I talked with Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, by phone Friday night from his home in Tulsa. Wallis was in an expansive mood, and talked about a few things that probably will be of interest to roadies: --- Wallis and Jim Conkle, … Continue reading A chat with Michael Wallis
Category: People
Former Club Cafe manager now an artist
Santiago Chavez, the longtime manager for the beloved but now-closed Club Cafe restaurant on Route 66 in Santa Rosa, N.M., apparently has found a second career as an artist based in Carson City, Nev. According to the Reno Gazette Journal, Chavez was the subject of an artist's reception Friday night at Fiesta La Posada in … Continue reading Former Club Cafe manager now an artist
Harley & Annabelle documentary released on DVD
Two years ago, Joe Summars of Fluxfaze Creative Enterprises began shooting a documentary about Harley and Annabelle Russell, aka the inimitable Mediocre Music Makers, at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop just off Route 66 in Erick, Okla. It appears the film is finished. Summars started selling the "Harley & Annabelle -- Living Legends in Erick, Oklahoma" … Continue reading Harley & Annabelle documentary released on DVD
A dream in the desert
The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif., posted quite an article about Gus Lizalde, who purchased the Route 66 hamlet of Chambless, Calif., years ago and hopes to eventually businesses in that spot. He described his vision for a multimillion-dollar makeover. "It's going to be a full-blown restoration to the way it was built," Lizalde said. "I … Continue reading A dream in the desert
First class inducted into Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame eventually will open on Route 66 of Chandler, Okla. Recently, the first seven members of the Hall of Fame were announced, and they will be inducted at the Route 66 Interpretive Center in town on Dec. 6. The seven inductees will be: Bill Tilghman, Heck Thomas and Chris … Continue reading First class inducted into Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
Emory Duick update
Emory Duick, the 71-year-old man who is running Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, made it to Kingman, Ariz., in time for Thanksgiving, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. He's had a few setbacks, but nothing that lasts too long. Duick was sidetracked for about nine days by severe pain in his sciatic nerve … Continue reading Emory Duick update
Out of the fire
The Tulsa World published a story about Rock Cafe owner Dawn Welch's new cookbook, "Dollars to Donuts," and a side story about how she and the restaurant rose like a phoenix from the ashes after a fire devastated the historic Route 66 restaurant in Stroud, Okla., in May 2008.
Wanda Jackson at the 66 Bowl
Longtime roadie Shellee Graham went to the Wanda Jackson concert at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City on Saturday night and shot these photos. Jackson has some sentimental ties to the 66 Bowl. That's where she had the first date 48 years ago with her future husband. Oklahoma Route 66 researcher … Continue reading Wanda Jackson at the 66 Bowl
Round Barn roundabout
"Two Wheel Oklahoma" is a television show about scenic rides for motorcyclists in the Sooner State. Here's an episode in which the show's hosts meet the ever-talkative Mister Sam, one of the hosts at the historic Round Barn of Arcadia.
It may be his last show, but Bob was still Bob
I'm typing this a few hours after I got home from Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show on Sunday afternoon at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Ill. Waldmire, an acclaimed Route 66 artist and the unofficial inspiration to the hippie minibus Fillmore in the movie "Cars," is terminally ill with cancer. I'll download some photos … Continue reading It may be his last show, but Bob was still Bob