Best of the burgers in St. Louis

St. Louis Post-Dispatch writers Joe "Life Sherpa" Holleman and Evan S. "Beer Guy" Benn picked the four best hamburgers in the St. Louis area, and two of them are on Route 66. One burger shack with a Mother Road connection is Carl's Drive-In at 9033 Manchester Road in Brentwood, Mo.: Beer Guy says: This stripped-down … Continue reading Best of the burgers in St. Louis

Rialto will spruce up part of Route 66

The City Council of Rialto, Calif., voted Tuesday to make $3.8 million in improvements in a stretch along Foothill Boulevard, aka Route 66, reported the Contra Costa Times. The work will include repaving the road's surface, but also other improvements: The city is looking at enhancing the pavement at Riverside Avenue and Foothill Boulevard with … Continue reading Rialto will spruce up part of Route 66

One big cartoon

A few days ago, a group of artists from Cartoonists Across America & the World was putting the finishing touches on a Route 66-inspired mural created by cartoonist Phil Yeh. The mural is at D Street and 10th Street in San Bernardino, Calif.

Illinois Route 66 advocate Lenore Weiss dies

Lenore Weiss, a co-winner of the prestigious Steinbeck Award and other preservation honors for work that she and her husband John Weiss did for Route 66 in Illinois, died today after a battle with cancer. She was 63. Lenore had told me some months ago that she had been diagnosed with a serious form of … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 advocate Lenore Weiss dies

Notes from the road

I've tried to glean a deeper look at the crisis in Needles, Calif., over the possible loss of its only grocery store, Bashas'. The grocer chain filed bankruptcy a few months ago, and it is set to close 10 stores in response, including Needles'. This recent story in the Mohave Daily News provides additional information … Continue reading Notes from the road

An interview with Joe Sonderman

Longtime St. Louis-area roadie Joe Sonderman is interviewed by phone regarding his new book from Arcadia Publishing, "Route 66 in New Mexico," and talks about the Mother Road in general. Sonderman's comments about New Mexico itself are especially knowledgeable ... spoken like a person who's been there many times. Sonderman's 66 Postcards site is here, … Continue reading An interview with Joe Sonderman

UPDATED: “Route 66” TV show app has an identity problem

About 10 episodes from the original "Route 66" television series were recently released as iPhone and iTouch applications. Each full episode in the app costs 99 cents, and includes a few screen shots. It gives you the option of watching the episode on a full screen on your iPhone or iTouch that crops a bit … Continue reading UPDATED: “Route 66” TV show app has an identity problem

Riviera may close over fire-safety spat

As feared, it appears the historic Riviera Roadhouse along Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., may have to close because of fire-safety problems. The Joliet Herald-News reports: The lights were on but no one was home Thursday night at the Riviera Restaurant and Supper Club. The business isn't operating right now because of a fight over … Continue reading Riviera may close over fire-safety spat

Director’s cuts

Jim Luning, an accomplished photographer, has delved into filmmaking as well in the past few years. This clip below contains samples of his recent film work, including clips from "Route 66: Ten Years Later" with cohort Tim Steil. The two decided to revisit the Mother Road 10 years after they first began research for their … Continue reading Director’s cuts