John Lasseter, director of the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" and the upcoming "Cars 2," showed a reporter his collection of more than 300 Hawaiian shirts. And, yes, he wears them. You'll see the Route 66 shield several times on his apparel. https://youtu.be/PmrJFxxeDZw I once asked a Pixar publicist about buying some of the Route … Continue reading John Lasseter’s Hawaiian shirts
Dairy Queen officials visit original store
About 20 company officials from Minneapolis-based Dairy Queen on Friday visited the restaurant where it all started -- at 501 N. Chicago St. (aka Route 66) in Joliet, Ill., reported the Chicago Tribune. The nearby Joliet Area Historical Museum passed out free DQ Dilly Bars to visitors. Then, Curly, DQ's soft-serve cone mascot, led the … Continue reading Dairy Queen officials visit original store
“Cars 2” featurette
Here's a behind-the-scenes look and an explanation of "Cars 2," which roars into movie theaters on June 24. https://youtu.be/wVDzxuLKdbA
Lights on at Highland Theatre
The historic Highland Theatre sign in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles was relighted during a ceremony Tuesday night, reported the Highland Park Patch. The link includes a video of the sign being relit. But here's a YouTube video of it, also: https://youtu.be/iBYsJXRX7kA The sign contains 502 light bulbs. Its restoration was paid for … Continue reading Lights on at Highland Theatre
Car club hosting drive-in movies
The Route 66 Car Club of St. Clair, Mo., is hosting drive-in movies -- including one this weekend -- and its usual car cruises at Orchard Park for its scholarship fund, reported the St. Clair Missourian. Mueller said the activities will start at about 5 p.m. each time. The movies will be shown at dusk. … Continue reading Car club hosting drive-in movies
Historic Moriarty grocery will close next month
Mike's Friendly Store, which has graced Route 66 in Moriarty, N.M., for 62 years, will close for good next month, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican. Mike Anaya, 82, the longtime operator of the grocery, said it was time to retire. Anaya said the timing was right for the sale of his liquor license. The … Continue reading Historic Moriarty grocery will close next month
A Bobcat Bite burger
An earlier report about green chile cheeseburgers in New Mexico reminded me of the Bobcat Bite restaurant, on an very old alignment of Route 66 in Santa Fe. This excellent clip from a documentary shows how these great burgers are made: https://youtu.be/SD2cI1i2vqQ
A burger too good to be at just one place
A green chile cheeseburger created eight years at a market in the tiny Route 66 town of Laguna, N.M., has garnered so much acclaim, it's listed in the state tourism department's Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail and the sandwich has been replicated at two other nearby locations, reported the Cibola County Beacon. The Laguna Burger, as … Continue reading A burger too good to be at just one place
Possible buyers look at Boots Motel
A dozen prospective buyers checked over the historic and endangered Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., reported KSNF-TV today in nearby Joplin. Local realtor Jim Hunter says he's had a huge amount of interest in the property. "Some local historic preservation people and some private individuals who want to remain anonymous at this point but there is … Continue reading Possible buyers look at Boots Motel
Newest gas station face-lift in Tucumcari
Here's the latest abandoned gas station along Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., that received a new coat of decorative paint. It's the gas station at the Paradise Motel on the west end of town, given a Sinclair Oil decor. The repainting was finished over the weekend. Richard Talley, owner of the Motel Safari in town, said … Continue reading Newest gas station face-lift in Tucumcari