Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: December 7th, 2006
Christmas Tree With A View, Los Angeles, 1970
The Hollywood Freeway goes from side to side. The Union Bank building was the first skyscraper in Southern California. It was dedicated in 1966. We are high up atop one of the twin Arco Towers as they near completion. Rarely do we see a fake Christmas tree and an American flag together but here they are high on a steel beam labeled KAISER TOWER dangling from a crane fixed high above the city. The workmen protect their heads with smart red hardhats. They stand in awe of their patriotic holiday display. It is truly inspired. One of the men makes a timeless early morning fashion statement by pairing a black sweater vest with a lipstick red long sleeve shirt over white bun-huggin’ bellbottoms. Everyone knows you’re not supposed to wear white to a construction site!
Here’s to the flag and the tree flying high together, bellbottoms and YOU!
HAPPY HOLIDAZE!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
December 2006
Sets this Slide belongs to:
Los Angeles
10 Comments on “Christmas Tree With A View, Los Angeles, 1970”
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December 7th, 2006 at 9:05 am
Awesome photo Charles. We have a guy here in Portland that has been serving a slide every day for more than a year. You might also like his site. MangoFalls
December 7th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Charles, this slide depicts a “topping off” ceremony. When the highest point of construction of a building has been reached, all the workers sign a piece of steel which is then hoisted into place. A catered lunch is served, and an evergreen is put into position atop the building for good luck (either to the workers or the future occupants–I’ve heard both explanations). The tree decorations are a nice touch, and show that the “topping off” occurred around Christmastime.
December 7th, 2006 at 10:01 am
Where I’m from, it was common practice to place an evergreen tree with roots at the top of any building as it was being built, for luck. After it was done, you planted the tree near the building. I think this might go back to Celtic folklore. If I ever build anything, I am certainly going to do this. And wear white bell bottoms to the construction site, now that I know that is the height of taboo-shattering cool.
December 7th, 2006 at 10:33 am
C-
What an awesome shot..my fear of heights just kicked in just by looking at that photo….boy are they ever high up there. Yikes… and you are correct. Who in there right mind would wear white to a construction site… guess that was the 70’s for you. lol.
Thanks for the amusement of your slides every week. Your email is always the highlight of my week…and I always look forward to seeing the photos and stories you’ll be sharing.
Melanie
xo
December 7th, 2006 at 11:39 am
Life seems much to serious ! Trees on girders, white bell bottoms, red helmets to match.A boring workmen’s day turns into a delightful occasion! Thank heavens we have Charles Phoenix looking at our world through a comedian’s eyes. Charles, the retro weinee tree video is awesome.(just viewed it) Your great sense of humor takes me to such a happy place! I love spending time in La La La land!
December 7th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I would have missed the bell-bottoms. Mr. Phoenix has such an eye! (That’s why he’s a celebrity.)
December 8th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Whoever heard of wearing bellbottoms at a construction site? Maybe the guy wearing them was going to go to a discotechque afterwards. The guy with the candy cane colored shirt looks like he’s in the Christmas spirit. I wonder if the Kaiser Tower is still there.
December 8th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Mr. Bell Bottoms actually looks like his left hand might be on the neck of a guitar as he strums out the disco version of Holly Jolly Christmas.
RIP Jerry
December 8th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
On the other hand, 1970 was a little early for disco so… maybe he INVENTED it! Haz-ah!
December 8th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Anybody know if Mr. Phoenix uses the actual slides in his shows, or does he scan them and show jpegs or something?
(I also have wondered if he has some sort of temperature-controlled, special environment where he keeps them, but I doubt it.)