“A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October

"A Matter of Time," a photo-driven book about familiar and forgotten places on Route 66, will be coming in October from the University of Oklahoma Press. The 272-page book, subtitled "Route 66 Through the Lens of Change," by German photographer Ellen Klinkel and West Texas A&M marketing professor Nick Gerlich documents 101 spots along Route … Continue reading “A Matter of Time” book about Route 66 coming in October

Cartoonist to publish graphic novel about Route 66 journey

Award-winning cartoonist Shing Yin Khor in August will publish a 160-page graphic memoir about her experiences during a journey on Route 66. The main title is "The American Dream?" with the subtitle "A Journey on Route 66 Discovering Dinosaur Statues, Muffler Men and the Perfect Breakfast Burrito." Khor grew up in Malaysia and held different … Continue reading Cartoonist to publish graphic novel about Route 66 journey

A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film

If you have about a half-hour to spare, I urge you to watch this entertaining featurette about Pixar's research of Route 66 before the animation studio released the "Cars" movie in 2006. "Cars" director John Lasseter explains what happened during that road trip, and "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis -- later to … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 research that went into the “Cars” film

Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

The vice mayor of Kingman, Arizona, recently announced he is donating his salary for Jim Hinckley's promotional and marketing efforts of Route 66 in the region. Hinckley stated in an email the donation is worth $7,200 a year, and Vice Mayor Travis Lingenfelter will continue those contributions until he leaves office. "I am honored, humbled, … Continue reading Kingman’s vice mayor donates salary to Jim Hinckley’s Route 66 marketing efforts

Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube

Scott Piotrowski recently uploaded a 20-minute documentary from 1998, "158 Miles to Yesterday," that he directed and produced. The film, shot in 16 mm film and uploaded from the VHS tape, examines the longest unbroken stretch of original Route 66 from in Arizona, from about Crookton Road to Topock. Now over 20 years old, the … Continue reading Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube

Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis

RSU Public TV, based at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently completed this 25-minute profile in its "Perspective" series about author, actor and speaker Michael Wallis. Wallis remains best-known for two things -- writing the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" that sparked the renaissance of the historic highway and providing the voice of … Continue reading Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis

See Michael Wallis, Desert California and Two Guns from early 1990s

A new batch of Anthony Reichardt films from the 1990s shows Two Guns, Arizona; a long stretch of Route 66 in the California desert to Oatman, Arizona; and Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road." Below is Wallis in 1993 during a meeting of the California Historic Route 66 Association at … Continue reading See Michael Wallis, Desert California and Two Guns from early 1990s

Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday

An hour-long documentary on the Smithsonian Channel, "The Green Book -- Guide to Freedom," will premiere at 8 p.m. Eastern on Monday. The film about the Negro Motorist Green Book, which was published during the Jim Crow segregation era from 1936 to 1966, also will air other times on the channel. Check your local listings. … Continue reading Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday

Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies

Debra Whittington, the longtime co-owner of the Pony Soldier Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and author of historical books about Tucumcari, died Monday after a lengthy illness. She was 61. Whittington also co-owned the Dollhouse Bed & Breakfast in Tucumcari, a 1908 two-story Victorian home near downtown Tucumcari she and her husband, Mark, restored and … Continue reading Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies

“The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66

A new documentary, "The Bikes of Wrath," contains an intriguing premise -- five Australians on bicycles trace the path of the Joad family in the John Steinbeck novel "The Grapes of Wrath." PEZ Cycling News reports: The five Australian friends range in age from 24 to 35 and are a diverse lot: two were raised … Continue reading “The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66