Category Archives: USA

A Change is Going To Come

Posted on March 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

For decades, U.S. citizens traveling to most European countries have been exempt from visa requirements. Sadly, this ends on January 1, 20121, when all Americans traveling to any Schengen Zone nations will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) Visa. … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Fun With Maps

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who regularly visit TBTP know how fond I am of maps—both real and fictional. New York City-based artist Jake Berman does deep dives into archives and library collections to discover historic plans and engineering documents from municipal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Libraries, Maps, Public Transport, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Libros Para el Viaje (Books for the Journey)

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Libros Para el Viaje is the brainchild of Denise Chávez owner of Casa Camino Real Bookstore in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Since the summer of 2018, she has been collecting books and distributing them to refugees at the southern U.S. border … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, South America, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, History, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Take A Stand

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the birthday anniversary of African American sociologist, historian, writer, educator, poet, scholar, and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois. Born February 23, 1868, Du Bois was the first black man to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What’s so funny about peace and understanding

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The 1964 World’s Fair was a two-year event centered on peace, understanding, and apparently, pop-up books. Released in 1963, Peter and Wendy See the New York World’s Fair shows two children, Peter and Wendy, – no relation to Peter Pan or Wendy … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, History, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Center for Fiction

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Awhile ago I shared a story about the imminent big move for New York City’s historic Center for Fiction from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Well, it has finally happened and the new site’s grand opening is on Tuesday February 19th. The … Continue reading →

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Thank You & Have A Pleasant Trip

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

New York City-based filmmaker Nicolas Heller and illustrator Naomi Otsu have created this wonderful series of public transit etiquette TSAs. The pair have been distributing their DIY pamphlet throughout the NYC subway system and have even received the unofficial seal … Continue reading →

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Words of Wisdom

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Brian D. Butler
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Stand in Philadelphia

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Just before Philadelphia got walloped by the infamous polar vortex, British artist Antony Gormley installed an impressive large-scale series of sculptures called STAND on the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The huge figures invite engagement from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Museums, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment