Steve Vaught, the formerly 400-pound man who's walking Route 66 and across the country to lose weight, says in his Oct. 17 journal (scroll down to see it) that he was interviewed via satellite by Oprah Winfrey. But Vaught said he was more nervous being questioned by a bunch of Elk City high-schoolers. No word … Continue reading The Fat Man appears on Oprah
Month: October 2005
El Vado decision deferred for 60 days
By the request of El Vado Motel's owner, the rezoning request was deferred for 60 days. The next Planning Commission meeting is Dec. 15. Media reports say the owner is going to try to work out a compromise in the meantime, including keeping part of the motel and building townhouses on other parts of the … Continue reading El Vado decision deferred for 60 days
El Vado owner seeks compromise
From today's Albuquerque Journal: El Vado Motel owner Richard L. Gonzales says he will ask that his zoning request be postponed so there is time to explore the possible preservation of the motel. Gonzales has planned to build townhomes at the site at Central and New York near the BioPark. Mayor Martin Chávez said this … Continue reading El Vado owner seeks compromise
Fat Man Walking update
He's near Clinton, Okla. Here's his latest journal entry.
Cow Bop update
I hadn't checked on Cow Bop's Route 66 journey in a few days. I'm glad I remembered, though. The band met up with Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the Mediocre Music Makers, at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla. Here's an excerpt from Cow Bop's journal: Well let me first say that Harley & … Continue reading Cow Bop update
Heading to Albuquerque
Emily Priddy, eastern vice president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and charter member of the Friends of the Mother Road preservation group, is heading to Albuquerque to address the city's Planning Commission about the request to rezone El Vado Motel. She is carrying a letter from Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: … Continue reading Heading to Albuquerque
Calling classic car junkies in Illinois
This event in Edwardsville is just for you.
Most Endangered Historic Places nominations
From the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Washington, D.C. (October 18, 2005) – The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for the 2006 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list until January 18, 2006. Each year, the National Trust issues this list to identify and raise awareness of historic sites at risk from … Continue reading Most Endangered Historic Places nominations
Should we tighten preservation laws?
During this fight to El Vado Motel standing in the past few days, I was thinking about our nation's rather anemic preservation laws. A listing onto the National Register of Historic Places brings prestige and eligibility for loans and grants. But it offers little actual protection for historic properties. Even if an owner places a … Continue reading Should we tighten preservation laws?
Rezoning El Vado may run afoul of law
A friend of mine told me about this New Mexico appeals court decision that sets a precedent against rezoning El Vado Motel in Albuquerque: Spot zoning (¶ 5). Spot zoning “is an attempt to wrench a single lot from its environment and give it a new rating that disturbs the tenor of the neighborhood, and … Continue reading Rezoning El Vado may run afoul of law