By Brian Lemke, Board President Hello Tatum Highlands Neighbors, As I start my fifth-year volunteering on the Tatum Highlands HOA Board, I would like to THANK the previous three Presidents I have had the privilege of serving under as VP to help make Tatum Highlands a wonderful community to live in: Sam Schwartzberg for his work to reach out to get more Tatum Highlands homeowners involved in the community and planning amazing social events. Kevin Hufnagel for his work on l

Sarah Skaggs has been a proud resident of Tatum Highlands since 2016 and brings both dedication and insight to her role as Architectural Committee Chairperson. Through years of thoughtfully improving her own home, she has developed a deep understanding of the community’s architectural standards and the importance of maintaining its quality and character. Sarah recognizes how timely, well-informed decisions impact homeowners—especially when it comes to financing, planning, and

Board of Directors Brian Lemke, President Chris Stanford, Vice President Melissa Palopoli, Secretary Tom Davey, Treasurer Jeff Hirsch, Director Dave Hoffman, Director Sarah Skaggs, Director Committee Chairs Architectural Control Committee (ARC) Sarah Skaggs Landscape Committee Chris Stanford Social Committee Sarah Skaggs Communications Committee Pam Albo

By Chris Stanford, Landscape Committee Chair Tree Trimming Phoenix homeowners know that monsoon season can bring powerful winds, heavy rain, and sudden dust storms. One of the best ways to protect your property before summer storms arrive is by having your trees professionally trimmed. Overgrown branches can become dangerous during high winds, breaking off and causing damage to roofs, vehicles, fences, and power lines. Proper pruning helps reduce wind resistance, allowing air

Sarah Skaggs has recently been appointed Chairperson of the Social Committee. She is currently seeking new members to help plan special events for the Tatum Highlands community. If you are interested in joining Sarah on the Social Committee, please navigate to the Feedback section near the bottom of this newsletter and indicate your interest in the Social Committee. Or click here.

Dedicated email and phone number for all Tatum Highlands inquiries: Email: TatumHighlands.AZ@fsresidential.com Phone: (480) 551-4524 Contact: Delany Gazaille, Regional Manager General notifications and architectural requests Connect Resident Portal: tatumhighlands.connectresident.com Violation appeals and fee waiver requests Requests must be submitted in writing via certified mail. Include your request along with any supporting details for Board consideration: Mail to: Firs

As electric-powered personal transportation becomes increasingly popular in Phoenix, riders must understand the laws that apply to electric bikes (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters) and motor-driven cycles. The Phoenix Police Department reminds all users that these vehicles are not toys and they’re governed by specific laws and ordinances to keep everyone safe on our streets and sidewalks. It is the goal of the Department to educate the community on the regulations and

by Karen Blue Phoenix Summer Entertainment Ideas Splash Pads - Splash pads offer a cooled off play area for the entire family. Here are some great spots for the kids to cool off: Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15059 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills Tempe Marketplace (near Barnes & Noble), 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, M

By Valeria Miraglia, a Tatum Highlands Homeowner “This is a perfect cake recipe for summer served with sliced strawberries! And it's gluten free. I like to slice the berries with a little sugar to bring out the juice and spoon them over the cake slices like a shortcake.” -Val Prep time:15 minutes; cook time: 30-35 minutes; yield: One 8” cake (8-12 servings) Ingredients • 4 large eggs, separated, at room temperature • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (124g) granulated sugar, divide

By Pam Albo July and August July begins the monsoon season. This is the time to trim trees to protect them from the high monsoon winds. (See Tree Trimming article in this newsletter.) Now is a good time to transplant tropical favorites such as adeniums, plumeria, and palm trees. Fertilize these regularly throughout the summer. Check all plants to make sure they’re getting enough water. Add mulch to potted plants to help keep water moisture from evaporating in the hot summer

By Pam Albo Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance landscape plant, a container specimen, or an addition to your rock garden, Blue Elf aloe is well suited to life in the Phoenix area. These drought-tolerant succulents thrive in full sun, including areas that receive hot, reflected heat. Partial shade also poses no problem for this small aloe hybrid. The Blue Elf aloe is prized for its upright, silvery blue-gray foliage and vibrant spikes of coral-orange flowers. It bloo

As we settle into the new year, I want to take a moment to share some excellent news regarding the "business" side of our community. While we often focus on landscaping and community events, the underlying financial health of our association is what ensures our property values remain high and our amenities stay beautiful. Our Board of Directors, in partnership with our management team, has remained committed to a strategy of disciplined spending and proactive planning. This y

With the weather warming up, many of us are looking at home projects and fresh coats of paint. Before you grab your ladder or call a contractor, here is a quick reminder about the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) process! The ARC’s goal is to keep Tatum Highlands looking its best by ensuring all improvements align with our community’s design guidelines. This helps maintain our beautiful aesthetic and protects property values for everyone. Important: All projects must be r

Greetings Neighbors. Your Landscape Committee has been busy with several projects which will result in significant improvements to the public areas of our community. We’re about to enter Phase 4 of 5 of our Irrigation System Upgrade. This upgrade focuses on water conservation and creating irrigation zones that are specific to the needs of our various trees and shrubs. This will allow our beautiful native plantings to not only survive, but to thrive! We’re also addressing the

Congratulations to these 3 winners: Martin/Bray Resident 4222 E Andrea Drive Flynn Resident 25856 N 47 th Place Blasing Residence 4609 E Briles Road We want to thank all the homeowners who decorated their homes for the holidays. Tatum Highlands looked very festive for the holidays. With over 35 homes submitted for the contest, it was challenging for the judges to pick a winner. The Social Committee has decided to grant a 3-way tie and split the total prize money to $175 for

Members of your Board of Directors are elected each year to serve for two consecutive terms. This year there are four open positions for Board members. The Nominating Committee presents your candidates below: Candidates for Board of Directors: Pat Diaz Jeff Hirsch Robert Miraglia Melissa Palopoli Chris Stanford Ballots will also include candidates for three open positions on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). These candidates are volunteers and not selected by the Nom

by Karen Blue Cactus League Spring Training Schedule February 20 – March 24, 2026 Cactus League Spring Training has more than 200 games scheduled at 10 stadiums throughout the Greater Phoenix area from Feb. 20 to March 24. Catch your favorite MLB players all month long at an affordable price. For tickets and more information: visitphoenix.com/events/sports-events/cactus-league-spring-training/cactus-league-spring-training-schedule/ 31 st Annual Spring Carefree Fine Art

By Dana Davis, a Tatum Highlands Resident “This dish receives rave reviews every time. If you want a saucy, creamy, flavorful chicken dinner, this is the recipe to make!!” Ingredients Chicken 2 boneless chicken breasts, approximately 1 pound 3 tbsp olive oil, divided 1 tsp paprika 1 Tbs garlic powder 1 tsp Kosher salt ½ tsp black pepper Pasta 8 ounces rigatoni pasta noodles 4 tbsp unsalted butter (1/2 stick) ¼ cup shallots, finely diced ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, softened in

By Ed Sieckert, MS Certified Professional Agronomist Summer temperatures can often go above 105 degrees, and it will place a big demand on plants in your yard. We live in the Sonoran Desert and rainfall is limited or not at all. Providing additional water helps the plants grow and without proper water plants will stress and die. March To Do List Turn on all drip emitters and make sure they are working Replace emitters every 5 years. Why? Hard water minerals build up in the em

by Karen Blue No Burn Days When air pollution levels are on the rise and weather conditions create dry, stagnant conditions, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department will issue a No Burn Day. Restrictions last for a 24-hour period, starting at midnight, and include a ban on wood burning activity including fireplaces, fire pits, and open outdoor fires. The purpose of the No Burn Day restriction is to avoid adding pollution to our air when the forecast suggests air quality wi

By Pam Albo Spring is coming which means it’s time to prune, fertilize, and plant. March Planting is recommended early to let your plants become established before the hot summer heat in our area. This is the ideal time to prune existing shrubs, such as lantana and bougainvillea. Fertilize roses after each bloom, continuing every 2-4 weeks. If you haven’t already, it’s time to prune roses by cutting them back 50%. April Water succulents every other week. This is the last mont

FIREBUSH ( hamelia patens ) By Pam Albo Gardeners love Firebush because it produces flowers from late spring until the first winter frost. The bright red flowers are filled with nectar and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Songbirds also like to feed on its berries. Firebush produces clusters of bright orange to red tubular flowers. Fruits are small green berries that turn red and purplish as they mature. It is also a great plant to grow in the Phoenix Area because it is

by Karen Blue Just a reminder, bulk trash is now collected by appointment only! With appointment-based bulk trash, customers have the freedom to schedule bulk trash pickup based on when they need it. Residents can schedule a bulk trash pickup through an online portal, which will offer available collection dates based on the customer’s address. Upon selecting a date, customers will receive an email confirmation and may place their bulk items at the edge of their property no mo

A Message from Your HOA President Hello Neighbors, I hope this message finds you well as we enjoy this beautiful desert weather! It's truly wonderful to see so many of you—along with your pets and bicycles—out and about enjoying our community. Please remember to drive with caution throughout the neighborhood for everyone's safety. Welcoming New Leaders & Thanking Our Former Board First, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our three newest members of the Board of Directors: T

Happy Holidays, Tatum Highlands Residents! As the weather cools and we prepare for the holiday season, please review these important reminders regarding our architectural guidelines. Your cooperation helps keep our neighborhood beautiful for everyone. Architectural Committee Updates Holiday Decorations & Lighting We love seeing the community spirit during the holidays! Please keep these rules in mind as you plan your displays: Permanent Lighting: All permanent holiday lightin

ClickPay is our preferred way of accepting homeowner payments. We invite you to make individual or automatic payments online through ClickPay from your smartphone, tablet, or other media device. Payments can be made by e-check (ACH) now for FREE and by major credit or debit card for a fee. Get started by creating your account at ClickPay.com/FirstService . If you wish to edit your existing setup, click the link emailed to you or create your profile online with ClickPay at ..

by Karen Blue Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo November 26, 2025 – January 16, 2026 Whether you visit ZooLights every year, or you’re starting a brand-new family tradition, the Phoenix Zoo has everything you need to celebrate the season. Embrace the holiday spirit as more than four million twinkling lights transform the Phoenix Zoo into a winter wonderland with over two miles of glimmering tree-lined trails, dozens of life-like animal lanterns and the tallest floating tree in Nor

Submitted by: Valeria Miraglia, A Tatum Highlands Homeowner Make your own cranberry sauce using fresh or frozen cranberries! Just follow the instructions on the bag of cranberries but elevate the taste. Substitute apple cider or apple juice for the water. Toss in a cinnamon stick and some orange rind while the berries are cooking. Once the berries have popped and the sauce has thickened, remove the cinnamon stick and orange rind. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until

by Karen Blue Costco pharmacy now carries pet medicines. The Costco Member Prescription Program offers Costco members opportunities to obtain lower prices on many popular pet medications at Costco Warehouse pharmacies including Apoquel, Bravecto, Heartgard, Vetmedin, and many more. For more information: Costco.com/pet-medications.html . The Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix, AZ) will be hosting a new special exhibition opening November 7, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Experie

By Pam Albo December/January These are the coldest months of the year in the greater Phoenix area. Be prepared to cover frost sensitive plants on evenings when temperatures are below 30 degrees. Use frost cloth available at nurseries or sheets or towels. Pick spent blossoms and fruit. Pick fruit on the outside of fruit trees that is more exposed to frost. Prune rose bushes by one half but do not feed until February. Remove dead branches from trees and plants but delay heavy p

By Pam Albo We garden in an arid desert, and the Pink Fairy Duster is a drought tolerant shrub that is perfect for desert landscaping. Plus, it loves full sun and heat. A bonus is it will add a zap of color to your garden. Fairy Duster produces pink blossoms that look like little feather dusters from Spring through Fall. It’s native to southwest desert areas and very easy to care for . Full direct sunlight works best for Fairy Duster. It also does well with reflected heat fro

by Karen Blue Just a reminder, bulk trash is now collected by appointment only! With appointment-based bulk trash, customers have the freedom to schedule bulk trash pickup based on when they need it. Residents can schedule a bulk trash pickup through an online portal, which will offer available collection dates based on the customer’s address. Upon selecting a date, customers will receive an email confirmation and may place their bulk items at the edge of their property no mo

By Kevin Hufnagel, Board President Happy Spring 2025! As spring blossoms with vibrant colors, comfortable temperatures are here. It’s...

Hello Neighbors, With spring in full bloom, we know many of you are eager to spruce up your yards! To ensure our community maintains its...

by Karen Blue MCDOWELL SONORAN CONSERVANCY EVENTS Now through December 31, 2025 Discover Scottsdale's natural treasure at McDowell...

By Karen Blue When air pollution levels are on the rise and weather conditions create dry, stagnant conditions, the Maricopa County Air...

Submitted by Sharon Beatty, a Tatum Highlands Homeowner This is a healthy, delicious salad made easy to prepare by using rotisserie...

By Pam Albo APRIL GARDENING - Spring is here! March and April are the prime months for planting. Plant shrubs, flowering annuals and...

By Pam Albo Summer flowers can give your garden landscape the pop of color you’re looking for – even in the heat! Annuals will die off...

by Karen Blue Just a reminder, bulk trash is now collected by appointment only! Residents will schedule a bulk trash pickup through an...

By Kevin Hufnagel, Board President Happy New Year 2025! I hope that you enjoyed celebrating the holiday season with family and friends....

The Architectural Committee welcomes First Service Residential as our community's management company. We look forward to working with...

As a homeowner in our community, we have the opportunity to assist our Board of Directors and the management company by notifying them of...

by Karen Blue Since September 30, 2024 bulk trash has been collected by appointment only. • With appointment-based bulk trash, customers...

By Karen Blue Copper State Beer Festival January 18, 2025 (Saturday) 12-5 pm Riverview Park, 2100 West Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, AZ 85201...

By Pam Albo Winter Gardening January and early February are the coldest months of the year in the Phoenix area, so be prepared to cover...

By Pam Albo Size: Red yucca is an attractive grass-like succulent that is drought-tolerant and low maintenance. Featuring long and...

By Kevin Hufnagel, Board President I hope you are enjoying your summer and had a chance to leave the valley for a vacation to cooler...

Last year your Architectural Committee revised our holiday lighting and decoration allowances by creating a new “holiday season” running...