I've always said that there's more to Arizona than just golf courses and suburban sprawl. If you need proof, just pick up a copy of the book "Weird Arizona."
This book contains some of the greatest local legends and best kept secrets of Arizona's history, and it's all stuff that you won't find in ordinary Arizona travel brochures. Weird Arizona by Wesley Treat features over 120 stories that cover everything from Roadside Oddities to Unexplained Phenomena. Have you ever wondered about the origins of Meteor Crater, or the gunfight at the OK Corral? What about the famous Phoenix Lights of 1997? They're all in here, along with plenty of other good tales that you may not have heard of before.
Yesterday was the grand opening of the new Microsoft Store in Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. I went down there to check it out and yes, it is alarmingly similar to the Apple Store. The real question though is whether Microsoft's retail store is strong enough to take a bite out of Apple's business.
Apple currently has six retail stores in the state of Arizona, with locations in Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and one in Tucson. The Scottsdale location opened earlier this year on Scottsdale Road just south of Kierland Blvd.
The non-traditional nature of the Apple store has been a smash hit for the Cupertino-based computer company. Products are displayed on tables instead of in boxes, shelves, and display cases. They are plugged in and turned on, ready to be used by customers. Employees are friendly and ready to demonstrate the products instead of hiding behind registers. To top it all off, the stores are bright and airy with elegant wood floors.
Walking into the Microsoft Store today was like entering a parallel universe. I saw the same open-air products, ready to be used. I saw the same wood flooring and bright lighting. I saw the same hip, friendly employees with lanyard nametags. There was even cool ambient music playing in the background.
When In-N-Out Burger first came to Arizona nine years ago, I didn't understand what the fuss was all about. Now I have a much better understanding of what it is that makes In-N-Out so special: it's everything.
In-N-Out Burger started in California way back in 1948. Since then, they have grown to 248 restaurants with locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. The first Arizona location opened at Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in the year 2000.
At the time, In-N-Out's entry into the Phoenix area was an event that made headlines. It was more than just the grand opening of a new burger stand; it was an event that people came to be part of. My dad took me there on opening day and I was shocked at the long line of cars snaking its way around the parking lot. We must have waited over an hour to get to the front of the line, it was so busy! I had never seen anything like it. After all, they are just burgers, right?
Phoenix's "First Fridays" Art Walk is the place to be if you like crowds, noise, and a whole lot of freaky people. The monthly event draws thousands to downtown, where they smoke and mingle and look cool. So where do you go if you're actually interested in local art without being trampled by scenesters? The answer may surprise you. One of the best kept secrets in the Phoenix art community is the Sunnyslope Artwalk. On Saturday, October 10th over 125 local artists, craftspeople, and musicians will descend on Central Avenue and Dunlap Avenue for this FREE event, sponsored by Sunnyslope W.I.N.S. and the Second Saturdays committee.
San Diego developer Joe Pinsonneault has spent the past five years trying to bring the Mountain Bell building to the ground. On Sunday, September 27th, he finally got his wish.
In addition to Mr. Pinsonneault, hundreds of spectators lined up on rooftops and parking garages to watch as the 10-story structure was destroyed in a controlled implosion at 10:04 AM MST. Of course I was there with my camera in hand to document the first major building to be brought down since the Hotel Adams was razed in the 1970s.
When it first opened in 1973, the Mountain Bell building was the first building in Phoenix to be designed in the International style. The architect was Al Beadle, a man whose tremendous influence on Phoenix architecture is only now beginning to gather appreciation.
Mountain Bell was eventually renamed Qwest, who occupied the building through 2003. According to the Arizona Republic, the property was purchased by Pinsonneault in mid-2004. He plans to develop the land into a high rise tower of luxury condos for retired people, which as of yet has no financial backing.
Check out the following articles for more on the history of the Mountain Bell building, Al Beadle, and the future of the 9-acre site:
I've always said that there's more to Arizona than just golf courses and suburban sprawl. If you need proof, just pick up a copy of the book "Weird Arizona."
