As expected, the world premiere of Pixar's Route 66-themed movie "Cars" will be at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. The film's wide release is June 9. The big difference, however, is the premiere will no longer be an invitation-only event. Instead, it's going to be a humongous bash, according to the news release. Paul … Continue reading “Cars” to premiere May 26 at racetrack
Category: Events
Universal City Walk will host a Route 66 gala
Jim Conkle of the Route 66 Preservation Foundation also announced that an agreement has been secured with Universal Studios City Walk in West Hollywood, Calif., to host a Route 66 event on the first weekend of October each year. He says there will be a Web site and more information on it later.
Close shaves with Panhandle wildfires
Route 66 aficionado Mark Potter traveled to the Texas Panhandle area after the wildfires dissipated. The photo above showed how close the fires came to the red-tile-roofed Kiser's 66 Super Service station on old Route 66 near Alanreed. The lower photo shows how close the fire came to Delbert and Ruth Trew's ranch home. They … Continue reading Close shaves with Panhandle wildfires
Irishman to ride Route 66 for charity again
Paul De Courcy of Waterford, Ireland, drove Route 66 in a motorcycle as part of the Charity Motorcycle Challenge in 2004. Now he's been asked to do it again for the Temple Street Children's Hospital, according to the Waterford News & Star. He said yes. “Back in 2004, I applied to do it and was … Continue reading Irishman to ride Route 66 for charity again
St. Patrick’s Day in Shamrock
Rain didn't cancel the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations at the Route 66 town of Shamrock, Texas. After all the recent wildfires in the Panhandle, it probably was welcomed. You couldn't get a green beer in Shamrock, though. The county is dry. Here's a story about the festival from AP. UPDATE: I found some musings … Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day in Shamrock
Trews remain safe for now
I just got off the phone with Ruth Trew. She and Delbert still have no electricity, and wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have burned all but 75 acres of their 2,500-acre ranch. But they and their home are safe for now, even though they're keeping an eye on another wildfire near Childress. Ruth said cattle … Continue reading Trews remain safe for now
Panhandle wildfires update
The death toll from wildfires that struck the Texas Panhandle has risen to 11, with two missing. The fires also have killed countless livestock, as recounted by this heartbreaking article from the Amarillo Globe-News (free registration required). Davie Gipson, one of the volunteers at the Devils Rope Museum in McLean, told me on the phone … Continue reading Panhandle wildfires update
Massive wildfires burn Texas Panhandle
This is really bad. Huge wildfires fanned by a lengthy drought and high winds have killed at least six people, closed long stretches of Interstate 40, burned homes and forced the mandatory evacuation of the Route 66 town of McLean. One of the big wildfires started near the Route 66 town of Groom. The fires … Continue reading Massive wildfires burn Texas Panhandle
Food Network gets a taste of Route 66
The Pontiac Daily News reports that the historic Odell Station on Route 66 in Odell, Ill., will be featured on The Food Network's show, "A Blast from the Past." Famed chef Bobby Flay made an appearance. The program also features members of the Illinois Route 66 Association and preservationist John Weiss. Flay used a barbecue … Continue reading Food Network gets a taste of Route 66
Calendar of events updated
I went through the Route 66 Calendar of Events last night and today and made a correction, a few clarifications and a few additions. I'll go over it once a month or so in an effort to make sure everything's up-to-date.