Downtown Milwaukee is the heart of our state.  Helping to strengthen it will make for a much more profitable and user friendly Wisconsin not to mention the neighborhoods around Downtown. 

Three things drive great downtowns: density, diversity and discovery.  All are growing in Milwaukee. And, before you ask what I mean by "discovery," I mean those places and things that we use/consume (restaurants, landmarks, venues, bars, the Riverwalk, stores, etc.) and  the unique and authentic stuff that make an area attractive.    

Chances are, if you only visit or work in Downtown, that you may not sense the massive growth and energy that the area has.  I’ve lived in the greater Downtown area for much of life and I can testify that a lot has changed in the recent years. 

We’re not a 24/7 town, but on any given Thursday, Friday or Saturday night 30-80,000 additional people come into the Downtown area.  That's more than many area suburbs.  

Other facts:

• The nighttime economy accounts for 61,879 full-time jobs.
• More than 100 taxis work in the area
• There’s $1.4 billion in income from Downtown residents
• Downtown has 30 valet stands
• Activity in Downtown generates $950 of tax relief per person

The numbers don’t lie, and to keep them growing Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, has retained the services of the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI).  I been fortunate enough to help on this project.  And, it's been fascinating and rewarding.  

Want to join in?  Click here to take a survey. Or, just keeping coming Downtown.  The area’s growing and awaits your discovery.  

Last night, Northwestern Mutual's headquarters in Downtown Milwaukee got a new look.  

The "World’s Most Admired" life insurance company (according to Fortune magazine,) lit up one of its main building in true playoff spirit. 

The company shared a photo on Facebook today.  We're sharing it with you. Go Brewers!  

A couple I know, the Krahns, moved to Denver from Milwaukee a few months ago.  Randomly, they scheduled a trip home to visit friends and family this weekend. 

Avid sports fans, they've found a way to do the "Wisconsin trifecta," and will attend Saturday's Brewers game, the Wisconsin vs. Nebraska game Saturday night and the Packers vs. Broncos game on Sunday.  Nice vacation, I'd say.   

For Peter Krahn (or any sports guy for that matter),  packing for the weekend was easy.  He sent a photo, and I thought I'd share.  

Go Brewers.  Go Packers.  Go Bucky.  

Are you happy? What makes us happy? Is there a specific formula for happiness?

Do kids, marriage and money equate to a greater level of contentment? Do our parents and upbringing matter?

So many questions. Don't worry, though. These are some of the questions researchers are studying in a relatively new field called Positive Psychology.

Positive Psychology is the study of human thriving, an examination of how ordinary people can become happier and more fulfilled. This new scientific field attempts to understand those aspects of the human experience that make life worth living.

I've always felt that I can make myself happy. It's a choice. And, recent findings suggest an individual's actions can have a significant effect on happiness and satisfaction with one's life.

The film "Happy," directed by Academy Award nominated director Roko Belic, screens at the Milwaukee Film Festival and sets out to answer these questions and more by exploring the secrets behind our most valued emotion, happiness.

The movie is sponsored by Hapacus, a grassroots educational program based in Milwaukee that teaches principles of happiness. Hapacus is a combination of two words: happiness and abacus. Bob Pothier is the founder, so I asked him several questions about happiness and the movie.

OnMilwaukee.com: Define "happiness" and "success." Are they, in your estimate, one in the same?

Bob Pothier: "Happiness" is very different than "success." Success is a relative term that comes from our brain's need to "survive". Historically that meant fending off hostile tribes and beasts, protecting yourself, family and group from the elements and many other basic survival requirements. As a result, our brains are built to survive and in this world where those historic survival things aren't needed in the same way, our brain's default is to equate "success" (financial strength, accumulation of stuff, showy materialism) with survival.

"Happiness," however, is about a lot of other terms th…