Rahm Emanuel Crashed Pullman National Monument Anniversary Party

PULLMAN — Five years after President Obama designated George Pullman's "perfect" town a National Monument, my neighbors got to look at pictures of what the new $35 million visitor center will look like some time next spring, allegedly.

Sorry for being extra cynical. Something strange happened, and I left the party a bit frazzled.

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel popped in unexpectedly.

Former Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett, billed as the special guest, couldn't make it. Per usual, the South Side got the short end of the stick. Rahm, that is.

"Look what I pulled out of my hat?" Beale said, a joke, I think. He was talking about Rahm.

The ward boss laughed. I didn't think it was funny. To capture the moment, I pulled out my phone, pointed it at Emanuel and said, "Say, Cheese." The photo made me laugh.

I felt better until Beale, during his anniversary speech, praised his "good friend" and "partner" for convincing Obama to pull an end-around on Congress to get the national monument deal done. Then, Rahm ribbed Beale for being a pesky alderman.

Some people thought it was cute, a real Rahm-com.

I didn't see the point. If Rahm's that desperate for another round of applause why can't he just hang out on Goose Island with his buddies from Sterling Bay who rigged the Lincoln Yards development.

Down here in Pullman — as Emanuel liked to say when Chicagoans were forced to listen to him — I'd like to think we're looking forward not back. Rahm's a has-been. Besides, isn't it time for Beale to make nice with the actual mayor, Lori Lightfoot. The whole affair was bizarre.

Anyway, the National Monument's anniversary party did have great news, a bunch of philanthropic folks from the rich part of town, the National Parks Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources pooled together $35 million and change — more than double projections — to fix up the crumbling clocktower and free it from that ugly, rusted fence by Spring 2021.

What now looks like this:

Will look like this:

And this:

It's old news, but good news. Overall, plenty of reasons to celebrate.

There was cake. And Rahm left early.

Next spring, come for a visit. Not you, Rahm.