The Hollywood Reporter says that the Disney-Pixar summer movie “Cars” is a finalist for the Academy Award for best animated feature.

That’s not a surprise, because Pixar’s films are perennial Oscar contenders, and “Cars” was universally hailed for its animation excellence. In all, 16 films made the cut as finalists for best animated feature.

According to the Academy, here are the finalists:

“The Ant Bully”
“Arthur and the Invisibles”
“Barnyard”
“Cars”
“Curious George”
“Everyone’s Hero”
“Flushed Away”
“Happy Feet”
“Ice Age The Meltdown”
“Monster House”
“Open Season”
“Over the Hedge”
“Paprika”
“Renaissance”
“A Scanner Darkly”
“The Wild”

A prediction from me: Randy Newman’s “Our Town,” performed by James Taylor, will be nominated for best song. Newman is a perennial Oscar nominee for scoring films, and “Our Town” is the centerpiece of one of the most memorable scenes in “Cars.”

The final nominees will be announced Jan. 23.

(Hat tip to Upcoming Pixar.) 

The Kellogg Lake Group is proposing a Route 66 Historic Park as part of improvements to the Carthage, Mo., city park, according to the Carthage Press.

The main projects proposed were an Environmental Overlook, Route 66 Historic Park, a playground area, more signage and permanent restrooms.

The Environmental Overlook — at a potential cost of $70,000 — is the most complex endeavor and would be patterned after the fishing pavilion at the lake. The pavilion would be at the south end of the road overlooking the Spring River. It would have panel displays giving a history of Route 66, the history of Kellogg Lake, information on Carthage, map of Spring River and the basin and information on flora and fauna of the river.

The plan also calls for the restoration and reconstruction of the Route 66 Roadside Park and adding two large Kellogg Lake Park welcome signs — one on Esterly Drive and one at the northeast entrance.

The group wants to fund the $215,000 project with a variety of grants, including from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.