November 2021 by Toscana of Desert Ridge

LIVING

toscana

KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW

NOVEMBER 2021

Our Staff. Community Manager Nicole Careaga ncareaga@toscanaliving.net Assistant Community Manager John Raabe jraabe@toscanaliving.net Lifestyle Director Mark Gatchell mgatchell@toscanaliving.net Concierge Director Katie Lucas klucas@toscanaliving.net Administrative Assistant Wade Longworth wlongworth@toscanaliving.net Maintenance Supervisor Charles Koba ckoba@ccmcnet.com Maintenance Staff Chris Ehrlich, Juan Magana Submit Work Orders at ToscanaLiving.net Night Managers Jackie Hernandez, Saffron Caudle 480.861.0875 Gate House Staff Chet Sanders, Joshua Oakley, Laura Taylor, Todd Davison 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.NET, BUTTERFLYMX, DWELLINGLIVE

NOVEMBER 17, 11AM HOSTED VIA ZOOM

TOSCANA TECH TALK Learn how to navigate your resident websites with your Toscana Management Team

SUBMIT QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE TO WLONGWORTH@TOSCANALIVING.NET

Nicole's Noteables by Nicole Careaga

As we move into this new phase of Toscana, we are constantly reminded that the future is here, the community is aging, and we need to be prepared for a multitude of surprises. Currently, we are experiencing unprecedented times with an ever-increasing economic market, massive strains on supply chains, and labor costs at an all-time high. With that sentiment in mind, your Board of Directors have approved the Toscana 2022 Budget with a 2.5% increase, most of which will be allocated to your future, by funding your reserves. Toscana has worked with a third party vendor for almost 15 years to ensure the future planning of our community is on a solid foundation. This year, as we approach transition, the Board opted to have an update to our reserve study completed, to provide them with a bigger picture for budget planning. The reserve study update was completed and it shows that the community is currently at a funding level of 54.2%. While this number is not as high as we would have liked, it has increased over the last three years from 52%, and we have completed a number of necessary projects around the community. Over the next year, your Budget & Finance Committee will be looking at projects the reserve study calls for. They will look at the useful life, age of components, and how well the preventative maintenance plans have preserved our resources. With all of this in mind, they will make recommendations to the Board for fiscally-responsible spending, and work to increase our reserve funding in the years to come. For those of you that do not know, Toscana will be celebrating its 16th year at our Annual Meeting in February. With Toscana aging, it is PAGE 3

imperative for your committees and Board continue their forward thinking and continue to make Toscana a beautiful place to live. These next few years as we bring on new residents at the Luxe and navigate through an economic climate that is ever changing, being a head of the game and well-funded is going to be a huge asset to your property values. In the upcoming weeks you will see mailings that detail: the new assessment amounts, how to sign up for estatements, auto payment options and information on joining your Toscana Board and Committees. Should you have any questions about this, or any other happenings at Toscana you can join me at our final Fireside Chat of 2021 on November 15, or stop by my office at any time. Assessment Amounts for 2022 B10 - $440.00 Central Condos, B1, 11, 14, 15, 16, 24, and 26 - $459.00 Casitas - $478.00

Make your

Mark by Mark Gatchell

Fall into Fun William Cutter wrote: What if the little rain should say, "So small a drop as I Can ne'er refresh the thirsty earth, I'll tarry in the sky!" What if a shining beam of noon Should in its fountain stay, Because it's feeble light alone Is not enough for day! Doth not each rain-drop help to form The cool, refreshing shower? And every ray of light to warm And beautify the flower? The weather has been fantastic during the fall season, and we have taken full advantage of it! We held our annual Halloween bash this past October, and it was a huge hit! "Dead Men Tell No Tales" was the theme, so the pool deck was filled with pirate gold, jewels, and, of course, plenty of skeletons and sea creatures to boot! And no one could miss the ghostly pirate spirits drifting about the balconies of Palazzo Grande! Our Toscana family never fails to impress with their creative costumes, and this year was no exception! Over 85% of our attendees were dressed up, making our costume contest difficult for our judges! The imagination shared that night was truly fantastic, and we are already planning for next Halloween! We have begun to see so many returning faces to our events, and, as always, we can't wait until all of our friends and neighbors have returned to Toscana! The Halloween bash kicks off our busy event season, and we have some fantastic events coming your way. Our much-loved Friendsgiving is in the works, along with some exciting plans for an off-site holiday ball as well. As always, keep your eyes on the Tuesday Lifestyle eBlast for all the exciting news! Please be sure to register early because most events fill up quickly. If you cannot register for an event, please be sure to email me at mgatchell@toscanaliving.net and be placed on our waiting list. Even more importantly, if you register for an event and you are not able to attend the event, please be sure to let me know so that our residents on the waitlist can attend the event. It also helps your Lifestyle Director order the correct catering amount! See you at our next event! PAGE 7

11 N O V E M B E R SUN

MON 1

TUE 2

WED 3

THU 4

FRI 5

SAT 6

FOOD TRUCK PG 5PM

Association Events

B1, 10 & 11 PARKADE CLEANING

FLU VACCINE CLINIC PG 10AM-1PM 14

FIRESIDE CHAT 6PM

*BAGELS & BREW* PG 9:30AM

GATE GIVEAWAY 8AM-7PM

FOOD TRUCK PG 5PM

TOSCANA TECH TALK 11AM

*AFTERNOON BINGO* 2PM

FINANCE COMMITTEE 9:30AM

*BOWLING NIGHT* 5:30PM 19

FOOD TRUCK PG 5PM

*90-BALL BINGO* 2PM 24

*DONUTS & JUICE* PG 10AM

*AFTERNOON BINGO* 2PM

LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE 2PM 21

OFFICE CLOSED

*FRIENDSGIVING* PG 2PM

OFFICE CLOSED

*REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED* RESIDENT- RUN CLUBS MAH JONG - MONDAYS 10AM - PG HAND AND FOOT - TUESDAYS/THURSDAYS 6PM - PG COFFEE CLUB - TUESDAYS/THURSDAYS 9AM - PG POKER CLUB - WEDNESDAYS 6PM - PG BILLIARDS CLUB - MONDAYS AT 5PM, WEDNESDAYS AT 1PM - PG

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CONNECTION

community

by Katie Lucas

Who's ready to gobble up some goodies? Thanksgiving is just around the corner and there are tons of great events in the Phoenix area to satisfy all your turkey and cranberry cravings. Here is a list of four fabulous events that are sure to make your "Thankful List" this year: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Enjoy a 90-minute cruise on the waters of beautiful Lake Pleasant with a delicious buffet-style dinner by Dillon's Catering. There will be live music by talented local artists and a full-service bar on board, with beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase as well. This cruise is $63 for adults and $43 for children. Be sure to book early, so you don't miss out!

Thanksgiving at Royal Palms The renowned legacy restaurant at Royal Palms, T. Cook’s, will offer a threecourse, prix-fixe menu. Some standouts include a Carrot & Roasted Onion Soup, Pumpkin Ravioli, Heirloom Turkey Breast, Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, Pan Seared Scallops, Pumpkin Panna Cotta, Carrot Cake and more festive dishes to put you in the thankful spirit. You can also get yourself a Thanksgiving breakfast earlier in the day. Dinner is $95 for adults and $35 for children. PAGE 11

Thanksgiving Dinner at Compass Bring the family to gather and dine at Compass, atop of Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Compass is offering a threecourse traditional Thanksgiving dinner and featured dishes from their new menu. The three-course Thanksgiving dinner includes a fresh salad, traditional Thanksgiving turkey along with sides and dessert. This delicious dinner is $60 per person.

Thanksgiving at Elements Restaurant Enjoy a spectacular Thanksgiving feast without the cooking and cleaning! Celebrate the holiday with a special Thanksgiving menu created by Executive Chef and Food Network Star Beau MacMillan. From its extraordinary views of Paradise Valley to its acclaimed innovative offerings, elements is a highlight among Scottsdale’s luxury dining options. This four-course, pre-fixe menu is $150 for adults and $55 for children.

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1

DEPOSIT REQUIRED FOR ALL MOVES, RENOVATIONS, AND LARGE-ITEM DELIVERIES

YOUR VENDOR WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON PROPERTY WITHOUT A MOVE/REMODEL FORM FILLED OUT AND RETURNED AND DEPOSITS/FEES PAID TO THE PALAZZO CENTRO OFFICE As we begin our return to more normal operations, your Board of Directors has requested the reinstatement of elevator padding and deposit/fee taking for all moves, renovations and large-item deliveries.

Even if your remodel does not require architectural approval, a Commencement of Work form is required to be filled out and deposit paid prior to your vendor being permitted on property.

Large items that require deposit prior to delivery include, but are not limited to: beds, loveseats, sofas, appliances, pre-assembled dressers, etc.

Deposits are refundable, barring damage done to common areas. Deposits are $250 for moves and large-item deliveries and $500 for renovations. Admin fee of $25 is non-refundable.

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JOHN'S JOURNAL

by John Raabe

GET INVOLVED It’s that time of year of again, the Annual Meeting is right around the corner and with that comes voting for new Board of Directors Members. This year there will be 4 positions up for election, 1 Toscana Property Suites/Golf Casitas owner’s position, and 3 Luxe owners’ positions. We will be accepting applications starting November 22nd, and they will have to be submitted by December 28th. If you are interested in running for one of these positions, start preparing. Candidates must be listed owners and be in good standing with the Association.

this year, so if you are interested in any of those, we are always looking for new members. If you want to have a direct impact on the way Toscana is managed and ran, and think that you can represent Toscana residents and protect their interests, please consider running for one these BOD positions or joining a committee.

Once the BOD members are elected at the February Annual Meeting, the BOD will consist of 4 Toscana Property Suites/Golf Casitas owners and 3 Luxe owners. These BOD members will work together to compose, review, and approve various items such as project proposals, association finances, community policies and direct the management team on how to operate the community. Members of the Board take into account the opinions of their neighbors and make decisions based on what they feel best preserves the community's financial values, as well as the standards of the people who call the community their home. As of right now the BOD members terms are 2 years, so every year after this one the number of positions going up for elections will alternate between 3 and 4. After the election the BOD members will decide their positions within the BOD. There are no term limits for BOD members so they can re-run as many time as they like. If you are interested in running, or even think you might be interested in running, feel free to come down to the office and have a chat with us about what all is entailed. We can answer as many questions as you need to see if it might be a good idea for you. Along with the BOD, we also have the Finance Committee, and the Lifestyle Committee, and we will creating an Architectural Design Review Committee PAGE 14

WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth

It is that time of year when the temperature has finally broke. We are able to take out our long sleeves and slip on those comfy sweat pants again. Fall in Arizona is arguably the best season to get outdoors. The temperatures are perfect for getting out for runs, walks, and hikes. It’s neither too cold nor too hot; perfect to get out of the house and get moving. Whether that be a trip over to Camelback Mountain to climb to the top or simply walking around the beautiful property here at Toscana. Speaking of moving, this season is also perfect for moving in or out of units because it’s not so hot. With all of the new faces moving every month, it’s important for you to know what our orientation process looks like. As I am sure you all know, the real estate market has been on fire the past year and a half. With the demand so high for everyone from first time homebuyers to retirees Toscana has seen a record amount of resales. As current owners, this is a good time to provide valuable information to potential buyers if you are looking to “cash in” and put your unit on the market. It’s helpful for our current owners to relay accurate information along to anyone looking for a unit. One big challenge we have here at Toscana is the limited number of parking spaces available on the surface. It is important to let your realtor know that they should be making it clear to any potential buyers how many parking spaces come with the unit. It can be very frustrating/disappointing for new owners to come by for their orientation only to find out they have one parking space. Another important aspect of the orientation process that potential owners should know about is the short-term rental policy. All of the buildings/casitas have a six-month minimum lease requirement except for Building 10 which has a 30 day minimum. One more policy that I want to be sure to mention is the pet policy as we have many fury friends around the property. Each unit is allowed to have a maximum of two animals, and although there is no PAGE 15

weight restriction, we do have a list of prohibited dogs that buyers need to be aware of. In conclusion, if you do make the choice to sell your unit, please mention these things to your realtor so they can inform the other agents. The last thing they should stress to the agents is to make sure the buyers are getting in touch with the management team so we can schedule an official orientation. We all want every new resident to feel welcomed and know the rules here at Toscana.

MAINTENANCE

report Here's what's happening at Toscana: PG Steam Room Update – Is expected to be complete later this month! Keep an eye on your emails for additional updates. Thank your for your patience. B10 RUD – Antech and Miner, your access device vendors, are continuing to collaborate on repairs to this access gate. Any updates on this project will be communicated via email. B10 Door Readers - Antech is awaiting parts to replace three readers on Building 10. Building Painting - Painting at Palazzo Grande and Palazzo Centro has been completed. Certa Pro crews continue to work around the property on common areas and will restart work on residential buildings this month. Keep an eye on your door for a notice that will signify the start of painting in your area. As a reminder, Certa Pro and the Association are not responsible for any damage to personal items left on patios/balconies during the painting process. Palazzo Grande Spa Deck Repairs Have been completed. Interior Directional Signage - Signs have been placed at elevator junctions and lobbies in Buildings 1, 11, 14, 15, 24 and 26. Sidewalk Repairs - Areas of concern have been marked with fluorescent paint, please use caution as you walk around the property and notify management if you see any additional

areas of concern. The management team is working with area vendors to obtain quotes on repairs to these sections of sidewalk in order to eliminate trip hazards. PG Patio Furniture - Furniture has been replaced on the upstairs patio at Palazzo Grande following the completion of painting in the area. Granite Replacement - In ongoing throughout the property. Please continue to exercise caution in active work areas. Pest Control - Burns Pest Elimination has been on property on multiple occasions to address stinging insects. Please be sure to routinely check areas where insects may nest and alert your preferred pest control company should there be a concern on your patio/balcony or your unit or contact the Association for common area concerns. Parkade Cleaning - Reliable Maintenance completed routine parkade cleaning under Buildings 14 and 26 in October. Please note, the final scheduled parkade cleaning for 2021 will be under Buildings 1, 10 and 11 on November 9.

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lay of the land by DLC Resources

The arrival of fall has shifted DLC Resources’ focus from keeping your plants healthy through the harsh summer to preparing your landscape for the cooler winter and spring. Shrubs around the community will soon be seasonally pruned as part of our planned maintenance schedule. Reducing plants significantly in cooler months helps them stay an appropriate size while blossoming longer during the warmer growing season. Toscana’s Community Board of Directors decided to not overseed the turf this year due to the painting project at your Community. The paint crews working on walls and the buildings need access the turf to do their job, which would kill the grass and defeat the process of planting Ryegrass. As a bonus, your Community is saving a significant amount of money by not having to purchase seed, fertilizer and extra water for the annual overseed. Additionally, giving the Bermuda time to rest and grow again in the spring without competing with Rye will make next year’s Bermuda crop healthier and more vibrant! Please read below for additional benefits of not overseeding. We will continue to care for the Bermuda, which will go dormant very soon. Crews will mow, spray for weeds and supply it with water to help keep it as soft as possible in dormancy. It will turn a blonde color until warmer weather in the spring; this is completely normal. Crews have begun renovation pruning of shrubs. This means shrubs will be trimmed to a much lower height allowing for healthier blooms and manageable growth into the next warm season. Plants should stay smaller during the winter when growth is slower and take off again as the weather warms. DLC will spray a pre-emergent to your granite areas in October to help reduce weeds. Our irrigators are adjusting run times for your drip system as temperatures cool down. In addition, please be aware that some of Toscana’s trees are about to go dormant for the winter. They will lose leaves and appear dead, but the canopy will regrow in the spring. The Special Projects work to apply more than two tons of granite throughout the Community is still ongoing. They are filling in bare spots to help the area look refreshed and wellcared for.

New winter flowers will be added to pots around the Community as well as the main entrance. Enjoy these bright pops of color for the next few months! Top Ten Reasons NOT to Overseed with Winter Rye *** In addition to this list, recently grass seed prices have almost doubled since last year, due to a variety of factors including high demand! Another great reason to limit overseeding!

10. Save time - No need to scalp the lawn, prepare the seedbed, seed, water, or mow. 9. Save water - Getting rye grass seed to germinate requires watering three times a day or more. By not overseeding, over 8,000 gallons of water can be saved for every 1,000 square feet of grass each season. 8. Preserve water quality - Less fertilizers and pesticides will be needed. Much of our water pollution comes from runoff of these products from urban landscapes. 7. Save money - Save on the cost of seed, labor, water, and gas for mowing. 6. Save landfill space - Scalping Bermuda grass creates a great deal of waste for the landfills. 5. Save the air - Gasoline mowers and other lawn equipment contribute to our air pollution problems, and the scalping process releases dust and other particles into the air. 4. Decrease noise pollution - Mowers, weed whackers, and leaf blowers have become a major source of background noise in many neighborhoods. 3. Save frustration - Problems with seed germination, fertilizers, diseases, and irrigation are all common when planting a winter lawn. 2. Set an example - We live in a desert and this is an opportunity to demonstrate your community leadership with a responsible outlook towards our water supply. PAGE 18

lay of the land cont. by DLC Resources

And the #1 Reason Not to Overseed with Winter Rye … To give your Bermuda a break! Overseeding can be stressful for your Bermuda grass. In the fall, scalping the summer grass before dormancy doesn’t allow for adequate storage of energy in the roots. In the spring, the rye competes with Bermuda, and customers often withhold water to transition from winter to summer grass. Unfortunately, this will also stress the Bermuda.

Overseeding is Hard on Bermuda Does your warm-season, hybrid Bermuda grass look sparse or weak? The culprit may be continuous overseeding. Often times, this is due to the competition for nutrients between the Bermuda grass and the perennial Ryegrass used in fall overseeding. Overseeding leaves the Bermuda needing recovery time to build strength and vitality before the next growing season.

Overseeding in the fall does not allow Bermuda grass to complete its normal growing cycle before winter dormancy approaches. Much like a bear preparing for hibernation, Bermuda spends the weeks and months prior to the cold season storing the reserves it needs to keep its roots and stems alive through the winter. Overseeding interrupts this process and often, die-back results in the root system. The effects of interrupting this process are seen in the spring when weather conditions are right for Bermuda to begin growing again. The thick, tall Ryegrass will keep the Bermuda shaded and cool, which prolongs the dormancy period. By keeping the Bermuda dormant longer, the percentage of Bermuda that runs out of food before it can begin to photosynthesize increases. When the Bermuda does come out of dormancy, it must contend with the Ryegrass for nutrients while the Ryegrass is at its strongest. Ryegrass is a fierce competitor for all the resources required for Bermuda to grow: sunlight, water, nutrients and even oxygen. During early spring, the Bermuda is at a disadvantage during the time it should be strengthening to withstand the extreme heat and dryness of a typical Arizona summer. By mid-summer, the Ryegrass dies out and physically impedes the Bermuda’s ability to spread. The dead Ryegrass must be removed through dethatching, which may further injure and set back the Bermuda. In most

cases, the Bermuda does not get the time needed to recover because overseeding starts again in just a few weeks. What to Expect With the benefits above in mind, we will not be overseeding your common areas this fall. This means that after Bermuda enters its dormant period this winter, it will begin to lose its green color and will remain blonde through the cooler months. DLC will still continue to mow and treat for weeds. Allowing this turf to rest for the winter will help result in stronger future Bermuda crops for your Community.

Bermuda grass can stay green until the first frost, usually the middle of December. Around the middle to end of March, when nighttime temperatures begin to approach 60 degrees, Bermuda starts to grow again and returns to a regular mow and care cycle.

Bermuda that was allowed to rest for the winter

Bermuda that was overseeded the previous winter PAGE 19