Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Why are there so many car washes in Phoenix? Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

In some neighborhoods, it seems like there's a car wash every few blocks.

Eric Wulf, the CEO of the International Car Wash Association, said that Phoenix is one of the top markets for car washes. The reason for that traces back to a few things, including our weather, our growing population and changes in the industry overall.

To find out more about this subject, podcast editor Katie O'Connell talked to trade experts and car wash owners alike. Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, to find out more.

In this episode, you'll also hear from:

Dave Cheatham, the president of Velocity Retail Group
Brian Gleason, the owner of Mr. Shine Car Wash in Peoria

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you garden in Phoenix? And why are so many doing it? Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

If you noticed all your friends and family on social media have taken up gardening recently, you're not alone. Universities are hosting online gardening tutorials, nurseries are filling their schedules with appointment-only shopping visits and at least one local garden's how-to email inbox is full daily.

But the coronavirus pandemic isn't the first time people began gardening during difficult epochs.

In World War I and II, self sufficiency took on new importance as Americans had to cope with food shortages and rationing. Out of it came "victory gardens," named after the war-time campaign slogan asking Americans to begin gardening and, "sow the seeds of victory."

Although we do not face the same food shortages today, the comfort of gardening remains the same.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Taylor Seely asks experts the step-by-step process of how to begin a garden and speaks to locals about their newfound love of horticulture. Plus, what to do if you want to garden in an apartment or would prefer to start with houseplants.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to find black culture and a sense of community in Phoenix Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Elizabeth Montgomery, a Community Relations and Events Producer for The Arizona Republic, is teaming up with Valley 101 in this week's episode.

During Black History Month, she wrote a column about moving to Metro Phoenix. Montgomery had lived her whole life in Atlanta, Ga. After moving here, she realized quickly that Atlanta and Phoenix are very different.

One of the biggest differences is the population of African Americans in each city. Atlanta is 52% African American, while Phoenix is just under 7%.

Soon after her arrival, Montgomery searched for her community, for the people, businesses and art that would help her feel at home. And she found it.

In today's episode, she's sharing her tips to learning to love your new home. Montgomery teamed up with producer Maritza Dominguez to share her journey of finding a community in Phoenix.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do 3,000 North Dakotans gather annually in a Mesa park? Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Before social distancing became the norm, people used to gather. We'd get together for barbecues and cocktails, catch a movie or see a concert.

But in world shaped by the coronavirus pandemic, the thought of 3,000 people from North Dakota congregating in a Mesa park seems distant. Still, that's exactly what happened on March 1.

Perhaps the largest gathering of North Dakotans outside of the state, the North Dakota picnic gives transplants like reporter Rachel Leingang the chance to reconnect with those who sound and feel like home. A first-time attendee, Leingan decided to play a game: she attempted to find an unknown relative on a Saturday morning, 1,400 miles away from her hometown.

Did her experiment work? And how did she feel afterward? Find out in this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Producing the episode this week is podcast editor Katie O'Connell.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The history of The Swindall Inn, a boarding house for black tourists in Phoenix Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Before anti-segregation milestones like Brown vs. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, black tourists were prohibited from staying at most hotels. One of the few options for minority travelers in Phoenix was The Swindall House, also known as the Swindall Tourist Inn.

Located at 1021 E. Washington Street, the inn is named after its second owners, Golden and Elvira Swindall. But its story begins with a Belgian immigrant in 1913.

And rumor has it that famous black performers like jazz pianist Count Basie and athlete like baseball player Jackie Robinson stayed there. But efforts to locate a guestbook to verify those claims have failed.

In fact, much of the building's history has been lost to time. Producer Taylor Seely spent two months uncovering the Swindall House's rich history, significance and lasting legacy for this episode of Valley 101.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was Sparky the Sun Devil created by a Disney animator? Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

In 1946, the Arizona State College mascot was the Bulldogs. But the Bulldog mascot was one of the most popular, then and now, so the football booster club decided it needed a new mascot that was more unique. That's when local attorney and member of the organization Water Craig suggested the Sun Devil.

Craig also knew the illustrator who would bring Sparky the Sun Devil to life. Berkeley Anthony was a former Disney animator in the 1930s and early 1940s. But the story of Berkeley's time at Disney, as well as his creation of Sparky afterward, has many twists and turns.

Producer Maritza Dominguez will explore that story on this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How a small time Disney animator created the iconic mascot for ASU
How Sparky came to live on the football field
How the legacy of Sparky the Sun Devil Continues

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BONUS: Coronavirus FAQs answered Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

Stories about the new coronavirus are inescapable right now. The Valley 101 podcast team understands that can be overwhelming and difficult to parse through.

So this week we're releasing a 15-minute bonus episode answering the essential frequently-asked questions about COVID-19. In this episode, health-care reporter Stephanie Innes tells you what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe and informed during the outbreak.

Here's what we answer:

What's the difference between the coronavirus and COVID-19?
How's it different from the flu?
How does it spread?
How do you stay safe?
What's social distancing? Why are people doing it?
What does "flattening the curve" mean?
Why flattening the curve is especially important in Arizona
What's the worst-case scenario that could happen in our community?
How long could this last?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is valley fever? And what are its symptoms? Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

Each year when monsoon season hits, so do the headlines about valley fever.

But what is valley fever?

The answer lies in our soil. There's a type of fungus that lives in the first few inches of the soil in the southwest. When that fungus dries, it turns into microscopic spores. When those spores are swept up in haboobs, we run the risk of breathing them in, which could lead to an infection in our lungs.

And it's not just humans who are at risk. Our pets can develop valley fever too.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell finds answers about valley fever before monsoon season hit.

In this episode you'll hear:

What valley fever is and what causes it
What are the symptoms of valley fever
Options for diagnosis and treatment of valley fever
How to tell if your pet might have valley fever

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's a haboob and when did we start using that word? Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

During monsoon season, from June to September, large dust storms often overwhelm Arizona. The storms grow more severe when the preceding spring and winter seasons are dry, which allows dirt to loosen. When dust storms hit certain criteria, they're considered "haboobs."

Haboob is an Arabic word that essentially means big, blasting winds, according to Andrew Deemer, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Phoenix and former linguist.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast that answers your questions about metro Phoenix, Producer Taylor Seely breaks down the components necessary for a dust storm to be considered a haboob, plus how and when the word entered Arizona's lexicon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What buildings are the most iconic in the Phoenix skyline? Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

For this week's episode, we're tackling a more subjective question, "What buildings would you say are the most iconic in the Phoenix skyline?"

There are a few ways to approach this question, from either an aesthetic standpoint or by evaluating a building's history.

But, thanks to the help of some expert sources, we've crowned one building the winner.

Listen to this week's episode, produced by podcast editor Katie O'Connell, to find out which one.

In this episode you'll hear:

Alison King, founder of Modern Phoenix: The Neighborhood Network
Michelle Dodds, city of Phoenix historic preservation officer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected