Hello Forumites, Linda has mentioned several times that the people who visit her forum are among the "cream of the crop" at Adland. I agree. So many people who come here make exceptionally meaningful and informative posts. And they really do try to help each other. It got me to thinking... where do all these good people call home? Oh, I know I could click on the bios and I have done that with many of you. However, that takes up even more time. So... can we start a new "sharing and caring" thread? Could you please tell us where you are from and just a paragraph or two about why your city or town is so great. (I figure it must be great or you wouldn't stay there!) I'll go first. I hope this is a bit of fun for everybody and that we can learn some interesting things about where you live. It might help us understand some of the viewpoints put forward too (ie local differences etc). Post as many times as you want if you think of something else but try to keep it down to less than five paragraphs so that it doesn't read like an encyclopedia entry. LOL! Best Wishes Gary Simpson.

Hi, Like I said, I'll go first... I'm from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Some folks call Australia "Down Under" but that is only due to our position on the world map. There's nothing "down" about Australia or "Oz" as we like to call it. Our population in Perth is around 1 million people. However, the total population of Australia is around 20 million people. We have blue skies and beautiful sandy white beaches that rival ANY beach in the world. In general, there is no smog in the city. In Perth we have a hill called "Kings Park" (no apostrophe) overlooking the city and the Swan River along which the city of Perth is built. The view is sensational from this point. Contrary to what some overseas folks believe, we do not have kangaroos bounding through the city limits. However, 'roos and other wildlife are prolific when you get out on our country roads. I really wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Best Wishes Gary Simpson

Gary, It sounds like paradise from your description. I will go next. Clearfield, PA is about in the middle of the state. We have all four seasons here and are just about to spring now. A small country town that used to be bustling with lots of industry but it has really died out. Why am I here? Lots of family around. I guess I just wasn't adventurous enough to want to leave it. Football is a big attraction with Penn State and the Steelers being the most popular. The county commissioners are trying to make our area a big tourist attraction and deer hunting is a very big thing around here. You won't catch me out there in the woods during hunting season. Maybe I will think of something more interesting later. Martha

Great idea Gary! Perth is definitely a place I'd like to visit, I spent about 4 months in Oz, but unfortunately never got to the left coast. I have spent the last 20 years of my life in the best city in North America, Montreal. The cosmopolitan diversity is second to none. Top of the line restaurants, excellent nightlife and the prettiest girls. (I married one of them.) Three and a half million people in the greater Montreal area, a low crime rate, and a city that celebrates the "joie de vivre" like none other. I wouldn't consider being anywhere else. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal Bob

Awesome idea Gary. Though currently residing in Clinton, Ontario, Canada (Home of the Radar) I am from St. John's, Newfoundland (fondly referred to as "The Rock", North America's oldest city. Picture Here A few places/things of note in St. John's: Signal Hill - Site of the first Trans-Atlantic Wireless Message George Street - The street with the most bars per square foot in North America Royal St. John's Regatta - North America's oldest continuously held annual sporting event. Basilica of St. John the Baptist Water Street - The oldest street in North America Cape Spear - Most easterly point of North America I'll be going to St. John's next week for a quick visit and to do some research.