Empty Bowls helps stock food bank

By Curtis Riggs | October 29, 2008

The Foothills Food Bank received a $17,761 donation from the Sonoran Arts League, monies raised at the League’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser held on Friday, Oct. 23.

Photo by Curtis Riggs

Victorian home again on market

By Curtis Riggs | October 29, 2008

Foster, O’Toole home at entry to Spur Cross one of a kind
CAVE CREEK – One of the most unique and remarkable homes in the community is once again on the market.

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Consignment shops offer quality at fair prices

October 29, 2008

CAVE CREEK – With the economy in a slump and gasoline at a premium, consumers are shopping at consignment and thrift stores to save money without sacrificing quality. Lately, this has been a hot topic on national news and morning talk shows – and it’s a hot topic in Arizona, too.

Local residents are fortunate that two of the finest consignment shops in the Valley are located in Cave Creek. Shoppers can conserve gas and find incredible bargains on quality merchandise at the same time.

Carefree Consignment Boutique and the Collectible Corral are both located in the Village Center, just east of the Dairy Queen at 6554 E. Cave Creek Rd. The first specializes in designer and quality apparel for women and teenage girls, while the second carries collectibles of all kinds and select antiques.

“What makes our store special is its location,” says Gail Dudley, owner of Carefree Consignment Boutique. “Our consigners bring us top quality clothing and accessories that we can offer at reasonable prices. In addition to our regular lines of clothing and accessories, we are fortunate to be able to offer designer purses, jeans, tops, dresses and pants.”
Purse labels include Louis Vuitton, Coach, Chanel, Fendi, Dooney & Bourke, and Brighton. “We also have just created a special section for young women with labels including Hollister, Juicy Couture, American Eagle, Ed Harvey and Abercrombie.”

Dudley says the store is gearing up for Wild West Days by expanding its cowgirl section. “We have boots by Lucchese, Justin and Dan Post to name only a few – and a great selection of Western wear, turquoise jewelry and belts.”

According to Collectible Corral owner Gary Cicci, the store offers shoppers an assortment of items including sports memorabilia, estate jewelry, dolls, purses, teapots, cookie jars, fine china, decorator items, paintings, works by local artisans and a variety of collectibles.
“We never know what’s going to come in the door next,” Cicci says, “and that’s part of the fun of it for us and for our customers.”

“Our mission is to provide quality merchandise at fair prices in an enjoyable, friendly shopping environment,” he says. “Our customers always comment on the great buys we have here.”

Both stores are ideal for holiday shopping on a budget, as all items are priced reasonably. Whether it’s a limited edition Mickey Mouse collectible or Juicy Couture sunglasses, you’ll find unique ideas at both stores for everyone on your list.

The stores are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Carefree Consignment Boutique at (480) 595-8185 or the Collectible Corral at (480) 488-9696.
Stop by and check them out – and happy bargain-hunting.

Neighborhood Monte de Paz art show set for Saturday

By Curtis Riggs | October 29, 2008

Local painters showing their stuff
SCOTTSDALE – Neighbor-hood artists Pamela Mangelsdorf and Terrie Grasse have enjoyed having an art expo across the street from their Monte de Paz homes the last few years.
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Haunted Settlement sure to horrify and bring fun to all who come

By Andrew Gesell | October 29, 2008

Local high schools benefit from each ticket sold
CAREFREE – Of the many Halloween attractions available in our state this year, one to consider is the Haunted Settlement hosted by the Carefree Resort and Villas, 37220 N. Muletrain Rd., in Carefree. The highly successful first-time event has earned a 4th place listing on AZCentral’s top 13 Haunted Houses, which is attributable to the elaborate prop set-up, acting, storyline, and campfire story experience afterwards.

When first going through the tour you will be guided by the creator and director of the event Danielle Allen, who graduated last year from Pinnacle High School. She will give you a detailed history of the settlement. At the door to the Saloon, Allen gives only two rules, “Never stop moving, and do not disturb the dead.”

What really makes the tour complete are the student volunteers, Drama Club students from Pinnacle High School and Cactus Shadows Key Club, who set up all the rooms and do all the acting. It took only two weeks for the students to set up all the props in the 3 buildings on the resort property.  “We usually require 12 volunteers every night,” said Allen. “It gives them something to do every weekend and raises money for their school.”

“Bone chilling, breathtaking, terrifying,” were some of the words described by Chris Stall, 13, who had just gone through the house. “We want to go back again so we can expect what will happen.” Stall said he had heard about the event through friends, and brought his family and a friend to experience it.

After going through the house there is a campfire where you can sit down, roast marshmallows, and listen to local ghost stories told by a Hopi storyteller.
“At the campfire we tell ghost stories, Native American legends, and people can tell their own stories,” said storyteller David Satala, 39. “We can drop down the scariness factor for young children as well.”

The Haunted Settlement is open Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 31 from 7-11 p.m. The admission fee is $14, of which $2 will be donated to the participating high schools. For more information and directions, call 480-488-5300.

Copyright © 2008 Sonoran News