“Rhythms” still beating

Remember "Rhythms of the Road"? That was the musical television series taped at several spots along the Mother Road in October 2008. It was tentatively set to air this spring or summer. You can go here to see the trailer. Now, we're on the cusp of September, and no sighting of "Rhythms." So what happened? … Continue reading “Rhythms” still beating

DiSalvatores losing? Fuhgeddaboudit

The DiSalvatore family from New York , which repeatedly staved off elimination, earned the grand prize of $100,000 and other goodies during the season's final episode Monday of NBC's reality series, "The Great American Road Trip." The Coote family from Illinois had won most of the challenges during the show's run, but stumbled in the … Continue reading DiSalvatores losing? Fuhgeddaboudit

Digging and testifying

Ruth Graham of The Faster Times has posted a somewhat irreverent look at the giant cross of Cross Ministries in Groom, Texas, and the Big Brutus coal shovel of West Mineral, Kan. The story is a salute to gigantic things along or near Route 66. The big cross is 190 feet tall, although it no … Continue reading Digging and testifying

Teen named grand marshal of Duarte parade

The City of Duarte, Calif., has named a 17-year-old boy who doesn't even have a driver's license as grand marshal of the annual Route 66 Parade next month. He's not just any teenager, though. Zac Sunderland of nearby Thousand Oaks is the youngest person to ever sail around the world. According to the Pasadena Star-News, … Continue reading Teen named grand marshal of Duarte parade

Arrest made in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge burglaries

It appears a breakthrough has been made in the rash of vehicle burglaries that have occurred in the parking area on the Illinois side of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. KTVI-TV in St. Louis reports that Kenneth A. Woods-Bey, 18, of St. Louis was arrested by police in Madison, Ill., and charged with four … Continue reading Arrest made in Old Chain of Rocks Bridge burglaries

2009 cost-share grants announced for Route 66 properties

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced Monday its cost-share grant recipients for 2009. They are: Colors of the West, 201 W. Route 66, Williams, Ariz. — Constructed in 1912, the Duffy Brothers building in downtown Williams served as a grocery until 1954, when it became the Indian House, a curio selling Indian crafts and … Continue reading 2009 cost-share grants announced for Route 66 properties

Free road or toll road?

KOTV in Tulsa and KWTV in Oklahoma City conducted an interesting experiment. With the toll roads in Oklahoma costing an average of 16 percent more in recent weeks (via a Toll Authority price hike), reporters from those TV stations decided to drive to each other's city -- one on the toll road, the other on … Continue reading Free road or toll road?

Joliet museum fundraiser offers Harley as prize

The Joliet Area Historical Museum / Route 66 Experience in Joliet, Ill., is selling raffle tickets as part of its annual fundraiser. The top prize winner will receive either a 2010 Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle or $10,000 in cash. Tickets are can be purchased online here or in the Museum Gift Shop at 204 … Continue reading Joliet museum fundraiser offers Harley as prize

Wow, man

There's no particular reason why I'm posting this video of the 66-foot-tall pop bottle at POPS in Arcadia, Okla., except that I like it in a vaguely psychedelic way.

Castle Car Wash being restored

The historic Castle Car Wash building on Odgen Avenue, aka Route 66, in Chicago is being restored after years of neglect and will be converted into a Greek restaurant. Debra Jane Seltzer of the terrific Roadside Architecture site got the scoop when she saw workers at the site and asked them what was going on. Seltzer said the work at the building has been going on for about two weeks. According to … Continue reading Castle Car Wash being restored