Town of Carefree -

#ThrowbackThursday 🎬🌵 Once upon a time, Carefree was a hotspot for Hollywood magic! Before Target and Starbucks, there were movie stars and stuntmen! The Summit Shopping Center on Scottsdale Rd once stood as Graham/Carefree/Southwestern Studios— a 160-acre film and TV production lot founded by legendary stuntman Fred Graham, who appeared in nearly every John Wayne movie. 📽️ Built in 1968—before Scottsdale and Carefree had the city/town boundaries we know today—the studio featured sound stages, a Western town, edit bays, and even a 35mm screening room. Stars like Dick Van Dyke, Paul Newman, Bob Hope, and Orson Welles all filmed here. 🤠 🎥 Famous productions include: • The New Dick Van Dyke Show • The Other Side of the Wind • Cancel My Reservation • Pocket Money • Man and Boy • Zabriskie Point (with that epic explosion filmed near Black Mountain!) The studio was demolished in 1999 to make way for the Summit Center, and sadly, there's no sign it was ever there—except for the distant boulders still visible from Ashler Hills Dr & 74th Way. ⛰️

✨Business Highlight: Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse ✨ Keeler’s is a staple in Carefree dining, offering classic American steakhouse fare in a warm, upscale-casual setting. Known for its exceptional cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and expertly curated wine list, Keeler’s delivers a memorable dining experience that blends tradition with modern culinary flair. 🥩🐟🍷 Located in Spanish Village, Keeler’s features both indoor and rooftop dining with panoramic views of Black Mountain—making it a favorite for date nights, celebrations, and sunset dinners alike. The ambiance is inviting and relaxed, with professional service and a menu that reflects the best of quality, flavor, and presentation. 🌅 🌵 Beyond steaks, the menu offers a variety of elevated dishes including lobster tails, signature salads, and indulgent sides. Their rooftop bar adds to the experience, providing a scenic spot to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and live music on select evenings. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to a great meal, Keeler’s offers a standout dining experience in the heart of Carefree. 🍹🎶🍸 📍 7212 E Ho Hum Rd, Carefree, AZ 📞 602-374-4784 🌐 www.keelerssteakhouse.com

🏛 Meet Your Carefree Town Council! 🏛 These civic-minded individuals are more than just elected officials—they’re dedicated volunteers who generously give their time, energy, and passion to serve the residents of Carefree. From attending meetings and reviewing budgets to engaging with residents and supporting community events, our Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilmembers lead with heart and purpose. 💬🤝 Their commitment helps ensure Carefree remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.

🚨 Meet Your Carefree Public Safety Team! 🚨 These everyday heroes are the first on the scene and the foundation of safety in our community. Whether it's fighting fires, providing emergency medical care, or keeping our neighborhoods and roads secure—they've got Carefree covered. 🔥 Our Rural Metro firefighters are trained professionals who protect lives and property with courage and compassion, responding to fire calls, medical emergencies, and more. 👮‍♂️ And our dedicated deputies from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office work tirelessly to uphold the peace, enforce the law, and build trust within our community. They work together to ensure Carefree stays safe, prepared, and protected—no matter what comes our way.

⚖️ Meet Your Carefree Municipal Court Team! ⚖️ Quietly working behind the scenes, our Municipal Court staff plays a vital role in upholding justice and fairness in our community. From handling traffic violations and local ordinance cases to ensuring due process and assisting the public, this team brings professionalism, respect, and efficiency to every case they manage. 👩‍⚖️ They’re here to serve the community with integrity—providing access to justice, answering questions, and keeping things running smoothly in the courtroom and beyond. 📂

🏘️ 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! 📖💪