Three Route 66 properties in Illinois named to National Register

The Associated Press reported that nine properties were designated to the National Register of Historic Places, including three restaurants on Route 66. The Route 66 properties are: The Ariston Cafe, which opened in Carlinville in 1924 and moved to its present location on Route 66 in Litchfield in 1935. Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket near Hinsdale, … Continue reading Three Route 66 properties in Illinois named to National Register

ALS group finishes its drive on Route 66

According to this report from the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press, J.J. Bouma's cruise on Route 66 with a fleet of Corvettes to raise awareness and funds for the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, finished up in Santa Monica on Wednesday. The group raised $270,000 for research on the disease. The Rev. … Continue reading ALS group finishes its drive on Route 66

Celebrity sighting on the Mother Road

A report from the Desert Dispatch in Barstow, Calif.: Country music duo Brooks & Dunn were sighted at the Route 66 Motel on West Main Street on Wednesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after setting a record by bringing home their 20th and 21st trophies the previous night at the Academy of Country Music Awards … Continue reading Celebrity sighting on the Mother Road

Rialto Theatre’s renovation fund gets big donation

  The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Ill., is trying to raise $5 million to restore the 80-year-old venue. The Caterpillar Foundation helped last weekend by pledging $500,000, the largest such donation so far, according to an article in the Joliet Herald News. In addition to the Rialto's Web site, here's another history of the … Continue reading Rialto Theatre’s renovation fund gets big donation

The end is near for the Pain Walker

No, no ... he's not terminally ill. But Dennis Kinch, who's reportedly in Williams, Ariz., is not getting too far from the end of his walk on Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation. His Web site made this announcement: Save the date — the end of the walk is near! Dennis will arrive in … Continue reading The end is near for the Pain Walker

Web site has exclusive “Cars” images

IGN Filmforce has a bunch of exclusive new images, including the one above with Lightning McQueen on road detail, from the upcoming "Cars" move that opens June 9.  There are about 11 new images on this page, which contains thumbnails that you can click to enlarge. They just reinforce my feeling that "Cars" is going … Continue reading Web site has exclusive “Cars” images

Film crew stops in Lincoln, Ill., for “Cars” documentary

  The Lincoln Courier in the Route 66 town of Lincoln, Ill., reports that a London film crew was in town Tuesday to shoot footage for a documentary about Route 66 and the upcoming Pixar film, "Cars." At It Productions, Ltd., an independent film company, is visiting Old Route 66 sites while creating the documentary, … Continue reading Film crew stops in Lincoln, Ill., for “Cars” documentary

Pixar crew gets its kicks

LatinoReview.com's No. 6 featurette on the right side of the page about "Cars" should be of considerable interest to Route 66 aficionados. It's titled "Kickin' It on Route 66." It contains footage of author Michael Wallis taking the Pixar crew down the Mother Road during their research for the film. Roadies should be able to … Continue reading Pixar crew gets its kicks

Co-owner of Red’s Giant Hamburg dies

I received word tonight that Julia Chaney, former co-operator of the legendary Red's Giant Hamburg restaurant in Springfield, Mo., has died at age 91. The obituary is here in the Springfield News-Leader. Her husband, Sheldon "Red" Chaney, died in 1997. Red's Giant Hamburg's biggest fame, other than it being on Route 66, is that it … Continue reading Co-owner of Red’s Giant Hamburg dies

Story on the Missouri Route 66 byway dedication

Remember a few weeks ago the dedication ceremony in Springfield, Mo., for designating Route 66 in in the Show-Me State as a scenic byway? Well, ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com just posted a pretty extensive story about it.