(Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included. Here's the link to this week's Pictures of the Week.
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-1219.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-1219.html
"Mother/Daughter Portrait"
Photo by Erin Dover
And here are your bonus rounds from Herbert:
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/122318-sunset.html
Photo by Erin Dover
And here are your bonus rounds from Herbert:
http://aneyeonyouproduction.com/122318-sunset.html
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
http://www.carefree.org/336/IN -THE-NEWS
City Sun Times link:
http://news.citysuntimes.com/
The Chanukkah lighting was an event that my family and I really enjoyed. Many residents attended, and having both the tree lighting and Chanukkah services included really shows that this community embraces diversity and tolerance. There are some really good lessons that are being reinforced for our children that they will grow up practicing, thanks to what they see in the community. We love Carefree and all of the people here.
Vince D'Aliesio
(Lyn's note: Vince, our newest Council member, is Catholic and his wife is Jewish, so he practices what he preaches. They are one of the nicest families ever and we are lucky to have them in Carefree.)
Lyn:
Again, many thanks for all you (and Dr. Herbie) do to keep Carefree residents fully informed. Your Issue #715 made me aware of information that I had not seen in COINS or any of the free newspapers that I find in my mailbox.
First, I could not agree more with Stacey’s comment that Gary Neiss isn’t going anywhere. He has earned the new contract and it is well-deserved.
Second, I think that the new changes in the Sign Ordinance are a great improvement. During my term on Council, as Marketing liaison person, signage was a huge part on the ongoing efforts to support businesses and the sales tax revenues that is produced. Over time, the Town has moved to better identify itself. Spanish Village, with its interior facing merchants, was a unique property that needed an option. Years ago, our HOA had its annual social get-together dinner on the roof of the Carefree Station and I recall some of our homeowner members had difficulty finding the restaurant even though they had been given specific directions. The signage on the Town’s roundabouts along with Carefree street signage was a step in the right direction in letting people know that they were in Carefree (and not Cave Creek), but, without additional signage, they are lost.
John Traynor had his thoughts that the Internet makes it difficult for small businesses to survive and that survival is the responsibility of the owners. Many small businesses have used the Internet, especially the ‘social media’ aspect to successfully communicate their services. I agree that it is not the Town’s responsibility to market the businesses, but there is nothing wrong with the Town lending a helping hand and allowing signage to assist in the marketing efforts. I believe that the Carefree Station offered what people wanted, at a price that people were prepared to pay, sadly, many did not know of its existence, even Carefree residents. The Black Mountain Coffee Shop is a hidden gem, the best breakfast in Town. Signs tell people, the business owner then has to sell them, but the visitor needs help in getting there.
I am not suggesting that Carefree becomes a mini-version of the bright lights of Times Square, but efforts to get visitors to Town need to be continually promoted as to where they next need to go. Kudos to the P&Z Commission for moving it forward and to the Council for its unanimous approval.
Arthur Gimson
John Traynor, “took exception to the word 'tasteful' as a subjective concept”. Wasn’t he a supporter of the Magic Bird productions?? Tasteful is in the eye of the beholder...
Laurie Palace
At the last council meeting Mrs. DiPietro talked about the good work Foothills Food Bank is doing. There were 15,960 people who needed food. John Traynor got up and bragged about driving around and taking pictures of Relators' signs.
Enough said.
Susan Martin
Hi Lyn,
Thanks for the news. I enjoyed the article about Jeanne Damman. She was instrumental in starting the Food Bank garden and has become a regular volunteer at the food bank. Great Lady!
Happy New Year! Hope you had a nice Christmas.
Hugs,
Pam
(Lyn's note: Pam DiPietro is referring to the next Gardens Seminar lecturer. She will be speaking on Jan. 12th.)
Good morning Lyn,
After reading your news letter of Dec 26th, It appears other have noticed the difference changes since the town decided to take over the Christmas Festival from Magic Bird....limited food court being one of my observation from last year, which I wrote to you about.
My primarily reason for attendance since 2005 ( didn't go this year ) was the Giovanni's or Geradanes (sp ? ) Sausage vendor which was not invited back last year because of some ridiculous personal issue between the vendor and new marketing person with the town. Until the Festival returns to it's previous levels of interest, I will probably not attend and based on the letter from an anonymous source in your Carefree Truth-Letter, I image others will not return either. 'It wasn't broke, why did you try to fix it "?
Respectfully,
A. Bard Boand