According to the oft-flawed Wikipedia, the State Street Sign in Bristol, Virginia / Bristol, Tennessee was erected in 1901 and originally said "Push! That's Bristol." Sounds like marketing in 1901 wasn't much better than marketing in 1921 when the sign was changed to "A Good Place to Live." Now that humdinger slogan is underwhelmingly modest for modern marketing -- a lot like Bristol, I suppose. This city has a lot to brag about. For example, Bristol was the birthplace of Country Music. And it's also home to a World-Class speedway and host to one of the region's better music festivals, Bristol Rythm & Roots Reunion. But that's the fine region we live in, I suppose. Modest. Understated. Humble.

I was impressed with the re-emerged State Street business district, too. Admittedly, I haven't drven down State Street in a couple of decades and the last ten years have been hard on most Main Street, USA business districts. But not Bristol. It's refreshing to see real thriving restaurants, music shops, galleries and coffee shop or two. That's as rare a site as a Centenarian sign lighting up the cool, spring Appalachian night. I hope that sign survies another 100 years. And that future generations can enjoy crossing the street from Virginia into Tennessee and back again to enjoy downtown shopping, food and music.

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