Several towns along Route 66 have restrictive zoning codes against neon signs -- rules that seem nonconducive to the Mother Road experience. One of the reasons some municipalities restrict the use of neon signs is traffic safety. Apparently there is concern that the vivid light of neon lighting will distract motorists and cause accidents. I … Continue reading In defense of neon signs
Month: March 2006
Interview with “Cars” director
USAToday.com helps crank up the hype for Pixar Animation Studios' upcoming Route 66 movie, "Cars." First is an interview with "Cars" writer and director John Lasseter, the first since the Disney/Pixar merger last month. Tuesday, Cars will preview at ShoWest, the yearly Las Vegas convention of theater owners, who are starved for an injection of … Continue reading Interview with “Cars” director
New caretakers take over Blue Swallow Motel
Dale and Hilda Bakke have reported that the sale of the Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., will close today, barring unforeseen complications. Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson, who originally hail from Florida, are the new owners. The Bakkes will no longer be in the motel business, but will remain in New … Continue reading New caretakers take over Blue Swallow Motel
Pixar spiffs up “Cars” Web site
Luxo, who has a blog that keeps up with news from Pixar Animated Studios, reports that Pixar/Disney has really beefed up its "Cars" Web site. It's boasts an interactive "showroom" of the Route 66-themed movie's main character, Lightning McQueen. It's not even finished, but it's quite an imaginative site. Also, Disney issued a news release … Continue reading Pixar spiffs up “Cars” Web site
Horn Motor Lodge in Albuquerque threatened
The historic Horn Motor Lodge (pictured here in present-day and an old postcard), on Route 66 in Albuquerque, is being threatened by development. The Sandia Theatre is also threatened. There's a proposal, called Country Club Plaza (scroll down to the lone Southwest listing to read it), to raze the properties for a mixed-use development of … Continue reading Horn Motor Lodge in Albuquerque threatened
New Mexico scenic byway receives a grant
New Mexico Business Weekly reports that the state's scenic byways have received a total of $500,000 in federal grants. At least one of the grants will go to Route 66: Bernalillo County will receive $80,100 for the construction of El Camino Real/Route 66 Urban Plaza, which will create an interpretive kiosk on Isleta Boulevard. It … Continue reading New Mexico scenic byway receives a grant
Historic building in Arizona being restored
The historic Beck Furniture Building in the Route 66 town of Holbrook, Ariz., is being restored to be a restaurant and gift shop, according to the Holbrook Tribune-News. The couple fixing up the building hope to have it open by late May.
In Funks Grove, it’s spelled “sirup,” not “syrup”
The Daily Vidette, which is the student newspaper of Illinois State University, has posted a story on its online edition about Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, which is a family business near the tiny Route 66 hamlet of Funks Grove, south of Bloomington. The story explains the unique spelling of the maple product: A sign … Continue reading In Funks Grove, it’s spelled “sirup,” not “syrup”
Urban hike along Route 66
Chantal Foster of the Duke City Fix blog took a stroll down Central Avenue (Route 66) in Albuquerque. Here are the photos she took during her eight-hour walk.
Calendar of events updated
I went through the Route 66 Calendar of Events last night and today and made a correction, a few clarifications and a few additions. I'll go over it once a month or so in an effort to make sure everything's up-to-date.