David Sirota | Anywhere Becomes Everywhere http://www.truthout.org/article/anywhere-becomes-everywhere
David Sirota writes for Truthdig.com: "I spent the July 4th weekend in my own Americana cliche: I relaxed in the humid heartland, drank one too many alcoholic beverages (screwdrivers), ate at a chain restaurant (Noodles & Company), played with my dog (a golden retriever mix) and attended Hollywood's latest paean to mediocrity (Will Smith's 'Hancock'). I was in the bucolic suburbs of Lafayette, Indiana, but really, I could have been anywhere or everywhere in America - which is both satisfying and troubling."

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The author of this article has, apparently, not been to my town.
He will find no big-box or chain stores here - and only two chain restaurants that I can think of (a tiny McDonald's and a Subway). He would also find electric cars whizzing down residential streets, many people on bicycles, and many others actually <gasp!> walking! There are no cookie-cutter suburbs...well...maybe one or two that I can think of.

I never really thought about this before, but this really is a rather unique little community.

Secretly, though... I do wish there were a Target or a Costco closer than 1/2 hour to 45 minutes away. Just not closer than ...say... 20 minutes. :)

AM