"My Blueberry Nights" is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16 as the cinema debut of sublime singer Norah Jones. It also stars Natalie Portman, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Jude Law. However, roadies will find the film by Chinese director Wong Kar Wai notable because of this report from Jazz … Continue reading Norah Jones film reportedly filmed on Route 66
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Catching the VW bug
It's a complicated story -- which the Orange County Register can tell more completely -- but it's about Dave Torstenson's fascination with vintage Volkwagen minibuses, the generous VW community, and an improbable quest to drive a ramshackle 1972 minibus from Tulsa to Los Angeles while being filmed by a documentary crew. Route 66 connections? There … Continue reading Catching the VW bug
Grants restaurant opens; another changes hands
Both stories about Grants, N.M., eateries are from the Cibola County Beacon. The Grants Cafe, a dining fixture along Route 66 since the 1940s, has changed ownership. Steve and Lillian Vigil have retired after 30 years. Mike and Linda Bistline have moved from California to take over. The Beacon reports: According to the Bistline couple, … Continue reading Grants restaurant opens; another changes hands
Route 66 Radio Show to stream on the Web
Bob Moore of Route 66 Magazine reports that his Route 66 Radio Show, based on KTOX in Needles, Calif., will be streaming on the Web on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. EDT on B.O.U.N.C.E. Radio. Click on the link, and it should simply start playing. Needless to say, Moore's show will have longer reception. … Continue reading Route 66 Radio Show to stream on the Web
Town may restore vintage Marathon station
The city of Miami, Okla., may restore a 1929 Marathon service station on Route 66, reports the Miami News-Record. And apparently it's quite a find: Eller said the property, currently occupied by Bravo Salon on South Main Street, could likely be the oldest Marathon station still standing and may be the only circa-1929 original Marathon … Continue reading Town may restore vintage Marathon station
Old gas station to become visitors center
Rod Harsh of Route66TVOnline.com has acquired a vintage Sinclair service station on Route 66 in Carterville, Mo., and is converting it into a Route 66 Visitors Welcome Center and an office for his video production and Visit66.com Web site businesses. A current-day photo of the gas station is above. A photo of the station and … Continue reading Old gas station to become visitors center
Cleanup goof threatens Standin’ on a Corner
The Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Ariz., which has seen all sorts of problems because fire destroyed a nearby building a couple of years ago, suffered another serious setback this week, reports the Winslow Mail. The newspaper reported that a piece of cleanup machinery bumped and accidentally destroyed a portion of the foundation … Continue reading Cleanup goof threatens Standin’ on a Corner
Route 66 publicized at Chicago bus shelters
Five Chicago Transit Authority bus shelters contain touch screens that publicize tourist spots throughout Illinois. One of those destinations is Route 66, reports Crain's Chicago Business. The idea is to inspire viewers to hit the road on the same itineraries, which can take them to the Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, the Launching Pad Drive-Inn (sic) … Continue reading Route 66 publicized at Chicago bus shelters
Public invited to Route 66 Interpretive Center opening
Today, I received a press release about the opening ceremonies for the Route 66 Interpretive Center at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, on Route 66 and Mickey Clarkson Avenue in Chandler, Okla. Here's more information about the center: The Interpretive Center is located in the native sandstone-block 1930s-era building on the prominent crossroads in Chandler. … Continue reading Public invited to Route 66 Interpretive Center opening
Historic depot may be moved near Route 66
There's a railroad depot in the Route 66 town of Braidwood, Ill., that dates to at least 1867. It's speculated that the train that carried the body of Abraham Lincoln went by on its way to Lincoln's burial in Springfield. The city of Braidwood has taken over ownership of the depot from Berkot's Foods with … Continue reading Historic depot may be moved near Route 66