A pleasant good evening to anyone who happens across this note, My name is Gregory, and I was born in the BEAUTIFUL area of Maryvale, Arizona in 1963. Maryvale was new back then, green, clean, and absolutely BEAUTIFUL. It was to be a planned community area with everything imaginable right there. From the Maryvale Mall at 51st Avenue, and Indian School, Maryvale Theatre's, Maryvale Parks, Maryvale Hospital, Maryvale Golf Course, and Maryvale High School. We, the original Maryvaler's were SO proud of OUR community. We all took pride in ownership of our homes, and our area. We just new WE were going to be the Scottsdale of the west side. GOSH IT WAS WONDERFUL THERE!! I have nothing but fond memories and PRIDE of being a native when I think of it. Still to this day, when I travel back to Phoenix for a visit, and I find myself approaching 51st Avenue and Thomas Road, (MY area), I silently swell up inside knowing I'm home. I know my lovely Maryvale has suffered these past few decades, I know what people say. It absolutely breaks my heart to hear people make derogatory statements about something they know nothing about. You've all heard the saying, "you look at the world through rose colored glasses", WELL that best describes how I still see my beautiful Maryvale. It's not that I'm blind to what has gone on there, and how my area has declined over the last few decades, BUT, it's that when I drive down these all to familiar streets, I see ALL, ABSOLUTELY ALL the utterly fantastic potential this area, MY area, still possesses. The homes are well built homes, block, and brick construction. How many people in Phoenix today, can afford a NEW brick home? The home site lots are much larger on average than ANY new home lot sizes. The homes aren't HUGE, but just the right size. The home aren't opulent, but THEY ARE ADOREABLE, CUTE, and yes even HANDSOME! I still remember how all the lawns used to be lush and green, and one flowed into the next with no divisions. Dad cutting the grass, and mom washing the new car in the big two car carport. I would LOVE to see a resurgence in my beloved Maryvale area! I think all of us native Maryvaler's would. It would be absolutely PHENOMENAL to see a Maryvale RENESSAUNTS such as the one that took place in the Height/Ashbury district of San Francisco. I truly believe it could, and would happen if certain artistic people with a common vision of what the result could be, coupled by putting their artistic flair to work, the SKY would be the limit. It's late, a quarter to 4:00 a.m., so I'll say good night. I just had to put these thoughts of mine, that I've carried so long in my head, out there for someone, anyone, to read. Thank you.Native Maryvaler (talk) 09:16, 23 January 2010 (UTC)