Greetings from La Jolla, California, where the Children's Pool is a treasured, though controversial, landmark

From Retiring Guy's postcard collection

Description on message side

CHILDREN'S POOL, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA

The Breakwater forming the Pool, was con-

structed and donated to the city by Miss Ellen

Scripps.  It is one of the most popular spots

for the small fry of the community.

But not all is sweetness and light.  There's this court case...

Children’s Pool disabled access suit headed to trial.  (San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/14/2015.)

The Sept. 30 ruling came in response to city attempts to end the litigation without a trial. The city had argued that adding a disabled ramp would destroy the historic integrity of Children’s Pool, a breakwater built in 1931 with a large wall designed to provide easier access to ocean swimming for young people.  

And the fact that harbor seals use the beach for a 'birthing room'. 

Ellen Browning Scripps biography

Other greetings:
Los Angeles.  (5/11/2017)
Laguna Beach, California.  (5/10/2017)
California.  (5/9/2017)
Los Angeles.  (5/9/2017)
California.  (5/8/2017)
Pomona College, Claremont, California.  (5/7/2017)
La Jolla, California.  (5/6/2017)
Hope, Arkansas.  (5/4/2017)
Bakersfield, California.  (5/3/2017)
Little Rock, Arkansas.  (5/1/2017)

California.  (4/28/2017)
Little Rock, Arkansas.  (4/19/2017)
Superstition Mountain, Arizona.  (4/15/2017)
Tucson, Arizona.  (4/12/2017)
Phoenix, Arizona.  (4/8/2017)
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah.  (4/8/2017)
Dothan, Alabama.  (4/5/2017)
Mobile, Alabama.  (4/5/2017)

Anniston, Alabama.  (3/29/2017)

UPDATE: The healthiest county in each Southern state: Oconee County, Georgia

Healthiest County in Every State.  (24/7 Wall Street, 5/9/2017)

Definitely a pattern of disparities developing in this series of posts.  Bordering the consolidated Athens-Clarke County, the 80th fastest-growing county in the U.S., Oconee County's population increased 354% since 1970, compared to a 81.4% decrease in Gadsden County, Georgia's least healthy, since its 1920 peak. Oconee's nonwhite population is 15.7% compared to 66.5% in Taliaferro.

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Other numbers

% of population living in poverty

• Oconee County | 6.8%
• Taliferro County | 33.5%
• Georgia | 17.0%
• U.S.  13.5%

% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree

• Oconee County | 44.9%
• Taliaferro County | 9.9%
• Georgia | 28.8%
• U.S. | 29.8%

Median household income:

• Oconee County | $72,182
• Taliaferro County | $26,306
• Georgia | $49,620
• U.S. | $53,889

 Source:  Wikipedia

Other posts in series.
Shelby County, Alabama.  (5/10/2017)
Benton County, Arkasnsas.  (5/11/2017)
St. Johns County, Florida.  (5/12/2017)

Original 3/31/2017 post starts here.

The least healthy counties in every state.  (24/7 Wall Street, 3/15/201\7)

Taliaferro County, Georgia.   Dipped below its initial 1830 census population during the 1940s.

Source:  Wikipedia

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Other numbers

% of population living in poverty

• Taliferro County | 33.5%
• Georgia | 17.0%
• U.S.  13.5%

% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree

• Taliaferro County | 9.9%
• Georgia | 28.8%
• U.S. | 29.8%

Median household income:

• Taliaferro County | $26,306
• Georgia | $49,620
• U.S. | $53,889

Taliaferro is part of a large swath of Black Belt counties in Georgia.

Source:  ResearchGate

Taliaferro Library (Bartram Trail Regional Library System)

Other counties in series:

Wilcox County, Alabama.  (3/30/2017)
Phillips County, Arkansas.  (3/30/2017)
Gadsden County, Florida.  (3/31/2017)

Related series:
The 10 most distressed cities in the U.S.
The 10 most prosperous cities in the U.S.

Traffic signals to be installed at Allen Boulevard and Maywood Avenue in Middleton

Video by Retiring Guy

The large building on the corner is Heritage Senior Living.

Source:  City of Middleton

There's been some pushback on Nextdoor.

Baseball/softball training facility at Firefighters' Park in Middleton

Photos by Retiring Guy

Source:  City of Middleton

Related link:
Middleton Baseball Commission

Drunk and on the road again in Wyocena

Photo credit:  Portage Daily Register

Reported in Wyocena man faces 15 years prison after arrest for alleged 13th OWI.  (Madison.com, 5/11/2017)

Related article:
Man gets 30 days for kicking child.  (Portage Daily Register, 6/3/2011)

This guy's a professional menace.  A woman told police that Dolgner was intoxicated when he threatened her and a 6-year-old child, saying he was "going to bury them all," according to a criminal complaint.

UPDATE: The healthiest county in each Southern state: St. Johns County, Florida

Healthiest County in Every State.  (24/7 Wall Street, 5/9/2017)

Located in the Jacksonville metro area, St. Johns is the 2nd fastest growing county in Florida and 15th-fastest in the U.S.  Its population having increased 638% since 1970, compared to a 17% increase in Gadsden County, Florida's least healthy, during the same period.  St. Johns' nonwhite population is 16.4% compared to 66.5% for Wilcox.

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Other numbers

% of population living in poverty

• St. Johns County | 9.8%
• Gadsden County | 24.5%
• Florida | 15.7%
• U.S.  13.5%

% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree

• St. Johns County | 42.1%
• Gadsden County | 17.0%
• Florida | 27.3%
• U.S. | 29.8%

Median household income:

• St. Johns County | $66,194
• Gadsden County | $35,567
• Florida| $47,507
• U.S. | $53,889

Source:  Wikipedia

Other posts in series.
Shelby County, Alabama.  (5/10/2017)
Benton County, Arkasnsas.  (5/11/2017)

Original 3/31/2017 post, "The least healthy county in each Southern state:  Gadsden County, Florida", starts here.

The least healthy counties in every state.  (24/7 Wall Street, 3/15/201\7)

Gadsden County, Florida.  

Source:  Wikipedia

Source:  U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

Other numbers

% of population living in poverty

• Gadsden County | 24.5%
• Florida | 15.7%
• U.S.  13.5%

% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree

• Gadsden County | 17.0%
• Florida | 27.3%
• U.S. | 29.8%

Median household income:

• Gadsden County | $35,567
• Florida| $47,507
• U.S. | $53,889

Related reading:
Florida's antebellum plantations, part 1.  (dejaelaine.com)

Gadsden County Public Library homepage

Other counties in series:

Wilcox County, Alabama.  (3/30/2017)
Phillips County, Arkansas.  (3/30/2017)

Related series:
The 10 most distressed cities in the U.S.
The 10 most prosperous cities in the U.S.

Once upon a time, a hotel named Swastika didn't raise an eyebrow

Source:  AAA Rocky Mountain Travel Direectory (1937)

Related reading:
Ghost Town Wednesday: Swastika, New Mexico.  (Digging History, 10/22/2014)

Very apparently, based on the above advertisement.  Today, this would be considered an unfortunate name for a town, ghostly or otherwise. Believe it or not, years ago the swastika symbol was widely used. It was also used by Native American tribes like the Navajos, Hopis, Apaches and others (although later abandoned). The 45th Infantry Division of the United States military used the symbol until the 1930’s. Apparently, it was in wide use in the state of New Mexico, and not just by the Native Americans.

Middleton Meadow Ridge apartment construction UPDATE: Fenced in

3 bedroom/2 bath apartment floor plan

4/17/2017 update, "Exterior work almost done on west side", starts here.

2 bedroom/2 bath floor plan

3/12/2017 update, " Exterior work almost done on east and south sides", starts here.

Photos by Retiring Guy

1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments avaiable spring 2017.

Two floor plans for 1-bedroom apartments

1/14/2017 update, "Ready to be cladded", starts here.

Rendering:  JT Klein Co.

11/5/2016 update, "Window installation", starts here.

Photos by Retiring Guy

10/22/2016 update, "Abandoned volleyball court and Meadow Ridge Middleton," starts here.

Meadow Ridge Middleton

Photo by Retiring Guy

10/10/2016 update, "Framing up to fourth (uppermost) floor at former Bowling Green site in Middleton", starts here.

Photos by Retiring Guy

9/1/2016 update, "Framing up to third floor at former Bowling Green site in Middleton", starts here.

Looking across an abandoned softball field.

8/5/2016 update, " Weed hill not permanent feature at former Bowling Green site in Middleton", starts here.

July 9, 2016

All photos by Retiring Guy

June 18, 2016.

From the Laura Lane (Beltline) side of the property.

From the Parmenter Street side.

May 16, 2016.  The site is located between Parmenter Street and the Beltline.

Photos and video by Retiring Guy

April 29, 2016 update starts here.

Original 5/23/2015 post, "New Look Planned for This Lisa Lane Location", starts here.

The site of the former Bowling Green on Lisa Lane in Middleton is being considered for the construction of a 4-story, 95-unit, multi-family apartment building.

The Middleton Plan Commission is holding a public hearing on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 7:05 p.m.

City of Middleton

Related article:
The 11th Frame: Bowling Green in Middleton to close.  (Madison.com, 8/18/2011)

The declining number of league bowlers perhaps made this inevitable, and Bowling Green is not the only local center to close in recent years — Hare's Towne Bowl, Verona Bowl, and Classic Lanes (Burr Oaks Bowl) all have closed in recent year.

Cathryne Stewart Solock (1950-2017) Warren Area High School class of 1968

Source:  Warren Times Observer

1968 Dragon yearbook

The 'flip' hairstyle was a big deal at the time.

1967 Warren City Directory

• Stewart Ida M Mrs h819 4th av

1983 Warren City Directory

• Stewart Ida Mrs h105 1/2 Water St

'Cathryne' never made the list of top 100 baby names, so let's take a look at 'Elvin'.

Source:  Social Security Administration

'Elvin' peaked at #286 in 1927, at which point he made a slow and increasingly unsteady decline, finally vanishing from sight after 2007.

Other class of '68 members:

Douglas Peterson.  (3/7/2017)
Mary Lou Slack Schumann Hotaling.  (9/17/2015)
William Leonard.  (2/7/2015)
Douglas Coates.  (12/29/2014)
Jennifer Robinault Morell.  (9/6/2014)
Jacquelyn Johnston Malone.  (7/31/2014)
Janet Vavala Smith.  (3/25/2014)

Greetings from Los Angeles, where proliferation of McMansions is choking out trees

From Retiring Guy's postcard collection

McMansions are killing the Los Angeles urban forest.  (Business Insider, 5/8/2017)

The study — led by USC spatial scientists Su Jin Lee, John P. Wilson, Travis Longcore, and Catherine Rich — suggests that large single-family homes, often known as McMansions, are to blame for the loss of LA's trees.   

Americans' growing preference for large single-family houses, along with the increase in driveways and swimming pools that come with home expansion, is the largest driver of tree cover loss in the US, according to the study.

An ongoing problem not limited to L.A.
Nation's urban forests losing ground: New Orleans, Albuquerque, Houston losing trees.  (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, 2/23/2012)

National results indicate that tree cover in urban areas of the United States is declining at a rate of about 4 million trees per year, according to a U.S. Forest Service study published recently in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 

Tree cover in 17 of the 20 cities analyzed in the study declined while 16 cities saw increases in impervious cover, which includes pavement and rooftops. Land that lost trees was for the most part converted to either grass or ground cover, impervious cover or bare soil.

According to the citation files at Merriam-Webster, the first known use of "Mcmansion" -- a very large house built in usually a suburban neighborhood or development; especially : one regarded critically as oversized and ostentatious -- occurred in 1990.

Other greetings:
Laguna Beach, California.  (5/10/2017)
California.  (5/9/2017)
Los Angeles.  (5/9/2017)
California.  (5/8/2017)
Pomona College, Claremont, California.  (5/7/2017)
La Jolla, California.  (5/6/2017)
Hope, Arkansas.  (5/4/2017)
Bakersfield, California.  (5/3/2017)
Little Rock, Arkansas.  (5/1/2017)

California.  (4/28/2017)
Little Rock, Arkansas.  (4/19/2017)
Superstition Mountain, Arizona.  (4/15/2017)
Tucson, Arizona.  (4/12/2017)
Phoenix, Arizona.  (4/8/2017)
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah.  (4/8/2017)
Dothan, Alabama.  (4/5/2017)
Mobile, Alabama.  (4/5/2017)

Anniston, Alabama.  (3/29/2017)