Screech Owl Visits High School, Officer Parks in Front of Hydrant

1) SHS Ecology Students Welcome Mass Audubon Society Guests
Students at Somerville High School recently got up close and personal with a screech owl and a red-tailed hawk. The students got to see these birds when speakers from the Massachusetts Audubon Society visited Ms. McCabe's ecology class. More here.

2) Police Officer Parks in Front of Fire Hydrant
A reader, named Jane Doe believe it or not (not), posted a photo of a Somerville police cruiser parked in front of a fire hydrant. Ms. Doe said the officer was in a restaurant eating lunch at the time. She said, "It's ok though. Not like there have been any fires recently." Thanks, Jane, for posting the funny photo. 

But wait! According to Section 2-6 of the Somerville Traffic Regulations, the regulations—such as not parking in front of a hydrant—"shall not apply to police officers when engaged in the performance of public duties." So here's a question: Is a uniformed on-duty officer who's taking a short lunch break "engaged in the performance of public duties?" I'm tempted to say yes, but I bet some on-duty lawyers could generate a lengthy paper trail of arguments supporting both sides of the matter.

My advice is to interrupt the officer's lunch and point out he's blocking a hydrant. Please post that photo, too.

3) Project Bread Holiday Cards
Project Bread, which works to end hunger, is selling its holiday cards. There are 15 designs, many featuring illustrations of Boston in winter, and you can check them out at projectbread.org/holidaycards.

4) Post to Patch
Want to post news, tidbits, announcements or funny photos of police cruisers to Somerville Patch? You can do so here.

5) Weather
Showers with a high around 62.