Reports from the European Route 66 Festival

Author Jim Hinckley traveled earlier this month's to European Route 66 Festival near Ofterdingen, Germany, on behalf of the city of Kingman, Arizona, and to represent the Route 66: The Road Ahead Initiative. He promised a report about his experiences and impressions. You can read it below the fold in full -- which I encourage. But here's a summary … Continue reading Reports from the European Route 66 Festival

“The Leisure Seeker” film gets a Grade-A cast

The good news is the film version of Michael Zadoorian's Route 66 novel "The Leisure Seeker" will star Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren in the lead roles, and filming will begin later this year. The bad news is the film won't take place on Route 66. "The Leisure Seeker" is about John and Ella Robina, an elderly and ailing couple -- … Continue reading “The Leisure Seeker” film gets a Grade-A cast

Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction

A judge late Friday refused to grant a preliminary injunction against construction of the nine-mile Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus system that would go down the heart of Central Avenue, aka Route 66. Construction on ART likely will begin by the middle of next week. The project will take at least 15 months to complete. U.S. … Continue reading Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction

Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses

As Albuquerque and dozens of businesses awaited a judge's ruling this week on a lawsuit against the Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan, the city unveiled a new website touting the Route 66 corridor and gave details about a loan program for those affected businesses. The city launched ABQ66.com, which includes interactive listings of restaurants, retail, coffee shops, bars, entertainment, motels, … Continue reading Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses

Tulsa leaders take Route 66 tour to spark ideas

  The Tulsa City Council and other area leaders took a bus tour of Route 66 in Tulsa County to spark ideas for the corridor's revitalization. Voters recently passed the Vision Tulsa sales-tax initiative, which included a few million dollars for Route 66 investment, plus a new bus line along the 11th Street (aka Route … Continue reading Tulsa leaders take Route 66 tour to spark ideas

Little Richard nearly died on Route 66

WEHOville.com this week started a promising series, "Tales from Historic Route 66," about the Mother Road through West Hollywood, California. The first entry was about rock legend Little Richard, who nearly died in a West Hollywood car crash in 1985. Little Richard lived in Room 319 in the Continental Hyatt Hotel -- now the Andaz -- in the 1980s and '90s. He was … Continue reading Little Richard nearly died on Route 66

Former Cafe on the Route is up for sale

The historic building in Baxter Springs, Kansas, best-known as the former home of Cafe on the Route, apparently has been put up for sale, based on a slick video and website touting the property. The website's name uses property's address, 1101 Military Ave. Moment Media, based in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, produced this well-made video, including drone … Continue reading Former Cafe on the Route is up for sale

Upcoming “Sinatoro” comic will become a television series

"Sinatoro," a forthcoming comic created by Grant Morrison, will be turned into a television series by Universal Television and filmmakers Chris and Paul Weitz. The Hollywood Reporter got the scoop over the weekend at Comic-Con in San Diego. It reported: Adam Armus and Kay Foster, co-creators of the NBC drama American Odyssey, are writing the … Continue reading Upcoming “Sinatoro” comic will become a television series

Goal: Reopen Macoupin County Cannonball Jail next year

Sensing a likely tourism draw, Macoupin County wants to reopen its circa-1870 county jail near downtown Carlinville, Illinois. However, the interior of the fortress-like structure, often called the Macoupin County Cannonball Jail, remains covered with toxic lead paint. About $13,000 has been raised for lead-paint removal in the jail in the past 18 months. Another $18,000 is needed … Continue reading Goal: Reopen Macoupin County Cannonball Jail next year

Barstow soon will get new Route 66 signs

Barstow, California, soon will have classic car-themed Route 66 signs installed. The city council this week approved a $42,860 contract with Turner Signs and Graphics for the new signs. Councilors also approved a $111,360 budget for the overall sign project. According to the Desert Dispatch newspaper: The monument signs that will be placed along the Route 66 … Continue reading Barstow soon will get new Route 66 signs