David King Dunaway, a professor at the University of New Mexico, has done a lot of historic research about Route 66 and helped others do the same with his oral history workshops. He also produced the excellent the "Across the Tracks: A Route 66 Story" for radio. We've met Dave at just about every significant … Continue reading Route 66 historian’s book about Pete Seeger reissued
Category: People
Photographer’s work inspires preservation
There's an excellent article in the Daily Oklahoman about Larry Nance, a photographer based in El Reno, and the impact he's making with local preservationists. It's advisable to read the whole thing. But the gist is that Nance as a child suffered from epilepsy, and was unable to stay at Route 66 landmarks such as … Continue reading Photographer’s work inspires preservation
Big Texan’s 72-ounce speed record is broken
For 21 years, former big-league pitcher Frank Pastore held the speed record for finishing the Big Texan Steak Ranch's 72-ounce steak meal in an eye-popping (and stomach-churning) time of 9 1/2 minutes. On Monday, his record was broken. By a professional eater, no less. Those unfamiliar with the 72-Ounce Challenge think you have to eat … Continue reading Big Texan’s 72-ounce speed record is broken
Another chat with George Maharis
Mark Rahner of the Seattle Times spent phone time with "Route 66" television series co-star George Maharis, who is plugging the DVD re-releases of the show. It's a good, wide-ranging interview, including a few details about Maharis' Playgirl shoot and his other non-"Route 66" work. If you want to check out the phone interview I … Continue reading Another chat with George Maharis
Bagdad Cafe greeter dies
Shirley Trueman, who greeted customers with songs and dance at the world-famous Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 in Newberry, Calif., for a decade, died Friday of cancer, reports the Desert Dispatch of nearby Barstow. She died just a few days after the Dispatch reported that the restaurant and townsfolk were trying to raise money to … Continue reading Bagdad Cafe greeter dies
Snow cone
Rick Shalander of Whites Creek, Tenn., who's been building his own version of one of the cabins from the Cozy Cone Motel in the movie "Cars," sent me this photo: Incidentally, the title of Shalander's e-mail was "Snow cone." 🙂 It's a nice likeness of a Cozy Cone cabin. Here's another photo for reference:
Hot-rod ambassador Boyd Coddington dies
Boyd Coddington, star of the "American Hot Rod" TV show and hot-rod ambassador, died at age 63 on Tuesday morning. The cause of death wasn't disclosed. However, Edmunds.com revealed that Coddington had been hospitalized since January after a fall at his home. Obituaries by the New York Times and Popular Hot Rodding provide a good … Continue reading Hot-rod ambassador Boyd Coddington dies
Route 66 town tries to grant a final wish
Shirley Trueman greeted customers for a decade at the Bagdad Cafe on Route 66 in Newberry Springs, Calif., while her husband Bud was a chef there. The restaurant became internationally famous because of a 1988 German film by the same name. Now, the Desert Dispatch in nearby Barstow is reporting that Trueman is dying of … Continue reading Route 66 town tries to grant a final wish
Get out the vote
Rich Henry of Henry's Rabbit Ranch on Route 66 in Staunton, Ill., has entered a photo of him and his favorite pet rabbit, Montana, to the United States Humane Society's Spay Day USA online photo contest. I just voted myself. You go here, and have to click on the voting button twice for a window … Continue reading Get out the vote
Book review: “Time of Triumph”
"Time of Triumph" helps answer one question -- what happened to Ron Chavez when his famed Club Cafe in Santa Rosa, N.M., closed? Club Cafe was best-known for its smiling "Fat Man" logo on Route 66 billboards in New Mexico. Chavez's storytelling was nearly as praised as his down-home New Mexican cooking, and his restaurant … Continue reading Book review: “Time of Triumph”