Art show features Route 66 photography August 5, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Art, Events, Photographs.add a comment
If you’re traveling through Pennsylvania in the next few days or so, you may ought to head to New Hope Arts Inc. in New Hope to see the “Automania: Second Gear” exhibit that includes works by photographer John Slavin.
Here’s how CentralJersey.com describes the show:
A wooden sign that points left to L.A. and right to Chicago rests on the windshield of a banged up, rusty classic car, its hood missing and all the guts along with it. A nearby truck also appears to have lost its way in the brush, off the dirt road that leads to a tiny white home, dwarfed by the mountain chain behind it.
Photographer John Slavin captured vintage images like this one while traveling along highway Route 66, the former Mother Road, in the 1990s. With two Leica cameras and a bag full of Kodachrome, he documented what he saw in various towns on the historic route — gas stations, diners, motels, cafes.
”Basically what I tried to do was document all of that before it went away, it’s been disappearing over the years,” Mr. Slavin says.
The exhibit also includes paintings, photographs, historic gas pumps and other memorabilia.
Some of Slavin’s Route 66 images can be seen at his website here. A few include things or people that are gone, including the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, Calif., and Russell Soulsby at his gas station in Mount Olive, Ill., and Juan Delgadillo of the Snow-Cap Drive-In restaurant in Seligman, Ariz.
The exhibit will be up through Aug. 14.
Railroad quiet zone idea gathers steam in Kingman August 5, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Motels, Railroad.3 comments
Earlier this year, the city of Kingman, Ariz., looked into the possibility of a railroad quiet zone to keep trains from sounding their horns when passing through town.
The City Council demurred and asked to see whether a similar quiet-zone program in Flagstaff is working.
According to a report in the Kingman Daily Miner, the verdict is in:
[...T]he Flagstaff program is being hailed as a smashing success by Vice Mayor Robin Gordon, who recently visited the city for a meeting of the Arizona Historic Route 66 Association.
After the meeting, Gordon met with Matt Capalby, the former director for the Department of Environmental Quality’s Northern Arizona region. She said the two had elected to have their conversation by Flagstaff’s Chamber of Commerce, which lies right next to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.
“We were there for probably an hour and we observed numerous trains going by the crossing on Beaver Street,” Gordon said. “How to describe it would be, in Kingman, if you’re at the Powerhouse and trying to have a conversation with somebody, when the train blows its whistle, you have to stop talking until it passes. The thing in Flagstaff I noticed was, we didn’t have to stop the conversation.”
It cost Flagstaff $885,000 to implement a railroad quiet zone. It’ll probably cost less for Kingman because of the fewer railroad tracks in town. Gordon says she’s identified a funding source through a recent raise in the bed tax from 2 percent to 4 percent.
The Kingman council will take up the proposal soon. Fully implementing the plan would take two or three years, which Gordon says should be enough time to raise the money.
It seems certain that Kingman’s motel owners will whole-heartedly endorse the idea. Overnight lodgers have long complained about train horns disrupting their sleep. In fact, the former owners of the now-closed Hotel Brunswick offered guests earplugs to help them get through the night.
Waylan’s Ku-Ku will be closed for 2 weeks August 4, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in People, Restaurants.add a comment
Waylan’s Ku-Ku Burger, a landmark restaurant along Route 66 in Miami, Okla., will be closed for at least two weeks beginning Monday, Aug. 9, because its owner will be recovering from surgery.
Longtime owner Gene Waylan said by phone that he’s undergoing hip surgery, and has been told by his doctor he’ll be out of action for at least two weeks.
Waylan is one of those restaurant owners who actually works in the kitchen, and enjoys it. He said he’ll be itching to get back behind the grill at the end of the two weeks, but will stay sidelined for a few more days more if he needs it.
Waylan’s Ku-Ku was once part of a restaurant chain that numbered about 200 during the early 1960s. The restaurant in Miami remains the only survivor.
If you’re traveling through that area and need a mom-and-pop place to eat during the weekday, the Dairy King a few miles north in downtown Commerce, Okla., will do nicely.
The creation of Mater August 4, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Books, Movies, People.1 comment so far
Jim Hill at Jim Hill Media got himself a copy of a new book, “Two Guys Named Joe: Master Animation Storytellers Joe Grant & Joe Ranft.”
Ranft could do killer impersonations of hillbillies (a toothless one in particular he called “Chucky Eisner”). But he also ultimately was reluctant to demean them in any way.
An excerpt from the book when Ranft and other members of the Pixar Animation crew were doing Route 66 research in 2002 for “Cars” shows this:
.. Ranft befriended many Route 66 denizens. But there was one “good ol’ boy” in the middle of Oklahoma who invited (Joe) to his home, took him fishing, fed him baloney sandwiches, and gave him ice water out of a jug. This fellow’s claim to fame was his ability to turn his double-jointed leg backwards 180 degrees. “I kick muh leg,” he said, demonstrating proudly.
It was like a magic trick, and “Joe thought this was the greatest thing he’d ever seen,” (said Jonas Rivera, “Cars” production manager). From this odd encounter, Ranft created what Lasseter calls “the single greatest” Pixar character: Mater, a rusty tow truck / good ol’ boy with a deep-fried accent.
On the surface, Mater seems like a stereotypical hillbilly, not far removed from Chucky Eisner. But “Joe was sensitive to not doing a parody,” Rivera said. “He didn’t want to make fun of the people he met. He wanted to celebrate them as individuals.”
As the film unfolds we discover hidden facets in Mater, such as a sly humor born of quiet intelligence, sensivity, and an honest appraisal of people and their foibles; plus there’s a joy of life exuberantly expressed by wildly driving backward through the town (adapted from the Oklahoma fellow’s trick leg). There is Mater’s endearing loyalty to friends and his childlike willingness to find the good in people and seek their friendship openly. There is his warmth mixed with mischievousness and forthrightness.
Ranft put a lot of himself into the endearing Mater, which Lasseter appreciated: “I realize it’s Joe. This is pure Joe.” Mater’s loyal friendship to McQueen, whom he considers his best friend and can make laugh and appreciate life, mirrors Ranft’s longtime relationship with Lasseter.
I’m fairly certain the backwards-legged individual in Oklahoma was Dean Walker, who actually lives in Kansas. But, yes, Mater wound up being the conscience of “Cars.”
Tragically, Ranft died in a car accident in 2005, less than a year before “Cars” arrived in theaters.
(Image courtesy of Disney-Pixar)
Hello from Erick August 4, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music, People.1 comment so far
We haven’t posted a video from the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., for a while. Here’s a new clip of Harley and Annabelle Russell doing their thing.
A kick from Fruit 66 August 3, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Food.3 comments
Well, give the company credit for a memorable product name.
I stumbled onto this from a link in my Twitter account. The company, 4U2U Brands in Richmond, Va., is producing a canned fruit juice called Fruit 66.
Flavors come in kiwi strawberry, fruit punch, apple berry, and orange tangerine.
The company says each can is equal nutritionally to one serving of fruit, including 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, at just 94 calories.
Fruit 66 contains no high-fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, no artificial colors, no added sugar or flavors. It’s trying to appeal to the health-conscious and schools (which are often searching for a more healthful beverage to offer to youngsters).
Fruit 66 claims to be sold across the United States (although I’ve never seen it myself).
However, if you store doesn’t have it, you can order it from Amazon.com or MyBrands.com.
And the souvenirs take a few cues from the Mother Road, as well.
(Hat tip: Alice.com)
Waldmire vehicles will be displayed at Illinois museum August 3, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Art, Movies, Museums, People, Vehicles.1 comment so far
Two vehicles owned by the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, including his beloved 1972 Volkswagen minibus, will go on display at the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, reported the Illinois Route 66 Association website today.
The other vehicle is a school bus Waldmire converted into a small home at the family property in Rochester, Ill., near Springfield.
The association’s website had been teasing about a big announcement coming for nearly two weeks.
From the website:
In honor of this auspicious acquisition, we are declaring the month of August “Bob Waldlmire Month” here on our website. That means that we will be featuring many more stories about Bob Waldmire and especially about these possessions of his that we will now proudly display. Details about the van and bus, additional photos, more about Bob and their connection to Route 66 will all be coming your way this month! [...]
These items are available for our Museum and Hall of Fame to display because of the tireless efforts of one man, our Association Treasurer, Marty Blitstein. For many months, Marty has coordinated with the Waldmire family, the City of Pontiac, IL and other parties to make this acquisition possible.
When the Waldmire vehicles will go on display at the museum will be announced at a later date.
Waldmire died of cancer in December 2009. The dedicated hippie (and his minivan) were an indirect inspiration to the character of Fillmore in the 2006 Disney/Pixar hit animated movie “Cars.”
It’s my understanding that Waldmire’s minivan will eventually be displayed at a Route 66 museum in Tulsa. But since construction hasn’t started on that project, it’s safe to say that the minivan will remain in Illinois for at least a couple of years.
Arizona historian wins prestigious award August 3, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Books, History, People, Television.add a comment
Arizona historian Marshall Trimble recently won the 2010 Wild West History Association Award for lifetime contributions to the public interest, according to the Arizona Republic.
Trimble, 71, was honored for for his “research, writings, speaking and multiple contributions to the history of the characters and events of Wild West History.”
Trimble has written more than 20 books on Arizona history, including “A Roadside History of Arizona,” “Travel Arizona: The Backroads” and “Images of America: Ash Fork.” He was born in the Route 66 town of Ash Fork.
He also won a regional Emmy for hosting the television show “Arizona Backroads,” and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Office of Tourism. He is Arizona’s official historian.
Teen mountain-climber named grand marshal of 66 parade August 3, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, People.add a comment
Jordan Romero, 14, who has climbed six of the continents’ highest mountains, including Mount Everest, has been named grand marshal for the 15th annual salute to Route 66 parade in Duarte, Calif., on Sept. 18, according to the Pasadena Star-News.
Jordan became interested in mountain climbing when he was 9.
When he wasn’t yet even 12, Jordan had already climbed five of the world’s highest peaks. His first mountain climb, at age 10, was Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.
Next came Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia; Mt. Elbrus in Russia; Aconcagua in South America; Mt. McKinley in Alaska; and his latest 29,035 foot climb, Mt. Everest.
Jordan hiked for hours a day, spending anywhere from two weeks to two months climbing a mountain, he said.
“I really don’t like wasting time in life. Playing video games is wasting time,” Jordan said. “I want to live life to the fullest and I want to pass that down to kids.”
The next mountain for Jordan to conquer is Antarctica’s Vinson Massif (elevation 16,000 feet) in December. After that, he wants to climb the highest mountain in each state and give motivational speeches at schools.
Here’s Jordan during his Everest quest:
The folks who run the Route 66 parade have seemed to favor teenaged adventurers lately. Last year’s grand marshal was Zac Sunderland, who at 17 successfully sailed solo around the world.
The “Rockin’ and Rollin’ Down Route 66″ parade will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 18, featuring classic cars and marching bands. After that will be the Duarte’s 53rd anniversary hometown picnic at Royal Oaks Park.
Streetcar Diner will be moved August 2, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Preservation, Railroad, Restaurants.1 comment so far
As expected, the historic Streetcar Diner on the old Riviera Roadhouse property has been donated to the village of Gardner, Ill., where it will be moved in the coming days, reported the Morris Daily Herald.
Here’s background about the diner, which no longer operates as a restaurant but was restored a few years ago as a roadside attraction:
The streetcar is the body of a Kankakee single-truck street car, which was built by American for Albany, Ga., and later sold to Kankakee.
The streetcar was moved to Gardner and opened for business as a diner on the south side of the village years ago. Later it was moved into the village, behind a residence, and was used to house workers at the armory during World War II.
“It was moved out to the Riviera in the ’50s or ’60s,” Tom Perkins said. “I’m guessing it was used as an outside bar at the time. They used to hold dances out back where it sits.”
The streetcar will be moved next to the village’s historic two-cell jail. About $5,000 has been donated to facilitate the move, and donated labor and discounted materials will drop the cost further.
The need to move the streetcar became urgent after vandals broke into it and stole the guestbook and a donation box. The burglary occurred after the Riviera burned to the ground in June. The fire was labeled as suspicious; an investigation is ongoing.
(Hat tip: Lynn “Lulu” Bagdon)