Town of Carefree -

🏘️ Meet Your Carefree Community Development Team! 🏘️ This small group shapes the future of our Town—one permit, plan, and inspection at a time. From upholding planning & zoning standards and exploring economic development opportunities to ensuring safe building practices and enforcing Town codes, this team is dedicated to keeping Carefree safe, orderly, and beautiful. 📄🔨 Their work helps preserve the unique charm and livability of Carefree for generations to come. 🌵

💼 Meet your Carefree Administration Team! 💼 Today, we’re shining the spotlight on our small but mighty admin team—just five people power the administrative side of our Town! ✨ From managing departments, taking public records requests, and working with Council to handling finances, marketing the Town, and welcoming visitors—they truly do it all. 👏 We're also celebrating a special milestone: Gary Neiss, our dedicated Town Administrator, TODAY marks his 23 years of service with the Town of Carefree! 🥳

🛠 Meet Your Carefree Public Works Team! 🛠 Just like you take care of your home, this dedicated team takes care of our entire town! This team consists of the Town Engineer to our Public Works Supervisor and Field Operators. You can count on them to keep Carefree running smoothly. Whether it’s maintaining streets, clearing culverts, managing landscaping, supporting events, or responding to the unexpected—they’re always on it. 💪🌵 Their behind-the-scenes work keeps Carefree beautiful, safe, and ready to welcome residents and visitors alike.

🌟 Business Highlight: Jewelry Arts in Carefree 🌟 A beautiful new addition to our small town, Jewelry Arts in Carefree offers both a storefront and a working studio dedicated to handcrafted jewelry and hands-on learning. 😊 Created by local artist Lanni, this unique space features a curated collection of one-of-a-kind enamel and sterling silver pieces—designed and made on-site with exceptional craftsmanship. 💍 Tucked inside the Courtyard on Easy Street, the studio is the perfect spot to find a meaningful gift or a stunning piece for your own collection. It’s also a creative hub offering intimate, personalized jewelry-making classes for all skill levels—from silversmithing to enameling. 👩‍🏫 “I wanted to create a space where people could not only admire jewelry, but also discover the joy of making it themselves,” says Lanni, artist and owner. ❤️ Whether you’re brand new or experienced, the studio provides everything you need to craft your own jewelry. Classes are fun, approachable, and include all materials. ✨ Jewelry Arts in Carefree is a must-visit—whether you’re shopping for something special or exploring your creative side! 🛍️ 📍 Where: 42 Easy St, Suite 3E 📞 Call: 914-356-3368 🌐 Website: www.jewelrybylanni.com

🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌻 Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us this past Saturday! It was an incredible day filled with nature exploration, live animals, interactive activities, inspiring conservation and nature-focused organizations, live music, and so much more. 🌵 We’re so grateful to our community for showing up with such great energy and love for our planet. ✨ Let’s carry that spirit forward — today and every day — by protecting, respecting, and celebrating the Earth. 🌱

⌛ #ThrowbackThursday 🌟 Did you know Carefree’s iconic street names were dreamed up at a dinner party in Phoenix? 🍽️✨ As the story goes, when early developer K.T. Palmer mentioned the streets still needed names, the guests started throwing out playful suggestions—and the rest is history! That night gave us Easy Street, Ho Hum Road, Lazy Lane, Nonchalant Avenue, and Wampum Way, just to name a few. These whimsical names quickly captured public attention and helped shape the quirky charm Carefree is known for today. 🗺️🌵 Have a favorite Carefree street name? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️ #CarefreeAZ #SmallTown #TownOfCarefree #History

Supporting those who support our community! 🤝 Mayor John Crane presented a check totaling nearly $10,000 to the Executive Director of Foothills Caring Corps, Brent Downs, to support their mission of neighbors helping neighbors. 🏠🌵 The funds, from Arizona Lottery Proceeds (designated to benefit local transportation services), will help provide vital support for older adults and individuals with disabilities in the local foothills area. ❤️🚗 We’re proud to support this incredible local non-profit!

✨ Plant Spotlight: Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus) ✨ Meet the Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus, a bold desert bloomer that puts on a fiery floral show each spring! 🔥 Its clusters of deep green cacti bloom with brilliant red-orange flowers—perfect for attracting hummingbirds and bees. 🐝🐦 Native to the Southwest, this cactus thrives in rocky soils, handles extreme heat, and is super drought-tolerant. Bonus: it even produces edible fruit enjoyed by wildlife! 🐰❤️ With its spiky charm and standout color, it’s a must-see in the Carefree Desert Gardens—open 24/7, year-round! 🌵✨

🥞 Pancakes with a Purpose! 🥞 Mark your calendars for the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast – a beloved community tradition filled with delicious food, family fun, and giving back! 📅 Date: Saturday, April 12 📍 Location: Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion ⏰ Time: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM (New extended hours!) 🎟️ Tickets: $10 per person | $5 for kids Enjoy fresh pancakes, sizzling sausages, and hot coffee while supporting local youth programs and scholarships. Last year, the Kiwanis Club of Carefree contributed nearly $2 million to help students and community initiatives! Come hungry, bring your family, and make a difference—one pancake at a time! 🥞💙 👉 Get your tickets now at kiwaniscarefree.org

Sanderson Lincoln Saturdays continue this spring! 🎶🌸 Join us in the heart of Carefree for live music, sunshine, and the perfect small-town charm. On select Saturdays in April and May, enjoy free musical performances while exploring our beautiful town center. 🌵 Walk through the Carefree Desert Gardens 🛍️ Browse unique boutiques & galleries along Easy St. & Ho Hum Dr. 🍽️ Enjoy a meal at one of our local restaurants for lunch Spring Music Lineup: 🪈 April 5 – Henry Molder | 1 – 3 PM 🎵 April 26 – Ben Bolt | 1 – 3 PM 🎤 May 3 – Mark Edwards (Usual Suspects) | Special Time 11 AM – 1 PM 🎸 May 10 – Chuck Hall | 1 – 3 PM ✨ Don’t miss these afternoons filled with live music, community spirit, and Carefree’s vibrant atmosphere!

🚔 Coffee With a Cop ☕ Grab a coffee & connect with MCSO District 4 deputies at Black Mountain Café on Wednesday, April 9, from 8-10 AM. No speeches, no agenda—just good coffee & great conversation. Mark your calendar and join us! 👮‍♂️💙

🌵 Last Tuesday, the Carefree Desert Gardens welcomed over 30 Master Gardeners for a special tour led by Michael Chamberland, Assistant Agent for Urban Horticulture with the University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. 🌱✨ Attendees explored the thoughtful design and unique plant species that make our gardens truly exceptional while Michael shared insights and facts about over a dozen plants, explaining their origins, care, and more. 💚 A special thank you to Master Gardener and Carefree Garden Seminar Committee member Diane Smith for helping facilitate this event. 🌿

🌟 Business Spotlight: Alberto’s Ristorante 🌟 Tucked in the heart of Carefree, Alberto’s Ristorante is more than just a place to eat—it’s a place to experience the warmth and tradition of Italian hospitality. 🍝 Chef Alberto Liani grew up in Rome, where his passion for food was born in his mother’s kitchen and refined in Italy’s top culinary schools. When he opened his namesake restaurant in Carefree, his goal was simple: to bring people together over beautifully crafted meals, just as his family had done for generations. 🍴 Step inside, and you’ll find the comforting aroma of house-made pasta, slow-braised meats, and wood-fired pizza filling the air. Guests linger over plates of fresh seafood and antipasto, savoring each bite as they sip from a carefully curated wine selection—including bottles from Alberto’s private collection. And if you’re in the mood for something truly unique, Chef Alberto might just surprise you with a dish made just for you. 🍷 The restaurant’s cozy, welcoming atmosphere makes it a favorite for date nights, family celebrations, and catching up with friends over a plate of tiramisu. Because at Alberto’s, a meal isn’t just about food—it’s about community, tradition, and sharing something special. 🍕 📍 Where: 7171 E. Cave Creek Rd., Carefree, AZ 📞 Call: (480) 488-5800 🌐 Website: albertocarefreeaz.com

Spreading the joy of reading! 📚✨ Mayor John Crane and Diane Roth had a wonderful time reading to young students at Black Mountain Elementary School for National Read Across America Day. Seeing their excitement and curiosity reminds us how powerful stories can be! 📖💪

⌛ #ThrowbackThursday 🌟 Take a look at these photos of Los Portales Mall from the 1980s and '90s! 📸 Back in the day, this charming shopping destination was bustling with unique shops—and even had a deli! One of its most distinctive features was the stunning stained-glass ceiling, which added a touch of elegance and color to the space. Today, Los Portales Mall remains a hub for small local retailers, offering a variety of shopping right in the heart of Carefree at the corner of Ho Hum Drive and Easy Street. 🛍️

🎉 Cheers to 60 years! 🎉 The Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce’s 60th Anniversary Party last month was a night to remember, bringing together community members, business owners, and local leaders for an evening of joy and connection. Guests enjoyed delicious food, drinks, and desserts from local businesses while hearing inspiring remarks from Chamber President & CEO Steve Feld, Board Chair Leigh Zydonik, State Rep. David Schweikert, and Mayor John Crane—who officially proclaimed Feb. 19, 2025, as Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce 60th Anniversary Day! 🏆 ✨ A fantastic night celebrating community, collaboration, and local pride! ✨

Sanderson Lincoln Saturdays are here again! 🎶 Get ready for live music, shopping, and sunshine in the heart of Carefree! On select Saturdays this March, the Town Center comes alive with free musical performances from 1–3 PM. 🌵 Stroll through the Carefree Desert Gardens 🛍️ Shop unique boutiques & galleries along Easy St. & Ho Hum Dr. 🍽️ Savor a delicious lunch at one of our amazing restaurants March Music Lineup: 🎸 March 1 – Cave Creek Ukestra 🎤 March 9 – Fort Vine 🎶 March 23 – Alona Liesniak 🎻 March 30 – Serenity Brings the Storm ✨ Don't miss out on these feel-good afternoons filled with music, local charm, and the beauty of Carefree!

✨ Plant Spotlight: Sweet Noor (Euphorbia coerulescens) ✨ Say hello to the Sweet Noor, a striking blue-green succulent with a tough, spiky exterior and a fascinating history! 🌿 Native to South Africa’s Cape Province, this resilient plant thrives in rocky, arid landscapes. Did you know its toxic sap was once used to cauterize ulcers? ⚠️ Despite its fierce thorns, it plays a vital role in drought-stricken regions, serving as supplementary food for livestock. 🌾 In spring and early summer, Sweet Noor blooms with delicate yellow and brown flowers arranged in strips along its ribbed stems. 🌼 Plus, its name comes from the Latin word coeruleus, meaning “blue”! 💙 Come visit the Carefree Desert Gardens and view this unique succulent with your own eyes 24/7 all year long. 🌵

🌸 Spring will be blooming with events in Carefree! 🌸 From car shows to our annual Earth Day Celebration, monthly Art Nights to casual live music concerts, and more, there’s something fun happening every week! 🎨🚗🎶🌎 📬 Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our event emails today!