Disney has started an online community, World of Cars Online, for fans of the hit 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars," reported the Los Angeles Times. The reason for launching the site seems obvious. But in case you're out of the loop: The Burbank entertainment giant plans to begin revving its marketing engine for the virtual … Continue reading “Cars” movie launches online community
Sooners football owes a debt to John Steinbeck
A report by J. Robert Byrom at Bleacher Report makes a fairly compelling case of why John Steinbeck's famous Depression-era novel "The Grapes of Wrath" paved the way to the University of Oklahoma becoming a college football powerhouse, even to this day. The story is too long and multifaceted to summarize briefly here. Just go … Continue reading Sooners football owes a debt to John Steinbeck
County seeks grant to restore wooden Route 66 bridges
The Desert Dispatch reports that San Bernardino County in California is seeking a federal grant to restore old bridges on the National Old Trails Road -- an early alignment of Route 66. The county applied for a $52 million stimulus grant to replace 130 bridges that were built between 1929 and 1931 on the old … Continue reading County seeks grant to restore wooden Route 66 bridges
Long trip for little cars
The 2010 Route 66 Microcar Rally departed from Santa Monica Pier a few days ago. Here's a video as the group of tiny-car enthusiasts makes its way through the Los Angeles metro area: I noted that one of the itty-bitty cars bore a strong resemblance to Luigi in the movie "Cars." Some of these cars … Continue reading Long trip for little cars
A blast from the past from England
Here's a 1975 version of Bobby Troup's cruising classic by the Count Bishops, a highly regarded R&B band from the U.K. I approve.
A mile for every casualty
This is very peripheral to Route 66, but it's too moving to not share. Mike Ehredt of Driggs, Idaho, is running east across the United States. He's an ultramarathoner, cyclist, and an Army veteran. He's running solo, and he has no sponsor. He's dedicating each mile to each soldier who has died in the Iraq … Continue reading A mile for every casualty
Oatman gets kicks from its burros
Chris Epting of AOL News has a dynamite headline that accompanies his story about the Route 66 town of Oatman, Ariz. -- "Oatman: A Town That Rose from its Asses." Although the town boasts re-enacted gunfights, keeps an Old West flavor, and preserved the hotel where Carole Lombard and Clark Gable honeymooned in 1939, Epting … Continue reading Oatman gets kicks from its burros
Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
We decided to go to Oklahoma City on Saturday to see the fourth annual Okie Twist-Off car and music festival. The event, which brings in rat-rod and rockabilly fans, also served as a fond farewell to its host, 66 Bowl, which has been sold and soon will be converted into an India grocery store. Organizers … Continue reading Scenes from the Okie Twist-Off
A checkoff for the Mother Road?
Tucked into this business column by Tim Landis of the Springfield State Journal-Register is this fascinating little item: * ROUTE 66 now has its own Illinois income-tax checkoff. The checkoff for promotion and preservation of the historic route is among four signed into law last week by Gov. Pat Quinn. The others are for Habitat … Continue reading A checkoff for the Mother Road?
Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum
Former schoolteachers Jim Marcacci and Bruce Logsdon have started planning a documentary about the history of the colorful Coliseum music venue in Benld, Ill., according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. The Coliseum, which sits on an early alignment of Route 66 and predates the road, now exists as a sprawling antiques mall. But vestiges of … Continue reading Filmmakers plan documentary on Benld’s Coliseum