Jo, Roberta, David and town council members,

Thank you all for your continued support of Foot Hills Animal Rescue. This weekend was a roaring success for FAR and all our four legged friends looking for "furever" homes. Our team had a great time designing and building the float. Miss Scottsdale was so impressed, she has decided to be our permeant PR liaison. She was amazed at the sheer number of people at the parade.

FAR had 5 dogs adopted at the event and 3 be-backs scheduled for this week at the shelter. We sold over $1200.00 in homemade dog and cat items (all made and donated by our volunteers) and received over $500.00 in donations for the pictures with Santa. However, the greatest gift of all (cheesy, I know, but fits the season) was the generosity of the guests at the event. We received $993.00 in donations, many from small children wanting to help the homeless animals.

As most of you know FAR has grown from a kitchen in a volunteer's home to a very respected rescue in the AZ. animal community. Events like The Carefree Christmas Festival help us continue to solidify our professionalism and support our mission statement.

The Christmas Festival may have a jolly meaning for the town, however, it has a far greater meaning to the community at large, as is exhibited by Foothill's success this weekend.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Holly Bergman

FAR

 

BRAVO. Very well done. And what a show it was. For the first few minutes I thought it was going to be no big deal, then it really got going and was absolutely terrific.

I also hadn't expected the craft booths, so had lots of fun wandering among them and popping my head out to see all the sky show. What a neat event.

I got a lovely multi-strand of citrine beads and grey freshwater pearl earrings. What's shopping without bangles!

Good to see you, brief as it was.

Kathy Riemer

Lyn's note: Kathy was responding to the link I had sent to several of my friends containing the photos of the Christmas Festival Fireworks. Herbert was a photographer for the Festival, and this was his first attempt at shooting fireworks. The Festival had fabulous fireworks, and we found a primo spot practically underneath them. His photos are spectacular. I will share it with all of you too. Enjoy! http://www.carefree-desert-gardens.com/Carefree_Desert_Gardens/12-8-12_CF_FW.html

 

WOW! Amazing photography of the Fireworks! I just re-enjoyed the entire display from Saturday evening. What a beautiful way to start the day! Hats off to Herbie!

 

Lyn,

The Carefree Christmas celebration was wonderful, especially the parade! I attended for the first time, marching as an elf and giving out candy canes. Miniature donkeys, floats, lights, costumes, music, smiles, crowds of kids--in 16 years, I've never seen such a colorful side to Carefree! What great fun for all ages. Jo Gemmill, Kim Prince, Roberta Toombs, and the other organizers deserve a special round of applause.

Phyllis Strupp

 

I’d like to clear up questions your readers may have about the future of “A frame” signs in Carefree.

Beginning January 1, 2013, “A frame” signs will be permitted only within 35 feet of the main customer entrance to a business. For example, the “A frame” signs at the Carefree Market Place will be permanently removed from along Tom Darlington Road.

As Mayor I represent everyone in Carefree. I talk to citizens and to business owners in Carefree. The businesses that use “A frame” signs tell me that customers come into their shop and note that the “A frame” sign brought them into the business. Some owners believe that they would lose needed customers without the “A frame” signs. I invite everyone to talk to these business owners for themselves to determine if “A frame” signs’ are effective.

Below is a picture taken on December 10, 2012, in front of Ace Hardware. As is typical in small towns across the country Ace displays sale items outside their entrance to attract customers. You can see the type of “A frame” sign that Ace uses to help increase their sales revenue and tax revenue to Carefree. This is what is permitted under our revised zoning code.

I think the sign regulations that begin in 2013 are a reasonable compromise that will remove sign clutter from our arterial streets and give our businesses a tool that they want to use to be successful in Carefree. We need these businesses to sustain the Town’s revenues that pay for services to its citizens.

Carefree will continue to monitor the use of “A frame” signs. The 2013 regulations can be changed if things just don’t work out.

Mayor David Schwan

Town of Carefree

480 488-3686