A new look at City Hall

There's a new look at City Hall. No, not the Extreme Makeover kind, but rather the not-shaving, let's-see-what-develops kind of new look.

When I stopped in to see Mayor Gary Becker last week, I thought he'd just put down the razor for a few days. Hey, in the dead of winter, who hasn't done that for a week or so, until the wife's nagging gets to us?

But when I saw Hizzoner this morning, wearing a Packers sweater, it was clear that he has a purpose in mind ... although, unlike David Letterman and Conan O'Brien, he's not growing a beard in support of the striking writers.

"Just keeping 'em guessing," the mayor said, in response to a direct question. Last year, with no opposition in the election, he lost 30 pounds. This year, he says he's getting into shape by playing in city league basketball (he insists the refs cut him no slack) and hopes to lose another 5-10 pounds.

I thought he looked pretty good ... but, hey, some of us remember when he had a ponytail!