Roberto Rossi, a Route 66 enthusiast and author in Italy, recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for an eight-episode documentary about Route 66 before the highway's centennial in 2026. Rossi wants to raise 25,000 euros for the production. Shooting would begin from Chicago to Los Angeles over 21 days this fall, with air … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiast in Italy launches fundraiser to produce eight-episode documentary
Category: Movies
Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes
The Tascosa Drive-In in Amarillo, Texas, closed last Friday after more than 70 years in operation, leaving a nearly 600-mile gap between operating drive-in theaters on or near Route 66. The theater made the announcement of its closing just days before its final screening: In a follow-up message on Facebook, the owners stated they were … Continue reading Amarillo’s only drive-in theater closes
Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced six grants this year totaling about $165,000 to varying historic preservation, research, oral history, interpretative and educational projects. I noticed the grant awards this year were capped at $30,000. Still, 30 grand is 30 grand. Here are the grant awards: Round Barn siding repair in Arcadia, OklahomaApplicant: Arcadia Historical … Continue reading Latest cost-share grants announced from Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
Marijuana dispensary opens in Glenrio, just west of Texas where pot is illegal
An anticipated marijuana dispensary called Glenrio Smoke Stop opened last week in the Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio in New Mexico just a few yards west of Texas, where pot remains illegal. I packed a lot of details in the Quay County Sun (my day job) about the first new business in the town … Continue reading Marijuana dispensary opens in Glenrio, just west of Texas where pot is illegal
Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
A road film featuring Bentenya, a group of Chindon-ya performers from Japan, will be shooting on Route 66 starting Sept. 13. During their journey, the girls will meet people, introduce Japanese culture and perform Japanese and American music "as a new way of nurturing 150 years of Chin-don culture while on historic Route 66 in … Continue reading Road movie featuring Japanese Chindon-ya group will be shooting on Route 66 this month
Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced
Applications for the next round of the Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program, administered through the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, are being taken through Oct. 31. According to a news release from the partnership: The grant program is one of the first in a series of “birthday gifts" to be given to Route 66 in the years … Continue reading Next round of Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program announced
Oklahoma church pays tribute this month to Disney-Pixar film “Cars”
A church in a Tulsa suburb recently changed its lobby into a tribute to the Route 66-inspired Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" from 2006. But you better hurry to see it -- it will be up only a couple of more weeks. Life.Church in south Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, annually changes its lobby to an "At the … Continue reading Oklahoma church pays tribute this month to Disney-Pixar film “Cars”
Michael Wallis talks about Route 66, “Cars” film and writing career in a recent TV interview
Bestselling author Michael Wallis recently sat down with a Tulsa TV station to talk about his long writing career, the "Cars" movie and his personal and professional connection to Route 66. Wallis, 77, was plugging an appearance at the recently completed Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa. A lot of young people remember his small … Continue reading Michael Wallis talks about Route 66, “Cars” film and writing career in a recent TV interview
Food not being served at Bagdad Cafe as the owner approaches her 83rd birthday
The California Historic Route 66 Association reports the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, currently is not serving food but is open for visits by tourists and is selling T-shirts, Route 66 souvenirs, soda, beer and coffee. The association and her son also plan something special for owner Andrea Pruett on her 83rd birthday on … Continue reading Food not being served at Bagdad Cafe as the owner approaches her 83rd birthday
New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe
New Mexico PBS stations a few days ago broadcast a new 21-minute documentary about La Fonda on the Plaza, the storied and highly influential hotel in the middle of downtown Santa Fe. You can watch the film below. It's also available for viewing on the PBS app. According to a recent article in the Albuquerque … Continue reading New Mexico PBS stations air a documentary about La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe