Palm Springs Follies picks Route 66 as theme

The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, a Broadway-style music and dance revue in Palm Springs, Calif., has chosen Route 66 as its theme for its upcoming 2008-09 season. From the news release: Beginning October 28, 2008, and playing through May 17, 2009, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies will “travel” Route 66 via music, dance and comedy … Continue reading Palm Springs Follies picks Route 66 as theme

High gas prices aren’t hurting tourism

Here's something to chew on from the Wayneville (Mo.) Daily Guide: High gas prices don’t seem to be hurting Pulaski County tourism, according to Tourism Bureau Executive Director Andy Thiem, and may even help local venues as vacationers choose to stay closer to home. Speaking at Thursday evening’s meeting of the Pulaski County Tourism Board, … Continue reading High gas prices aren’t hurting tourism

Horse-racing track in Moriarty approved

The New Mexico Racing Commission today approved the move of the Downs at Albuquerque from the New Mexico state fairgrounds to the Route 66 town of Moriarty, N.M., about 40 miles east, reports KRQE-TV. Planned is a 500-acre, $65 million facility at Highway 41 and Interstate 40. That is very close to Highway 333, aka … Continue reading Horse-racing track in Moriarty approved

Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”

In addition to guidebooks devoted to all 2,400 miles of Route 66, a bunch of volumes have been published that are more narrowly focused by geography. Individual books have been devoted to the Mother Road in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California, in addition to the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago. However, … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”

A glimpse of a 1948 road trip

Here's an explanation for this amazing YouTube video: In 1948, the Osborn family loaded up their vehicle and headed for West Virginia. Their starting point was Redlands, CA. The film was shot in 1948 with an 8mm movie camera. Back in those days, Route 66 was one of the major west-east routes, thus the theme … Continue reading A glimpse of a 1948 road trip

Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary

The Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum in Barstow, Calif., will mark its eighth anniversary with a special event on Saturday, June 14, reports the Desert Dispatch. There will be a car and motorcycle show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. A registration form for those wanting to participate is here. One of … Continue reading Barstow museum to mark eighth anniversary

Memorial Day tribute

Here are the soldiers from Route 66 towns who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. ILLINOIS Chicago Staff Sgt. Oscar D. Vargas-Medina, died May 1, 2004 1st Sgt. Edward Smith, died April 5, 2003 Sgt. Ivory L. Phipps, died March 17, 2004 Pfc. Torry D. Harris, died July 13, 2004 Sgt. Sirlou C. Cuaresma, died … Continue reading Memorial Day tribute

POPS doubles Arcadia’s sales-tax revenue

I can't say that I'm surprised by this story from the Edmond (Okla.) Sun: The most recent Oklahoma Tax Commission figures indicates that Arcadia’s sales tax revenue has doubled since POPS opened there last August. [...] August to January sales tax revenue is $123,365 compared to $59,137 for those months of the previous calendar year. … Continue reading POPS doubles Arcadia’s sales-tax revenue

Route 66 winery wins top award

Summerside Vineyards and Winery, right on Route 66 in Vinita, Okla., won the coveted Double Gold award at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in New York earlier this month, reports the High Plains Journal. Summerside's big winner was its cream sherry. "We've always known this was a special wine," said Marsha Butler, Summerside Vineyards … Continue reading Route 66 winery wins top award

Upcoming TV drama takes place in Albuquerque

The USA Network is about to air a new crime drama called "In Plain Sight," with the premiere on June 1. The gist of the story is that U.S. marshal Mary Shannon (played by Mary McCormack) is part of the Federal Witness protection program in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe, N.M., region. Media Blvd. magazine interviewed "In … Continue reading Upcoming TV drama takes place in Albuquerque