Streets as they were meant to be.

Best use for a car I've seen all year.

This weekend, Broadway from Belmont to Roscoe was opened up for pedestrians to freely amble and stroll and enjoy the beautiful weather. The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce hosted its third annual Fine Art Festival, celebrating a great public space by filling the street with art, food and music. About the only thing a car was good for was as a canvas for painting -- as demonstrated at the "Paint a Volvo" booth.

These kinds of festivals happen all summer long in Chicago, and they're a great reminder that our streets serve a greater purpose than just moving cars. Unlike sprawling suburban streets that only serve to get cars to their destinations, urban streets are destinations in and of themselves. They are public places -- places for people.

This street festival was decidedly laid-back and relaxed. The food booths and stages offered tables and chairs, and the music wasn't so loud you couldn't talk. The art was a little better this year than last, but you go for the place and the experience, right?

East Lakeview will also host Art 44/46 during the month of October, integrating public art into public space. My favorite piece from this event last year is still standing at Broadway and Briar -- the trees with knitted sweaters. Makes me smile every time I walk by. Come to the neighborhood next month to walk around and enjoy chance encounters with unexpected works of art like this.