Mayor Adam Salina will leave Saturday for the festivities in Washington D.C. surrounding the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Barak Obama.

Salina said he received a ticket to the swearing-in through the office of Congressman John Larson, Democrat representing Connecticut's First District. Salina worked fro Larson at one time and has retained close ties to the congressman.

"I jumped at the chance - it's a chance to witness history," Salina said. He's been hearing reports from friends in the capitol that although there were only 200,000 official tickets handed out, that the crowds are expected to be in the millions.

  Larson's website noted that each member of congress received only 198 tickets and that he had received over 5,000 requests. He established a system of distribution that included a lottery and also "my family and long-time friends; members of my Congressional office staffs; elected and appointed officials; political leaders; community leaders; teachers and other educators; community volunteers; and other categories that I may identify."

Salina said unfortunately his wife will not be making the trip with him. With the crowds and expected long walks, winter weather and other demands of the event she decided not to attend.

Salina said his activities include: a ceremony on Sunday to commemorate Lincoln' birthday; and an inaugural ball Jan. 20 for the New England states contingency which will be held at Union Station. He said a tuxedo is the dress code for the ball. He will also attended the inauguration.

The mayor said he did support Obama, although it was a process of "Listening to his message and coming to the conclusion he was the est candidate. "When you listen to his ideas you realize this is a bright person taking office and he is surrounding himself with good people."

(For an extended coverage see the Jan. 22 edition of The Citizen.)