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Post by Gaidin on Oct 23, 2015 9:36:12 GMT -5
Middlesboro, KY* From Wikipedia: Middlesboro (local /ˈmɪdəlzbɜrə/)[2] is a home rule-class city[3] in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,334 at the 2010 U.S. census,[4] while its micropolitan area had a population of 69,060.[5] It is located 1 mile west of the Cumberland Gap[2] and is the largest city in southeastern Kentucky.[6] It is located entirely between Pine Mountain and the Cumberland Mountains in the Middlesboro Basin, which geologists believe to be an enormous meteor crater (one of three known astroblemes in the state). The city claims to be the only one in the United States built entirely inside such a crater,[7] as well as the home of ragtime music and the oldest continuously-played golf course in the country.[8] funkyodar's description of buying a drink in Middlesboro. I understand he only learned of this 2nd or 3rd hand. Middlesboro Drink of the Day:
Step 1: Go to ATM and get $40.00. Do not touch money with bare hands or fingers, as who knows if they can lift fingerprints off that?
Step 2: Make sure bills are nonsequential in serial number. No need to go throwing a "federal agent" vibe around.
Step 3: Proceed to nearest auto mechanic's shop and casually ask to speak to Mr. Lightening.
Step 4: If you lucked up and found the right shop, follow directions given to really sketchy "house" and give the $40 to the occupant designated "Skeeter".
Step 5: Follow directions given by the particular "Skeeter" you met to a a hollowed out log on "that road that runs out by the state park".
Step 6: Make mad dash down hill thru brush to log, reach in hand, grab jar and run back to vehicle.
Step 7: Carefully drive back home with Jar concealed in highly intricate and perhaps intimate location careful to follow all traffic rules and to avoid all speed bumps. Trust me on the speed bumps.
Step 8: Carefully walk from vehicle to abode.
Step 9: Pour contents of Jar thru charcoal filter just to be safe, mix with fruit juice and enjoy.
Step 10: Pray the car radiator the concoction was run thru was properly cleaned of deadly antifreeze. Barf. Repeat.
(This is just for amusement. I, of course, would never partake of illegal whiskey nor do I wish to imply such illegal activity happens in this area, despite what may or may not be seen on the Discovery channel. Also, the names have not been changed, to protect the innocent.)Middlesboro claims to be the birth place of Ragtime. If that is in fact true there is a startling dearth of ragtie performers from there. Van "Piano Man" Walls was a local. He is naturally playing the piano on this one. *The only coverage Paducah gets from me is that it closely resembles the discussion of Peoria up the thread a ways. Also the National Quilting museum is there. When I was 13 I spent an inglorious afternoon with my mother and grandmother there. Perhaps that is why I have so little love for an otherwise typical small American city.
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 25, 2015 14:18:08 GMT -5
Not much ever happened in Alexandria, LA. So we will skip right on by and head down to New Orleans.
laissez les bons temps rouler
The New Orleans suburbs of Covington and Metairie will be included here. New Orleans hosts a Coast Guard ALJ. Covington hosts a Department of Labor ALJ office.
A friend from Louisiana once said "Louisiana is like another country but New Orleans is like another planet."
I spent lots of time as a kid in New Orleans and I miss it. I miss the food most of all.
New Orleans (/njuː ˈɔrlɪnz/,[2][3] /njuː ˈɔrliənz/, /njuː ɔrˈliːnz/, or /ˈnjɔrlənz/; French: La Nouvelle-Orléans [la nuvɛlɔʁleɑ̃] ( listen)) is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The population of the city was 343,829 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[4][5] The New Orleans metropolitan area (New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area) had a population of 1,167,764 in 2010 and was the 46th largest in the United States.[6] The New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area, a larger trading area, had a 2010 population of 1,452,502.[7]
The city is named after the Duke of Orleans, who reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723, as it was established by French colonists and strongly influenced by their European culture. It is well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.[8] New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz),[9][10] and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras, dating to French colonial times. The city is often referred to as the "most unique"[11] in the United States.[12][13][14][15][16]
New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The city and Orleans Parish (French: paroisse d'Orléans) are coterminous.[17] The city and parish are bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south, and Jefferson to the south and west.[17][18][19] Lake Pontchartrain, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.[19]
Before Hurricane Katrina, Orleans Parish was the most populous parish in Louisiana. It now ranks third in population, trailing neighboring Jefferson Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish.
Randy Newman has deep ties to the city.
But not as deep as The Neville Brothers.
Dr. John
If you are ever in New Orleans you should take an afternoon to enjoy a cocktail or three with the Preservation Hall house band.
Lastly no song or performer better exemplifies New Orleans to me than this one.
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Post by cafeta on Oct 26, 2015 15:59:20 GMT -5
Ahhh, Dr. John, such fond memories of his music!
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 27, 2015 10:33:27 GMT -5
Good bye New Orleans.
Hello Shreveport, LA
Shreveport (US dict: ˈshrēv-ˌpȯrt, ipa: /ˈʃriːvpɔrt/) is the third largest city in the state of Louisiana and the 113th-largest city in the United States. It is the seat of Caddo Parish[3] and extends along the Red River (most notably at Wright Island, the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park, and Bagley Island) into neighboring Bossier Parish. Bossier City is separated from Shreveport by the Red River. The population of Shreveport was 199,311 in 2010,[4] and the Shreveport-Bossier City Metropolitan Area population exceeds 441,000.[5] The Shreveport-Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area ranks 111th in the United States, according to the United States Census Bureau.[6]
Shreveport was founded in 1836 by the Shreve Town Company, a corporation established to develop a town at the juncture of the newly navigable Red River and the Texas Trail, an overland route into the newly independent Republic of Texas and, prior to that time, into Mexico.[7]
Shreveport is the commercial and cultural center of the Ark-La-Tex region, where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas meet.
Kix Brooks of country duo Brooks and Dunn is from Shreveport.
Shreveport claims Lead Belly one of the great Blues guitarists.
Blues guitar virtuoso Kenny Wayne Shepherd is from Shreveport.
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Post by christina on Oct 27, 2015 15:44:59 GMT -5
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Post by ba on Oct 27, 2015 19:17:09 GMT -5
"Cultural" is relative. For Shreveport, very relative. It is on the list of cities that SSA offered to pay relo to ALJs to go to.
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 28, 2015 9:03:47 GMT -5
I have to say that I am little sad that owl let us down on Louisiana. I would have thought he would at least point out the unusual and odd relationship between LSU fans and corn dogs?
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 28, 2015 9:22:26 GMT -5
Portland, ME
Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat of Cumberland County.[5] In 2013, the city proper had a population of 66,318,[4] growing 3 percent since the census of 2000, while the urban area had a population of 203,914. The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people, more than one-third of Maine's total population.
Tourists visit Portland's historic Old Port district along Portland Harbor, at the mouth of the Fore River and part of Casco Bay, and the Arts District, which runs along Congress Street in the center of the city. Portland Head Light is located in nearby Cape Elizabeth and marks the entrance to Portland Harbor.
The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes, which aligns with the city's motto, Resurgam, Latin for "I will rise again." The motto refers to Portland's recoveries from four devastating fires.[6] The city of Portland, Oregon, was named for Portland, Maine.[7]
Portland Public Schools is the largest school system in Maine, serving more than 7,000 students.[8] With about 230 restaurants, Portland's per capita restaurant density ranks among the top cities in the United States.
Portland's most famous son is Stephen King. Little known fact King was in a band with a bunch of other authors known as the Rock Bottom remainders. I believe that is Dave Barry on guitar and I believe you can just catch a glimpse Amy Tan.
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 28, 2015 9:25:01 GMT -5
King also directed a really bad novella of his into a really bad movie.
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Post by anotherfed on Oct 28, 2015 13:26:54 GMT -5
Don't badmouth Stephen King. Everything I know about Maine, I learned from King. All sorts of bad things happen there. I wouldn't go there ... there are probably evil clowns in every ODAR office ...*
*See what I did?
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 28, 2015 13:57:24 GMT -5
I love Stephen King. I enjoy the vast majority of his writing BUT Maximum Overdrive was not his best work.
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Post by gary on Oct 28, 2015 14:01:15 GMT -5
Don't badmouth Stephen King. Everything I know about Maine, I learned from King. All sorts of bad things happen there. I wouldn't go there ... there are probably evil clowns in every ODAR office ... Bad things even happen to King in Maine.
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 29, 2015 10:04:06 GMT -5
Maryland
I am combining Baltimore and Rockville because it appears on the map that Rockville is a suburb of DC. Also it appears that Rockville is where FDA ALJs work?
My understanding of Baltimore and Maryland generally was formed by two flights in and out of BWI and the Podcast for Serial. I understand some people base their perception off the TV show the Wire but since I only have basic cable I don't.
Maryland has the coolest state flag.
Maryland Listeni/ˈmɛrɨlənd/[8] is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east. The state's largest city is Baltimore, and its capital is Annapolis. It has three occasionally used nicknames: the Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State.
One of the original Thirteen Colonies, Maryland is considered to be the birthplace of religious freedom in America,[9][10][11] when it was formed in the early 17th century as a refuge for persecuted Catholics from England by George Calvert,[10][11][12] the first Lord Baltimore, and the first English proprietor of the then-Maryland colonial grant.[10][11] Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Maryland is one of the smallest states in terms of area, as well as one of the most densely populated, home to nearly 6 million residents. With its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and a highly diversified economy spanning manufacturing, services, and biotechnology, Maryland has the highest median household income of any state.[13]
The state is officially claimed to be named after Queen Henrietta Maria,[14] wife of King Charles I of England and mother of Charles II and James II, by George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore, prior to his death in 1632.
Paul Stokey of Peter, Paul, and Mary is from Maryland.
So is Rick Ocasick of the Cars.
This Lisa Loeb song was ubiquitous in the early 90's. She was born in Maryland.
Toni Braxton has a truly beautiful voice.
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Post by gary on Oct 29, 2015 10:26:39 GMT -5
Eubie Blake was born in Baltimore:
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Post by ba on Oct 29, 2015 12:13:51 GMT -5
Maryland I am combining Baltimore and Rockville because it appears on the map that Rockville is a suburb of DC. Also it appears that Rockville is where FDA ALJs work? My understanding of Baltimore and Maryland generally was formed by two flights in and out of BWI and the Podcast for Serial. I understand some people base their perception off the TV show the Wire but since I only have basic cable I don't. Maryland has the coolest state flag. Maryland Listeni/ˈmɛrɨlənd/[8] is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east. The state's largest city is Baltimore, and its capital is Annapolis. It has three occasionally used nicknames: the Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State. One of the original Thirteen Colonies, Maryland is considered to be the birthplace of religious freedom in America,[9][10][11] when it was formed in the early 17th century as a refuge for persecuted Catholics from England by George Calvert,[10][11][12] the first Lord Baltimore, and the first English proprietor of the then-Maryland colonial grant.[10][11] Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution. Maryland is one of the smallest states in terms of area, as well as one of the most densely populated, home to nearly 6 million residents. With its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and a highly diversified economy spanning manufacturing, services, and biotechnology, Maryland has the highest median household income of any state.[13] The state is officially claimed to be named after Queen Henrietta Maria,[14] wife of King Charles I of England and mother of Charles II and James II, by George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore, prior to his death in 1632. Paul Stokey of Peter, Paul, and Mary is from Maryland. So is Rick Ocasick of the Cars. This Lisa Loeb song was ubiquitous in the early 90's. She was born in Maryland. Toni Braxton has a truly beautiful voice. I am so disappointed with the lack of any reference to The Wire. Sigh...
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Post by Gaidin on Oct 29, 2015 12:23:37 GMT -5
Maryland I am combining Baltimore and Rockville because it appears on the map that Rockville is a suburb of DC. Also it appears that Rockville is where FDA ALJs work? My understanding of Baltimore and Maryland generally was formed by two flights in and out of BWI and the Podcast for Serial. I understand some people base their perception off the TV show the Wire but since I only have basic cable I don't. Maryland has the coolest state flag. Maryland Listeni/ˈmɛrɨlənd/[8] is a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east. The state's largest city is Baltimore, and its capital is Annapolis. It has three occasionally used nicknames: the Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State. One of the original Thirteen Colonies, Maryland is considered to be the birthplace of religious freedom in America,[9][10][11] when it was formed in the early 17th century as a refuge for persecuted Catholics from England by George Calvert,[10][11][12] the first Lord Baltimore, and the first English proprietor of the then-Maryland colonial grant.[10][11] Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution. Maryland is one of the smallest states in terms of area, as well as one of the most densely populated, home to nearly 6 million residents. With its close proximity to Washington, D.C., and a highly diversified economy spanning manufacturing, services, and biotechnology, Maryland has the highest median household income of any state.[13] The state is officially claimed to be named after Queen Henrietta Maria,[14] wife of King Charles I of England and mother of Charles II and James II, by George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore, prior to his death in 1632. Paul Stokey of Peter, Paul, and Mary is from Maryland. So is Rick Ocasick of the Cars. This Lisa Loeb song was ubiquitous in the early 90's. She was born in Maryland. Toni Braxton has a truly beautiful voice. I am so disappointed with the lack of any reference to The Wire. Sigh... See last sentence of paragraph 2. ;-)
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Post by christina on Oct 29, 2015 12:27:46 GMT -5
Love Baltimore. Great city. would not be bad place to end up for 15+ months for those who do not wish to stay there forever. easy to get in and out of via airport to lots of places. Also, good Amtrak access between DC and Boston. and it's on I-95, which goes up and down whole East Coast BUT..... 95 gets a lot of traffic so it might not do you any good to be near 95. Great baseball city for those who like baseball. in my opinion, relatively laid back for what i consider an East Coast city. Those who actually live on East Coast may bicker as to whether it should be called an East Coast city at all since is is inland.
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Post by christina on Oct 29, 2015 13:15:51 GMT -5
some old orioles clips!
and another Baltimore legend!
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Post by ba on Oct 29, 2015 15:21:10 GMT -5
I am so disappointed with the lack of any reference to The Wire. Sigh... See last sentence of paragraph 2. ;-) Lol. What I get for scanning.
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Post by luckylady2 on Oct 29, 2015 15:31:30 GMT -5
Gotta love Maryland's two official state sports: lacrosse and jousting.
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