(Lyn's note: Please feel free to send us any pictures you'd like included.  If your photos are for sale, let us know and we will put them under that category.  We have a special section for that purpose.  If anyone would like to buy a print of any of Herbert's photos, all profits will be donated to one of the local non-profit organizations.)  Here's the link to this week's Pictures of the Week.

http://www.carefreeazbusinesses.com/pictures-of-the-week-32315.html

 

David in St. Kitts

Photo by Binka Schwan

 

 

 

 

 

The 2015 Carefree Gardens calendars are now available at Carefree Town Hall, 8 Sundial Circle, Carefree.  They are gorgeous!

 

 

 

Desert Foothills Chronicle link:

http://www.desertfoothillschronicle.org/

City Sun Times link:

http://news.citysuntimes.com/

 

 

The Carefree Town Government received an invitation to address a group of 51 flag level naval, marine and air force officers from 50 countries around the world from the Naval Command College. These high ranking military officers were gathered recently for four days for a conference at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center. 

Many of the past graduates of this program, conducted in conjunction with the Naval War College, have gone on to become the top ranking military official in their respective countries, as well as a select few becoming the President or Premiere of their Country. This conference is part of an annual eleven month program to foster greater communications and international relations between top ranking military people from around the world. The program is primarily conducted in Rhode Island, with “field trips” and conferences throughout the program to bring some of the learning elements covered into better focus. 

Below is a copy of the major portions of the welcoming address which I gave to the attendees. This brief address followed opening remarks by CAPT. Perry Yaw, Director of the US Naval Command College, recapping what the program participants had recently experienced during their visit to the Hoover Dam, and praising the Carefree Resort and Conference Center for their superb food, accommodations and service during their stay there. All of the program participants joined in and recommended to CAPT Yaw that the Program return to the Carefree Resort and Conference Center again next year.

The invitation to address the Program participants was relatively open ended. "Tell us something about Carefree, because many of the participants don’t know about Arizona, let alone Carefree, and try to tie it to the benefit of better communications among nations and international relations.” 

With major help from Carefree Vice Mayor, John Crane, himself a seven year veteran as a officer on a US nuclear submarine, below is the welcoming address which I gave to the Program attendees.

Les Peterson

Mayor, Carefree

About Carefree, and International Relations: 3/18 15

 

Thank you for coming to Carefree.  It is an honor to have such distinguished group of military officers from all over the world in our small Town. 

 

For a bit of perspective, Carefree is a Town situated in the northern desert foothills area of the large valley which is typically referred to as the “Valley of the Sun.” Carefree is relatively small - comprising approximately 8.5 square miles with the Tonto National forest to the North and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States to the South and West. It has a population of about 3,500 citizens - slightly smaller than the population of an aircraft carrier  -- and I think is relatively evident, far from the sea. 

Earlier in the week all of you visited the Hoover Dam. Water that passed through the Hoover dam approximately four weeks ago comprises approximately 50% of the water that comes out of Carefree faucets today. It flows down the Colorado River and a part of this water is then diverted through a series of open canals and large pipes to the Phoenix and Tucson areas through the Central Arizona Project. The availability of this water has enabled Arizona to grow and flourish. That demonstrates the value of well planned and executed infrastructure projects.  

The balance of Carefree’s water supply comes from deep water wells drilled into the aquifer which lies under the very chairs in which you are sitting. Carefree rests atop a huge aquifer of hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water beneath. This is one of the reasons why the vegetation in the desert foothills area is so lush. And we are pleased to report that the water level in our aquifer is steadily increasing - in spite of a relatively long and severe drought throughout the American West, and the Southwest in particular.

If you were to venture into our Town and talk with our citizens, you would find our ranks consist of many people who have traveled and written, spent time in the diplomatic corp and served in the military.  In fact, our Vice Mayor, John Crane, served 7 years as a nuclear submarine officer. You will find people who listen attentively, enjoy other cultures, are anxious to learn from others and yearn for an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives with others.  

If you wander our streets, or our beautiful garden located in the center of Carefree, you will find that Carefree is a soothing environment - a beautiful place to pause and reflect upon what is most important to each of you.  Even our street names will bring a smile to your lips - where else can you stand at the corner of Easy Street and Ho Hum Road, or stroll along streets named Nonchalant Ave or Lucky Lane.  

 

While people from throughout the world come from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, we all appreciate many of the same things.  Things like educational and career opportunities, security for our families and being able to transfer to our children an appreciation of the proud elements of each of our countries and its history, and our values and beliefs. Learning of these similarities that are common to all cultures and countries helps to clear our heads.  And, when our heads are clear, we find that we do, in fact, have many common threads, and these common threads can be the foundation for building communications and something greater to forge stronger bonds between all of us. 

 

So when your work is finished and you leave Carefree, I encourage you to take the memory of Carefree with you.  And, should you ever find the need to refresh yourself, I encourage you to return to the Town that is a bit smaller in population than an aircraft carrier - but is the town that will welcome you with open arms.

 

 

 

We had to move tables because Vicki couldn't hear with the waterfall so we didn't get to give you our reviews of Guido Garcia!   I had the white chicken enchilada which was delicious and Vicki had the red enchilada which she said was delicious also.  Two thumbs up!!

Nancy Fulcher

(Lyn's note: Nancy and Vicki started out at the table next to ours on the outer patio.  They moved up to the inner patio.  There were 5 in our party, and everyone loved what they ordered.  I highly recommend the Fettuccini with pesto and chicken.  It's listed on the menu with smoked salmon, which is also yummy, but they will substitute chicken, which I prefer.  2 in our group had the The Grand Marnier cake for dessert, and loved it too.  The new restaurant is located in Spanish Village, next to where Carefree Station used to be.) 

 

Guido Garcias

Ristorante/Cantina

7212 East Ho Road

Carefree, AZ 85377

phone: 480-488-7000

 

 

2015 Carefree Gardens Photo Contest Awards Ceremony-3/21/15

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/122884867/93bdbf8bb0

 

Hi Lyn,

You and Dr. Herb and Joe really know how to put together a contest! Thank you for the gift (I would have been happy just to get a picture on a calendar—but you took it up a notch and gave a nice gift certificate and a video to boot!  You are the best!

I appreciate you!

Sincerely,

Carrie Kahus

 

 

 

Hi Lyn:

Thanks to Herbie for the photos.  That is an interesting effect that the new lens gives...  Thanks for a fun morning at the awards ceremony.  What a lovely day for the event.  I heard from John that the Marmalade Sky concert was attended by about 600 people.  WOW. Great for the Town!

Cheers,  

Betsy Lynn