Here's a marvelous but bittersweet performance by Wilco of a Woody Guthrie poem, from about 10 years ago. I say bittersweet because that's former band member Jay Bennett on lead guitar, who died in his sleep two weeks ago. And, yes, I've been around the block enough to remember Bennett during his Titanic Love Affair … Continue reading “California Stars”
Category: People
One more traveler
The big news Thursday in Tulsa was that Mayor Kathy Taylor unexpectedly announced that she would not be seeking re-election this fall. A report by KRMG radio contains this little snippet: She's a bit coy about her plans for life after office but does say she'll take a vacation down Route 66 with her husband … Continue reading One more traveler
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
Memorial Day tribute 2009
Here is a list of soldiers from Route 66 towns who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004 Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004 … Continue reading Memorial Day tribute 2009
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
Hand pedal power
Norberto de Angelis, the Italian man who sought to travel Route 66 on a specially equipped hand bicycle, apparently is on the Mother Road now. KOTV in Tulsa caught up with him. The former football player was partly paralyzed in a car accident, and is using the hand bicycle as a form of physical therapy. … Continue reading Hand pedal power
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
A Marine visits Amboy
Lance Cpl. Aaron Kristopik recently traveled down Route 66 in Southern California and visited the ghost town of Amboy, according to a story on the U.S. Marine Corps Web site. Kristopik, hailing from Connecticut, checked out Roy's, Amboy Crater and the nearby Salt Evaporation Plant. He also did some reflecting: Kristopik said the trip helped … Continue reading A Marine visits Amboy
Music museum will also feature Route 66
Well, this is interesting. From the Tulsa World: The Oklahoma Historical Society hopes to bring its first facility to Tulsa in the form of a $33 million museum of music and popular culture located in the Brady District. Plans for the museum, which will be half the size of the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma … Continue reading Music museum will also feature Route 66