The city of Joliet, Ill., wants to draw more tourists into its suburban Chicago town. One of the ways it hopes to do this is by building a fiberglass statue of the Blues Brothers on Route 66, according to United Press International. The Blues Brothers was a "Saturday Night Live" routine by the Dan Aykroyd … Continue reading Blues Brothers statue may greet Route 66 travelers
Month: February 2007
Thinkin’ about Lincoln
The Lincoln (Ill.) Courier has a couple of good stories about tourism. One is about how towns close to Springfield want to cash in on the overwhelming success that is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The towns on Route 66 seem to be doing well, but they certainly want to take advantage. The other story … Continue reading Thinkin’ about Lincoln
Book review: “Find Me”
While reading Carol O'Connell's "Find Me," the latest in a series of novels featuring detective Kathy Mallory, a realization struck me: "Find Me" (352 pages, Putnam, $24.95) is the first novel by a major, bestselling writer that takes place on modern-day Route 66. That alone tells you how far Route 66 has come. About 15 … Continue reading Book review: “Find Me”
“Popularity Contest” entrant to be another reality TV series
Rory Schepisi, the CMT "Popularity Contest" runner-up who is building a restaurant on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, is set to appear on another reality TV series on the Food Network. Schepisi will appear on the third season of "The Next Food Network Star 3," which premieres on Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. EST, … Continue reading “Popularity Contest” entrant to be another reality TV series
A road trip on celluloid
Gary A. Warner, travel editor of the Orange County (Calif.) Register, said that watching this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Picture was like taking a road trip without leaving town. He had this to say about "Little Miss Sunshine": The locations: A story about a family road trip from Albuquerque to Los Angeles to … Continue reading A road trip on celluloid
Chrome horse
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., had an interesting visitor last week. Read this story from the Quay County Sun to see what it's all about.
Applications for cost-share grants now available
Here is a news release, straight from the U.S. Department of the Interior: February 5, 2007 The National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is pleased to announce that its 2007 cost-share grant application cycle is now open. Grant applications may be submitted to the program office until April 27, 2007. Awards will be … Continue reading Applications for cost-share grants now available
Illinois Hall of Fame needs nominees
The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac is seeking nominations for its Class of 2007, reports the Pontiac Daily Leader. Nominations may be submitted to: Route 66 Association of Illinois, Attention: Hall of Fame Committee, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL 61764. Deadline for receiving the applications is March 10. Induction ceremonies will … Continue reading Illinois Hall of Fame needs nominees
Edwardsville planning for Route 66 festival
The Edwardsville Intelligencer reports that the city of Edwardsville, Ill., has begun preparations for its 11th annual Route 66 festival on June 8-9 in City Park. According to Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Kim Stevens, the group planning the event wants to add some new attractions. She said a new walk and … Continue reading Edwardsville planning for Route 66 festival
Constructive criticism
Ed Rust of Blogcritics Magazine has posted a review of American Road magazine, which covers news and features along America's historic highways, including Route 66. It's a mostly positive review, but it quibbles about a few things: A typical story from the Winter 2006 issue is about the "Bigfoot Scenic Byway," a stretch of Route … Continue reading Constructive criticism