A publication of
The Town of Cave Creek
37622 N Cave Creek Rd.
Cave Creek, AZ
480-488-6600
Editor: Nina Spitzer
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Click HERE for the Town of Cave Creek's official website.
and/or
find the Town of Cave Creek on social media by scanning THIS QR CODE.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Some email providers may not load this newsletter in its entirety, in which case you will need to scroll to bottom left and click "View Entire Message" (in the white field). You'll know you've reached the end of the newsletter when you see the word "END."
Did you miss our November issue? You'll find it
Calendar
Corner

Dec 4-6: Stagecoach Village Christmas Show
Dec 5: Toy Drive - Last Day (Cave Creek Tourism Bureau)
Dec 7 (6pm): Council Meeting (Town Hall)
Dec 9 (4:30pm): Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber Monthly Mixer (Zoom) Join Zoom Meeting
Dec 9 (6pm): Water Advisory Committee Meeting (Town Hall)
Dec 17 (7pm): Planning Commission Regular Meeting (Town Hall)
Dec 19 (7:30 am): 4th Annual Santa Summit (Local Jonny's)
Dec 21 (6pm): Council Meeting (Town Hall)

Click HERE for the calendar on the Town site.
Marketing Corner
Discovery Map
Deadline

Would you like your business included in the 2021 Cave Creek /Carefree Discovery Map? If so, please note the deadline to be included is December 15th. The map will be published in early January and there will be 150,000 printed copies in circulation.

This colorful caricature map is distributed by the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau as well as the town of Carefree, the Carefree/ Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, 150 valley resorts and many more tourism bureaus. Keep in mind that the Discovery Map of Cave Creek is an "Endorsed Affiliate Member " of the National Concierge Association? Concierges love handing out the Discovery Map! It will show exactly where your business is located in relation to the rest of the town.

Businesses on the map will also link to www.Discoverymap.com to get global exposure; not to mention their promotion of your business via social media. Payment plans and staggered payments are available as Margie wants to work with our local small businesses to assist in attracting and guiding our visitors. 

Contact Margie Hans to be sure your business is included: Margiehans@discoverymap.com  
or, call or text 480-798-0116
Sharing Corner
Adopt-a-Family
2020

As in the past, drop off donations at the Holland Center:
Saturday, December 5 – Thursday, December 10,
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

2020 is the food bank's 18th year of Adopt-A-Family! Last year, a record 1,502 individuals and seniors from 533 families participated and this year its expected the need will be even greater because of Covid-19. The food bank's goal is to keep everyone safe, so they'll be hosting drive-up client parties on December 12th in Black Canyon City and 13th in Scottsdale.
Instead of wrapped gifts, they're asking donors to provide a gift card to each client and their family members along with new family games. This will allow families the flexibility to buy holiday gifts, get a haircut, buy gasoline or pay bills.

"Thank you for sharing so much for those who have so little."
Click HERE for the Foothills Food Bank.
AZ Helping Hands Corner

Help a Child Enjoy the Holidays!

CITY Sun Times (CST) is teaming up with Arizona Helping Hands to raise toys for over 14,000 children in foster care this holiday season. Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of essential needs for children in foster care in the state.  
 
The Cave Creek Tourism Bureau is a designated drop-off location for toys between the hours of 10am–2pm daily until December 5th at 6061 E. Cave Creek Road - Suite 7, Cave Creek (Entrance to building on Hidden Valley Drive).
 
If making a donation, please e-mail darlene@citysuntimes.com or call 480.922-8732 so we can track donations and recognize your contribution in our January 2021 issue. Click HERE to find out how to donate online.
Health Corner
Flu Shots

Yes! It's that time of year again! And, this year, more than ever, it's important to have a flu shot. So, be safe.
Here's some great flu shot info for you!
Click both HERE and HERE for ADHS flu vaccine information.
HERE also is flu season info from AARP.
This click HERE will take you to Maricopa flu shot locations.
Click HERE for a video from Maricopa County on flu shots.
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Supporting one another is what it's all about - Right?
***
Guess It
Corner
Where Am I?
OK-This is a Tough One.
Can YOU Figure It Out?
~ 
November's Answer:
This is the charming little WPA outhouse located at Frontier Town. Click But...You knew that! Click HERE to see it again in our November issue.
Good-Bye Corner
Tumbleweed Hotel

Good-bye to the Rust family who are moving on and leave behind an iconic local landmark that has been close to their hearts for 17 years. Best wishes in your future endeavors.
Read more about the Tumbleweed Hotel HERE in our July issue of Cave Creek Corner.
Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber Corner
The Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce and The Holland Center have announced the creation of the Desert Foothills Leadership Academy (DFL). This exclusive partnership is driven by a strong community desire to be a part of the creation of our future leaders. The partnerships mission is to educate, energize, and engage emerging leaders with a goal of enriching community life while responsibly sustaining our natural resources for generations to come.

All of this is done through a focus on strengthening participants understanding of the Past, Current, and Future potential of the Sonoran Desert Foothills. 

“Our hope is to fill this need and become an important component in the development of the future leaders of our community,“ says Patty Villeneauve, President & CEO Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce

“There is so much to know about the Desert Foothills Community and our partnership with the Chamber will allow us to tap the necessary resources and knowledge base and our graduates will gain the insight needed to best serve our community,” said Jennifer Roswell, Executive Director of The Holland Center. 

For additional info on this wonderful community academy click HERE.
Hidden in the Hills Corner
Hidden in the Hills
Celebrates
24 years!
Congrats to The Sonoran Arts League for yet another
beautiful and successful Hidden in the Hills
event!
***
Supporting one another is what it's all about - Right?
***
Covid-19 Corner
Info & Resources
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For the ADHS Covid-19 Data Dashboard click HERE.
~AND~
Covid-19: Business Benchmarks - Click HERE.
~AND~
ADHS Reopening Guidelines: Click HERE.
~AND~
Official Reopening Attestation for Bars with a Food Permit Operating as a Restaurant: Click HERE.
~AND~
Find Maricopa County Covid-19 Business Info HERE.
~AND~
Click HERE Arizona Department of Health Services helpful info on Covid-19 resources.
~AND~
Access all you need to know from the Arizona Department of Economic Security by clicking HERE.
~AND~
Find detailed ARIZONA Covid-19 stats and info HERE.
~AND~
~AND~
Look HERE for updated Sky Harbor Airport travel regulations.
~AND~
Gov Ducey
Safety Corner
Cover Up!
Please spread the word.
~ For Yourself
~ For Those You Love
~ For your Patrons
~ For Your Business
~ For Your Community
*
Maricopa County Mask Regulations with a link to current amendments HERE.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”
– Helen Keller

December
2020
Feature Corner
Recognizing Our Iconic Cave Creek Landmarks

"Our Cave Creek history is important, so be sure to know it and remember it, because it's where we came from." This is what our 1930s Kate Jones, rancher, poetess, artist and deputy sheriff, might have said about the new Cave Creek Landmarks project.

Deputy Kate would have been correct; holding onto our history is important. For this reason, the Town of Cave Creek has decided to preserve its heritage by backing and initiating a landmarks recognition project. (Read more about Kate below in our "History Corner.")
 
You may recall seeing historical plaques on buildings during vacation travels. Well, soon you’ll see historical plaques on iconic Cave Creek landmarks, as well. The Town has acknowledged the importance of our town history and so has supported a project recognizing important town landmarks. This project, a longtime dream and effort of resident Paul Eelkema, began coming to fruition when it caught the ear and interest of late Planning Director Ian Cordwell. 
 
Recently,  current Planning Director Luke Kaufman, obtained Town funding for the project for Paul and his committee, Darlene Southern, Nina Spitzer, Tara Alatorre, and Kelley Francis. Paul first compiled a list of potential landmarks and created a Google walking map to guide and inform tourists from one landmark to the other. The map supplies background information on each landmark. Copies of the walking map will be available at the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau as well as Town Hall.
 
Paul and his committee then chose the first six recipients of the landmark plaques based on iconic historical and town significance. The next steps were drafting the texts and selecting a photo for each plaque. Local photographer, Dennis Taylor, worked his magic at refurbishing the old photos. Martha Arnold and Beverly Brooks were key historical resources of buildings along Cave Creek Road, and Anna Marsolo contributed to the written narratives on this project.
 
The beautiful brass plaques are scheduled to be recognized by the Town Council and presented to the first six recipients of the honor at the December 21st council meeting. A date in January will be selected for the official installation of each plaque at its respective landmark. The plan is to continue with an annual presentation of additional plaques.
 
In the future, let’s not be surprised if the ghost of Deputy Kate walks beside our many visitors who stop and read each of the landmark plaques. Surely, Kate will be pleased.

Photo: Deputy Kate ~ circa 1930
Town Manager's Corner
Dear Cave Creek Merchants,
  
Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is having a safe and healthy holiday season!

Although this year may be a little different – like everything else in 2020 – we can still celebrate while protecting our loved ones by following the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Arizona Department of Health Services. By minimizing the number of guests at gatherings, wearing a mask, physically distancing, washing your hands frequently, avoiding buffets, going virtual, and moving celebrations outside, we help our community in reducing the spread of Coronavirus. Luckily we live in Cave Creek where the weather is perfect for dining and celebrating the holidays outdoors. I urge everyone to do their part in following the guidelines for a safer holiday season.

I am looking forward to 2021, as the Town staff and I have already been working towards achieving important goals for the community. For instance, the Town has hired a consultant so it can determine the best fire protection plan for Cave Creek. Appraisals are moving forward on parcels adjacent to the Spur Cross Conservation Area for potential expansion, and infrastructure improvements to the water system are ongoing.

One of the most important milestones of 2021 that the Town is looking forward to is the General Plan. After nearly two years of hard work by the Town’s Planning Commission and the consultant, Matt Klyszeiko, the General Plan is finally in the homestretch. The Town Staff and I are confident that after conducting surveys, gathering public input, creating multiple drafts and holding many community meetings we have created a general plan that meets the expectations and goals of our residents.

The General Plan was unanimously passed at the Town Council meeting on November 2. The Cave Creek General Plan will now go to voters for final ratification, and will be on the May 2021 ballot. In order for the General Plan to be adopted it must be approved by at least 50% + 1 of Cave Creek voters.

Please read the 2021 General Plan, which you can access by going to www.CaveCreekGP.com, so you can be confident in your vote this upcoming May. The website is truly a one-stop shop for the Cave Creek General Plan. On that website you will find the 2021 General Plan that will be on the ballot. It also includes the 2005 General Plan that the Town is operating under, all drafts of the 2021 plan, survey results from our outreach efforts and background information about the purpose of the General Plan for municipalities in Arizona.

If you have questions about the General Plan please reach out to the Planning Director, Luke Kautzman, either by calling 480-488-6633 or via email at LKautzman@cavecreekaz.gov. You can also fill out a contact request form on the General Plan’s website if you prefer that method. Please make sure you are registered to vote by visiting ServiceArizona.com or Recorder.Maricopa.gov.

Best Wishes for a Happy & Healthy Holiday Seaosn!
Carrie Dyrek
Town Manager
The Marshal's Corner
Greetings from the Marshal,

Here we are in December and getting ready to wrap up another year. Temperatures are still fluctuating like crazy; when will winter actually arrive? Hopefully, everyone had a safe Thanksgiving and enjoyed some time off. I've had the opportunity to speak to so many of you this month, and I'm grateful everyone I spoke with is well.
 
Please remember to take precautions; COVID numbers are spiking and not appearing to let up anytime soon. Masks and hand sanitizer seem to be in all of our futures for the time being. I've been told that stores are having difficulty keeping toilet paper and some other essentials on the shelves once again….unbelievable. Also please remember, with the nicer weather we're all opening our doors and windows, so please be kind to our neighbors and limit outside music and noise.
 
ANNUAL BUSINESS LICENSES are due this month! Each business is responsible for renewing their own business license annually. Please go online (HERE) and renew your business license prior to December 25th and beat the rush. Everything can be done online. Please don't wait until the last minute. Do not count on receiving a renewal notice from the Town.
 
All of us here at Town Hall wish you and your family a Happy Holidays. May 2021 bring health and safety and an end to this wicked COVID. 
 
Stay safe,
Marshal Stein
Cave Creek Museum Corner
Cave Creek Museum
Re-Opening
By Darlene Southern
 
The Cave Creek Museum celebrated it's Re-Opening on Wednesday, November 18th, 2020. Dozens of visitors enjoyed the refurbished History Wing and Ansbaugh Auditorium, as well as the always popular Archeology Wing and outdoor exhibits. Covid restrictions of masks and social distancing were observed and will continue to be observed during opening hours and special events. 

At this time, the Cave Creek Museum's current hours are Weds. and Thurs. 1.00-4.30 pm and Fri. 10.00 am-4.30 pm. The special events for The Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Gold Panning (for all ages) on the 2nd Saturday of every month and the Kiwanis Kids Family Sundays on every 2nd Sunday will still be held. 

Now more than ever, the Cave Creek Museum appreciates the support of the local business community. Call 480-488-2764 for more information on becoming a business member of the Cave Creek Museum and help to preserve Cave Creek's history.
Photos: Bill Watters
Top Photo: The 2nd photo is of the History Wing.
Bottom Photo: The staff members in photo are, from left to right, Remington Pettus, Suzanne Johnson, Nicole Rodrigues, and Elizabeth Kapp. 
Supporting Locals Corner
Local Shopping Guide

I wanted to create a little guide to make it easier for customers to shop locally. We NEED to spend money in Cave Creek. So here's a quick one-stop-look at some local businesses and their holiday deals going on. If there is a business missing, we will catch you on the next one ;) If you have any questions please feel free to stop in to Big Earls and ask. Remember - Buy Local, or BYE-BYE Local. Click HERE for the guide.

Love to you all,
Brooke Dallas
Big Earls Greasy Eats
New Biz Corner
Cactus Tees

Meet Nancy and Steve Oberaigner, owners of Cactus Tees Embroidery in Stagecoach Village. Not exactly a brand NEW business...The Oberaigners actually opened a little over a year ago but never had a formal grand opening due to the pandemic. Originally from Minnesota, Nancy and Steve have been in the embroidery and screen printing industry for over 30 years. Their shop specializes in custom design t-shirts but also sells AZ t-shirts and sweatshirts as well as a variety of other Arizona and Cave Creek souvenirs.
Do stop in and say hello!
Christmas Corner
A Merry
Little Christmas
All Year Long

December is the Christmas season for some of us, and for others the spirit of Christmas is enjoyed all year long. Want to feel cooler in hot Cave Creek July? For some of us there's nothing quite like singing Christmas carols over a tall iced tea to help make the summer heat more bearable. For Cave Creek there are two places where you can be surrounded by the joy of Christmas all year long! Where? Cave Creek Candles & Gifts and The Horny Toad!

AND, both places will envelope you with their own special aromas the minute you open the door. Walk in and Cave Creek Candles will greet you with those sweet fragrances and sparkling lights reminiscent of Christmas. Walk into The Horny Toad and a large fireplace and the beckoning aroma of yummy food will tease you in. But, best of all, both places make you smile with the magic of the holiday so you can "Have yourself a merry little Christmas," all year long!.
Photos: Nina Spitzer
Above - Cave Creek Candles & Gifts
Below - The Horny Toad
History Corner
Our Cave Creek
"Renaissance Woman”
By Darlene Southern
 
Catherine (Kate) Elliot Jones is remembered as a "Cave Creek character" and stories of her shooting prowess, feisty and indomitable spirit well into her 80's, and fierce independence are the stuff of which legends are made.

Catherine grew up the daughter of a prosperous Illinois farmer and the apple of her grandfather's eye. Under his tutelage, she became a "crack shot" by the age of twelve. As an adult, she married Edmund Elliot and they moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she gave birth to their daughter, Vera, and worked for several years for a printing company. Although Catherine was the primary breadwinner, she pulled up stakes and followed Edmund to Portland, then Los Angeles, where she supported her family with a successful real estate business. In the mid 1920's, the Jones family moved again, for the final time, to Cave Creek, Arizona.  

In 1929, Catherine completed a homesteading application claiming she was separated and "head of the household." By 1930, she was divorced and Edmund had left town. Her homestead application was approved for acreage along Willow Springs Wash and it was there she built her house, a tiny 12 x 12 structure for her and Vera! Her neighbor to the North was Theodore Jones. 

Catherine's final homestead patent was granted in 1932, the same year she and neighbor, Ted, were married. They merged their individual 640 acre sections into a single entity which they named "Cahava," the phonetic spelling of the Hopi word for "willow."

However, married though she might be, Catherine was not about to again align her future solely with a man's. She maintained her own cattle business and her own brand. The only thing she shared with Ted was the dinner table and a bed.  

Kate and Ted both became volunteer game wardens in the 30's, probably because of poachers illegally hunting along Willow Springs Wash and endangering their livestock. Catherine was also known to have run-ins with local moonshiners, even taking one fellow's earlobe off with an expert shot. 

In the 40's, Catherine became a deputy sheriff in Cave Creek. Her short five foot figure was often seen striding around town clad in Levis and gun belt. She was always armed, donning her six shooters and Stetson with her silk dress and pearls when she and Ted traveled to Phoenix on their monthly shopping trip giving the Eastern "dudes" a thrill. Evidently, Mrs. Jones drove with the same verve and energy with which she lived her life. Beverly Brooks, who knew Mrs. Jones, said townsfolk would see a plume of dust rising high in the air in the direction of Spur Cross Road and know that Catherine Jones was driving her Ford Model A into town; everyone took cover. Mrs. Jones did not give quarter to anyone.

 Although, Catherine Jones embraced a certain "western" quirkiness, (probably with a sardonic gleam in her eye) she was known for being highly intelligent and appreciated a quick wit and a spirited debate. Once their Cahava Ranch was successfully established, Catherine indulged her love for the creative and built a reputation as a talented poetess and artist.  

Catherine was a true "Renaissance Woman,” an independent individual with talents and passions in many areas. She was an equal in her marriage with Theodore and competently performed what was considered, in that era, a man's role as a game warden and deputy. It was women like Catherine Jones who helped shape Arizona in it's early days of statehood, and her legacy is echoed in our daughters today.  
 
Photo: Kate and Theodore
Courtesy of The Cave Creek Museum
Cave Creek Tourism Bureau Corner
A Gallery of Art
at the
Cave Creek Tourism Bureau
 
Cave Creek is proud of its talented artists and is happy its new tourism bureau location has space for a gallery of art proudly displaying works of Cave Creek artists whose work showcases what Cave Creek is all about.
 
Artists can display work in the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau free of charge with the artist receiving 100% of the proceeds from a sale that might occur. Space, however, is limited so act fast. Please contact Nina for more information if you would like your work considered.
 
Our tourism bureau is open from 10am-2pm at our new address of 6061 N. Cave Creek Rd (actually a short distance south on Hidden Valley Drive). Do stop in and say hello!
 
Remember, your Cave Creek Tourism Bureau is about helping promote your business when those visitors come to town! You can support us by helping us support YOU! Simply, keep us updated on your business and send your visitors our way.

Thank you!
Nina Spitzer, Coordinator
Cave Creek Tourism Bureau
602-622-7461
nina@cavecreek.org
Kiwanis Corner
The Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Carefree is very pleased to announce our October 21, 2020 “Under the Misters” Awards Ceremony in Carefree, where we presented checks to a wide range of local organizations in our continuing recognition of the wonderful programs they do for our Community. In total over $165,000 was awarded that morning.
 
It was observed by all attending Kiwanis members, that the theme of “misters” continues to be appropriate for these meetings. As the checks were being awarded, the organizations’ leaders spoke passionately about what impact the Kiwanis’ support made to the children and the veterans receiving these donations. All acceptance remarks were very emotional. 
 
There was not a dry eye in the house… all were “misty eyed”. All Kiwanians were immensely proud of the members’ efforts that went into generating these donated funds through the Marketplace to the local Community.
 
These are the organizations receiving funds that emotional morning:
 
Cave Creek Unified School District
Rancho Milagro Foundation
Desert Foothills Theater
Annunciation Catholic School
Lone Mountain Elementary School
Cactus Shadows High School
Jubilate Conservatory of Music
Scott Foundation
Desert Foothills Land Trust
Spirit In The Desert
Upscale Singers
Veterans Memorial
~ END ~
Tourism Bureau Participants
A Couple of Green Thumbs, Adelante, Arizona Fine Furniture & Tack Brokers, A Place in Time, Arizona Territory Antiques, Bags & Rags Boutique, Bella Donna & Cane, Beth Zink Art, Big Bronco, Big Earl's Greasy Eats, Bilinda's Vintage Treasures, Black Mountain Adventures, Black Mountain Coffee Shop, Black Mountain Dental Care, Black Mountain Fitness, Blue Coyote, Bodhi Coyote Yoga, Boudine's, Bronco Studio, Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue, Buffalo Chip Saloon, Carefree Adventures, Cave Creek BBQ School, Cave Creek Beer Company, Cave Creek Candles & Gifts, Cave Creek Museum, Cave Creek Olive Oil Company, Cave Creek Shuttle, Cave Creek Visitor's Guide, Cimarron River Company, Ciolim, Charlie Green Make-Up, City Creamery, Coyote Crossing Studio, Desert Dream Realty, Desert Foothills Library, Desert Treasures, Designs by Jenny, El Encanto Mexican Restaurant, Elysian Desert Distilleries, English Rose Tea Room, Erika Willison PLLC, Essence of Massage, Etania Jewelry & Boutique, Extreme Arizona, Fantastico's Mexican Food, Fiorra CBD, Glory Bee's, Grace Reneé Gallery, The Grotto Café, Hideaway Grill, Harold's Cave Creek Corral, Holland Community Center, Horny Toad Restaurant, Indian Market, Indian Village, Indigo Crow, It's a Divine Bakery, Janey's Coffee Co., Jeff D. Hill PLLC, Journey Rides, Keeler's Steakhouse, Kiwanis Marketplace Thrift Store, Lance Headlee, Lara Bistro, Laughing Glass Studio, Lazy Lizard, Leigh Siegel-Realtor, Le Sans Souci, Leslie Nestingen (Berkshire Hathaway), Levanah Acupuncture, Lifestyle Balance with Qigong TaiChi, Lisa Nocella/Russ Lyons Sotheby's, Living Landsdcapes, Inc., Lucy Dickens Fine Art, M & E Stoyanov Fine Art Gallery, Magic Bird Festivals, Michael D'Ambrosi Sculpture, Mike's Chicago Dogs, Monika Cheang Photography, Mountain View Pub, Natural Habitat Inc, Oregano's Pizza Bistro, Pizzicata, Pillar to Post Home Inspections, Prickly Pear Inn, Puppy Luv Flea Market, Rancho Mañana Golf Club, Rare Earth Gallery, R.C. Gorman Navajo Gallery, Retablo, Ro Scarbrough (Berkshire Hathaway), Rusty Shack, Salon Chella, Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge, The Sculpture Studio, Sergio Ladrón de Guevara Fine Art, Sharon J. Edwards (Berkshire Hathaway), Smith & Western, Somm Advice, Sonoran Arts League, Soroptomist International of Saguaro Foothills, Southwest Bedazzle Boutique, Spur Cross Cycles, Spur Cross Stable, Storyteller Indian Store, Studio West, Teeslanger, The Eddy, Thunderbird Artists Gallery, Time to Ride AZ, Tonto Bar & Grill, Trailhead Ranch, True West Magazine, Tumbleweed Hotel, Udder Delight, The Village Coffee Shop, Villas of Cave Creek, Vino e Panino, Watson's Hat Shop, Western Delight Gift Shop, Western Sky Helicopters, Z's House of Thai
Our list is growing and we LUV it! - Let me know if I've ooopsed & forgotten your name. - Ed.