Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced the 10 latest grant awards from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. The 2024 round of the grant program was completed last month, with $2,000 awards to: Andrea Parson-Briley, Carterville, Missouri, for trolly renovations and a Route 66 mural at Supertam on 66. The project also seeks to provide … Continue reading Latest Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants given to 10 recipients

Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership announced nine projects through the Route 66 Black Experiences Grants program that were awarded $5,000 each. The 2024 recipients and the cities where they are based are: Choctaw Freedman Citizenship Footprints Inc. in Oklahoma City Black Business Alliance in Bloomington, Illinois Threatt Filling Station Foundation in Luther, Oklahoma Jack … Continue reading Nine new grants announced through Route 66 Black Experiences Program

Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund

Four restaurants with strong Route 66 ties each received $40,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The 25 restaurants receiving the 2023 round of grants were announced Friday by the National Trust. Here are the four along Route 66: Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, Arizona Mitla Café, … Continue reading Four Route 66 restaurants win $40,000 grants from National Trust fund

Real-life gang fight in San Bernardino inspired “West Side Story”

The play and film "West Side Story" is well known as the story of a fictional turf war between white and Puerto Rican street gangs in Manhattan. However, "West Side Story" was inspired by a real-life gang fight in 1955 in San Bernardino, California, about a half-mile north of Route 66. The historic Mitla Cafe … Continue reading Real-life gang fight in San Bernardino inspired “West Side Story”

Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”

The fabled Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, California, was featured this week during a four-minute segment on "CBS Sunday Morning." https://youtu.be/yI4GLpoTDj0 One little-known angle the network explored was the Route 66 restaurant became an organizational meeting place for desegregation efforts for public swimming pools in San Bernardino. As with Black people across the nation, many … Continue reading Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”

Demolition begins on Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino

The razing of the historic but closed Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino, California, began a few weeks ago. Though it's not on Route 66, many travelers heading to and from the Mother Road undoubtedly used the railroad viaduct over the decades. The span lies immediately south where Route 66 turns west onto West … Continue reading Demolition begins on Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino

Mitla Cafe of San Bernardino finishes in Final Four of tortilla tournament

The historic Mitla Cafe along Route 66 in San Bernardino, California, recently advanced to the semifinals of the rugged KCRW Tortilla Tournament in the corn tortilla division. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen, who noted the restaurant dates to 1937, passed along these details about the competition: While first-timer Mitla was entered in both … Continue reading Mitla Cafe of San Bernardino finishes in Final Four of tortilla tournament

Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?

In the last few weeks, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin columnist David Allen has tried to track down the inspiration to the Bruce Springsteen song "Sleepy Joe's Cafe," off the new, fascinating "Western Stars" album. It's easy to see why the opening lines of the song intrigued Allen: There's a place out on the highway 'cross … Continue reading Was “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe” by Bruce Springsteen based on a Route 66 restaurant?

Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and '70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Trees to honor veterans planted along Route 66 in Upland

Dozens of trees recently were planted along Route 66 in Upland, California, as living tributes to military veterans. The trees were planted along Upland’s Memorial Park on Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) in late April. According to The Daily Bulletin: Volunteers and city officials helped plant 79 trees in the park April 21, as part of … Continue reading Trees to honor veterans planted along Route 66 in Upland