Very Trendy

As my family and I are driving down the road yesterday, we passed a neighborhood on our way to our destination, that we all agreed, we hated the name of the development. First of all, I find it rather amusing that when you reach a certain point west within the city, the neighborhoods all have signs to the entrance announcing the name of the development. I personally prefer anonymity. My neighborhood too is named, but there's no entrance sign. The only way you would have known the name is from the little grocery/drug store that closed up about 15 years ago. It was called Parkvale Sundries, and happened to be right on the corner of the neighborhood as you were entering. The name 'Parkvale', in my estimation, is much less pretentious than say, 'Trendwood'. Who in the world came up with that horrible name? Hopefully they acted alone, and not a committee's decision. I hate to think that multiple people made a bad decision. There's others out there that just do not seem to fit the Omaha landscape. I feel 'Bay Shores' should be sitting on a larger body of water. At least the size of Lake Erie. 'South Shore Heights' one would imagine it would be located at least ON a body of water. A puddle forming after a rainstorm on a vacant lot, doesn't count. 'Fire Ridge' must be located near those mythical Nebraska volcano fields. Shaker Heights - what's that? I'm sorry to be so critical, I know it's somewhat of a challenge to come up with unique names for these areas, but I feel there has to be a database of names to choose from out there somewhere? On the flip side of the coin, I feel there are some well thought of titles that capture the nature of the area, or perhaps the original landowner's name was considered. Loveland comes to mind. That happens to be the name of the farmer who decided to sell off land for the progression west along Pacific street. Also Tomlinson Woods nailed it. The Tomlinson property actually sits in a very secluded, wooded area. Nelson's Creek would be an apt name, if there were a creek. Then there's the developments that try to give off the latest trend in ridiculous. The entrance was made to simulate the Colorado Rockies landscape, and the name, 'Iron Horse', is the Indian name for 'steam engine'. I just don't understand. Another irritation happens to be in the older part of town. The whole area, known as 'Little Italy', has been redeveloped, and a sign announcing the entrance to the area, 'Little Italy'. Omahans shouldn't have to be told where these ethnic locations exist. That should be common knowledge passed through conversation, or pointed to on a map. This is the original identity of the city. It should be as apparent as your name. Marketing ploys should be left for children's toys. I am aware we all have to live somewhere, and maybe the location or price predicts where that 'somewhere' is going to be, but if I had more than one choice, trendy Trendwood would not make the cut.