Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 23

April 27th is the Swampscott High junior class prom. Tickets are $85 and may be purchased after school in room c205 with Mrs. Green, or during lunch (twice a week) with Mr. Kravitz.

Scrapbook: Which Way to the Beach?

Midafternoon at Fisherman's Beach on Thursday took up where last summer left off.

Midnight in Paris and My Week With Marilyn

Borrow a DVD such as My Week With Marilyn and get a week before you have to return it, courtesy of your local library.

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 21

The town clerk will draw names at 10 a.m. today to determine the order in which candidates will appear on the ballot in the April 24, local elections.

Letter to the Editor: Volunteers Sought for Historic District Study Committee

The vice chairman of the Swampscott Board of Selectmen writes to say the committee is looking for real estate agents, architects, business owners, developers, and residents living in historic homes.

The Janet Leigh Fishing Boat Gets a Shore Scrubbin'

Fisherman Ed Desrosier took advantage of Monday's May-like weather to gussy up his signature yellow fishing boat, the Janet Leigh.

Equinox Celebration Tuesday Morning

The first sunrise of spring will draw town residents to the Sun Circle at Preston Beach Tuesday morning.

Updated: Brant Geese Line the Beach

Sunday's gorgeous weather brought out these black and white sea birds.

Senior Center to Give Saturday Openings a Whirl

The action will fill a void in seniors' lives. Saturday's St. Patrick's celebration was a dry run on the road to opening the Center future Saturdays.

Troop 53 Open House Sunday

Boy Scout Troop 53 will display scoutcraft and seek new members starting at 11 am Sunday in the St. John's Church basement.

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 14

Tonight at Town Hall the Renewable Energy Committee and selectmen will discuss a wind feasibility study, and reasons why the committee rejected the study's recommendation that the town build a wind turbine behind the Middle School.

Seventh Grader Rallies Support For Syrian People

Cenna Khatib was joined by her family Saturday at Copley Square in Boston where she read a poem she wrote that speaks out against attacks on Syrian people.

VIDEO: Slices of Life From Pizza War

More than 20 pizza shops converged on Swampscott High Sunday for Pizza War, the latest brainchild from the Class of 2014.

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 12

Town Planner Peter Kane will present the results of a community survey and an update on the grant application the town filed with the MAPC.

Sunset At Swampscott Harbor

House-cam view of Swampscott Harbor at sunset Friday.

Winner — Best Hair Salon

The Cutting Crew won 42 percent of the vote in the Best of Patch Readers' Choice 2012 contest.

Gray Afternoon At Swampscott Harbor

House-cam view of Swampscott Harbor from 4:45 pm Thursday.

VIDEO: History Buffs Reflect on Local Disasters [Rerun]

Lou Gallo's history buff group reflected on the Swampscott train wreck and New Ocean House Hotel fire after the Gateway fire last year.

The Swampscott Train Wreck

The tragic events unfolded 56 years ago on Feb. 28.

Off the Shelf: Books by Gardner, Jance and Flynn.

The tried and true novels of Lisa Gardner, J.A. Jance and Vince Flynn are in demand at the Swampscott Public Library.

The Westhovens Go To Washington, D.C.

The Westhovens took their three children to Washington, D.C. for school vacation week. They spent a week seeing the nation's capital. No car, no deadlines. Lots of memories.

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 29

Selectmen voted 3-2 on Monday to require candidates for the town administrator opening to take an online assessment.

Mid-Afternoon At Swampscott Harbor

House-cam view of Swampscott Harbor from 3 pm Tuesday.

VIDEO: Henry Blanc's Tale

Henry is a young cat who was rescued in January. He has wobbly cat syndrome, a neurological disorder — but don't tell him cause he doesn't notice it at all.

Historical Photo: Then and Now Asks When?

What year was this photograph taken? One guess per person. Enter your guess in the Leave A Comment box at the bottom of the page and hit submit. Be first to enter the correct answer and win a prize.

Swampscott Baby Places in Diaper Derby [VIDEO]

Christopher Rowe outpaced most of the field coming in third in the Liberty Tree Mall's Diaper Derby held on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Day's End at Swampscott Harbor

House-cam view of Swampscott Harbor from 5:30 pm Friday.

UPDATED: Chapter 70 Enrollment Comments Draw Fire From Local Activists

One Swampscott Chapter 70 activist says the funding formula is being manipulated like a patronage scheme. Another local activist says the state's explanation for 2013 funding is lazy.

Finalists Named For Town Administrator Job

The candidates are a Swampscott resident, Ipswich's acting town administrator and a town supervisor from the state of New York.