Tbilisi, Georgia

Five thousand years ago right here in southwest Asia the game of backgammon was born, and it is still being played, inside and outside, all over the region. [2016]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

The "love lock" sculpture on the waterfront in Punda gives couples a chance to show the world how much they love each other – with all their heart. It also inspires a call to merriment for anyone celebrating a birthday on World Heart Day (which is today). [2017]

Lake Gatun, Panama

Gatun Lake is a reservoir that was formed by damming the Gatun River. Today, the lake is part of the Panama Canal. This container ship is passing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as pleasure boats take advantage of the lake as well. [2017]

Taipei, Taiwan

She might have a future as a bubble artist. The merriment-oriented Tamsu district of Taipei would certainly be the place for it. With her bubble wand, she's got the power to make bigger bubbles than this, however. [2011]

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

PFK or KFC? In Canada, it depends on the province. Canada may be bilingual, but the provinces have language laws of their own, and Quebec is not about to let English adulterate Francophone culture. What does PFK stand for? [2002]

Kayseri, Turkey

Keyseri, smack on the middle of Turkey, is one of the Anatolian Tigers. Its economy is booming not because of state subsidies but because of entrepreneurs like these men behind the counter. Their shop thrives on the profits of the larger economy, with hundreds of firms producing everything from furniture to banking, all of which bring money into Central Anatolia. [2007]

Portsmouth, England, UK

Here are two Portsmouth and Southsea (Portsea) voluntary lifeguards. Thanks to their vigilance, especially on summer weekends, England's Southsea is a little safer. Did you know England had a Southsea? [2011]

Hammon, Oklahoma, USA

Should we call the season "fall" if there are no leaves to fall? That is almost the case here. Most environments, however, do have trees, even if they are confined to watercourses where they can find something to drink. Happy first day of astronomical fall! [2018]

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Famous cities have famous streets, and the signs that bear their names become iconic. Why not replicate those icons at the airport (in this case O'Hare) to say "welcome" or "welcome back"? Successful branding efforts replicate icons (and iconic personalities) that have become entrenched in popular culture. [2019]

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA

The easiest element of branding is getting your town's name out there. Put it everywhere you can think of, including the water tower. Then, make your campaign a "toponym-plus" effort by finding other characteristics that are unique: Trolls perhaps. Without branding, street signs are so industrial-era; make them post-industrial, make them unique. [2019]

Ocean City, Maryland, USA

Towns should take every opportunity to brand themselves. It is an antidote to placelessness. Choose street names that reflect local points of pride even if the lighthouse for which this street is named is located in nearby Delaware. It is the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. What other element of branding can you identify here? [2019]

Connell, Washington, USA

Where have Main Street movie theaters survived? In towns like Connell that are far away from metropolitan centers. Could that be Hobbs and Shaw sitting out front enjoying a beer before the film begins? [2019]

Flint, Michigan, USA

Flint's native son, Michael Moore, laid out the facts of the lead poisoning epidemic in his documentary Fahrenheit 11/9. Other exposés have added to and expanded the narrative, but the problems have yet to be solved. What is wrong with our political system? [2018]

Flint, Michigan, USA

Flint has tried to turn things around since the auto industry's collapse. But, conditions are not as idyllic as an upscale brewery may suggest. When the city had a new source of water forced on it, Legionnaire's disease broke out. That was followed by lead poisoning. You owe it to yourself to read Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha's What the Eyes Don't See. [2018]

Flint, Michigan, USA

Flint, Michigan, is looking good today, but the Flint Water crisis persists. In fact, it has persisted for five years. The most recent exposé was PBS Frontline's Flint's Deadly Water. If you thought the Vehicle City's problem was lead poisoning, think again. Before there was lead, there were outbreaks of Legionnaire's disease, and no one in power seems to care. [2018]

Mexico City, DF, Mexico

To quote Wayne Gerard Trotman: “Some people are silently struggling with burdens that would break our backs." Great landscapes make us think about our place in the world. [2008]

Bergamo, Italy

To quote Helen Keller: "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye." Sometimes those without vision are able to see the clearest. [2008]

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

To quote Harriet Beecher Stowe: "Women are the real architects of society." Here they are honored in Edinburgh's center, bearing the weight of society (and the weight of nineteenth century architecture) on their lithe frames. [2017]

Bangkok, Thailand

What sayeth Mickey with arms wide open? "Happy Birthday" to anyone and everyone who is celebrating a birthday today. It is time to reach out and hug someone. Even Daikin the water drop thinks that would be cool. [2016]

New York, New York, USA

The attack on New York City and the attempted take-down of Washington, DC, on September 11, 2001, marked a threshold event that changed every aspect of the new century. Today is the eighteenth anniversary of those attacks; the flag above was photographed on the first anniversary. [2002]

North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA

It's the day before 9-11. Let's start praying for peace now and continue right through tomorrow. In fact, let's pray for peace every day. [2008]

Lake Wallula, Oregon, USA

Look up-slope and you see well-weathered basalt cliffs. Look down-slope and you see the Columbia River itself. These are the basalt lava flows that built the Columbia Plateau only to be etched into by the river. Are you surprised to see basalt here? You should be. Basalt flows are usually associated with the ocean floor. [2019]

Spokane, Washington, USA

When the thmps and bumps of city life get to you, just walk down to the river and let the splash and dash of water on the rocks provide some relaxation. Even if it isn't the greenway you expect along a river, this is Spokane's own rive gauche, and it is right in the heart of downtown. [2019]

Jamestown, Rhode Island, USA

Shore Road on Jamestown Island is blocked off so that one of the bay-view homesteads can receive some new evergreens. Green is so prestigious. [2019]

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

George Washington seems like he is all alone up there, but don't worry. He's got company. You just can't see the whole picture because of your perspective. Isn't that the case with most things in life? There is an orthodox way of viewing a situation, and there are alternative perspectives that complete the picture. [2019]

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

Four past Presidents (for sure) and two future Presidents (perhaps): That's the function of Mount Rushmore, to inspire everyone to lead by example right across the generations. There is only one problem with this tableaux vivant, however: no women! [2019]

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

Africa has the Great Sphinx, Asia had (alas, past tense) the Bamiyan Buddhas; Europe has the Lion Monument, and America has Mount Rushmore. What do they have in common other than their colossal size? All are defining icons of the cultures that gave them birth. [2019]

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Study hard. If the kids in the local universe haven't started school yet, today is the day. Their schools, however, do not look like this. The one-room school house (this one moved to the campus of Shippensburg State College in 1969) was a foundation stone of American education. One hundred years ago, there were 190,000; today, there are under 400. [1993]

Washington, DC, USA

Work hard. But not today! It's Labor Day, which means we are not supposed to labor. Go figure! It's the last day of our three-day weekend and the last day of summer. Pay no attention to the astronomers who have inexplicably conflated two ideas: the autumnal equinox and the first day of fall. Fall begins tomorrow! [2013]

Cañon City, Colorado. USA

Play hard. It's the end of summer, the pools are closing, a new sports season is beginning, and the hours of daylight are diminishing. Whatever you didn't get done this summer, do this week-end! Then, say thank you to at least one person who made your summer so much fun. [2005]