Norberto de Angelis, a disabled former football player from Italy who plans to go down all of Route 66 in a hand bicycle, has firmed up his schedule. His trek begins April 28 in Chicago, according to a press release. One of his sponsors is Route 66 Association Italy. For more about de Angelis and … Continue reading Hand cyclist begins trek on April 28
Category: People
Follies performer makes record book
Dorothy Dale Kloss, 85, a performer with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies during its season-long musical salute to Route 66 in "Get Your Kicks," was recently confirmed by the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's oldest still-performing showgirl." According to the Follies: She has been tap dancing on the Follies' stage for … Continue reading Follies performer makes record book
A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Because of Michael Zadoorian, historic Route 66 may have not one, but two opportunities for high-profile publicity. Zadoorian's novel "The Leisure Seeker" was published last week. The story of an ailing elderly couple from Detroit driving down Route 66 for a final vacation together (review here) is entertaining and poignant enough that one could easily … Continue reading A chat with Michael Zadoorian
Remembering RoVal’s
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin uncovered a story from Route 66's past about the long-gone RoVal's steak house in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., at 11871 Foothill Blvd. (aka Route 66). The restaurant's namesake, RoVal Jones, died at age 89 last week. RoVal's first restaurant was on Ninth Street in Rancho Cucamonga. But its second location on … Continue reading Remembering RoVal’s
Mother Road matchmaker
The Daily Mirror in London reports today that Paul McCartney plans to marry new American girlfriend Nancy Shevell. Shevell's divorce from her husband recently became final after she separated in 2007. The newspaper reports that McCartney's daughter Stella has given the green light for the former Beatle to marry. And apparently the Mother Road was … Continue reading Mother Road matchmaker
My, how times have changed
Today, "Route 66 Backroads" author Jim Hinckley sent me a link to a 1949 edition of the Negro Motorist Green Book. The guidebook says it provides a "list of hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, beauty shops, barber shops and various other services can most certainly help solve your travel problems. It was the idea of Victor … Continue reading My, how times have changed
“I have a dream”
NOTE: I posted this two years ago. Now, with a black man about to become president of the United States, it's worth looking at again. This is the full version of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. So what does King have to do with Route 66? Well, there's this … Continue reading “I have a dream”
Changes in Route 66 Preservation Program
Changes are afoot in the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Longtime program manager Michael Romero Taylor has moved on to a new post at the National Parks Service's National Trails office. His cohort for the entire tenure of the program, Kaisa Barthuli, will become the acting program manager until it sunsets late this year -- … Continue reading Changes in Route 66 Preservation Program
Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn has decided to be a spokeswoman for the World Monuments Fund, reports United Press International today. The WMF is an independent group dedicated to preserving the world's historic treasures. Route 66 was placed on the group's Watch List in 2008. Tripplehorn's involvement is good enough news. But there's this: "I am especially … Continue reading Movie star becomes spokeswoman for World Monuments Fund
“Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”
Check out the neon sign during this video by Gary Allan. It's from the Holiday Motel on the Strip in Las Vegas -- one of the last survivors of vintage motels there. The song itself has a interesting history. Allan recorded it shortly after his wife committed suicide. Several of the songs from the excellent … Continue reading “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”