The Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City is hosting an exhibit on pop-art icon Ed Ruscha and the first-ever examination of his roots, including his Sooner State upbringing and the impact of Route 66 on him. The center's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery is hosting the show in his hometown until July 5. Free tickets … Continue reading New exhibit at Oklahoma gallery focuses on famed pop artist Ed Ruscha’s roots
Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
The Route 66 Association of Missouri is raising money and matching funds for a campaign to bring back neon lighting at the former Texaco gas station that is Gearheads Curios in Galena, Kansas. Association President Rich Dinkela outlines the campaign in this video: The association will match funds up to $2,500, with the goal of … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri raising money for neon project in Galena
New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
A recent article in an Arizona newspaper answers a question -- who became the new chef at The Turquoise Room restaurant in La Posada of Winslow, Arizona, after John Sharpe retired in October? The short answer: Jesus Nunez, a native of Mexico who was Sharpe's right-hand man for more than three decades. According to the … Continue reading New chef at The Turquoise Room in Winslow’s La Posada also draws praise
California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway
About 150 miles of Route 66 from Needles, California, to Barstow, California, was officially announced Tuesday as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. Over 300 miles of Missouri's Route 66 also attained All-American Road status, which means it contains features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and is unique … Continue reading California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway
Ed Klein preserving the long-closed Ella’s Frontier Trading Post
Ed Klein, best-known for his Route 66 World website, announced he and other friends have taken steps to preserve the long-closed Ella's Frontier Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona. Klein, who's received the blessings of property owners Gary and Carolyn Rice, explains what is happening there: https://youtu.be/xj8L7s55XXY Klein also received assistance from the owners of … Continue reading Ed Klein preserving the long-closed Ella’s Frontier Trading Post
Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month
The Cookin' From Scratch restaurant along Route 66 in Doolittle, Missouri, will close for good on March 16 due to an ownership change at the complex. According to Phelps County Focus, Tony and Melissa Sherrer of Ozark Oil Co. LLC wrote in a Feb. 12 letter to vendors that Cookin’ From Scratch’s last day would … Continue reading Cookin’ From Scratch restaurant in Doolittle to close next month
U.S. Bicycle Trail bill in Oklahoma may face tough slog in legislature
A bill that would designate Route 66 in Oklahoma as part of the U.S. Bicycle Route faced skepticism from several lawmakers in the state legislature. According to a report in the Tulsa World, the Oklahoma Legislature's Transportation Committee advanced the bill "reluctantly": ODOT Director Tim Gatz and several legislators expressed concern about doing so given … Continue reading U.S. Bicycle Trail bill in Oklahoma may face tough slog in legislature
“Extensive” fire damage at Sunset Village apartment complex in St. Robert
A local media outlet reported "extensive" damage from an early morning fire Sunday in St. Robert, Missouri, at Sunset Village of the Ozarks, which serves mostly as retirement housing in the region. One resident told KY3-TV that residents jumped out of windows to escape the fire. The Pulaski County Daily News reported that one person … Continue reading “Extensive” fire damage at Sunset Village apartment complex in St. Robert
Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88
C.A. Stevens, the longtime owner of the Summit Inn restaurant at the top of Cajon Pass in Southern California, died Feb. 5 after contracting COVID-19. He was 88. Stevens owned the restaurant and an adjacent motel along old Route 66 for nearly 50 years until he sold it in 2016. A month after the sale … Continue reading Former owner of Summit Inn at top of Cajon Pass dies at age 88
Historic Eagle Rock theater in Los Angeles to reopen, along with new video store
The historic Eagle Theatre in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles eventually will reopen with an attached video store after fundraising efforts for the project are completed. The Vidiots Foundation is raising money for the theater's refurbishment. Vidiots also will open a store there with 50,000 DVDs and Blu-ray discs for rent. KABC-TV in … Continue reading Historic Eagle Rock theater in Los Angeles to reopen, along with new video store