Ken Burns, the acclaimed producer of documentaries who is most famous for his "The Civil War" series, is planning a new film about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, according to a news release by OETA. Here's Burns' message to OETA and all readers: I'm asking Oklahomans to help me with a new public television … Continue reading Ken Burns plans TV series on Dust Bowl
Category: Books
Return to the road
Ten years ago, Tim Steil and Jim Luning traveled and shot photos for their "Route 66" book. This month, they decided to return to Route 66 to see how the road has changed and meet with aficionados of the old highway. The Luning-Steil blog is here. Today, Luning started posting his Route 66 videos of … Continue reading Return to the road
Notes from the road
My computer is still not connecting to the Internet, but my iPod is working like a champ. So here are a few news items I've tracked down while on the Mother Road (without links, alas). Also, I'll be posting regularly at Twitter.com/route66news. -- The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program reports that the U.S. Senate is … Continue reading Notes from the road
Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”
P.J. O'Rourke seems to be in a somewhat dour mood these days. The famed gonzo journalist is feeling the creeping effects of age, blames auto executives, unions and politicians alike for the current free-fall of American cars, and saves his biggest ire to the "Fun Suckers" that are ruining everything he loves. Yet O'Rourke's 14th … Continue reading Book review: “Driving Like Crazy”
Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A number of guidebooks about the Lincoln Highway, an important predecessor to historic Route 66, exist for several states that the road traverses. However, Brian Butko's "Lincoln Highway Companion" (Stackpole Books, 192 pages, $26.95 retail) is the first book of which I'm aware that tries to compile all of the coast-to-coast road's unique motels, restaurants, … Continue reading Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A treat for you Ohioans
It isn't on Route 66, but this establishment will suffice for folks in the state of Ohio who want to sample the Mother Road within their home state. The Roadhouse 66 Bar & Grille in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, opened a few days ago. It features live music and "quirky road food from … Continue reading A treat for you Ohioans
Notes from the road
We learned Thursday that longtime roadie Jeff Meyer, aka the Route 66 Roadologist, is in the hospital after having health problems earlier in the week, and he is undergoing tests. Meyer has been exploring Route 66 for more than two decades, is a founding member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, and was given the … Continue reading Notes from the road
Chicago roadie wins writing awards
David G. Clark, aka the Windy City Road Warrior, earned two awards from the Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest during the Illinois Women’s Press Association's annual Spring Awards Luncheon. According to Clark's blog: In the Special Series category, Clark won the first place award for three of his articles that appeared in the Federation News, … Continue reading Chicago roadie wins writing awards
Return to the road
In 1999, Chicago-based writer Tim Steil and photographer Jim Luning embarked on a trip together down Route 66 to collect material that produced an excellent book, "Route 66." Steil also wrote an online journal during the trip, which I recommend you read. Steil and Luning are returning to the Mother Road next month, on the … Continue reading Return to the road
Rock Cafe prepares for reopening
KOTV in Tulsa has a very good article about the impending reopening Friday of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., after a devastating fire a year ago. The particularly newsworthy parts in the story are about owner Dawn Welch, near the end: Welch has written a cookbook, "Dollars to Donuts" and is due out November … Continue reading Rock Cafe prepares for reopening