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
Red Cedar Inn may be converted into museum
Personally, I'd rather have the Red Cedar Inn in Pacific, Mo., which closed in March 2005 and remains for sale, reopen as a restaurant. But this story from the Tri-County Journal indicates that the city is considering another option: Pacific officials are eyeing a longtime Route 66 landmark as a potential new home for the … Continue reading Red Cedar Inn may be converted into museum
Images from the road
Here's a new slide show of art and photos from Route 66. I don't know what singer or band is doing that jazzy version of "Route 66." If you know who it is, chime in in the comments section.
Tow Tater vandalized
Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck (shown above in May) that was a primary inspiration for Mater in the movie "Cars," was vandalized late Friday or early Saturday in front of the 1940s-era gas station that's become a Route 66 welcome center in Galena, Kan. Melba Rigg, one of the Four Women on the … Continue reading Tow Tater vandalized
Historic theater soon will close
The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, Calif., recently announced that its last day of operation will be Aug. 19. The Rialto, built in 1925, is on the Fair Oaks alignment of Route 66. According to the theater's MySpace site: Sadly we have to end with the Simpsons. So if you want to see the Simpsons … Continue reading Historic theater soon will close