The Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic western end point of Route 66, will get a lot of attention this week when it marks its 100th anniversary on Wednesday. National Public Radio has an excellent story about the pier and its history, including this: Fishermen have been flocking to the pier's edge since its early days. … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier centennial
The sad story of Chavez Ravine
Most people know of Chavez Ravine, located just off the Arroyo Seco Parkway (aka Route 66), as the site of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. But many don't know what was there before the baseball park. This video helps explain it. The saga inspired one of Ry Cooder's most-acclaimed albums, "Chavez Ravine."
Book review: “A Visual Journey Down America’s Main Street”
Photographer Stephen Giangreco, based in Lenexa, Kan., is a fan of old vehicles, has been shooting images of Route 66 for years, and has a Web site called Route66Forever.com. Giangreco has just published a fine-art book of his choicest Mother Road images titled "A Visual Journey Down America's Main Street" (118 pages, self-published, $66 hardcover, … Continue reading Book review: “A Visual Journey Down America’s Main Street”
Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down
The long-closed Prairie Moon tavern in Winslow, Ariz., finally was torn down and the rubble hauled away a few days ago, reported AzJournal.com. Here's a photo of the bar before it was razed. According to several people quoted in the article, the Prairie Moon also was known for prostitution. Longtime Winslow resident Gabe Martinez grew … Continue reading Shuttered Winslow tavern is torn down
Weekend movie option
If you're hankering to go see a flick at your local theater, it looks as if you could do far worse than "My One and Only." The comedy stars Kevin Bacon and Oscar winner Renee Zellweger, and it's loosely based on the 1950s childhood of future Hollywood actor George Hamilton. Part of the film takes … Continue reading Weekend movie option
Toxic ruins
This story by KRQE out of New Mexico explains rather well why the neighboring state of Arizona has been so aggressive in recent months trying to clean up old, abandoned gas stations along Route 66. The story focuses on abandoned sites in Grants, N.M. One startling fact -- three former stations in Grants have leaked … Continue reading Toxic ruins
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It’s roasted chili season
Right now is one of the favorite times of year for residents of the desert Southwest -- when green chilis are freshly roasted and sold in the parking lots of grocery stores and farmers markets. In Flagstaff, Ariz., chilis are being roasted at the Flagstaff Farmers Market on Route 66, and customers are buying the … Continue reading It’s roasted chili season
Motel converted to housing for mentally ill soon will open
Nearly two years ago, it was announced that the old Village Motel at 2624 Santa Monica Blvd., aka Route 66, in Santa Monica, Calif., would be bought and converted into housing for youths with mental illness. Now, the Los Angeles Times reports, the motel will hold its grand opening Sept. 11 and be christened Daniel's … Continue reading Motel converted to housing for mentally ill soon will open
“Rhythms of the Road,” Episode One
As a follow-up to the story we had about Greene HD Productions and its efforts to get its musical series, "Rhythms of the Road," on television, the company has posted the show's first episode on Vimeo. Here it is: