LIVING
toscana
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
SEPTEMBER 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 Daniel Renteria drenteria@toscanaliving.net Maintenance Staff Chris Ehrlich, Juan Magana Night Managers Jackie Hernandez, Saffron Caudle 480.861.0875 Gate House Staff Chet Sanders, Joshua Oakley, Laura Taylor, MaryJane Vital 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
NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
IN HONOR OF PATRIOT DAY, PLEASE REMEMBER TO STOP BY THE GATE HOUSE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 FROM 8:30AM-5PM FOR A SPECIAL GATE GIVEAWAY
Nicole's Noteables by Nicole Careaga
This month I felt it was best to provide all of you with the answers to a few of the questions brought up during some recent zoom meetings. If, after reading through these questions and answers, you have anything you need clarified, or think of any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. The Luxe Clarifications – The Luxe is a benefitted parcel. This means that they will enjoy benefits allotted to only them as owners within The Luxe. Residents of The Luxe will pay a benefitted HOA assessment, along with the Toscana assessment. The Luxe assessment will cover their amenity area maintenance, private landscaping, and necessary reserves. The Toscana Assessment they will pay benefits all of Toscana. The funds will be part of the operating budget and will include building maintenance, elevator service and the management team. Which brings me to another question we have received quite a bit. As The Luxe is part of Toscana, the team that you all have come to know and love, will be the same team managing The Luxe. As everyone is paying Toscana assessments, they will have equal access to staff. Should it be deemed necessary that The Luxe requires additional independent staff, they will then be accounted for within The Luxe operating budget. Board Composition – As a benefitted parcel, The Luxe will not have a separate Board of Directors, or governing docs. In order to ensure that The Luxe is maintained and well looked after, the Toscana Board of Directors will guarantee that three of the seven positions on the Board will be owners within The Luxe. The seven member Board will be responsible
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for all decision making in regards to the expenses, projects and goals for the community as a whole. We always recommend that residents be involved by attending these open session meetings to understand the importance and responsibility held by your neighbors. Board Election – In the late fall, you will see the call for candidates arrive in your email. Should you be interested in running for the Board, there is an application that should be completed and turned in by the deadline. Once all of the candidates have been determined, we will schedule a meet the candidates event. This will allow you, to ask questions of your potential Board Members, highlighting their plans for the community, ideas for reserve funding, community enhancement plans, and their long term outlook. Soon after the meet the candidate event, the electronic ballot will be open for residents to cast their votes. This year we will be electing four individuals to join your three current members. As I stated above, three of those members will be required to be owners within The Luxe, while the remaining fourth member, will be a resident from Toscana. The election process is a very important step, as these individuals are responsible for all decision making for the community. The Annual election is also one of the very few times the residents are able to assist in the decision making process.
Nicole's Noteables Cont... by Nicole Careaga
Transition – All transition means is that the developer, Statesman, will no longer control the Board of Directors. The Board will be comprised 100% of current Toscana owners in “good standing”. This is really the only change that occurs at transition.
Statesman will still continue the remaining buildings at The Luxe, and because of this, will also be responsible for the assessments to both Toscana and The Luxe for each unit until it is sold.
Communicating with Board Members – Board Members are doing an amazing thing by volunteering for the betterment of the community. We ask that you respect your Board Members and their time. Once the full resident Board is in the place, they will be advised that creating a new email is best for them, as it limits exposure in the event of litigation. However, the management team will never provide an email for a Board Member without permission. See, Board Members are really only Board Members during meetings. The rest of the time they are residents just like you. They should not be relied on to provide answers to questions, or try to handle situation or requests on their own. This could open up them, as well as the association, to liability. The management team is required to present any question for the Board to the entire Board. We communicate with your Board Members at least weekly and include any community questions or concerns to them. Also, there is an open forum section of each meeting to allow you to address the Board. However, when presented a question at the meeting, the members of the Board are not required to provide an answer. In some instances, further research may be needed to provide accurate information. For this reason, we will always ask residents to submit questions in advance of the meeting. This allows your management team and Board to have the necessary information to provide an accurate answer.
Also, none of your services will change due to transition. The Board will be responsible for reviewing all services, contracts and financials. As an example, should the Board decide it is imperative to look at possible changes to the landscape vendor, the management team would be responsible for creating a Request For Proposal. Once multiple bids have been obtained, the Board will review the options in an Open Session meeting, and make the decision on which vendor they will enter a contract with.
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Make your
Mark by Mark Gatchell
All About Pets With September being responsible pet owner month, we are excited to host a week-long pet registration event with tasty pet treats and fun pet swag. Every new pet registered and every owner that confirms their registration on file is complete and correct that week will be entered into a raffle for a great pet basket full of goodies, toys, and more for your pet ($50 value). As we pet owners know, being a parent to your pet takes a lot of commitment. When selecting a pet, be sure to pick a pet that would be well suited for your home and lifestyle. Of course, all our excellent pets here at Toscana love it when you clean up after them, and your neighbors appreciate it, too. We never want to leave a mess and embarrass our pets. One of the fabulous prizes you will be provided during our Pet Registration Event (and any other time you guarantee your pet registry) is a fun Toscana pet waste bag holder. These holders not only keep your doggy bags within reach, they also serve as your (mandatory) ID device, proving your pet has been properly registered and is able to be out on property. With the Dog Days of Summer coming to an end and the weather beginning to cool, it's time to bring back the food trucks in full-force. On the first four Thursdays of each month, there will be a different food truck here at Toscana. They were temporarily postponed due to the high heat and unexpected wait times for your orders. We have worked hard with your vendor to help keep the time between your order and receiving your food as quick as possible. Your favorite food trucks will be rolling in this month! PAGE 7
September also brings back some of our wellloved classics such as bagels and brew and, of course, a few giveaways such as our upcoming danish and donuts event! With the word on the street that many of our Canadian Toscana family members will be returning later this month, we have a few more special events for everyone. We've got everything from our well-loved Signature Events to new and fun neighborhood mixers coming up. Check out the Tuesday Lifestyle eBlast for all the details!
09 S E P T E M B E R SUN
MON
TUE
WED 1
THU 2
FRI 3
SAT 4
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM
Association Events
FOOD TRUCK PG 5-7:30M
Clubs/Classes
HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM 5
6
7
*BRUNCH BAR* PG 10AM
OFFICE CLOSED
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM
MAH JONG PG 12PM
12
13
14
MAH JONG PG 12PM
PET REGISTRATION EVENT ENDS! PC 8PM
26
*AFTERNOON BINGO* 2-3PM
B15 & 24 PARKADE CLEANING
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM
21
15
FIRESIDE CHAT 6PM
27
LIFESTYLE COMMITTEE 2PM HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM 28
*WILDFLOWER WEEK BEGINS* PC 10AM
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
FOOD TRUCK PG 5-7:30M
16
*BLOOD DRIVE* PG 8:30AM12:30PM *90-BALL BINGO* 2-3PM 22
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM
MAH JONG PG 12PM
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM
10
*BAGELS AND BREW* PG 9AM
11
PATRIOT DAY GATE GIVEAWAY GH 8:30AM-5PM
HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
20
MAH JONG PG 12PM
9
HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
PET REGISTRATION EVENT BEGINS! PC 10AM
19
8
*AFTERNOON BINGO* 2-3PM
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM FOOD TRUCK PG 5-7:30M HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM 23
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM FOOD TRUCK PG 5-7:30M HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
29
30
COFFEE CLUB PG 9AM *WILDFLOWER WEEK ENDS* PC 5PM HAND AND FOOT PG 6PM
*REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED*
17
18
FINANCE COMMITTEE 9:30AM *BOWLING NIGHT* DAVE & BUSTERS 5:30-7PM 24
*DANISH AND DONUTS* PG 10AM
25
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS SPECIAL PET EVENT
PET REGISTRATION DRIVE Register your pet (or confirm we already have your pet registration on file) to get exclusive FREE Toscana Pet Swag this week only. PLUS get entered to win a special prize basket made just for your pet ($50 Value).
SEPTEMBER 13-19 Come by the Palazzo Centro Office with your completed pet form Monday-Friday 8am-5pm or call the Night Manager at 480-861-0875 MondaySunday 4pm-8pm to turn it in and receive a special treat for your furry friend. As a reminder, ALL pets are required to be registered with the Association.
CONNECTION
community
by Katie Lucas
Does your pup love going out as much as you do? I know my Bruce loves to go out and enjoy the fresh air, fresh people, and fresh food with me when the weather is cool. Taking your dog along to your favorite (pet-friendly) restaurant is a great way to relax and enjoy time with your pet and your friends. Phoenix has such great outdoor dining weather nine months out of the year it lends to a plethora of patio dining restaurants that don't mind (and often encourage with free treats) you bringing along your leashed dog. Here are some of my favorite valley locations that love to see your pooches on their patios. Postino Wine Café Postino has tons of locations all over the valley and they allow dogs outside on their outdoor patios at all of them! If you’re looking for a cool spot to grab some bruschetta or a glass of wine with friends (including the ones that walk on all fours), Postino Wine Café is your place to go. You’ll find more than enough shade and seating on the patios for everyone you bring along.
FEZ If you’re looking for a fun spot for happy hour and want to bring your canine friend, Fez on Central might be the place for you. With an outdoor patio for dogs and numerous drink options for you during happy hour, Fez is hard to beat! *One note is that dogs must be less than 40 lbs at Fez*
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O.H.S.O. Eatery + Nanobrewery OHSO allows dogs at all four of their multiple locations but the standout is their Paradise Valley location that features a “Barking Bar.” This outdoor patio features a water fountain for furry friends to cool off in and even serves up dog treats along with your meal! So, while you grab a burger and a beer your dog can grab a bite to eat too.
Duck and Decanter Camelback Duck and Decanter has been serving up gourmet bites for over 40 years and they don’t just leave a spot at the table for you, but for your dog as well. Their restaurant has a dog-friendly patio so while you dive into one of their delicious sandwiches your dog can hunker down with you.
FIRESIDE CHAT with your community manager
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JOHN'S JOURNAL
by John Raabe
SERVICE ANIMALS When walking around Toscana you always see your neighbors out walking their pets. Most of these are just your average pets out for their daily walk around property, but a few of them could be service dogs who; even though it might not be apparent; are actually providing a service for their owner. This is something to think about when walking around property and why you should always ask for permission from their owner before approaching and petting any dog. You should not pet service dogs, because you could be distracting the service dog from doing its job and their owner could be injured or have a medical emergency because of it. There are several different types of service dogs that have been trained to do different tasks. Some of them can detect when their owner's blood sugar gets too low, some of them can detect when their owner's anxiety starts to get too high and they are trained to give their owner certain cues to let them know they have detected these problems so that their owner can take certain precautions or take medicine to stop from have a serious medical emergency. There are other service dogs that serve more obvious roles, such as guide dogs or mobility assistance service dogs, that usually wear vests that make their service more apparent. Service animals are not pets. Therefore, service animals don’t always have to abide by all rules and regulations pets are subject to; such as being allowed in the amenity areas (including the pool area and interior of amenity buildings) or coming to social events. Of course, owners still need to be courteous to other residents and follow some guidelines. Some of these guidelines include not allowing the dogs to roam around events where food is present, keeping the service animal out of the actual water in pool/spa areas, and ensuring service animals are only utilizing designated "potty" areas for pets. Service animals also do not need to abide by breed restrictions for the property. These animals can be any size or breed, depending on the need of the owner. PAGE 14
WADE'S WORLD by Wade Longworth
This month I would like to write about what it means to be a responsible pet owner. Over the past year, many new pets entered people’s lives as the pandemic meant working from home and more time to spend at the house. Many people were looking for that companion that they might have always wanted but didn’t have the time. Of course, with all of these furry friends finding new homes, that means that there are most likely some novice pet owners out there. Hopefully, this article will shed some light on different ways to be more responsible for taking care of our animals. I know that we all have day-to-day responsibilities like our jobs or running errands where there will be a time that we have to leave out pets alone. Leaving them alone can be challenging, especially if the owner has not planned what to do. We don’t want our animals using our living space as their restroom. One solution is to put them in a crate for the day. If you are not comfortable with that, you can always build a fencedin area with room to move around. It is never a good idea to leave them on the patio with the door open (in fact, this is against the Toscana pet policy!). Many safety hazards come with using this method, and if you have a dog that likes to talk, like mine, a thunderous day for everyone around. Another great option that I like to do is to take them to daycare. It might not be every day, but it’s an excellent way to switch things up for them while knowing they are at a safe place. These are nice because they give the animals plenty of time to socialize while also getting their energy out for the day. It’s great to know they are having fun and will be tuckered out when they get home for the night. Taking them to daycare is one way to get their energy out for the day, but probably not the most frequent way for most people. Going on walks seems to be the most common way to get out. Walking comes with PAGE 15
significant responsibility as they are out in public, and many issues can come up. The most important thing to do is make sure that they are on a leash. We do not want them running up to strangers as it’s a safety concern for them and the other person or animal. Ensure that you are mentally present while out walking to assure that you can maintain control of the animal. While out on that walk, bring a couple of plastic bags if they decide to use nature for their restroom. You must make sure that area gets cleaned up and the bag thrown into the garbage. With these tips, we can all become more responsible pet owners.
MAINTENANCE
report by Daniel Renteria
This month we would like to share with you some important tools that will make your life easier if there is a minor repair that is needed around your condo. We have created a list of essential tools that every home should have. You will also find a list of our most recommended vendors that your HOA uses around the property.
Wrenches - There is some debate over the need for wrenches and which ones. However, like screwdrivers, quality wrenches often come in simple sets that should serve most any need that would arise. Utility knife - Utility knives often come in handy around the home and should be the only cutting tool needed. If interested, a handsaw could also be a wise investment. Few homes truly have the need for circular saws or other pricey machinery, so avoid being sucked into the hype.
Tape measure - A 25 foot tape measure that is 3/4 inch wide is great for projects around the home. It is ideal for small or large tasks without being cumbersome. Level - Laser levels are fancy and seem extra useful in our technology-crazed world. However, levels are only useful if they are accurate. Invest in one that works, be it laser or the basic bubble that has served so many homes for many years. Screwdrivers (and screws) - At the bare minimum, every toolbox needs a flathead and a Phillips screwdriver. Quality screwdrivers are available in sets of all sizes, so a small set of five different sizes could come in handy. Hammer (and nails) - A medium weight hammer is best for a variety of tasks around the home. A rubber handle will be good for all grips. Consider investing in a rubber mallet if your hammering needs may be above the average Pliers - Needle-nosed pliers are all that most homes will ever need.
The above tools should all be kept in a toolbox or other storage container that has a designated spot within the home. There are no rules about tools- they do not have to be stored in the garage or the basement. Simply find a place that keeps them accessible but inconspicuous when not in use. Also, consider a few other items that may come in handy around the home. Painter’s and duct tape; various glues, pencils and straightedges, and step ladders are all accessories that could make any handy task a little easier. Most every homeowner could look at the above list and find a tool or two that may be a necessity in their home. This is by no means a comprehensive list! However, these basics are more affordable than investing in numerous single purpose tools and will allow many home fixes to be taken care of quickly and with little complication. Here is a list of the vendors that Toscana uses on a normal basis. A/C – AZ Air – 480-415-6315 Plumbing – Moon Valley – 602-253-2600 Rainforest Plumbing – 602-497-3367 Handyman Services – BC Trendz LLC – 480-476-3863 Pest Control – Burns – 602-971-4782 Appliances – MR. Appliance – 480-774-2501 As always, please feel free to check your VIP Guide on the ToscanaLving.net website for a full list of preferred vendors. PAGE 16
lay of the land by DLC Resources
We're almost at the end of a very active summer monsoon season, and DLC crews have continued fostering Bermuda turf growth through these warmer months. Around mid-September, we will begin to prepare these turf areas for fall, overseeding with winter Ryegrass as Bermuda fades into dormancy. Crews will lower mow heights and adjust irrigation to ready the turf for this transition. After turf is overseeded, avoiding foot traffic in these areas for 3-4 weeks following seeding helps the winter lawn to get established. Read more about the overseed process below. Several monsoon windstorms have blown through the Valley lately, breaking numerous tree branches in your Community. Extra crews joined our onsite team in helping trim the affected trees as needed and clean up the area. Approximately six trees and were lost in July and August. (As a reference, Toscana has over 400 trees in total.) We updated our GIS arbor inventory to provide vital information for future stump removals and replanting and communicate our findings to Community management for insurance purposes. We are monitoring your irrigation system and have maintained increased run times as necessary for the warmer temperatures. In addition, our Water Department and local irrigation specialists carefully observe monsoon rainfall and on-the-ground conditions to deliver the right amount of water for your landscape. Thankfully, recent rains have allowed us to turn off the irrigation system for at least 15 days this summer, saving water and reducing your Community's costs by thousands! Your Community is still experiencing high levels of tree and plant growth. We continue to prune shrubs and trim trees to maintain sightlines. Plant debris and spent blooms and are removed as we work in a cycle around the Community. The entryway enhancements are now complete. A DLC Special Projects crew installed a variety of new plants with irrigation lines (if needed) to freshen up Toscana’s seven entryways. But the Special Projects work on granite replenishment is still ongoing. That project will add more than two tons of granite throughout the Community, filling in bare spots and keeping your landscape looking beautiful and well-maintained. Special Projects also just worked to replace lifted and broken concrete curbing adjacent to turf around the Community with new concrete barriers. And a crew from our Arbor Dept. just
finished trimming hardwood trees over contract height throughout the Community. Thinning and lifting canopies to help reduce wind damage. A Green Winter Overseeding is the process of transitioning summer Bermuda grass out and bringing in winter Ryegrass. We overseed because Bermuda grass grows well in the summer but goes dormant during the winter months. Dormant Bermuda grass has a brown, blonde, straw-like appearance and will remain that way until spring. Ryegrass, however, stays green and vibrant through the cooler months, then dies out with the summer heat. When DLC starts to overseed, typically, the irrigation in the turf areas is reduced by half and mow heights are lowered to suppress the growth of the Bermuda and open up the soil for the Ryegrass. In addition, the turf is aerated to help the ground receive additional water and nutrients. After that, the Ryegrass seed is laid down. As the grass germinates, we will frequently water to keep the delicate seedbed moist. We encourage you not to walk or play on these areas as the grass germinates and until the new grass receives its first mow, typically in 3-4 weeks. To learn more about overseeding, check out our Learning Center at dlcresources.com/learning-center. You will find plenty of in-depth articles under the "Turf" heading.
