September 2020 by Toscana of Desert Ridge

LIVING

toscana

KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW

INNERGIZE SEPTEMBER 2020

Our Staff. Community Manager Nicole Careaga ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Assistant Community Manager Christine Reeder creeder@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 Facilities Director John Raabe jraabe@toscanaliving.net Maintenance Staff Ignacio Santana, Daniel Renteria, Tyler Driscoll Night Managers Don Meeks, Jackie Hernandez 480.861.0875 Gate House Staff Chet Sanders, Joshua Oakley, Laura Taylor, MaryJane Vital 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

TOSCANALIVING.THREADLESS.COM

REFRESH YOUR WARDROBE

WITH TOSCANA SWAG

T-SHIRTS STARTING AT

$20

SWEATERS STARTING AT

$32

BAGS STARTING AT

$18

E L Y T S E IF

toscana

by Mark Gatchell

#innergize Twice a year, the earth experiences an Autumnal equinox. What is an Autumnal equinox? It’s the time of year when the sun is exactly above the equator and day and night are equal length: also, either of the two points in the sky where the ecliptic (the sun’s annual pathway) and the celestial equator intersect. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox falls between September 22nd and 23rd, as the sun crosses the celestial equator going south. So what does this all mean? The Autumnal equinox kicks off Innergize Day! Yes, that is spelled correctly! Innergize day is the twice-ayear opportunity to take a moment for you and reap the extra benefits of a celestial boost. Rejuvenate by taking a spa day, focus on a hobby, watch the sunset or sunrise, or take a little more time and meditate.

will help you in you #innergize (and we just might have some fantastic take-home rejuvenation kits). Now more than ever, we all need to focus on our inner self and #innergize!

Experts say doing things such as removing negative people and habits from your life, engaging in meditation, making small changes to your diet, and of course, staying well-rested are the keys to keeping your inner-self healthy. As your lifestyle director, I plan to bring you several different opportunities and ideas to do just that! From healthy day-to-day tips to online events, and courses that

I would also like to thank many of you for your positive and encouraging emails and thank you cards that you have brought to me lately. You have kicked off my #innergize journey early! We launched a few new things for our younger Toscana residents, and the response has been amazing! Our back-to-school backpacks sold out, and our creamsicle day was yet again a smash hit with so many of you! With the summer heat continuing, we will, of course, keep the cool summer treats headed your way! Please be sure to sign-up for the Tuesday lifestyle eblast if you haven’t already, so you don’t miss out on all the fun!

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Nicole's Noteables by Nicole Careaga

This month we take our newsletter to new places as we bring you articles, tips and fun ways to #innergize your mind body and soul. Luckily for all of you, you live in this beautiful place, Toscana. Throughout the community there are a number of areas where you can take some time to breathe, focus, and find your inner peace. We work hard to keep areas such as the memorial plaque, pool decks,

amenity patios and Dante’s Corner clean and updated to provide you all with amenities that you can enjoy. As we move into autumn we want to focus on #innergizing not only our souls, but also the areas that surround us. That is no different for us here in the management team. Fall is all about a fresh start. In preparation for a new year we are creating budgets, reserve plans, projects lists and working to create a calendar to engage and enlighten our residents. Over the upcoming months you will see some #innergizing being done throughout Toscana as we complete many different reserve and community enhancement

projects. Plans for upgrades include new grills at both the PG and PC pool areas, updated elevator tiles, new call box programming and some fresh new landscaping ideas. As we update the exterior of your homes, during this fall take the time to not only do as Mark explains in his article to #innergize your body, but also be sure to take the time to #innergize your personal spaces. New throw pillows, curtains, vases, picture frames and other décor can provide you with a pop of color and a new peaceful outlook within your home. Check out Wade's World on page 12 for helpful tips to Feng Shui your space! PAGE 4

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER SUN

MON

TUE 1

WED 2

THU 3

FRI 4

National Kettle Corn Day

Clubs/Classes Association Events

SAT

8am-5pm

National Kettle Corn Day

Landscape Committee 2pm-3pm

8am-5pm

Finance Committee

National Teddy Bear Day

10am-11am

10am-5pm

Feud Night 6pm-7pm

Creme-Filled Donuts Morning 8:30am-9:30am

B14, B26 Parkade Cleaning

National PlayDoh Day

Our Planet Watch Party

9am-5pm

2pm-3pm

Lifestyle Committee 2pm-3pm

Bingo Night 6pm-7pm

Cocktails and Creations 4:30pm-5:30pm

offering house-sitting, travel arrangements, cleaning services, and mobile notary services

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CONNECTION

community

by Katie Lucas

It's time to breathe some new life into your routine. In recent years, essential oils have become commonplace for everything from cleaning supplies to cosmetics, but their most common use is in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy utilizes aromatic oils, often in a diffuser, to help heal the mind, body and spirit. All you need is an aromatherapy diffuser (these can be found at most general merchandise stores, as well as online retailers), the amount of water recommended for your diffuser, and 3-4 drops each of your choice of oils. Here are some essential oil "recipes" to help you get into a new mindset.

FOCUS orange peppermint

sage rosemary

SLEEP

WAKE UP

MOTIVATE

RELAX

lavender cedarwood

cedarwood lemon rosemary

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MINDFUL lavender

lemon peppermint

lavender orange

This infographic was created to share the team's accomplishments for the month of July. These are by no means the total of tasks or projects completed, simply a high level review of items completed in addition to regular work throughout the month.

update

OPERATIONS

OFFICE OPERATIONS over 33 hours spent on community phone calls 2866 emails sent 77 vendor invoices processed created updated resident store four new architectural submittals

SOCIALLY-DISTANCED COMMUNICATIONS 26 resident eBlasts sent increased Facebook interaction

CONNECTING HOUSEHOLDS

OVER 350 BINS OF REFUSE REMOVED

OVER 100 WORK ORDERS COMPLETED including: 6 gates/doors adjusted 38 lights changed 14 resident screens repaired

12 virtual events were held 19 moves scheduled

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s ' n o r f f a S ircle c

by Saffron Caudle

AFTER-HOUR EMERGENCIES One of the most common concerns we hear is "what do we do in case of an emergency after hours?" If there is a true, non-life-threatening emergency, the best thing to do is call the night or day manager so that we can assist you in getting the concerns addressed. If the emergency is lifethreatening, call 911 (and then the day/night manager, if you are able). The Association cannot call 911 on your behalf.

Association?" For most issues arising inside your condo, such as appliance concerns, a/c repairs, and even window failure, the unit's owner is responsible. There are very few items that the Association is able to assist you with in a non-emergency situation. Items include: a back-up in the main trunkline and areas of concern within the building's main structure. If you are unsure whether your non-emergency concern falls under Association responsibility, feel free to give the office a call! We are happy to help make that determination with you. For items of concern that are resident responsibility, be sure to utilize your VIP Guide to find vendors who have consistently provided Toscana residents with quality service and even discounts! WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT EMERGENCIES

The easiest way to avoid emergency situations is to create a preventative home maintenance inspection list. This would include a weekly, monthly, Spring/Fall, and annual list. PLEASE DON’T PUT OFF EMERGENCIES

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY? An emergency is something that, if it isn’t repaired immediately, could cause injury, threaten your health, or cause serious property damage. These things could include: A broken water line or flooding Fire (call 911 first, then maintenance) A broken gas line or leak (natural gas smells like rotten eggs) A broken lock on your door No air conditioning in hot weather No heat in cold weather A sewer back-up that is flooding your condo WHAT ISN’T AN EMERGENCY? Your ice maker stopped working The stove burner isn’t heating up A light bulb went out Minor drip under your kitchen sink that can be contained with a bucket

For non-emergency concerns, the first question you should ask yourself is "is this my responsibility or that of the PAGE 9

If something is an emergency, please don’t put off contacting our day/night managers. When in doubt, let us assist you in figuring out the best course of action and give you contractor information. A rule of thumb to remember when determining whether or not to call the day/night manager after hours is: if a situation that is not reported immediately will cause personal or property damage? If the answer is yes, call right away! In case you need to contact the after hours day/night managers, here is our information: Phone: 480-861-0875 Saffron Caudle: Wed.-Sun. 7am-3pm Jackie Hernandez: Mon.-Thurs. 4pm-2am Don Meeks: Fri.-Sun. 3pm-3am After Hours Emergency Phone Number (If Night Manager is Unavailable): 602-234-9288

Chris's

CORNER

by Chris Reeder

As the property matures and ages, our reserve study and associated projects become a high priority at Toscana. Our property is getting some innergizing updates! In addition to BBQ grill replacement at the Palazzo Grande and Palazzo Centro pools, several large projects are coming up quickly on the calendar. Below are just three of the projects that will re-energize Toscana common areas, to help you #innergize. During September, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see the Elevator cabs in residential buildings being replaced. This is quite a large project with 14 resident elevators on property. Communication will be emailed out, as well as signage posted prior to and during this project, so keep your eyes out! If your email address needs to be updated to receive building specific emails, please let me know. Each building has two elevators installed. Our goal is to minimize impact for residents during the completion of the renovation. One elevator will always be available for resident use during the project, so if the closest elevator to your unit is being updated, there will be a second available for use. Please know: although the installation company will be using a lower odor producing product, there will still be some odor throughout each building during the process. The end result is going to look great, and we hope you love it! A second large project is getting underway as well- the Call Boxes at the front entrance to each building are being replaced! The new Call Boxes are state-of-the-art technology and will be much easier for residents and their guests to use. These new units are the ButterflyMX product.

Additionally, the functionality of the new boxes will allow for staff programming with a much faster turn-around time than our old boxes. The installation will require a significant amount of behind the scenes work- updated wiring, training for staff. This much needed upgrade was just approved by the Board of Directors at the August Board Meeting. Finally, the exterior of Building 10 will receive a fresh coat of paint. The painting company will use lifts to complete the majority of the work, only using scaffolding in specific areas where using a lift would be unsafe. More details about this project will be coming soon. In other happenings at Toscana, the developer has determined that our transition to a homeowner board will begin next year. This is a lengthy process that requires a commitment to the training process by Resident Volunteer Board Members. We expect three residents to be added to the board during our next annual meeting, in 2021. The nomination and voting process may be familiar to some residents and completely foreign for others; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see plenty of communication from the management team as the process unfolds. Based on current projections, transition will occur at the February 2022 Annual Meeting. Together we remain focused on keeping Toscana technologically and aesthetically current. Just as importantly, and perhaps more, our community members are focused on supporting each other, in whatever ways we can. Thank you for looking out for your neighbor and showing kindness to each other during such a strange time. As a staff, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the word of encouragement and positive support we have received from our Toscana family.

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we want your

submit your spookiest real-life experience for a chance to win one of three gift cards and have your frightening tale featured in our next issue! All submissions must be 500 words or less and submitted to Mark Gatchell at mgatchell@toscanaliving.net by 5pm on Wednesday, September 23. Winners will be notified via email.

WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth

INCREASE YOUR CHI Hello to all our wonderful Toscana residents! As we transition from the stifling heat of our Arizona summer to the refreshing feeling of fall, it is the perfect time for a little self-reflection. Like the uplifting feeling of a cool breeze after a summer of feeling like an oven, September is all about good vibes and making changes. A good way to increase the positive engery in your life is to look at the Feng Shui (fuhng-shwey) of your space. To ensure good Chi, a circulating life force revolving around your world, re-purposing of your living space is key. Having recently moved into a new home, my fiancée and I spent our fair share of time thinking about the placement of items to make sure we have a space flowing with good energy. In this article I will share what I have learned and give you of some easy-to-incorporate Feng Shui tips for your condo. I’ll focus on four rooms (foyer, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom) that will have the most impact on your health, wealth, and relationships.

The heart of the home is the kitchen. For good energy in this room, keep it bright and cheery with artwork and by painting it lively and inspiring colors. This is another space that deserves to be kept clean and uncluttered. If possible, it is always nice to keep your kitchen sun-filled, to make sure occupants are enjoying spending time there. Make sure all of the burners on your stove are in working condition to avoid negative energy. Another important spot to keep in mind when talking about good vibes is the bathroom. They should always be well maintained and decorated with things like flowers and plants. Always ensure the is door shut and the lid down. Restrooms should be well-lit and ventilated, while also keeping them colorful and welcoming. A couple thing to stave away the bad energy are keeping the water/faucet from dripping, and making sure the toilet is not constantly running. Arguably, the most important room in the house for good energy is the bedroom. Make sure the bed faces the entryway and is decorated with flowers and plants. It should reflect who you are and what you want in a relationship. This room should also have diverse light and be painted with a color scheme to match. Everyone wants their bedroom to “feel good” and taking these few steps you will be on your way. Please avoid clutter/clothes/paper/books on the floor, as well as having your computer/work space pulling double duty. This should be a serene spot for relaxation and rest that allows for a peaceful head space to achieve your goals.

To promote good Chi in your entry or foyer there are many things you can do. Keeping them wide, open, and well-lit is a great start. Try keeping a neutral, yet bright and uplifting pallet, with personal accents like intriguing books and artwork, or objects you have found traveling. You want a space that positively reflects who you are and should feel welcoming to all who enter. In that same thread, you will also want to avoid dark colors and a lot of objects that, while decorative, may not speak to the space your guest is about to enter. Incorporate lighting in a soft, white color for a bright, yet welcoming, ambiance. Think of your entry or foyer as an introduction to the story of your home for a consistent flow of good Chi. PAGE 12

THE

MAINTENANCE REPORT

by John Raabe

MAINTENANCE CHECKS Right now I am sure there a lot of residents who are stuck in other states, or even countries, so I just wanted to go over some stuff that you might want to have checked on if you are not going to make it back to Toscana for a while. I am sure most of the winter visitors have services or friends and family that check on their units while they are away, but just in case you do not there are some things in your unit that should be done so that you or your neighbors do not experience any issues that could end up costing a lot of money. First, the water in your unit should be ran at least once every 30 days. The CC&Rs state to run your water “for no less than 1 minute every 30 days,” but I would recommend for at least 10 minutes, to flush out your pipes and get your traps and drains nice and washed out. A couple problems we have with not running the water is that the water sitting in your pipes could cause a blue tint in your stacks water and this has been known to leave blue staining in resident’s tubs and showers. Another problem is the P traps drying up, this makes it possible for bugs and nasty odors to come up your sinks and into your unit. Another item is the A/Cs; it is stated in the CC&R’s that “the owner must maintain air conditioning so that maximum temperature is in the unit is no higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.” This is to stop any damage to the interior of your unit due to heat related issues, so it is a good idea that someone checks in to make sure your A/C unit is working correctly. Another very important item to have a vendor, friend or family member check for is evidence of water leaks. Your A/C could be leaking, a backup may have occurred (causing damage to your unit), or the supply line to your fridge or toilet could have a crack; these are things I have personally encountered and things that, if caught early enough, could save you a lot of time and money. Last, but definitely not least, is something I mention all the time: the exercising of the shut off valves. It is stated in the CC&R’s that if your unit will be vacant for more than 3 days “it is recommended that the unit owner shut off the water to the unit to prevent water leaks and floods. So the problem may occur that if shut off for too long of a period without being exercised you could come home and try and turn on your water but the valves are stuck and now you have to wait for a plumber to come out and replace the valves before you get water supplied to your unit.

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If you do not have a family member or friend in the area that can help you out with checking in your unit there are a variety of Concierge services in the area that can help out. Check your VIP Guide for more information on services commonly used around the property.

LUXURY LANDSCAPE by DLC Resources

Toscana

A Green Winter

Through a scorching August, DLC crews have continued to foster growth of Bermuda turf through these warm months. In the later part of September we will begin to prepare these turf areas for the overseeding of fall and winter Ryegrass as Bermuda fades following the summer. Crews will lower mow heights and adjust irrigation to ready the turf for this transition. Read more about the overseed process below.

Overseeding is the process of transitioning summer Bermuda grass out and bringing in winter Ryegrass. We overseed because Bermuda grass grows well in the summer but goes dormant during the winter months. Dormant Bermuda grass has a brown, blonde, straw like appearance and will remain that way until spring. Ryegrass however, stays green and vibrant through the cooler months, then dies out with the summer heat.

With an unusually dry summer ongoing, DLC’s irrigation teams have also been continuously monitoring and adjusting your system through the season. This process helps to ensure that your plants, turf and trees stay hydrated, despite record temperatures and little to no rainfall. Our crews have also continued to work on trimming back Yellow Bell and other shrubs, making sure these plants are healthy and staying within their designated growth spaces. This trimming helps to promote healthy growth while keeping your sidewalks clear. In September, our Special Projects crews will be cleaning and installing rip-rap at Building 14. With the existing rip-rap becoming worn or filled, these crews will remove and clean the area and stones. They will then place the rip-rap back and install a new layer on top, providing a fresh and vibrant look to the area.

When DLC starts to overseed, typically the irrigation in the turf areas is reduced by half and mow heights are lowered to suppress the growth of the Bermuda and open up the soil for the Ryegrass. In addition, the turf is aerated to help the ground receive additional water and nutrients. After that, the Ryegrass seed is laid down. As the grass germinates, we will be watering frequently to keep the delicate seed bed moist. We encourage you not to walk or play on these areas as the grass germinates and until the new grass receives its first mow, typically in 3-4 weeks. To learn more about overseeding, check out our Learning Center at www.dlcresources.com/learningcenter. You will find plenty of in-depth articles under the “Turf” tab.

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