SEPTEMBER 2018
Living
INSIDE WINE AND DINE POTLUCK DINNER
DIAMONDBACKS VS ROCKIES
Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
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By Chris Reeder, Lifestyle Director Friday Social Survey Results Thank you to all the residents who participated in the Friday Social survey. Your feedback was incredibly valuable!
For survey results, please check out the results illustrated in the handy infographic to the left. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Our response rate for the survey delivered an impressive return rate with 341 responses, a response rate of over 30%. To celebrate exceeding our response goal, our Community Manager, Dick, was invited to bring his swim suit to work for our “Dunk Tank and ‘Dogs” event on August 30th. The Board of Directors will discuss your feedback and suggestions at the upcoming board meeting. Based on survey response, changes will be made to the Friday Social program, such as rotating the snacks served. Receiving your input is critical to the health of our community, and your partnership is valued. Please know all are encouraged to share their thoughts and suggestions with the team anytime, not just when a survey is sent out. We hear you, and we can’t do what we do successfully, without your voice!
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 Dick Rosenhagen, PCAM 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
Congratulations to our raffle winners! Big 'thank you' to Cambria Hotel & Suites and Blue Martini for providing the raffle prizes! $170 Cambria Gift Card Robert Grappel $50 Blue Martini GC Mary McRae $100 Visa Gift Card Lorry Zaffina
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 DUNK TANK
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Toscana Lifestyle
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS RESIDENT FRIDAY SOCIALS Fridays in September at 5 p.m., Palazzo Grande; RSVP by Friday at noon Food, fun and conversation - open to all Toscana residents. Join us for some snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB. Friday Socials are FREE. TOSCANA TEAM TRIVIA Saturday, September 8, from 5:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Palazzo Vacanza, RSVP by September 7 Join your Toscana neighbors for an evening of great conversation and live team trivia. Teams will be organized as you arrive- or you may register as a team of 6. Special prizes and bragging rights to the winning teams! Go for the Big Brain Award! WINE AND DINE POTLUCK DINNER Tuesday, September 11, from 5-6:15 p.m., Palazzo Grande Join your neighbors for a Wine and Dine Potluck Dinner on Tuesday, September 11. Think about what your family has enjoyed as the theme will be "Family Favorites"! Please ensure you bring serving utensils and be sure to let us know if you need power. Residents with the last name beginning A-E should bring dessert. SINGO - MUSICAL BINGO Friday, September 14, from 6-8 p.m., Palazzo Vacanza, RSVP by September 13 Let's Play Singo! This musical bingo will test your song knowledge of music from different decades! Bring your favorite beverage from your favorite time period and enjoy the good vibes! PIRATES & POPSICLES POOL PARTY Saturday, September 15, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Palazzo Grande Pool, RSVP by September 14 Join us for a party at the Palazzo Grande pool with Pirates! Our swashbuckling buckaneers will have plenty of games, stories and "ARGG" to help celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day, with residents big and small. Bring your camera...or walk the plank matey! BAT NETTING AT SOUTHWEST WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER Saturday, September 15, from 6-10 p.m, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center Cost: $65 includes transportation RSVP by September 4 Arizona is home to 28 species of bats, many of which live & forage right in our own backyards. Here’s your chance to see these fascinating creatures up close. Biologist Randy Babb will be at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center for an unforgettable evening of capturing & identifying local bat species. Includes: transportation, entry, and refreshments.
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Toscana Lifestyle
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VINO AND CANVAS Tuesday, September 18, from 5:45 - 7:30 p.m., Palazzo Grande It's going to be a great evening of painting, chatting and wine! Vino and Canvas is returning to Toscana for a Autumn painting party, right here in the Palazzo Grande. Bring a friend or make some new ones and don't forget a bottle of your favorite wine! TRUCKIN' TUESDAY COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER FOOD TRUCK Tuesday, September 18, from 5 -7 p.m., Palazzo Grande Cobblestones Come on down to the Palazzo Grande pool area for Food Truck night! Toscana LOVES the Cousin's Maine Lobster truck, check out their menu at their website HERE.
DIAMONDBACKS VS ROCKIES Saturday, September 22, from 3:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Chase Field Cost: $49 per person This should be an awesome game with our D-Backs hosting the Rockies! Your $49 ticket includes: transportation, parking and admission (seats are in Baseline Reserve section, section 135) to the game. Game starts at 5:10pm, depart Toscana at 3:30. Tickets are limited and may sell out!
NEW RESIDENT MIXER Monday, September 24, from 5 - 6 p.m., Palazzo Grande Let's spend an hour meeting residents new to Toscana during the third quarter of 2018. All are welcome to this social mixer. CARDINALS VS SEAHAWKS - SOLD OUT Sunday, September 30, from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. University of Phoenix Stadium Cost: $52 per person Includes transportation and parking Seats in section 448 Another great game - Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium! This event is sold out and we have a wait list for last minute cancellations.
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Toscana Lifestyle CONCIERGE CORNER By Alicja Davis, Concierge SEPTEMBER IN PHOENIX
Astronomy Evenings A novice-level astronomy talk explaining facts about the solar system and the galaxy around the planet earth followed by observing the moon, several planets, star systems through a celestron telescope in Scottsdale's Pinnacle Peak Park. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars and a small penlight flashlight. Next event will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m. Walk-In Wednesdays Local musicians and poets perform at a free open mic night every Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts in Downtown Tempe. Expect to hear a mix of acoustic, folk sounds. Each artist is allowed to play two songs or read two poems within a 10-minute set. Arizona Restaurant Week About 100 fine dining establishments in the Greater Phoenix area offer a three-course meal during Arizona Restaurant Week. The goal is to get locals to try new restaurants or cuisines in the area by featuring an affordable prix-fixe lunch or dinner menu. Arizona Restaurant Week's starts on September 21 and goes through September 30. Birds 'n Beer Birds 'n' Beer offers local professionals a fun and refreshing way to learn about Arizona birds and other wildlife while networking with fellow nature-lovers. Have a cold brew while enjoying an enlightening and lively presentation on Arizona nature. Birds 'n Beer happens the third Thursday of every month. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., presentation starts at 6:30 p.m.
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Ballet Under the Stars This show is bound to be one you'll never forget. Join Ballet Arizona for free outdoor ballet performances from September 12-15, 2018. The dramatic shows will be put on in parks around the Greater Phoenix area, including Fountain Park, Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, and the Tempe Sports Complex. Thousands of onlookers bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks to watch the evening al fresco shows. Brazilian Day Arizona Festival This is the largest celebration of Brazilian art and culture in Arizona, bringing together Arizona's Brazilian community in honor of Brazilian Independence Day to share a rich and diverse cultural and artistic heritage. This Scottsdale festival will be presented on September 22, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free Family Weekend at the Phoenix Art Museum Free Family Weekend at the Phoenix Art Museum is available on the second weekend of every month. It features a special hands-on, educational programming and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Activities include scavenger hunts, live performances, story time, free tours, and more. Full Moon Hikes - Pinnacle Peak Trail Join staff and volunteers on a guided walk to the Grandview area as the moon rises. This cool evening hike will include a starlight night and chance to be in the park after hours. Program duration is approximately one and a half hours and 1.5 mile of moderate hiking. There is no fee but registration is required. 6:30 p.m. Next full moon hike is held on Monday, September 24. Contact Pinnacle Peak Park at 480-312-0990 to register one week prior to the date.
Toscana Events and Programs Clubs
September 2018 Monday
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Tuesday
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Events Association
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Friday
Saturday 1
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10 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
11 WINE AND DINE POTLUCK DINNER PG 5PM
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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 NEW RESIDENT MIXER PG 5PM
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CARDINALS VS SEAHAWKS OFFSITE 12PM
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LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSED MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR PG 5PM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
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HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
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12 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
13 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
18 LIFESTYLE COM. MTG PV 2PM TRUCKIN’ TUESDAY PG 5-7PM VINO AND CANVAS PG 5:45PM
19 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB PV 6:30PM
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26 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
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TEAM TRIVIA PV 5:45PM
14 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM SINGO PV 6PM
15 PIRATES AND POPSICLES POOL PARTY PG 10AM
20 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
21 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
22 DIAMONDBACKS VS ROCKIES CHASE FIELD OFFSITE 3:30PM
27 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
28 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
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BAT NETTING SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION CENTER 6PM
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In and Around Toscana ASSISTANT MANAGER UPDATES By Nicole Careaga, Assistant Manager A Bittersweet Farewell
As we roll into a new month, a lot of exciting changes are happening here at Toscana. The biggest of them all is that our beloved Community Manager, Dick Rosenhagen is spreading his wings and will become the Community Manager at Vistancia. I have been lucky enough to have known Dick for a number of years, and was excited when presented with an opportunity a little over two years ago to work with him. Toscana posed a new set of challenges and endless opportunities for me to grow and learn. Because of his time and care, Dick did as he promised, and prepared me to take on my next role. The entire team and all of Toscana has only benefited from our time with Dick as our leader. While it is sad to imagine this place without his smile and warm personality, I am excited that you all are giving me an opportunity to fill his shoes and continue to make Toscana the place you all want to come home to. The team and I are going to miss you Bossman, however we are excited to see you succeed in your new role! We know where you will be and we know that this isn’t Goodbye, but merely a See You Later! “Farewell to Dick” Haiku: We will miss your calm The center of our chaos Bye Hurricane Dick Chris
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Though I am fairly new to Team Toscana, I have quickly come to learn why I have heard such great things about Dick Rosenhagen during my tenure with CCMC. It is clear to me that he has not only cultivated the respect and trust of the residents here at Toscana, he has done so with his staff, as well. I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him these past few months and will be sad to see him leave! Good luck out at Vistancia, Dick, you will be missed! Katie
“And will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)” ~Dr. Seuss. Alicja
Dick hired me back in January of 2015 for the night manager position and has helped me advance and reach the position I am in today, I owe him a lot, he will be missed greatly around here but I’m sure he will do great things at his next property, and where ever life takes him. John
It's been a pleasure working with you. You've been a very good community manager and you will go far. Good luck on your new endeavor. Keith
Congratulations on your new position of Community Manager at Vistancia! It’s been a pleasure working with you and most importantly, getting to know you as a person. Best wishes to you and all your future endeavors! Kevin Wilson
I would like to say that Dick is a very good and caring person and it has been a pleasure to have worked with him. He is a very team type person and has been a very good leader. I wish him all the best at his new position. Ron McCroskey
In and Around Toscana
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ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
By Katie Lucas, Administrative Assistant If you’re anything like me, during the summer months you get a little jealous of your friends and family in parts of the world where their idea of “hot” is a cool 85 degrees. As the weather gives us a (small) break from the heat, you may be thinking “thank goodness, I can finally go outside and grill!” After all, there is nothing better than getting those perfect grill marks on a big, juicy steak or the right char on some fresh vegetables. However, every great grill comes with great responsibility…so, here are a few reminders and tips to help keep you safe! 1. Using or storing grills that utilize an open flame, charcoal and propane tanks on patios or balconies is prohibited. Toscana boasts multiple gas grills around the property for resident use. These grills are cleaned daily, to help ensure safety and keep them looking beautiful. 2. Grills in use must be supervised at all times. Fires
when you do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face. 5. Don’t overload your grill with food (especially fatty meats). The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire. 6. Never use a grill indoors, not even a small one. In addition to being a fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide- a deadly, odorless gas. RESIDENT GROUPS, CLUBS & CLASSES BILLIARDS CLUB: Wednesdays at 1:00pm, Billiards Room in PG. Contact: Lynn at 602-301-5010 BILLIARDS HAPPY HOUR: Mondays at 5pm in PG BYOB BINGO: TBD at 6:00pm, PG $6 per card, Contact: Marge at 480-585-0494 BOOK CLUB: September 19, "A Gentleman in Moscow" PV, 6:30pm COFFEE SOCIAL: Each Wednesday and Friday, 9:00am in PG Kitchen GENTLE YOGA: returning in fall HAND & FOOT CLUB: Thursdays at 6pm, PG. Contact Marge at 480-585-0494
double in size every minute. Make sure you plan and prep in advance so you can focus on grilling. 3. Have baking soda on hand to control a grease fire and a fire extinguisher nearby for other fires. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand next to the grill. Never use water to put out grease fire. 4. NEVER turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and
HIKING CLUB: returning in fall MAHJONG CLUB: Mondays at 6:30pm, PG. RUMMYCUBE: 2nd and 4th Tuesdayat 1pm in PG STUD POKER CLUB: Wednesdays at 6:00pm, PG. Bring $5 and your poker face. Contact Phil at 480-513-3615. WATER AEROBICS: returning in fall
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In and Around Toscana MANAGER TIDBITS
By Dick Rosenhagen, Community Manager Thank You Toscana It is bittersweet that I write my last article for Toscana Living, as I have accepted a promotion to become the Community Manager at Vistancia in Northwest Peoria. Although I am excited for my new adventure, I will miss the wonderful people I have met, worked with and become friends with at Toscana. We have gone through a lot together, but in this time of change I choose to reflect on all of the wonderful memories that I will take
with me. I do not plan to be a stranger as I will only be down the road a few miles. I would like to thank you for welcoming me to the community over four years ago. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve you as your community manager. The good news is that you are in good hands with Nicole Careaga becoming your community manager. In her two years at Toscana she has grown in her role and made lasting positive impacts in the community. I am confident that she will serve you and this community at the highest level.
UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM By John Raabe, Maintenance Supervisor Homeowner Information For Vendors and Contractors We frequently get calls from residents to help one of their contractors gain access to various utilities or services associated with their unit. I put together some information for residents' use when calling out a vendor or contractor. The most common inquiry pertains to the location of the AC condenser for the unit. The AC compressors are on the roof of all buildings except for the Casita buildings where they are located in the back on the ground. There is a small roof access door for the contractors to use located by the stairway at the three-story section of the building. For the rest of the building there is a roof access at the opposite end of the building. To gain access, the contractor must pick up a key from the guard house. All compressor units are labeled with the unit number and are directly above the condo unit. Electric meters and main breakers are located in the parkade, each one has the condo unit number on it.
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Telephone and TV connections are in the utility closets located on each floor and at both ends of the building. They are labeled with the condo unit number for easy identification. To gain access to the closets the service technician can obtain a key from the front gate guard. When it comes to the other utilities each building is on a master meter for gas and water. Clusters of condos can be isolated if a gas line repair is needed in a unit however the owner will need to contact the association office to coordinate that activity. Water can be turned off in each condo through an access panel in the wall located in the laundry room for all buildings except building 10 where they are in the ceiling. If water can't be turn off in your unit, arrangements will need to be made to have the water shut down in the building so the owner can have repairs made to the unit isolation valves. Hot water is supplied to the building through a boiler system therefore the individual condo units do not have a water heater. For questions regarding the building utility systems feel free to contact the association office.
In and Around Toscana
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MOVIE REVIEW: THE CAKEMAKER By Gil Berkowitz A Delicious Piece of Pastry - A Love Triangle There is quite a bit to enjoy about "The Cakemaker," a German-Israeli collaboration that offers a genuinely moving story of love. This movie is at its' heart a love triangle in which one member is deceased. Director Ofir Raul Graizer directs with a deliberate pace. The film has a sense of sadness and a touch of melancholy but it feels right for this story. The film begins in a Berlin bakery, where Thomas (Tim Kalkhof) every morning makes sweet pastries and cakes for patrons. He is a very talented pastry maker. Among his regular customers is Israeli businessman Oren (Roy Miller), who comes to Berlin once a month on business. He tries a slice of Thomas' Black Forest cake and is hooked. Oren buys cinnamon cookies each time he visits to take back to his family in Jerusalem. Before long a romantic relationship develops and the two men meet each time Oren flies in from Jerusalem. Oren assures Thomas that his wife and son will never become aware of the affair. A year goes by and Oren's visit suddenly stop. Thomas learns that Oren has died in a car crash. He is devastated by the news and decides to go to Jerusalem to meet Oren's wife Anat ( Sarah Adler), without telling her who he is. She recognizes his talents and hires him to bake for her in her small coffee shop. This angers her religious brother-in-law who is short
with Thomas and warns his presence in the kitchen could lose the cafe its kosher certification. Anat is not religious, and as a result of Thomas's skill business is good. She decides to keep him around. Besides, she 's starting to grow fond of him even though he keeps his distance. At this point the film begins to focus on the consequences of Thomas' decision to keep quiet about the past, and Anat's slowly delving into the truth. The characters begin to show themselves to each other just to people suffering from the same loss. Adler and Kalkhof have a controlled chemistry as they migrate to one another and it gives the film a sweet finish. The movie is playing at the Harkins Shea 14. It runs for 105 minutes, with sub-titles and is not rated.
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Photo Gallery
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