The 61 New Best Things About Boston

35. We May Actually Have a Real Mayoral Race Next Year

Mayor-for-life Tom Menino will give up his job when an asteroid levels City Hall and at last unseats him from power. That, at any rate, is how it's often appeared in the first century of his administration. Throughout his reign, Hizzoner has never faced a credible challenger; Maura Hennigan, for example, had a better chance of de-throning Kim Jong Il.

Suddenly, though, it may be that all it takes to remove Menino from the job is an election. City Councilor Mike Flaherty, the one-time ally who's been slamming the mayor all over town lately, is looking like a formidable opponent. Another dangerous challenger, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce boss Ralph Martin, is quietly building his organization. Others, including charismatic City Councilor John Tobin of West Roxbury, smell blood in the water as well. And they're all doing what not long ago would have been inconceivable: publicly, or pretty close to it, weighing whether they want a piece of this, too.

With the city in the middle of significant change, it's about time that Menino was forced to defend himself and his vision against real competition. There's a creeping sense of Menino Fatigue in the air, and the public, given a viable choice, might just decide to break with the pettiness, ego, and defensiveness that have accompanied the prosperity and accomplishment of the Menino years. This is Boston, after all: Maybe we're ready to indulge someone else's pettiness, ego, and defensiveness. —Joe Keohane

36. Charles Coe, 55, writer

Photo by Yeheshua Johnson

He's one of the finest poets in a place with more than its share, a tireless advocate for the arts, and an honest-to-goodness larger-than-life character. But Cambridge's Charles Coe would make our list simply for the parties he throws. Endless food and drink, fascinating people, and something called the Garlic Orgy. What's not to love?

Born in Indiana, Coe banged around as a musician in Nashville and New Jersey before settling in Cambridge in '75. When not writing or delivering the best readings in town, he works for the Massachusetts Cultural Council. "The thing about Boston," he says, "is that people develop this interior life (37)—because you've got to be inside four or five months of the year." Coe figures it's these winter-haunted cerebral types that account for Boston's literary scene. "I'm a big fan of the independent bookstores," he says.

"I love Brookline Booksmith (38). I like McIntyre and Moore (39) in Porter Square."

Of course, as we're always told, all that time spent pondering heavy thoughts can make for an occasionally cold and unapproachable citizenry. At least at first. Coe recalls being startled during a visit to a San Diego café. A woman approached—"she gets her eggplant radicchio latte or whatever"—and [gasp] started a conversation. "I was reminded, ‘Oh yeah, I'm in Southern California.' In Boston, people are crusty and take time to open up to you, but once they do, it's solid. It's real (40)." —J.K.

We Love This Town Because…
… 41. In this city, there's a good chance your family doctor is a bestselling author, too.
… 42. Hoodsies! … 43. When homeless icon Mr. Butch died, nearly 1,000 people turned out for his memorial.
… 44. In addition to its unrivaled beer selection, Bukowski's has the peanut butter burger, the best thing since the PB & bacon sandwiches Mom served you. … 45. Danny Ainge didn't give up, even when most of us had given up on him.

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