The Associated Press has a nice article about Tulsa's historic Art Deco architecture, which recently made the cover of Preservation magazine. But here's something I didn't know. The historic Blue Dome gas station, on an old alignment of Route 66 in downtown, was inspired by an ancient church in Turkey. Route 66 fans have architectural … Continue reading The Blue Dome’s Turkish connection
Month: July 2008
Signing project in Missouri proceeds
This story from the Carthage (Mo.) Press about a recent meeting of the Route 66 Association of Missouri had a few interesting news tidbits, including this one: In the association reports, President Tommy Pike told the group they were about three-quarters finished checking the locations for new signs marking Route 66 across the state. He … Continue reading Signing project in Missouri proceeds
Hello from Poland
This is the Jazz Band Ball Orchesta from Poland, performing Bobby Troup's "Route 66" with guest stars Harriet Lewis and keyboardist Wojtek Karolak. Pardon for the bad synching with the audio.
“Mater and the Ghost Light”
Well, lookee here. Someone has posted the Pixar short, "Mater and the Ghost Light," from the "Cars" DVD. Route 66 author Michael Wallis, playing his role as the Sheriff of the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, has a prominent role. The Ghost Light, by the way, is inspired by the mysterious Spook Light … Continue reading “Mater and the Ghost Light”
Book review: “Story of the Free 72-oz. Steak”
The first thing you notice is the cover. Beneath huge, Old West letters is a painting of a 1960s Chevrolet Impala pointed into a red-and-orange sunset, pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant with a neon sign featuring a giant cowboy and a fiberglass steer on the roof. Below that is a photo of … Continue reading Book review: “Story of the Free 72-oz. Steak”
Joliet turning into a hot spot
The Chicago Tribune has an interesting story about joliet, Ill., and how it's growing quickly in population. Joliet is one of the 25 fastest-growing cities in America. It even has edged long-touted Naperville to become the fourth-largest city in Illinois. Here's the Route 66 content: An increasingly popular destination is the Route 66 welcome center … Continue reading Joliet turning into a hot spot
An oldie but a goodie
St. Louis Post-Dispatch movie reviewer Joe Williams talks about some of his favorite theaters in the area. Some have enormous screens, others screen IMAX films, one has couches, and another serves beer. Yet none of these are my favorite theater. With apologies to my many friends in the film-exhibition business, my favorite theater in the … Continue reading An oldie but a goodie
Help bring back the sign
I received a news release from Illinois Route 66 roadie Lenore Weiss on Friday, but had too little time to do anything with it before my shift. Lo and behold, her news release was run later that day as a letter to the editor in the Coal City (Ill.) Courant. You can read it here. … Continue reading Help bring back the sign
University president to take pulse of nation on 66
Andrew K. Benton, Pepperdine University's president and chairman of the American Council on Education, is traveling the length of Route 66 on July 14-22 "to connect with people and invite them to speak about their values, hopes, and dreams," according to a press release today from the university. His stops on the Mother Road include … Continue reading University president to take pulse of nation on 66
A tragedy
NOTE: Bumped for an update. It's sure sad to read about a story like this. Be careful when you're driving the Mother Road, folks. UPDATE: Here's an update on the story by the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph. The June 9 death of a German motorcyclist was avoidable, the jury said, because the driver failed to stop … Continue reading A tragedy