Toscana Living December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

INSIDE Breakfast with Santa and More...

Living

NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 31 AMC LAWN | 7PM & 8PM (EXCLUDING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY) RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES, DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE IS TRANSFORMED INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND WITH NIGHTLY SNOWFALL AND HOLIDAY SHOWS.

S H O P D E S E RT R I D G E .CO M / S N OW

Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR

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By Mark Gatchell, Lifestyle Director

Your Neighbors' Favorites This easy Holiday Salad is full of flavor and texture!

A few ingredients and some minor knife skills will help you create such a delicious salad that your friends and family will beg you for the recipe!

Ingredients • 1/2 cup light vegetable oil • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice or apple cider • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3 medium Honeycrisp apples (about 1 pound), thinly sliced • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 12 ounces salad greens (spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine, or a combo of your favorites) • 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied • 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese Instructions 1.

To prepare Apple Cider Vinaigrette, measure oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice/cider, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a mason jar. Tightly screw on lid and shake vigorously until everything is thoroughly combined. Alternatively, you may briskly whisk the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or blend them in a blender or mini food processor.

2.

Place apple slices in a large plastic baggie and squeeze the fresh lemon juice (from the lemon half) over them. Close bag and shake to coat. In a large salad bowl, layer salad greens, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. Just before serving, dress with the desired amount of Apple Cider Vinaigrette and toss until salad ingredients are evenly coated.

5450 E. Deer Valley Drive Building 2 Phoenix, AZ 85054 www.toscanaliving.net Phone: 480-585-0808 Fax: 480-585-2859 Night Manager: 480-861-0875 Gate House: 480-513-0602 STAFF Nicole Careaga, CMCA Community Manager ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Christine Reeder Assistant Community Manager creeder@toscanaliving.net Mark Gatchell Lifestyle Director mgatchell@toscanaliving.net Katie Lucas 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, Mariya Lilith 480-513-0602

ON THE COVER RESTAURANT NIGHT

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Toscana Lifestyle

TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS RESIDENT FRIDAY SOCIALS Fridays in December at 5 p.m., Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Friday at noon No Friday Social on December 7 Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

BYOB. Friday Socials are FREE. A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE HALE THEATRE Saturday, December 1, from 11:45 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Cost: $24 SOLD OUT A Hale Holiday Classic! Our spectacular, heart-warming version of Dickens’ classic tale of redemption is magically brought to life on the Hale Stage. This production is rich with traditional carols, stunning costumes, and memorable characters that are guaranteed to enrich the holiday season for you and your family.

HANUKKAH DINNER Tuesday, December 4, from 5:30-7 p.m.

Palazzo Vacanza Join us as we break bread together on Tuesday, December 4th in celebration of Hanukkah. We will be gathering in Palazzo Vacanza (building 10) from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

BOARD GAME DAY Sunday, December 9, from 2-5 p.m.

Palazzo Grande It's cold outside! Come in & play a variety of board games with your neighbors on Sunday December 9. BYOB and snacks if you wish and enjoy some board games with your neighbors! A assortment of games will be provided.

HAPPY HOUR AT CIEN AGAVES Monday, December 10, from 3-6 p.m.

Come celebrate the start of the week with your neighbors at Cien Agaves! Residents will be able to enjoy happy hour specials and great conversation at this Happy Hour event.

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Toscana Lifestyle

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CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND COCOA Thursday, December 13, from 6-8 p.m.

Palazzo Centro, Dante's Corner Come celebrate the season with a little Christmas Caroling and Cocoa! We will sing Christmas Carols in Dante's Corner and have snacks and cocoa in the Palazzo Centro (Building 2) Please bring an appetizer or holiday dessert to share! We'll bring the cocoa!

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Saturday, December 15, from 9-11 a.m.

Palazzo Grande Enjoy a special breakfast with Special Guest Santa at the Palazzo Grande, where Santa will be handing out one gift a little early. Please pre-register for food count and bring your child’s (or grandchild’s) gift wrapped and labeled with first and last name to the Palazzo Centro office before December 15th. Kindly keep your gift under $25 for ease of distribution. Great Photo Op! I SAW MOMMY...MURDER MYSTERY DINNER Saturday, December 15, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Cost: $7 Palazzo Vacanza 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 mgatchell@toscanaliving.net if you are interested in playing a suspect part. Tickets are only $7 per person. This very popular program will sell out, so register quickly!

EL AUTENTICO MEXICAN FOOD TRUCK Tuesday, December 18, from 5-7 p.m.

Come on down to the Palazzo Grande pool area for Food Truck night! El Autentico is coming back to Toscana for Truckin' Tuesday (The 3rd Tuesday each month). Bring your appetite...and your wallet!

ART WITH MIMI Wednesday, December 19, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Cost: $40 Palazzo Vacanza Join award winning textile artist Mimi Damrauer, who is your neighbor, for a for a simple and fun fabric art class. Mimi will show you how to translate your own ideas onto fabric or use one of Mimi's graphic designs as a starting-off point.

Simple is better! No stress - just fun! $40.00 per person and everything you will need is provided.

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Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR

By Mark Gatchell, Lifestyle Director Facing Your Fears Recently, I was invited to attend a Lifestyle Director Training Workshop, which was hosted at our sister Community, Greyhawk.

Lifestyle Directors within CCMC attend several training workshops throughout the year and this was my first one since coming on board here at Toscana. The allday training showcased new vendors in the area from equipment rentals to party hosts and catering ideas.

However, the highlight of the training for me was a presentation on facing your fears and stepping outside your comfort zone.

The challenges began by splitting us into two groups.

Each group was given identical challenges that were scored on the level of, shall we say, difficulty/bravery.

Now, before I delve too far into these challenges let me just share a bit of personal information about myself. I am someone that will go to great lengths to avoid certain living creatures that roam the great state of Arizona, such as: snakes, spiders, and lizards that can walk on walls.

I’m sure you can imagine the thoughts and specific words that went through my mind when they announced the first challenge was called the “Medusa”. Yes, the first challenge was to have five or six live snakes placed on top of our heads and left there for five to ten seconds. I know that might not sound like a long amount of time, but for someone like me, that is three lifetimes. After a small nervous breakdown and the encouragement of my teammates, I held my breath and survived the “Medusa” challenge.

We were given a couple minutes to compose ourselves before the second challenge was announced, which was simply called the “Tarantula”. This challenge was broken down into three levels. Ten points were awarded each person if you held the tarantula in your hand. Twenty

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points if you placed it on your head or for a whopping fifty points if you let this lovely hairy creature walk across your face. I was not the first to participate on my team and I, naturally, settled instantly on the ten point option, however, my teammate, who was first, decided to go all in and opted for the fifty point option. Not to be outdone in my first lifestyle workshop I chose the fifty point option once it was my turn. I have to admit having a large tarantula walk across my face wasn’t as bad as the images rushing through my mind.

After tackling the snakes and tarantula I couldn’t imagine anything worse, but I was wrong. The third challenge was happily called the “Emperor Scorpion”. If you haven’t seen an emperor scorpion. Picture a small, jet-black dinosaur with claws and a tail with a rather large stinger at the end. Then imagine it being placed in the palm of your hand for about five to ten seconds. I'm fairly confident some of us lost consciousness.

The fourth and final challenge was called the “Madagascar Cockroach”. These cockroaches grow to 3 inches in length and make a loud hissing sound. The goal of this challenge was to pass as many cockroaches as we could from hand to hand with the winner being the group that passed the most down the line and into their cage. Our team won this challenge with a total of 8 or 9 cockroaches successfully placed back their awaiting box.

If anyone had told me that morning I would have snakes on my head, a tarantula walk across my face, or even a cockroach in my hand, I would have laughed at them. To overcome my fear and succeed at each challenge was truly a personal win for me that I never thought possible. At the end of the day, after reflecting on the challenges we faced, it was clear to me it was only possible because of the remarkable team of lifestyle directors that surrounded me with an amazing amount of support and encouragement.

The day wasn’t about one team winning, but everyone overcoming personal fears and each and every one of us being winners in our own rights!

Toscana Events and Programs Clubs

December 2018 Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Events Association Thursday

Friday

Saturday A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE HALE THEATRE 11:45AM-5:15PM

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3 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM VINO AND CANVAS PG 5:45-7:45PM

9 HIKING CLUB BOARD GAME DAY PG 2-5PM

10 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM HAPPY HOUR AT CIEN AGAVES 3-6PM

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17 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM

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24 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM CHRISTMAS EVE OFFICE CLOSED

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31 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM NEW YEAR'S EVE OFFICE CLOSED

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5 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BOOK CLUB PV 1PM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM

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12 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB PV 6:30PM

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25 CHRISTMAS OFFICE CLOSED

HANUKKAH DINNER PV 5:30-7PM

TRUCKIN’ TUESDAY PG 5-7PM

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13 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND COCOA DANTE'S CORNER 6-8PM

14 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM

15 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA PG 9-11AM I SAW MOMMY...

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PV 5:30-8:30PM

19 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM CHAIR YOGA PV 11AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM ART WITH MIMI PV 5:30-8:30PM

20 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

21 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM

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26 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM

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28 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM

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HAND & FOOT PG 6PM

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COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM

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In and Around Toscana CHRIS'S CORNER

By Chris Reeder, Assistant Manager Safe Driving Over the course of each month, we receive and address a wide variety of resident concerns.

A frequent worry is regarding safe driving (and foot traffic) on property.

With so many drivers, and many diverse driving backgrounds on Toscana property, it’s worth a moment to review some property rules and safe driving techniques.

Aggressive drivers are known road hazards, causing onethird of all traffic crashes. If you've been out on the roads, you know that not everyone drives well — but most people think they do.

Some drivers speed aggressively. Others wander into oncoming traffic because they aren't paying attention.

Drivers may follow too closely, rushing through our front gate unsafely.

But inattentive or distracted driving is becoming more of a problem as people "multitask" by talking on the phone, texting or checking messages, eating, or even watching TV as they drive.

Before you get behind the wheel of that two-ton frame of glass and steel, here are some tips to help us all stay safe: Stay focused. Distractions, like talking on the phone or eating, make a driver less able to see potential problems and properly react to them. The parkade entrances are fitted with a mirror to help you see potential hazards.

Should you notice an entry mirror askew, please notify the office so our maintenance team can adjust it properly.

Pay attention to pedestrians. Many areas of our property do not have sidewalks and we all share the roadway. You will encounter strollers, bicycles and people out for a walk

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- make sure you give a safe distance when driving. I know for myself, my car is very quiet when it goes into electric mode, so I give extra space to pedestrians who may not hear me on the road.

Be mindful of community stop signs. Community stop signs are there to help keep you safe. Running stop signs to beat the light at Deer Valley is really not worth someone’s life; also, remember, there is a crosswalk at the light where bikes or people may be crossing.

Keep your speed down. This has been one of our more frequent concerns during November, particularly in the parkades. The maximum speed on the Toscana surface is 10mph. In the parkades, please keep your speed to a maximum of 5mph. We have hundreds of people using our community streets and parkades, so it bears reminding that the dividing lines should be observed as well.

Be patient at the Front Gate. The gate attendants are on duty to help facilitate the entire community with guests, many moves, and deliveries. Recently a dividing lane was marked out at the gate, designating a “Guest” and “Resident” lane. This is to help facilitate the entry process more smoothly.

Be a mindful pedestrian. While pedestrians always have the "right of way," it is always important to be mindful of where you are walking and pay attention to the traffic around you. Stay on paths meant for people. This includes using the pedestrian gate out to Deer Valley rather than walking through an open vehicle gate.

The Front Gate staff is there to help enhance the exclusivity of Toscana. Please treat our Front Gate family with respect and kindness.

Thank you for helping us stay safe here at ToscanaTogether we can create a bigger sense of community by respecting our neighbors whether they are in or out of the car!

In and Around Toscana NICOLE'S NOTABLES

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By Nicole Careaga, Community Manager Parking at Toscana Everyone knows that parking at Toscana has its challenges, from tight spaces, to surface parking, and even handicap stalls. I wanted to take a moment this month to remind everyone about the major issues we face here in the office daily. These issues not only frustrate you as residents, but take up a lot of time for the team.

Surface Parking – Parking on the surface can be easier, at times, than parking in your parkade stall. However, overnight, residents are not ever allowed on the surface without a pass. The surface is meant for your family and guests. Surface parking is limited, especially in front of most of the buildings. Should you park on the surface during the day time, we ask that you be courteous to your neighbors and park a bit further from the buildings. This will allow for those guests to park just a bit closer.

Parkade Parking – Each of you has been assigned at least one parkade stall. Please be sure that your stall decal is located in the bottom left corner of your windshield, behind the steering wheel column. If you have two stalls, we ask that you adhere both stickers, so that you are not limited to only parking in one of your spaces.

Handicap Parking – There are handicap stalls both on the surface and in the parkades. They are there to help out our residents and guests that require just a bit more room to maneuver in and out of their vehicles.

Handicap placards or license plates are required to be parked in these spaces. However, these spaces are to be used at a first come first served basis and not meant to have cars stored in them, or to be used as an extra space for a resident. The management team can only prohibit parking based the preceding situations. We are not able to discuss one’s handicap, nor are we allowed to limit how often an individual utilizes the space. Again, we ask that everyone acts neighborly and thinks about each other.

RESIDENT GROUPS, CLUBS AND CLASSES BILLIARDS CLUB Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.

Billiards Room in PG. Contact: Lynn at 602-301-5010 BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR Mondays at 5 p.m. in PG BYOB BINGO TBD at 6:00 p.m., PG $6 per card Contact: Marge at 480-585-0494 BOOK CLUB December 5 "An American Marriage"

by Tayori Jones PV at 1 p.m.

CHAIR YOGA Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in PV

COFFEE SOCIAL Each Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. in PG GENTLE YOGA Fridays at 11 a.m. in PV HAND & FOOT CLUB Thursdays at 6 p.m., PG. Contact Marge at 480-585-0494 HIKING CLUB Sunday, December 9 Contact Allen Poppa at apoppa@yahoo.com

MAHJONG CLUB Mondays at 6:30 p.m., PG. Contact: Susan at susan4266@aol.com STUD POKER CLUB Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., PG. Bring $5 and your poker face. Contact Phil at 480-513-3615.

WATER AEROBICS TBD

To share new clubs and classes ideas, please email Mark Gatchell at: mgatchell@toscanaliving.net

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In and Around Toscana UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM

By John Raabe, Maintenance Supervisor Garbage Rooms

‘Tis the season to make garbage!

Usually around this time of year, we begin to have several issues with our garbage rooms; the majority of our residents are back in town and the holidays usually cause a little increase in trash. With this in mind, we all need to be considerate of our fellow residents when using the bins in the garbage rooms.

The drum set you bought for the grandkids not only takes up space in their parents’ house, the box takes up extra space in the recycle bin. Please make sure you are breaking down your boxes prior to placing them in the proper area.

Large boxes (even when properly broken down) have been known to cover the empty containers at the bottom of the recycling bin, so it is best to place those up against the wall instead.

When you think of the holidays, you picture little winter flurries dancing around your neighborhood.

Unfortunately, here in Phoenix, you probably won’t see swirls of snow litter the ground, but you might just see yesterday’s trash flying about if you don’t properly tie up your garbage bags! The trip from the garbage rooms to the trash compactor is a long one and any loose debris can be caught up in those winter gusts, sending it flying around the community.

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The few days leading up to and after the holidays are always heavy trash days. You may walk into your usual garbage room and find the bin is already full. If this is the case, please be considerate of your neighbors and staff and take your trash to a garbage room that is not full.

On heavy trash days, a lot of staff time is often spent cleaning up spilled trash that is carelessly thrown in a full garbage room. If you are unable to take your trash to a room with less trash, please do not throw your bags into the room, this risks tears in the bag, loose items to fall out and liquids to splash against the walls. All of this costs our maintenance team extra hours that could be spent upkeeping other areas of the community.

If you live in a casita please ensure you are tying your garbage bags prior to setting them out. By not tying them, birds can dig through and spread garbage. These pieces of debris can end up anywhere on property, in hard to reach places, which also increases the amount of time the maintenance staff spends picking up garbage.

If you are purchasing some holiday home upgrades, please make sure the contractors are not throwing the debris in our containers; this takes up a lot of space, and the contractors should have their own way of disposing garbage. With any remodel, you will need to make sure you contact the office in advance for scheduling, as well!

In and Around Toscana ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES

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By Katie Lucas, Administrative Assistant Package Policy We have been receiving a lot of brown cardboard packages filled with a few of your favorite things here at the office for the holidays!

As we enter the gift-giving season, please keep Toscana's Package Policy in mind during your online ordering.

The Toscana of Desert Ridge Condominium Association currently accepts on behalf of the residents parcel/ package deliveries from UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL and other such carriers. To facilitate this process, the Board of Directors has adopted the following criteria and expectations related to the current and continued parcel/ package acceptance services: It is the carrier’s responsibility to notify the resident that a parcel/package has been delivered to the Palazzo Centro front desk. Residents may contact the Association office to inquire if a parcel/package was received. Any notice that is provided by the Association to Residents is strictly as a courtesy and does not relieve the carrier of its responsibility to notify.

The Association will neither open nor inspect the parcel/ package upon delivery for dings, dents or damages.

The Association is not responsible for incomplete delivery or package content damage.

By accepting delivery of a parcel/package, the Toscana staff is not indicating nor will they sign forms stating that a package and its contents were delivered in a nondamaged condition, etc.

Parcels/packages weighing in excess of 25 pounds or larger than 16 cubic feet (30”x 30”x 30”) will not be accepted by Toscana staff. For oversized and or packages weighing in excess of 25 pounds, please make arrangements for pick up at the local UPS, FedEx or Postal Service locations.

At no time will the Toscana staff accept deliveries that

are not in a package or box (e.g. furniture, tires, auto parts, etc.)

At no time will the Toscana staff accept perishable items or packages that need to be refrigerated.

Package pick-up hours from the Palazzo Centro front desk is Sunday through Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Outside of regular business hours, please contact the night manager at 48-861-0875.

Should the parcel/package owner wish to have someone other than him or herself pick up the parcel/package, the Association will require written authorization from the parcel/package owner before releasing the parcel/ package.

Due to limited storage space no unit may have greater than three packages held at any one time.

Parcels/packages not retrieved, or which have not had other arrangements made, within three weeks following delivery, will be considered abandoned and the Association may return it to sender at the unit owner’s expense or make other arrangements to dispose of the package without liability to the Toscana of Desert Ridge Condominium Association or the Toscana staff.

At no time will the Toscana staff accept Certified Letters and/or Registered Mail.

The Association will not be responsible for loss of packages or other personal property. The parcel/package owner utilizes the Association’s package acceptance services at her or her own risk and the Association is not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss to any parcel/ package. This service is limited only to the right to store said items. No bailment is created.

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In and Around Toscana MOVIE REVIEW: THE GREEN BOOK

By Gil Berkowitz

A Trip Down South Lights up a Friendship

It is 1962 and the Civil Rights Movement is emerging. Mahershala Ali plays Dr. Don Shirley, a black American of Jamaican descent.

He is an internationally renown pianist and leader of the Don Shirley Trio.

Out of financial need, he has scheduled a musical tour throughout the South.

He realizes that a black man touring through the South could present some difficulty.

As a result, he is looking to hire a driver with street smarts.

Viggo Mortensen plays Frank Vallelonga, better known as Tony Lip, an Italian American bouncer from the Bronx. Tony has lost his job at the Copacabana and reluctantly accepts the job to drive Don. Life, in its irony, throws these two men together. Don needs someone who can handle the kind

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of trouble that a black man in Jim Crow South might encounter. Tony is a lug of a man who enjoys talking with a cigarette dangling from his mouth and eating to excess.

Don is a tall man meticulously dressed and impeccable in every way. He is even smooth when he drinks too much, which is often. He is a complicated man. The title of the movie refers to a guide book used to indicate what hotel lodgings in the South accommodate black travelers.

The "Green Book," based on true events is a likable story of two men from different worlds who learn from one another and become friends. The film is a solid three star movie but Tony and Don are better. The chemistry between them is sparkling and electric. This s an enjoyable and fun movie to see. Just right for the holiday season. It is playing at Harkins theaters throughout the valley. Rated PG-13 and runs for two hours and ten minutes.

Photo Gallery

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