"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Very interesting article, Lyn. Thank you for sharing this. Ms Roth seems to know more about how the developer, Walt Brown, one of the top developers in the area, should develop the NE corner than he does. Not sure her 30+ years in retail are too impressive. Why the lies and undermining of everything?
AI Overview
Walt Brown Jr.
Brown is known for his business ethics, personable demeanor, and "big picture" mentality. He has leased, sold, and developed over 5,000 commercial properties and 12 million square feet of retail properties.
Mary Peterson
(Lyn's note: This article was found on the internet, taken from Ms. Roth's previous location in New Canaan, Conn.)
By Michael Dinan | July 24, 2019
A women’s clothing shop on Park Street is closing, according to its owner. After saying that L’Armoire would undergo a renovation, Diane Roth conceded in a Facebook post Thursday night that the business at 102 Park St. is at “the end.” “Thank you for your patronage and thank you L’Armoire for making women more beautiful,” the Facebook post said.Much of the shop’s merchandise had been removed from the commercial space this week and signs advertising a 75% off sale appeared in its window. Asked about the signs, workers at the store said Monday that it was L’Armoire’s regular spring sale. Told that it was July, they did not respond.
Roth during a phone interview Tuesday said only that L’Armoire has been around for 34 years and that it would be closed for two weeks for a renovation, then scheduled an interview at the shop Wednesday and failed to show. It isn’t clear why it closed. ‘L’Armoire’ means “the wardrobe.”
Roth had been one of the downtown merchants who voiced opposition to the Pop-Up Park, which last appeared at South and Elm in 2017.
[Comments have been disabled on this article.]
As the average age of the Carefree population goes up, the amount of services needed goes up with it. These services cost money. No one wants a property tax, so the town needs to generate more retail sales tax revenue, which the planned commercial project on the NE corner of Carefree Highway and Cave Creek Road would help provide.
The NE corner Tax Incentive Agreement requires the final approval at the November Council meeting. If this is delayed, the retailers who have signed Letters of Intent could be lost to Cave Creek, which will soon be making the parcel on the SE corner available for commercial development.
Two of the newly elected Council members, Diane Roth and Lon Johnson, who will be seated at the December meeting want to put this off, and are pressuring others on the Council to do so. Diane Roth, lives with her mother, and skipped out on her business back east. Ms. Roth does not have a dog in the race and could simply leave, as she did with her store in Connecticut that had a year left on the lease.
PLEASE let Town Hall know that you want this passed this Tuesday. You can send emails to Kandace@carefree.org. A tremendous amount of time and effort has been spent to get it this far, with the surrounding residential neighbors in agreement. Let's finish it now.
Herbert Hitchon
Lyn
Thank you for this! So well written by Mayor Peterson. Myself & my neighbors are adamantly against delaying the development of NE corner. Carefree might lose this developer.
Catherine Zindell
Lyn,
The Carefree Corner sounds great!! I love the variety of stores, and I would love to have a Trader Joe’s there!!
Thank you for the detailed update!
Jackie S. Jameson
Lyn,
I sure hope this goes through before new council members screw it up.
Michael Krahe
Hi Lyn,Got to ask yourself why is Carefree Corner’s being built, how much tax revenue will it generate, how long will it last, is it a draw for Carefree merchants downtown or a revenue loss? Looking across the intersection at El Pedregal Festival Marketplace which has basically gets little traffic except for HonorHealth, the curious and wildlife. I sadly think it will be another El Pedregal Festival Marketplace as even the strip mall across to the South from the planned Carefree Corners has problems gaining and retaining merchants/tenants over the 21 years I’ve lived here. Hope people know what they are doing versus chasing a dream that appears difficult to realize.
Take Care,
Bob Brenner
(Lyn's note: At this time, the Town has 15 signed Letters of Intent from quality, desirable retailer/restaurants, and are in talks with Trader Joe's. These are businesses that we risk losing if the Council drags its feet on the final approval.
CVS closed its store on the SE corner, as they are in the process of consolidating their assets. However, a new Mexican restaurant is slated to take over that space. The SE corner contains a small retail center with only 3 businesses, and the other 2 spots are occupied.)
Hi Lyn,
Thank you for this & I’m not at all surprised. I’ve yet to hear anything positive about Diane Roth or Lon Johnson and honestly don’t expect to. The rumor is Crane will attempt to withhold a vote until the new council is in place. Another black mark for him in my opinion and I would not be surprised if the developer walks. Did you hear Kandace French is leaving Carefree for Fountain Hills? I believe a direct result of the antagonism she’s received. All the work this staff has done and this is the reward of their efforts.
Jim Northcutt
Lyn's note: Herbert and I had lunch with Kandace and Stacey on Wednesday. Yes, Kandace is leaving Carefree to work for Fountain Hills. She is getting more money for doing less work there, despite the accusations of some of the then candidates that our staff is too large and makes too much money.
Hi Lyn,
Please include our upcoming Upscale Singers concert information in your next email newsletter.
Thanks!
Debbie
Contact: Linda Sheeran, Upscale Singers
Phone: 480-993-2344
Email: lsheeran@gmail.com
UPSCALE SINGERS CELEBRATE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH TWO HOLIDAY SHOWS
Upscale Singers’ 20-year anniversary is a celebration for the members of Scottsdale’s premier adult choir, but it also marks what has become a joyful annual reminder for its audiences.
“Many have said that their holiday season doesn’t feel like it has started until they attend our concert each year, and that is very meaningful,” director Margaret Miner said. “We are proud to bring joy to the community.”
The steady growth of the choir and its audience support over the years is just one more reason why “’Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone” is certain to be extra special. The group will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for youths 18 and under) can be purchased at upscalesingers.com.
The selection of songs and carols is designed to match the occasion. Miner chose some of the singers’ favorite pieces, some of which haven’t been performed in 15 years, but also included some interesting new arrangements.
“The music will touch hearts and bring smiles to faces,” she said. “The pacing of the show is wonderful. There are lighthearted moments followed by beautiful choruses intermixed with a touch of jazz, gospel, pop and many incredibly beautiful carol arrangements.
“One of my favorites is a new arrangement of ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ by Timothy Kile that quickly became everyone’s favorite. It is so creative and hauntingly beautiful. We have many other songs just as interesting and lovely.”
Even the instrumentation will be special. In addition to saxophone and flute accompaniments, a cello has been added this year. “This will add such a different texture and so much beauty to many of the pieces,” Miner said.
She also is excited about the Upscale Kids’ music, especially “It Feels Like Christmas” from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Zat You Santa Claus?” She believes the latter song will wow the audience with the Kids’ singing and acting skills.
Not only has the impact of Upscale Singers performances grown on audiences; the size of the group has grown, too. Having a larger venue also has made a noticeable difference.
“The larger group has allowed us to pick music that calls for a bigger sound, and we can spread out more and fill up the stage,” Miner said. “It adds more excitement.
“We love performing at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Its stage is so large and wonderful, and our direction team has so much fun thinking of new ways to use the space. It’s so nice to not be tied down to standing in one place all the time, and no one ever hides behind a music folder at our concerts – the music is memorized. This truly is a holiday ‘show’ featuring a fantastic group of singers.”
Once again, the holiday season – Upscale Singers style – will officially begin on Dec. 7 and 8. It’s a feeling two decades in the making.
CALENDAR ITEM:
DECEMBER 7-8
UPSCALE SINGERS
Annual Christmas show plus an anniversary celebration, “’Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone,” 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for youths 18 and under) can be purchased at upscalesingers.com.
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.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. Please support our Carefree merchants.
Phone: 480-993-2344
Email: lsheeran@gmail.com
UPSCALE SINGERS CELEBRATE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH TWO HOLIDAY SHOWS
Upscale Singers’ 20-year anniversary is a celebration for the members of Scottsdale’s premier adult choir, but it also marks what has become a joyful annual reminder for its audiences.
“Many have said that their holiday season doesn’t feel like it has started until they attend our concert each year, and that is very meaningful,” director Margaret Miner said. “We are proud to bring joy to the community.”
The steady growth of the choir and its audience support over the years is just one more reason why “’Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone” is certain to be extra special. The group will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for youths 18 and under) can be purchased at upscalesingers.com.
The selection of songs and carols is designed to match the occasion. Miner chose some of the singers’ favorite pieces, some of which haven’t been performed in 15 years, but also included some interesting new arrangements.
“The music will touch hearts and bring smiles to faces,” she said. “The pacing of the show is wonderful. There are lighthearted moments followed by beautiful choruses intermixed with a touch of jazz, gospel, pop and many incredibly beautiful carol arrangements.
“One of my favorites is a new arrangement of ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ by Timothy Kile that quickly became everyone’s favorite. It is so creative and hauntingly beautiful. We have many other songs just as interesting and lovely.”
Even the instrumentation will be special. In addition to saxophone and flute accompaniments, a cello has been added this year. “This will add such a different texture and so much beauty to many of the pieces,” Miner said.
She also is excited about the Upscale Kids’ music, especially “It Feels Like Christmas” from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Zat You Santa Claus?” She believes the latter song will wow the audience with the Kids’ singing and acting skills.
Not only has the impact of Upscale Singers performances grown on audiences; the size of the group has grown, too. Having a larger venue also has made a noticeable difference.
“The larger group has allowed us to pick music that calls for a bigger sound, and we can spread out more and fill up the stage,” Miner said. “It adds more excitement.
“We love performing at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Its stage is so large and wonderful, and our direction team has so much fun thinking of new ways to use the space. It’s so nice to not be tied down to standing in one place all the time, and no one ever hides behind a music folder at our concerts – the music is memorized. This truly is a holiday ‘show’ featuring a fantastic group of singers.”
Once again, the holiday season – Upscale Singers style – will officially begin on Dec. 7 and 8. It’s a feeling two decades in the making.
CALENDAR ITEM:
DECEMBER 7-8
UPSCALE SINGERS
Annual Christmas show plus an anniversary celebration, “’Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone,” 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for youths 18 and under) can be purchased at upscalesingers.com.
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.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. Please support our Carefree merchants.