I’ve seen in a couple blogs in recent days that the Metro Diner, at 3001 E. 11th St., aka Route 66, in Tulsa, is set to close Sept. 29. The University of Tulsa wants the land it’s on to build a new entrance.

So I called Metro Diner owner Jim Rowenhorst to confirm. This is what he said:

“I’m not sure when I’m going to close, but it’s going to be soon. TU’s taking us over.”

The Metro’s plight is detailed in an earlier post here. Today, Rowenhorst said that no relocation is imminent. “We haven’t found anything that’s suitable or reasonably priced (for a new location),” he said.

When asked about the lease he’s in the middle of, Rowenhorst snorted, “TU doesn’t care about that.”

Eventually, Rowenhorst said, the diner’s contents will be auctioned. The restaurant is not historic, as it was built in the 1980s. But some of the memorabilia is.

Rod Harsh at Route66TVonline.com has been in contact with Jim Woestman, the mayor of Carthage, Mo., in discussing ways to preserve the historic Boots Motel.

Woestman is trying to persuade the City Council to take steps to keep it from eventually falling into the hands of new owners who would destroy it. E-mail Woestman at jgwoestman@yahoo.com with your suggestions and your support of the Boots.

I think some sort of protective historic designation would be the way to go; the city doesn’t have such a structure in place. Encourage the city to go that direction.

It appeared the Boots was going to get the wrecking ball a few years ago when it was purchased. It was the same sort of dumb situation as with the Lewis Motel in Vinita — he kinda-sorta had it up for sale, but he hardly publicized it (if at all) until his poor health forced him to hustle a sale through.

It was strongly rumored (from excellent sources, I might add) that the person who bought it planned to resell to a developer who would have turned it into a Walgreens. But the outcry from Route 66ers and preservationists was so strong that Walgreens reportedly backed out of the deal. So the Boots Motel now serves as apartments for long-term renters.

The Santa Fe New Mexican ran into the British crew that’s driving a half-dozen vintage Austin Sevens on old Route 66.

The group is sponsored by the 750 Motor Club. To check out their adventures and itinerary, go surf over to their blog.

The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif., starts tomorrow. Here’s a preview story from the San Bernardino Sun.

The Sun also has an excellent story about California’s Route 66, complete with a photo-audio slideshow.

The Lebanon-Laclede County Library in Lebanon, Mo., has been designated by the Missouri Division of Tourism as a welcome center, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

There are just six welcome centers in Missouri and three affiliates.

The reason roadies should be interested is because the library also houses a Route 66 museum. It contains a fully equipped filling station, a vintage motel room and a diner. Photos of them are here.

With its designation and its proximity to Interstate 44 (it’s a few blocks south of Exit 129), more people should be exposed to the Mother Road’s charms.

To top it all off, it has free Wi-Fi.

For roadies who are unfamiliar with Red Fork, it is an old, working-class neighborhood on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa. The downtown area of Red Fork is basically across Southwest Boulevard, aka Route 66, from Ollie’s Station.

There is an antique stove company and a smattering of other businesses in downtown Red Fork. But there are nearly as many vacancies, and little activity is usually seen except for Ollie’s.

But Red Fork suddenly got busy Sunday afternoon with the opening of the Red Fork Art Gallery & Studio, at 4071 Southwest Blvd.

Hundreds of people showed up at the gallery’s grand opening to see the work of painters Mary Sunday-Smith, Nancy Hill, Mary Jo Luster, Sandi Dittmann, Evelyn Petroski, Sarah Hart Grigsby, Peggy Griggs, porcelain artist Thelma Ingram and young jewelry creator Amber Jamison.

Petroski, whose work I found impressive, caught a lot of attention by painting someone’s portrait during the event.

Red Fork Art Gallery can be reached at 918-639-4811. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The second issue of the Route 66 Pulse newspaper is hitting newstands now.

Go pick one up at your favorite Mother Road hangout, or you can peruse the stories online here.

The cover story is Michael Wallis, the Route 66 author and voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in “Cars.”

Redforkhippie reported to me that while driving Tuesday night on Admiral Place, aka Route 66, in Tulsa, she noticed that the celebrated Ike’s Chili House has reopened after a hiatus of several months.

She said there was a prominent “Open” sign, and cars were parked all over the place in front of the restaurant, located at 5941 E. Admiral Place. It’s obviously a big relief to many Tulsans.

It was reported early in the month it would reopen, but I’m glad to see that date has arrived. The owner closed the eatery temporarily because of family health problems and needed kitchen upgrades.

Ike’s is reportedly the oldest surviving restaurant in Oklahoma, dating to 1908 or 1910, depending on who you ask. Here’s a good history of chili in Oklahoma. Here’s a more general piece about chili’s history.

This article by Bradley S. Klein in Golfweek not only tells you where the courses are along the Mother Road in Arizona, but good places to eat and sleep, too.

Even if you’re not a duffer, the article contains plenty of ideas for the next time you visit the northern part of the Grand Canyon State.

P_Bar Farms between Hydro and Weatherford on Oklahoma’s old Route 66 sets up a maze in a corn field each fall.

According to the Daily Oklahoman, a centennial edition of the maze has been created to recognize the state’s 100th year in 2007. A photo of the special “Maize” can be seen on the farm’s site here.

Though the correct pathways can be walked in less than 30 minutes, most directionally challenged visitors will require about one hour to travel through the 9-foot-high puzzle containing more than 95 decision points, 300,000 stalks and 3.5 miles of twists and turns.

GPS devices are not allowed.

Dr. Michael A. Friedman, CEO and president of the City of Hope cancer center in Duarte, Calif., has been named grand marshal of the 11th annual Salute to Route 66 Parade in Duarte, set for Saturday, according to the city’s Web site.

“It is an honor to serve as Grand Marshal and be part of this historic community event,” said Dr. Friedman. “Route 66 was an early gateway road to City of Hope for patients seeking treatment. Eighty years later, it remains one of the most famous roads in America and a vibrant link to both our nation’s past and the community of Duarte.”

Many grand marshals in parades are celebrities who left their hometowns and “done good,” so to speak. No offense against famous people, but it’s refreshing to see a grand marshal, like Friedman, who’s actually accomplishing something.