Big subdivision near Twin Arrows? March 3, 2006
Posted by Ron in Attractions, Towns.add a comment
A 660-home subdivision near Twin Arrows, Ariz., east of Flagstaff, was approved by the Cococino County Planning and Zoning Commission this week, according to the Arizona Daily Sun. The county board will get the final say whether this project proceeds.
Twin Arrows is a Route 66 settlement that has an abandoned gas station and two giant arrows stuck into the ground nearby. The arrows have fallen into disrepair. The story doesn’t make it clear whether the development would force the razing of the arrows or building.
There may be some hesitation on whether the county will allow this. There are anti-sprawl ordinances on the books, and it’s hazy on whether the development violates them. There is local opposition as well.
I’ll dig around to see whether I can find other details about this proposal.
UPDATE: I’ve been informed that the proposed development is north of the Twin Arrows site and Interstate 40 and thus would not affect it. However, my source told me it’s always possible that the Twin Arrows land south of I-40 could be commercially developed at some future date.
More “Cars” toys March 3, 2006
Posted by Ron in Movies, Toys.add a comment
The Upcoming Pixar blog, via Animated News, reports that the Snaptoys catalog is displaying a couple of “Cars” plushie toys, including the film’s lead character, Lightning McQueen (seen above).
Racetrack may get a sneak peek of Pixar’s “Cars” March 3, 2006
Posted by Ron in Events, Movies.add a comment
The Charlotte Observer reports that H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and his Lowe’s Motor Speedway are negotiating to hold a May 26 screening of Pixar Animation Studios‘ movie, “Cars,” which takes place on Route 66. The screening would be two days before the track hosts the Coca-Cola 600. The movie officially opens wide on June 9.
If the track landed the premiere, it would transform the track into a big outdoor theater, similar to premieres held in New York’s Central Park, track spokesman Jerry Gappens said. (The event probably would be invitation-only.)
Gappens said Wheeler got involved through his connection with Pixar co-founder John Lasseter, director of “Cars,” both “Toy Story” movies and “A Bug’s Life.”
Lasseter apparently is a big racing fan and has been Wheeler’s guest at the track. Wheeler has an original drawing by Lasseter of Woody, cowboy hero of the “Toy Story” movies, in his office.
It’s also my understanding that there also are tentative plans in the works to hold early premieres of “Cars” in a few select cities on Route 66.
