Category: travel Page 1 of 20

1,000 Miles (Texas to Illinois) May 13-May15, 2025

On May 20, 2025

In Editorial, Local, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Texas, travel

Leaving blue skies for Tornado Alley. (Tuesday, 5/13)

We departed Austin, Texas, and headed for the Midwest on Tuesday. It was tough to leave the beautiful blue skies of Austin. It was warm. Very warm. It was unseasonably warm in the 90s all the way to Joplin, Missouri, where we ended up Night One after driving for 10 hours.

Our choices for lodging were either Muskogee, Oklahoma or drive further and make it to the larger Joplin. When we reached Joplin and pulled into a Best Western Inn to secure lodging about 8 p.m., there was only one room left. And it was on the second floor. And the elevator was broken.

We have so many bags. Not having a working elevator was not working for me. Plus there is the wonky left knee that I injured while bicycling on vacation in Green Lake, Wisconsin, in 1997. That left knee blew out on 9/15/2022 and put me in a wheelchair and hobbling with a cane until March of 2023.

We drove to the nearby motel. It did not look promising.

Their elevator, too, was broken. What is the problem in Joplin, Missouri, that when an elevator breaks, nobody fixes it? (The desk clerk made the remark that it had been broken for weeks.)

We kept driving up the street. The next motel was a LaQuinta. It had a working elevator. We stayed there. There is no carpeting on the floor(s) of the rooms; I forgot to pack slippers. There were photos outside the LaQuinta of many pools that looked very nice, both indoor and outdoor pools. I also forgot to pack a swimsuit. Too tired to think about swimming, anyway.

ST. LOUIS, HERE WE COME

Interior of car while driving

The next day (Wednesday), we drove to my brother-in-law’s house in Maryland Heights, a suburb of St. Louis. We were making good time, driving from the bottom left corner of the state to the top right corner of the state. Still hot everywhere. I think our one tank of gas when we filled up was $21. I could be wrong about this, but, thanks to the new car, purchased after we were hit by a young driver in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on the way down to Texas during a tornado, we were getting great mileage.

We had a big delay when I-44 was totally shut down for miles. Two huge trucks crashed, one running into the other and causing a chain reaction and a fire. It’s not a good sign when your GPS suddenly changes the ETA from 1 and 1/2 hours to 3 hours. Also not a good sign when a huge crane, a fire truck, an ambulance, and a hearse go by, while you sit, motionless, for a long time, waiting to be routed around the crash.

As we sat there, the huge trucks on this Interstate were like a stock exchange list of big companies, with Amazon, Home Depot, FedEx and every other major chain under the sun with trucks all sitting, motionless, waiting for the opportunity to circumvent the site of the crash. It was featured on the nightly news, but we never heard whether anyone was killed. For sure the fire trucks were dousing what looked like 2 blackened huge boxes, which once were trucks, I’m thinking, when we drove by.

Horizon

I was serving as a talking book, reading aloud the book “Careless People,” which I finished while in Cancun. It was a good enough nonfiction treat to share. It is a truly entertaining and informative read about Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, from a woman who worked there for 7 years. I hope every member of Congress quizzing Zuckerberg reads it before asking him questions about his offers to the CCP. (Chinese Communist Party). Any book that opens with a shark attack on the 13-year-old author has me right there. Try it; you’ll like it. And, more importantly, you’ll learn a lot about the back story behind Facebook and what really goes on and has gone one since its inception. (Now, it’s Meta.)

MARYLAND HEIGHTS

When we reached Maryland Heights, we went out to eat tacos with Niece Megan and husband Aaron, and their little people, Winnie and Wesley. (And Mark, of course). Mark now has 4 grandchildren under the age of 4, one (Mickey) a new-born. Mark was our babysitter when he was 12 and son Scott was born. Scott was born in 1968. Mark was born in 1957. He is twelve years younger than his older brother, my husband. Now Mark is babysitting A LOT for Ruthie Kay, Wesley, Winnie, and Mickey. [Good thing we taught him all the tips of the babysitting trade.]

Megan, baby Wesley, Aaron Eddy, Mark with Winnie, Connie & Craig

Dinner at a local taco restaurant

We left the next day on our way to the Quad Cities (4 hours). There were tornado warnings and severe storm warnings with 70 mph winds out even then. Fortunately, the 1 to 8 p.m. warning period saw us arrive safely in the Quad Cities. An EF3 tornado traveled 8 miles through St. Louis not long after we departed and did extensive damage. It was off to the right of Maryland Heights on the radar map.

We’re here, but will be returning to the Texas heat for the annual Family Fest. We hope our newly planted trees and bushes are surviving and thriving.

Here, in East Moline (IL), a week since we departed the Lone Star state, it is in the fifties and sixties. There is hope that we will reach 70 degrees on Friday or Saturday. My clothing from Texas is totally wrong for Illinois. In fact, we had to turn our heat on here. In Texas we were running our A/C.

Rooftop view of Austin, Tx

But we’re home from the land of BBQ and Tex-Mex Food and views like this one:

We learned that two restaurants have closed here, one of them (the former Captain’s Table) the restaurant just down the hill from us in East Moline. The other restaurant closing is Thunder Bay. I haven’t been back to Thunder Bay since Fred Thompson held an event there while running for the Republican Presidential nomination, so I am not as upset about the loss of that restaurant as I am about the Captain’s Table, which burned down once, was rebuilt and opened up as Catfish Charlie’s. The quality of the food and service as part of that chain declined, although the view of the Mississippi River and the outside dining made it a worthwhile stop despite the downgrade.

I also learned that my favorite Hallmark Store in East Moline is closing. I am really sad to see it go. It is a wonderful store. I will miss it a great deal. I wish someone would buy it and continue to run it, but I can understand how difficult it must be to plan for orders in a world where tariffs are arbitrarily imposed on the source nations and then lifted and then put on again, ad infinitum. I can’t imagine trying to deal with the impact of this administration on small businesses, which I was one of for 20 years.

Last year, the Maid Rite and the dry cleaners closed during our absence from town. I found out that the dry cleaners had moved when I entered with some slacks that needed shortening. It had become a nail shop. I went into the next-door Maid Rite, hoping to surprise the spouse with Maid Rites (a Midwestern delicacy). It had become a Soul Food restaurant. I almost had to go outside and look at the signage above the door to make sure I hadn’t taken a wrong turn.

I miss the dry cleaners so much that, today, I spent literally hours shortening my own track suit pants, which had been in my Austin closet, unworn, because they are 3 inches too long. I did my usual inept job, but I did shorten them. I will wear them to Iowa City to make a routine stop at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics on Friday, with Memorial Day weekend plans for attending a graduation party in Cedar Rapids on Sunday (nephew Chris Castelein’s daughter Sophia).

So, in our trip to Texas: major league tornadoes in Oklahoma and a ruined car (totaled).

The ruined Prius Firebird, the 20th Anniversary Edition after Nov. 3, 2024.

The Firebird Prius after the 11/3/2024 crash

We twist tied my red Prius (the Firebird) together and drove 6 hours after the accident. It was an interesting drive, with the headlights smashed out but the tail lights working. The car had 28,000 miles on it, as it was the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Prius, named the Firebird. The new car is Steely Dan.

My Prius adventures (after 4 Cadillacs in a row) began in 2002 with the WaterBug, which cost $20,050, 0% interest, 0% financing, and a $500 rebate from the government for trying the new hybrid technology. Next was the Firefly (red) in 2004. When daughter Stacey went to college in Nashville (Belmont), she got the Firefly and I bought the Grasshopper, a 2008 Seafoam Green version. That 2008 model was my favorite layout, so when we needed a car to leave in Texas, we sought out another 2008 used Prius, the Silver Fish, which was really sort of a metallic silvery tan color. My 2013 Blue Bird also went to Stacey when the Firefly got old and she expressed the feeling that she had been driving it to so many places that she might be developing a psychological bond with the little red Prius. It did a good job of getting her to and from Tennessee and Colorado and she sold it to a Mexican buyer who paid cash. I drove the Blue Bird the longest—from 2013 until the 20th Anniversary Edition was announced in 2020. Depressed during the pandemic, I decided to buy one of the Anniversary Edition cars, sight unseen.

Steely Dan, the new Prius., purchased on 12/3/2024.

Our dealership was getting only 2 of the cars, a white one and a red one. When the white one showed up with a luggage rack on top, I, once again, took the red one and named it the Firebird. It was a good car and it didn’t deserve the end it had. Neither did the Blue Bird, which was smashed into by some drunk teenagers driving a stolen car who abandoned the vehicle and sped off, leaving it totaled in Madison, Tennessee, a Nashville suburb. The November 3rd accident in Okmulgee led to us buying a silver Prius in Cedar City, Texas, which is one of the largest dealerships in the nation and the largest in Texas. They had 9 new Priuses on the lot and we bought it exactly one month to the day after the death of the Firebird. Steely Dan is doing well and was a very economical vehicle on our marathon trip home. I need a lesson on how to use all of it. It seems much lower than our previous cars and the dashboard is very modernistic but the sleek look with the hidden handle on the back door is very attractive. We also like the little lights that signal drivers nearing you. What I don’t like, so far, is that you cannot open the right side passenger door and it doesn’t open as you approach it with the “automatic” key. I assume that is a safety change, so that, upon approaching your car, some stranger doesn’t let himself into your vehicle, but it is a serious disadvantage when you approach the car loaded with packages and you have to dig around for your key in order to open it. Maybe I’m missing out on some of the manual’s directions, but, so far, it seems this is the way it is going to be for the duration.

I would really like leaders who do something to try to head off the horrible weather that global warming is producing.

Minnesota is on fire.

Places that have never had fires or floods are having fires and floods.

Chicago just had a dust storm reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days.

Mother’s Day, 2025 with daughter Stacey. Welcome Home, me.

One of my most fervent wishes is that whoever is leading the country does something to try to save the planet and save all of us experiencing 25 times the weather anomalies that we experienced in my youth. Sure, we had tornadoes. (One hit my hometown of Independence, Iowa, and dropped part of the roof of St. John’s Church in my back yard when I was about two. My dad built me a playhouse out of the rubble.)

I read somewhere that, in a four month period, we used to have 4 such horrific weather-related events, and now, in the same time frame, we have something like 167. Don’t quote me on that, as I don’t claim that is exact, but I think we can all agree that the weather is getting to be a real problem. Not regulating emissions and eliminating watchdog agencies like the EPA is definitely not the answer to the problem.

But, welcome home, me. It is thundering outside right now. Good luck to us all with the current lack of any plan on the part of those in power to even admit that global warming is occurring.

Donald J. Trump, a loser

God save us from the weather and from DJT.

Cancun, Easter, 2025

By Connie Wilson

On April 19, 2025

In Editorial, Mexico, Texas, travel

Ava Wilson (and friend).

Elise Wilson (and friend).

I admit that I have been on vacation. Cancun beckoned, but, sadly, the perfect weather and laid-back vibe at the Royal Resorts is giving way to the advancing heat of Texas, where a giant rat snake was recently pictured climbing a wall near our house. I enjoyed the remarks from the neighborhood group, who pointed out that it was a harmless rat snake, but also asked, “Which way did it go?”

I wanted to share these photos of Ava and Elise, because they look absolutely beautiful in them–even though they are from a year ago. This is what a sophomore in high school looks like, Folks.

Meanwhile, the full moon over the Veranda restaurant with the daughter sets a mood.

It’s been real and it’s been 30 years of home away from home.

Puerto Madeiro restaurant.

Stacey and me, Veranda Restaurant, Royal Sands

Thanks, Feedspot: Celebrating in Cancun

By Connie Wilson

On April 12, 2025

In Mexico, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Texas, travel

Cancun family group: (L to R) Steve, Regina, emma, Chris, essica, Elise, Connie Craig, Ava, Stacey and Scott.

Cancun, 2025.

Before posting some photos from the vacation week of last week in Cancun, I’d like to call your attention to the new “badge” on the right of my blog, which names WeeklyWilson to the Top 100 Movie Blogs. My thanks to Feedspot, which contacted me regarding this and, as of right now, has not asked for nor received Cent One. Thanks for the recognition of the from-the-Red-Carpet shots at SXSW, Sundance, Chicago, Nashville, and elsewhere.

The Royal Sands.

Last week about a dozen of us wined and dined in Cancun, hitting Harry’s, Sisal, the J.W. Marriott restaurant, the beach and the Royal Sands, our “home away from home.” The Royal Sands opened in 2000, but we owned at the Royal Islander since the 90s (lost it 2 years ago to the state) and stayed at the Mayan and the Fiesta Americana Condessa for a couple years prior. We’ve been coming for 30 years and only missed one year in those three decades. (I banked the week we didn’t come and went to Puerto Vallarta with Joan Clark , a high school classmate, and Pan Hall, a work colleague.

On Friday night we attended a Michael Jackson show put on by our resort, which now is part of the Holiday Inn Vacation Resorts. We got to experience the brand new children’s water park right outside our door for the first time. It’s been under construction since last year, but now it is open. It’s hard to figure out when, exactly, it is open, however. It seems to close early and open late, which is fine with me.

Full moon over pool on Italian buffet night.

Guests in our group arrived from New York, Boston, Nashville, Chicago, Austin and some were missing a small amount of school time (sophomore year).

The flight over from Austin (in our case) was two and one-half hours and it was 87 upon arrival. Meanwhile, the group that departed for New York today had snow and 40 degree temperatures to look forward to.

Ava, Stacey and Elise at Harry’s.

Just enjoying the moments and living life.

Houston Art Museum: February 8th, 2025

By Connie Wilson

On February 12, 2025

In Texas, travel

A few of us from the OLLI bridge group traveled from Austin to Houston over the weekend to take in the Gauguin exhibit that is only going to be featured there.

The sculpture gardens outside the museum and the standing collection(s) were also extremely nice, and it was a beautiful 83 degree day (in February!). I’m starting with pictures from the lovely day it was outside.

I had no notepad, as I was depending on my tiny break-away purse, so you’ll simply have to enjoy the pictures without explanation. I do know that the “backs” were Matisse and there was a Rodin called “Man Walking.” The silver-y metallic thing that looks like it should be a cousin of the Bean in Chicago was NOT by Anish Kapoor, but it was still “kewl.”

Silvery sculpture in the Houston Art Museum Garden

Houston Art Museum Sculpture garden

Houston Art Museum Sculpture Garden

Panoramic view of the city if you climbed this. Like Chichen Itza, I did not. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.

Houston Art Museum Sculpture Garden

Matisse Backs. There were about 6 of them.)

Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S.

By Connie Wilson

On November 22, 2024

In Local, Movies, News, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, travel

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Austin Butler at the Los Angeles Premiere of Focus Features’ “The Bikeriders” at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S.

Shipping a motorcycle across the United States can be a convenient and efficient way to transport your bike, whether you’re relocating, selling a motorcycle to a buyer in another state, or heading to a rally. However, it’s not as simple as loading your bike onto a truck. Proper planning, preparation, and choosing the right shipping method are essential to ensuring your motorcycle arrives safely and without any issues. Here are key considerations to keep in mind when shipping a motorcycle across the U.S.

Choose a Reputable Shipping Company

Selecting the right shipping company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when shipping a motorcycle. Not all transport companies specialize in motorcycles, and you’ll want one with experience handling bikes. Consider moving your motorcycles with Shiply, a platform that connects you with transport providers. Research companies by reading customer reviews, checking their safety records, and verifying that they have the necessary licenses and insurance. Ensure that the company provides specific motorcycle shipping services and understands how to handle and secure bikes during transit.

Open vs. Enclosed Shipping

When shipping a motorcycle, you typically have two options: open or enclosed transport. Open transport involves shipping your motorcycle on an open trailer, which is more affordable but exposes the bike to weather conditions, road debris, and potential damage. This option might be suitable for shorter distances or if you’re shipping a bike that’s not particularly valuable or vulnerable.

Enclosed transport, on the other hand, involves placing your motorcycle inside a fully enclosed trailer, protecting it from the elements and external hazards. While enclosed shipping tends to be more expensive, it’s the better option for high-value motorcycles, classic bikes, or long-distance trips across the U.S. For those who want peace of mind, especially during cross-country transport, enclosed shipping is often worth the extra cost.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Jodie Comer (L) and Austin Butler at the Los Angeles Premiere of Focus Features’ “The Bikeriders” at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Focus Features)

Understand the Costs

Shipping costs are influenced by distance sending, the size and weight of your motorcycle, and the choice between open or enclosed transport. Other elements, like the time of year, can also affect the price. For instance, shipping during winter or holidays may be more expensive due to higher demand or more difficult weather conditions.

Make sure to get a detailed quote that outlines all fees. Some companies may offer lower initial quotes but add hidden charges later. Understanding the total cost upfront will help you avoid unexpected expenses. Consider additional insurance costs as well, especially if your motorcycle is particularly valuable.

Insurance Coverage

While most motorcycle shipping companies offer basic insurance as part of their service, it may not be enough to cover the full value of your bike, particularly if it’s a custom or high-end model. Before shipping, review the shipping company’s insurance policy to understand what’s covered in case of damage, loss, or theft during transport.

If the coverage is insufficient, you may want to purchase additional insurance for peace of mind. Also, document the condition of your motorcycle before shipping by taking detailed photos from multiple angles. This evidence can help you file a claim in the event of damage.

Prepare Your Motorcycle for Shipping

Properly preparing your motorcycle before it’s picked up for transport is crucial to ensure it arrives in the best possible condition. Start by cleaning your bike thoroughly so that it’s easier to spot any pre-existing damage. Take detailed photos, as mentioned earlier, to document its condition.

Next, remove any loose items or accessories, such as saddlebags or custom mirrors, that could get damaged during transport. You should also check for fluid leaks and ensure that the gas tank is no more than a quarter full. Lowering the fuel level helps reduce the weight of the motorcycle and mitigates the risk of leaks. Finally, check tire pressure and ensure the battery is fully charged.

Conclusion

Shipping a motorcycle across the U.S. can be a seamless process if you take the time to plan carefully and choose the right service. By considering factors such as the type of transport, cost, insurance, and preparation, you can ensure your motorcycle arrives safely at its destination. Ultimately, working with a reputable shipping company such as Shiply and preparing your bike correctly will give you peace of mind throughout the journey.

Behind the Cards: Legendary Movie Moments Set in Casinos

By Connie Wilson

On November 7, 2024

In Movies, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture, travel

Casino featured in “Never Say Never Again.” (Photo by Connie Wilson).

From the opulent halls of traditional land-based casinos to the digital world of online casino for real money platforms, gambling has adapted to a massive change in the broader social change in technology and accessibility. This evolution translates to gambling taking center stage in global cinematic storytelling, an irresistible backdrop. The casino scene from Monte Carlo to the Las Vegas bright lights has kept filmmakers and audiences intrigued by these lights and their allure. Not only have these scenes helped fuel endless dramas and intrigues for some of the movies people most enjoy, but they’ve also made for some of the most memorable moments in the annals of movie history. We journey into some of these legendary movie moments located within casinos — diving into the magic and tension they add to the silver screen.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

The casino in ‘Crazy Rich Asians from 2018 shows one of the most luxurious scenes of a glamorous place to be: the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and also where the film set it. This is an important scene, unfolding with a tense poker game that brings to life its understanding of the wealthy elite and their dynamic, simmering economy. The drama has the casino as its lavish setting, and the extravagance is emphasized as it defines the characters’ world. In reality, Singapore imposes tight restrictions on how Singaporeans can play, making gambling infinitely more complicated than it seems. Online casinos are becoming more popular. However, there is only one legal operator in the country, leaving those wishing to expand beyond that to offshore platforms. ‘Crazy Rich Asians remains a delightful romp through storytelling that surprisingly manages to weave in copious amounts of charm and humor.

Casino Royale (2006)

Casino gambling at its finest.

Bond as the film franchise gets a 2006 rebrand with the rebooted installment, “Casino Royale,” a grittier and more visceral version of the international spy that impresses. The Casino Royale in Montenegro high stakes poker game serves as the centerpiece film for Bond’s development of character but is so much more than just a card game. In the tense, bluffing, strategic gambling landscape of such a battle between the terrorist financier Le Chiffre and Bond, much psychological struggle is being waged. A twist and turn in the game changes the series trajectory just as much as it does regarding the emotional stakes, which run as high as the financial ones. Sitting on top of the final poker scene of this one, this climactic scene doesn’t just provide the suspense; it also sets the tone for where the Bond series goes next — in that it’s more cerebral, as well as physical, which shapes the character for the new audience.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Steven Soderbergh’s version of “Ocean’s Eleven” is famous for its glamorous, sophisticated casino scenes, capped by a fantastic Bellagio casino sequence. At the Bellagio with its famed fountains, the Bellagio’s heist is reached with its entire splendor as a team of suave con artists pulls off the job perfectly. The team comes together to watch the hypnotizing fountain show of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune.” The moment is something greater than pure visual spectacle, and it represents the team being cool as a cucumber and playing it artfully and precisely. The way this blends visual storytelling with a payoff on an emotional level is perfect; the film has charm and wit in perfect measures. This is a quintessential moment in cinema, playing out in one of the world’s most famous casinos within one of the most iconic settings.

Casino (1995)

The Monte Carlo Casino used in several James Bond films.

Best known for its depiction of casino life, Martin Scorse’s “Casino” (1995) features a scene that will be remembered — the floor show. In this scene, we see the delicate workings of a Las Vegas casino under the eye of Robert De Niro’s Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein. It describes how Ace runs the show, keeps the casino running, and skims off the money for the mob in the background. It is a powerful look at the glitz and gaudy underbelly Las Vegas wore during the 1970s and 1980s. The film’s attention to detail and powerful performances from Sharon Stone, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress, made the film famous to many. Other awards went to Stone, including an Oscar and a BAFTA, so the film is recognized as one of the best gambling-themed movies.

Maverick (1994)

Mel Gibson’s role in the 1994 Maverick movie is being celebrated, particularly for the climactic poker game on the riverboat Lauren Belle. The dramatic set piece at the heart of this scene pitches Maverick, a smooth card player and grifter, against various criminals as he endeavors to raise enough to buy a ticket to the high-dollar poker tournament. A classic Western comedy, as much as it’s a gambling boon, the scene proves Maverick deftly manipulates the deck to secure his victory. It looked better than most casino films, combining tension and humor in the manner only “Maverick” can weave.

Rain Man (1988)

Casino de Monte Carlo, featured in “Golden Eye.” (Photo by Connie Wilson).

One of cinema’s most iconic casino moments is when the 1988 film ‘Rain Man’ features a gut-wrenching blackjack session. Tom Cruise plays Charlie, the fraternal sibling of Raymond Babbitt (aka Dustin Hoffman), who has an extraordinary talent for counting cards: an autistic savant buffeted by peculiar behavior but blessed with an artful way to make bank. It’s more than just gameplay; it takes a peek at their relationship’s developing ebb and flow and how they work as a team to bring the odds against the casino. The heart-thumping tension only builds as Raymond’s uncanny sense of numbers turns a regular fish and chips into an unrepeatable cinematic masterpiece. A sequence of drama, strategic execution, and emotional flashback, the sequence is the depths of the bond that knits the siblings together in their common quest for success. Even today, it remains a visual illustration of the power of that film to convey the immediacy of pure sibling bonding even in a high-stakes world of casino gambling.

The Hangover (2009)

“The Hangover” won laughs in 2009 with its take on the casino movie genre, and Zach Galifianakis gives what is likely his most memorable performance as Alan. A quirky card-counting attempt at big-stakes action, Vegas-themed casino films can also be significant in a funny way. The film traces chaos after one of its friends has pilled poker chips, with a series of mischievous and hilarious adventures through Sin City. This comedic approach, combined with the casino movie pulling from an arsenal of traditionally tension-filled stories, makes this newest entry feel like a comedic departure from the status quo. This is a successful offer of a lighthearted but memorable version of casino antics, and it is a standout of sorts in this genre.

“The Day the Music Stopped” to Screen at Nashville Film Festival on 9/20/2024

By Connie Wilson

On September 7, 2024

In Editorial, Music, News, Pop Culture, travel

THE EXIT/IN

Exit/In bar in Nashville, Tennessee

“The Day the Music Stopped,” directed by Patrick Sheehan is a 95 minute film that explores the end of an iconic Nashville indie music venue, the Exit/In. Last year’s Nashville Film Festival ended with a buffet meal at the Exit/In. It was great. The Big Names who have played at the iconic Exit/In venue appeared on plaques that literally filled the walls.

The room hosted its last indie concert on November 23, 2022. Fifty-one years of music as an independent venue stopped when Goliath beat David. As Wikipedia explained, Exit/In’s demise, it had 25 different owners over the years from 1971 to 2022 and was not continuously open, but it definitely was a place where many big names in music either got their start or performed over the years. It even served vegetarian food for a brief period. Comedian Steve Martin performed there while climbing the ladder of success.

LAST INDIE OWNERS LOSE

The final owners before the Big Boys of Music moved in and took over were Chris Cobb and his wife, Teisha, who put up a valiant fight to keep the venue independent. However, on November 14, 2022, club operators, Chris and Telisha Cobb, announced their departure.^[^2] In December 2022 AJ Capital Partners, was announced as the new purchasers and operators of the venue.^[^3]^[^4] The venue was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. There are still shows at Exit/In and the Rock Block, but admission prices to the 500-seat space have, no doubt, increased. (There was even talk of how Live Nation would charge musicians a fee simply to use their lights.) There is a hopeful bit of film showcasing (Attorney General) Merrick Garland at the very end of the film that would probably bring forth a cheer from the group assembled in the photo below this paragraph.

Exit/In’s last indie show in 2022.

This film depicts the tumultuous last show as an indie venue and also charts a path forward that gives a glimmer of hope—a national movement, Save our Stages. Watching the crowd surfing group revel one last time you could feel the joy and also the sadness in the room.

The city and the state face the reality that capitalistic greed is destroying the music culture created in Nashville over decades. As Chris Cobb of the Exit/In said, “The winds of charge are certainly upon us.” Much of the fight centers on who owns the brand name “Exit/In.” (Still unresolved). A.J. Capital Partners (of Chicago) is the villain of the piece, especially when we learn that they are in business with Live Nation. It seems to be only a matter of time before the Big Boys gobble up all of the small venues that used to provide platforms for the future Taylor Swifts and Garth Brooks of the music business.

One by one, iconic venues are listed and (mostly) shown going under—Mercy Lounge (closed May 19, 2022), Douglas Corners, Exit/In, Lindsay Corners (saw Low Cut Connie there the last time I was in town), the Bluebird Cafe. The music business is still very unstable post-pandemic. Although Exit/In closed for what they thought would only be 3 months during the pandemic, the iconic venue once reopened in 1981 by Chuck Berry which spawned so many big names through the years is one of the casualties of what is described as “a corporate takeover of America by capitalists.” Exit/In still open, but it’s not the same.

THE OLD DAYS

Up-and-coming Nashville.

Many in the documentary talk about how, if you arrived in Nashville before 2012 or 2013, Nashville was a very different town. My daughter selected Nashville as her college town in 2005 (Belmont College). She can testify to the many changes that the city has experienced.

The film does a good job of explaining why 43 buildings on Music Row were demolished between 2013 and 2018. It also lays bare the dilemma that Nashville faces. “It truly is a crisis situation here in Music City.” As the Mayor outlined “an unparalleled series of challenges for cities with only a few million in cash reserves” the picture begins to focus. It’s not good news for those who considered Exit/In “a sacred space for Nashville.”

John Cooper, Mayor of Nashville.

John Cooper, the Mayor of Nashville, explains that, although Nashville has certainly enjoyed a booming economy, “We had not been a good steward of our finances.” When tough times hit, Nashville only had a few million dollars in its contingency fund, not enough to handle the crises that beset the city, beginning in 2010.

THE FLOOD, THE STORM, COVID & OTHER CATASTROPHES

Nashville flood of 2010.

First, there was the flood of 2010, which ruined downtown Nashville.

Then came the deadliest tornado on record on March 2, 2020 (25 people died). (There’s been another since then that killed 3 people on the block where my daughter lives in December of 2023.)

Just one week later, Covid struck the nation and the world.

Indie music venues were impacted very negatively. Even today, “a lot of clubs are in limbo.” It is an eco-system that cannot survive without assistance. The Exit/In closed for what they thought would be 3 months.

Add to the natural disasters the 63-year-old Nashville resident, Anthony Quinn Walker, who blew himself up inside an RV parked outside an AT&T building on December 25^th of 2020, taking most of historic 2^nd Avenue with him, and you have the makings of the dilemma that haunts creatives in Nashville now. As the film points out so well, the residents of Nashville have to ask themselves “Where are we heading?”

A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Famous spokespeople like Ben Folds speak out about the potential closing of RCA Studio A, the studio where Chet Atkins and Elvis recorded. It was established on June 20, 1924. It almost met the wrecking ball on Chet Atkins’ 90^th birthday, until some notable names like Ben Folds and Keith Urban stepped up and made efforts to save the iconic studio.

Erica Wollam, General Manager & Chief Operating Officer Bluebird Cafe.

Throughout the film there is much information about the fight to keep the Exit/In out of the hands of Live Nation. But Live Nation bought Ticketmaster and, as one executive told the owner of the venue, “In 10 years we’ll control the business from the top to the bottom.” A 2021 Live Nation document is shown onscreen that spells out how, if an artist were to cancel his or her Live Nation concert, “the artist will pay promoters double the artist fee.” It also highlighted how the cost of insurance to artists increased from 0% to 100% and, all-in-all, while getting only 40 cents on the dollar from any gig they might play in Music City under the auspices of the big music biz entrepreneurs, it has become more and more difficult to make a living as a musician—not that it was ever easy.

There are those who are fighting to save the stages. Jeff Syracuse, a BMI executive, is a City Councilman who is well aware of the competition for space in Nashville and how new talent is struggling to find a launching pad amongst dwindling indie clubs. Mike Curb, Chuck Elcan, Chris Cobb, Representative Johnny Garrett (R, Goodlettsville) are all shown working to pass a state-wide live music fund, the first in the nation, that would help struggling indie venues, which seems to be meeting some success by film’s end.

Honky Tonk Central.

Near the end of the film Chris Cobb (last owner of the Exit/In) is awarded the Blayne Tucker Advocacy Award for his work with Save Our Stages. I’ve never heard of Blayne Tucker. But I could relate to the talking head in the film who said “Money is gonna’ win a lot of the time.”

Patrick Sheehan, Stephen Thompson, Ian Criswell (Cinematographers/Director) and Michael Gomez (Photography), with editing by Sheehan have done a great job with this film. It sounds very familiar to an Austin (Tx) resident to learn that the music industry is not a straight-arrow biz. But it does have people within it who really love what they do and want to preserve music culture in their city for all the right reasons.

And then there are the others who just want to make as much money as they can as fast as they can; they don’t seem to care about much else. The creators of “The Day the Music Stopped,” both onscreen and behind the camera compiling this engaging documentary, obviously do care. With this documentary they are trying to help preserve the true spirit of Nashville. It’s a sobering look at greed spurred by the competition for space in Nashville. I hope those fighting the good fight catch a break in their struggle. Stay tuned for further developments in Nashville and nationwide.

My Excellent Adventures Between July 15th and August 15th, 2024

By Connie Wilson

On August 18, 2024

In Editorial, Health/Medicine, Humor and Weird Wilson-isms, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Science and Medicine, Texas, travel

The offending tree.

My “weekly” vow for WeeklyWilson has now collapsed under the weight of a series of random events.

First, there was the tornado, an EF1 that hit our court street in East Moline, Illinois on Monday, July 15^th.

My spouse had just made an ice cream run to Whitey’s in Moline, which was closing down because of the bad weather. He went to the Dairy Queen and secured 2 Blizzards and was just in time to enter our court as a huge tree went down, taking with it all the power to about 30 houses. It was 7:37 pm. We would not have power again until late Thursday, July 18th.

I went outside to take pictures of the 6 trucks that showed up to try to restore power to our court street (there were 8,000 people without power). The heat index was 106.

One truck broke and another had to be sent. Soon, six were there. Then the tree people managed to pull all of the wires out of the house 2 doors down while cutting up the large tree.

My neighbor, Norma, saw me outside and came outside to chat, which was a good idea until I passed out on her driveway because of the heat (see article about the Gold Coast Art Fair). She went to get my spouse (who was taking a nap and not fully dressed) and I struggled to my feet USING MY FRAIL KNEES, made it into our garage, and promptly passed out a second time.

The house, which had been without power since 7:37 p.m. on Monday night, was fairly hot, so I went to the basement and drank water and was fine thereafter, except that we had no power and it was HOT inside our house. This was only Tuesday, July 16th.

Tuesday night we tried sleeping in the basement. The hide-a-bed in the basement is very old and it was very uncomfortable. It was also very difficult to get out of it and make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night, wielding only my trusty flashlight and winding my way through laundry baskets.

By Wednesday, July 17, we both agreed that we would seek out a motel.

In getting up from the driveway and the garage concrete as quickly as I could, to save face (if not knees), I had done a number on my osteo-arthritic knees. We sought out a motel with a jacuzzi/hot tub and I spent the entire evening soaking my sore knees in the hot water while my spouse enjoyed having TV again.

So, that was the week of July 15th.

We then traveled to Chicago to celebrate my July 23^rd birthday in style with dinner at the Firehouse,

On the 25^th, Thursday, having bought a ticket to Texas so that I could be seen for elevated liver enzymes sooner than November 22^nd, I arrived 2 days after my birthday, and awaited pick-up by son Scott and the twins.

This is where things begin to go downhill, as I attempted to get a luggage cart and pilot error caused the thumb nail on my right hand to be ripped off by a machine in charge of renting the luggage carts.

I know. You’re saying, “How did THAT happen!?”

How, indeed.

That will be a story for another entry.

Suffice it to say that it has given me a newfound appreciation for all those movies where the bad guys torture someone by ripping off their fingernails.

Since the fingernail-ripping “Welcome to Austin” arrival, I found myself locked in the Buda Urgent Care (with 3 other patients) when 2 doctors could not get the locked front door open (they closed at 8 p.m and it was 9 p.m.on Friday night, July 26th) by the time Dr. McIntosh wrapped my injured finger in tape and tried to send me (us) on my (our) way.

Then, while picking up 2 wedge salads at the Buda Main Street Pizzeria, I got stuck in one of their two primitive rest rooms for 40 minutes.

Although I kicked the door and screamed HELP! a lot, nobody could hear me over the music. When I called, all I got was a recording. It was truly not what I needed right about then.

More details on the avulsion incident to follow

James Bond Exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry

By Connie Wilson

On July 24, 2024

In Editorial, Education, Local, Movies, News, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture, travel

We moseyed over to the Museum of Science & Industry to see the James Bond exhibit, showing us many of the gadgets used in the Bond movies.

Also present were many cars used in the Bond films, most of them Aston Martins (although there was one white car that was different.) There were motorcycles, waterskiing machines, and an assortment of smaller gadgets. I’ve taken quite a few pictures, which will not contain information on who, what, when, where or why because you will probably know these films as well as I do.

After we toured the 2 rooms that contain the James Bond memorabilia, we went through the room that has information about DNA and genetics and heredity. There were also small chicks hatching from eggs in that room.

The pictures tell the story:

I have to admit this made me think of DJT’s gold sneakers and gold toilet.

Aston Martin.

Gold Coast Art Show, 2024, Is A Hot One!

By Connie Wilson

On June 17, 2024

In Humor and Weird Wilson-isms, Local, News, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture, travel

Mark Ferguson of Asymmetrical Jewelry and me, at the Gold Coast Art Show on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Today was Sunday, June 16, 2024, the last day of the 2024 Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago. I only learned that it was going on this weekend when we drove by Grant Park on our way to see Seth Meyer’s stand-up show at the Vic. I immediately began saying I wanted to go. The Gold Coast Art Show is always wonderful—for me. For my spouse? Not so much. He isn’t really in to strolling past 250 booths and debating the merits of various purchases I make. Plus, he thought the Cubs were playing (although it turned out that, for mysterious reasons) the Cubs were playing the Cardinals only on Roku. (W-H-A-A-T?)

My husband urged me to go “early.” As anyone who knows me knows, “early” for me is any time before noon. However, I promised to be readying myself no later than the time I get up to play Hand-and-Foot Canasta in Austin, Texas. That is 9 a.m., so I was up “early” and getting ready to walk to the park. I was very tired, because I am a Night Owl of the First Magnitude and being able to fall asleep earlier than 2 a.m. is often difficult. Keep in mind that I write, and—[in my defense]—I write at night. So, promising to get “up and at ’em” by 10-ish was early, for me. It would not have been my first choice of times to attend. But, aware that we faced a 3 and 1/2 hour drive home to the Illinois Quad Cities, I agreed that I would attempt to hit Grant Park at 10-ish.

66th Gold Coast Art Show in Chicago, June 16, 2024

My impatient husband offered to drive me down to the Park, which was very nice of him. In years of yore I routinely walked to the Art Institute and back, but that was before one full year of cancer treatment, which blew out my left knee and put me in a wheelchair or hobbling with a cane from September of 2022 until March of 2023. (Thanks to the Oak Brook Joint Pain Clinic for the 32 m. of anti-inflammatory injections and 6 ml of Durolane, which helped restore me…sort of.)

Another of Mark’s Asymmetrical pieces. (smfjewelry@mail.com).

The adjuvant therapy pills (specifically, Anastrozole) have not been “berry, berry good” to me. Let’s not forget that—thanks to Mom and heredity,— I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2017 and have to doctor for that, too. Minor ailments (fibromyalgia, asthma, osteoarthritis) I shall set aside for the moment. Either of the major ailments would make me vulnerable to extreme heat, And I honestly think that the excessive heat was primarily responsible for chatting with Mark about how he and his hosts went to the Red-Headed Piano Bar and a blues club the preceding night. At one point, in our car on the long drive home, the thermometer said 97 degrees. Yikes!

I remember in high school, when I (unwisely) I played intramural basketball (I’m so old that the game was 6 on 6) and—right before I would become so fatigued that I’d pass out—I’d turn beet red, except for the area right next to my nose, which would be stark white. Below is a picture taken less than 24 hours earlier, at the Seth Meyer show at the Vic Theater, for contrast. I do not appear to be beet red and disheveled in that one, do I?

AT SETH MEYERS on JUNE 14, 2024

Connie Wilson with BEE GONE book at the June 14th Seth Meyer stand-up show

Waiting at the Vic Theater in Chicago to give Seth Meyer a copy of BEE GONE after his June 14, 2024 show.

I direct your attention to the picture atop this page. Who knows what was going on with my blood sugar? I didn’t take the time to eat anything prior to being delivered to Jackson intersection (a fairly long way from the entrance. I should have gotten off at Madison). You can compare the picture from Friday night when I look fairly happy and healthy with the sweaty, overheated shopper who, after about 30 booths, became dizzy as hell and nearly passed out. Okay. Maybe I DID pass out (briefly), but I was seated at the time. I believe that Mark is too kind and honest to make up the nodding off that he says occurred right after I commandeered his chair for my own purposes. (Ahem).

I had purchased many items by that point, and I was aware that the temperature was REALLY REALLY HOT. I attempted to buy something cold at a small booth nearby that had a bunch of beverages for sale in cans, but the beverages all were warm and had alcohol in them, which is pretty much verboten. Plus, the only one I would have liked (Sangria) was warm. Warm sangria in a can for $10 did not sound appealing. So, yes, I was not very well hydrated, I was tired, and BOY, was I HOT!

GOLD COAST PURCHASES

My kind husband and I sought Madison futilely on our way down, because I had read online that it was the entrance. Of course, I had also read online that admission was $5, which may have been true if you bought tickets in advance. That left me out. Admission was $15. At least I managed to find an entrance from the Jackson intersection and I proceeded to quickly determine that (a) there were a lot of paintings (b) many of them cost $1,800 and up and (c) Boy! It was hot in the sun! (I haven’t felt that hot since I tried to bicycle to Willow Springs on a similarly hot day many moons ago and collapsed in someone’s front yard. Those people weren’t nearly as kind to me as Mark. As I recall, the lady of the house yelled, “Don’t go near her. You don’t know where she’s been!” The husband had to come and pick up me and my bicycle and ferry us home. (Is there a pattern here?))

Necklace from Asymmetrical. (smfjewelry@mail.com)

By the time I had bought several pairs of earrings for various birthdays and my own use, I began to feel dizzy.

I was only about 1/3 or 1/4 of the way through my planned circuit of all 200+ booths, but I honestly thought I might pass out. I had just found a booth operated by a lovely British gentleman, Mark Ferguson of Manchester, England, who can be contacted at smfjewelry@mail.com. I saw that Mark had an empty chair (for himself, of course) behind the counter of his booth. Since I felt as though I might collapse at any moment, I asked if I could temporarily occupy Mark’s chair.

HEAT HITS HOME!

He was so great about my near collapse at his booth! THANK YOU, MARK! Not only did he get me some water (and a fan, which he borrowed!) he swears that I passed out as soon as I sat down in HIS chair. This may be true. I would not know, as I was (apparently) unconscious. Just what every jeweler hopes for: a customer who stops by, takes their chair, and then passes out in it!

Now came the security person, wanting to know if I wanted to be taken to a hospital.

Uhhhhh…that would be a resounding NO,

Mark Ferguson (of Suzanne & Mark Ferguson Asymmetrical Jewelry) at his booth on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

But I did think that calling my husband (of 56 years) might be a good idea and, between Mark and a very nice lady who gave my husband directions about how to find Madison entrance (which we never did find initially) I was spared the necessity of walking a couple of football fields back to the Jackson intersection that we had originally agreed I would phone him from for pick-up.

MANY THANKS to Mark Ferguson (and Suzanne) of Manchester, England. If you see some things that speak to you in these photos, you can probably contact them at smfjewelry@mail.com. I had already bought three pair of earrings before unceremoniously commandeering Mark’s chair, so I can attest that his “asymmetrical” idea of not having to “pair” earrings is a godsend. My daughter will be the beneficiary of the earrings that I got before I collapsed and left poor Mark to deal with me. He even escorted me to my spouse’s car. (Husband Craig did find the Madison entrance after the nice lady told him how to get there.)

I haven’t been so embarrassed since I missed a step at the Chicago International Film Festival, fell, and hit my head (and my bad knee). That didn’t lead to the hospital, either, but it did cause me to go have X-rays of the bum left knee when I made it back to the Quad Cities. That knee is going to be bad for the rest of time, I fear.

Here are some additional photos of Mark and Suzanne’s reasonably-priced and creative jewelry items, including some Cubs earrings (I bought 2 pair) and others. Not sure what the delivery options are, but, if you see something you can’t live without, the Fergusons have relatives in the Chicago area and perhaps you can contact them at smfjewelry@mail.com and make arrangements for mail delivery.

Asymmetrical Jewelry (smfjewelry@mail.com)

Thanks, again, Mark!