Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance

The Tulsa Global Alliance last week honored residents Michael and Suzanne Wallis for their decades of work promoting and contributing to the preservation of Route 66. The alliance's Global Vision Awards event's theme was "Route 66: Where the World Meets America." The Wallises were lauded for their 'outstanding contribution to Citizen Diplomacy." The author of 18 … Continue reading Michael and Suzanne Wallis honored by Tulsa Global Alliance

Butch Breger, longtime caretaker of the Round Barn of Arcadia, dies

Ernest Lee "Butch" Breger, longtime caretaker of the historic Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 74. Breger also was part of the original Over the Hill Gang that helped restore the dilapidated Round Barn during the 1980s and '90s. One local told me Breger was the … Continue reading Butch Breger, longtime caretaker of the Round Barn of Arcadia, dies

David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

David Clark, aka the Windy City Road Warrior, on Saturday will lead InSites to Go's Saturday Night Sunset tour on Route 66 between Joliet, Illinois, and Chicago after the Route 66 Miles of Possibility conference in Joliet concludes. According to a news release from InSites to Go, which is a Chicago-based tour agency: The tour features … Continue reading David Clark to lead Chicagoland tour after Miles of Possibility conference

Michael Wallis inducted to Circle Cinema Walk of Fame

Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movies, recently was inducted into the Walk of Fame at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa. Wallis received a medallion embedded on the sidewalk in front of the historic theater, which opened … Continue reading Michael Wallis inducted to Circle Cinema Walk of Fame

Charley’s Automotive Service in Grants named to National Register

The long-closed Charley's Automotive Service building along Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico, was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Oct. 4, according to a recent email from the National Park Service. The station is at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). The New Mexico Historic Preservation … Continue reading Charley’s Automotive Service in Grants named to National Register

Tom Petty, R.I.P.

Word came down late Monday that rock 'n' roll legend Tom Petty died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Southern California home. He was 66. I'll let others wax poetic about his marvelous career, including one of my favorite music writers at the Chicago Tribune. But it's almost a given Tom Petty and his … Continue reading Tom Petty, R.I.P.

A running holiday on Route 66

Salomon TV recently uploaded this well-produced video of ultra-marathon runner Max King taking what he described as a "running holiday" on Route 66 in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Salomon TV describes itself as providing "the best outdoor content, directly to you. Get inspired and see the stories of our athletes and friends around the world. … Continue reading A running holiday on Route 66

Co-owner of Irv’s Burgers in West Hollywood dies

Sean Hong, co-owner of irv's Burgers in West Hollywood, California, died Sept. 3 of an unexpected medical issue. The death led to the temporary closing of the Route 66 restaurant until Sept. 25, according to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page. Hong's private funeral is Thursday. WeHoville.com reported: A sign posted on the door … Continue reading Co-owner of Irv’s Burgers in West Hollywood dies

Angel Delgadillo appears in “We Blew It” documentary

Angel Delgadillo, known as the Guardian Angel of Route 66, makes a prominent appearance in the French-directed documentary "We Blew It," that examines the long-lasting effects of the turbulent 1960s. "We Blew It," directed by Jean-Baptiste Thoret, gets its title from a line uttered by Peter Fonda near the end of the now-classic 1969 counterculture film … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo appears in “We Blew It” documentary

Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register

Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell, recently earned a designation to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Sept. 8, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. It had been widely expected after its National Register submission to Washington … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register