Just wanted to let you know a unique opportunity popped up for this Wednesday night – a chance to hear author and speaker Jay Walljasper speak at Houligans in downtown  Eau Claire.

Who the heck’s Jay Walljasper? He’s a writer, speaker, and strategist who specializes in new ideas about urban planning, tourism, community development, sustainability, politics and culture. He's the author of The Great Neighborhood Book (2007) and an armada of columns and articles about quality of place-related topics. In fact, he wrote this article about Winter Cities that appeared in Volume One around this time last year. We’re big fans here at V1, and we’re excited that he’s coming to town.

He’ll be talking about “specific steps to creating a dynamic downtown” at Downtown Eau Claire’s Annual Awards Banquet on Wednesday (Feb. 24, 5:30pm social, 6pm dinner). It costs $25 per person, and that includes a Houligans dinner (beef medallions with candied garlic sauce, potato crusted chicken, or the always tasty sounding “vegetarian option”). Email or call Mike Schatz for tickets, 839-4914 or Mike.Schatz@ci.eau-claire.wi.us