AUGUST 2018
Living
INSIDE HAPPY HOUR AT CIEN AGAVES
GRILL LIKE A PRO
M U RL A PROJECT
12 WEEKS. 12 ARTISTS. 12 MURALS. JUNE 1 - SEPTEMBER 3
S H O P D E S E RT R I D G E .CO M / E V E N TS / M U R A L P R O J EC T
Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
TL
By Chris Reeder, Lifestyle Director NATIONAL DOG DAY
In case you didn’t already know, National Dog Day is Sunday, August 26. In other words, your furry friend is wondering why you didn’t plan him a doggie party. Not to worry — he said he’d settle for some special pampering from his favorite human. Looking for some fresh ideas? Read on to see which ones best suit your fur baby. Make homemade frozen treats. Our dogs, Henry and Georgie, LOVE their Kong toys. Sometimes I think they can’t wait for us to leave, just so they can have their special “going away for the day” treats. Check out k9 instinct’s list of recipes for frozen Kong treats HERE. Do you have an old sweater handy? Turn an old favorite into a comfy dog bed! They are super cute and easy to create using THIS tutorial. Make a bowtie! Is your pup a prince? Show off their fancy style and your craftiness by creating a dog bowtie using THIS tutorial. Give your sweetie a special massage! Massage will calm your dog’s nerves, and could prevent injury and relieve soreness or stiffness just like it does for us! They love it, too! Head to the dog park. For a social dog, there’s no place like the sights and smells of the dog park. There are several dog parks a short drive Toscana including: Grover Basin and Deer Valley. Bring water and go early! Go for an early morning walk and stop for some treats! Most dogs love a leisurely stroll. If you come by Palazzo Grande between 7:30 - 9 a.m. we will have special treats for your special buddy.
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 Dick Rosenhagen, PCAM Community Manager drosenhagen@toscanaliving.net Nicole Careaga, CMCA Assistant Community Manager ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Christine Reeder Lifestyle Director creeder@toscanaliving.net Alicja Davis Concierge adavis@toscanaliving.net Katie Lucas Administrative Assistant klucas@toscanaliving.net NIGHT MANAGERS: Don Meeks Jackie Hernandez 480-861-0875 MAINTENANCE: John Raabe Maintenance Supervisor Keith Buc Kevin Wilson Ignacio Santana GATE HOUSE: Ron McCroskey, Saffron Caudle Chet Sanders, Hector Perez 480-513-0602
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS RESIDENT FRIDAY SOCIALS Fridays in August at 5 p.m., Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Friday 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.
ON THE COVER TRIVIA NIGHT
Toscana Living | 3
TL
Toscana Lifestyle
NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY Thursday, August 2, from 11 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Palazzo Centro Come by Building 2 (Palazzo Centro) to celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! We'll be hosting a build-yourown ice cream sandwich bar from 11 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Swing on by for a sweet treat! HAPPY HOUR AT CIEN AGAVES Tuesday, August 7, from 5:30 - 7 p.m., Cien Agave Scottsdale Casual, upbeat, and fun, Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila is a favorite among locals for tasty tacos and top-shelf tequila. Stop in for the hosted Toscana Happy Hour from 5:45-7 p.m. for complimentary guacamole, tinga tacos, rice, refried beans, chips, and salsa. Your beverage or other menu items are on you! Transportation not provided. KARAOKE NIGHT Saturday, August 11, from 6-8 p.m., Palazzo Grande It's a fun evening of Karaoke! Come showcase your "shower voice"! CPR & CHOKING EMERGENCY TREATMENT SEMINAR Wednesday, August 15, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Palazzo Grande Join Toscana resident, Dr. Belur Chandramouly during this informative seminar presenting basic CPR and Choking protocol. This presentation is for information only and is not intended as a substitute for an actual certification training course. HERBERGER LUNCHTIME THEATER - "MY BELOVED WORLD" Thursday, August 16, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Herberger Theater My Beloved World is based on the coming-of-age memoir by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Despite the challenges of growing up a child diabetic and daughter of an alcoholic in a Bronx housing project, Sotomayor went on to attend Princeton and Yale, and became the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court. Curtain at 12, $7 Lunch is optional. TRUCKIN' TUESDAY - MR. WONDERFUL'S CHICKEN AND WAFFLES Tuesday, August 21, 2018 from 5 -7 p.m., Palazzo Grande Cobblestones Come on down to the PG pool area for some finger-licking Southern cuisine! Mr. Wonderful's Chicken and Waffles food truck will be serving from 5-7pm. Bring your appetite and your wallet! MURDER MYSTERY DINNER - MURDER IS FINE ART Saturday, August 25, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Join our resident suspects for this interactive who-dun-it dinner! You may register as a group of 6, or your team will be formed upon arrival. Please email creeder@toscanaliving.net if you are interested in playing a suspect part. Tickets are only $7 per person. GRILL LIKE A PRO AT TOSCANA Wednesday, August 29, from 6 - 9 p.m., Palazzo Grande Pool Learn to "Grill Like a Pro" with chef Devin Clough, one of the best pitmasters in the Valley. The evening's menu includes Appetizers (Bacon Wrapped Shrimp/Grilled Veggies/Meat Skewers) and Main Course (Steak/Chicken/ Burgers with Garlic Mashed Potatoes) all for only $20 per person! Space is limited and your RSVP is required.
Toscana Living | 4
Toscana Events and Programs Clubs
August 2018 Monday
Sunday
Events Association
Tuesday
Wednesday COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
5
MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
6
12
13 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
19
20 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
26
27 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE MEETING PV 2PM CIEN AGAVES HAPPY HOUR OFFSITE 5:30PM
LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE MEETING PV 2PM TRUCKIN’ TUESDAY PG 5-7PM
TL
7
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
1
8
Thursday HAND & FOOT PG 6PM ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY PC 11AM-5:30PM
HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
Friday 2
Saturday 3
4
9
10 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING PV 9:30AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
11 KARAOKE NIGHT PG 6PM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
14
15 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB PV 6:30PM CPR DISCUSSION PG 10:30AM
16 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM HERBERGER LUNCHTIME THEATER OFFSITE 11AM
17 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
18
21
22 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
23 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM BOARD OF DIRECTORS WORKSHOP PV 10AM
24 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
25 MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PV 5:30PM
28
29 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM GRILL LIKE A PRO PG 6PM
30 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
31 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
Toscana Living | 5
TL
Toscana Lifestyle CONCIERGE CORNER By Alicja Davis, Concierge AUGUST IN PHOENIX
A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature Now through September 4 Arizona Science Center "Never look at the world the same way again. Navigating through twists and turns and around dead ends, maze explorers will discover a small secret room with bonus puzzles, imagery and artifacts. This exhibition allows guests of all ages to see the world in a new way, through the mathematical patterns that surround us—from the nested spirals of a sunflower’s seeds, to the blood vessels in our eyes, to the spots on a giraffe’s fur and skin".
Havana Nights at the Scott Resort & Spa Weekly on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. through October Free admission; food and drink available for purchase Havana Nights at The Scott feature classic movies from the early 20th century, when motion-picture film was in its prime and color was yet to be discovered. Sit back, sip on some of the signature cocktails and enjoy complimentary Mexican Street Popcorn. Show starts at dusk every Friday. Seats are limited. Buffalo Chip Cave Creek Good times at the Buffalo Chip Saloon include live music, dancing, and yes, bull riding. This Western saloon is hopping on Saturday nights (and just about every other night of the week), with the thump of country western music streaming out the door. If you've ever wanted to
Toscana Living | 6
learn how to two-step, or simply watch as experienced Western dancers nimbly twirl their partner around the dance floor, a night at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek is in store. NEW VIP PARTNERS Crystal Tech Water Crystal Tech Water specializes in residential water treatment, water softeners, Reverse Osmosis, Entire Home Filtration and more. Reverse Osmosis Drinking Systems for your kitchen are certified 99% effective of removing inorganics such as odor, bad taste, chlorine, sodium, dirt, sediment, arsenic, nitrates, heavy metals, pesticides, and more. Toscana Residents (new customers only) receive 20%-25% off any new Reverse Osmosis Drinking System, service or repair. FREE QUOTE at 602-326-6142 or email service@ crystaltechwater.com Living Spaces- Scottsdale Promenade With thousands of well-crafted, affordable designs at your fingertips, selecting the perfect furniture pieces for your home is easier than ever before. Toscana VIP Offer: Complimentary 3D In-Store Consultation and Planogram with a degreed designer. Clean Environment. Air duct, dryer vent, chimney sweep. Summer Special: Get 10% off the air duct cleaning & receive a FREE dryer vent clean-out valued at $150. Additional discounts for Seniors/Veterans as well as first responders. To schedule your cleaning, please contact Al at 480-721-7210.
In and Around Toscana ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
TL
By Katie Lucas, Administrative Assistant BUILDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY Whether you’re going out of town, need that last cup of sugar for your famous chocolate cake recipe or just want some local friends, there are tons of great reasons to get out there and meet your neighbors! Condo living creates a unique opportunity to build a sense of community, a fellowship with those around you, without having to go very far. Here at Toscana, we are very fortunate to have a fantastic (and friendly) resident base from all walks of life. With our vast variety of residents, you are in a wonderful position to meet your perfect companion…and they might even live right next door! Here are a few helpful tips on how to get to know your neighbors: Do Your Chores Outdoors Now, I’m not talking about chores like vacuuming your carpets, of course, I’m talking about things like checking your email and the like. Toscana boasts three beautiful amenity centers for you to grab your laptop, get comfy and clear out the thousands of junk emails you’ve been compiling for the past few months…and maybe check out a few of the updates our team sends your way. Just being in a common area offers more of an opportunity to run into the fun and interesting people who live around you-just make sure you look up from your screen every once in a while! Grill Your Next Meal In addition to the beautiful amenity centers, Toscana has a multitude of pristinely-kept gas grills around the property. Pick up your favorite grill-able grub and let the delicious smell bring curious neighbors to you! If you’re feeling extra charitable, you could even cook up a little extra for some passersby. Nothing like free food to strike up a conversation!
Host a Get Together Love planning events? Why not stick some invitations to the doors of your neighbors for a little gathering? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, even just a BYOB happy hour. This allows you to get your neighbors in a planned place at a planned time to chat and get to know one another. If you don’t want to host at your place, move the party to one of our amenity centers (and remember to be respectful of other residents enjoying the spaceeven invite them to join!). Say Something While you’re out grabbing your mail or walking your dog, you’re likely to run into a few people along the way! One of the easiest ways to meet your fellow residents is just to smile and say hello. If you have a furry friend along with you, it doesn’t hurt to introduce them, either! Get Involved Join a club, attend a meeting or keep an eye out for opportunities to join a committee. Not only does this allow you to meet your neighbors, many of these activities are the best place to have your voice heard. We love getting feedback and new ideas, so don’t be afraid to speak up! Attend Association Events Arguably the best way to get out there and socialize is to attend events hosted by the Association. These are events planned and executed by our very own, very passionate Lifestyle Director and Committee. The Committee is made up of residents, just like you, who help come up with the events that help make Toscana “The Ultimate Address.” There’s a little something for everyone out there, as far as our events go. So, be sure to keep an eye on your emails for those weekly Lifestyle updates!
Toscana Living | 7
TL
In and Around Toscana MANAGER TIDBITS By Dick Rosenhagen, Community Manager PARKADE ETIQUETTE Wow, it has been a hot summer already, and I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of some Parkade Rules.
Safety is of the utmost importance while driving through the Parkade. Speeding has been witnessed often by staff and residents alike. Please observe the 5 MPH limit and be aware of people walking out of elevator entries, stairwells or their parking space as they may not see you coming. Remember you will not save much time speeding in the parkade versus driving the posted 5 MPH. I am confident that no one wants to have an accident. You can help avoid this by paying attention and taking your time while traveling in the parkade. Additionally, I would like to remind our residents that the parkade can be a dangerous place while walking to the
elevator or your car. Please be aware of vehicles around you, especially pulling out of their parking space. Remember that the parkade is not a place to hang out, play, or to stay out of the heat. Although the bike room is located in the parkade, we ask that you not ride your bicycles down there. Bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and scooters should be walked while in the parkade. In the last six to eight weeks we have seen a rise in violations occurring in the parkade. As a reminder, you may not store any item in the parkade unless you have an approved storage cage. Toscana requires that your vehicle have a “stall sticker’ affixed to your windshield indicating your stall number. This helps to assure that non-residents are not parking in the parkade, and that all residents are parked in their assigned space. The stall sticker informs us who to contact if there is a concern about your vehicle or your parking stall.
ASSISTANT MANAGER UPDATES By Nicole Careaga, Assistant Manager YAY FOR BUDGET SEASON August is here and for us that means we are in the thick of it – BUDGET SEASON! The management team is obtaining quotes, utility rate increases and gathering our current year expenditures. The team, along with the Budget & Finance Committee, and your Board will start working with draft budgets and future projections to be sure that the decisions that are made are what’s best for Toscana. As a resident, your feedback matters and this year we will be providing you with a few ways to provide us with your input. We would like to welcome all of you to attend our Budget & Finance Committee Meeting n August 10, at 9:30 a.m. in the B10 amenity center.
Toscana Living | 8
This is the perfect time to hear some of the items that will have the most impact on our 2019 Budget and your 2019 Assessment. The committee will be going over items such as Landscape, Janitorial, utilities and other items that we anticipate increasing in 2019. Also, we are excited to announce that on August 23, at 10 a.m. in B10 we will be hosting our second Board Workshop. The topic for this event will be Toscana Financials and an overview of the financial and budgeting process will be present by Kim Wiebelhaus, CCMC Vice President of Financial Services. Both of these will be great opportunities to learn some of the complexities that go into creating a budget along with having a better understanding of what your volunteer committee is working on all year.
In and Around Toscana UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM
TL
By John Raabe, Maintenance Supervisor AIR-CONDITIONING FILTERS Forgotten air filter maintenance is one of the top reasons for poor AC performance. The right approach is to be proactive about your AC care, so at peak usage, the unit is performing at top capacity. If you haven’t thought about filter replacement for a while, don’t put it off any longer. The air handler is going to pull air into the unit whether the filter is dirty or not. The question is how hard are you going to make it work? The job of an AC filter is to remove debris from the air before it enters your system. When things clog up, the unit pulls that much harder and uses more energy – causing a substantial rise in the electric bill. Dirt in the filter also shortens the life of your air conditioner, because dirt pulls into the inner workings of the unit. The strain on the fan and motor from the increased effort will take its toll, as well. For families plagued by allergies, changing the AC filter is one way to improve the air quality in your home. All the dust mites, pet dander and other allergens that a clean filter traps are getting through the dirty one. For people with sensitive allergies, it is necessary to use a clean high-efficiency filter to remove spores from the air, too. Check the service manual to see the proper filter size and style. Write this information down, so when you shop for filters, you have it handy. When you filter shop, buy them by the case or stock up for several months. Find a convenient storage area nearby to make changing the filter a breeze. Pet owners should plan to change the
HVAC filter more often, perhaps twice as much for longhaired breeds. Pay attention to the arrow markers on the filter. This indicates what direction to install the units. Putting the filter in wrong affects the airflow into the system. Write the date on the filter in pen. This provides a reference, so you know when it was last changed. Filter location will depend on the type of AC unit in your home, but look for the place it pulls in air. Filter Types Fiberglass filter. This throwaway air filter is the most common type. Layered fiberglass fibers are laid over each other to form the filter media and typically are reinforced with a grating that supports the fiberglass to prevent failure and collapse. Polyester and pleated filters. These filters are similar to fiberglass filters but typically have a higher resistance to airflow and a superior dust-stopping ability. High efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters. These units filter the air passing through them at a very fine scale. Washable air filters. These products are not as common and rely on the build-up of dust along the cloth to improve the efficiency of the filter. Industrial processes involving high volumes of coarse dust are typical applications. As a general rule the high efficiency filters should be changed monthly while fiberglass filters can go three to six months depending on conditions.
Toscana Living | 9
TL
In and Around Toscana MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT By Gil Berkowitz TOM CRUISE EXCITES IN SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER
Director Christopher McQuarrie (last film was Jack Reacher) returns for his second Mission Impossible and he does a bang up job. "Mission Impossible Fallout," is a sprawling, robust, chaotic affair that jumps from Ireland to Germany, to Paris and London. The action scenes are cutting edge and gut wrenching. The film is so fast paced that you can't keep up with twists and turns of the narrative. It has your head spinning. The plot, in case you try to keep up, involves IMF hero Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) who has 72 hours to locate and disarm three nuclear bombs. The nuclear cores are being shipped to a group known as The Apostles. They are a splinter cell of terrorists set up by Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) a bad guy from a previous Mission Impossible film. So Hunt and his trusted team, Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Peg) go into action. Added to the team is CIA watchdog Walker (Henry Cavill - we know him as Superman). Hunt's first task is to get close to an arms dealer who is called the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) and then....well, you take the dazzling and spinning ride and see for your self. There's Alec Baldwin as Hunt's government boss, Angela Bassett as CIA chief Erica Sloan. The film is full of double, triple and quadruple crosses. Throughout the film Ethan mumbles "I'll figure it out,"
Toscana Living | 10
as he refers to the risky and dangerous stunts he performs. Literally several on the fly. You will be exhausted and thrilled by the cliff face dangle, helicopter collision and bridge battle and leap from one building to the next (Cruise broke his ankle doing this stunt). This scene of Cruise flying through the sky is worth the price of admission. "Fallout" will never be considered fine and classic cinema art but as action and adventure it is near perfect. Throw in some clever lines and humor and Hunt beginning to exhibit an emotional and human side, this Mission Impossible is the best yet. Do not miss it.
Great summer fun. The film is playing in all theaters in the valley and runs for 2 hours and 27 minutes and is rated PG-13.
Photo Gallery
TL
Toscana Living | 11
The Luxe is an upscaLe haven for everyone who vaLues superior s e r v i c e s a n d a m e n i T i e s.