Here's a spirited version of Bobby Troup's "Route 66," performed by Them and featuring a very young Van Morrison on vocals.
A burger place to watch (and taste)
This part of a profile from the Arizona Daily Sun about the Mama Burger restaurant on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., got my attention: "I think it reminds them of a burger either they would make at home for themselves or someone dear to them would make for them," said Bernadette Chavez, who owns Mama … Continue reading A burger place to watch (and taste)
Notes from the road
The neon sign of the historic Tower Theater in Oklahoma City will be relighted during a ceremony Friday evening. The theater, at 425 NW 23rd St. in Oklahoma City, will see its restored neon blazing away again at 6:30 p.m. that day after decades in the dark. Here's more about the theater, according to records … Continue reading Notes from the road
The way of Waldmire
A YouTube poster by the name of "dguerraphoto" just uploaded this moving short film about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, when he was dying of abdominal cancer in November. I commend it to your attention: I'll post more information about the filmmaker as soon as I get it. UPDATE: I got this message from the … Continue reading The way of Waldmire
Route 66 sites again make Preservation Oklahoma’s endangered list
For the second consecutive year, Preservation Oklahoma has placed Route 66 sites on its 2010 list of the most-endangered historic sites. From the group's Web site: Across the state, and even the country, buildings, bridges and other structures, and even paving materials are linked to the well-known history of Route 66. These resources share in … Continue reading Route 66 sites again make Preservation Oklahoma’s endangered list
Renovation reveals a ghost
Renovations on an old building in downtown Pontiac, Ill., for the soon-to-open International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum revealed a long-forgotten wall sign, or "ghost sign," as they're frequently called. A news release from Pontiac Tourism tells the story: According to Milt Hanson, the city’s Building Maintenance Supervisor, as his crew were preparing to … Continue reading Renovation reveals a ghost
“Somewhere in New Mexico”
I find more interesting and meaningful layers in this song by Jill Sobule every time I hear it.
At the drive-in
Here's a collection of intermission advertisements that you often saw in drive-in movie theaters of the 1960s.
Albuquerque touts Route 66 for ultra high-speed broadband
Albuquerque is making a strong pitch to be one of Google's test markets for ultra high-speed broadband, and the Duke City is citing Route 66 in its efforts, according to the New Mexico Business Weekly. Google promises the networks will offer speeds of one gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than what most … Continue reading Albuquerque touts Route 66 for ultra high-speed broadband
Fire destroys St. Louis riverboat
The Lt. Robert E. Lee riverboat, a fixture as a floating restaurant on the St. Louis riverfront for decades, was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon, reported the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. First-arriving fire crews found the vessel engulfed in flames. They were delayed by two inoperable hydrants nearby. The blaze sent up a plume of gray-black … Continue reading Fire destroys St. Louis riverboat