As a Route 66 aficionado, I don't need encouragement to patronize mom-and-pop businesses. Visiting independent stores remains a vital part of the Mother Road experience. So a documentary that advocates supporting mom-and-pops is preaching to the choir. However, I learned from the just-released DVD of "Independent America" (subtitled "The Two Lane Search for Mom & … Continue reading DVD review: “Independent America”
Category: Businesses
Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
It's always a treat to visit to Henry's Rabbit Ranch, located on old Route 66 in Staunton, Ill. Not only is proprieter Rich Henry an affable host, but it's fun to pet the ever-mellow Montana, one of his 37 pet rabbits, and see the new stuff Henry has acquired or planned. Henry's has a well-stocked … Continue reading Down at the ol’ Rabbit Ranch
Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has a story about the ongoing restoration and re-erection of the historic Meadow Gold neon sign on 11th Street (Route 66) in Tulsa. Much of the information has already been reported, but the article fleshes out new material about the sign's restorer, Claude Neon Federal Signs, and its work: The sign … Continue reading Restoring the Meadow Gold sign
Angels of the road
Peter Shelton of the Telluride Watch tells the tale of selfless mechanics on Route 66 who helped get his broken-down vehicle running again -- one time in Holbrook, Ariz.; the other time in Victorville, Calif. It's a good read.
Bent Door has a new Web site
Ramona Kiewert, the new co-owner with her husband Roy of the historic Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, e-mailed me to inform everyone that they moved the Bent Door's Web site to a new URL on WordPress.com, which is blog-hosting site and home to Route 66 News. The new URL is here. So please update your … Continue reading Bent Door has a new Web site
An update on Roy’s of Amboy
Mike Anton of the Los Angeles Times wrote an excellent story about the attempts by Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, to resuscitate the historic Roy's in the lonely Route 66 desert down of Amboy, Calif. Okura hoped to be further along in fixing up the property, but progress has been slow: … Continue reading An update on Roy’s of Amboy
Route 66 in Vega
On Sunday, the Amarillo Globe-News (free registration required) published an article about nearby Vega, Texas, and its Route 66 heritage. The article contained some updates on a few longtime favorites: Dot Leavitt, founder and caretaker of Dot's Mini-Museum, died about a month ago. But the museum was willed to her daughter, Betty Carpenter, and she's … Continue reading Route 66 in Vega
“Albuquerque Rising”
That is the title of this excellent travel article from the Los Angeles Times. Click here and find out why.
School’s street-closing request denied
The City Planning Commission of Amarillo, Texas, rejected by a 4-3 vote a request by San Jacinto Christian Academy to close two streets that adjoin the Sixth Street District, aka Route 66, reports KVII-TV. The school wanted to close Carolina and Mississippi streets between Fifth and Sixth streets to provide more safety for students. ... … Continue reading School’s street-closing request denied
Holiday season at the Bent Door
Ramona Kiewert, one of the new co-owners of the Bent Door in Adrian, Texas, sent these photos that were taken during the recent winter storm that hit the Panhandle in late December. She mentioned that the residents of Adrian complemented them on the Christmas lights hanging from the building's vigas. The folks there were probably … Continue reading Holiday season at the Bent Door