A day before Barack Obama is inaugurated as president of the United States, the Illinois State Society will hold its Illinois Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C. More details about the sold-out event on Jan. 19 come from the Springfield (Ill.) Journal- Register: Corn dogs, lemon shakeups and Chicago-style pizza all will be ready for the … Continue reading Route 66 but, alas, no Cozy Dogs
Making new memories
During a workshop about how to best update a 16-year-old revitalization plan for Route 66 in New Mexico, someone brought up interesting comments (as reported by the Mountain View Telegraph): Whether people still get their kicks driving down Old Route 66 is the question asked by some people who attended a workshop sponsored by the … Continue reading Making new memories
A look at Motel Safari’s upcoming sign
Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in Tucumcari, N.M., sent me a draft of his new neon sign that will go up in a few months. Talley wrote: The final version, will have some slight modifications or changes to it, but kept as a closely guarded secret, until completed and a surprise for everyone! … Continue reading A look at Motel Safari’s upcoming sign
Triangle Motel progress report
I received a progress report a few days ago from Marianne McNeil Logan, secretary for the effort to restore the formerly long-neglected Triangle Motel on Route 66 in east Amarillo, Texas. The motel has received its Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program cost-share grant and underwent an engineer's inspection. Logan wrote: Two contractors' bids are now … Continue reading Triangle Motel progress report
Sultry 66
Here's a stripped-down and sultry version of "Route 66" by Charlese, a singer based in Liverpool, England.
“Rhythms of the Road” trailer
Greene HD Productions has just completed a 12-minute trailer of the "Rhythms of the Road" television music series that's set to air this spring. Go here to watch it. You'll see a lot of Route 66 landmarks, including the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, Texas; the Big Texan Steak Ranch of Amarillo; the Munger Moss Motel … Continue reading “Rhythms of the Road” trailer
Art in an unexpected place
What's great about Route 66 is you sometimes find the unexpected. On Monday, I found it in downtown Commerce, Okla. (population 2,500), talking to a man who creates portraits of rock 'n' roll stars and other artwork. He exhibits and sells these pieces all over the United States. Bill Foss' studio is right on Route … Continue reading Art in an unexpected place
Hello from the U.K.
Here's a version of "Route 66" by In the Pink Big Band, which is based in Bournemouth, England.
Fighting unemployment with tourism
Officials in Macoupin County, Ill., fighting high joblessness because of the closing of several coal mines, are taking a different tack on trying to address the problem. The Springfield Journal-Register reports that the county will create a Macoupin County Tourism Commission. Efforts will include Route 66-related projects and the creation of a Web site listing … Continue reading Fighting unemployment with tourism
Book review: “Roads to Quoz”
After losing his job and marriage, William Least Heat-Moon and his Ford Econoline van (dubbed Ghost Dancing) embarked on a 13,000-mile journey around America. He avoided the interstates and drove two-lane highways and country roads. He eschewed chain restaurants for mom-and-pop eateries. And he met a lot of interesting people. "Blue Highways: A Journey into … Continue reading Book review: “Roads to Quoz”