MAKE MONEY BUT PLEASE KEEP IT HERE

A sign put up by a local booster organization on an abandoned building near the Mississippi. It is clearly visible from an elevated highway seen at the top. They want you to start a business, make a lot of money, but then DO NOT take it to another city. It's happened. Baby, please don't go.                  

I GUARANTEE THAT IN 2021 THIS BLOG WILL BE...

Until, of course, it is safe to travel again, in which case it will be made who knows where. Trips canceled in 2020 are already being rescheduled for this year. 

This sign is at a construction site on the edge of downtown. We were awarded a Major League Soccer franchise and a new, purpose-built stadium is taking shape. Unfortunately, the name of the team is uninspired. US professional sports teams usually have memorable nicknames like the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals or Baltimore Ravens (nice Poe reference there). Our 11 will be called St. Louis City S.C. (for soccer club), similar to some English Premier League teams like Manchester City F.C. (for football club). They could have done better.          

BABY PLEASE DON'T GO

I've posted pictures a couple of times of signs put up by the STL MADE organization, https://thestl.com/. It's a wonderful thing to have an outfit that promotes a sense of regional identity and pride, honoring the people who improve life in The Lou.

Still, I find some of their signs enigmatic. If you drove past this on the highway it wouldn't have any special meaning. I had to think about it for a while. What it may be saying is that some of us should be entrepreneurs, create businesses that are exceptional and then not leave. I don't know if that last part is a problem or not. This is a pretty good place to live unless you are poor, black or some other minorities, sick and without health insurance - the usual American picture but more than average.

It has been 53 years since I came here for college. My New York accent is almost completely gone. I stayed and I'm glad I did.