Month: August 2006

Grand opening for Elk City museum postponed

I confirmed today that the grand opening celebration for the Route 66 Transportation Museum in Elk City, Okla., set for Saturday has been postponed because of a scheduling conflict. It will be rescheduled, but no date has been set.

Missouri holding Route 66 cruise next month

The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News has details about the Route 66 Association of Missouri's annual Motor Tour on Sept. 8-10, which will go from Litchfield, Ill., to St. Robert, Mo. The association's Web site is here, and the registration form is here.

New play takes its inspiration from the road

If you're traveling into Pasadena, Calif., anytime soon, you're advised to go to the Theatre@Boston Court and see Carlos Murillo's new play, "Unfinished American Highwayscape #9 & 32 or The Broken Tractor Graveyard." Janja J. Monji of Pasadena Weekly describes why it would be of interest to roadies: In the summer of 2003, Murillo traveled … Continue reading New play takes its inspiration from the road

Galena sinkhole update

There's not much good news to report about the historic Green Parrot tavern's almost-certain demise because of a collapsing underground mine, except that the town's police chief rescued a pet bird from the building. The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that Galena, Kan., Police Chief Larry Delmont took the risk of entering the 114-year-old, crumbling building … Continue reading Galena sinkhole update

Exotic Animal Paradise may be saved after all

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Exotic Animal Paradise in Strafford, Mo., just off Route 66, would close down its drive-through zoo, auction the animals, and luxury homes would be built on the site. However, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reported Tuesday that the new owner is partially reconsidering the plan: The new owner … Continue reading Exotic Animal Paradise may be saved after all

New Super business in Missouri

Route66TVonline.com, which is turning into quite a Route 66 resource for the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma tri-state area, reports that a new business has opened on the Mother Road in Carterville, Mo. It's the Superman on 66 Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. Owned and operated by Larry Tamminen, a 44-year resident of Carterville, this unique business features a … Continue reading New Super business in Missouri

Q&A with “The Mother Road” director

Here's my e-mail question-and-answer session with Lauren Cardillo, director of "The Mother Road" documentary that airs on PBS-TV stations this month. In the film, Cardillo and her mother, Irene, take a full-length trip down Route 66 together. I contacted Lauren shortly after I watched an advanced copy of the film. Here are the questions and … Continue reading Q&A with “The Mother Road” director

Twin Oaks sign damaged by storm

The historic Twin Oaks Gas for Less sign along the Old Chain of Rocks Road, aka Route 66, in Granite City was damaged apparently by the series of severe storms that ravaged the St. Louis area about 10 days ago. The gas station itself has been long gone, but the sign remained as a nice … Continue reading Twin Oaks sign damaged by storm

Sinkhole endangers historic tavern

The 114-year-old building on old Route 66 in Galena, Kan., that houses the Green Parrot tavern likely will become a memory because of a rapidly enlarging sinkhole that's already collapsed part of the structure. Authorities were able to evacuate the tavern's owners, who lived on the second floor, before the building became too structurally compromised. … Continue reading Sinkhole endangers historic tavern