Living
APRIL 2017
INSIDE ARIZONA COYOTES VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER FOOD TRUCK
APACHE TRAILS BUS TRIP WITH DETOURS
Toscana Lifestyle A WORD FROM THE LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
TL
By Chris Reeder, Lifestyle Director
Toscana residents have developed a wonderful habit! By sending in your RSVP, the team here can ensure we have the appropriate amount of seating and food. Thank you so much for helping us responsibly serve you! In the office, we are continuously thinking of ways to create a more efficient operational business for our residents. Lifestyle is all about connecting people and making memories- and there is an operational side to making memories. For example: Did you know there are many different avenues to RSVP for a special event? Residents may register by: • Directly through the electronic Toscana Newsletter Each event has a clickable registration link embedded into the newsletter • Clicking on a registration hyperlink in the weekly Lifestyle eblast. Every Tuesday, an email blast including the next week’s events is sent to Toscana Residents. Registrations links make your registration very user friendly and so easy! • Calling or walking into the HOA office at Building 2 There is a secured drop box just outside the Lifestyle Director office door • If for any reason you cannot register online, please email your lifestyle director at creeder@toscanaliving.net Please include event name and names of guests If you are unsure how to manage your registrations, I’d love to share our event technology with you! Just stop by the office and we will walk through the options together.
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS TOSCANA POOL PARTY Saturday, April 1, Palazzo Grande at 1 p.m. Cost: $3 per person RSVP by March 31, click on link to register here Description: Celebrate our gorgeous weather during our annual Spring Pool Party! Toscana’s favorite DJ Aaron, will be entertaining us with some spring jams, while our fantastic Toscana staff will be grilling up the hot dogs.
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 Hiking Club
Toscana Living | 3
TL
Toscana Lifestyle
TOSCANA SIGNATURE EVENTS GETTING TO KNOW YOUR IPHONE: IPHONE TIPS WITH GROOVYTEK Monday, April 3 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Palazzo Centro Please RSVP here by Monday, April 3 at 9 a.m. Join us for a tour of your iPhone featuring fun and efficient tips and tricks to make your iPhone work for you. Bring your iPhone and your questions and enjoy a fun and interesting afternoon with GroovyTek. Mimosas will be served. FORT MCDOWELL CASINO BUS TRIP Tuesday, April 4, bus to begin loading at 8:45 a.m. in front of Bldg. 26 IMPORTANT Cost: Free for residents COMMUNITY RSVP by April 3, reservation link here CONTACTS Our group will receive $10 in free play and a Bingo special - purchase one Bingo Pack and receive five. Also if you play $50 or more in slots or bingo, visit the fortune club CenturyLink and you will receive additional free play. We must have a minimum of 18 interested 602-765-2334 residents for this program. The Casino Bus will load 15 minutes prior to departure time, in front of Building 26. If you are interested in learning more about the Casino, click APS here. 602-371-7171 ARIZONA COYOTES VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS Thursday, April 6 Southwest Gas Transportation will begin loading at 5:45 p.m. in front of Bldg. 26 800-528-4277 Cost: $49/Lower level ticket, includes transportation RSVP by April 4, reservation link here Moon Valley Toscana residents love their hockey! Included in your ticket fee: Fantastic Lower Level Plumbing seats, transportation and best of all- you don’t have to fight for parking! There are a 602-253-2600 limited number of tickets available at this price, so reserve your seats quickly. For a preview to the game, check out the Coyotes website. Night Manager 480-861-0875 EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE Saturday, April 8, breakfast begins at 9 a.m. Hours: Palazzo Grande Until 2 a.m. M-Th Cost: $3 per person Until 3 a.m. F-Su RSVP by April 7, reservation link here The Easter Bunny is coming to Toscana! Hop on down to CCMC After-Hours the Palazzo Grande for breakfast, face-painting and a fantastic photo opportunity with Emergency Line the Fabulous Bunny - all included in the $3 ticket fee. Remember to bring your basket 602-234-9288 for the egg hunt too!
Toscana Living | 4
Toscana Lifestyle COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER FOOD TRUCK BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Tuesday, April 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., near Palazzo Grande Cost: Bring cash or card for your meal No reservation needed It’s been said that Lobsters are difficult to catch during the full moon. Join us for a lobster seeking adventure where you are guaranteed a full catch (just bring your wallet). Perhaps you would be interested in reading the Cousins Maine story about their experience with the Shark Tank Hosts (from the popular TV show) or maybe order a t-shirt? Just check out their website. PARENT’S NIGHT OUT - MOANA Friday, April 14, 6 p.m. Pizza, 6:20 p.m. Movie in Bldg. 10 Cost: Free for residents Please RSVP here no later than April 13 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 Moana (rated PG) Bring a blanket and wear your PJ’s for the movie. Two volunteer spaces are available (volunteers will keep an eye on the children, serve pizza and assist in clean up). APACHE TRAILS BUS TRIP WITH DETOURS Saturday, April 15, Bus departs at 8:30 a.m. Cost: $108 per person Please RSVP here no later than April 8 Only minutes from the city, the Apache Trail is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Sonoran desert. Arizona’s first designated “Historic Highway” and a scenic byway, the original Apache Trail was a footpath by which the local Apache Tribe traveled through the Superstition Mountains. Two of the more colorful stops along the Apache Trail are Goldfield Ghost Town and Tortilla Flat. Goldfield, aptly named after the precious metal found in the area, was incorporated in 1892. For five long years this town was a gold miner’s paradise, however, soon after the vein stopped producing Goldfield quickly turned into a gold mining ghost town.
TL
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.
During the tour you will have a chance to spend time in this restored ghost town practicing your gold panning techniques, marveling at the original mining gear, or even spending some time at Lu Lu’s Bordello if you dare. During your tour along the Apache Trail, you will be treated to a steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake by the famous Dolly Steamboat. As part of the six mile narrated nature cruise, there may be opportunities to see bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and a host of other desert animals as well as unforgettable views of 1,300 ft. volcanic cliff walls of Canyon Lake. Following our steamboat cruise, the tour will continue to Tortilla Flat in the Superstition Wilderness. Tortilla Flat has become a fixture of the Apache Trail since its inception in 1904. Not fire, drought, or bandits could destroy this hearty stage stop which holds onto its rich tradition through its architecture and unique decorating sense. If you get too warm, you can quite literally “saddle up” to the bar and enjoy a cold beverage to cool you down. This rugged landscape in the Sonoran Desert has been the jewel that some men were looking for with the most famous involving the Lost Dutchman Mine. Rumored to have found the largest gold vein in the west, German immigrant Jacob Waltz trusted his newly found gold deposit to no one and the secret of its location was buried with him. If you have the “golden eye” maybe you can spot it while on tour! Price Includes: Dolly Steamboat Tour, Unlimited bottled water, All taxes. Price excludes guide gratuities and meals.
Toscana Living | 5
TL
Toscana Lifestyle
ST PATRICK’S DAY
Toscana Living | 6
Toscana Events and Programs
April 2017
TL
Clubs Events Association
Monday
Sunday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1 TOSCANA SPRING POOL PARTY PG POOL 1-3PM
2
3 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM GROOVY TEK iPHONE SEMINAR PC 11:30AM-1PM
9
10 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
16
17 HIKING CLUB Off Site 8:30AM MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
23
24 MAHJONG CLUB PG 6:30PM
30
4 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM FORT MCDOWELL CASINO TRIP Off site 9AM
11 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM RUMMYCUBE CLUB PG 1PM COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER FOOD TRUCK PG 5-8PM 18 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM
25 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM RUMMYCUBE CLUB PG 1PM
5 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM
12 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BINGO PG 6PM 19 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM BOOK CLUB “I Let You Go” PV 6:30 26 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM BILLIARDS PG 1PM POKER CLUB PG 6PM SINGLE LADIES NIGHT OUT 5:30PM
6 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM TAI CHI PV 10AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM COYOTES VS CANUCKS HOCKEY GAME Off site 7PM 13 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM TAI CHI PV 10AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
20 WATER AEROBICS PG 9:30AM TAI CHI PV 10AM HAND & FOOT PG 6PM
27 HAND & FOOT PG 6PM TAI CHI PV 10AM
7 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
8 EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE PG 9AM
14 COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM *NO YOGA* FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM PARENTS NIGHT OUT- MOANA PV 6-8PM
15 APACHE TRAILSDETOURS TOUR 8:30-4:30PM
21
22
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
28
29
COFFEE SOCIAL PG 9AM GENTLE YOGA PV 11AM FRIDAY SOCIAL PG 5PM
Toscana Living | 7
TL
Toscana Lifestyle CONCIERGE CORNER By Alicja Davis, Concierge
Talking Stick Food Truck Roundup April 21 5201 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale Join the Food Truck Roundup and enjoy good eats, good music and good vibes. The Food Truck Roundup is rounding up some of your favorite food trucks from around the valley. For more information, please visit: http://talkingstickarizona. com/files/FoodTruckFlier-DecJan.pdf Music in the Garden Desert Botanical Garden once again offers an exciting and diverse lineup of talented performers at the Spring Music in the Garden concert series. Enjoy an evening of live performance by some of Arizona’s best musical entertainment at the always stunning Ullman Terrace stage. These shows sell out quickly! For schedule, please visit: https://www.dbg.org/music-garden Arizona Bike Week April 5-April 9, Westworld of Scottsdale Are you ready for the wildest and hottest ride in Arizona? Arizona Bike Week is a rider’s dream. Spend a few days exploring Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and the nearby mountain roads. Motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill sets are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be daily charity rides, bike races, parties and other activities. http://www.azbikeweek.com/index.htm Scottsdale Culinary Festival April 8 – April 9 at the Scottsdale Civic Center 7375 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Arizona’s tastiest fundraiser is set to return to the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall April 8-9, 2017. Hosted by the Scottsdale League for the Arts, event highlights include 40 local restaurants, 30 craft breweries, 20 bands, a teen cooking challenge, chef demos, family zone, wine garden and much more. The Scottsdale Culinary Festival weekend provides attendees with the opportunity to taste as many foods from as many restaurants as your stomach will allow on acres of park bliss. http://scottsdalefest.org/2017-scf/
TOSCANA FIVE RESTAURANT REVIEW The Living Room Wine Café & Lounge Market Street at DC Ranch 20751 N. Pima Road, #120, Scottsdale 480-404-7465 www.livingroomwinebar.com Great atmosphere with a laid back upscale feel, cozy surrounding with interesting lounge chairs and couches. A large outdoor patio that is very inviting especially for people watching. We sat at a round table with a lovely chandelier above the table. Nice upbeat music filtered through out the restaurant, with a friendly staff. They have live entertainment on the weekend and brunch with bottomless mimosas. We started with the onion soup which was a little disappointing as it had no melted cheese and the croutons were too large. Another soup that we tried was the butternut squash soup that had a light delicious broth, fabulous! One of our entrées was a tuna melt, which was just okay; another was the chicken salad sandwich with homemade potato chips, really good! We also tried the prime rib sliders with French fries - very tasty. Caesar salad was another choice with grana padano cheese, the cheese was extremely good. For dessert, we tried Injectable Donut Holes with choice of three different sauces (chocolate, Bavarian cream, and raspberry). The server set it at the table and we all got a chance to inject one or all sauces into the warm donuts, yum! Our verdict: we would recommend this restaurant.
Toscana Living | 8
In and Around Toscana MANAGER TIDBITS
TL
By Dick Rosenhagen, Community Manager Board Meeting - Strategic Plan and The new Board of Directors for Toscana held their first meeting on March 22, 2017 and we had a great meeting. The Board approved the following items: • Palm Tree up-lighting project will convert the palm trees from a wrapped light, to a ground installed up-light which will save the association funds going forward, by not having to re-wrap the trees each year. • The spring plant & tree replacements as well as deer grass removal throughout the entire property. • The approval of an updated Violation Enforcement Policy and Fine Schedule. The new policy can be found at www.toscanaliving.net. • The installation of tile in the elevator vestibules in B10. In addition to the above items the Board reviewed the new Strategic Plan and Goals for the community moving forward. This exercise allowed the previous to Board
Goals of Directors to identify the top five goals for the vision to move the community forward into the future. Each of the five goals has sub-categories and tasks associated with them to keep the Board and management team on task. The five community goals that have been identified are as follows: 1. Enhance Community Communications 2. Enhance Financial Reporting and Community Knowledge 3. Strengthen Compliance and Community Policies 4. Innovative Lifestyle Events and Community Amenity Enhancements 5. Build a Solid Foundation of Resident/Team Engagement Please go to www.toscanaliving.net to find the full content of the Toscana Strategic Goals Action Plan.
ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®
Toscana Living | 9
TL
In and Around Toscana ASSISTANT MANAGER UPDATES By Nicole Careaga, Assistant Manager
The Toscana Board of Directors has a multitude of responsibilities, one of the most important is to uphold the CC&R’s and create policies when necessary. Over the years, the board has done just that. I want to use my article this month, to go over a few of them as reminders. MOVING POLICY – This policy was approved by the board in 2016 and includes a $25.00 moving fee and $250.00 refundable deposit that are paid by the resident during every move and large item delivery. This policy has been put in place to assist in paying the costs related to damage in the hallways, elevators and front doors during a move. REMODEL POLICY – This policy was approved by the board earlier this year and includes a $500.00 refundable deposit for ALL remodels done by a resident to their unit. Again, the idea is to assist in the costs related to damage to the property by contractors both in the buildings and to the surrounding landscape. PET POLICY – This policy was recently amended by the members and includes a few key components; 1. The turf areas are no longer able to be used for any pets elimination needs. 2. Pets must be kept on a leash that does not exceed 6’ in length, and extension leashes are prohibited. 3. All pets must be registered with the association.
PACKAGE POLICY – This policy has been in existence for quite a while and also includes multiple components; 1. Packages are not to be left at the front door of any unit. 2. Packages that are left with the association at the Palazzo Centro must be under 25lbs. and have a maximum size of 16 cu. ft. 3. The association office will not accept any perishable items. 4. Packages are available for pick – up from the Palazzo Centro during the hours of 8am-8pm. CODE OF CONDUCT – This policy has been in existence for quite awhile as well, and deals with what can be a challenging topic, resident behaviors. The intent of the policy is to ensure that all residents, contractors, board members and management team members are treated with respect and that communications occur in a dignified and appropriate manner. Everyone should feel safe expressing their opinions and attending meetings and events within the community. Aggressive and hostile behaviors will not be tolerated. All of the above policies are enforced by violation notices, and fines when necessary. If you have any questions about any of the above policies, or any other policy, they are all posted at www.toscanaliving.net and I am always available by phone or email to discuss.
Do’s and Don’ts Do pick up after your pet Don’t use extension leashes Don’t put vegetable clippings in your disposal
Do dispose of grease in your garbage
Do be sure to park in you assigned space
Do register your guests on Dwelling Live
Don’t potty your pets on the turf
Don’t hang towels on your balcony
Do say something if you see something
Toscana Living | 10
In and Around Toscana
TL
UPDATES FROM YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM By Frank Young, Maintenance Supervisor I would like to talk about drain blockages and backups in sinks again. So far this year the community has had nine backups. In previous letters I talk about the things that can cause blockages. When the garbage disposal is not properly used or improper things are poured down the drain it can cause a blockage that can back up into your neighbors unit, causing substantial monetary damage, for which you may be held liable. Below is a list of items to avoid putting down your garbage disposal: Greens, 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) and 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. 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 be found at home depot or other hardware stores. It will sound an alarm if water is detected and can be used in a sink or under a cabinet. A third product on the market that one of our residents found and shared with us is a leak detection system that can remotely notify your smart phone if water is detected. I love to see these new innovative ideas and for those of you who are away for long periods of time this could be a home saver. The product shared with us is from D-Link home automation systems and here is a link to the product. Although I do not endorse any particular product there are most likely others out there but I think this is a fantastic idea and should be considered.
CLUBS AND CLASSES BILLIARDS CLUB: Wednesdays at 1pm, Billiards Room
MAHJONG CLUB: Mondays at 6:30pm, Palazzo Grande
RUMMYCUBE CLUB: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1-2:30pm, Palazzo Grande
COFFEE SOCIAL: Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am, Palazzo Grande
HIKING CLUB: Next hike: Monday, April 17. 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
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.
Toscana Living | 11
TL
In and Around Toscana MOVIE REVIEW: LOGAN By Gil Berkowitz THE END OF X-MEN’S WOLVERINE
In “Logan,” Director James Mangold pays tribute to Hugh Jackman’s final performance of Wolverine. “Logan” is a heartfelt goodbye to Hollywood’s most prolific X-Men rogue. For the fans of the X-Men mutant series this film is a must. It is very good and it may be one of Hugh Jackman’s best performances. We are first introduced to Logan as an older man in his dark days. The year is 2029. He avoids and shuns his mutant abilities; his legendary claws emanate from his hands. Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is sick and dying of a rare brain disease. Logan’s strength and
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
health are deteriorating as a result of the poison leaking into his body from the metal in his hands. He is mangy. He coughs incessantly and drinks heavily. He drives a limo to earn enough money to obtain medication to treat Xavier. Without proper meds he gets crippling seizures that emit dangerous brainwaves. He has an albino (Stephen Merchant) helping him. All is not going well in the world of mutants, most of whom have been eliminated over the last 25 years. The film is not just about Logan. It’s also about Laura. Laura is played by newcomer Dafne Keen in her first film role. She has similar skills and characteristics as Logan. The two share and uncontrollable rage when provoked. She is smuggled out of a genetic engineering facility and Logan is responsible for delivering her to safety in North Dakota. Logan, Laura and Charles begin a strange and dark journey. Logan and Laura fight to evade bounty hunter Pierce (Boyd Holbrook) and Dr. Rice (Richard E. Grant), who wants to contain mutants and develop them into weapons. Jackman is a wonderful physical specimen and gives a powerful performance as an aging and deteriorating Logan. He is mesmerizing. Patrick Stewart is at his usual high level and young Dafne Keen is refreshing and energetic. There are several references to the classic western “Shane,” about a good gunfighter protecting the vulnerable. Many poignant moments of this movie will brings tears to your eyes. It is a sad ending to an iconic legend. The film is playing at Harkins theaters throughout the valley. It runs for 137 minutes and is rated R for brutal violence and language.
Toscana Living | 12
In and Around Toscana
TL
VIP VENDOR EXPO
Toscana Living | 13
TL
In and Around Toscana
VINO AND CANVAS
Toscana Living | 14
TL Advertise with Toscana Living Emailed to Toscana Residents weekly. Contact Alicja Davis at 480-585-0808 or adavis@toscanaliving.net
Toscana Living | 15