Cumberland MD: where ancient Americana rolls out a welcome mat to trendy townhomes.
There was probably a point in history when virtually every American had heard of Cumberland, Maryland. Not only that, it’s reasonable to surmise that a significant proportion of Americans had passed through it. Aside from the fact that, for most of Maryland’s history, it was the state’s second largest city (its “Queen City” behind Lord/King
Clandestine kitchens: restaurants that showcase their greatness by being obscure.
“Don’t be so humble. You’re not that great.” ~Golda Meir Ever come across a business that seemed to go out of its way to hide its presence? One that didn’t announce itself prominently from its front entrance, but instead seemed to downplay its own name, its logo, its fundamental identity? It’s hard to understand why
Bicycle boulevard in a crunchy college community (Ithaca)—and good at getting over gorges.
Bicycle boulevard: it’s not just another alliteration that’s fun to say (as they usually are). It’s a topic for which aficionados have more answers than there are people asking the questions, which I recognize isn’t exactly a selling point . But since this isn’t always a blog for dilettantes, i’ll posit those questions nonetheless. What
Haunted History: a fleet-footed tour of southeast Washington DC’s spookiest sites. (MONTAGE)
It’s been a few years since I’ve conceived a blog article on a subject that’s genuinely spooky, but it’s more due to lack of expertise than lack of interest. I’m interested in folk history of the paranormal as well as efforts to instill semi-scientific legitimacy to the practice (which is also, much of the time,
Adopt-a-Park: stitching up a loose pocket park to keep public money from falling through.
Coming a few weeks on the heels of my article about the well-known Adopt-a-Highway program, I encountered a slightly less familiar (but none too surprising) example of another exercise in civics: the Adopt-a-Park. In this case, the sign reveals a tribute to Bean, Kenney, & Korman, a law firm that has adopted a pocket park
Squat toilets in National Parks: America’s number two best idea.
Over the years I’ve shown enough preoccupation with toilets that it should probably become a separate keyword, right up there with “historic preservation” and “adaptive reuse”. But it’s kind of embarrassing to elevate loos to the same level as genuine urban revitalization strategies. Still, it’s hard to deny the cultural importance that restrooms have; they
Gas stations that lack that certain human touch, yet still strike gold.
I am by no stretch anywhere near the most well-traveled person in this fine country—that’s a singular achievement, and I’m many tens of millions of ranks below that elusive, eternally unknown #1. But I’m not badly traveled: in 2021 I finally made it to Alaska, my 50th state (a pretty clichéd 50th state if you
Wildlife fences in Western Colorado: are they keeping out or letting out the elk?
The fencing that line both sides of Interstate 70 in western Colorado may lack the iconic character of those creosote-lined barriers that flank the highways surrounding Lexington, Kentucky’s horse country. The green of those rolling Appalachian hillsides offers a critical backdrop to the black-as-pitch (literally!) wood that lends structure to the fences in the Bluegrass
Embedded walkway messaging: the prickly prospect of private promos on public property?
I don’t really think of myself as a slouch, but I’m sure there are times when I walk where my eyes tend to lurk more toward my feet than straight ahead. The photo below captures one of those moments: What are these weird rectangles in the unusually sandy ground? They look almost like cemetery plots,
Elmira after the flood: sewing together the tatters of a downtown.
A city the size of Elmira, New York isn’t necessarily going to have much in the way of a robust old downtown. Its population according to the 2020 Decennial Census is a mere 26,523—nothing huge. Virtually any major metro has at least a few surrounding suburbs of similar size that lack any true organized, historic
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Cumberland MD: where ancient Americana rolls out a welcome mat to trendy townhomes.
There was probably a point in history when virtually every American had heard of Cumberland, Maryland. Not only that, it’s reasonable to surmise that a significant proportion of Americans had passed through it.
Clandestine kitchens: restaurants that showcase their greatness by being obscure.
“Don’t be so humble. You’re not that great.” ~Golda Meir Ever come across a business that seemed to go out of its way to hide its presence? One that didn’t announce itself prominently
Bicycle boulevard in a crunchy college community (Ithaca)—and good at getting over gorges.
Bicycle boulevard: it’s not just another alliteration that’s fun to say (as they usually are). It’s a topic for which aficionados have more answers than there are people asking the questions, which I
Haunted History: a fleet-footed tour of southeast Washington DC’s spookiest sites. (MONTAGE)
It’s been a few years since I’ve conceived a blog article on a subject that’s genuinely spooky, but it’s more due to lack of expertise than lack of interest. I’m interested in folk
Adopt-a-Park: stitching up a loose pocket park to keep public money from falling through.
Coming a few weeks on the heels of my article about the well-known Adopt-a-Highway program, I encountered a slightly less familiar (but none too surprising) example of another exercise in civics: the Adopt-a-Park.
Squat toilets in National Parks: America’s number two best idea.
Over the years I’ve shown enough preoccupation with toilets that it should probably become a separate keyword, right up there with “historic preservation” and “adaptive reuse”. But it’s kind of embarrassing to elevate
Gas stations that lack that certain human touch, yet still strike gold.
I am by no stretch anywhere near the most well-traveled person in this fine country—that’s a singular achievement, and I’m many tens of millions of ranks below that elusive, eternally unknown #1. But
Wildlife fences in Western Colorado: are they keeping out or letting out the elk?
The fencing that line both sides of Interstate 70 in western Colorado may lack the iconic character of those creosote-lined barriers that flank the highways surrounding Lexington, Kentucky’s horse country. The green of
Embedded walkway messaging: the prickly prospect of private promos on public property?
I don’t really think of myself as a slouch, but I’m sure there are times when I walk where my eyes tend to lurk more toward my feet than straight ahead. The photo
Elmira after the flood: sewing together the tatters of a downtown.
A city the size of Elmira, New York isn’t necessarily going to have much in the way of a robust old downtown. Its population according to the 2020 Decennial Census is a mere
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- on Outside the Outer Banks of North Carolina: can OBX energy spread to the Inner Banks?: “Thanks for sharing Alex–from your own channel, of all things! And Detroit in 2013. Quite a coincidence, but I was…” Mar 27, 20:05
- on Outside the Outer Banks of North Carolina: can OBX energy spread to the Inner Banks?: “If you are an Andres Duany fan, I highly encourage watching this talk on Lean Urbanism given in Detroit. This…” Mar 24, 08:03
- on Outside the Outer Banks of North Carolina: can OBX energy spread to the Inner Banks?: “I’m sorry to say I didn’t know that “stages of gentrification”, Alex, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.…” Mar 23, 18:27
- on Outside the Outer Banks of North Carolina: can OBX energy spread to the Inner Banks?: “Undervalued land and easy regulatory environment? As places develop and more people with more money have a vested interest in…” Mar 23, 13:19
- on Closed bank building, but with a twist: can it thrive with robo-tellers?: “Indeed, and how much longer will the “handing out cash” be applicable? Don’t get me wrong–there will always be a…” Mar 19, 20:54
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