Local bits and pieces

• The four year Marquette interchange project is going to open three months early and $10 million under budget. Thanks to all the men (and some women) who worked year round in all sorts of conditions to get this done. All ramps and lanes should be fully open on August 31st.
• Rumors, rumors...Brett coming back to play again? Everyone is denying it. The Packers say they have "moved on". He can't play elsewhere unless the Pack releases him (he's on some odd "retired reserve" list).
• Milwaukee County is trying to raise the county sales tax by 1%. We currently pay 5.0% for the basic sales tax, .10% for a "temporary" sales tax that goes to offset the debt incurred to build Miller Park (the expiration date on that "temporary" tax has been extended twice, with another one on the horizon) and .50%that goes to the county, for a total of 5.6%. Unless it's restaurant food and certain packaged foods, which carry an additional .25% tax, to bring the total to 5.85%.
• The phrasing of the referendum on the sales tax increase is such that it will intentionally confuse people into voting to increase the sales tax. At least one of the supervisors has his head on straight - this is no bargain.
• Summerfest is entering its final weekend. Next up: Festa Italiana. We're well into festival season. Come to Milwaukee and gain weight as you cruise through various cuisines all summer! This list does not include Bastille Days, which takes place elsewhere in the city and almost never falls on actual Bastille Day. Nor is the State Fair represented. As I may have previously mentioned, the Fair takes place pretty much in my front yard. You're welcome to park here and walk up to the fairgrounds...if I don't beat you to the parking place.
• Weather forecast for the holiday weekend? Perfect! High of 70 lake/75 inland for the holiday, 75/80 for the weekend. Partly sunny - no rain in the forecast!
• June was the rainiest month in recorded history in Milwaukee, with something like 12.3 inches of rain. How many people with flooded basements will shoot me if I say I actually enjoyed it?