What's great about Route 66 is you sometimes find the unexpected. On Monday, I found it in downtown Commerce, Okla. (population 2,500), talking to a man who creates portraits of rock 'n' roll stars and other artwork. He exhibits and sells these pieces all over the United States. Bill Foss' studio is right on Route … Continue reading Art in an unexpected place
Month: November 2008
Hello from the U.K.
Here's a version of "Route 66" by In the Pink Big Band, which is based in Bournemouth, England.
Fighting unemployment with tourism
Officials in Macoupin County, Ill., fighting high joblessness because of the closing of several coal mines, are taking a different tack on trying to address the problem. The Springfield Journal-Register reports that the county will create a Macoupin County Tourism Commission. Efforts will include Route 66-related projects and the creation of a Web site listing … Continue reading Fighting unemployment with tourism
Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
After losing his job and marriage, William Least Heat-Moon and his Ford Econoline van (dubbed Ghost Dancing) embarked on a 13,000-mile journey around America. He avoided the interstates and drove two-lane highways and country roads. He eschewed chain restaurants for mom-and-pop eateries. And he met a lot of interesting people. "Blue Highways: A Journey into … Continue reading Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
“Take the Blue Highway”
Dean Milano, with the help of a few friends, performs his song "Take the Blue Highway." The tune not only mentions Route 66, but the Lincoln Highway and Dixie Highway as well. If you like it (and any self-respecting roadie should), you can buy his album here.
Another haunted hotel?
Jason Pfaff, the co-owner of the excellent Hotel Brunswick on Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., shows a camera crew some of the places where he sensed the presence of the supernatural in the historic building. I was thinking that maybe all this talk about ghosts would be bad for Pfaff's business -- until I recall … Continue reading Another haunted hotel?
Beg, borrow or swap for a bridge
Pulaski County, Mo., wants to repair the Devil's Elbow Bridge on Route 66 but is short several hundred thousand dollars to do so. So it now may barter its way to keeping the deteriorating 1923 bridge open, reports the Waynesville Daily Guide. What came to light during Thursday's meeting, is county officials may borrow, swap … Continue reading Beg, borrow or swap for a bridge
Illinois historic roads receive byway grants
A reader passed along a news release today from Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) about Illinois receiving grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Scenic Byways program for several of the state's historic highways, including Route 66. Here are the grants that should be of interest to roadies: $60,000 to update the 1999 Great River … Continue reading Illinois historic roads receive byway grants
Rialto Square’s sign restored
Although the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill., has been restored and operating for years, its sign was fully refurbished only this week, reports the Joliet Herald News. On Wednesday, a sign crew installed the name "Rubens" above the vertical "Rialto" on the lighted, brown marquee. "It's listed in the National Register of Historical Places … Continue reading Rialto Square’s sign restored
A fresh twist to an old favorite
This is pianist Michael Hall, with an interesting arrangement of Bobby Troup's "Route 66."