Owner of run-down landmark is fined

Dennis Koehler, owner of the long-closed The Mill restaurant along Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., was fined $32,200 by a county judge for allowing the building to be unsafe, or $100 for each day, reports the Lincoln Courier. It undoubtedly didn't help that Koehler showed up 25 minutes late for the court hearing. What really … Continue reading Owner of run-down landmark is fined

New book guides you to California movie scenes

"Hollywood Escapes," written by Harry Medved and Bruce Akiyama, guides movie buffs to old movie locations all over Southern California, reports the Hollywood Reporter. Incidentally, Medved has co-written some great movie books, like "The Golden Turkey Awards" and "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (and How They Got That Way)." "Hollywood Escapes" includes directions … Continue reading New book guides you to California movie scenes

Grand opening for Elk City museum postponed

I confirmed today that the grand opening celebration for the Route 66 Transportation Museum in Elk City, Okla., set for Saturday has been postponed because of a scheduling conflict. It will be rescheduled, but no date has been set.

Missouri holding Route 66 cruise next month

The Rolla (Mo.) Daily News has details about the Route 66 Association of Missouri's annual Motor Tour on Sept. 8-10, which will go from Litchfield, Ill., to St. Robert, Mo. The association's Web site is here, and the registration form is here.

New play takes its inspiration from the road

If you're traveling into Pasadena, Calif., anytime soon, you're advised to go to the Theatre@Boston Court and see Carlos Murillo's new play, "Unfinished American Highwayscape #9 & 32 or The Broken Tractor Graveyard." Janja J. Monji of Pasadena Weekly describes why it would be of interest to roadies: In the summer of 2003, Murillo traveled … Continue reading New play takes its inspiration from the road

Galena sinkhole update

There's not much good news to report about the historic Green Parrot tavern's almost-certain demise because of a collapsing underground mine, except that the town's police chief rescued a pet bird from the building. The Joplin (Mo.) Globe reports that Galena, Kan., Police Chief Larry Delmont took the risk of entering the 114-year-old, crumbling building … Continue reading Galena sinkhole update

Exotic Animal Paradise may be saved after all

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Exotic Animal Paradise in Strafford, Mo., just off Route 66, would close down its drive-through zoo, auction the animals, and luxury homes would be built on the site. However, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader reported Tuesday that the new owner is partially reconsidering the plan: The new owner … Continue reading Exotic Animal Paradise may be saved after all

New Super business in Missouri

Route66TVonline.com, which is turning into quite a Route 66 resource for the Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma tri-state area, reports that a new business has opened on the Mother Road in Carterville, Mo. It's the Superman on 66 Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. Owned and operated by Larry Tamminen, a 44-year resident of Carterville, this unique business features a … Continue reading New Super business in Missouri

Q&A with “The Mother Road” director

Here's my e-mail question-and-answer session with Lauren Cardillo, director of "The Mother Road" documentary that airs on PBS-TV stations this month. In the film, Cardillo and her mother, Irene, take a full-length trip down Route 66 together. I contacted Lauren shortly after I watched an advanced copy of the film. Here are the questions and … Continue reading Q&A with “The Mother Road” director