toscana KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
JUNE 2021
Our Staff. Community Manager Nicole Careaga ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Assistant Community Manager John Raabe jraabe@toscanaliving.net Lifestyle Director Mark Gatchell mgatchell@toscanaliving.net Concierge Director Katie Lucas klucas@toscanaliving.net Administrative Assistant Wade Longworth wlongworth@toscanaliving.net Community Patrol/Admin Saffron Caudle scaudle@toscanaliving.net Maintenance Supervisor Daniel Renteria drenteria@toscanaliving.net Maintenance Staff Tyler Driscoll, Chris Ehrlich Night Managers Jackie Hernandez 480.861.0875 Gate House Staff Chet Sanders, Joshua Oakley, Laura Taylor, MaryJane Vital, Emerson Glasgow 480.513.0602
ASSOCIATION OFFICE 5450 E Deer Valley Drive Building 2 Phoenix, AZ 85054 480.585.0808
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY 602.234.9288
toscanaliving.net
Nicole's Noteables by Nicole Careaga
Transition Clarifications This month I felt it important to provide some clarification about the biggest buzz around Toscana…Transition. As you know, 2022 will be an exciting time, as the community will be transitioning from developer-control to a resident-ran HOA.
What does that mean for you? Well, it means you will notice some minor changes around the community; most notably that your neighbors will now be the full force behind all decisions being made. This includes projects we may be doing, contract negotiating, annual budgeting, assessment amounts and much more. Things to know: The Toscana Association is managed by CCMC, a professional Management Company. The contract for CCMC is similar to that of your other contracted vendors, such as the onsite landscaper, pool vendor or janitorial team. In a developer community, this can be confusing, as many residents associate the management team as "decision PAGE 3
makers" in the community, especially when the real decision makers (your Board of Directors) are not members of the community. I want to clarify that all members of the management team from the gate house, night managers, maintenance and office staff are all employees of CCMC. None of us work for, or have any affiliation with, the developer. As we transition to resident-control of the Board, the management team will continue to act as directed by the Board of Directors at open-session Board meetings. The rules that govern an HOA such as ours are the same regardless of who is in power. Toscana must follow the Arizona Condominium Act. The Condo Act regulates things such as Open Meeting Laws, Delinquency Proceedings, and Voting Requirements. We also have to abide by Fair Housing Laws. Fair Housing ensures that the association and all of its members are not discriminating against anyone based on age, race, gender, religion, marital status or disability. Fair housing is why we don’t have things like an adult pool or swim times. This also governs language we use, such as not being able to say "Over 21yrs of Age," or "Adults Only" at an event. The Association is not able to tell someone they can’t bring their child to an event, even though there may be alcohol present. It is up to the parent to make such decisions. These laws will not change after the period of Declarant control ends.
Additionally, the transition from developer- to residentcontrol of the HOA Board will not change handicap parking laws. As such, the Toscana HOA will not have the authority to dictate which residents and guests can and cannot park in handicapped stalls. These stalls are for the benefit of disabled individuals and are available on a firstcome, first-served basis for any registered resident or guest with a valid handicap placard or license plate. The only restriction on these stalls is that residents may not use the stall to store their vehicles for long periods of time and they cannot be used as an additional parking stall for units that do not have enough underground spaces (i.e. if you are using a handicapped stall, you must leave one of your parkade spaces empty). Fair Housing and the Arizona Statutes also protect those that rent. As a renter, you are able to participate in all of the amazing Toscana events, and meetings. The only restriction you have as a renter is the inability to vote in the Board elections. However, as you live here and know the happenings, we always encourage you to discuss the election with your owners to assist them in their vote. If you have any questions about transition, the laws governing our community or anything else involving your HOA, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Make your by Mark Gatchell
We Love Summer We kicked off May with some exciting events, but the best part of May was our first significant inperson Summer Lovin' Pool Party event. We reached our capacity in just a few short hours when registration opened, which is incredible! Everyone loved the catering, live entertainment, and of course, the Ice Cream Sandwich Co. was a huge hit as well! We are continuing the Summer Lovin' theme for the month of June, so be sure to check out the Lifestyle eBlast for more pool parties and in-person events! The food trucks continue to be a huge success, and with the addition of the mobile mister fans and the cornhole game that gives all of our Toscana residents waiting in line a chance to win a gift card, we anticipate the food truck fever to last all summer long! With vaccinations on the move here in Arizona, we are even more excited to bring back the Cardinals NFL tickets! The preseason kicks off in August, and shortly after the season starts, we are bringing back the excitement of the games! Like in the past, we will have ten tickets and transportation provided to those looking to attend the games at a substantially lower price than what would cost you on your own! To build on the excitement, we are happy to announce a new relationship with Toscana and Harkins Theaters to bring private movie nights to all of you starting later this month! Each movie night, up to twenty residents will enjoy their very own private theater with a drink and popcorn voucher PAGE 5
We will bring you all kinds of movies for all of our residents. Of course, some restrictions will apply depending on the movie rating. Can you imagine a better way to escape the heat and enjoy the big screen once again! And once again and by popular demand, we are continuing our partnership with the family-owned Bruster’s Ice Cream for more cold tasty, delicious ice cream treats to keep that summer heat at bay! Dust off your summer clothes and grab your sunglasses and join your neighbors for some old and new Toscana Lifestyle events and let us keep the Summer Lovin' grooving all summer long!
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
JUNE SUN
MON
TUE 1
Association
WED 2
3
9
10
Clubs/Classes
6
7
B15, 24 PARKADE CLEANING COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
8
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO! 2-3PM
JINDO 6:30-7:30PM 13
14
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
15
16
22
23
JINDO 6:30-7:30PM
28
29
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
JINDO 6:30-7:30PM
24
BINGO, BANGO, BONGO! 2-3PM
BAGEL BAR & GRAPES PG 9-1:30AM
27
SAT 5
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
11
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
12
MOVIE NIGHT @ HARKINS 4-6:30PM
18
19
25
26
FOOD TRUCK AT TOSCANA 5-8PM
JINDO 6:30-7:30PM 21
4
FOOD TRUCK AT TOSCANA 5-8PM
17
LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE 2PM
20
FRI
FOOD TRUCK AT TOSCANA 5-8PM
JINDO 6:30-7:30PM
Events
THU
30
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
FOOD TRUCK AT TOSCANA 5-8PM
GOT AN ACTIVE CLUB OPEN TO ALL TOSCANA RESIDENTS?
LET YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW BY ADDING IT TO THE TOSCANA COMMUNITY CALENDAR
EMAIL MGATCHELL@TOSCANALIVING.NET TO GET SET UP ALL ADVERTISED CLUBS MUST ADHERE TO COMMUNITY CLUB GUIDELINES AND POLICIES.
Thank you to all those who participated. Results based on 315 responses.
Toscana COVID Precaution Survey Results
67% Respondents would prefer to continue operating with COVID precautions in place. The most-popular precautions being: hand sanitizing stations, physical distancing, mask-wearing and limited occupancy in amenity centers and at events.
74% Respondents Would Like to Continue Seeing Preventative Measures in Place at the Palazzo Centro Office Most requested: sanitizing high-tough areas, hand sanitizing stations and wearing masks.
Toscana's Most-Appreciated Update: Zoom
Many of our Toscana residents felt the need to share how much they love being able to interact, even miles away, with their neighbors via Zoom meetings and events! Even as we transition into more in-person offerings, expect to see virtual events and options to listen-in on meetings via this digital platform well into the future.
"Really appreciate you asking. That is kind and smart to be cognizant of the needs of the residents. Thank you for all that you do."
(Resident quote In response to "Do you have any
?")
additional concerns about reopening our community
Management would like to extend a huge "thank you" to all those who left comments acknowledging the hard-work of your neighbors, Board, and staff members in navigating Toscana through this world-wide crisis. The above is just one of many comments offering praise for or expressing concern regarding the health, safety, and emotional-wellness of the members of your top-notch community. As we all work together to return to normal operations, with the safety and comfort of our community members in mind, we ask that "whatever you do, do it with kindness in your heart." We appreciate all of our wonderful Toscana residents!
Toscana COVID Precaution Survey Results
Thank you to all those who participated. Results based on 315 responses.
79% Respondents Comfortable with Attending In-Person Events (13% wish to continue virtual events only; 8% do not wish to attend any events)
66% Respondents would be most comfortable attending outdoor events with limited capacity (less than 50 attendees). 50% or less of respondents would be comfortable attending alternate event options, including gatherings with more than 50 attendees indoors or outdoors, as well as limitedcapacity gatherings indoors.
71% Respondents Would Like to See Precautions in Place at Events Most requested precautions were: Limited Capacity and Hand Sanitizing Stations.
Resident Quote (in Response to "What events have you missed the most?"): "Everything. We have truly missed spending last Winter at Toscana; however, Mark and the team have done an awesome job of virtual events many of which we have been able to participate in. We really hope that Zoom Committee and Board meetings continue to be an option post COVID. When we are there we attend in person, but for half the year when we cannot be there it is very nice to continue to attend and to be ‘in the loop’. Very much appreciated."
Toscana's Most-Missed: Resident-Run Events (Clubs, Building Socials, Amenity Gatherings, etc.) If you would like to start (or re-start) a club, arrange for a building social, or throw a resident-run event in one of Toscana's amenity centers, please be sure to reach out to mgatchell@toscanaliving.net.
CONNECTION
community
by Katie Lucas
June 13 is National Children's Day, so I thought I'd share with you all some of the best places to take the youngins in the Phoenix area. Check out even more fun for kids in Phoenix by visiting Family Destinations Guide. Enchanted Island Park With classic fair food and an array of attractions, the Enchanted Island Amusement Park offers a memorable outing for the whole family. Plus, it has 9 rides that kids will surely love. Get a chance to experience Arizona’s oldest operating carousel: Encanto Carousel. Afterward, hit the Parachute Tower, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Phoenix area skyline.
Hurricane Harbor With a host of thrilling attractions and water slides, this family-themed experience is one of the top, must-try things for kids to do in Phoenix. Make your visit unforgettable by hitting Maximum Velocity. With this one-of-a-kind coaster ride, you’ll get to race in a pair of tubes down a couple of slide tracks with more than 800 feet of curves and drops.
Phoenix Zoo Bears, tigers, lions and a ton of other charming creatures will entertain and amuse your family for the whole day at Phoenix Zoo. Try to visit the zoo in the warmer months, so you can experience its splash pads. The zoo also boasts a few special attractions, including train rides, animal feedings, a children’s carousel and a tropical bird aviary.
Arizona Boardwalk A sprawling complex that houses a ton of Phoenix attractions for families, including the Pangaea. It’s biggest draw, however, is the mind-blowing 2-million gallon aquarium. Spend hours diving into a fascinating underwater haven with sea turtles, otters, penguins, sharks and many more. Check your VIP Guide for discounted tickets.
Arizona Science Center Hands down, one of the most fun family-oriented attractions that we highly recommend. Located in the heart of the city, it has more than 300 hands-on, interactive permanent exhibits that will sweep your little ones into bliss.
Children's Museum of Phoenix With hundreds of play experiences and displays, it's a hit with kids. The exhibits are interactive and hands-on, making it one of the best things to do in Phoenix with toddlers and kids. PAGE 12
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JOHN'S JOURNAL
by John Raabe
Prevent Crime in Your Community Over the past month, the Association has been receiving more and more notifications from residents who have experienced theft from cars, bike rooms and storage cages in the parkades. It has become abundantly clear that an individual (or individuals) with regular access to the Toscana property is committing these crimes. In an effort to help prevent future instances of theft and vandalism, the Association will be increasing staff presence outside regular operating hours and increasing patrol walks. To assist in these efforts, please also consider implementing the following crime-prevention steps into your daily routine. If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the local authorities. For urgent concerns, dial 911; but if there is no active threat you should dial the Phoenix Police nonemergency line at 602-262-6151 and the Night Manager at 480-861-0875. Notify the staff. If you notice doors left open or intentionally tampered with to common area or storage spaces such as bike rooms, hallways, or Association supply rooms. The Association has found duct tape placed on the latches to such doors to prevent them from fully closing. Any work being done by the Association will be properly noticed via email or signage. Call the Association office at 480-585-0808 or email John Raabe at jraabe@toscanaliving.net. Don't lend your access devices to others. In the recent cases of bike-room theft, there are no visible signs of forced-entry into the rooms. This lends to the idea that the thief is gaining access with a key, potentially provided by a family-member or friend. Please ensure you are not lending keys or key fobs to individuals who do not live at Toscana. Lock your doors. Whether it's the door to your unit, your car, your storage cage, or even the shared bike-rooms make sure your belongings are securely locked up before walking away. Install an alarm system. This will help alert anyone around your property that something is amiss. It's a good idea to use a system that can notify you of a potential break-in no matter where you are (and that you can shut off remotely, in case of a false-alarm).
Pick up packages as soon as possible. If you are having deliveries made to your unit, try to make sure someone is home to accept them. Delivery drivers will leave packages in your hallway, unless otherwise directed. Don't allow people to follow you in. As often as possible, try to prevent people "tailgating" in behind you. If they don't have their own access device, they may not belong in your building, parkade, or the community. Be discreet. Avoid advertising you are away from your home for extended periods of time...especially on social media. You never know who is looking at those posts! Build a strong community. Get to know your neighbors. People who care for one another will be on the lookout for the well-being of those around them. One of the best ways to get to know your neighbors is by attending the various clubs and events that Toscana offers.
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WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth
As my last article left off with eating whatever you want, I decided it was a good idea to turn the tables and talk about how vital eating vegetables can be. Eating vegetables provides massive health benefits. People who consume more vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for the health and maintenance of your body. This article will discuss some of my favorite veggies, fun ways to eat them, and even a recipe or two. I don’t know if anyone else can agree with me on this, but growing up, vegetables were not my particular favorite. They say taste buds change every two weeks, and that is true for me. The more mature I became, vegetables became a staple side for almost every meal that I eat. Many veggies are included in my diet, but some of my favorites are potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. One of my favorite ways to incorporate these three, in particular, is to make a nice stew. Whether you want to add a piece of protein in or keep it all vegetables, all of these items can make a delicious dish with the right ingredients. Another fun way to include these healthy snacks is to dice them up and throw them into a pasta salad. Go to the store, grab a yellow and red pepper, sliced black olives, a block of cheese, and some mini pepperonis to throw in as well. You can also add cucumber and cherry tomatoes to mix things up. A fun way to add some corn into the diet is to whip up some Mexican street corn, grilled corn tossed with mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and a blend of spices. Those are just a few ways to include some of most people’s favorite vegetables into different types of dishes. However, I enjoy making a great recipe with one of the least popular root vegetables out there. I, like most people, did not like Brussels sprouts for the majority of my life, but a straightforward recipe changed everything. Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Then cut them into halves or quarters. Mix them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour them on to sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes; until they're crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. When they are complete, you will have a crispy sprout, almost like a potato chip, for a healthy side dish for your meal. PAGE 15
MAINTENANCE
report by Daniel Renteria
During the 1930’s Arizona adopted one of its nicknames “The Valley of the Sun” due to it being a hot and dry state. Still to this day Arizona is very well known for its hottest summers. On June 26, 1990 it is recorded that Arizona hit a recordbreaking of 122 degrees in Phoenix and a record-breaking of 128 degrees on June 29, 1994 in Lake Havasu City. With summer right around the corner, we wanted to expand your knowledge on how important it is to do the PM’s (Preventative Maintenance) on you’re A/C units and how important it is to stay on top of your air filters. That way your A/C continues to work at its best.
Maintaining your air conditioning unit is an important part of responsible home ownership. Regular A/C maintenance will keep your system running smoothly for years, and it will save you money on your cooling costs. Over time, your system becomes less efficient and leaks can develop, along with debris piles in your vents, when your A/C unit isn't regularly serviced. All of these things make your A/C work harder and raise your electricity bills.
While you’re tackling all your quarantine cleaning projects, make sure you add A/C maintenance to the to-do list. We all know Phoenix summers are hot, and this summer threatens to be a record-setter. With summer beginning this month, you want to make sure your A/C is in the best condition. You’re probably wondering, “How often should I service my air conditioner?” Ideally, you want to hire a professional for A/C service at least once a year.
- Second Nature - Air Filters Delivered - TRU Filtered Air - FilterTime - Filterjoy
Here at Toscana, all of the A/C units are located on the roof of your building. Vendors are able to access the roof by stopping at the guard house and getting a key fob by providing them with an ID. They can advise the guard that they need access to the roof and they will provide them with the correct key and fob. Something else to keep in mind when trying to keep your A/C running efficiently is changing out the filters at the recommended times. While it can be difficult to stay on top of changing out the filters, we do have some suggested companies that offer filter deliveries to your door at whatever interval you need (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, etc). This helps to instantly remind you it's time to change your filter. Here are some companies with special offers for new customers.
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s ' n o Saffrircle c
by Saffron Caudle
A Friendly Reminder of Patio/Balcony Etiquette Everyone who lives in condos, co-ops and housing developments governed by a board are subject to a variety of HOA rules and regulations, and it’s no different here at Toscana. Community associations are legal entities in which the owners enjoy the enhancement, maintenance and preservation of their homes and property.
One of the primary goals of Toscana of Desert Ridge Condo Association is to protect the aesthetic appeal and property values of the neighborhood. In order to accomplish this, certain rules and regulations are established by which homeowners and residents must abide. Residents found in violation of these rules can be subject to letters and fines in accordance with the Violation Policy (available on toscanaliving.net.). With that being said, I would like to give a friendly reminder of some of the infractions that would constitute a violation letter, so that you will have a better understanding of some of our regulations. As many of you already know, items are not permitted to be placed on balcony/patio railing. This includes anything that is sitting on top of, attached to or hanging from the rails. Ceilings fans must be approved by the Board and the Master Association PRIOR to installation. With specific regard to the Toscana Property Suites Units and the Toscana Golf Casitas Units, no natural gas or propane barbeques or other open flame, regardless of combustion source, will be allowed on any balconies or patio areas. All balconies and patio areas must be maintained in an aesthetically acceptable manner that reflects the high pride of ownership in the Association. Balconies and patio areas shall not be used for storage (i.e. no bicycles, pool floats, cleaning supplies, etc.). No clotheslines or other facilities for drying or airing clothes shall be erected, placed or maintained on the exterior of PAGE 17
any Unit, including, without limitation, on any porches, patios or balconies. In addition, pets may not be kept on the balcony or patio along with any pet related structures. Any time a pet is outside (including on your patio or balcony) they must be accompanied by their owner. How to respond to HOA rules violations Address it. Ignoring a violation won’t make it go away, and can actually make the situation much worse. Once you’ve received a violation notice, take steps to understand and correct the violation, and either pay or appeal the fine, if there is one.
Don’t take it personally. Remember that the HOA’s rules were created to keep the community safe and comfortable for residents, including you. You also agreed to abide by the rules when you purchased your unit or entered into your rental agreement. Communicate. While friendly face-to-face communication can address minor infractions or warnings, written communication and documentation helps create clarity for everyone involved. When you’ve been accused of an HOA rule violation, it’s best to address it in writing. Get involved. There is usually a correlation between the level of homeowner involvement and the long-term success of a community, so, if you want to improve your community attend meetings to see how you can contribute.
lay of the land by DLC Resources With triple-digit temperatures arriving to usher in summer, DLC Resources is preparing your landscape for the hot weather ahead. A large part of our summer landscape preparation will be continuing to promote the transition of winter Ryegrass to summer Bermuda. You should already be seeing some “hot spots” in the turf areas where Rye is dying out, and Bermuda is taking over. These will appear as dry spots but are a normal part of turf transition. We will support your Bermuda crop by applying fertilizer, soil amendments and adjusting your irrigation system to give your turf adequate water.
June has the distinction of being one of the hottest months of the year, yet with very little rainfall, so water usage is higher than other times of the year. Palm pruning will be happening soon to remove dead fronds around the Community. In addition, new entryway enhancements at the Community entrances will begin towards the end of May or early June. We’re installing new plants with irrigation and relocating boulders to give the area a fresh and inviting new look!
The restoration of selected rip-rap areas We are continuing to maintain low mower decks, which reduces the height of throughout Toscana that our Special Projects crews have been working on should be any Ryegrass still growing so that sunlight can reach the Bermuda grass complete by the end of May. Rip-rap consists underneath. We will begin raising these heights as Bermuda fills into your grass areas! of large stones to optimize drainage around culverts. After that, you will see granite Spring blossoms are on their way out, and our crews are working in a cycle to replenishment around the Community to clean up dropped blooms. We’re also performing routine shrub trimming and enhance any spots where existing granite maintenance – pruning back shrubs and trees to keep them from has deteriorated due to weather and other encroaching on sidewalks and curbs. Weeds are treated as needed to keep factors. Large rock or granite piles may them at bay. temporarily block select parking spots as crews work to distribute it to areas in need, Our irrigation team is doing routine checks of your irrigation system and performing repairs or adjustments as needed. We’ve increased irrigation run but it will be worth it as the new rock fills in times to help keep your plants healthy and hydrated in the warmer and spruces up the Community! temperatures but with careful monitoring of water use.
