Toscana Living

Living

INSIDE KIDS COSTUME PARADE

BILLIARDS & BBQ AT DAVE & BUSTER’S

DAY OF THE DEAD PARTY

Toscana Lifestyle TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS

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FUN FRIDAY SOCIALS Every Friday In October at 5pm - Palazzo Grande Come together to meet new people and socialize with your neighbors at this non-hosted neighborhood gathering. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided (while supplies last). The Fun Friday Socials are free. Please RSVP by Thursdays at noon.

BILLIARDS & BBQ: TOSCANA NIGHT AT DAVE & BUSTER’S Wednesday, October 12, from 6-8pm at Dave and Buster’s at Desert Ridge Cost: $8 RSVP Deadline: October 7 Games, games, and more games! Kick up your heels and join us in Dave & Buster’s Billiards Room (2nd level) to kick off Toscana’s game night. First fuel up with a private dinner buffet of BBQ Chicken, mac n’ cheese, and SO much more. Then shoot billiards or give a go at Shuffleboard inside our party room, or take advantage of your Power Card (pre-loaded with $10) to venture out and enjoy several thousand square feet of video games and arcade games. Cost is $8 per resident/$35 per guest and includes the dinner buffet, $10 worth of game credit, and unlimited soda, coffee, and tea. Alcoholic beverages may be purchased separately. Please note that Dave & Buster’s has a full-service bar; and as such, will be checking for ID’s for all adults at the door. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by someone 25 years of age or older to enter D&B. Please RSVP no later than October 7. (Note: Must have a minimum of 15 participants.)

SEMINAR: “HEALTHCARE AFTER 65” Tuesday, October 25, from 7-9pm at Palazzo Centro RSVP Deadline: October 21 All you wanted to know about Health Insurance. Ronald Blau, a 20 year Life and Health Insurance Independent Advisor, will speak on this topic including Under 65 and Medicare. He will provide facts about Obamacare, Medicare and Open enrollment starting November 1, 2016. Come with all you questions and he will try to answer every one of them or get you the answers. This event is free to attend, but please RSVP no later than October 21.

KIDS COSTUME PARADE AND PIZZA Thursday, October 27, from 5:30-7pm at Palazzo Grande Cobblestone, North Side Cost: Free RSVP Deadline: October 26

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 STAFF 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

TABLE OF CONTENTS Signature Events ............3 Community Contacts ...... 4 Concierge Corner ....... 5-6 Calendar of Events .........7

Clubs and Classes .......9 Manager Tidbits .........9 Maintenance ...........10 Movie Review.......... 12

ON THE COVER Murder Mystery Emi and Jay

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Toscana Lifestyle

KIDS COSTUME PARADE AND PIZZA (continued) Get dressed in your favorite Halloween costumes, gather the little ones and head over to the north side of Palazzo Grande Cobblestone as we invite you to collect some Halloween candy! The kiddos will experience pumpkin decorating, fun games, and prizes for the most creative costumes! It will be spooktacular! Please RSVP to Chris at creeder@toscanaliving.net or by calling the office at 480-585-0808.

DAY OF THE DEAD PARTY Friday, October 28, at 5 p.m. at Palazzo Grande Cobblestone Cost: $3 resident/$5 guests RSVP Deadline: October 25 Come celebrate a fun twist on the usual Halloween party—with a nod to the traditional Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos—or “Day of the Dead.” Sugar skulls, lively music, and yummy Mexican food will set the stage for this vibrant party, rich in both culture and fun. The cost is $3 per resident/$5 per guest and includes dinner. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, October 25. Wear your costume and dancing shoes!

FREE ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR: “LATEST STRATEGIES TO PROTECT YOUR ESTATE” Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Palazzo Centro RSVP Deadline: October 31 IMPORTANT Planning Is Essential – Do You Have A Plan? A good estate plan coordinates what COMMUNITY happens to your home, savings, investments, business and retirement accounts while CONTACTS you are alive and after you die. Have you considered what would happen to your loved CenturyLink ones in the event of your disability or death? In this seminar, you’ll learn how to avoid 602-765-2334 the most common estate planning mistakes, why a will is not enough, how to set up power of attorney and how to protect a loved one’s inheritances from unexpected APS crises in their lives, such as divorces, lawsuits or creditors. Come learn how to put 602-371-7171 a plan into action to help protect your legacy, your family and your future. We look Southwest Gas forward to seeing you for an hour-long information packed session! Complimentary 800-528-4277 wine will be served.

Moon Valley Plumbing IMPORTANT RSVP INFORMATION 602-253-2600 Night Manager 480-861-0875 Hours: Until 2 a.m. M-Th Until 3 a.m. F-Su CCMC After-Hours Emergency Line 602-234-9288

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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.

Toscana Lifestyle CONCIERGE CORNER

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By Alicja Davis, Concierge This month, we are pleased to showcase our new VIP Partners: VELOFIX BIKE SHOP Velofix offers a unique and time saving service. Their mobile bike shop and certified mechanics come directly to you. Their vans are equipped to service any bike for every type of cyclist from daily commuters to recreational riders. They offer customizable service packages, and can schedule service days dedicated to our community. They set-up on-site and coordinate the logistisc and details of their visit. The goal is to make the process and service easy and convenient for you and your community.

Free Velofix water bottle and bike wallet for all Toscana Resident new customers.

GROWLER USA Experience the best craft brews at The Growler Pub on High Street! Growler USA offers exclusive an range of quality craft beers, guaranteed to satisfy all your beer craving needs. Enjoy great deals during their Happy Hour, Mondays through Fridays from 3:30 PM -6:30 PM. Stop by the concierge office to pick up your $2 off coupon.

SAVE THE DATE! TOSCANA RESTAURANT NIGHT WILL BE HOSTED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2.

PALAZZO GRANDE COBBLESTONE FROM 6 PM TO 8 PM Join us for an elegant evening outdoors with local restaurants showcasing specialty fare and signature dishes right outside your home! The elite line-up of restaurants includes The Capital Grille, Mastro’s, Ocean Prime, Kona Grill, Gordon Biersch, Deseo, Tryst Cafe, and more! Cost is $10 per resident. RSVP with payment no later than Oct 25.

ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®

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Toscana Lifestyle

DISCOVER TOVREA CASTLE AT CARRARO HEIGHTS Tovrea Castle was born out of the vision of Italian immigrant, Alessio Carraro. Carraro came to Phoenix in the late 1920’s and purchased nearly 300 acres of undeveloped desert land. His intention was to build a castle hotel surrounded by saguaro cacti garden and luxury homes in the acreage below. Interestingly, Carraro had no building experience, but he managed to recycle and repurpose materials used to complete his structure.

After leveling the site with dynamite, he recovered loose granite from explosion to build sections of the wall around the castle. Upon completing the exotic landscape, he started the three story castle project.

Thanks to volunteer work, the castle grounds were transformed to maintain the historic value of Tovrea Castle.

Their passion to preserve the Castle continues to keep this dream alive.

Althought Carraro’s vision never evolved to what it was originally planned to be, visitors can enjoy this unique property during private tours available by reservations only. The lines are long, but worth waiting for.

Sadly, Carraro’s ambitious plan was tainted by the Great Depression. A lot of investors lost their money and most constructions were stalled. Carraro was forced to sell his other properties to finish the castle he dreamed of. While his resort idea never came to fruition, he was able to complete the mansion which he sold shortly after to Edward Tovrea, the owner of Arizona Meat Packing Company.

Before the new castle owner had a chance to enjoy his new “home”, he died - leaving the estate to his wife Della.

Della split her time between Tovrea Castle and Prescott, where she and her second husband also had a house.

Eventually, Della stayed at Tovrea full time until her final days.

Della’s death was followed by legal disputes over ownership of the property. The control of the Castle was assumed by the bank until the lawsuit concerning her life estate was settled. Finally, the property was purchased by the City of Phoenix in 1993.

A lot of repairs were done and volunteers donated their time to help with the estate’s maintenance.

Tovrea Castle became a historic Arizona icon in the City of Phoenix. It was listed on the City Historic Property Registry and has been designated a City of Phoenix ‘Landmark’ and ‘Point of Pride.’

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If you’re interested in booking a tour at Tovrea, please contact Alicja for details and availability. Due occupancy limits, tours must be booked in advance.

Tickets may be purchased online at: http://tovreacarrarosociety.org/CastleTourTickets.aspx

Toscana Events and Programs

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Clubs Events

October 2016 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Association Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

2

3

4

MAHJONG CLUB PG - 6:30pm

9 HOLIDAY PHOTOS 4-6pm

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23

30

10 MAHJONG CLUB PG - 6:30pm

17

MAHJONG CLUB PG - 6:30pm

24

MAHJONG CLUB PG - 6:30pm

5 COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am POOL PLAYERS PG - 1pm POKER CLUB PG - 6pm

11 Rummycube Club PG - 1pm

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25

RUMMYCUBE CLUB PG - 1pm HEALTHCARE AFTER 65 SEMINAR PC - 7pm

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6

7

HAND & FOOT CLUB PG - 6pm HOLIDAY PHOTOS 4-6pm

COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG - 5pm

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8

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COFFEE SOCIAL HAND & FOOT CLUB COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am PG - 6pm PG - 9am POOL PLAYERS FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG - 1pm PG - 5pm POKER CLUB PG - 6pm BILLIARDS & BBQ Dave&Busters - 6pm

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COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am POOL PLAYERS PG - 1pm POKER CLUB PG - 6pm BOOK CLUB PC - 6:30pm

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COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am POOL PLAYERS PG - 1PM Poker Club PG - 6pm

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HAND & FOOT CLUB PG - 6pm BOARD MEETING PG - 9am

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HAND & FOOT CLUB PG - 6pm KIDS COSTUMEPARTY PG - 5pm

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COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am FUN FRIDAY SOCIAL PG - 5pm

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COFFEE SOCIAL PG - 9am DAY OF THE DEAD PARTY PG - 5pm

31 MAHJONG CLUB PG - 6:30pm

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T S E F R E OKTOB BEER

FOOD

MUSIC

GAMES

R BLOCK PARTY BENEFIT FO ’S PARKINSON

LIVE MUSIC BY

ELvis before noon

G RA N D

RA F F L E

PRIZE A TRIP FOR 2 TO

NORTH PHOENIX

SONOMA VALLEY!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH 5-9 P.M. VIP ADMISSION $75.

GOODIE BAG ($100+ VALUE) UNLIMITED FOOD & DRINK VIP ONLY RAFFLE

PRIVATE CASINO AREA VIP ENTERTAINMENT

GENERAL ADMISSION $20.

$20 BEFORE 10/01, $30 BEFORE 10/08, $40 AT DOOR. $20 FOR PWP & CARETAKERS OF PD.

WINE/BEER DRINK TICKET GERMAN FOOD BUFFETT LIVE MUSIC

OKTOBERFEST GAMES RAFFLE PRIZES

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

BUY TICKETS AND GET DETAILS AT BAEHRCHALLENGE.ORG

In and Around Toscana

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ASSISTANT MANAGER UPDATES

By Nicole Careaga, Assistant Manager As the weather begins to cool, we welcome the fall temperatures, colors, and many of our friends back to Toscana. I want to take this opportunity pass on a few reminders, as the hustle and bustle of the season approaches.

FIRE ALARMS Remember to always evacuate the building in the event of a fire alarm. Keep an eye on your email, as we will be sending out e-blasts to create a registry of those residents that require assistance getting out of the building. Once compiled this list will be available to all first responders to assist those that have any type of handicap to exit the building. Evacuation maps are located near the elevators on every floor of each building.

PACKAGE POLICY Remember that you can now pick up your packages at the Palazzo Centro. There is a 25lb maximum on packages accepted by the management office. Please do not ask to have packages left at your door. This alerts the world that you are not home.

PARKING AND SPEED The speed limit in the parkades and on the surface is 10MPH. Please be sure to park your vehicles in your assigned space during the overnight hours. Surface parking is for your guests. Be sure to drive to the right, while driving through the parkade. Traffic does travel in both directions, and being in the center is unsafe for all.

FURRY FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS Dogs are certainly part of the Toscana Family.

With that in mind please remember, we all share the common areas. Be kind and clean up after your pet. Failure to do so will result in a fine.

Please be courteous to your neighbors by not walking your dogs near patios and balconies. Dogs are not to be on extension leashes, and should be no more than 6ft from their owner.

CLUBS AND CLASSES POOL PLAYERS CLUB: Wednesdays at 1pm, Billiards Room RUMMYCUBE CLUB: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1-2:30pm, Palazzo Grande HIKING CLUB: Select Monday mornings to hike different trails. Contact your lifestyle director to join the email list.

SINGLE LADIES NIGHT OUT: Last Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Contact Heyam Bonnamy at heyambonnamy@gmail.com BUNCO GROUP: Once a month, Palazzo Grande.

Contact Jane Kidder at 480-471-8904 MAHJONG CLUB: Mondays at 6:30pm, Palazzo Grande STUD POKER CLUB: Wednesdays at 6pm, Palazzo Grande. Bring $5 and your poker face.

Contact Phil Labue at 480-513-3615 BOOK CLUB: Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

Please contact Susan Rubin with questions.

3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm, Palazzo Centro.

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 UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM

By Frank Young, Maintenance Supervisor

So far this year the community has had 35 backed up sinks. Half of the drain clogs affected the first floor and the other half on the second floor with three units on the third floor experiencing trouble. All but one was in the kitchen sink drain which is shared by all the units in that stack.

There are many styles of check valves and your plumber can recommend what will work best for you.

Another product you may consider is a water alert sensor; this product can When the garbage disposal is not properly used or be found at Home Depot improper things are poured down the drain it can cause or other hardware stores. It will sound an alarm if water a blockage that can back up into your neighbors unit, is detected and can be used in a sink or under a cabinet. causing substantial monetary damage, for which you may be held liable.

For maintenance related questions, please contact Frank Young at fyoung@toscanaliving.net or 480-585-0808.

Below is a list of items to avoid putting down your garbage disposal: celery stalks, nuts and seeds, coffee grounds, fats and grease, fruit pits, paper, plastic, and glass, starchy items (rice, potatoes, pasta, etc.), shells (egg and shellfish), bones, and vegetable peelings.

Some items our plumbers have pulled out of our clogged drains include rags and handy wipes or flushable wipes.

Even though they are marketed as flushable they really are not and can cause serious problems.

One of the things we recommend and some owners have installed is an under sink check valve, this valve allows water to flow only in one direction. See example below.

Offering a 25% VIP Discount for Toscana Residents Eco-friendly dry cleaning at fair prices Open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm

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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Photo Gallery

Who did it?

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Murder Mystery Dinner

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In and Around Toscana

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MOVIE REVIEW: HELL OR HIGH WATER

By Gil Berkowitz Director David Mackenzie presents a searing thriller that combines a landscape of violence and grit coupled with compassion and humor. Hell or High Water is the tale of men who have been damaged by a broken system. Taylor Sheridan’s sharply edited screenplay keeps the socioeconomic content of the film compelling.

Chris Pine (Toby Howard) and Ben Foster (Tanner Howard) give magnetic performances. They are brothers set upon a crime spree with a pressing need. Jeff Bridges gives a magical performance of an aging law man a few weeks from retiring. The two brothers have grown up in poverty and have each been in prison. The West Texas cattle ranch where they grew up has been failing for years. Tanner had recently got out of prison and was not around for the sad death of his mother. Toby bore the brunt of it all. Jeff Bridges (Marcus Hamilton) and his deputy Alberto (Gil Birmingham) are the aging lawmen who exchange barbs about their heritage and age. Their exchanges are fabulous. They are played low key with affection and humor.

While Tanner was in prison, the family ranch fell into debt and is in jeopardy of the bank foreclosing. The West Texas area fell victim to the economic times that were wiping out farms and towns. Toby becomes aware that there is oil on the family ranch.

He works out a plot to pay off the reverse mortgage and back taxes. This plan would allow him to put the ranch in a trust for his sons, living with his ex-wife, and end the years of poverty.

Toby asks Tanner to help him rob a group of banks, including the bank that holds the mortgage on their ranch. Toby’s plan is to rob the small branches and only take the money that the bank owns and not that which the

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customers deposit. However, Tanner gets carried away and begins to go on a violent spree. This causes Marcus to begin to track them and he begins to figure out their plan.

The robbery scenes crackle with sudden bolts of violence, and the getaway car action is exciting. The underlying theme is all about how the banks are robbing people as they struggle to survive. Bridge’s performance is near genius. His lines are delivered as though he were chewing on a fine steak and wants to savor the flavor. The film is handsomely photographed. The camera captures the feel and scope of what the West Texas endless flat land is like under the scorching sun. Cameo shots of dying towns with abandoned stores gives way to a passing time. The oil derricks on what were once farms and pastures give evidence to a way of life gone with the wind. The movie is the sleeper of the summer. A real gem of a film. I would not be surprised to see it contend for Best Film of the Year.

It is playing at Harkins theaters throughout the valley.

Run time is 102 minutes and is rated R.

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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