Town of Carefree -

🌿 The "Afternoon of Well-being with CIVANA” was such a wonderful and calming way to celebrate the Town’s 40th anniversary! ✨ 🧘‍♀️Reflecting on ourselves through yoga and sound bowl meditation was a beautiful tribute to how Carefree is reflecting on its first 40 years of incorporation. 🌼 😊The guided tour and delicious lite bites were a delightful addition, showcasing how CIVANA has evolved from its days as the Carefree Inn into the serene wellness-focused oasis it is today. 🏞️

✨ Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 2 - 5 p.m. for an Afternoon of Wellness with CIVANA! ✨ Enjoy a Gentle Yoga Class, a Sound Bowl session, and a guided tour with light bites around 3:30 p.m. 🧘‍♀️🌿 Discover all that CIVANA has to offer, reflect on Carefree's past, and reconnect with your inner self. 🌟 Reserve your spot now at https://civanacarefree.com/carefree-40th-event/!

🐾 Happy #InternationalDogDay! Our furry friends absolutely love Carefree! 🐶 Whether it's strolling through the Desert Gardens, attending outdoor town events, or enjoying a stay at the Carefree Pet Resort, pups know it's the perfect place to be a dog. 🐕🌵

The Carefree Water Consolidation Project won the 2024 Project of the Year award from the Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association! 💧 The outstanding performance of the team that worked on the Carefree Water Consolidation project was recognized by the AZ APWA at their annual conference in Tucson last Thursday, August. 15. Mayor John Crane accepted the 2024 Project of the Year award on behalf of the Town of Carefree and the Carefree Water Company. 🏆 Also in attendance was Water Company General Manager Greg Crossman and representatives from Achen-Gardner Construction and CVL Engineering. A big round of applause to the team for a job well-done! 👏

The recent election resulted in three new Council Elect: Lon Johnson, Colleen Rose Scurti, and Diane Roth! 🗳️ The Carefree Town Council officially canvassed the vote on Tuesday, August 13th. The resolution and final ballot figures can be viewed at carefree.org/page/elections. Lon, Colleen, and Diane will be sworn in and take office on December 3, 2024, during the regular council meeting. 🗣️ The Town welcomes them and looks forward to their contributions. 🌵

🌿 Wildlife Wednesday: Desert Cottontail Rabbit 🌿 Say hello to the Desert Cottontail rabbit, one of our most charming desert dwellers! 🐇 These little guys are masters of survival, thriving in the arid landscapes of Carefree and beyond. They’re known for their incredible speed—able to dash away from predators at up to 20 mph! 💨 These social and curious creatures are often found nibbling on grasses, cacti, and even twigs. But did you know that Desert Cottontails are also skilled jumpers? They can leap up to 10 feet in a single bound! 🌵 The adorable bunny in the first photo was recently discovered exploring our Public Works building, reminding us that nature is never far away in Carefree. Next time you’re out and about, keep an eye out for these quick-footed critters—they’re always closer than you think! 🌟 (2nd and 3rd photo credited to Herbert Hitchon)

Our first 40th Anniversary event, the Historical Happy Hour, was absolutely wonderful! 🍷 The crowd was entertained by stories from Ron Weiss, Roy Hunt, Barbara Vander Leest, Biff Miller, Nancy Glenn, and Martha Arnold, who shared their extensive knowledge of the town—each either having a part in its incorporation days to having personal connections with celebrities and town founders. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by the Spirit in the Desert’s wonderful kitchen staff and wine provided by our local Brix Wines, while mingling and connecting with one another.🗣️❤️ A huge thank you to Mayor John Crane and Eric Simonson for their opening remarks that started the event, Spirit in the Desert for hosting, Preston Westmoreland for being our talk-show host, Varsity Sports Team and Herb Hitchon for livestreaming, the incredible participants, Ruth Palmer, daughter of town founder K.T. Palmer, for attending, and our local print shop, The Ink Spot, for creating/designing the 40th wine tote bags. And, of course, thanks to all the 40th Anniversary Committee members who made this event possible. What a great way to kick off our celebrations! 🎤🎥 Missed it? Watch the talk-show segment on our Town YouTube page! 📺

🌟 Carefree is Hiring! 🌟 We're looking for a part-time Deputy Court Clerk to join our court team! This role involves performing a variety of legal clerical work in the Town’s court system. If you have a passion for public service and are detail-oriented, we'd love to hear from you! 📍 Learn more and apply online at carefree.org

Watch the Town’s 40th Anniversary kick-off event, Historical Happy Hour, while enjoying dinner at your favorite local restaurant! 📺🍽️ This special livestream event is hosted by Preston Westmorland and features a talk-show style, where long-time Carefree residents will share stories, anecdotes, and more about the town's rich history. Immerse yourself in Carefree's past while savoring delicious American fare. 🍔 Reserve your spot now at www.venuescafe.com for Friday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m. Seating is limited, so don’t wait! 📅

🌵 Our Desert Gardens are a treasure trove of incredible sculptures, each adding to the unique beauty of our town. 🧑‍🎨 🎨 Art Spotlight 🎨 Introducing the Stampede at Javelina Crossing—a captivating bronze statue by the talented Arthur Norby. Installed in March 2008, this piece has become a beloved feature of the Gardens. Standing at 10 feet tall it depicts a horse with a cowboy trying to head off a herd of cattle. With over 40 years in the arts, Arthur has mastered engraving, jewelry design, sculpture, and painting. Come explore the Desert Gardens and immerse yourself in Carefree's artistic landscape! 🌟

Carefree's 40th Anniversary is featured in IMAGES magazine! 🌟 Dive into a beautifully written article with historical photos, event details, and a spotlight on the Carefree Conversations podcast. Grab your issue today at the Visitors Center in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion! 📖✨ #Carefree40 #IMAGESmagazine #TownOfCarefree

✨Business Highlight: ✨ Meet Carefree Consignment, owned by Victoria Orrico and located in the same building as the Carefree Post Office. For about nine years, Carefree Consignment has been a cherished part of the community, growing rapidly to encompass 8,000 square feet filled with home decor, furniture, jewelry, art, clothing, and more in a variety of styles. 🛋️💍🖼️👚 Best described as a store that feels like a treasure hunt, exploring its many nooks and crannies offers a never-ending adventure with something for everyone at affordable prices. Voted Best in the Valley in 2022, Carefree Consignment ensures all pieces from their 5,000+ consignors are of top quality. 🏆 For Victoria, it's not just about the customers but also the consignors, treating both as family and running her business with care and respect. Visit Carefree Consignment Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and find the perfect chair for your living room, dress for a work event, or vase for your office. 🛍️🤗 Check out their hours and location information at carefreeconsignment.com or on their Facebook page @CarefreeConsignment

📢 You Voted, Carefree! 🗳️ Want to watch the election results unfold? Visit Elections.Maricopa.Gov and locate the Election Results page, search for Carefree and view the initial unofficial election results for the three Carefree councilmember seats. 📊 The ballot counting process continues daily until the final count and official results are reported by the Maricopa County Elections Department. 🏛️ Once the ballot count is final for the Town of Carefree, a Town Council meeting will be scheduled to canvass the results. The new council members will be sworn in and seated at the Council Meeting on December 3, 2024. 🗓️

✨Plant Spotlight: Engelmann Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) ✨ Meet the Prickly Pear Cactus, another resilient desert gem of the Southwest! Did you know? This plant is edible. The deep red fruit, known as tuna, and the green pads, considered a vegetable, have been used in some restaurants to flavor lemonade and more! 🍴🌸 Early historic observations and archeological data clearly indicate Native Americans relied on the Prickly Pear for food, medicine, and as a source of needles, containers, and water. It provides vital food and shelter for wildlife and is celebrated as a cultural symbol of resilience and beauty. 🌵😍 Come see the Prickly Pear Cactus and other incredible cacti in our Carefree Desert Gardens all year long! 🗓️

📢 Attention Carefree Residents! Primary Election Day is next week, Tuesday, July 30th! 🗳️ The Town Council Chambers (33 Easy Street) is now open as in-person voting location. Check out the schedule at carefree.org/page/elections. For those voting by mail-in ballot, don't forget to drop your ballot in the drop box located at Town Hall (8 Sundial Circle). Town Hall will be also open this Saturday and Sunday (July 27 – 28) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. so you can drop off ballots. ☀️ Make your voice heard and vote! 🙌

📰 Exciting news! "The Walk Through Time" is officially installed at the Carefree Hampton Inn! 🏨 ✨ It’s perfect for all the visitors that stay in the heart of Carefree to take a fascinating peek into our rich history. We truly appreciate all the support from our wonderful community and the hotel manager! ❤️ #Carefree40 #TownOfCarefree #CarefreeAZ #Carefree40Anniversary

It's voting time, the Primary Election is on Tuesday, July 30! 🗳️ You can request an early ballot by mail until Friday, July 19. The ballot box is currently in the Town Hall ready to help you vote. 👍 To request an early ballot, go to Elections.Maricopa.gov. Learn more about the upcoming election at Carefree.org/page/Elections or go to your voter dashboard at Elections.Maricopa.gov/Voting. In-person voting will begin at the Town Council Chambers located at 33 Easy Street beginning on Friday, July 19th. ✅

🍷✨ Join us for “Historical Happy Hour with Preston Westmoreland”! 🌟 Dive into the rich history of Carefree as Preston interviews long-time residents and locals, exploring the town's evolution over the past 40+ years. 🏞️ Enjoy a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres afterward while mingling with guests and Preston himself. 🥂 📅 Save the Date: Friday, Aug. 16 from 5 - 7 p.m. ( RSVP by August 12th) Claim your free ticket via email or our website: 📧 Email: madisyn@carefree.org 🔗 Online: carefree40.com 🎟️ Limited seating, first come first served. #Carefree40 #TownOfCarefree #CarefreeAZ #CarefreeHistory #PrestonWestmoreland

✨Carefree Business Highlight:✨ If you’re looking for must-try local Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, look no further than Athens on Easy Street. 🥙 This family-owned business offers delicious dishes for lunch and dinner, dining and takeout options, off-site catering, and space for larger events. Known for their impressive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, it's perfect for any occasion. 🍹 “We base our business and daily interactions on the Greek concept of ‘Philoxenia,’ or ‘love of strangers,’” said Augie Athenson, general manager. “We invite our guests into an extension of our home to try both new and traditional Mediterranean flavors.” ❤️ At Athens on Easy Street, guests are welcomed as family, encouraged to savor dishes steeped in history and love. Treat yourself to lunch or dinner and their amazing Happy Hour (3-6 p.m., Tues. through Sat.) before they close temporarily on July 28 for Augie & Rita's wedding in New York! 💍 Don't fret they will re-open on Sept. 3. 🙌

Happy 4th of July! ❤️💙🤍 Enjoy all of your celebrations responsibly—let's keep it safe by avoiding fireworks and anything that sparks. We hope you have a fantastic day cooling off with pool activities, grilling up some delicious treats, or however you like to celebrate. 🌊🌭 Have a blast, but stay fire-free! ❌🔥