Ramona, California, USA

It's a two-digit turnover this New Year's Eve. We haven't had one for ten years. Not only is it the end of the year, it's also the END of the decade. Think about it: The second decade of the twenty-first century is now history. How fast time flies! It seems like only yesterday, we were all waiting for Y2K. [2013]

Jessup, Maryland, USA

Let's raise a toast to barbers everywhere, especially the ten to thank for keeping my locks from growing too long in 2019: Jessup, Maryland, Hurricane, Utah, and Freeport, Maine; Portland, Tennessee, and Grinnell, Iowa; Spearfish, South Dakota, and Ocean City, Maryland; Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Ogallala, Nebraska, and Chandler, Arizona. [2019]

Arkadelphia, Arkansas, USA

If A = geography, and B = haircut-ology, then A∩B = getting shod in different places around the world, a Geographically Yours hobby for most of the 21st century, but systematically documented every December 30 only since 2014. So, here's to one barber in Arkansas who lowered my ears before 2014. [2012]

New York, New York, USA

If A = geography, and B = haircut-ology, then A∩B = getting shod in different places around the world, a Geographically Yours hobby for most of the 21st century, but systematically documented every December 30 only since 2014. So, here's to one Dominican barber on the Upper West Side who lowered my ears before 2014. [2012]

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

"Tribute to Navajo Code Talkers" by Doug Hyde, 1989: During World War II, a group of about 400 bilingual Navajo Marines constituted a unit tasked with using their native language to encode messages that were vital to the war effort. Their code was unbreakable and helped assure victory for the Allied Powers and peace, which is symbolized by the flute. [2019]

Camp Verde, Arizona, USA

The firefighters of Camp Verde collectively cradle the future in their arms, perhaps hoping that in twenty years he will be back as one of their own. In the meantime, they are honing their responsibilities to serve as role models and mentors. [2019]

Prescott, Arizona, USA

Prescott has for decades proclaimed itself to be Arizona's Christmas City, so you just might expect a choral concert on the Yavapi Courthouse steps. Who's singing? Prescott's future. Who's listening? Proud parents and grandparents. In a refreshing departure from tradition, they began with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," rather than ending with it. [2019]

Walla Walla, Washington, USA

What do you think they are singing this time of year? Christmas carols, of course. Given the American flag motif, Jim Brickman's and Five for Fighting's patriotic anthem might be appropriate: "It doesn't matter if you're near or far; it's Christmas where you are." He wrote it for the troops stationed abroad. [2019]

Jefferson City, Missouri, USA

Even casual visitors can participate in the Jefferson City arts scene just by completing this statement: "I am...."  My words, however, were added to the "blanceaux" only after I took the picture: "I am from Virginia," said I. And, then, I drew a map of the state while thinking: This city ought to be the capital of Virginia, but I guess we didn't buy that domain name. [2015]

Amidon, North Dakota, USA

On this Sunday before Christmas, think of this scene as a metaphor for the season. It may not be the Sea of Galilee (nor a baptismal font), and the congregants may not be of human lineage. But, can't you hear them singing, in coded moos: "Yes, we'll gather by the river; gather with the saints at the river, that flows by the throne of God"? [2019]

Dayton, Washington, USA

Initials aren't the only things you see on western hillsides. Do you recognize the valley of the Jolly Green Giant? Here he be, presiding over his asparagus fiefdom. But, wait! Even though Dayton used to be the home of the world's largest asparagus cannery, those days are gone. The asparagus has migrated to Peru, but the hillside giant has remained behind. [2019]

Hurricane, Utah, USA

It's a good thing that this mountain monogram didn't blow off the hillside. After all, this is Hurricane. But, it's in Utah, which is actually far from the path of any hurricane. Perhaps in Utah any strong wind can be called a hurricane. Perhaps, any strong wind can be brought to a full stop by strategically placed period, too. [2019]

Lewiston, Idaho, USA

L is for Lewiston, Idaho. It is right across the Snake River from Clarkston, Washington. Their contiguity reunites the team that brought back so much geographic information to President Jefferson: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Don't be surprised if there is a Lewis County, a Clark County, and a Jefferson County in both Washington and Idaho. [2019]

Beatty, Nevada, USA

There are almost 50 mountain monograms in Nevada and hundreds across the western United States. They are made possible by a climate that is dry and a landscape that is treeless. Usually, they derive from the initial letter of a town name, but alternatives include county names, high school names, and even private individual or corporate names. [2016]

Denver, Colorado, USA

Like Nostradamus (yes, think Russia), we know the outcome of the impeachment and trial (if it happens at all), so all we can do is look forward to the elections next year and hope for a President (and a Congress) we can be proud of again. [2019]

Prescott, Arizona, USA

Impeach Him! Oh, sorry, wrong president. And what was the case against Obama only a month after he had taken office in 2009? Can't remember, can you? On the other hand, the case against his successor has been laid out with factual clarity and now presented for all to judge. Like Nostradamus (think: Russia), though, we know what the outcome will be. [2009]

Point Reyes Station, California, USA

What famous seer was born on this day 516 years ago? The answer is before your eyes, but nicely hidden just like his prophesies. Who is he? Michel de Nostredame, but we know him by his Latinized name: Nostrodamus. Think: Russia (even though he was born in Provence, France). [2016]

Crossett, Arkansas, USA

Do you have your Christmas tree yard set up yet? Some of us remember the days when we would build a Christmas village from plastic snap-together buildings, add some miniature trees and ornaments, lay down the tracks and let Lionel liven up the holidays. Or maybe you just laid the tracks around the base of your tree. [2018]

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Before you enter any mosque in the world, you are obligated to remove your shoes. Outside, they will wait for you. Of course, it is far easier to do in Malaysia, where the tropical climate permits sandals year-around. Actually, though, families almost everywhere in the world will ask you to remove your shoes before entering their homes (exception: USA). [2011]

Ruse, Bulgaria

How well do you read the architecture of the countries we used to call Eastern Europe? From the end of World War II until 1989, Bulgaria was a Communist dictatorship, and it left a big imprint on the landscape. So, are the facades along this street (a) pre-Communist, (b) Communist, or (c) post-Communist? What about the table umbrellas? [2014]

Marrakech, Morocco

Jus d'orange is what you might order from this vendor in French-speaking Morocco, but the Arabic word would sound similar: narange (نَارَنْج‎). The Arabic word comes from Persian, however, and the Persian from Sanskrit of the Indian sub-continent, which gets you closer to Asia, where the orange tree originated. However, some countries use the word portegal. [2010]

Antwerp, Belgium

Known as the Pagodepoort, Antwerp's ceremonial gateway to Chinatown is one of only a select few in Europe. Probably the best known is in London. Today, Antwerp's Chinatown has become more of an Asiatown, with eateries and businesses representing at least half a dozen Asian countries. [2015]

Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada

Anything out of the ordinary is extraordinary. In this case, the miniature lobster traps and the small lighthouse are extraordinary. People will always take notice if elements of daily life are exponentially smaller or larger than expected. [1993]

Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada

Remnants of "roadside America" are still found across the post-World War II landscapes of the continent. This one proclaimed itself to be the world's largest lobster trap. It was a little too big to take home, but you might have been able to buy some smaller ones inside. Alas, the tourist trap (literally!) disappeared from Cape Breton Island in the 1990s. [1993]

Ekalaka, Montana, USA

When Ekalaka celebrates the "Days of '85," Main Street starts to look like Mr. Rogers' neighborhood. (Good movie, by the way.) In 1885, the street would have been shared with horses, but today the horses are at the rodeo, just outside of town. [2019]

Custer, South Dakota, USA

During the Black Hills gold rush, Custer's streets were filled with horses. Now, they are filled with hogs. During the annual Sturgis bike fest, there are so many cyclists in South Dakota, they can't all fit into Sturgis, so they ride to other towns and bring life to their Main Streets. Hogs? Harley Owners Group. [2019]

Dodgeville, Wisconsin, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: Every once in a while you find an old store-front movie theater that is still operating. Today, the competition is not only from suburban mega-theaters, but also from streaming. Plus, advances in projection technology and theater comfort mean that they can often not afford to keep up. [2019]

Wabash, Indiana, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: Commercial landscapes like this started to take form in the 1880s and flourished until the 1920s. Then followed fifteen years of depression and war. After that, the automobile put many Main Street enterprises out of business: but not this one! The Eagles Theater survives and is undergoing renovation. [2019]

McGregor, Iowa, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: The Barron Block is being refurbished, but the old storefronts are being retained. A building like this was like a contract between the investor and the community. And, like a contract, it was always signed and dated. See the name and date at the top? As if it were the last thing added: just like a contract. [2019]

St. George, Utah, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: Here is a small town headed back to mixed use, with a new residential complex and an old row of business right next to each other. Wouldn't you like to live within walking distance of a cafe? (So, take that you zoning czars of the 20th century!) [2019]

St. Charles, Minnesota, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: That's what these old market towns and railroad hubs had going for them. We might use them as models for "greening" our country today. It is always refreshing to find a Main Street that has not succumbed to suburban shopping centers, although it would be even more environmental to see people residing downtown. [2019]