It's safe to say that the first annual Okie Twist-off at the 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City was a success. Reports the Daily Oklahoman: The result was the largest crowd to swell at 66 Bowl since it opened in 1959, owner Jim Haynes said. With 750 individual wristbands sold for the first-time event, Beck said, … Continue reading Okie Twist-off was a hot time
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.
Birthday gift for Pig Hip owner
The Pig Hip restaurant on Route 66 in Broadwell, Ill., burned to the ground this spring. But a historical marker was erected on the site Wednesday, a few days after owner Ernie Edwards' 90th birthday, reports the Lincoln Courier. It's a 1,780-pound pink granite boulder, and a bronze marker attached to it says: "Pig Hip … Continue reading Birthday gift for Pig Hip owner
Meeting of the minds
Author Michael Wallis was on "The Colbert Report" last night to plug his "The Lincoln Highway" book. He made a few mentions of Route 66 as well. If you missed the interview, you can view it here. (High-speed connection is recommended; even so, give it time to load and play.) Colbert teased to the segment … Continue reading Meeting of the minds
“Route 66” DVD box cover
Today, I received the image that will be used in the cover of the upcoming DVD set of the first half-season of the critically acclaimed "Route 66" television series. Here it is: With the news release that came with it, there's this item about the special features on the DVD: Come along for the ride … Continue reading “Route 66” DVD box cover
Fruits from the Mother Road vine
In an Associated Press story about wineries outside of the usual strongholds like California comes a reference to a Route 66 business: Don Neal gets about 15,000 visitors a year at StableRidge Vineyards & Winery sandwiched between Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Route 66 in Stroud, Okla. Most come from urban areas or are international … Continue reading Fruits from the Mother Road vine
Filmmakers to do a Route 66 tour
The producers of an independent film, "Commute," are planning a tour on Route 66 next year to open their film and shoot a documentary. Here's the plot summary by co-director Marc Wasserman, as posted on the International Movie Database site: The film follows the COMMUTER, as he embarks on his daily drive from Orange County … Continue reading Filmmakers to do a Route 66 tour
Book review: “Roadside Attractions”
Rating high on our wish list is an updated volume of "Roadside America." "New Roadside America," an irreverent but fond look at highway oddities, proved to be a critical influence to us at Route 66 News. The Roadside America site is still going strong, but the dead-tree version hasn't been updated since 1992. Brian and … Continue reading Book review: “Roadside Attractions”
“Cars” Blu-ray DVD coming in November
As expected, Disney is releasing a high-definition, Blu-ray DVD version of "Cars" on Nov. 6, according to the International Movie Database. Disney's Blu-ray site reveals the DVD will contain what is termed as a "Cine-Explore" interactive feature, in which director John Lasseter provides behind-the-scenes footage on the movie's making. There's also a "Car-Finder" feature, to … Continue reading “Cars” Blu-ray DVD coming in November
Michael Wallis to appear on “The Colbert Report”
Author Michael Wallis will be interviewed Wednesday by Steven Colbert on The Comedy Channel's "The Colbert Report." Wallis says Colbert wants to discuss Wallis' recently published "The Lincoln Highway" book and other old roads -- presumably Route 66 one of them. Wallis is familiar with Colbert's sly satire, so don't expect him to get ambushed. … Continue reading Michael Wallis to appear on “The Colbert Report”
“Sarge” toy recalled because of lead paint
Mattel announced today it is voluntarily recalling 436,000 Sarge toys from the "Cars" movie because of elevated levels of lead paint by a Chinese subcontractor. According to the company's release: The recall of the Sarge toy results from Mattel's increased investigation and ongoing testing procedures following the recall of select Fisher-Price toys on August 1, … Continue reading “Sarge” toy recalled because of lead paint