From Richard Mix : "I just received the new NASCAR bottles.  Beautiful bottle in nice tube - only 5,000 produced and only a portion of them were release in tubes - look for them to disappear fast and increase in value quickly!!  I am offering them on a first-come-first-served basis for $22.50 each + shipping and insurance for bottles with tubes - all are hand picked MINT with no seams, etc.  I have a FEW of the bottles without tubes for $12.50 each.  COMBINE WITH YOUR EBAY PURCHASES TO SAVE ON SHIPPING COSTS, ETC.  Click to see pictures --NEW NASCAR Coca-Cola bottle in TUBE--

I also have a FEW more of the recently released Collectors Classic bottles in tubes left (only 400 released in tubes - 1296 bottles made total) - the price is $20 each + shipping.  Click to see pictures. -- Collectors Classic Coke bottle in tube --

Regarding the upcoming Holiday Highlights Celebration at the World Of Coke on November 30th - I do not know the exact specifics on the merchandise (bottles, pins, etc.???) yet. There will be a bottle. For those of you that will be unable to attend, I will be taking pre-orders for the Holiday Highlights bottle in tube. If you will be unable to attend and want me to pick up a bottle for you - please let me know and I will put you on a "reserve list". Here are the rules: - Email me and tell me how many bottles you want. The price will be $22.50 per bottle + shipping and insurance. Remember - please Email first. 

Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the Holiday, and eat lots of turkey and pumpkin pie!

New bottles or cans, or anything soda, in your area ?
Please send the info so all of us can know @ WhatsNew@thesodafizz.com

The World of Coca-Cola will be presenting its third annual Holiday High Lights extravaganza on Saturday November 30, 2002 from 6-8 pm in downtown Atlanta. The celebration will feature a 40-foot lighted Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Coca-Cola Polar Bear and a performance by Travis Tritt. The event is free and will be open to the public.

The Coca-Cola Company and the High Museum of Art are presenting a pictorial history of the modern Santa Claus in a new holiday exhibit, Inventing Santa: Art and Advertising, opening December 3, 2002. The exhibition will run through Sunday, January 5, 2003 at the High Museum of Art. The exhibition will consist of a selection of 18 paintings by Haddon Sundblom, an illustrator commissioned by The Coca-Cola Company in 1931 to develop an advertising image for the holidays. The High is located at 1280 Peachtree Street at 16th Street, MARTA “Arts Center” (N5). Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm. Call 404-733-HIGH or visit www.high.org for more information.

Any new events  in your area? Mail so all of us can know, to: Events@thesodafizz.com

The Excel Bottling Company (est. 1936) has released its returnable bottle fruit flavor line as CLEM's in old 10-ounce clear glass.

The bottles were found in a warehouse in Malvern, Arkansas, and range in issue from the mid-1960's to the 1980's. 

"Had we not been able to find an ample supply of pallets of this glass, we may have had to close down our flavor lines," William Meier, grandson of the founder Edward “Lefty” Meier announced at the Collinsville Bottle Show, November 3, 2002.

The clear glass bottles have an unregistered trademark, CLEM's in white/red colors over a white field saying Drink Clem's It's Better. The reverse of the bottle carries the terms "Deliciously Different," and has the Malvern location.

"This is a fine example of how retired returnable containers may be found and re-used again," William went on to say.

Excel uses a single DIXIE Fill and Cap machine built in the 1930's to fill their bottles today. "We follow the 3 R's; Reuse, Recyle, and Repair," he mused. 

Currently, Excel uses these bottles to market black cherry, cream soda, Frostie Root Beer, lemon-lime, orange, and pineapple soda flavors to local stores and vendors. 

Their regular franchise line is Double Cola and its citrus drink Ski is the banner product. Double Cola is also available in new production 16-ounce bottles, but these are bottled at the plant in Greensburg, Kentucky. 

The regular Double Cola products, including new diet drinks, are marketed in standard cans and plastic one-way containers.

Breese is located off US Highway 50 between Cincinnati and St. Louis.

If you have a soda-related subject that you would like to see here as an "FYI" article, or have information you yourself would like to contribute, don't be shy, send it to: FYI@thesodafizz.com

Until next week, Happy Collecting! CokeGirl