Oscars says no to YouTube and “Our Town”

I was hoping by now to have a video clip of James Taylor and Randy Newman performing their Oscar-nominated song, "Our Town," from the Disney-Pixar movie "Cars," at Sunday's Academy Awards. But it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Variety reports that the Academy has banned YouTube from allowing any video clips from the … Continue reading Oscars says no to YouTube and “Our Town”

Surprise on 66

Now this is a surprise party. Vaughn Veit of Minnesota was set to mark his 66th birthday on Route 66 in Victorville, Calif. What he didn't know was that his wife had set up a surprise party, with about 200 friends traveling from Minnesota, at the California Route 66 Museum, reported the Victorville Daily Press. … Continue reading Surprise on 66

Joplin barbershop designated a historic landmark

Dale's Ole 66 Barber Shop, at Utica Street and Euclid Avenue in Joplin, Mo., was designated a historical landmark by the Joplin Historic Preservation Commission, reports the Joplin Globe. The city will put up a sign outside the shop denoting its status. Any further changes planned for the building must be approved by the commission. … Continue reading Joplin barbershop designated a historic landmark

UFO over New Mexico

Jerry Lentz was traveling in New Mexico when he saw this: Here's what he said: I was at a rest area and I heard a trucker shouting to his friend to look up. It might be space debris, shooting stars or Military Vehicles, but it was so cool to see it! [...] We watched them … Continue reading UFO over New Mexico

Route 66 group conducting membership drive

Geoff Ladd of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County wants to get going in restoration efforts for The Mill in Lincoln, Ill., and other Route 66 projects. To do this, he and his group are conducting a membership drive, according to a news release. Individual memberships are $15 a year, and business memberships … Continue reading Route 66 group conducting membership drive

Filling Station marks 25 years

The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph recounts the history of The Filling Station, just off Route 66 in Lexington, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The restaurant has been a strong Route 66 supporter for years and has its legions of fans. The Filling Station also is listed in the Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide, published … Continue reading Filling Station marks 25 years

Jealous over Joplin?

Hank Billings' column today in the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, often filled with interesting historical tidbits, struck me as a bit of unseemly whining. He makes the dubious claim that "Does Joplin have a better press agent than Springfield or what?" by citing just two examples: A "Beverly Hillbillies" television episode in which Granny and Jed … Continue reading Jealous over Joplin?

“Cars” gets bypassed at Oscars

The hit Disney-Pixar movie "Cars" was bypassed for any Academy Awards victories on Sunday night, falling short in both the Best Animated Feature and Best Song categories. And you can blame it on global warming. But more on that later. "Cars" was favored to win Best Animated Feature, but "Happy Feet" scored a mild upset. … Continue reading “Cars” gets bypassed at Oscars

Sepia-toned scenes

Here's a different YouTube video with a Route 66 theme. These are sepia-toned images of decaying vehicles and spots along the Mother Road, set to Lyle Lovett's "The Truck Song."

Blue Whale blues

Canadian singer-songwriter Melissa McClelland has posted Part 4 of her video diary from last summer's trip down Route 66. In it, she wears a pretty white dress and belts out a bluesy tune, "Go Down Matthew," at the grounds of the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Okla. The song comes from her "Thumbelina's One Night Stand" … Continue reading Blue Whale blues