We want to look good for the Republicans when they arrive next month, so they'll like us and spend money and come back to start new companies with lots of new employees.

Well, at least we want to look good. That's why Twin Cities officials will be washing taxi cabs on Tuesday.

As part of the "Spruce Up for the RNC" initiative, the mayors and local tourism directors will wash cabs in the Metrodome parking lot at 1 p.m. The cab-washing event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's symbolic, of course. If you wash your car now, it will look good for a few days, but certainly not until Sept. 1, when the Republican National Convention convenes.

But the message is: Let's all look our Sunday best throughout convention week.

Message Two: There will be taxi reciprocity during the convention, so cabs from the various cities can pick up and deliver anywhere, contrary to the normal procedures. They're also promoting cab inspections and  free training sessions for cabbies in mid-August.

Scheduled to hoist sponges at the dome are: Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee; Maria Cino, president and CEO of the Republican National Convention; Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak; St. Paul Deputy Mayor Ann Mulholland (Mayor Chris Coleman will be out of town making a speech); Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead; and Roseville Mayor Craig Klausing.