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Six of the new homes Arundel Habitat for Humanity will build in 2008 get basement waterproofing systems installed, courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing. As well as volunteers and donations, Habitat board president Joe Allwein says, “We depend on the commitment of socially responsible companies willing to give back to the community they serve with not just the hard cost of materials, but also with the time and energy of their skilled tradespeople.” There’s plenty of room for whatever you have to offer: Arundel Habitat for Humanity plans 16 new homes in 2008, up from 14 in 2007 …

Anne Arundel County Exec John Leopold has named local author and marine industry jack of all trades Mick Blackistone, of Fairhaven, to chair his Maritime Industry Advisory Board, offering guidance on the boating industry to the county. The members roll is a who’s who of boating and tourism: West and Rhode Riverkeeper Bob Gallagher of Shady Side; U.S. Boatshow backers Ed Hartman and Jim Barthold of Annapolis; yachting’s Rod Jabin of Annapolis; tourism’s Clare Vanderbeek of Edgewater; Maritime Institute of Technology director Glen Paine of Linthicum; Fawcett Boating Supplies partner Steven Ripley of Annapolis; Annapolis Yacht Club’s Jack Lynch of Edgewater …

Calvert Delegate Tony O’Donnell keeps his job as the most powerful Republ

ican in the House of Delegates, winning reelection as Minority Leader …

In Virginia, they’re hoping for a lot of wind, and not because they like sailing. The Virginia State Corporation Commission last week gave the go-ahead for the state’s first wind farm, 19 wind turbines built on 200 acres in Highland County near the West Virginia border. Conservationists fearing bird mortality could appeal …

Our Creature Feature comes from New Hampshire, where Barack Obama wasn’t the only cool cat who ran this week. In what is billed as the first-in-the-nation feline election for the top-cat position at the Mount Washington Observatory, following the 12-year career of a cat named Nin atop the 6,288-foot summit.

There’s vocal, high-energy Sarah; Wilson the ferocious mouser; and long-haired Marty.

“The three cats have the right personalities to live at the Observatory during the quiet of winter and the craziness of the summer tourist season,” said Scot Henley, executive director of the Mount Washington Observatory.

To see more pictures and find out who won, go to the www.mountwashington.org/events/topcat/vote.php.