Happy New Year's from Huckleberry Hound

We were hoping to post a list of New Year's Resolutions, but this has proven to be a very busy New Year's Day here in Ann Arbor, Mich.,* where for some mysterious reason everyone seems to be rooting for the Oregon University Ducks in the Rose Bowl today. I got a tweet from Sam Adams, the mayor of Portland, Ore., who said he is rooting for the Ducks too.

So, we just only have time to post this silly message from Huckleberry Hound. My apologies to Jabber Jaw fans. We will remember you next year. I promise. Then again, I promised my cat Gizmo that he could go outside today.

*-I'm not really in Ann Arbor. In fact, I've never been there in my life. Though my late father Mehmet Gokbudak graduated from the University of Michigan in 1949, some 21 years before I was born. Michigan's rival Ohio State is the team playing Oregon in the Rose Bowl. I just thought I'd say that before some wiseass pointed it out to me.

Know Your Mayors (15 of 21)- Sam Adams of Portland, Ore.

Twitter has introduced to a lot of people I wasn't fully aware in the arenas of politics, government, pop culture and pro sports.

One of the more unique figures I've come across is Portland, Ore.'s mayor Sam Adams,46, who was the first openly gay mayor elected to one of America's 30 largest cities when he was elected in November of 2008 (Houston recently elected a lesbian to become its mayor). Adams was sworn into office on Jan 1st of this year.

Even in a more progressive state like Oregon, Adams has seen political problems stemming from his sexual orientation mainly because of a scandal which erupted when admitted to having a sexual relationship with a young intern for Republican state legislator Kim Thatcher. Adams had first denied the allegations which came about through an article in the Portland alt weekly "Willamette Week."

An investigation was opened by state attorney general John Kroger (D)but later dropped due to a lack of credible evidence. Gay columnist Dan Savage (not to be confused with far right talk show host Mike Savage) said he was outraged by the attacks against Adams which he saw as a clear act of homophobia.

Adams is mostly known for being one of America's most vocal environmental mayors and while in office Adams has emphasized measures to reduce the city's carbon dioxide emissions. He has also tweeted extensively about developments at the very recent international climate control conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The mayor has also supported new regulations for horse-drawn carriages in the city after a horse died in downtown Portland in August. Adams switched political positions by opposing a $4 billion, twelve lane replacement for a freeway bridge over I-5.

Adams gained political recognition as a grassroots activist. He campaigned with Peter DeFazio, who ran for Congress in 1986. DeFazio remains a member of the Oregon delegation in Congress.

Adams was born in Whitehall, Mont. His domestic partner is Peter Zuckerman, a former journalist with Portland's main newspaper "The Oregonian."