Stroller cat being interviewed by SCATV.

The Somerville Copy Cat Festival, inspired by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, took place Sunday at the Arts at the Armory. The feline extravaganza featured cat videos – produced locally and globally – cat stories, cat limericks and a slideshow of local cats. Emcee Jef Czekaj kicked off the event by reading his book Cat Secrets for cat-crazy kids.

– Photos by Erica Jones.

The Somerville Museum is being renewed and refitted for the enjoyment of visitors for many years to come..– Photo by Terence Clarey

By Terence Clarey

If it is up to the Somerville Museum Board of Trustees President, Barbara Mangum, 2013 will be a year of big things happening. With the roof replaced, and upcoming window painting and handicapped access improvements in the near future, she hopes that the museum will be able to showcase more exhibitions and host more events than before.

By Mike Stoller

He’s been coaching for almost a quarter of a decade, but Prospect Hill Academy girls basketball coach Brian Harris says he’s still learning about what it takes to win with his squad this season, even though the Wizards have posted a terrific 9-3 record overall and 7-3 in the Massachusetts Charter School Athletic Organization (MASAO).

The City of Somerville could benefit greatly by implementing FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program, according to advocates such as the Board of Aldermen.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Board of Alderman, at their meeting on Feb. 14, formally requested that the mayor implement a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the city.

The volunteer citizen support group, which is part of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration), would assist city emergency response efforts during emergency or disaster situations.

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce is having their Government Affairs Breakfast with Somerville’s Board of Alderman President. The event is 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, at Somerville Holiday Inn located at 30 Washington Street. Chamber Members $25. Non-members $30. Non-members must provide contact information for payment purposes. Advance registration required with name(s) and affiliation(s) for you and your guests to smackey@somervillechamber.org  or call Stephen V. Mackey, President/CEO Somerville Chamber of Commerce, 2 Alpine Street, P.O. Box 440343 Somerville, MA 02144 at (617)776-4100. Visit them on the web: www.somervillechamber.org

The Maple Syrup Boil-Down Festival will occur on March 9 at the Somerville Community Growing Center. Somerville maple syrup in maple leaf bottles will be for sale at various venues throughout the city.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Leading up to the Maple Syrup Boil-Down Festival, which will occur on March 9 at the Somerville Community Growing Center, three free Groundwork Somerville workshops for youngsters, aged 5 to 9, which are entitled Maple Syrup in the Library will take place.

By William Tauro

The Somerville Council on Aging’s Annual Valentines event was a great time had by all that attended.

The first lecture of the season, The Somerville I Didn’t Know, will focus on the influences that Africans, West Indians, and African Americans had on the early years of development of the city from 1630-1860. Alice Mack, a native of Somerville, a poet and history teller who has been studying African-American history for several decades, will deliver the talk.

Eagle Feathers #20 – “42” ude and fortitude

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

What is fortitude? And why does Somerville have so much of it? Fortitude, according to Webster’s Dictionary means: “strength of mind that allows one to endure pain of adversity with courage.” A few synonyms would include: bravery, fearlessness, endurance, intrepidity, perseverance, strength and staying power. Fortitude is a quality that has been exhibited through the ideas, words and actions of thousands of Somerville citizens throughout the years. Somerville has, on the lighter side, a healthy dose of…well…let’s call it “42” ude. By this, I mean the city’s uncanny number of parallels and connections with the number 42. The number 42 has been cited as something of an enigma by various sources and cultural references. The most well known might be from Douglas Adams’ iconic book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In his Hitchhiker series, the number 42 is stated to be the answer to life, the universe and everything. “42” ude is emblematic of fortitude and describes a situation which is unique to this city. Are you ready to take a walk through time? Let’s go!

So, all the efforts by the School Committee members – in particular Rossetti, Bockelman and Niedergang – to take a non-issue and go ahead and have 10 resumes reviewed for the appointment to the School Committee seat in Ward 1 was all for not.