Hollywood, California, USA

Hollywood: It's both the sign on the hillside and the name of a Netflix series that was released just this month. The series is about racism, sexism, and homophobia, and how the world might be different today if we could go back and rewrite the history of Tinseltown (and the nation) after World War II. [2020]

Tensed, Idaho, USA

"Only YOU can prevent forest fires": so says Smokey Bear. But who can prevent coronavirus? Maybe we need signs like this erected at the border of every municipality to communicate the "Coronavirus Danger Today." [2019]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Little state, big capitol: That's Rhode Island. It could almost be mistaken for the national capitol in Washington. From colonial times until the early 20th century, however, "Little Rhody" had more than one capitol, including the Old Colony House (below). Rhode Island was the last of the thirteen to ratify the new Constitution: on this date in 1790. [👆2018 and 👇2008]

The Old Colony House in Newport, Rhode Island

Huntington Beach, California, USA

Beach volleyball originated in California, where the offshore waters were too cold for swimming because of the south-flowing California current. With limited  options for water sports (read: surfing with a wet suit), something had to fill the vacuum. Thus, volleyball on the beach: now an Olympic sport. [2020]

Huntington Beach, California, USA

Here be boys playing ball.

Better sports than boisterous brawl.

Each one of four, a partner has,

Analog images all crossing paths.

Total: eight. But only four

Will leave the shore. 

At end of day, at end of play, 

The analogs will fade away.

No echo of an: "Oh, please stay."

No! Brother Sol must have his way.

[2020]

Huntington Beach, California, USA

What is Huntington's nickname? Surf City. Largely as a result of the city's relative location, ocean swells are swell all year long. To the north, the coastline falls in the wave-energy shadow of the Channel Islands. Huntington lies just beyond that shadow and benefits from the refraction of waves around San Clemente and Santa Catalina. [2020]

New Lexington, Ohio, USA

Let's use this Memorial Day to put the toll of coronavirus into perspective. As of today, Covid-19 has taken 100,000 American lives. That is the same number of deaths from the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan combined. Only the Civil War and World War II resulted in more American deaths. And, coronavirus has done it in a mere four months. [2017]