City announces ground breaking of Route 66 Visitor Center
From KRQE: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s been nearly three decades in the making, and now the vision of a Route 66 Visitor Center at the top of Nine Mile Hill is becoming a reality. “This is 29 years, 29 years in the making,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada.
Since 1992, community leaders in southwest Albuquerque have been working toward the groundbreaking for the upcoming Route 66 Visitor Center at the top of Nine Mile Hill on West Central. “It seems as though the struggle to ensure our area receives equity and the investment it deserves has always been an uphill battle, but today that changes,” said City Councilor Klarissa Peña.
‘Pastoral California’ Mural and YMCA Sign Designated Local Landmarks
YMCA neon sign. Images courtesy of Fullerton Heritage.
From the Fullerton Observer: Two local icons of history and culture, the “Pastoral California” mural at Fullerton Union High School and the neon YMCA sign (visible from Harbor Blvd. near St. Jude Medical Center), received official local landmark status by a unanimous vote of Fullerton City Council on March 16.
The YMCA Neon Sign is located at 2000 Youth Way, and the “Pastoral California” mural is located at 201 East Chapman Ave. on the side of the high school auditorium. Two residential properties located at 1203 Luanne Avenue and 865 North Richman Avenue were also designated local landmarks.
Historic River Oaks Theatre closes doors after 82 years open
From ABC13: HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The beloved River Oaks Theatre closed its doors.
The historic theater’s closure comes after Landmark, the owner, said it could not reach an agreement with Weingarten Realty over rent.
The company was insisting the theater pay the same amount as prior to the pandemic.
For those interested in trivia, the 82-year-old cinema’s last picture show was the critically acclaimed film “Nomadland.”
Alger Theater marquee to undergo major facelift
Lakeview Community Partnership (LCP) Board approved a bid from Alpha Architectural Signs and Lighting to give the Alger Theater marquee and letters a major facelift. The marquee and letters will be removed in late April and returned in late September. Kevin Winter/Lake County Examiner
From the Lake Country Examiner: Wanting to keep the momentum going on the Alger Theater renovations the Lakeview Community Partnership (LCP) Board approved a bid from Alpha Architectural Signs and Lighting, based in Sacramento, for work on the Alger Theater sign and marquee.
LCP Exec. Dir. Ginger Casto said repairing the marquee has been one of the main goals of the LCP since it acquired the theater a couple of years ago. Even with the approval of the bid, which only includes work on the sign and marquee, Casto said around 50% of the cost still needs to be raised from donations to cover the additional costs not covered by the bid.
“Money for the project has come from contributions from community members. But we still need to fundraise to cover the entire cost of the job,” said Casto.
Historic Muncie bar the Oasis gets new owners, rehabbed neon sign
According to Dave Stover, owner of Finyl Vinyl Signs, the iconic neon Oasis sign is the oldest in Muncie. Jordan Kartholl / The Star Press
From The Star Press: MUNCIE, Ind. — Fifteen years ago, Cheryl Engle was a struggling single mom and nurse. Trying to make ends meet, she took a waitressing job at the Oasis Bar and Grill, Indiana’s oldest family-owned bar.
Now, she owns it.
Engle, who splits her time between Muncie and Florida, where her children live, heard from a friend that the bar was up for sale. The idea of the Oasis being for sale seemed crazy to her, and she wanted to see it for herself. As she surveyed the building, customers tried to convince her to buy it.