Town of Carefree -

🌵 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!

🌟 Business Highlight: Lonni Boutique 🌟 Fashion meets artistry at Lonni's Boutique, the newest addition to Carefree’s shopping scene! Owned by Lonni Hill, a seasoned entrepreneur with 42 years in the industry, this boutique brings a curated selection of high-quality, one-of-a-kind women’s fashion. 👚 With an already successful shop in Scottsdale, Loni had long envisioned a Carefree location—when the right space became available, she jumped at the chance to open her second store located at 30 Easy St. Since opening last month, she’s been delighting customers with hand-painted garments, colorful jackets & blouses, vibrant purses, and stylish pieces perfect for any occasion—from the office to the country club. 💼⛳🍷 Dedicated to supporting small businesses and artists, Lonni's Boutique features brands made in the USA and pieces showcasing artists' artwork, while also hosting monthly trunk shows to highlight new collections. Coming soon is a Selfie Wall, which will showcase happy customers wearing their favorite pieces from the boutique. 🎨📸 Stop by to discover unique, high-end fashion with a creative touch, and follow Lonni Boutique on Facebook for the latest styles and updates on events! 👗🧥

🎨 Art Meets Hospitality in Carefree! ✨ The Carefree Hampton Inn is now showcasing stunning artwork from seven talented Sonoran Arts League artists, bringing a vibrant local touch to the hotel! 🖼️🌵 This special collaboration beautifully connects the hotel with local artists' work showcasing Southwest Landscapes & Lifestyles, offering guests and locals a chance to experience the town’s rich artistic spirit. To celebrate, members of the hotel, town, and arts community gathered for a wonderful evening last week to honor the power of local art and working together. 🤗 📅 On display now through June! Stop by and immerse yourself in the beauty of local creativity.

🌿🐾 Garden Seminar Series Continues! 🦉🌵 Join us for another exciting and insightful seminar on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m.! 🌵 Topic: Living with Urban Wildlife 🎤 Speaker: Darren Julian, Urban Wildlife Specialist 🔍 Learn about: ✅ What attracts wildlife to our neighborhoods ✅ How to coexist safely with local wildlife ✅ Ways to reduce human-wildlife conflicts Whether you're a nature lover 🏕️, a regular gardener 👨‍🌾, or just curious about the creatures around us, this seminar is for you! 📍 Town Council Chambers | 33 Easy St. 💵 A $5 donation is suggested at the door to support future seminars! 🔗 Learn more: www.visitcarefree.com/seminars

#ThrowbackThursday 🕰️✨ Check out these vintage postcards and photos of Spanish Village! Can you guess which decade each one is from? 🤔 Spanish Village was one of the first buildings and shopping areas in Carefree and it has seen so many transformations over the years. Today, it’s a vibrant hub, home to some of the Town's most amazing restaurants, shops, and art galleries. 🛍️🎨🍴

✨ Your Saturdays Just Got Better! 🎤 Come enjoy the small-town vibe in the Carefree Town Center every Saturday, 1–3 PM this February! Enjoy live music from local musicians, shop unique stores, and savor delicious bites at our local restaurants. 🎸 February Lineup: 📅Feb. 1 – Mark Edward & The Usual Suspects 📅 Feb. 8 – Tyler Nielson 📅Feb. 15 – Cave Creek Ukestra 📅Feb. 22 – Loose Canons 💖 Music, shopping, and dining—all in one magical afternoon! 📍 Carefree Town Center

🌞 Sonoran Sol: A Stunning Celebration of Carefree! 🎨✨ Last week, just before our monthly Art Night, we honored Sonoran Sol, a breathtaking new addition to the Carefree Desert Gardens! This incredible piece was generously donated to the Town in celebration of Carefree’s 40th Anniversary, symbolizing our vibrant community and the beauty of the Sonoran Desert surrounding us. Mayor John Crane, Sonoran Arts League Board President David Court, and Board Member Jo Gemmill spoke about the collaboration, vision, and meaning behind this remarkable gift. The artists also shared their inspirations, adding a personal touch to an already unforgettable evening. Afterwards, attendees explored our lively Art Night, celebrating creativity with gallery visits, live music, and local talent. Stop by the Gardens to see Sonoran Sol for yourself—it’s a must-see! 🌵 📅 Next Art Night: Thursday, Feb. 20 📍 Carefree Town Center

✨ Carefree Pop-Up Boutique is the newest addition to our small town! 🛍️ After retiring from her role as a full-time mom, Courtne was inspired to create a business that supports entrepreneurs, creatives, and artists. Her boutique offers a flexible and affordable space for showcasing unique, high-quality products without the heavy financial commitment of a traditional storefront. 👩‍💼 Courtne provides short-term “rentals” to creators, making it easy for them to feature their products while she manages all in-house operations. She actively seeks out talented artists through local events and networking, ensuring the boutique is filled with one-of-a-kind items that are hard to find elsewhere. Beyond sharing store space, Courtne collaborates with her vendors on social media and marketing campaigns, helping them gain visibility and connect with a broader audience. 👚👒🖼️ Carefree Pop-Up Boutique will be participating in the Art Walk, adding a fresh and creative element to the event lineup. It's more than just a shop—it’s a platform for entrepreneurs and artists to experiment, innovate, and share their work with the community. Stop by to discover something truly unique and support local talent! 💖🧑‍🎨

🍕 Pizza Night in Carefree! Why settle for ordinary when Carefree is home to extraordinary pizza? With three standout spots, your perfect pizza date night is just around the corner: 🔥 Pizzicata – Wood-fired, fresh, delicious Neapolitan pizza and pinsas. www.pizzicatausa.com 🍝 Pizzafarro's – A cozy spot for timeless, family-style pizza and perfect takeout. www.pizzafaros.com ✨ Alberto’s Ristorante – Authentic wood-fired gourmet pizzas and Italian classics. www.albertocarefreeaz.com Whether it’s a casual slice or a romantic night out, Carefree's local restaurants can provide the ultimate pizza experience. Who are you sharing your pie with tonight? 🍷🍕

🎆 New Year’s Eve is just around the corner! While fireworks add excitement to celebrations, remember they’re prohibited in Carefree. Possession of fireworks could result in fines up to $1,000. 🚫 🌵 Our beautiful desert landscape is extremely vulnerable to wildfires, and even one spark could cause devastating damage. Let’s protect our community and ring in the New Year safely and responsibly! 🥳

✨ Plant Spotlight: Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma) ✨ Say hello to the Quiver Tree, a resilient and iconic desert gem from Namibia and South Africa! 🏜️ Did you know its hollowed-out branches were used by the San people to store arrows, giving this unique tree its name? 🏹 This incredible tree blooms stunning yellow flowers in June and July and has a thick trunk coated with a natural "sunscreen" to protect it from the harsh sun. The trunk even helps keep the inside cool, acting like a natural refrigerator! ❄️ This large aloe species can live up to 140 years and are spoken about in folklore, believed to bring good luck to those who nurture them. 🍀 Visit the Carefree Desert Gardens and marvel at the Quiver Tree and other desert wonders in person all year long! 🗓️ 🌿

⛳ #ThrowbackThursday: Let’s take a swing back in time to 1962, when Desert Forest Golf Club opened its doors right here in Carefree, AZ. Often called the world’s first “desert golf course,” this trailblazing design embraced the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert rather than altering it. 🌵 Architect Robert “Red” Lawrence crafted the course with a minimalist philosophy, letting the rugged landscape dictate the layout. 🏌️‍♂️ No lush fairways or forced water features here—just authentic desert terrain, making it both a beauty and a challenge for golfers. ✨

✨ Business Highlight: Bosco's Biscuits ✨ For over two decades, Bosco's Biscuits has been a cherished part of our community, delivering heart, passion, and premium pet products. 💖 Founded by Alison, Bosco's story began in New Jersey when her own dog needed homemade food for health reasons. After moving to Arizona in 2000, she opened her first retail space in Cave Creek, where she sold healthy dog treats and other pet supplies. As her business grew, she relocated to Carefree, creating a go-to spot for pet lovers in the area. In 2022, Bosco's Biscuits expanded once more, taking over the adjacent space in the Carefree Marketplace to better serve its loyal customer base, including snowbirds who eagerly stock up on treats and food for their pets when they return each year. Alison’s favorite part of being a business owner? The incredible pets and people she gets to meet every day. 🥰 Thank you for 25 amazing years, Bosco’s Biscuits! 📍 Stop by and treat your furry friends to something special.