Hello. Old pop cans, piles of paper and burlap walls...a view from my cubicle.

YAY!! We finally held a "Fridays on the Promenade" at the Promenade. This was the third show of eight. The first two were forced indoors by rain and a doubting sound tech. I was sooooo happy! "Fridays" are such a cool event. The Roth Fountain babbling, children laughing, Casey dancing and 5 or 6 hundred locals feeling the spirit of live music. Rain, rain go away...come again another day.

Years ago the youth of the area spent the warm summer nights cruising a route in downtown Sioux City known as the "Loop". The journey went north on Nebraska Street to Eleventh or Fourteenth, (depending on your personality), and then over to Pierce Street where you turned south and rambled to Fourth or Fifth and started over, again and again and again. People parked at their favorite spots along the way to "get busy" or enjoy some face time with a rival. It was the social circle of the day. As our youth changed, thanks to our society, the law cracked down on "cruising the Loop" and it has become a thing of the past.

Last Saturday night, however, we enjoyed cruising the Loop once again. Our dear friend, Phil has convinced the local authorities to allow a "Cruise the Loop Night" once a year as part of the River-Cade festivities. It was a magnificent sight! Hundreds of cars and motorcycles filling all three lanes of the one-way streets. There were cars from the 1920's to a 2009 Toyota flying it's suicide doors. Chatting with the folks in the car next to you, screeching tires and the smell of burning rubber brought back fond memories.

Once again, I'm very thankful for the little band of friends we have. They make Sioux City cool.