A publication of

The Town of Cave Creek

37622 N Cave Creek Rd.

Cave Creek, AZ

480-488-6600

Editor: Nina Spitzer

Contributors:

Deborah Hietpas

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Click HERE for the Town of Cave Creek's official website.

Fire

Danger...

is

HIGH

The Town of Cave Creek is at

HIGH

fire danger.

It's important to click the campfire image (above) for a detailed explanation of what this means.

We love our desert home.

Let's protect it!

Spark Generating Work

CAUTION!

Take spark-generating preventative measures.

Have an active hose nearby.

Please.

Cave Creek Town Manager Announces Retirement

After more than 35 years of government service, the past 25 years with the Town of Cave Creek, Town Manager Carrie Dyrek has announced her retirement. Read more HERE.

Cave Creek Weather

Corner

October

Calendar

Corner

Oct 2: (6 pm): Council Meeting - Town Hall

Oct 9: Columbus Day - Town Hall Closed

Oct 11 (5:30 pm): Carefree*Cave Creek Chamber Monthly Mixer - Merrill Gardens-Anthem (Info HERE)

Oct 16 (6 pm): Council Meeting - Town Hall (Info HERE)

Oct 19 (7 pm): Planning Commission Meeting - Town Hall

Oct 18/19: Taste of Cave Creek Event Stagecoach Village

(Info HERE)

Oct 26 (7:30 - 9:30 am): Carefree*Cave Creek Chamber Business Breakfast at Harold's (Info HERE)

Oct 28 (9 am - 1pm): Prickly Pear Fest - Holland Center - Info HERE

Oct 28: Cave Creek Wicked - Pub Crawl - Info HERE

Click HERE for the calendar and Zoom links on the Town site.

Taste of Cave Creek

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Oct 18 & 19

Purchase your tix

HERE

...Or At...

Stickhorse Gallery

...Or At...

Ortega's

Cave Creek

Tourism Bureau

~

Now Back

to Full-Time

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Daily 10am-2pm

Sat, Oct 28

9am - 1pm

(Holland Center)

The Fest involves demonstrations showing techniques for gathering and preparing prickly pear fruits as well as seeing how prickly pear smoothies are made. Hear about the history of the prickly pear plant and more. Other desert foods will be featured at various demonstration stations both indoors and outdoors.

More info HERE.

Foothills Caring Corps Corner

Putting Purpose Behind Play

Become a Sponsor for the Foothills Caring Corps 12^th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, December 4 at Mirabel.

Your sponsorship fuels our mission of promoting independence and providing critical transportation services to over 400 older adults and those with disabling conditions throughout our 256 mile service area that includes North Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree.

Join us in making a difference at our only fundraising event this year!

Sponsorship deadline: October 27^{th. Click} HERE to learn more. “

Safety Corner

Good

Advice!

If you find yourself lost while hiking, stranded in a broken-down car, or in any other emergency situation....Before your cell phone runs low or out of power, change the voicemail message to include the following information:

1.    Your situation (lost, injured, out-of-gas, broken-down)

2.    Approximate location

3.    Time/Date

Include any other pertinent information such as whether you’re staying where you are or going in search of help and, if so, in which direction.

Remember, if your cell phone dies or stops working, voicemail continues to work. Anyone calling or looking for you will hear the message and know how to best get help to you.

Supporting Our Locals Corner

Supporting Local Merchants

Halloween Shoppers Remember...

Cave Creek shops and restaurants are the BEST for something special that can't be found anywhere else!

Plus, they're convenient and friendly, too.

We love our local shops, restaurants, and services. Let's be sure to support them.



SHOP LOCAL!

Local merchants:

We love you!

Carefree*Cave Creek Chamber Corner

The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce has been committed to promoting and supporting its members for over

56 years.

Click HERE for more info on how they benefit businesses and the

local community too.

Guess It

Corner

A train station in Cave Creek?

Maybe not...But, where have you seen this sign?

September Answer:

You may have met the handsome ol' fella from September's "Guess It" in front of Harold's Cave Creek Corral. His name is "Pappy" and, for a dollar, he will gladly tell your fortune. Click HERE to see Pappy again in the last newsletter.

Photo Credit: D. Hietpas

A Day-in-the-Life Corner

Deputies Walters and Fonseca and

DSP Isbrandt at their daily job of protecting our town

Photo Credit: D. Hietpas

Click HERE to access the Desert Foothills Library's program listing called

Information Highways.

***

Supporting one another is what it's all about!

***

Banner

Photo Credit:

Photo Artist

Dennis Taylor

Merchant Marketing Corner

Shouting Out

Marketing Opportunities

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Taste of Cave Creek: Call "Taste" organizer Patty Pollnow for ideas on how you can market your business through this upcoming Taste event:

(480) 204-0140

Deadline: October 5.

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Community Partners is a "One hand washes the other!" marketing opportunity where both local small businesses and local non-profits support one another. Check it out and get more info HERE!

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Instagram: Dale Samar, of the Cave Creek Visitors Guide offers free promotion on The Cave Creek Visitor's Guide's Instagram account. contact Dale at 602-799-7335.

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And don't forget: The Cave Creek Tourism Bureau is a free marketing opportunity for licensed Cave Creek businesses. Yes. It's a free service of the Town of Cave Creek. For info and sign-up form, go to the tourism bureau webpage by clicking HERE.

Safety Net Corner

Safety First!

Always!!!

CodeRED is an emergency alert system. Cave Creek residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in order to receive electronic alerts in the event of an emergency.

Be Safe-Don't Be Sorry!

Click HERE to register now for direct alerts from the Town of Cave Creek in the event of a crisis.

"Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows' Eve."

- Ray Bradbury



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October

2023

Feature Corner

Ready. Set. Go!

Taste of Cave Creek

2023

By N. Spitzer

It’s been a long wait since the last Taste of Cave Creek, but alas it’s here. The event everyone has been waiting for is this month, Oct 18 and 19, at Stagecoach Village. Event planner and Stagecoach Village general manager, Patty Pollnow, has been working hard on “The Taste” for months. Now, the green light opening the event gates is only just around the bend.

You may wonder what to expect. Well for starters, lots of tastes…of course! In fact, currently there are 32+ participating area restaurants who will be cooking up a storm. You certainly won’t be leaving hungry. In addition, a good amount of unique area merchants will be showing off their best.

Here’s a great opportunity for a fun evening out with family and friends. Expect the environment at “The Taste” to be lively. Music will be provided 3^rd and Long Band in the gazebo nightly 5 pm – 9 pm and expect a DJ in the beer garden. If you’d like to get up and dance – Go for it! There will plenty of casually strolling around between tastes while meeting friends and making new ones.

Shuttles will be available for attendee convenience and will start running each day at 4:45pm. They will be stopping at the Town of Cave Creek parking lot, Desert Foothills Library, Kiwanis Market Place, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, T.C.’s parking lot, Scott Whelan parking lot, and Cave Creek Road/Scopa Trail corner. (See map image below.)

Tickets are already on sale online at the Taste of Cave Creek site or can be purchased at Stickhorse Gallery or Ortega’s, both in Stagecoach Village. Purchasing tickets early means you use the express entry at the event. Tickets will also be sold at the door by cheerful, local volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers…Patty still has openings. This is a fun way to be part of Taste of Cave Creek and earn a free entry as well. Volunteer meetings will be held Monday, October 9 and Monday, October 16 at 5 pm in Tate Studio, Suite 105, Stagecoach Village. If you’re interested in volunteering or have questions give Patty a call. (480-204-0140)

So, YES! Get ready, set, and go! Because, this is indeed the event of the year in Cave Creek. ENJOY!

Photo Credits: (Top) Town of Cave Creek (Bottom) Taste of Cave Creek

Mayor's Corner

Dear Cave Creek Residents and Merchants,

Colorado River water and Central Arizona Project, CAP, canals will be in the news for years to come. That is where most of Cave Creek’s water is sourced. The Town government will be taking additional steps to ensure adequate water in the future. The most important need is to conserve water.

The Colorado river was allocated at about 17-million-acre feet per year decades ago, but is only producing 11-12. The allocation was done at a time of low population in Arizona. The political realities at the time forced Arizona to subordinate rights to California.

A high stakes negotiation is now going on between river basin states, including California, and the federal government. That negotiation will determine how much Arizona’s water and those of the other states is cut to balance the Colorado River consumption with long term production. That will likely reduce water to all the states and perhaps disproportionately to Arizona and Cave Creek.

I’m proud to say the Arizona negotiators are steadfastly protecting our water, but everyone must cut back. The question is: how much will each state be cut? Will it be massive cuts in Arizona? Or will the cuts be shared more fairly? Old, existing, and out of date agreements put Arizona in a precarious position.

While the final Big Picture solution is uncertain, there are clear policies and structural steps the Town is taking and more are likely. You probably do not notice, but high monthly water use is billed at far higher rates than the average consumer. The typical customer consumes 10,000 gallons per month. The highest water cost for massive consumers (50,000 gallons per month) is 6 times the lowest on water bills. It pays to use water wisely.

The Town currently has enough water for some modest growth at current consumption levels. But we must plan and get started on changes to protect our desert life. That means every consumer in Cave Creek will need to reduce wasted water and configure homes and landscaping to use less.

Even though Arizona uses far less water per person than historically, with massive growth, conservation is clearly in our future on a greater scale than today.

Did you know the water use in summer is 75% higher in July than it is in January, even though many people are out of town and businesses are less busy! That’s a clue to an opportunity to save water without dramatic changes to our lifestyle.

Next month, I will use my personal water adventures to illustrate where conservation can help ensure reliable supplies for decades to come.

Mayor Robert Morris

Town of Cave Creek

CodeRED: Sign Up!

Town Manager's Corner

Dear Cave Creek Residents and Merchants,

I’m happy to report the Town of Cave Creek ended its Fiscal Year 2023 (July 1-June 30, 2023), exceeding its annual budget projections for revenues, and under spending its budget for expenses. Our stable financial status allows the Town Council to authorize funding for our new fire department, maintain and improve our roads, manage our water resources and utilities, and preserve and protect the natural beauty of our many acres of open space and other important new and ongoing projects.

Total preliminary unaudited revenues collected through the fourth quarter of 2023 were $14,072,054, representing 116.0% of budget without surplus carryforward or transfers from other funds. This revenue is made up of local tax revenue, local fees and revenues, state revenues, and miscellaneous revenues. The Town collected $9,785,007 in local taxes exceeding budget 107.9% mainly due to the collection of more Town sales taxes than budgeted. Local fees and revenues of $1,055,776 were above budget at 113.6% mostly due to building permits and planning and zoning fees exceeding budget. State revenues of $1,943,934 ended the fiscal year slightly over budget at 103.6%. Interest income revenue of $971,861 was significantly above budget due to increased interest rates earned on Town investments.

For expenditures, all departments ended the fourth quarter of FY23 with total General Fund preliminary unaudited expenditures of $9,408,688 or 76.8% of the expenditure budget without the contingency reserve and transfers to other funds. Of this total, operating expenditures are $8,753,261 representing 68.9% of budget. Capital expenditures are $655,427 representing 25.2% of budget.

Many thanks to our staff for excellent planning and execution of budgeted and approved programs. 

Details of the preliminary unaudited 4th Quarter Financial Report can be found HERE.

Regards, 

Carrie A. Dyrek

Cave Creek Town Manager

The Marshal's Corner

Greetings from the Marshal,

I’d like to take a moment and recognize the loss to our community of local icon, Johnny Ringo. Johnny was a long-time Cave Creek legend for years. More importantly, Johnny Ringo and I became friends many years ago. As most of you may know, New Yorkers and people from New Jersey typically do not befriend one another. I made an exception in Johnny’s case. I enjoyed his wild stories and pleasant demeanor. Johnny was nice to everyone and most of all, Johnny was a “Creeker.” He and I didn’t always agree, however we respected each other’s opinion. Johnny knew my wife Deanna and she always mentioned how charismatic he was. Johnny faced his illness with amazingly calm and positive outlook, truly beating many odds in his battle. I will always remember Johnny as someone who loved supporting Cave Creek and always had the best intentions in his heart. He will be missed.

Time is passing by so quickly. I’m excited the new firehouse plans are coming along so well. I’m also always disappointed about SO MANY rescues on Black Mountain and at Spur Cross. Cave Creek Fire Department is certainly doing an amazing job and we’re truly blessed in our partnership with Daisy Mountain Fire. We have welcomed Captain Laterno to MCSO District IV, and we continue to see improvements as it pertains to speed issues within town.

Applications for special events in Cave Creek are increasing. Please be careful as you drive throughout town. Obey the speed limits. Be aware. Keep your eyes open for pedestrians and bicyclists. STAY OFF YOUR PHONES while driving. Certainly, don’t TEXT and drive.

Patty Pollnow is doing a great job with Stage Coach Village’s Taste of Cave Creek. I look forward to this year’s “Taste” as a private event and hope you all support it. Please let Patty know what a great job she’s doing with preparing this event.

Remember to subscribe to CodeRed. Learn about READY, SET, GO before you actually need to use it. (Information available as handouts in our town hall lobby or by following this link.) Support our local businesses and most of all….be kind to one another. It is easier to be kind and smile than it is to be rude and hostile. Be a Creeker and take time to be a good neighbor.

I will see you at this year’s Taste of Cave Creek!

Stay Safe,

Marshal Adam Stein

In Loving Memory

A New Jersey Businessman

Turned Cave Creek Cowboy

John Charles Briganti

(AKA Johnny Ringo)

2/15/1943 – 8/31/2023

A Legend in His Time

Johnny, you will be missed.

Town of Cave Creek News Corner

Sixteen Years of Service

The Town of Cave Creek is proud to announce that Council member Thomas McGuire was honored with a Local Elected Official Distinguished Service Award for 16 years of service at the 2023 League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference. Congratulations Council member McGuire! 

Photo: Vice-Mayor Royer, Council member McGuire, and Mayor Morris

Cave Creek Tourism Bureau Corner

The BIG Blue Chair 

New to the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau this season is the “BIG Blue Chair.” This giant-sized (literally) chair is bright turquoise with beautiful Arizona-themed artwork on its backrest. BIG Blue welcomes visitors to the tourism bureau and shouts, “Come sit and take a photo as a wonderful memento of your visit to Cave Creek.” Yes-The chair is large enough to seat more than one person!

The BIG Blue Chair began its life at the CCTB as an old, raw wood, dried out, rickety mess of a very large chair that wiggled like all heck. That is, until tourism bureau volunteer Hank Zolkiewicz got his hands on it. With love, time, hard work, nails and paint the chair was slowly transformed. Hank’s magic touch at reinforcement and his own amazing artwork turned the fireplace-ready hunk of junk wood into the beautiful, welcoming eye-catcher it is today.

This season, visitors from all over the world will park their bums on our BIG Blue Chair and “Smile for the camera.” Not only will they depart with a wonderful, fun photo, but also with great memories of Cave Creek. Please note, however, BIG Blue isn’t just for first-time visitors to Cave Creek. BIG Blue welcomes everyone! You, too!

Come by. Take a look. Take a seat. Take a family Cave Creek photo! It will surely be one you'll cherish for years to come.

(Cave Creek Tourism Bureau Hours: Daily 10am-2pm)

Photos:

Top - Volunteer Deborah

Bottom - Volunteer Hank with BIG Blue before its transformation

The Cave Creek Tourism Bureau is here for you!

Concierge Tour '24 Corner

Cave Creek Concierge Tour

2024

This season’s Cave Creek Concierge Tour 2024 event will be January 9, 2024. A coach bus will take approximately 30 guests around our town pointing out historical landmarks, heavenly restaurants, and unique gift shops. The tour attendees will have the opportunity to get off the bus at several designated stops for tastes, look-sees, and some in depth commentary. This tour will end with a dinner at Local Jonny’s and a group photo at the Cave Creek Tourism Bureau where they will receive their “swag bag” full of goodies from participating local merchants.

Our committee members will soon begin reaching out to the restaurants who may like to make a contribution of “tastes.” to the event. This should be a small, but memorable yummy item. 

Our committee members will also be inviting town merchants to contribute “swag bag” items showcasing the best of their business. We suggest items show off your store’s style and please attach your brochure or business card.

If you are interested or have questions about this free marketing opportunity, please feel free to email (HERE) event organizer Deborah.     

We look forward to making this 2^nd Concierge Tour as fabulous as the first.

  ~ Deborah, Event Coordinator

Photo Credits: Dunn Transportation and N. Spitzer

Cave Creek Concierge Tour 2022 Goody Bag

chock-full of merchant promo items

New Biz Corner

Blazing Boulders

David Stodgill and son Davie, who’ve been doing business in and around Cave Creek for over 2 years, now have a brick-and-mortar location called Blazing Boulders at 6015 E. Cave Creek Road. Their business is landscape boulders and flagstone, custom-made address rocks, and fire pit rocks. Inside the store they carry gently used horse tack and Amazon pallet merchandise. They also have a fine selection of jewelry from the Cora Indians in Mexico which includes handmade purses and sandals.

Happenings Corner

Sept. 2: Harold's Hawaiian Luau

On Sept 2, Harold's brought back its popular Hawaiian Luau, this year benefitting the Maui Strong Fund. The event featured a pig roast luau buffet, Hawaiian luau dancers, a Hawaiian ice vendor, drink specials, contests, face painting and other festivities.Read more about the event on a Foothills Focus article HERE.

Photo Credit: Susan Kern-Fleischer

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Sept. 4: Helicopter Rescue at Spur Cross

A hiker was rescued at Spur Cross Conservation Area on Labor Day. Responding were Phoenix Tech Rescue, Scottsdale emergency management, Sheriff’s deputies, and of course Cave Creek's own Fire Department staffed by Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical. All of the neighboring Automatic Aid agencies were represented. This was the first use of Cave Creek's new helicopter pad at Spur Cross where the sheriff's helicopter was used to evacuate. The injury turned out to be non-life threatening, but the emergency response was amazing.

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Sept 16: Cave Creek Museum's

Pre-Season Reception

Cave Creek Museum's executive director, Evelyn Johnson, welcomes guests to the pre-season reception. Event attendees had first looks at new displays for the 2023-24 season.

Happy

Halloween!

Metal skull by metal artist Matt Prellwitz

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