The reality TV series "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" aired its final episode Friday night after nine seasons. It ended it with a bang -- building seven homes in seven days for families in the tornado-stricken city of Joplin, Mo. If you missed the finale, like I did, you can watch the two-part episode online: Joplin … Continue reading “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” caps finale in Joplin
Was the cheeseburger invented on Route 66?
The Pasadena Sun newspaper investigates the claim that the cheeseburger was invented in a diner on Route 66 in Pasadena, Calif. It turns out the case is fairly strong: Legend has it that teenage short-order cook Lionel Clark Sternberger invented the cheeseburger one fateful day in the mid-1920s at a restaurant called “The Rite Spot” … Continue reading Was the cheeseburger invented on Route 66?
Interview with Michael Wallis
KTUL-TV in Tulsa conducted an interview with "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis before his recent a href="https://tulsatownhall.com">Tulsa Town Hall speech. The station deserves credit for this wide-ranging and surpringingly long (seven minutes) segment. Refresh the page or head to the KTUL link above if the video embedding doesn't work.
A closer look at Ramone’s Body Art in Cars Land
The Disney Parks Blog posted this construction time-lapse of Ramone's Body Art inside Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure park. https://youtu.be/mbUaKkz-Loc Ramone's resembles the historic U-Drop Inn along Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas. Disney says Ramone's eventually will have neon lighting. Cars Land was inspired by the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, depicted … Continue reading A closer look at Ramone’s Body Art in Cars Land
A video report from San Bernardino County
This local television show interviews Brad Mitzelfelt, vice president of the San Bernardino (Calif.) County Board of Supervisors. https://youtu.be/c-cAnExjXJk In this video, Mitzelfelt talks about: The effort to erect Route 66 historical marker signs in the county. The status of the proposed Mojave Trails National Monument, which shadows much of old Route 66 in the … Continue reading A video report from San Bernardino County
Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
Tulsa's Blue Dome District in the eastern part of downtown has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. According to NPS, the listing was effective Dec. 13. The district includes Second Street, an alignment of Route 66 from 1926 to 1932. The approximate … Continue reading Tulsa’s Blue Dome District added to the National Register
Tulsa soon will beef up section of East 11th Street
The City of Tulsa has awarded a contract to build decorative streetscaping and a wayfinding sign on 11th Street between 89th East Avenue and Garnett Road area. Construction should begin by March 1, according to city planner Dennis Whitaker. Whitaker says the project should take about 120 days, which means a completion time of late … Continue reading Tulsa soon will beef up section of East 11th Street
The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
If you have a couple of hours, I urge you to download the "Route 66 Economic Impact Study" by Rutgers University. The main report is more than 400 pages, but this 59-page summary will prove very useful and concise. The reports recently were posted on the website of one of the study's collaborators, the World Monuments … Continue reading The most important Route 66 document you may ever read
Manning’s Coffee sign glows again
This recently restored Manning's Coffee Store rooftop neon sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles was relighted during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. This video from the Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch shows the switch being thrown: The fellow on the right helping the munchkin drop the switch is Scott Piotrowski, author of the "Finding … Continue reading Manning’s Coffee sign glows again
County Line Barbecue set to reopen
The County Line Barbecue, a restaurant that counted nearly 80 years off Route 66 in Oklahoma City, has obtained new owners and will reopen as a destination eatery, reported The Oklahoman newspaper. The County Line closed in 2010. The restaurant, according to the newspaper, was sold to a local investment group, and the restaurateurs have … Continue reading County Line Barbecue set to reopen