The
final phase of the competition takes place this summer, when each of
the 32 finalists will send a delegation to Tampa to showcase their
community.

On Thursday night, the Somerville Chamber of
Commerce, along with 25 collaborating organizations, hosted a
fundraiser at The Holiday Inn's Night Games Lounge to help offset some
of the trip's travel costs. An 8-piece band called Soul Picnic played
tunes from the likes of Otis Redding and Etta James, inspiring a few
guests to dance, while others simply enjoyed the food spread provided
by a number of local restaurants.

Guest of honor Mayor Curtatone
addressed the crowd, speaking excitedly about the award. Last year, he
pointed out, the top ten eluded the city by a single spot. He also
alluded to the city's 1972 victory, asking the audience "how many
people remember that?" He was answered with loud cheers.

Curtatone
spoke of the importance of maintaining civic and community engagement,
especially when fiscal cuts are leading to the elimination of programs
and services. "At times like this, people say 'why do you want to hold
parades or have fireworks?'" he said, "but this is exactly when we need
to come together to celebrate who we are, what we've accomplished,
where we're going."

The city's delegation will consist of 30
people, including two youths in attendance who Curtatone excitedly
called "our secret weapon".

During the three-day competition,
each delegation will present challenges and solutions to issues the
community has faced, and peer-to-peer dialogues will bring Somerville
in touch with other communities, including larger cities such as
Phoenix, Arizona and smaller towns like Benson, North Carolina, which
had fewer than 3,000 residents in the 2000 census.