Rendezvous Report September 19, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Food, Vehicles, Weather.add a comment
Here is some coverage from the Route 66 Rendezvous this weekend in San Bernardino, Calif.
— A lucky reporter at the Redlands Daily Facts tried the fare at the barbecue booths at the festival.
— The Contra Costa Times takes a closer look at the alternative-fuel vehicles and other “green” practices at the event.
— Get out the sunblock — it’s going to be hot the rest of the weekend in San Bern.
And here’s a very good video from Neon Night, where many vehicles are decked in neon lighting, including one car with a neon Route 66 shield on its roof.
More Rhythms of the Road September 18, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, Road trips, Television.1 comment so far
Brian Greene of Greene HD Productions has posted the seventh episode of “Rhythms of the Road,” a musical revue that was filmed along Route 66. Stops in this episode included the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas, and the Mediocre Music Makers of Erick, Okla.
Greene says he’s posting this episode to get more feedback. He said this would probably be the last episode on the Internet until after the Cannes world television market later this fall.
Rock ‘n’ roll film takes place on Route 66 September 18, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Movies, Music.3 comments
There’s a film being screened at the upcoming Woodstock Film Festival titled “The Perfect Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll” that features a significant part of its plot on Route 66.
Here’s the film’s Web site, and here’s the synopsis:
A pair of longtime friends channel their talent and passion for music into a cross-country road trip that brings them face to face with their past, present, and future. A world famous musician, whose debut album is a huge hit, retreats to his hometown after his sophomore effort flops.
There he reconnects with his long lost best friend and fellow musician, the son of a punk rock guitar legend, who became a middle school music teacher. The reunion forces the two, to recall their youthful ambitions and reexamine the choices they’ve made. Accompanied by a raucous crew of musicians, they set off on a cathartic journey along historic Route 66 that brings them closer to each other, their history and their destiny.
Here’s the film’s photo gallery, in which I saw Roy’s in Amboy, Calif., and many other scenes from the Mojave Desert.
And, as you’ll see, the film co-stars Peter Fonda. Yes, that Peter Fonda. I guess he was revisiting some spots from his 1969 movie, “Easy Rider.”
The movie also stars Kevin Zegers, Jason Ritter, Taryn Manning, Lauren Holly, Aimee Teegarden and James Ransone. According to Variety, it also features appearances by rocker Billy Morrison and blues legends Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin and Sugar Blue.
“The Perfect Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was written and directed by Scott Rosenbaum. I’m not sure whether it has a distributor at this time.
(Photos courtesy of the Woodstock Film Festival)
“The Mother Road” September 17, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.add a comment
Here’s Chicago-area musician Chet Nichols, a longtime Route 66 fan and traveler, performing his song, “The Mother Road.”
New sign will greet visitors to Holbrook September 17, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Signs, Towns.add a comment
AzJournal.com reports that new sign marquee will be placed at Gillespie Park at the corner of Navajo Boulevard and Hopi Drive (Route 66) in Holbrook, Ariz. And that may not be all …
The actual total cost for the marquee is $28,135, but $7,000 will be provided by the Holbrook School District, which will be using a portion of the marquee.
The eight-foot square marquee will not be lighted, but will feature a neon overlay of a text. The top three feet of the display will be a welcome to Holbrook, the bottom two feet will promote the Holbrook School District as home of the Roadrunners and the middle three feet will have an LED display announcing local events. [...]
Sullivan spoke at the chamber meeting regarding a grant proposal that was submitted to the Northern Arizona Council of Governments and has since been forwarded to the state. If received, the Arizona Department of Transportation enhancement grant will be used to reinvigorate Hopi Drive with similar lighting as there is along Navajo Blvd., but in a retro style that is more reminiscent of early Route 66 days.
According to Sullivan, receiving the $560,000 grant would be part of a bigger plan. “We (the city) are trying to promote the idea of ‘neon Hopi,’” explained Sullivan. The concept includes encouraging business owners along Hopi Drive to convert their signage to neon with the belief that the view from the freeway will attract visitors.
It sounds like Holbrook is trying to be more aggressive in promoting its Route 66 corridor.
Revving up for Route 66 Rendezvous September 17, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Towns, Vehicles.add a comment
The Route 66 Rendezvous returns to San Bernardino, Calif., this weekend, and this is the 20th edition of the humongous classic-car event.
A few stories relating to the event:
— The Press-Enterprise reports that 10 percent of the cars registered are from out of state — an all-time high.
— The San Bernardino County Sun reports on the new attractions to the festival, including a Green Area in front of City Hall in which alternative-fuels vehicles are featured. Pianist Bobby Freeman will have his rolling truck museum, packed with rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Also, Gene and Clara Hodkin, who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary — all of those years along Route 66 — will be honored along with their daughter-in-law, Debra Hodkin, curator of The Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow.
— The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin says the Rendezvous will give the region a much-needed economic shot in the arm. So far, corporate sponsorship is off 5 percent to 7 percent from last year, but the numbers on everything else are robust.
– The Rendezvous site has added an online forum in which members can add photos of their rides.
— Elrond Lawrence, author of “Route 66 Railway,” will sign copies of his book Saturday at the Rendezvous near the Our Town booth.
— Here’s a podcast by Inland News Today previewing the Rendezvous.
Wagon Wheel Motel gets a new owner September 16, 2009
Posted by Ron Warnick in Motels, Preservation.3 comments
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Mo., an architecturally significant motel which has continuously operated on Route 66 since 1934, has a new owner.
Connie Echols, who owns The Wildflower florist and gift shop on Route 66 in Cuba, took possession of the motel Tuesday from the heirs of longtime owners Pauline and Harold Armstrong. According to a news release, Echols plans to renovate the modernize the motel while keeping its historic integrity.
“I want a clean, modern motel at a reasonable price that will continue to appeal to groups and Route 66 travelers,” Echols said.
The motel, famous for its stone cabins and neon wagon-wheel sign, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The old cafe building of the Wagon Wheel Motel.
Echols also is restoring the building in front of the cottages that served as the Wagon Wheel Cafe until the 1950s to its original appearance. The café building will be used as a gift shop and a motel office.
Echols plans to update the guest rooms’ bathrooms, bedding, and other amenities. Renovations will be done in phases as the motel continues to operate. She hopes to finish the renovations by spring.
As rooms are upgraded and put into use, the motel’s current rates of $17 to $20 a night will be raised. The motel can still be contacted at 573-885-3411.
(Photos by Route 66 News, Jane Reed and Guy Randall.)