Life-size models of Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and Sally Carrera (voiced by Bonnie Hunt) from the upcoming Pixar movie "Cars" will be touring the country during the "Cars Road Trip '06," according to a news release from DMN Newswire. State Farm is the big sponsor of the event. The tour will … Continue reading Stars of “Cars” will hit the road
Category: Events
Severe storms strike central Illinois
Severe storms, including a tornado, struck several Route 66 towns in Illinois. Here's the caption for Nancy Saul's photo above for the Lincoln Courier: AmerenCilco employees set up roadblocks and assess damage along the southbound lane of Old Route 66 on Lincoln's north side. High winds snapped power poles and bent metal light standards to … Continue reading Severe storms strike central Illinois
Geezer Riders check their rides
Before embarking on their Route 66 trip, the Geezer Riders from Japan toured the Harley-Davidson factory in Milwaukee. It sounds like they were impressed by what they'll be riding on the Mother Road. The Mainichi Daily News has the report.
One-woman play uses a Route 66 setting
Indian Country Today has an article about Arigon Starr's one-woman show, "The Red Road," at the Autry National Center's Wells Fargo Theatre in Los Angeles. The article describes the play: Loaded with good-natured jabs at everything from Anglos who love Indians to intertribal backbiting, Starr builds empathy for all the characters that converge during a … Continue reading One-woman play uses a Route 66 setting
Immigration protests seen along Route 66
Large protests have been seen in the large Route 66 cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Tulsa and Oklahoma City against illegal-immigration bills proposed by Congress. But even smaller towns along the Mother Road have seen their share. Here's a story about a small protest in Gallup, N.M. The photo of the rally … Continue reading Immigration protests seen along Route 66
Town designates Route 66 also as a Blue Star Highway
The Daily Guide reports that Waynesville, Mo., over the weekend dedicated its portion of Route 66 through downtown as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. Named after the service flags flown during World War II placing a single blue star for each person serving in the military on a flag flown outside the homes of their … Continue reading Town designates Route 66 also as a Blue Star Highway
“Geezer Riders” will get their kicks
The Mainichi Daily News in Japan says that a group of "Geezer Riders" that includes a Japanese movie star and several retired corporate executives will saddle up on Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Chicago and drive Route 66 to Los Angeles. The "geezer" tag comes because the youngest rider in the group is 60. The Mainichi Daily … Continue reading “Geezer Riders” will get their kicks
Buzz builds for Tulsa’s Route 66 Marathon
I already reported about this new event, the Tulsa World Route 66 Marathon, in December. Although the 26.2-mile run won't hear the crack of the starting gun until the late fall, KOTV reports it's already gaining plenty of attention from runners. Runner Chris Lieberman came up with the idea after enjoying marathons in other cities. … Continue reading Buzz builds for Tulsa’s Route 66 Marathon
McDonald’s history tour
I know many Route 66 aficionados are loathe to give restaurant chains any sort of attention. But a tour on April 22 led by historian Chris Nichols explores the very early history of McDonald's, from when the McDonald brothers came to Southern California to when Ray Kroc buys the business. And, yes, there is a … Continue reading McDonald’s history tour
Trout Fishing in Miami
Route 66 got a hefty dose of music and humor Tuesday night as the Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., hosted Trout Fishing in America. Trout, for the uninitiated, is a two-man folk band made up of guitarist Ezra Idlet and bass player Keith Grimwood. The pair, who look about like Mutt and Jeff (Idlet … Continue reading Trout Fishing in Miami