Now that E. State. Stree has been converted to two-way traffic in East Town, next up for conversion is E. Well Street. No longer is it one half of a one-way pair with E. State St., so even engineering professionals can’t make the flawed argument that it needs to remain in its current configuration.

Daniel Burnham famously said “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not themselves be realized.” Burnham, co-author of the famous 1909 Plan of Chicago, had a vision for a much grander Chicago. What he probably didn’t forsee was Chicagoan’s fulfilling that vision 100 years later by building massive pieces of public art. The latest iteration of Chicago’s fascination with large public art is located across the street from the iconic Harold Washington Library in Pritzker Park just northwest of the intersection State Street and Van Buren Street. What is it? A three-story tall eye balll, dubbed the EYE.

Today, starting at 11 am and running until 3 pm, in Cathedral Square, the East Town Association is holding what is hopefully the first of many Food Cart Fridays.

There was no file passed at the Milwaukee Common Council, business owners didn’t have to fight city hall to narrow Well St., it wasn’t some anti-car movement, it was just narrowed temporarily for utility work.

The stage is in place. The vendors are setting up. Metro Market is soon to be buzzing with shoppers. Friends and neighbors are preparing to skip out of work a little early, run home grab the chairs, a bottle of something, and head to Cathedral Square. Yes, it’s opening night at Jazz in the Park, kinda. Because that is how it use to work.

The streets, E. State St. and E. Wells St., need to lose some weight because these multi-lane one-way expressways that run through East Town disrupt an otherwise walkable neighborhood.

1. Jazz in the Park, it’s back June 4th and despite the drama, will be just like it has been in years past. River Rhythms starts across the river on June 10th, and Chill on the Hill kicks off June 2nd.

It was just a few years ago when Milwaukee was named the #2 Party City in America, and although that might seem like a funny or insignificant title it was actually a well deserved and beneficial honor. I believe this title meant more than the number of beers sold at Summerfest or bar stools per capita. I believe it considered that because of Milwaukee’s great events “party goers” of all backgrounds can come together to enjoy music, art, the outdoors and a good drink. This ranking didn’t just show that we Milwaukeean’s like to knock back a few but more importantly it showed young professionals, baby boomers, and outsiders that Milwaukee was a vibrant, fun city to live in. This ranking reflected what those of us who live in the city already knew, summer in Milwaukee is about as good as it gets.

We had originally speculated about the origins of the ban on carry-ins at Jazz in the Park. Our speculation was that it was really a money issue, but that we thought the East Town Association had the right to and should attempt to generate money from the event.

Today we received just about all we needed to confirm our suspicions, a couple of great quotes from the Milwaukee Chief of Police Edward Flynn courtesy of the Journal Sentinel article Jazz in the Park fans have a whine and cheese party.

The East Town Association has posted a question and answer response to their recent policy change banning carry-ins. Check it out, and let us know what you think.