Albuquerque's Landmarks and Urban Conservation Commission again on Wednesday deferred a decision on whether to designate the historic El Vado Motel as a city landmark. The decision has been moved to Nov. 14. It has been reported that the city and owner Richard L. Gonzales have been negotiating a possible buyout of the motel. Gonzales … Continue reading Deferred again
Taste of Route 66 tour is Saturday
The second annual Taste of Route 66 self-driven tour will be held in the Los Angeles area on Saturday, reports the Fontana Herald News. The tour begins between 4 and 5 p.m. at Upland Sergio's Restaurant at 659 W. Foothill Blvd. There, the other destinations in the gourmet tour will be revealed. The driving tour … Continue reading Taste of Route 66 tour is Saturday
Death of a cyclist
The Alibi, an alternative newspaper in Albuquerque, tries to piece together the scant facts about an accident on Route 66 in nearby Tijeras that killed an area cyclist, James Quinn, 27. I'd heard about the accident weeks ago, but information was infernally sketchy. Even now, the sheriff still hasn't released an accident report, the vehicle's … Continue reading Death of a cyclist
Impromptu kicks
Here's an impromptu performance of "Route 66" by Jason Ringenberg in someone's kitchen. He mangles some of Bobby Troup's lyrics, but it's OK. Ringenberg, in case you didn't know, was the lead singer for Jason and The Scorchers, a great cowpunk band.
Dedication ceremony for McKinley Bridge is Nov. 17
An dedication ceremony for the rehabilitated McKinley Bridge is set for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17 on the Illinois side of the bridge, announced Kyle Anderson, assistant to the chief of operations of the Illinois Department of Transportation, on Tuesday. After that, the bridge will be open to vehicular traffic for about four hours. The bridge … Continue reading Dedication ceremony for McKinley Bridge is Nov. 17
Picking up the pieces
Reader Dan Imming sent a few photos after the Green Parrot tavern on Route 66 in Galena, Kan., was demolished. The century-old building was structurally compromised when a sinkhole, caused by collapsing underground mine, opened behind the property. Imming says the demolition contractor is carefully salvaging the bricks, stone and wood, which will be used … Continue reading Picking up the pieces
McKinley Bridge reopening delayed
Route 66 News recently received a quick note from Kyle Anderson of the Illinois Department of Transportation, informing us that the scheduled Nov. 10 reopening of the McKinley Bridge that connects Venice, Ill., to St. Louis has been delayed. Anderson said an official reopening hasn't been set, but it will be a week or two … Continue reading McKinley Bridge reopening delayed
Update those phone lists
On Sunday, the state of New Mexico added a new telephone area code of 575. Until recently, New Mexico was one of the few states left to have one area code -- 505. This change will affect a number of businesses on Route 66, including the towns of Tucumcari and Santa Rosa. Albuquerque, Grants, Las … Continue reading Update those phone lists
Route 66 Caravan returning in 2008
Jim Conkle of the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation announced Monday that he will be embarking on a Route 66 Caravan to mark attractions on the road in summer 2008, similar to the one he led in 2003. Hampton Inn was the sponsor nearly five years ago. It will participate, but won't be a major … Continue reading Route 66 Caravan returning in 2008
A tribute to Route 66
This is a video made by students at St. Martin of Tours Parish Catholic School in St. Louis. A few of the images, coupled with the music, hit me hard. You might find it affecting, also. The music is "Our Town," the Oscar-nominated song written by Randy Newman and sung by James Taylor for the … Continue reading A tribute to Route 66