The excellent 2006 documentary about indie businesses struggling to survive, "Independent America," will have its television debut on July 4 on the Sundance Channel, the filmmakers announced. There's no time yet announced for the broadcast; check your listings closer to the Fourth of July holiday. We reviewed "Independent America" and highly recommend it. Route 66, … Continue reading “Independent America” to air on Sundance Channel
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.
Dang it, we don’t want to be bypassed again
KOTV in Tulsa uncovered an interesting story about the Route 66 town of Catoosa, Okla., and the state highway department's plan to close an access ramp from an adjacent highway. The state wishes to close a ramp from westbound U.S. 412 onto northbound Oklahoma 66, aka old Route 66. The state says the ramp's design … Continue reading Dang it, we don’t want to be bypassed again
Chain-weary diners seeking out indie restaurants
BusinessWeek reports that many diners are increasingly seeking independent restaurants when they go out to eat. Here's why: Consumers tired of the chains' clinical atmospheres, indifferent service, and mass-produced products are returning to small specialty stores where they can find unique products and know the face behind the counter. In a sense, it's something of … Continue reading Chain-weary diners seeking out indie restaurants
Drive into the Grand Canyon
Most people think the only way to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is either by hiking or pack mule. But, as the Arizona Republic reports, you can actually drive into the canyon, via Diamond Creek Road in the Hualapai Indian reservation. And the way to get to that road is via old … Continue reading Drive into the Grand Canyon
Two Texas sites added to National Register
The National Park Service announced today that two Route 66 sites in Texas were added to the National Register of Historic Places. In the small settlement of Conway in Carson County, an old section of Route 66, listed as Texas Farm Road 2161, was placed on the register. Here's what Mock Turtle Press said about … Continue reading Two Texas sites added to National Register
Roadside America goes to Grand Canyon Skywalk
The typically irreverent Roadside America was there on opening day of the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The report is one of the best I've read. Roadside America also has a video from the ceremony. Much has been reported about Skywalk's safety, but seeing the television reporters get buffeted by strong winds near the edge of the … Continue reading Roadside America goes to Grand Canyon Skywalk
Grant secured for Route 66 museum
It's buried in this Carthage (Mo.) Press story about a meeting of city and county officials in Jasper County, Mo., but it's good news nevertheless: Honey also reported that Commissioner Darius Adams had secured a Missouri Department of Transportation grant of about $100,000 to create a Route 66 museum in the Courthouse. The Jasper County … Continue reading Grant secured for Route 66 museum
Foreign executives to be guided on Route 66
Foreign trade executives from 16 countries will be guided next week by the Illinois governor's team to tour several tourist-related attractions, reports the Lincoln Courier. In Lincoln, they will meet with local business leaders and learn more about regional tourism, including Looking for Lincoln and the Route 66 Scenic Highway. Because foreigners have generally shown … Continue reading Foreign executives to be guided on Route 66
Big acts to perform during Clinton Route 66 Festival
Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel and prominent Red Dirt artists Cross Canadian Ragweed and Stoney LaRue are booked to play at Clinton Motorsports Park on Friday, June 22, coinciding during the Route 66 Festival in Clinton, Okla. The festival Web site says that music will start at 5 p.m. Tickets won't go on … Continue reading Big acts to perform during Clinton Route 66 Festival
More toys coming from “Cars”
We knew this was going to happen, but sharp-eyed reader Jennifer pointed out in this comment that a slew of new die-cast toys from last summer's Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars," is coming out soon. RPMdiecast.com is taking pre-orders for these "Cars" characters, a few of which are shipping in June or July; others have no release … Continue reading More toys coming from “Cars”