40 days to Nov. 5. After months of forums with ten other candidates, the two finalists in the race for mayor, state Rep. Marty Walsh and City Councillor At-Large John Connolly, are hoping to put a limit to the number of times they face off. “Given the many demands on our campaigns, we request that the media consortiums that have organized candidate debates in the past come together to organize – in conjunction with community and advocacy groups – three televised debates between now and November 5th, one each during the weeks of October 14, 21, and 28,” the campaigns said in a joint statement sent out last night. “We ask that community groups wishing to organize forums or discussions cooperate with media organizations to make sure these are substantive debates.”

‘MENINO LEGACY’ FORUM: Suffolk University hosts a panel on the Sept. 24 preliminary election and Mayor Thomas Menino’s legacy. The panel, moderated by the Boston Foundation’s Mary Jo Meisner, includes Lawrence DiCara, former mayoral candidate; Globe columnist Joan Vennochi; Dewey Square Group’s Mary Anne Marsh; and former mayoral candidate John Nucci, who is now vice president of community and government affairs at Suffolk University. The forum starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Walsh Theatre.

ODDS & ENDS: A Ward 15 Democratic Committee forum had been scheduled for Wednesday night, less than 24 hours after polls had closed, but an organizer sent out an email mid-day to say they respect the candidates’ “need to regroup” after the preliminary. The forum has been postponed until an as-yet-unannounced date.....The preliminary election numbers, in spreadsheet form, available here, thanks to Brent Benson, who also made a color-coded precinct winner map.....Chris Lovett crunches some preliminary numbers.....Rep. Walsh was on Jim Braude’s "BroadSide" show last night. Councillor Connolly will be on tonight.....As expected, the City Council signs off on an Eastie-only vote on a casino in the neighborhood.....After a Reporter inquiry, the Loews Boston Hotel on Wednesday cancelled a promotion at its bar Cuffs tied to the mayoral election. A release sent earlier in the day said the bar would be serving two “politically correct” cocktails based on the mayoral candidates and holding a daily mock election until Nov. 5 to choose the best one: the "J.R. Connolly" (vodka and cranberry juice, lime juice and lime wedge) and the "M.J. Walsh" (rum, grenadine, Red Bull and a lemon twist). Non-alcoholic versions were also available. After a reporter noted that Walsh is a recovering alcoholic, a spokeswoman first said they were attempting to tackle a topical event in a fun way. The spokeswoman later said in an email that the hotel acknowledges “the insensitivity of this recent promotion and have cancelled it effective immediately.”

THE DAY AHEAD: A list of happenings, as provided by the campaigns. Schedule entries are subject to change:

State Rep. Marty Walsh

4:30 p.m. Rep. Walsh will film a segment with Emily Rooney for WGBH’s Greater Boston (will air at 7:00 p.m. same day)

6:00 p.m. Men of Boston Cook for Women (Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington Street, Dorchester)

City Councillor At-Large John Connolly

Men of Boston Cook for Women's Health
7:00 PM
(Event begins at 6:00 PM)
Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester, MA

Boston Cyclists Union Annual Party
Connolly will speak at 8:30 PM
(Event begins at 7:00 PM)
41 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA