The Detroit News published a good article today about Tom Nagle, who's going to drive his 2004 Corvette (rebuilt to look like a 1961 model) on Route 66 from California eastward. About a dozen other Corvettes will join him. Nagle my type of guy because of this: Cruisers like Nagle look askance at those who … Continue reading Not a museum piece
Month: July 2008
Squishing a grape business
Lord knows there is no small number of states that have bizarre or archaic alcoholic beverage laws. But Oklahoma's are ridiculous: J.L. Gilbert has the awkward job of explaining to people who book their wedding at his winery that they cannot buy cases of wine from him to consume at their event. Sparks Vineyard & … Continue reading Squishing a grape business
This could be yours
The Joliet (Ill.) Area Historical Museum is holding its fundraiser by selling $35 tickets (or three for $100) for a chance to win a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible. The winner can choose the Mustang or a $25,000 cash prize. If fewer than 2,000 tickets are sold, the winner gets 50 percent of the … Continue reading This could be yours
Hello from Denmark
This is the impressive Michelle Birkballe, wailing away on Bobby Troup's "Route 66." Kudos to the slide guitarist, too.
Report from the racino hearing
Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., sent an e-mail report about the public hearing Thursday night on whether the town should be awarded a license for a horse-racing track and casino, which would be on Route 66 on the city's east side: The meeting went very well last night, with New … Continue reading Report from the racino hearing
The story of Budville, Part 1
The Valencia County News-Bulletin in New Mexico published an excellent story about the history of Budville, the old Route 66 trading post between Albuquerque and Grants, N.M. Go read it. The 1967 slaying of owner Bud Rice and a retired schoolteacher who helped him is a tragic tale. But, as the article ably describes, the … Continue reading The story of Budville, Part 1
Indie film being shot in Missouri, Oklahoma
A crew from Sleuth Productions in Brooklyn, N.Y., was in Webb City, Mo., on Thursday to shoot footage for an independent film, titled "Soft Rot." Route 66er Rod Harsh wrote in an e-mail: The first location was a 1915 U.S. Filling Station at Daugherty and Liberty Streets, one block off Old 66 that is owned … Continue reading Indie film being shot in Missouri, Oklahoma
Downtown Joplin named to National Register
According to an e-mail I received Thursday from the National Park Service, the Joplin (Mo.) Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, effective July 16. The district is South Main Street, between Fourth and Sixth streets. Main Street is a primary alignment of Route 66 through town. More information from … Continue reading Downtown Joplin named to National Register
Housing bust hits Victorville
I always liked Victorville, Calif. It's got a lot of old-style charm, unlike many other communities in Southern California. So it's a bit distressing to read this article from the Christian Science Monitor about the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble in a Route 66 town. Victorville and other exurbs like it lie at the … Continue reading Housing bust hits Victorville
Hal Blaine to be honored by Route 66 Rendezvous
Hal Blaine will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Route 66 Rendezvous Cruisin' Hall of Fame in San Bernardino, Calif., in September, reports the Press-Enterprise. If you don't know who he is, chances are almost certain you've heard him. He's a session drummer who's played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil … Continue reading Hal Blaine to be honored by Route 66 Rendezvous