You sometimes hear complaints about the cobblestones in the downtown Charleston streets and red bricks that make up its central sidewalks. They are constantly in need of repair as in this scene from the corner of Summers and Quarrier streets. Pedestrians trip on a jutting brick when the earth shrugs them out of place or a tree brutes one up at an angle. Quality of life, I say. The cobblestones and bricks are very European -- and there is very little else European about most West Virginia downtowns. Kudos to the city for sticking with this nice touch from classy towns. Pay off the occasional lawsuit and keep those maintanence crews in good shape. And pay better attention to where you place your Jimmy Choos. (Then again, are there any Jimmy Choos to be found of a Saturday night on Capitol Street? Inquiring minds wish to know...)

Click to enlarge. Photo for thegazz.com by Walker DeVille