Have a Merry Christmas,
a Happy Chanukah,
and a Healthy & Happy 2020!
From
Lyn & Herbert
a Happy Chanukah,
and a Healthy & Happy 2020!
From
Lyn & Herbert
(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-122519.html
http://carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-122519.html
Cheryl Kroyer & Biff with Santa
Photo by Keith Geussenberger (Biff's trainer)
Photo by Keith Geussenberger (Biff's trainer)
Photo by Rich Christopher
(Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert)
https://aneyeonyouproduction.com/121719-sunset.html
(Here are your bonus rounds from Herbert)
https://aneyeonyouproduction.com/121719-sunset.html
Photos by Herbert Hitchon
Town of Carefree Marketing newsletter
https://www.carefree.org/345/Town-Newsletters
Dear Carefree Residents and Business Owners,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my warmest Holiday greetings and best wishes for good health and happiness to all Carefree residents and business owners during the upcoming year. It has been my privilege and honor to have been able to serve for another year as an elected member of the Carefree Town Council.
The Town Staff has been integral to supporting a high quality of life for all of our residents in an ever more effective manner. In addition, many residents and businesses have also participated in our collective efforts. I would like to offer my personal “thank you” to all of those who did so. Our collective efforts is what makes Carefree a very special place for all of us.
Best regards, and Happy Holidays!
Les Peterson
Carefree Mayor
If there have been no pedestrians involved in an accident and there are so few pedestrians crossing at peak times, is there really an issue?
Margie Pleggenkuhle
(Lyn's note: The Town put in the crosswalks because a number of people who live across the streets from the town center like to walk over to the shops and restaurants, and to walk their dogs there. Once crosswalks are in place, the Town has the moral responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents and financial liability if someone is injured or killed. There have been some close calls.)
I understand people living in apartments and townhomes across both Tom Darlington and Cave Creek Rd should be able to cross safely. I was just surprised at the results of the study with so few people crossing at peak times and very happy to see no one has been injured. I am not an advocate for waiting until someone is injured or killed to do something either. The study results just made me wonder if there is really an issue. Is speeding maybe the main problem?
Thank you for responding,
Margie
(Lyn's note: Yes, speeding is by far the biggest problem. Most of the suggested changes were things that would force cars to slow down. Below is another email I got that is an example of the problem.)
I am very concerned about the danger associated with the crosswalks. I have submitted concerns, in writing, to Gary. In addition to what I submitted, I really see the need for more signage to alert drivers to the fact that there is a crosswalk. The signs need to be large and placed far enough from the crosswalk to alert drivers with adequate notice that there is a crosswalk ahead. In addition, maybe another sign with a curved down arrow labeled: crosswalk (in addition to lights, etc). The lights are not visible during daylight hours and drivers do not see the crosswalk unless someone is trying to cross. It is common to see people who want to cross standing on the side of the road, with blinking lights, unable to cross. They see that there is no traffic, however cars whip around the corner at Cave Creek and Tom Darlington so fast that the crossers are caught in the crosswalk when the cars come. Another consideration is the fact that drivers who turn right off of Cave Creek Road do not expect or notice the crosswalk at Ridgeview since it is so close to the intersection and drivers are still recovering from making that right-hand turn going south onto Tom Darlington. That might be the reason that a driver yelled, "Get out of the street you dumb kid", at my grandson, who was crossing with the lights on. It was clear when he entered the crosswalk ... no cars in sight.
Kris Strike
Hi Lyn;
I just watched the crosswalk presentation and determined you were working for the presenters, because you asked the right questions to make their presentation fulfilled.
My only problem with it was that they did not address traffic problems and the lack of Police presence at busy traffic times.
Love ya!
Himself; Joseph Corpora
(Lyn's note: Nope, we were just asking sensible questions.)
I can see charging for art work that appeals to mostly adults BUT pumpkins, come on...mostly for kids. Parents want to bring kids to these venues and a lot of parents simply can't afford it. Do what is right!
Lois Treacy
(Lyn's note: This was not "pumpkins", it was world class art by world class sculptors. Most galleries and art shows don't deliver this quality of art. I think a lot of the negative perceptions were due to a handful of nasty people who wanted to see it fail posting nasty diatribes on social media. This festival was amazing. We are sickened that it has ended this way. Herbert and I know these talented and very nice artists personally. They put their hearts into this festival, and they were treated abysmally by some of the people here.
Other events around the Valley also charged $15 or more, and didn't begin to deliver what our pumpkin festival did. The Kids' Zone was vastly expanded, and there were a lot of kids there. The pumpkins were enjoyed by the adults as well as by the kids. Complaining about spending $15 to get in is absurd. How much does it cost to take a family to a movie, including buying all the junk food at the concession stand, which most do? And a movie is sitting in a dark room, staring at a screen, with no family interaction.)
Actually I didn't go/see last year's Halloween and guess I relied on what other people told me.
Lois
(Lyn's note: Sadly, you are not alone in that. A lot of the bad feelings were generated by the trash talkers.)
How sad.
Louise Short
I haven’t heard one positive from merchants or residents. We did get a couple of good sunsets on Sunday. Have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rich Christopher
Ray was paid $125k. How did he "lose" money?
Larry Schneider
(Lyn's note: For the past 3 years, Ray has spent all the money from his artist's fee and more on the show. He brought world class sculptors from around the country and the world to do the carving. This year, he added a fortune teller from Russia. Nathalia always had a line at her exhibit. Shameck is a world class clown/marionette master from Poland who did 3 different interactive shows every day. These were also incredibly popular. The kids loved them. Dmitri and Illya came from Russia, Deane came from Ohio, Brandy came from Oregon, Luke came from Iowa, and Sue came from N.Y. Ray paid to bring them here, rented a house for them to live in plus a couple of rooms at Civana for the overflow, rented a car for them to share, and paid a food allowance, plus paying for their services. Ray paid Travis to make more infrastructure (buildings, vehicles, space ships, etc) for the additional exhibits, and paid him to bring them up from Tucson and set them up, as well as paying for all the materials used in the Festival.
This was his passion, and he's lost money for 3 years running. It's a damned shame, because it was a truly amazing event this year. The ones who wanted it to fail succeeded in their quest. The festival is going away, and Ray is bitter about how he was treated. Rightly so. There was a lot of ugliness on social media. Tammy (Ray's wife) was glued to her phone looking at that stupid Cave Creek Infamous Bullet Board Facebook website where much of the nasty stuff was being posted. That site has taken over the Sonoran News' place as the nasty local vehicle. It was being monitored constantly, and when anyone posted anything positive about the Festival, it was immediately taken down. Tammy was beside herself, shaking and crying, trying to answer those vile posts. I'm sure those who caused that anguish are very proud of themselves.)
I didn’t realize that Ray was going to walk away unless admittance fees were charged. What a mess…
Laurie Palace
(Lyn's note: This isn't a hobby, it's what Ray does for a living. He has a wife and 3 young kids to support. As much as he loved the Carefree Pumpkin Festival, he couldn't afford to keep losing money doing it.)
I agree. I was just surprised at that turn of events. It makes perfect sense, but not everyone got that.
Laurie
Good Morning;
I believe the event could have been saved. Even if we could have made a deal to have some of the carvers Villafane trained do a limited number number of displays and kept it free. The local community would be positive and word of mouth would have eventually made it a successful event.
Himself; Joseph Corpora
Margie Pleggenkuhle
(Lyn's note: The Town put in the crosswalks because a number of people who live across the streets from the town center like to walk over to the shops and restaurants, and to walk their dogs there. Once crosswalks are in place, the Town has the moral responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents and financial liability if someone is injured or killed. There have been some close calls.)
I understand people living in apartments and townhomes across both Tom Darlington and Cave Creek Rd should be able to cross safely. I was just surprised at the results of the study with so few people crossing at peak times and very happy to see no one has been injured. I am not an advocate for waiting until someone is injured or killed to do something either. The study results just made me wonder if there is really an issue. Is speeding maybe the main problem?
Thank you for responding,
Margie
(Lyn's note: Yes, speeding is by far the biggest problem. Most of the suggested changes were things that would force cars to slow down. Below is another email I got that is an example of the problem.)
I am very concerned about the danger associated with the crosswalks. I have submitted concerns, in writing, to Gary. In addition to what I submitted, I really see the need for more signage to alert drivers to the fact that there is a crosswalk. The signs need to be large and placed far enough from the crosswalk to alert drivers with adequate notice that there is a crosswalk ahead. In addition, maybe another sign with a curved down arrow labeled: crosswalk (in addition to lights, etc). The lights are not visible during daylight hours and drivers do not see the crosswalk unless someone is trying to cross. It is common to see people who want to cross standing on the side of the road, with blinking lights, unable to cross. They see that there is no traffic, however cars whip around the corner at Cave Creek and Tom Darlington so fast that the crossers are caught in the crosswalk when the cars come. Another consideration is the fact that drivers who turn right off of Cave Creek Road do not expect or notice the crosswalk at Ridgeview since it is so close to the intersection and drivers are still recovering from making that right-hand turn going south onto Tom Darlington. That might be the reason that a driver yelled, "Get out of the street you dumb kid", at my grandson, who was crossing with the lights on. It was clear when he entered the crosswalk ... no cars in sight.
Kris Strike
Hi Lyn;
I just watched the crosswalk presentation and determined you were working for the presenters, because you asked the right questions to make their presentation fulfilled.
My only problem with it was that they did not address traffic problems and the lack of Police presence at busy traffic times.
Love ya!
Himself; Joseph Corpora
(Lyn's note: Nope, we were just asking sensible questions.)
I can see charging for art work that appeals to mostly adults BUT pumpkins, come on...mostly for kids. Parents want to bring kids to these venues and a lot of parents simply can't afford it. Do what is right!
Lois Treacy
(Lyn's note: This was not "pumpkins", it was world class art by world class sculptors. Most galleries and art shows don't deliver this quality of art. I think a lot of the negative perceptions were due to a handful of nasty people who wanted to see it fail posting nasty diatribes on social media. This festival was amazing. We are sickened that it has ended this way. Herbert and I know these talented and very nice artists personally. They put their hearts into this festival, and they were treated abysmally by some of the people here.
Other events around the Valley also charged $15 or more, and didn't begin to deliver what our pumpkin festival did. The Kids' Zone was vastly expanded, and there were a lot of kids there. The pumpkins were enjoyed by the adults as well as by the kids. Complaining about spending $15 to get in is absurd. How much does it cost to take a family to a movie, including buying all the junk food at the concession stand, which most do? And a movie is sitting in a dark room, staring at a screen, with no family interaction.)
Actually I didn't go/see last year's Halloween and guess I relied on what other people told me.
Lois
(Lyn's note: Sadly, you are not alone in that. A lot of the bad feelings were generated by the trash talkers.)
How sad.
Louise Short
I haven’t heard one positive from merchants or residents. We did get a couple of good sunsets on Sunday. Have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rich Christopher
Ray was paid $125k. How did he "lose" money?
Larry Schneider
(Lyn's note: For the past 3 years, Ray has spent all the money from his artist's fee and more on the show. He brought world class sculptors from around the country and the world to do the carving. This year, he added a fortune teller from Russia. Nathalia always had a line at her exhibit. Shameck is a world class clown/marionette master from Poland who did 3 different interactive shows every day. These were also incredibly popular. The kids loved them. Dmitri and Illya came from Russia, Deane came from Ohio, Brandy came from Oregon, Luke came from Iowa, and Sue came from N.Y. Ray paid to bring them here, rented a house for them to live in plus a couple of rooms at Civana for the overflow, rented a car for them to share, and paid a food allowance, plus paying for their services. Ray paid Travis to make more infrastructure (buildings, vehicles, space ships, etc) for the additional exhibits, and paid him to bring them up from Tucson and set them up, as well as paying for all the materials used in the Festival.
This was his passion, and he's lost money for 3 years running. It's a damned shame, because it was a truly amazing event this year. The ones who wanted it to fail succeeded in their quest. The festival is going away, and Ray is bitter about how he was treated. Rightly so. There was a lot of ugliness on social media. Tammy (Ray's wife) was glued to her phone looking at that stupid Cave Creek Infamous Bullet Board Facebook website where much of the nasty stuff was being posted. That site has taken over the Sonoran News' place as the nasty local vehicle. It was being monitored constantly, and when anyone posted anything positive about the Festival, it was immediately taken down. Tammy was beside herself, shaking and crying, trying to answer those vile posts. I'm sure those who caused that anguish are very proud of themselves.)
I didn’t realize that Ray was going to walk away unless admittance fees were charged. What a mess…
Laurie Palace
(Lyn's note: This isn't a hobby, it's what Ray does for a living. He has a wife and 3 young kids to support. As much as he loved the Carefree Pumpkin Festival, he couldn't afford to keep losing money doing it.)
I agree. I was just surprised at that turn of events. It makes perfect sense, but not everyone got that.
Laurie
Good Morning;
I believe the event could have been saved. Even if we could have made a deal to have some of the carvers Villafane trained do a limited number number of displays and kept it free. The local community would be positive and word of mouth would have eventually made it a successful event.
Himself; Joseph Corpora