Town of Carefree -

🌟 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!

🌟 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. 🛍️🎨🍴