Karen Funk Blocher, a published author, had done years of research during the 1980s about the "Route 66" television show. She was going to write a book about the '60s show and its involvement with the true Mother Road, but the project was eventually abandoned. One of the reasons the book was never finished was … Continue reading Why did George Maharis leave “Route 66”?
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
His favorite places
Gary A. Warner of the Orange County Register has traveled to all 50 states. He listed his favorite memory in each state. Two of them are on Route 66. Here are the two: Arizona: Meteor Crater, Winslow. When worlds collide. Luckily this one was a lot smaller than ours. The lack of water in the … Continue reading His favorite places
Roller Rapper gets rolling on Route 66 tour
Robby Love, aka the Roller Rapper, rolled into Springfield, Ill., on Sunday during his Route 66 tour, according to the Springfield Journal-Register. Love is skating from Chicago to L.A. to help plug his "Roller Rapper" album, shoot a documentary, and raise money for St. Jude Children's Cancer Center and local charities as he makes his … Continue reading Roller Rapper gets rolling on Route 66 tour
“Cars” passes $200 million mark in domestic grosses
The movie "Cars" passed the rarified $200 million plateau in domestic box-office receipts during the weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. It is the third-most successful film this year, and it's coming up fast on the No. 2 film, "The Da Vinci Code." There's plenty more money to be made. "Cars" has grossed just $24 … Continue reading “Cars” passes $200 million mark in domestic grosses
Tulsa Monument Co. building is safe
There was some fear when a monument company that occupied that historic, Art Deco-designed Tulsa Monument Co. building at 1735 E. 11th St., aka Route 66, moved out a few weeks ago at the behest of the landlord. What would be the future of that landmark building? Not to fear -- the building is safe. … Continue reading Tulsa Monument Co. building is safe
Farm disappears; Magic Lamp Inn keeps going
The Inland Press-Enterprise has a story about Anthony Vernola, owner of the landmark Magic Lamp Inn along Route 66 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The Vernola family is having a shopping development in Mira Loma named after them. Anthony Vernola's father ran a farm in that area; the farm, like many others, is now long-gone because … Continue reading Farm disappears; Magic Lamp Inn keeps going
Bob Waldmire spotted at Tucumcari festival
Since roving Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire is a Luddite in terms of the Internet and cell phones, it's hard to figure out where he is at times. This often leads to "Where's Waldmire?" questions when Mother Road fans talk among themselves. Well, this weekend Waldmire is in Tucumcari, N.M., for the Route 66 festival … Continue reading Bob Waldmire spotted at Tucumcari festival
Illinois town will hold its first Cruise Night
Pontiac, Ill., which is home to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, is hosting its first-ever Pontiac Cruise Night next Saturday. It also will have Cruise Nights on the third Saturdays of August and September, reports the Bloomington Pantagraph. For more, read the rest of the article. Pontiac Cruise Night also has … Continue reading Illinois town will hold its first Cruise Night
Another Route 66 video
Scott Leitner has provided yet another slideshow to accompany one of the songs from the "Cars" movie soundtrack. It's a more upbeat video this time; it's John Mayer's version of "Route 66" along with businesses on the Mother Road that are still operating and serving tourists. The video is here. It's a large, 20 mg … Continue reading Another Route 66 video
DVD shows Route 66 from different era
A new Route 66 documentary, "Old-Fashioned Fun on Route 66," contains familiar sights and sounds of the current Mother Road. But what's remarkable about it is it also contains rare film footage from the road's golden era. In the 1940s and '50s, Patricia and Judy Larry's family had an 8mm motion-picture camera and used it. … Continue reading DVD shows Route 66 from different era