LIVING
toscana
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
WHAT A YEAR! DECEMBER 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 Daniel Renteria, Tyler Driscoll Night Managers Don Meeks, 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
Who Makes Up the Board? The Toscana Board of Directors is currently comprised of three members of the Developer team. At the February 2021 Annual Meeting, the Board will appoint three Toscana owners to join the developer board members on the Toscana Board of Directors. These homeowners will be appointed for a 2-year term, allowing them time to gain valuable education on Board operations prior to transition.
Board Candidate Bios We have nine Toscana residents who have decided to answer the call and put in their application to join your Toscana Board of Directors and help the community move through the transition process in early 2022! Read a little about each candidate on pages 4-6.
How Can I Get More Info? Join our Meet the Candidates night on Wednesday, December 9 at 6pm via Zoom to have the opportunity to ask these candidates questions and gather more information on how they plan to continue keeping Toscana "the ultimate address." Help ensure we have time for your important questions by pre-submitting them to creeder@toscanaliving.net by 5pm on Tuesday, December 8.
How Do I Vote? Be sure to check out Chris's article on page 13 for everything you need to know about the voting process. As a reminder, ballots open on Monday, December 28!
PAGE 3
Walter Atkenson: "My wife Sue and I have been resident owners for the past 6 years. I am an Optometrist who was the owner of one of the largest practices in Illinois employing over 17 people. As a former member of the Resident Advisory Committee at Toscana and business owner, I feel these experiences can help me as I ask your help in becoming a Board Member. Toscana has so much to offer and my goals will be to maintain the beauty and ambience of the development while trying to keep HOA fees low and to increase the value of our properties."
Eric Dettman: "I've been a Toscana owner since September 2019 and I love the people, facilities, and community we create together. I am running for our Board to help ensure we continue to enjoy Toscana living at its finest. I've been a successful sales professional for +20 years, previously served on two boards and have a Master's Degree. I would be honored to represent you on the Toscana Board."
Carol McDonough: "I am expressing an interest in a Board position as I have enjoyed living at Toscana as a renter for two years and most recently as an owner. My husband and I and our two Golden Retrievers moved to AZ in 2016 to be closer to our son and his family and to enjoy the warmer climate. Before my retirement, I worked at a local hospital for 21 years. My role Supervisor of Medical Staff Credentialing involved being fiscally responsible, daily oversight, direction, support and leadership to the credentialing team of our four hospital system. My team was responsible for ensuring compliance with hospital policies, procedures, State and Federal regulations, as well as adhering to a strict confidentiality policy. Unfortunately, my husband passed away last year, Bailey passed in 2016 and Ashton passed in November. Although an emotional year, I am finding comfort in family and babysitting my granddaughters. "
PAGE 4
Terrie Miller: "Resident of Toscana for three years, moved permanently to our home here July 23, 2020. Former real estate developer/project manager/designer and realtor since 1985. Marketing director of TPC PGA Properties 2005-20. Coordinated transition of two golf/residential properties from developerowner to property-owner in California. My interest in being a member of the Board during transition is to be an active advocate for fairness; stressing financial stability with awareness of any potential costly future property issues. Toscana is a terrific place and I'd like to see that continue."
David Petrie: "My wife Nancy and I are new owners at Toscana and are very interested in getting involved with our new community! I would like to volunteer to serve on the Board because I believe my skills will be useful for the association. I am a semi-retired professor of business administration with a strong background in strategy, finance, and technology. Several years ago I served as the treasurer of a condominium association with 200 units, so I have a good grasp of the responsibilities and effective workings of a board of directors. I look forward to working with the board!"
Nina Renee: "My name is Nina Renee. I’ve visited Arizona for 30 years and chose Toscana as my permanent residence. I love the community. As a RealtorŽ, I have a vested interest in ensuring the long-term financial health of Toscana. My career working with leaders in the public and private sectors has given me strong management and budgeting skills. My business degree and 20 years in real estate, along with my experience on a Planning/Zoning Board and as ViceChair of an Economic Advisory Board, enables me to make recommendations through a unique lens that considers the impact of decisions on all residents. My early work as a journalist and serving as Chief of Staff to a state senator taught me how to objectively listen and understand residents’ needs and how to allocate resources effectively. I have an innate ability to promote positive feelings and build consensus to make a decision."
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Keith Volk: "Full time resident of Toscana for 3.5 years. My wife and I love living here. Resident of Phoenix since 1981. Retired after a 48 year professional career in Information Technology. Active member of the Toscana community."
Barry Wilson: "Barry and Judi Wilson are full-time Building 15 residents since mid-2010 and on-site librarians until mid-March 2020. He was on Toscana’s 2017-2019 Board of Directors (BOD) and is currently a member of Toscana’s Finance Committee. Barry’s ongoing, longstanding familiarity with Toscana, CCMC, and Statesman is high since prior to BOD service he’d completed a 5-year term on Toscana’s Resident Advisory Committee in May 2016. He retired from Avaya in October 2014, after holding various technical management roles as Director, and below, for Lucent Technologies, AT&T, American Express, and Mountain Bell. Relying on his military law enforcement background, Barry represents Toscana on the Desert Ridge Community Association (DRCA) Community Awareness Committee since its inception. He’s Vice-Chair of the DRCA Lifestyles Committee, member of the DRCA Communications Committee (does community magazine/website), and member of DRCA’s Public Affairs Committee (working on community/transportation densities). He proactively cares, researches, and consults, inclusively supporting all."
Heather Wood: "I was raised in the Canadian building industry and purchased my first company at the age 21, by 23, I owned 4 stores and 7 kiosks. At 27 I sold everything and started my new life in Arizona. Over my 20 years in real estate, I have worked with numerous builders and HOA's, 5yrs here at Toscana. I worked for Statesman at Toscana for 4yr and on the board for 2. Anyone that I have toured in Toscana knows the passion I have for our amazing community. I will work for the community as a whole. Listen to the desires of the majority to keep us fiscally responsible and raise home values. Thank you for trusting me with your home."
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TOSCANA OF DESERT RIDGE
CHARITY RAFFLE
Chance to win one of four prizes worth over $500!
$10/TICKET, $100/12 TICKETS; CASH ONLY Childhood Memories Featuring everything you need to keep your favorite little-one(s) entertained. This gift basket includes playtime fun from a giant baby doll care set, to jigsaw puzzles, science and craft kits, fort-building supplies, games, dress-up, night-vision binoculars and even a lunarscope. Of course, no child should go without a classic Radio-Flyer red wagon and some Lincoln Logs, too!
Purrfect Pet Present
Mysteries of the Heart Featuring everything you need for exciting date nights as we enter the new year! This gift basket includes a six-monthsubscription to a murder-mystery date box, $200 toward datenight treats, and $50 toward dinner all delivered to your door.* Plus, enjoy delicious wine, and $30 of pre-paid movie rentals. *Subscription and delivery services may be subject to delivery restrictions.
Golf Pro
Featuring everything you need for your fluffy friends (whether they bark or meow). This gift basket
Featuring everything you need to up your golf game. This gift basket includes a special Toscana-branded golf bag and towel set, golf balls and markers,
includes items to make your pets say "I RUFF you!" every day. Enjoy an ultra-chic sofa-bed for your pooch and an extra-cozy mat for your cat. The basket also includes treats for each, tons of toys, a filtered water fountain and even a Furbo pet cam/treat delivery system!
a "Cooler Club" to keep your Arnold Palmers (or whatever else you're drinking) close-at-hand, a bluetooth speaker, range finder and golf accessories. You'll even enjoy some practice at home with a special putting mat and a book of 501 Excuses for a Bad Golf Shot, you know, in case you need them.
All proceeds will go to support Wounded Warriors and St. Mary's Food Bank. Raffle tickets can be purchased with exact change in CASH ONLY through December 17 at 5pm.
E L Y T S E IF
toscana
L
by Mark Gatchell
Krampus is Coming 'Tis the season to be naughty or nice. Of course, we all strive to be nice all year round! With December here, so many of us are excited about our cultural and family traditions! It is what makes December so special for so many of us. This December, Katie and I have teamed up to bring you a ton of fun and excitement and just possibly a new tradition for Toscana. Of course, we all know the story of St. Nicholas or better known as Santa Claus, but do you know the story of Krampus? While St. Nicholas is known to bring gifts to the well-behaved, his counterpart, Krampus, is not-quite-so-friendly. On the evening of Krampusnacht, December 5, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas in visiting homes and businesses. While St. Nicholas doles out gifts for the good, Krampus supplies the naughty with coal, even stealing away particularly-unpleasant individuals in his burlap sack, whom he takes back to his lair in the South Pole. Krampus's name is derived from the German word krampen, which means "claw." Krampus is easily recognized with his large, goat-like appearance (dark fur, cloven hooves, and sharp horns), and long, pointed tongue. He is often depicted carrying a ceremonial golden staff and adorned in chains and bells. PAGE 9
We have set up the Krampus defense kit for our Toscana residents to build over time by completing some fun holiday tasks! Everything needed to build your defense kit is locked securely in our holiday safe. Complete your kit and be entered in to a holiday drawing for a wonderful gift card. What is in your Krampus defense kit? Tactical Jingle Bells (shake vigorously as needed to deter Krampus), Safety Snippers (in case of capture, use to cut through Krampus Burlap sack), Escape Socks with Heavy Duty Grip (Aid in quick Get-Away), and a small burlap sack to store your items and defense manual in-case you need to make a last minute's escape in the middle of the night! How do you get all the pieces of your defense kit? It's really quite simple but most definitely challenging! Find the Krampus Bell that will be hidden in Toscana by following the clues provided. When found, send a picture of the bell to Mark, but be sure not to touch; that annoys Krampus and puts you on his naughty list. Next, you will need to solve a riddle that will be sent out in several communications! Find the picture of Krampus in five different Toscana publications and let us know which communications he was in! And finally, "Krampus" three neighbors (see how on the next page)! Please watch your inbox for more details on all our December holiday adventures! Be sure to send all your pictures, riddle solutions, communications guess, and pictures of you Krampusing your neighbors should go to mgatchell@toscanaliving.net! Happy Holidays to all, and may you all avoid Krampus this season!
ht, when here at c na us p m ra K re fo e 'Twas the night b it wasn't Santa. ut b , ng ri ir st s a w re Toscana, a creatu lit, and everyone re e w hs ra no e m , Stockings were hung he residents T . it K e ns fe e D us p rushed for their Kram ns of sugar o si vi no s, d e b ir e th in weren't rested snug de in his 'kercheif a W s. d a he ir e th in plums danced filing when at the d he is fin st ju d ha , p a and Mark in his c t from Krampus, si vi a s a w It . p ra a office door heard attached that s a w te no a r, o flo he left gifts on the they couldn't ignore. Krampus," the y b d te si vi n e e b ve "You' o keep me short note began, "T w plan. So, away, you'll need a ne full of fill a small box or bag fun for three of your u neighbors before yo ck pic are done. Take a qui doors leaving gifts at their y next then hurry away as m them this target snores. Leave hat to do note so they know w m coming, o fr us p m ra K p e ke to o." as you have done, to
-Krampus
email mgatchell@toscanaliving.net for a copy of this letter for your Krampus-ing needs
12
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
DECEMBER SUN
MON
TUE 1
WED 2
THU 3
FRI 4
5
National Cotton Candy Day GH 8am-6pm
Clubs/Classes Association Events
6
7
8
9
10
11
Lunch Time Bingo 1pm-2pm
Last Day to Mail Letters to Santa Your Lobby
13
SAT
International Gingerbread House Day PC 10am-6pm
Meet the Candidates 6pm 14
15
National Cupcake Day PC 10am-6pm
16
12
17
18
19
FB Live: Charity Holiday Music and Cocoa Raffle Drawing Facebook 12pm DC 5:30pm-7pm
Bingo Bango Bongo 6pm-7pm
Krampus Mixology 2pm-3pm 20
21
22
23
24
Lunch Time Trivia 2pm-3pm
27
National Candy Cane Day GH 8am-7pm
28
29
30
25
OFFICE CLOSED
31
26
OFFICE CLOSED
Jan 1
OFFICE CLOSED
OFFICE CLOSED
National Candy Cane Day GH 8am-7pm
Jan 2
CONNECTION
community
by Katie Lucas
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is make a nice, hot mug of cocoa, snuggle up under a fluffy blanket and binge-watch holiday movies. If you're in need of some (sometimes so-bad-it's-good) entertainment, I've listed some of my favorite films that are streaming this year! There are plenty of other great holiday films out there...so if you have any suggestions for my next movie night, be sure to let me know!
The Christmas Chronicles This fun film was released on Netflix in 2018 and was so well received it's even gotten a sequel this year (which I sadly haven't gotten to watch just yet!). It follows a brother and sister who are having trouble getting through the holiday season without their father on a magical adventure helping Santa Claus. The Christmas Chronicles stands out as one of my favorite holiday movies because it celebrates the magic of the season, while maintaining a level of drama that will keep the adults entertained as much as the kids!
A Christmas Prince I'm a sucker for holiday romance movies and A Christmas Prince (and its two sequels!) definitely brings feelings of happiness and good cheer to my season. The Netflix films follow an aspiring journalist who goes on assignment to cover the story of a playboy prince in the foreign nation of Aldovia. As she snoops around the palace, the journalist ends up uncovering more of the royal family's secrets than she ever imagined! It's a fun, warm-hearted film series that is perfect to scratch that romance-genre itch and adds the perfect amount of mystery to each movie.
The Santa Clause One of my favorite movie series since I was a kid are the Santa Clause films. I have always loved Tim Allen and the movies are just plain fun to watch. If you haven't already seen them (or want to watch them again) head over to Disney+ to watch as a corporate executive has his life turned upside down when Santa falls off his roof on Christmas Eve. While some of the sequels are a little worsefor-wear, there's always a lot of magic and love portrayed in the films that is just perfect for the little ones during the holiday season. PAGE 12
Reeder's
DIGEST
by Chris Reeder
With all the recent questions about elections and voting, we wanted to share the process that the HOA will be following for our upcoming Board of Directors election. We will be sure to communicate with our residents throughout this process, to ensure our folks are comfortable with both the platform and the process. Our process is governed by both State Statute and the Association’s CC&R’s. There are parameters that all nonprofit home owner’s associations must adhere to, and Toscana will be diligent in ensuring all laws are followed. This election will add three resident board members to the Board of Directors. This is to allow for a year of Board training for the resident board members, prior to the developer, Statesman Group, turning over the property for resident control. A resident board is expected to take control after the 2022 Annual Board meeting. It is important to note: The Toscana Board will remain a developer-control board until transition. The Association will be using the same platform as has been used in the past- VoteHOANow. This is the same electronic voting company that the Desert Ridge Community Association has used, and is a well-known, trusted vendor. Some of the reasons an HOA uses a third-party to manage their voting process are: Electronic voting maximizes participation- Homeowners near and far have the opportunity to vote. Voting online saves money- Paper ballots are expensive to the HOA. Postage, printing, and hand-counting paper ballots are all either a financial or physical-man-hour cost. Voting online saves time and eases vote managementTallying is automatic, accurate and able to be calculated in real time. Electronic voting is private and secure- A third-party service provides a layer of separation between individuals involved and the voting process. Each vote is captured and timestamped Electronic voting is environmentally-friendly- No trees harmed during this voting process Load owner/voter data- Homeowner information is sent to VoteHOANow using information listed in CCMC’s accounting software. Renters are never entered in to this system, and will not be offered the opportunity to vote. PAGE 13
An opportunity to meet all of the candidates will be presented to the community on December 9 at 6pm via Zoom. If you are unable to meet the candidates, that’s ok! You can check out a short bio for each candidate on pages 4-6. It is critical to ensure the email address associated with your Toscana home is current in the accounting system by December 9. Please reach out to us in the office at wlongworth@toscanaliving.net if you are unsure if the email address associated with your unit is correct. For homeowners, the voting process itself is as simple as: 1. Register to vote- You will receive an email from VoteHOANow that includes a registration code. Enter your registration code, name, email address and create a password to register to vote securely online. 2. Vote- View the candidates up for election, make your selections, and submit your vote. 3. Receive confirmation- Vote HOA Now instantly records your vote. Owners receive a confirmation online and via email that their vote has been recorded. The Association will be sending out numerous communications via email to keep the community informed. It’s a lot of information and we want to ensure all of our residents are comfortable with the process. Please reach out if there are questions about how the process works- I won’t tell you how to vote, but I’ll tell you how the voting process works
The Amazing Toscana Pet-Owners Club WE
LOVE
ANIMALS!
HOW TO JOIN:
Pick
Up
Turf All
Your
Pet's
areas
pet
pet
forgotten $250+ Keep
All
Yes,
Pets
even
Do
be
not
on
used
must
be
immediately
on on
pet
placed
with
When
elimination and
around
needs
properly
disposed
property,
in
case
in
length
of
you've
you!
subsequent
extension)
in
for
Outside
violations Unit
cat
owner's
must
and
Leash
(not
are
bags
first
your
in
hands
landscape
be
leashes,
present
and
under
areas
when
six
feet
or
control
within
outside
10
less at
feet
the
all
of
unit
only
times
patios
(including
when
patios/balcony)
Registration All
be
bring
walk
Owner
not
stations
to
fine
Standard Must
may
waste
Multiple
Poop
pets
Owners visible
must will
at
Please
Required
all
be
be
registered
provided
times
contact
when
Wade
an
within
a
free
six-foot
days
identification
pet
is
outside
Longworth
wlongworth@toscanaliving.net receive
30
leash!
to
device
which
must
be
unit
at verify
your
pet
registration
and
WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth
CONTACT INFORMATION As the year comes to a close, it is important for all of us to reflect on this past year’s successes, failures and everything in between including making sure the Toscana office staff has your updated contact information. For those long-time residents it is most important to do a year-end review on DwellingLive to make sure that your emails and phone numbers are correct. Over the years many of us change our primary email, whether it’s for a new job or just to change things up, but forget to update essential services (such as your HOA) with that information. The same goes for are newest residents; we want everyone to have access to all of the great features offered in this community, including our new video callbox system ButterflyMX. In order to register for ButterflyMX, all residents must have a current email and phone number on file. This robust access system has great new features like swipe-to-open from a mobile app, virtual keys, and pin numbers allowing you to customize your guest-access experience. You will never have to worry about leaving your leaving your key fob at the unit and being “locked out” with the swipe-to-open feature; simply go to the app's home screen and swipe to open the door to your building as you arrive. Another great feature this system has to offer is called a virtual key which is a QR code you are able to send to your guest's mobile phone and is perfect for allowing visitors access to your building on certain days and times of your choosing. It is an ideal way to allow, for example, a recurring babysitter, a plumber, or even a party guest access to your building. The last thing that should be mentioned is the four-digit personal pin number that comes with each registered account. This is a fantastic option for people in your life, like trusted friends and family, that will give them access at all times. Also ideal for us “forgetful” people that might leave key fobs/phones behind. As a gift to our staff please update your contact info (phone numbers, emails) with the office and stay off the “naughty” list this year. Here is to wishing you and your family the best of holiday seasons filled with joy and plenty of memories!
PAGE 15
MAINTENANCE
by John Raabe
report
WATER SHUT-OFFS I’m sure everyone here has received an email notifying you of a water shut off scheduled in your building. Sometimes it’s for boiler repairs, but most often it’s for a unit repair. I wanted to write to you all this month and give you a little idea of what goes on during these shut-offs, and why it's important to notify the Association at least two days in advance (whenever possible) when you need to have major plumbing work done. The most common reason we need to turn off the water to the building is the replacement of unit valves. These are typically caught when a plumber arrives to do some standard maintenance and they are unable to turn off the unit's water. Occasionally, we have emergency valve issues, where a resident went to shut off the valve and broke and is leaking water, or they came back in town and turned it on and it did not open back up. We have also had toilet or refrigerator supply lines break while people are out of town causing extensive damage to surrounding units before the source is found. We ask that, if you are leaving town, you shut off the water to your unit to help prevent this. Even if you are home and something like this happens, if your shut off valves do not work there will be no way to quickly stop the flow of water. We have to shut off the whole building and drain it, so it will be a while before that water actually stops, causing a lot of damage. So all we ask is that, once a month, you turn the valves off then back on about five times (and while doing this make sure that they actually shut the water off). If you are having issues with your shut off valves you need to call a plumber and let that plumber know the we require at least 48 hours notice when shutting off the valves, unless it is an emergency, and we do not shut off the water until the plumber is on site, ready to make the repairs. These replacements should be scheduled for the morning, around 9am, so that if there is a complication there is plenty of
rectify it before the evening. Aa stated earlier, another reason we need to shut off the water to your building is boiler repairs. This usually only requires the hot water to be shut off, but sometimes they need to replace some valves and we need to shut off the cold for a little bit while they do that. The most common reason for this shut off is to replace one of the pumps that moves the hot water through the lines, but sometimes they need to replace parts in the boiler itself. Since I’ve been at Toscana we’ve had one tank replacement that needed the water to be shut off. The last reason we may need to shut off water to the building is the valves for the water softeners. These do go bad also and if we need to replace one we have to shut off all water coming into the building and also drain the entire building which may take a little while. We may also call your stack and ask that you not use one your sinks or dishwasher. This happens because one of the units below you is experiencing a backup from something that was put down the garbage disposal that shouldn’t have been, and you using them will cause more water to come up and cause damage. We try and give residents as much notice as possible when these things are going on, but as we all know life is unexpected and when it comes to water we have to act fast to try and stop as much damage as possible. PAGE 16
'S PLA T E
TEN
N A J
Also in November, crews continued to remove a number of dying Agave plants Our maintenance team is also around the Community after working to trim down shrubs around they flowered and lived utility box areas, aiming to keep these through their expected life plants in line with the boxes cycles. Agave pups (very young themselves. This allows for a clean agave seedlings) from the look while giving the shrubs room to original plants were left grow in the spring! We will also behind in several areas to continue to work closely with allow for new Agave growth in Community Management to detail the near future. These natural areas following the completion of the pups work to replace the plant by Janet Dempsey, DLC Resources painting contractor’s work on each at no cost to the Community! building. Happy Holidays from Additionally, we are DLC Resources! With Last month, our Arbor Management continuing to adjust your the calendar shifting to irrigation according to your Team came on-site to perform December, it’s a wonderful time to be Community’s needs in the selective tree pruning, like crown outside in Arizona! With this in mind, we cooler temperatures. Irrigation thinning, to help maintain the are continuing to manage and prepare for plants will be reduced as structure and health of your your common area turf for the winter we are able moving into the Community’s trees. Crown thinning months. With overseeded winter Ryegrass winter months. allows the room to grow safely and now growing in beautifully, we have been avoid expanding against your applying fertilizer to strengthen and Thank you for a great year and buildings. This also helps to mitigate nourish it, as well as mowing to give it a we look forward to partnering damage from any wind gusts that clean look. We will continue monitoring with you in 2020! may occur. and tailoring spot-treatment for any
PAGE 17
struggling areas around the Community.
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