Business of the year winner is...

Business of the year award goes to....

The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce invites you join them for a Celebration of Excellence.

Join us in celebrating the best of our local business. Find out who won business of the year, Ambassador of the year and the new IMPACT award for 2017!

A breakfast buffet will be served with a Crustless Spinach, Mushroom and Onion Quiche, Bacon & Sausage, Assorted fresh seasonal fruit, assorted muffins and danish, French Toast, Coffee, Tea, Juice and Water

Registration is Required

Les Peterson, Mayor of Carefree

It’s nearing that time of the year again when neighbors get together for a block party to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the joys of living among friends in a vibrant community. Soon, some of our residents will be departing for vacations or to return to their “other” home.

It is in this spirit of friendship and celebration that Carefree announces its first annual “Community Block Party.” This community wide celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 7 at 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. The party will be located in downtown Carefree along Easy Street and the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion.

Carefree residents, nearby neighbors in the Foothills area, businesses, non-profit volunteers and all partners of the Town are invited to join in on the music, activities and fun for all ages. Highlights will include a hot dog eating contest featuring Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, “Bags Tournament” by the Chamber of Commerce, dunk tank by the Carefree water company, games for the kids, grilled burgers and hot dogs, pie baking contest, free face painting, DJ, card games, beer & wine garden by Venues Café, kids lemonade stand run by the YMCA, raffle prizes, gift baskets and more! The cost is $6 for a ticket that includes one meal, side and a drink. Ice cream will also be available to purchase.

This is a time for us to enjoy our neighbors, meet new friends and local businesses, get involved and just celebrate the beauty of our unique town. We hope this becomes an annual tradition. RSVP’s are suggested at Events@Carefree.org.

Ernie Bunch, Mayor of Cave Creek

March in Cave Creek is yet another exciting event filled month for us.

The biggest thing in March has to be the Rodeo. The Rodeo Parade starts at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday March 17th Saint Patrick's Day! This is always fun and I'm told we've got some entries you just have to see to believe. Get there early so you don't miss anything! This years Mutton Bustin competition is being held at The Buffalo Chip Saloon. Great entertainment watching kids ride sheep that don't really want to be ridden! On Monday at Tatum Ranch Golf Club we have the Tournament. Check in starts at 10:30 with a 12:30 Shotgun Start.

The Rodeo features 3 performances. Friday March 23rd at 7:30 p.m., Saturday March 24th at 7:30, and Sunday March 25th at 2:00 p.m. Friday night March 23rd David Lee Murphy will be performing at 10:p.m. inside at Harold's. Your Friday Rodeo Ticket will get you into the performance for free or you can pay concert entry at the door until we reach capacity. The concert is sponsored by Sanderson Ford and KNIX Radio. There will be remote parking for the rodeo with bus transportation to and from the Rodeo Grounds. Check the website for further details on this.

There is much more information online at Cavecreekrodeo.com ! This event is one way that Cave Creek continues to celebrate our Western Heritage so come on up and enjoy the festivities.

Many things are going on in Town and we've got Bike Week coming up as well, so, if you're making long term plans for entertainment be sure to include Cave Creek.

Carefree Art & Wine Festival by Thunderbird Artists

March 16, 17 & 18

Volunteer on Friday, Saturday or Sunday to help man the gates for the Chamber and promote your business! Wear your logo's shirts, have your business cards, brochures on the table while happy people come to look at art and drink wine. PLUS you receive entry into the festival and a souvenir wine glass with six tasting tickets.

Shifts are 9:30am to 1:30pm or 1 to 5pm. Colleen @carefreecavecreek.org or Jackie@carefreecavecreek.org

MEMBER RECOGNITION ANNIVERSARIES

Earth Care 23 years

Desert Foothills Library 19 years

Tatum Ranch Golf Club 18 years

Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary 16 years

Lowe’s Home Improvement 11 years

VI at Silverstone 11 years

Hired Hands Graphic Design 9 years

The UPS Store 9 years

Magic Bird Festivals, LLC 6 years

Joan Miller, Keller Williams 5 years

GM Hunt Builders 5 years

ALEMI Consulting 3 years

Local Jonny’s 3 years

L.Skincare 3 years

Country Financial- The Bennett Agency 2 years

ProSkill Plumbing & Air 2 year

Carefree Church 1 year

Center for the Arts 1 year

Gallery at El Pedregal 1 year

Liberty Station 1 year

Local Perks 1 year

Mathnasium of Cave Creek 1 year

Sticks Cigar Lounge 1 year

Wow 1 Day Painting 1 year

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to the Chamber of Commerce community! We look forward to seeing you at our events.

Mobile Notary Services On The Go

The City Creamery

The Next Step Foundation

History Highlights

From the Cave Creek Museum

Kraig Nelson, historian and docent

The late historian Frances C. Carlson tells us the first “booming gold camp” in the Desert Foothills occurred in 1874, in what we know today as Scottsdale’s world-famous residential development called Desert Mountain (six championship Jack Nicklaus golf courses). William Rowe moved to the Valley in 1868 and established a ranch near today’s city of Mesa. He loved his cattle and so did the Tonto Apaches; his livelihood was continually plundered. Out of desperation he headed to the Cave Creek area to seek gold when he experienced “beginner’s luck” on a small hill according to Carlson. He named his lucrative gold-claim the Lion Mine and the hill became known as Gold Hill. The hill was soon teaming with hard working miners. In 1877, Mr. Rowe was killed in a gunfight, his son Frank worked his father’s claim until he sold in 1882.

Realty Reality

March 2018

Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS) data published February 2018

Kraig R. Nelson, Associate Broker

Carefree - Sold volume (dollar amount) was 42.12% higher; active listings [113] were 19.29% lower; and the median sold price [$558,250] was 1.27% higher, compared to one year ago. Average days on market were 198. 16 residential units closed escrow.

Cave Creek - Sold volume (dollar amount) was 31.51% higher; active listings [303] were 1.94% lower; and the median sold price [$420,000] was 5.00% higher, compared to one year ago. Average days on market were 98. 60 residential units closed escrow.

Scottsdale - Sold volume (dollar amount) was 21.84% higher; active listings [2,723] were 12.95% lower; and the median sold price [$445,500] was 8.54% higher, compared to one year ago. Average days on market were 115. 625 residential units closed escrow.

Phoenix (city only) - Sold volume (dollar amount) was 6.71% higher; active listings [3,540] were 9.97% lower; and the median sold price [$227,000] was 6.82% higher, compared to one year ago. Average days on market were 72. 1,887 residential units closed escrow.

Kraig’s Comments-

· Distressed sales (short sales and lender owned) represent 2.60% of the total sales volume.

· There is a 3.56-month supply of residential inventory in the Phoenix Metro Area. A balanced market for buyers and sellers is considered to be about 6 months.

· Total residential inventory is 11.00% lower [21,664 units] than one year ago.

· Entire Phoenix Metro Area : median sold price is $245,000; 8.90% higher than one year ago . Average days on market were 77.

· Average sold price compared to original list price is 96.34% in the Phoenix Metro Area. This means a home listed for $400,000 sells for about $385,360.

· Production new-home “spec” (or speculation) count is 2,106; 154 fewer than 6 months ago. New-home subdivisions: 585; 6 more than six months ago. (from Ultimate New Homes Newsletter )

· Total Phoenix Metro residential units sold and closed last month: 6,024. This is 2.43% higher than one year ago.

· Total dollar amount for Phoenix Metro residential units sold and closed: $1,894,575,377.00 (that’s 1 billion, 895 million - rounded for conversation). This is 13.94% higher than one year ago.

March 5-11 EVENTS

For complete monthly list please visit the Chamber website.

Arizona Musicfest - Alice Tatum Band - March 6, Papa Doo Run- March 9, Seamus Egan - March 11

Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce - POWER Hour - March 5 @ 5pm The Creek Patio Grill , RIBBON CUTTING- Club Pilates North Scottsdale - March 6 @5pm, RIBBON CUTTING - Prickly Pear Plaza - We will be doing three in one! Cimarron River, The City Creamery and Prickly Pear Inn - March 8 @ 12pm, Business Showcase (mixer)- Desert Foothills Theater - March 14 @ 5:30, Celebration of Excellence - March 29 @8am.

Carefree Desert Gardens - Seminar with Pamela Slate - March 10

Carefree Farmers Market - Every Friday at the Sundial 7am - 1pm.

Cave Creek Museum - Stamp Mill - March 10, Home Tour - March 11

Ciolim - Mixed Media - March 7, Open Studio- March 8

Delightfully Vixen - Women 2 Women - March 8

Desert Foothills Land Trust - PA Seitts Preserve - March 10

Desert Foothills Library - Various events and days, see website.

Desert Foothills Presbyterian - Men's Breakfast - March 10

Dixie Green Promotions - Arts & Crafts Show - March 9, 10, &11

Etania Jewelry & Boutique - Trunk Show - March 9 & 10

Gallery at El Pedregal - Fine Art & Wine Walk - Every Friday in March.

Holland Community Center - Various events and days, see website.

Kiwanis Club - Regular Meeting - Every Wednesday at 12pm @ Harold's Corral.

Magic Bird Festivals - Farm N Art Market - Every Wednesday through May at Terravita Marketplace

Merrill Gardens - Lunch & Learn- Every Thursday in March

PVCC at Black Mountain - STEAMtastic Star Party - March 8

Sonoran Arts League - Free Veteran Art Class - Every Thursday, Art Extravaganza & Expo - March 10 & 11

Spur Cross Ranch - Desert Walk - March 5, Jewel of the Creek - March 7

Yoga Breeze - Various events and days, see website.

PVCC at Black Mountain on March 8 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM for STEAMtastic! STEAMtastic is a signature event in the SciTech Festival; it celebrates science in everyday life through fun, hands-on activities for all ages. The event is completely free, and attendees can participate in activities such as subzero science, molecular gastronomy, and a potato launch! Following the activities portion of the event, there will be a star party from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM where attendees can explore the dark night skies of Cave Creek/Carefree through high-powered telescopes. If you would like more information, please call 602.493.2600 or visit the PVCC at Black Mountain main office. You can RSVP for the event at https://www.paradisevalley.edu/black-mountain/steamtastic-attendees . We look forward to seeing you there! Are you unable to attend STEAMtastic this year? Then join us next year during the 2019 SciTech Festival!

Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain is the neighborhood choice for pursing your educational goals. Would you like to take a classes during the Fall 2018 semester? Priority registration begins on March 5, 2018! Stop by our office today, or call (602)493-2600, to speak with an academic advisor. Advisors can assist you with registering for classes, making payments, and determining the steps necessary to reach your educational goals.

If you are 65 or older and a resident of Maricopa County, consider taking advantage of our senior citizen tuition rate discount. Eligible residents receive a 50% discount on credit classes at all of the Maricopa Community Colleges, including PVCC at Black Mountain. Popular classes include digital photography, Tai Chi, history, and contemporary cinema. For more information visit https://www.maricopa.edu/senior-citizen-tuition-rate , or stop by to speak with an advisor today!

Find a Job or volunteer position.

Email a position to post to jackie@carefreecavecreek.org

BUY LOCAL OR BYE BYE LOCAL

Discounts for your family

Child Care, Animal Care, Personal Care - hair, nails, massage, etc, Home Services of all Kinds, Retail Stores... There is a discount for any of your needs one click away!

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce partners with eight other Chambers to make up the East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance. Each Chamber representing the Alliance can also invite two more people from within each Chamber to sit at the table. These other invitees are Board members or members of that Chamber’s Public Policy committee. The Alliance represents 6000+ businesses through its advocacy work. Together we create our legislative agenda and hire a lobbyist. This year over 1200 new bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate. The legislative agenda that the Alliance creates is a road map of sorts that guides us in the decision of supporting a bill, opposing a bill or taking no position. The Alliance only weighs on bills that have an impact on the business community.

I thought you would be interested in knowing more about recent activity at the legislature.

Minimum Wage Repeal Passes Senate Committee

Senator Sylvia Allen introduced SCR1016 (minimum wage; sick time repeal). The resolution, if passed, would ask voters to undue much of Proposition 206, a citizen-driven initiative that boosted Arizona’s minimum wage to $12 by 2020. The resolution would also repeal mandating paid sick time. Allen wants voters to freeze minimum wage at $10.50, repeal state laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, and adopt a new law prohibiting cities, counties or towns from adopting their own minimum wage if it’s higher than the state’s. Democrats on the committee voted against the resolution arguing that the people voted for a higher minimum wage and they haven’t changed their minds. Though, Republican Senator Sonny Borrelli argued that it’s not big deal to ask voter if they still feel the same way. The bill passed 5-3 on partisan lines.

Digital Goods and Services

The digital goods clarification legislation moved forward this week. On Wednesday, HB2479 passed out of the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The Senate version, SB 1392, was scheduled for a hearing and held due to the release of an inconclusive fiscal note. A vote on the Senate version is planned for next week. Assuming the Senate votes to approve the version passed by the House, the bill will head to the Governor.

Budget Discussions

This week at the Capitol, Leadership has been diligent in working with the Governor’s Office to draft a budget. This will likely be a starting point for further discussion, although members are not in a hurry to push anything out soon. We anticipate that some of the big talking points this session will be water and education funding.

CHAMBER PARTNERS

Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce

748 Easy St., P.O. Box 734

Carefree, AZ 85377

480-488-3381