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Events & Organizations
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Is your organization having an event we need to know about? Email it us for inclusion on our website, E-blast and
E-newsletter;
Every Friday, 8am-1pm. Located at the Carefree Sundial in the Desert Gardens.
6140 E Skyline Dr, Cave Creek
37900 E. Cave Creek Parkway
11 E Sundial Cir #3, Carefree
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Member Recognition
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ANNIVERSARIES
| Soroptimist Intl/Saguaro Foothills |
29 years |
| Cave Creek Unified School District |
26 Years |
| PVCC at Black Mountain |
21 years |
| Carefree Coverings Inc/Pro Blind Repair |
12 years |
Big Bronco
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10 years |
| Custom Eyes |
9 years |
| Indian Village |
9 years |
| Dove Valley Ranch Gold Course |
9 Years |
| Giordano's Trattoria Romana Ristorante |
8 years |
| Tyrol Insurance Agency |
7 years |
| Soft Water Plus |
7 Years |
Turn West Design
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6 years |
| AZ Professional Care Services |
5 years |
| Cave Creek Candles & Gifts |
5 years |
| Good Shepherd Episcopal Church |
4 years |
Dixie Green Promotions
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3 years |
Cave Creek Financial Associates
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2 years |
Cave Creek Contemporary
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1 year |
| Wells Fargo |
1 year
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| Black Mountain Business Consultants |
1 year
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| ProMusica |
1 year
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NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the Chamber of Commerce community! We look forward to seeing you at our events.
Servpro Phoenix
Comfort Caregivers Inc
Richard Sequeira, Broker Associate, Berkshire Hathaway (thanks Nick)
The Thread Factory
Market Street at DC Ranch
Studio C
Eco Blue Pools
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CAREFREE CORNER
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A
Letter from
Mayor Les Peterson
Advantage Carefree
Carefree is a rural, residential community of approximately 4,000 people, residing in 1,900 beautiful homes situated on slightly more than 8 square miles. Carefree is nestled around Black Mountain and it also continues to the northeast into the foothills of the Continental Mountains.
Carefree residents are typically involved in a broad cross-section of activities. Many Carefree residents participate in numerous areas of interest, ranging from involvement in local schools, participating in activities offered by the local churches and the numerous non-profit organizations, as well as dining with friends at the many fine restaurants throughout the Foothills.
In addition to the lifestyle benefits, the Town of Carefree also provides a number of financial benefits to its residents. Unlike most other municipalities, Carefree does not assess a local real estate tax. As a result, annual real estate taxes in Carefree are approximately half of what would be charged for an identical residence in municipalities which have town specific real estate taxes as an add-on to real estate taxes assessed by Maricopa County. For a median priced home in Carefree with a full cash value of $535,000, the incremental annual real estate tax cost for an identical home in Scottsdale would be $3,100 higher, and $2,900 higher in Phoenix.
This considerable tax savings for Carefree property owners is accomplished while Carefree fully funds fire coverage out of the Town's annual operating expenses. Carefree property owners receive this fire coverage as a Town provided service at no cost to them. In comparison, Scottsdale and Phoenix provide full fire coverage but its costs are funded by their town specific real estate taxes. In Cave Creek, property owners are not provided with fire coverage as a Town funded service, and residents desiring it are subject to the Rural Metro Fire protection annual fee of about $1,000 per home depending upon the square footage. In Paradise Valley, which also has no town specific real estate taxes, the Town provides fire coverage but annually bills it's costs to residents.
Carefree residents enjoy both a high quality lifestyle as well as these financial benefits. Advantage - Carefree. Enjoy.
Over the years, both past and present Carefree Town Councils have worked earnestly to develop strategies to diversify and sustain the community's main revenue stream - municipal sales tax. While in many neighboring communities a municipal property tax is used to provide core community services, in Carefree municipal sales tax is the main contributor to offset these expenses.
These strategic efforts included a Town Center Revitalization Plan. For a good part of a year, residents, landlords, business owners, Planning and Zoning Commissioners and Councilmembers where engaged with economists, economic development experts, planners and successful commercial property owners (Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel) to develop a strategic effort to revitalize the Town's central business district - the Town Center. This Revitalization Plan was approved by Town Council over a year ago and has been used to establish a rational basis for Town Council decisions and investments.
Today, as a result of these strategic efforts we are beginning to see the fruits of our labor. Private investment such as the multi-million dollar Basha's store remodel is taking place with a grand re-opening projected in early October. More recently, the new ownership of Spanish Village is planning to give new life into this center with a fresh new mix of tenants and restaurants, including a new gallery and workspace for world renowned artist and sculptor, Ray Villafane. This private investment did not happen in isolation but can be directly attributed to the Town strategic plans and investments which were initially shared with these significant stakeholders. Indeed, other business ventures are following with new enterprises projected to open up this fall such as a new butcher shop.
However, much work still needs to be done. Summers can be slow in Carefree as evidence in the recent decline in July's sales tax revenue from last July. However, as part of the Town's strategic initiatives, the Splash Pad has continuously attracted families into the Town Center. Restaurants are claiming that splash pad goers come to their restaurants after playing.
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CA
VE CREEK CORNER
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By now, most of you have had a chance to access our "Virtual Library" for meeting agendas and minutes. Also included in
the virtual library are copies of Town ordinances and resolut
ions. These are "searchable" documents which allow users to search for key phrases, words or dates to assist in finding the right document. The link below will take you to the this archive system. Double-click on the "Published Agendas" and then double-click on the year you are interested in to see a listing of the agenda dates.
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Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain is the neighborhood choice for pursing your educational goals. Spring enrollment is ongoing, so 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 turn your ambitions into reality.
November's highlighted class is BPC005, a Brief Introduction to Computers. If you are new to computers and would like to learn the basics, this is the class for you! This class covers material such as using Windows, saving and locating files and pictures, searching the internet, and setting up and using Facebook. The class meets from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on February 2, 8, 15, and 22. For more information, contact Michelle Carter at (602) 787-6746.
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The Wild West Days Parade will be held on Saturday, November 5th. The Marketplace Hours on Saturday, November 5th will be extended from 1pm to 3pm. The parade Announcer will be set up in front of the Kiwanis Marketplace. There will also be a booth set up by a group of young men and women from the Venturing Young Adult Program. These young adults will be selling bottled water and Christmas Wreaths from our parking lot during the parade.
Kiwanis Marketplace will be closed on Thursday, November 24th in celebration of Thanksgiving Day.
The Kiwanis Marketplace is located just across the street from Dairy Queen at:
6535 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Marketplace Phone Number: 480.488.7169
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History Highlights
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by Kraig Nelson, docent
From the Cave Creek Museum
The Cave Creek Museum features terrific art in addition to historical artifacts and exhibits. A popular piece is a bronze, created by Jasper D'Ambrosi in 1975, called "Way West." It is a well-researched, very accurate depiction of the covered wagon pulled by eight oxen. The classic covered wagon, also called the prairie schooner, is the "Conestoga Wagon." The Conestoga Wagon was developed by Dutch and German settlers in the Conestoga Valley of Pennsylvania, around 1750. In pre-revolutionary times the wagon was used to haul crops. A later incarnation was use as a freight-wagon to facilitate commerce between Pittsburgh and Ohio. Finally, a smaller version was used by a half-a-million rugged pioneers, between 1836 and 1869 (transcontinental railroad), for about a 2000-mile journey west. This was" Manifest Destiny," courtesy of the Conestoga Wagon.
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Contact Us
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748 Easy Street
Suites 2 and 4
Carefree, AZ 85377
President/CEO
Office Manager
480 488 3381
Visitor Center Hours
(Summer Hours)
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Chamber President's Message:
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Hopefully you were able to attend the Business Breakfast last Thursday to hear Garrick Taylor from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry talk about Prop 206. If you missed it here is a breakdown on the proposition:
What is it?
Increases the minimum wage to $12/hour by 2020, with an immediate increase to $10/hour starting on January 1, 2017.
Mandates 40 hours of annual paid sick leave time, 24 hours for smaller employers (with fewer than 15 employees).
Con:
It will cost jobs.
Raising the minimum wage makes it more expensive to pay existing workers and hire new ones. As a result, entry-level jobs-like at restaurants and stores-will disappear because it's cheaper to switch to kiosks, computer screens, and other new technologies that replace people with machines. Employers are also more likely to cut employee hours and scale back plans for additional hiring. The minimum wage is for entry-level jobs. Young people have to start somewhere, but one economic study says up to 75,000 Arizonans won't get hired if the minimum wage is raised too sharply.
It hits small businesses the hardest.
Besides mandating a 49% increase in a small business' largest cost-labor-Prop 206 also has an expensive new regulation that mandates sick pay for workers. Big companies may be able to afford that because they have so many workers; but it's another substantial burden for small companies that are just getting by. Arizona's economy was one of the worst-hit in the country during the recession, and we're just now getting our jobs back. Why would we hit small businesses with big new costs and regulations?
It disproportionately impacts younger workers & those with lesser skills.
Employers hire fewer people when they have to pay more for those with limited experience or skills.
Prices for goods and services will increase.
The increase in costs will be passed on to the consumer. Expect to see an immediate increase in your restaurant bill as well as other basic services.
Pro:
Fairer wages will save many businesses time and money
Through better employee performance and retention reducing costs related to hiring and training new employees
It expands businesses' customer base
When employees have more disposable income, they invest those dollars back into our economy.
Raise the quality of life in our community
Make it a more desirable place to live, work, and run a business.
Ability to compete to attracting and retaining a topnotch team.
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CHAMBER EVENTS
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| Carefree Art & Wine Festival |
4532 E Lone Mountain Rd Cave Creek, AZ 85331
$5 for members; $15 for Non-members (non-members may attend twice before joining).
Raffle Tickets only $1 each!
Bring an item to raffle and get a a 30 second commercial about your business.
50/50 cash prize and many chances to win!
Thursday, Nov 17 at 5pm
Elements Massage
29455 N Cave Creek Rd
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
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Help the Chamber Scholarship Fund!
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MEMBER TO MEMBER
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Bryan's Black Mountain
Barbecue - Best Barbecue
Bartlett Lake - Best AZ Lake Escape
Palo Verde at the Boulders - Best Resort Restaurant
Waldorf Astoria at The Boulders -
Best Spa Cuisine
The English Rose - Best Tea Spot
The Spotted Donkey - Best Mexican
Hospice of the Valley - Best Hospice
Waldorf Astoria Spa at The Boulders - Best Massage & Best Resort Spa
Cave Creek Trail Rides - Best Valley Adventure Experience
MacDonald's Ranch - Best Valley Adventure Experience
Cave Creek Regional Park - Best Hiking
Harold's Corral - Best Saloon
Facebook Gives Pages a Facelift
Come join us this Friday for Happy Hour
From 2pm to 6pm
50% off all Smoothies and FroYo.
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Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service Data (ARMLS)
October/2016 data, ARMLS metrics are from the previous month
Compiled by Kraig Nelson, Associate Broker
Phoenix
(city only) -
Sold volume (dollar amount) was 10.67% higher; active listings were 1.29% higher; and the median sold price [$219,000] was 12.34% higher, compared to one year ago.
Average days on market were 64. 1,746 residential units closed escrow.
Carefree -
Sold volume (dollar amount) was 64.84% lower; active listings were 17.14% higher; and the median sold price [$870,000] was 7.41% higher, compared to one year ago.
Average days on market were 181. 5 residential units closed escrow (same as last month).
Cave Creek -
Sold volume (dollar amount) was 27.57% higher; active listings were 0.33% lower; and the median sold price [$411,000] was 3.86% lower, compared to one year ago.
Average days on market were 126. 90 residential units closed escrow.
Scottsdale -
Sold volume (dollar amount) was 16.28% higher; active listings were 2.88% higher; and the median sold price [$394000] was 2.34% higher, compared to one year ago.
Average days on market were 107. 623 residential units closed escrow.
Kraig's Comments-
- Distressed sales (short sales and lender owned) represent 3.70% of the total sales volume. This is down 33.80% from one year ago.
- There is a 3.29-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 3.30% higher than one year ago.
- Entire Phoenix Metro Area: median sold price is $230,000; 9.00% higher than one year ago. Average days on market were 74.
- Average sold price compared to original list price is 96.46% in the Phoenix Metro Area. This means a home listed for $100,000 sells for about $96,000.
- Total Phoenix Metro residential units sold/closed last month: 7,328 this is 5.70% higher than one year ago.
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