MARCH 2017
Living
INSIDE PHOENIX SUNS
VINO AND CANVAS
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
FREE TICKETS WITH PURCHASE MARCH 1 - MARCH 24 (OR WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
DEER 14 15 16
TSONS 21
18 19 20
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EY RO AD
SPEND $250 OR MORE IN THE SAME DAY AT DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE AND RECEIVE 2 VOUCHERS TO DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DREAM BIG AT TALKING STICK RESORT ARENA APRIL 13-16, 2017. REDEEM HERE
Management Office DAVE & BUSTER’S
AT&T
EUROBUNGEE
CPK 79
I AYS
78
78a
Xi CLOTHING
T TRIC DIS AGE ST AMC
7
MACARONI GRILL
88
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AMC 18 THEATRES
SAME DAY RECEIPTS TOTALING $250 OR MORE CAN BE REDEEMED AT THE DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE MANAGEMENT OFFICE LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE DISTRICT BETWEEN XI CLOTHING AND AT&T, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:30AM-5PM.
Vouchers must be redeemed at Talking Stick Resort Arena Ticket Office. Vouchers are valid for the following show dates: April 13 at 7pm, April 14 at 10:30am or April 14 at 7pm. Subject to availability. Offer valid while supplies last. Limit 2 vouchers per person for the duration of the promotion. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
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By Chris Reeder, Lifestyle Director
Finally, spring is here! Make the most of this time of year that promises renewal and reawakening after our “harsh” Phoenix winter. Here are just a few suggestions to help you spring right into Spring with a fabulous attitude! Start off with a spring cleaning and organizing session. It feels good to throw open the windows, get some fresh air circulating through your home. Then, dust off your bike and head out for some relaxation time. Find new ways to enjoy outdoors. Go for a hike, bike ride or picnic to enjoy our gorgeous weather before it gets too hot. Even sitting for a spell on your patio can rejuvenate your mind and spirit. Golfing during spring is as close to perfection as it gets! In Arizona, March is the most popular time to go to a festival or outdoor concert. There is something different to do outdoors every weekend this month, so be sure you speak with our concierge, Alicja, about special event tickets for Toscana residents. Spring is a great time for considering an update to your existing look. Have you had the same hairstyle for the past several years? Is your wardrobe due for an update? Taylor Marie’s is hosting a fashion show here at Toscana, they make it so easy to update your wardrobe. Or, rotate your closet for an easy, inexpensive update. Spring is a great time to check the age of your makeup. Most makeup should be used within 6 to 12 months. Many stylists offer Spring updates to clients in March, it might be the perfect time to try something different. Paint or photograph our beautiful Arizona spring. It’s always fun to send a few photos of our fantastic Spring to our loved ones that still have a bit of snow (after all, they will be asking about our “dry heat” in June!) Painting requires an eye for color, and there is plenty about in spring as the flowers, blossom and brighter colors start to emerge, if only for a brief time. If you need inspiration, join the Vino and Canvas class being offered here at Toscana on March 21.
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS PHOENIX SUNS VS. BOSTON CELTICS BASKETBALL GAME Sunday, March 5 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Talking Stick Resort Arena Cost: $75 per ticket Toscana residents are receiving a special group ticket discount for this game along with an exclusive game experience package. Our package includes: A free Phoenix Suns Devin Booker shirt, Seating in the lower level of the arena, an opportunity to watch the teams warm up prior to the game and transportation to and from the game. What a wonderful Sunday afternoon experience!
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 MANAGEMENT TEAM Dick Rosenhagen, CAMM, CMCA Community Manager drosenhagen@toscanaliving.net Nicole Careaga, CMCA Assistant Community Manager ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Christine Reeder Lifestyle Director creeder@toscanaliving.net Alicja Davis Concierge adavis@toscanaliving.net Kevin Wiegel Administrative Assistant kwiegel@toscanaliving.net NIGHT MANAGERS: Don Meeks dmeeks@toscanaliving.net Jackie Hernandez hhernandez@toscanaliving.net MAINTENANCE: Frank Young Maintenance Supervisor fyoung@toscanaliving.net John Raabe Maintenance Tech Ignacio Santana Porter
ON THE COVER Big Brain Award Winners
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Toscana Lifestyle
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS TAYLORMARIE’S SPRING FASHION SHOW Tuesday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Palazzo Vacanza It’s time for Spring Fashion. TaylorMarie’s, a full-service boutique, will be hosting a fashion show and shopping event. TaylorMarie’s features name brand clothing as well as unique boutique items and jewelry. TaylorMarie’s offers a full range of sizes in petite, missy and women’s. With a mobile register, TaylorMarie’s accepts all major credit cards and personal checks. Get ready for Spring with styles from TaylorMarie’s. PARENT’S NIGHT OUT Friday, March 10 from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Schedule: Games 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., Movie 6:15 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. Upstairs in Palazzo Vacanza (Building 10) Parent’s Night Out (grandparents too!) – Kid’s Night In! A special evening PJ party for Toscana’s smallest residents with games, pizza and a movie. This month’s movie is The IMPORTANT BFG (rated PG) Bring a blanket and wear your PJ’s for the movie. We are looking for COMMUNITY volunteers for this event! CONTACTS BOOK CLUB – MEET THE AUTHOR AND BOOK SIGNING Wednesday, March 15 from 6:30 p.m. CenturyLink Upstairs in Palazzo Vacanza (Building 10) 602-765-2334 Long before she became a museum curator, Jan Krulick-Belin curated memories, photographs and mementos of her father, who died when she was just six. Her mother APS rarely spoke about him again, until a year before her own death, when she gave Jan a box 602-371-7171 of nearly one hundred love letters he had written her during World War II. What follows is the true story of the author’s emotional and life-changing pilgrimage of the heart to Southwest Gas find and reclaim the father she thought she’d lost forever. 800-528-4277 HAND AND FOOT TOURNAMENT Moon Valley Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Palazzo Grande Plumbing Plan a wonderful day of game play with your neighbors during the Hand and Foot 602-253-2600 Tournament, chaired by resident Roberta Lippitt. Your $20 fee includes: snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, light lunch, prizes, and supper (BYOB). Please contact Roberta directly with any questions or to register 480-585-2160 or Robertalippitt@shaw. Night Manager ca. The play schedule is as follows: “Round Robin Play,” First Round 10 am - Noon; 480-861-0875 Lunch Noon; Second Round 1 pm - 3 pm; Third Round 4 pm - 6 pm; Dinner & Prizes 6 pm. Hours: Until 2 a.m. M-Th RODAN + FIELDS SEMINAR Until 3 a.m. F-Su Monday, March 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Palazzo Vacanza CCMC After-Hours Emergency Line 602-234-9288
Wine, snacks, AND younger looking skin! Learn about Rodan+Fields skincare products (from the doctors who created Proactiv) that target fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, sun damage, redness, and sensitivity. Walk-ins welcome from 4:30-6:30pm, with full presentation and product demo beginning at 6:45. FREE skincare consultation for all who intend! Bring a friend and get extra chances to win the drawing for a free product!
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Toscana Lifestyle VINO AND CANVAS PAINTING PARTY Tuesday, March 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Palazzo Grande. Cost: $20 per person We love the arts, we love a good bottle of wine, and we love exploring local establishments. What better way to combine our love for our community than Vino and Canvas?! We want Vino and Canvas to be a fun and exciting experience, bring your favorite beverage and a friend! Try something new and join us for a fun night out. We will be painting the beautiful Evening Cherry Blossoms. DWORNIK ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR Free Living Trust Seminar: Learn about the latest strategies to protect your estate Wednesday, March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Palazzo Centro Media Center Affordable and Comprehensive Estate Planning Solutions. Planning Is Essential – Do You Have A Plan? A good estate plan coordinates what happens to your home, savings, investments, business and retirement accounts. Come learn how to put a plan into action to help protect your legacy, your family and your future. Guests will have an opportunity for questions after the seminar with Attorney Richard M. Dwornik. Complimentary Wine and refreshments. Presented by: Dwornik Law. CREATIVE CARD MAKING Thursday, March 23 2 sessions – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. AND 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Palazzo Grande Cost: $5 per person. Back by popular demand! Diane and Michelle will kick-start your creative side by hosting a Creative Card Making class. Classes may sell out and are only $10 for residents (payable directly to the instructor). There are two sessions available on March 23rd. MURDER MYSTERY DINNER Thursday, March 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Upstairs in Palazzo Vacanza Cost: $10 per ticket. Anchor’s Away! Join your fellow inquisitive neighbor investigators as we determine who murdered Cruise Director, Sunny Sails. During this
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IMPORTANT RSVP INFORMATION PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL RSVPS AND CORRESPONDING PAYMENTS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 5PM ON THE DAY OF THE RSVP DEADLINE. All RSVP’s without payment collected by the deadline will be considered invalid. Unless noted otherwise, all RSVP’s can be made by dropping correct change or a check to Toscana HOA in a clearly marked envelope inside the drop box by the Lifestyle Director’s office in Palazzo Centro. Alternatively, you may email creeder@toscanaliving.net and request the online payment link. We regret to inform you that late RSVP’s cannot be accepted after the deadline, and that refunds cannot be issued except in the case that Toscana cancels an event. Your cooperation with these policies helps ensure that our vendors have the notice they require, that we are able to provide for everyone who RSVP’s in time, that we steward assessment dollars appropriately and avoid needless waste, and that the event experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible for participants.
adventure, resident suspects will be “interrogated” and your team (teams of 6 will be formed upon your arrival) will figure out Who Done It! Wear your favorite cruise attire and bring your favorite sea beverage! TOSCANA STORYTELLERS FBI UNDERCOVER March 28 at 6:30 p.m., Palazzo Grande Did you ever wonder what life is like inside the FBI? Resident Doug Eden will present some of his experiences as an undercover FBI agent, a pilot, Director of Security and a look at what life is like for him as a retired agent. Check all weapons at the door and come join us for a look at America’s premier law enforcement agency. We hope this will be the first in a series of presentations by your fellow Toscana residents as they share some of their life stories and experiences. If you are interested in sharing interesting stories about your life, please reach out to creeder@toscanaliving.net POOL PARTY Mark your calendar! April 1 is Toscana’s end of season pool party- Join the party at 1pm. DJ and lunch are included with your $5 ticket. Keep an eye out for more details in our weekly Lifestyle email blast!
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Toscana Events and Programs
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Clubs
March 2017
Events Association
Monday
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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SUNS VS. CELTICS BASKETBALL GAME TALKING STICK 2PM
MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
7 TAYLORMARIE’S SPRING FASHION SHOW PV 6:30PM
13 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
14 RUMMY CUBE CLUB PG 1PM
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4
10 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
11
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
TAI CHI PV 10AM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
BILLIARDS PG 1PM
HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
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BILLIARDS PG 1PM
9 TAI CHI PV 10AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
BINGO PG 6PM
GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM PARENTS NIGHT OUT PV 6PM
POKER CLUB PG 6PM 12
Saturday
2
POKER CLUB PG 6PM
5
Friday
15 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM MEET THE AUTHOR: JAN KRULICKBELIN PV 6:30PM BILLIARDS PG 1PM
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17
TAI CHI PV 10AM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM
18 HAND & FOOT TOURNAMENT PG 9AM - 8PM
FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
POKER CLUB PG 6PM 19
20 HIKING CLUB 9:30AM RODAN + FIELDS PV 4:30PM
21 VINO AND CANVAS PAINTING PARTY PG 5:30PM
MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
22 BOARD MEETING PV 9AM COFFEE PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER PG 6PM SINGLE LADIES NIGHT OUT 5:30PM
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24
TAI CHI PV 10AM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
CREATIVE CARDS PG 11AM & 2PM
GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM
HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
25 VENDOR EXPO PG COBBLESTONE 11AM-2PM
DWORNIK ESTATE PLANNING PC 6:30PM 26
27 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
28 RUMMY CUBE CLUB PG 1PM TOSCANA STORYTELLERS PG 6:30PM
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COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM
TAI CHI PV 10AM
BILLIARDS PG 1PM
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER PV 5:30PM
POKER CLUB PG 6PM
HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
31 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM
APRIL 1 POOL PARTY PG POOL 1PM
FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
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Toscana Lifestyle CONCIERGE CORNER By Alicja Davis, Concierge
Toscana Annual Vendor Expo is Saturday, March 25 from 11am-2pm! We wanted to remind you our Annual Vendor Expo is this month! We hope you can join us and enjoy an early afternoon out by the Palazzo Grande cobblestone. We’ll be hosting vendors showcasing activities, hospitality, golf, travel, food, insurance, transportation, beauty and spa, and more! Details will be included in our weekly email blast, and the community flyer. We hope to see you there! Looking for restaurants with the great ambiance? Each month OpenTable, an online restaurant-reservation service company, analyzes thousands of new diner reviews. They sort the results by category to help you discover your new favorites. Here is the list of places that deliver on ambiance, quality and food! Café Monarch Old Town Scottsdale 6934 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Monarch is a family-owned and operated restaurant offering an ultra-romantic setting for any special occasion, or extravagant night out. The four-course menu is altered weekly by Chef Gus Lewkowicz, using only seasonal and local ingredients. All servers are trained and certified sommeliers with extensive wine knowledge. Sommeliers taste wine weekly to ensure the best pairing for each course. Different Pointe of View Hilton Tapatio Cliffs 11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 Poised 1,800 feet above the Valley of the Sun, Different Pointe of View offers guests breathtaking views second only to the outstanding regional American cuisine that features fresh local and organic ingredients. The
restaurant’s mountaintop location and floor to ceiling windows provide stunning views of the desert landscape, the city’s twinkling lights in the distance and Arizona’s brilliant sunsets. Afternoon Tea - The Phoenician 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 In the English tradition, afternoon tea is served daily in the Lobby Tea Court. Consistently voted “Best Afternoon Tea” by the Phoenix New Times and Arizona Republic readers, full tea includes finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of fine blends. Classical music provides a charming backdrop for a relaxing afternoon break. A Gluten-Free menu is available with advance notice. elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain 5700 East McDonald Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253 Celebrate farm-fresh American cuisine at elements, one of the best restaurants in Paradise Valley. Sanctuary touts the evolution of a favorite Scottsdale restaurant that offers a distinctive experience for AZ luxury dining. Discover the cutting-edge kitchen of Food Network celebrity and Executive Chef Beau MacMillan, where the best local organic produce is used to create seasonal menus. El Chorro 5550 E Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 El Chorro’s iconic setting at the base of Camelback & Mummy Mountains offers an authentic Arizona desert setting where generations of Valley residents and visitors alike come to savor classic, seasonal cuisine; enjoy a relaxed Sunday brunch; gather with friends over happy hour; celebrate special occasions or meet with associates.
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In and Around Toscana MANAGER TIDBITS
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By Dick Rosenhagen, Community Manager
Annual Meeting Highlights and New Board of Directors Toscana’s 2017 Annual Meeting on February 6, was a great night of food, fun and information. Thank you to all who attended the meeting and helped celebrate the wins we had in 2016! By moving the meeting to February and making it a true celebration, we had a record number of 180 attendees. At the annual meeting we had two important issues that the owners voted on. First was the pet policy in which the results gave direction to the Board to approve the changes presented in the policy. For details, please refer to Nicole’s article. Second, owners were asked to cast their first vote for owner representation on the Board of Directors via a preference election. The Developer agreed to appoint the three owners receiving the most votes to the Board of Directors and to expand it to seven members. It was great to see the high number of owners who voted in this preference election as the association received over 250 votes. Please join me in congratulating the three new owner Board Members.
Your 2017 Toscana at Desert Ridge Board of Directors are as follows: • Nicolle Blais – President • Jeff Holland – Vice President • Shantelle Monongye – Secretary • Gene Weiss – Treasurer • Barry Wilson – Director • Gil Berkowitz – Director • Heather Wood – Director The new Board will have its first Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday March 22, 2017 at 9am in the Palazzo Vacanza, Building 10.
Offering a 25% VIP Discount for Toscana Residents Eco-friendly dry cleaning at fair prices Open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm
Gene Weiss
Barry Wilson
Gilbert Berkowitz
Additionally, Alana Mann and Paul Hospelhorn have resigned their posts, and Heather Wood has been appointed to the Board. We would like to thank Alana and Paul for their years of service to Toscana.
Same day service Tailor on premises We do shoe repairs as well! Located at the Desert Ridge Marketplace next door to the UPS Store
(480) 502-5881 www.desertridgecleanersaz.com
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In and Around Toscana ASSISTANT MANAGER UPDATES By Nicole Careaga, Assistant Manager
In February we held our 10th Annual Meeting, and what a great success it was. We were excited to be holding our first ever Board Member elections, and also allowed for the owners to vote in regards to a new Pet Policy for Toscana. Well, we had over 250 votes in total, and over a 170 of you voted to amend the existing pet policy. What does that mean for you? Effective immediately, dogs will no longer be allowed on any of the turf areas within Toscana, along with the granite areas that are within 10’ of a balcony. This new policy also reiterates that extension leashes are not allowed, and dogs should be walked on a leash that does not exceed 6ft in length. In the upcoming weeks, you will see new signs placed in turf areas around Toscana, along with granite areas near patios. Please take a moment to review the new policy on toscanaliving.net. Should you have any questions, Dick and myself are always here to help at 480-585-0808.
Who Ya Gonna Call‌or Email???
With the appointment of three residents on the Board of Directors, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the protocol for voicing questions or concerns. We want to assure you, that your Board is always here for you, however, we do not want to overwhelm them with resident questions or concerns. Our developer, Statesman has employed CCMC to manage the day to day operations of the Toscana Association. You are extremely lucky as residents to have an onsite team here 21 hours a day at your disposal. We are here via phone or email to handle all requests, nothing is too big or too small. The team is ready to help you in the event you have witnessed a violation, are having issues with a key fob, need to RSVP for an event or have questions regarding a recent board decision, please reach out to us, as your onsite team. All of our contact information is listed in the front of this magazine, and we are always here for YOU!
CLUBS AND CLASSES BILLIARDS CLUB: Wednesdays at 1pm, Billiards Room RUMMYCUBE CLUB: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1-2:30pm, Palazzo Grande HIKING CLUB: Next hike: Monday March 20. Contact Gary at gtwood@quest.net. SINGLE LADIES NIGHT OUT: 4th Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm. Contact Heyam Bonnamy at heyambonnamy@gmail.com MAHJONG CLUB: Mondays at 6:30pm, Palazzo Grande COFFEE SOCIAL: Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am, Palazzo Grande BINGO CLUB: 2nd Wednesday of the month. $6 Buy In. Please contact Marge at margemandell2@yahoo.com. STUD POKER CLUB: Wednesdays at 6pm, Palazzo Grande. Bring $5 and your poker face. Contact Phil Labue at 480-513-3615 BOOK CLUB: 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm, Palazzo Vacanza. Please contact Susan at susan4266@aol.com. HAND & FOOT CLUB: Thursdays at 6pm, Palazzo Grande. Contact Marge at 480-585-0494 FANTASY BASEBALL LEAGUE: Contact Gil Berkowitz at 602-881-6272 or 480-998-2135 VIP CLUB CARD: Stop by the concierge office if you have not received your VIP Club Card.
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In and Around Toscana
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UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM By Frank Young, Maintenance Supervisor
Bike lock tips
Hopefully you’ve already read about how to choose the best bike lock. And you’ve got a good idea what level of security you need, the type of lock that’s right for you and the differences between the major brands. But it’s not just about the lock. You also need to know how to secure your bike properly. Because whichever lock you choose, if you don’t use it properly, your bike may be at a higher risk. So here are a few tips for using your lock correctly. TIP 1: Lock your frame. Always lock your frame to the immovable object. If you only secure your bike through the wheel, a potential thief may simply remove your wheel and walk off with the rest of the bike. Tip 2: Keep your lock off the ground. Try to keep the lock away from the ground. If it’s on the ground, a potential thief can use a hammer to smash the lock against the hard floor and this will break cheaper models. Also, the closer it is to the ground, the easier it is to use the floor for added leverage in a bolt cutter attack. However, also avoid the top tube. If the lock is around the top tube of the bike, a potential thief can use the frame itself to try to break the lock by lifting and twisting the whole bike. So, ideally the lock should go high up around the down tube or the seat tube.
TIP 3: Make the lock difficult to access Try to make the lock as difficult to access as possible. If you can position it so the key hole is facing downwards even better. This will make it more difficult for a thief to attack the lock or tamper with the locking mechanism.
TIP 4: Fill the inside of a U-lock If you’re using a U-lock, try to fill as much of the space within the U with the bike and the bike rack it’s attached to. Taking a few simple steps like these will discourage a potential thief from tampering with your bike and they will move on.
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In and Around Toscana Kevin’s Two Bits By Kevin Wiegel, Administrative Assistant We’ve all been busy this past month, with a tremendously successful Annual Meeting and some very well-attended events Christine has hosted.
Today’s topic de jour is parking. We’ve had an above-average number of parking issues reported in February, so I thought I’d review the policies and procedures for you and your guests. One of the most common reasons our night managers issue parking violations in the parkade is because they cannot identify a vehicle as one that belongs there. Residents not having a parking space sticker on their windshield are usually the reason. Please make sure we can identify your vehicle by having a parking stall sticker in the proper place on your windshield. Another less common but important issue is one car in two spaces. You are welcome to park in the middle of your two
spaces with one vehicle if your spaces are sided by side, but you need to have both space stickers on your car. Otherwise we don’t know you belong there. Expired guest pass violations also seem to be on the rise here at Toscana. Remember, your guests need to renew their passes daily at the gate or come by the management office and we would be happy to write an extended pass for them. And lastly, please remember to park your vehicles in the underground parking by midnight. Jackie and Don have written over 40 violations in the last 60 days for residents who have left their vehicle on the surface overnight. “You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen; it said ‘Parking Fine.’ So that was nice.” – Tim Vine
ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®
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In and Around Toscana
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MOVIE REVIEW: LION By Gil Berkowitz WONDERFUL, EMOTIONALLY RICH, FEEL-GOOD TEARJERKER “Lion” is that once in awhile movie that comes along and clutches your heart. See it and I assure you that you will leave the theater with a little bit of a tear in your eye, but feeling good. The film is based on the autobiographical book by Indian writer Saroo Brierly. It is a remarkable and heartwarming story of love lost and love regained. An astonishing true adventure that spans a twenty five year period. Saroo (played by Sunny Pawar) is a little boy of five. He is so young that he cannot pronounce his name correctly. He and his brother Guddu live in a ghetto in India. The story begins when Saroo tags along with his older brother Guddu who is looking for work. They arrive in a train station in the northern part of Khandwa. They look to steal coal, which they can exchange for food to bring home to their mother and younger sister. Guddu finds night time work and needs to leave Saroo for a short while. He tells Saroo that he will be back for him and he is to wait in the train station. Saroo is tired and falls asleep on a train station bench. When he awakes in the middle of the night he is all alone and frightened. He boards an empty train and falls asleep on a cushioned chair. When the boy wakes up he finds himself in the bustling city of Calcutta, sixteen hundred miles from his home. He is lost and cannot speak Bengali, which is the language spoken in Calcutta. He speaks Hindu and no one can understand a word he is saying. Helpless he drifts along from one challenging event to another. He narrowly escapes a child kidnapping ring and ends up in an orphanage for displaced children. Help arrives when a loving Australian couple, Sue and John Brierly (Nicole Kidman and David Wenham) adopt him. He learns what a loving family atmosphere is like. He learns to speak English and goes to college, majoring in hotel management.
Twenty five years after he has disappeared the five year old is now a man (played by Dev Patel) and wants to know about his lost family. He has been unaware that his birth mother has been searching for him the last twentyfive years. With the full support and devotion of his girlfriend, Lucy (Rooney Mara), he unravels the mystery of where he can find his family and where he came from. Saroo with his hope - and the use of a Google Earth search engine - will keep you emotionally invested. All performances are excellent. The film has been nominated for best picture of the year. It is playing in Harkins theaters throughout the valley and is rated PG-13. Running time is 120 minutes.
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WILDFIRE GOLF CLUB JW MARRIOTT DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA
MARCH 14-19, 2017
THE U.S. SWING STARTS HERE. WHERE WILL YOU BE? BUY TICKETS NOW AT
LPGAFoundersCup.com
/LPGAFoundersCup
@LPGAFOUNDERS
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TL Advertise with Toscana Living Emailed to Toscana Residents weekly. Contact Alicja Davis at 480-585-0808 or adavis@toscanaliving.net
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