How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Tucson: minimum wage, shopper)

[Biltmore Desert Rat]

What is the history and who lived in the mansion on the Southwest corner of 32nd Street and Camelback?

[1937Gal]

Here is a hoot I think.... A while back I was rummaging around in my stash of old stuff and I found a business sized card of eons past listing all the Phoenix radio stations. I have no idea how old this card is, but recently I sent the original to Bob Pond who used to DJ on KRUX.I cannot figure out how to get the jpg from my iMac to this site, however.I went to high school with Bob. In Phoenix he dj'd on KPHO 1957, KRIS, KRUX, KXIV, KUPD (67) and KRDS (68)... Recently KRUX had a reunion with Jim Spero, Al McCoy, Bob Pond, Bob Shannon, Kit Carson, Norm Seeley. I watched the reunion online and was delighted with the flood of memories these guys brought from my years of listening to Phoenix radio. I missed Bill Heywood in the group....

[Ol' Northsider]

Originally Posted by 1937Gal

Here is a hoot I think.... A while back I was rummaging around in my stash of old stuff and I found a business sized card of eons past listing all the Phoenix radio stations. I have no idea how old this card is, but recently I sent the original to Bob Pond who used to DJ on KRUX.I cannot figure out how to get the jpg from my iMac to this site, however.I went to high school with Bob. In Phoenix he dj'd on KPHO 1957, KRIS, KRUX, KXIV, KUPD (67) and KRDS (68)... Recently KRUX had a reunion with Jim Spero, Al McCoy, Bob Pond, Bob Shannon, Kit Carson, Norm Seeley. I watched the reunion online and was delighted with the flood of memories these guys brought from my years of listening to Phoenix radio. I missed Bill Heywood in the group....

Who was 'Lucky Lawrence" on KRUX? He would always end his shift by saying " This is Lucky Lawrence saying Bah" (Bye).

I also recall when Jim Spero on hs morning show - (with the aid of his roving sidekick newsman Paul B. Muntz) pulled off the "flying saucer landed in Phoenix" hoax on April Fool's Day and almost got banned from the air waves.

[1937Gal]

Originally Posted by Ol' Northsider

Who was 'Lucky Lawrence" on KRUX? He would always end his shift by saying " This is Lucky Lawrence saying Bah" (Bye).

I also recall when Jim Spero on hs morning show - (with the aid of his roving sidekick newsman Paul B. Muntz) pulled off the "flying saucer landed in Phoenix" hoax on April Fool's Day and almost got banned from the air waves.

Lucky Lawrence passed away in 2001 of a heart attack. I loved Jim Spero, and of course Paul B. Mundt.... If you Google the KRUX reunion, you can see these fellas sitting at the table having a lot of fun with the memories.

[Hunter Wold]

Ok, I lived at 7th Ave and Northern and went to Washington Grade school; Orangewood Grade school, Washington High School.
Miss Carnation Resturant on ?Central. and a Mexican resturant up the street. Had my first date at the theatre on Central "The Palms??".
Loved the smell of the orange orchards...Miss the 50's in Phoenix.
And can't forget Bob's Big Boy....
HW

[roosevelt]

Some more info on the Palms Theater from Cinematreasures:

"Beautiful theatre, very unique. Departing the parking lot, you passed the exterior part of the March of Dimes pool. You then passed through a arbor of Jasmine, a touch of heaven when blooming. Next is the entrance lobby, all in glass, where future posters were displayed with the inner part of the pool, there were always fresh flowers donated by Norman’s Flower Shop, south of the theatre. Also overhead music played by phone from the Adams Hotel, I believe this was one of Dwight (Red) Harkin’s first endeavors, not sure. This lobby led to the inner lobby which featured a collection of Indian pottery, the concession, and a kind maid keeping everything tidy. Popcorn was popped and bagged in the basement to avoid odors in the lobby. Entering the auditorium you observed beautiful contour curtains under gold ceiling lighting, soft house lights and music. Soon the house lights dim with blue lighting on the walls. The gold contours rise slowly, in loops, into the ceiling, leaving some gold loops hanging after rising. The contours extended nearly half way to the back of the auditorium. A thin title curtain covers the screen upon which opens to reveal the short subjects of Newsreel, Cartoon and Previews. The title curtain closes, gold lights come up, and feature film covers the title curtain as it opens, gold lights dim down. At completion of the feature, title closes and the contours drop in full gold. Leaving the theatre you have choices of Durant’s, Mexican Food, Polar Bear or Golden Drumstick next door. I MUST NOT forget to say that there was parking right on North Central. I remember the Fox, Vista, Rialto, Aztec (spanish, Strand and Phoenix theaters with fondness, downtown was safe and wonderful."

Here are some rare pictures, not very good from the old Theater Catalog for managers:

[1937Gal]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Some more info on the Palms Theater from Cinematreasures:

"Beautiful theatre, very unique. Departing the parking lot, you passed the exterior part of the March of Dimes pool. You then passed through a arbor of Jasmine, a touch of heaven when blooming. Next is the entrance lobby, all in glass, where future posters were displayed with the inner part of the pool, there were always fresh flowers donated by Norman’s Flower Shop, south of the theatre. Also overhead music played by phone from the Adams Hotel, I believe this was one of Dwight (Red) Harkin’s first endeavors, not sure. This lobby led to the inner lobby which featured a collection of Indian pottery, the concession, and a kind maid keeping everything tidy. Popcorn was popped and bagged in the basement to avoid odors in the lobby. Entering the auditorium you observed beautiful contour curtains under gold ceiling lighting, soft house lights and music. Soon the house lights dim with blue lighting on the walls. The gold contours rise slowly, in loops, into the ceiling, leaving some gold loops hanging after rising. The contours extended nearly half way to the back of the auditorium. A thin title curtain covers the screen upon which opens to reveal the short subjects of Newsreel, Cartoon and Previews. The title curtain closes, gold lights come up, and feature film covers the title curtain as it opens, gold lights dim down. At completion of the feature, title closes and the contours drop in full gold. Leaving the theatre you have choices of Durant’s, Mexican Food, Polar Bear or Golden Drumstick next door. I MUST NOT forget to say that there was parking right on North Central. I remember the Fox, Vista, Rialto, Aztec (spanish, Strand and Phoenix theaters with fondness, downtown was safe and wonderful."

Here are some rare pictures, not very good from the old Theater Catalog for managers:

What a wonderful tour of that grand theater. I went to so many movies at The Palms. And I remember that these bygone days were days of double features. Jordan's Hacienda always served up the best mexican food ...or a drive thru to Polar Bar for one of their ice cream delights.

[aviator7777]

Anybody know what ever happened to the Phoenix Suns dream team members including Walter Davis? I know Paul coached a couple of years as did Cotton Fitzsimmons. The years Walter was there were truly enjoyable years. Listening to play by play with Al McCoy on 620 KTAR AM when not at the games was a highlight of living in the Valley.

[aviator7777]

Ah yes back then it was called "the Madhouse on McDowell"... The former home of the NBA Phoenix Suns. When Kareem Abdul Jabar and Irvin "Magic" Johnson came to Phoenix with the LA Lakers it was hard to get tickets. Great memories of the NBA games at "the Madhouse".

[Westside Willie]

Originally Posted by desertratz

I've noticed lots of Whataburgers closing up shop all over the valley within the last 3-4 years. Now there is just a small handful left in the valley. Anybody know why?

Newsflash - The economy tanked in 2008.
The world is broke.

My son managed a Whataburger for about a year in 2010.
He told me they're based in Texas and going to Whataburger in TX is something like a religious experience. People take their entire families and make an evening out of it.

Heres the original McDonalds Central & Indian School May 15, 1953.

I got my first real job at McDonalds (44th Ave & Glendale-still there) in 1970.
We went here to this location for some training/field trip thingy with the owners. The boss told us he used to work here and wore a necktie -right up until the time some joker became a bit irritated about his cheeseburger or something and yanked him halfway through the front window by his tie.
He told us he switched over to clip-ons right after that. ...Memories.