"The Center of Nowhere," a full-length documentary produced by roadie Dave Hoekstra about the rich musical history of Springfield, Missouri, will premiere at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fox Theatre in downtown Springfield. Hoekstra, a former writer at the Chicago Sun-Times who's traveled and written about Route 66 extensively, told Ozarks Alive that Springfield's central location, relative … Continue reading Music documentary about Springfield premieres this week
Category: People
Couple goes missing near Amboy Crater; man’s body found
A couple from Virginia that went missing at Amboy Crater near Amboy, California, in recent weeks is feared dead after the remains of a man's body was found near the site last weekend. Another search for the missing woman will begin this weekend. It would be the fifth fatality at Amboy Crater in less than … Continue reading Couple goes missing near Amboy Crater; man’s body found
The man behind many of Tucumcari’s murals
The Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, boasts so much public artwork, it's proclaimed itself the "City of Murals" in one of its \brochures. What many don't realize is one man -- Doug Quarles -- was responsible for creating about 85 percent of those murals. And he will create more murals in Tucumcari in … Continue reading The man behind many of Tucumcari’s murals
J.J. Cale mural at Soul City Gastropub lightly vandalized
Someone lightly vandalized the large mural depicting late Tulsa musician J.J. Cale on the side of Soul City Gastropub & Music House in Tulsa, but the owner may not press charges against the offender. The offense probably should be described as "light" because it's not obvious. Someone wrote messages on the strings and sound hole … Continue reading J.J. Cale mural at Soul City Gastropub lightly vandalized
Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies
Tyrone Elias, owner of the landmark Jamil's restaurant in Tulsa for about 40 years, died Friday after a short illness. He was 80. Jamil's, which sits off Interstate 44 (aka Oklahoma 66) in Tulsa, boasted other ties to the Mother Road during its history. According to an obituary in the Tulsa World: Elias was born … Continue reading Longtime owner of Jamil’s restaurant in Tulsa dies
Payroll checks bounce again at Canyon 66 in Kingman
Employees at the Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge at the financially troubled Ramada Kingman in Kingman, Arizona, saw their paychecks bounce again this past week. According to the Kingman Daily Miner: Marina Brown, a former server at Canyon 66, said she worked there until this week and was issued paychecks that can’t be cashed, including … Continue reading Payroll checks bounce again at Canyon 66 in Kingman
Man’s cycling trip on Route 66 for cancer charity evokes memories of late son
Once upon a time, a family in Michigan had a small boy named Kevin. Kevin's favorite movie was the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film, "Cars," the story about a fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. The family vowed to take Kevin on a real-life Route 66 trip. But Kevin contracted neuroblastoma cancer when he was not … Continue reading Man’s cycling trip on Route 66 for cancer charity evokes memories of late son
Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
The ruins of two Route 66 landmarks -- the Painted Desert Trading Post in Arizona and John's Modern Cabins in Missouri -- received a bit of a new lease on life when volunteers helped stabilize the long-abandoned structures. Several members of the Route 66 Co-op, which purchased the Painted Desert Trading Post a few weeks … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post, John’s Modern Cabins get some TLC
Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival
The Circle Cinema in Tulsa will mark the 90th anniversary of its opening with a film festival that includes appearances by longtime film stars Mary Kay Place and Jeanne Tripplehorn, both who are Tulsa natives. The Tulsa World reported the July 8-15 event also will include an appearance by Tulsa resident Peggy Helmerich, known as … Continue reading Circle Cinema in Tulsa to mark 90th year with July festival
Family of dead German cyclist visits Galena
The family of a German cyclist who died in a traffic accident on Route 66 near Galena, Kansas, on Friday visited the crash site and where a "ghost bike" was erected in his honor and a colleague's. Harry Jung, 74, and Heinz-Gerd Buchel, 71, both of Germany, were cycling May 8 along Route 66 when … Continue reading Family of dead German cyclist visits Galena