Carefree Truth
Issue #489, June 10, 2016
During Current Events, Councilman Bob Gearhart asked if there had been any more comments about the sand sculpture in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Mayor Les Peterson asked Marketing Director Gina Kaegi to update the Council. Mrs. Kaegi reported that after 3 days of prep work compacting the sand, and 13 days of sculpting, the project was completed.
There have been close to 3.6 million video views on the Town's FaceBook page, and it has been picked up by dozens of blogs. The elephant and mouse chess match has garnered global recognition. Ray Villafane's talent and attention to detail has overwhelmed the entire sand sculpture community. People don't carve sand like this. Every day, photos have requested and are writing about it. It's been very, very positive.
Ray consistently draws so many different people together, from Carefree residents to people from out of town. His presence in the Pavilion has generated amazing community cohesiveness. People come daily to see the elephant and mouse, and to use the splash pad. While here, they appreciate the Gardens and they see what the town has to offer. Councilman Gene Orrico asked how many people have come through. Mrs. Kaegi replied that there is no way to know, but she asserted that it identifies Carefree with something very unique and beautiful. Ray's work has consistently brought people here who would not have come otherwise, particularly on the weekends. Unfortunately, many of the businesses are closed on Sundays, but there is nothing the Town can do about that.
A Name the Elephant and the Mouse contest was held, with close to 350 entries in 6 days. The winning names are Chessie Trunkston for the elephant and Herschel Higgenbottom for the mouse. People have written stories and engaged with it. They like the "David and Goliath" aspect of the piece. Many don't want to get rid of it, but they have been told the sand will be stored and used for Ray's next sculpture in the Gardens. The idea of casting and selling small bronze versions to immortalize it has been suggested and is being considered.
Councilman Mike Farrar questioned the life expectancy. Mrs. Kaegi responded that because it is somewhat protected by the shade sails and was sprayed with a light coating of water and glue to harden it when finished, it could last up to 6 months but the wind will break it down eventually. There are no additives in the material. The sculpture is composed only of sand and water, which gave it the ability to be carved in great detail. Fibers from a palm tree in the Gardens were used for the "hair" on top of Chessie's head, his eyelashes, and the end of his tail. He is so realistic that when the ropes are down, people want to touch his ears and his skin.
Mr. Farrar proclaimed both the owl and the elephant sculptures "iconic, artistic pieces of wonder", adding that it was a shame they wouldn't last and asking if structures could be put up to preserve them. Mrs. Kaegi said she had wanted something dead center in the Pavilion so that people driving by on Easy Street would see it. Now that the Town knows what Ray can do, a structure to preserve a future sculpture may be considered. No one realized the extent of the popularity these sand sculptures would inspire. They are being viewed globally on social media. Ray has over 80,000 followers on FaceBook. When the video was posted on Carefree's FaceBook page, there were over 3 million hits within 48 hours, and 19,000 Shares sent out to everyone on that person's FaceBook page. Barcroft Media, which fans out pictures globally, requested photos. Ray makes sure everyone knows it is in Carefree, so the town is marketed too.
Mr. Farrar asked if the town had reached out to the Arizona Department of Tourism, and Mrs. Kaegi assured him that they are made aware of everything Carefree does. Mayor Peterson asked Mrs. Kaegi to comment on media commitments to the sand sculptures. She said Fox 10 was up here during the sand sculpting, and it was reported on Channels 12 and 3, both of which asked what would be coming next.
Carefree is building a branding identity with the arts. People say they are coming here because they hear Carefree "does some really cool things". This helps to differentiates Carefree, which is not easy with the amount of "noise" going on all around. It has taken time, but Carefree is no longer being confused with Cave Creek in the media reports. Social media numbers have been able to provide immediate results and they prove that the programs with Ray are working. Councilwoman Melissa Price said the merchants are pleased that the sand sculptures have brought a different clientele that is interested in the arts, feeding the branding. Mrs. Kaegi agreed that many wealthy and well educated visitors are coming from North Scottsdale, which is opening a lot of doors.
https://vimeo.com/169976459
During Call to the Public, Jim Van Allen said he had never been in favor of the splash pad, and couldn't figure out a way it made sense for economic development. But he sat for 1-1/2 hours in the splash pad area recently with 2 of his grandchildren. A couple from Wisconsin who live year round in the Boulders were there. They now have their family come to Arizona for a summer visit rather than going to Wisconsin. They said they were at the splash pad 3 days in a row and planned to be there several more. A number of others were also there with children. This all occurred between 10:00 and 11:30 AM. He declared the splash pad a good investment.
Mr. Orrico thanked him for these comments, remarking that the June 27th, 2015 issue of the Sonoran News contained a letter from Mr. Van Allen that was very critical of the decision to build a splash pad in Carefree. Mr. Van Allen admitted he had been wrong. Ms. Price asked if that would be in the paper. Mr. Van Allen replied, "If it is, Melissa, I'll give you the credit."
https://vimeo.com/169947947
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Issue #489, June 10, 2016
During Current Events, Councilman Bob Gearhart asked if there had been any more comments about the sand sculpture in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Mayor Les Peterson asked Marketing Director Gina Kaegi to update the Council. Mrs. Kaegi reported that after 3 days of prep work compacting the sand, and 13 days of sculpting, the project was completed.
There have been close to 3.6 million video views on the Town's FaceBook page, and it has been picked up by dozens of blogs. The elephant and mouse chess match has garnered global recognition. Ray Villafane's talent and attention to detail has overwhelmed the entire sand sculpture community. People don't carve sand like this. Every day, photos have requested and are writing about it. It's been very, very positive.
Ray consistently draws so many different people together, from Carefree residents to people from out of town. His presence in the Pavilion has generated amazing community cohesiveness. People come daily to see the elephant and mouse, and to use the splash pad. While here, they appreciate the Gardens and they see what the town has to offer. Councilman Gene Orrico asked how many people have come through. Mrs. Kaegi replied that there is no way to know, but she asserted that it identifies Carefree with something very unique and beautiful. Ray's work has consistently brought people here who would not have come otherwise, particularly on the weekends. Unfortunately, many of the businesses are closed on Sundays, but there is nothing the Town can do about that.
A Name the Elephant and the Mouse contest was held, with close to 350 entries in 6 days. The winning names are Chessie Trunkston for the elephant and Herschel Higgenbottom for the mouse. People have written stories and engaged with it. They like the "David and Goliath" aspect of the piece. Many don't want to get rid of it, but they have been told the sand will be stored and used for Ray's next sculpture in the Gardens. The idea of casting and selling small bronze versions to immortalize it has been suggested and is being considered.
Councilman Mike Farrar questioned the life expectancy. Mrs. Kaegi responded that because it is somewhat protected by the shade sails and was sprayed with a light coating of water and glue to harden it when finished, it could last up to 6 months but the wind will break it down eventually. There are no additives in the material. The sculpture is composed only of sand and water, which gave it the ability to be carved in great detail. Fibers from a palm tree in the Gardens were used for the "hair" on top of Chessie's head, his eyelashes, and the end of his tail. He is so realistic that when the ropes are down, people want to touch his ears and his skin.
Mr. Farrar proclaimed both the owl and the elephant sculptures "iconic, artistic pieces of wonder", adding that it was a shame they wouldn't last and asking if structures could be put up to preserve them. Mrs. Kaegi said she had wanted something dead center in the Pavilion so that people driving by on Easy Street would see it. Now that the Town knows what Ray can do, a structure to preserve a future sculpture may be considered. No one realized the extent of the popularity these sand sculptures would inspire. They are being viewed globally on social media. Ray has over 80,000 followers on FaceBook. When the video was posted on Carefree's FaceBook page, there were over 3 million hits within 48 hours, and 19,000 Shares sent out to everyone on that person's FaceBook page. Barcroft Media, which fans out pictures globally, requested photos. Ray makes sure everyone knows it is in Carefree, so the town is marketed too.
Mr. Farrar asked if the town had reached out to the Arizona Department of Tourism, and Mrs. Kaegi assured him that they are made aware of everything Carefree does. Mayor Peterson asked Mrs. Kaegi to comment on media commitments to the sand sculptures. She said Fox 10 was up here during the sand sculpting, and it was reported on Channels 12 and 3, both of which asked what would be coming next.
Carefree is building a branding identity with the arts. People say they are coming here because they hear Carefree "does some really cool things". This helps to differentiates Carefree, which is not easy with the amount of "noise" going on all around. It has taken time, but Carefree is no longer being confused with Cave Creek in the media reports. Social media numbers have been able to provide immediate results and they prove that the programs with Ray are working. Councilwoman Melissa Price said the merchants are pleased that the sand sculptures have brought a different clientele that is interested in the arts, feeding the branding. Mrs. Kaegi agreed that many wealthy and well educated visitors are coming from North Scottsdale, which is opening a lot of doors.
https://vimeo.com/169976459
During Call to the Public, Jim Van Allen said he had never been in favor of the splash pad, and couldn't figure out a way it made sense for economic development. But he sat for 1-1/2 hours in the splash pad area recently with 2 of his grandchildren. A couple from Wisconsin who live year round in the Boulders were there. They now have their family come to Arizona for a summer visit rather than going to Wisconsin. They said they were at the splash pad 3 days in a row and planned to be there several more. A number of others were also there with children. This all occurred between 10:00 and 11:30 AM. He declared the splash pad a good investment.
Mr. Orrico thanked him for these comments, remarking that the June 27th, 2015 issue of the Sonoran News contained a letter from Mr. Van Allen that was very critical of the decision to build a splash pad in Carefree. Mr. Van Allen admitted he had been wrong. Ms. Price asked if that would be in the paper. Mr. Van Allen replied, "If it is, Melissa, I'll give you the credit."
https://vimeo.com/169947947
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.