I know people who live in cities larger than Minneapolis,and in towns much smaller, who have never seen their mayor out and about intheir community. Even the harshest critic of R.T. Rybak can't say that abouthim. He is the "Face of the City of Lakes."

A recent Saturday began with me eating my way through theMill City Farmer's Market in downtown Minneapolis.Mayor Rybak, and his wife Megan, were at the market as well and I noticed thatour trim mayor wasn't partaking of the delicious foods the way most shopperswere. Perhaps, I thought, it was this self-discipline that has contributed tohis well-known physique. But observing the mayor in action that morning Irealized that he couldn't have eaten even if he wanted to. He could walk nomore than a few steps at a time without being stopped by his admiring constituents. Later that same day I was at the Pantages Theater on Hennepin Avenue to see who would be named the first "OneMan Minneapolis." The "One Man" title was to be awarded to the Twin Cities manwho best embodies community involvement, personality, intelligence, and yes –fitness. And there in the audience – greeting everyone who approached him andhaving countless photos taken – was Mayor Rybak. At the conclusion of theprogram it was the Mayor and Megan who took to the stage to announce thisyear's recipient of the "One Man" award. With a citywide election only months away, cynics will saythat of course the mayor is everywhere these days. While there may be sometruth to that, R.T. Rybak has been a significant presence in this communityeven before his landslide election to the Office of Mayor in 2001. Now, as then,you are likely to run into him at Maria's Cafe in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis,or at Mercado Central on Lake Street,or at the gay pride festival in Loring Park, or introducing The HoldSteady at the Basilica Block Party. In a city where power rests with the city council it's easyto diminish the role of the mayor; but one should never underestimate acharismatic leader who truly enjoys people and who makes the best of his bullypulpit. The "Face of the City of Lakes"might just become the "Face of 10,000 Lakes."