Mark Gatchell at: mgatchell@toscanaliving.net
Toscana Living | 13
TL
In and Around Toscana UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM By John Raabe, Maintenance Supervisor Trunk Line Jetting
to Moon Valley, help prevent backups for up two years.
As you are all aware, we had the trunk lines jetted last month. I would like to quickly explain what was done, and what can be done to help out in the future.
Another solution is to pour citrus-based enzymes down your sinks that will clean out your main lines. These can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's, or we usually have some for residents in the HOA office. We ask that residents do not use Drano or similar "gunk dissolving" products, because they have a tendency to eat away at our iron pipes. Over time, those products will cause he pipes to rust through and leak. It's important to look for an enzyme product that "eats" the gunk, but doesn't dissolve it.
When we jet the trunk lines, the only lines we are able to get to on our own are the horizontal pipes that are located in the parkades. We take the cap off the end and stick a hose that shoots high-pressured water in tiny streams through the pipes, cleaning the buildup off the sides and forcing it down into the main sewer lines. We cannot clean the vertical lines that go down the stacks, into the parkade, because there is the chance the water from the hose could force its way into a unit, causing a costly mess. At our recent Resident Workshop, we received some questions about jetting down the lines from the top of the building. This is not an option for us, as our only access is through the vents. We have what are called "dry vents" in our buildings, they do not go down the same vertical lines that the waste does; they come off the main line and run next to it. We would end up bypassing all the main lines and just end up in the parkade anyway. Due to our inability to access those vertical lines safely, the trunk line jetting that was just completed will prevent the stoppages that are occurring in the horizontal trunk lines but it is not going to help in the vertical lines between units where some backups occur. To help remedy these, we are recommending unit owners have their lines jetted on their own. Our VIP partner, Moon Valley Plumbing offers us a discount for services and can come out and jet your units lines from your kitchen sink down to the parkade. This will greatly help in cleaning off all of the buildup that has been collecting over the years and, according
Toscana Living | 14
As always, we ask that you do not put food-waste down your garbage disposals and drains. Misuse of drains and garbage disposals in one of the biggest causes of plumbing back ups. It would save us (and you!) a lot of time and energy if you would throw all your food waste into the trash, especially cooking grease. Even small amounts of grease can cause a huge problem. As grease goes down the drains, it cools and sticks to the sides of the pipes, causing restrictions that leads to blockages. Also, there were some parkade lines that Moon Valley was not able to get to due to vehicles in the way or time restraints. So, this summer, my team and I will be working through the missed pipes, one by one, to ensure they have all been jetted. If you would like to hear my full report on trunk line jetting and drain maintenance from the March Resident Workshop, keep an eye out on the resident website! We will be posting the full workshop presentation for residents to view that were unable to attend. The workshop covered important items like: condo systems, plumbing, smoke detectors, architectural submittal, exterior maintenance, insurance requirements and resident services. Thank you for your help in preventing drain backups at Toscana!
In and Around Toscana MOVIE REVIEW: US
TL
By Gil Berkowitz Double dealing mesmerizes in this horror treat. "US" begins by introducing Adelaide (Madison Curry) a pleasant young girl in 1986 Santa Cruz. She is enjoying a day at the beach with her parents. While eating a candied apple she wanders off and walks to a building with a sign that says "find yourself ", a fun house of mirrors. She enters and is embarking on a traumatic experience. The film then cuts to the present day, when Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyongo'o) is now a mother of two children and married to Gabe (Winston Duke). Gabe suggests that they take their two children Jason (Evan Alex) and Zora (Shadadi Wright-Joseph) to the beach and stay at her childhood home. Adelaide balks as the idea triggers memories that she has never shared with Gabe. After much pressure by Gabe she relents. Once they arrive a sense of dread begins to engulf Adelaide. That evening, back home, four mysterious figures appear at the end of the driveway. Two adults and two children-their hands are joined. They are dressed in red jumper suits. The four assailants trap the Wilsons in their home. Each one of
the invaders is a double for each of the family members. Only Adelaide's twin speaks. In a rasping voice she identifies herself as "Red" Adelaide's "shadow" who has lived a life of misery attached to her but from far away. Things begin to turn violent. Adelaide, demure and frail at the films beginning slowly takes on the persona of her captor. Thus the film's title "US". We eventually learn that Red and the other shadows were created in underground labs decades ago. They were created by unnamed conspirators in order to control the above ground counterparts as puppets. The shadows were abandoned when the experiment failed. Left to survive below the earth on nothing to eat but rabbits, also left behind. Jordan Peele's previous film "Get Out" dealt with social commentary (Racism). In "US" Peele again resorts to sending messages. This time about class distinctions and inequity - the have and have nots. That affluence and well being is always at the cost of others. The film is a bit overrated and not quite as creepy as advertised but entertaining. It does have its moments and is a solid 3 star movie. Lupita Nyongo'o is outstanding in the dual role. It is playing in Harkins theaters throughout the valley and rated R. It runs for 116 minutes.
Toscana Living | 15
TL
Toscana Living | 16
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
TL
Toscana Living | 17