High art is coming to a switchbox near you, thanks to the Somerville Arts Council’s new innovative program.

By Blake Maddux

The Switchbox Project began 1997 in an effort to put art on the streets of Somerville. Fifteen years later, various artists have painted more than two dozen switchboxes, with many more waiting to serve as the canvas for another painter’s inspired design.

How many strands of mini string lights can you safely connect? How many inches should you cut from the base of a fresh-cut Christmas tree before placing it in water? Not really sure? Then it’s time to sharpen your holiday fire safety smarts with information and resources from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

By William Tauro

Somerville Police Department cruiser #789 fell victim to a big rock that someone used to smash its  front windshield and rear window while it was parked across the street from 1109 Broadway, where the West District Neighborhood Police Sub Station is located.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a reported domestic violence incident at a Boston Ave. residence last week.

Upon arrival, the alleged victim reportedly told officers that she had been in an altercation with her father, Robert Kneeland, 61, who she said was intoxicated and had grabbed her violently by the arm and raised his fist towards her in a threatening manner.

Flooding on Kingman Road has been a chronic problem for residents through the years. They are looking to city officials to seek relief from the ongoing dilemma.

By Harry Kane

Ed Hardy and Thomas Ryan have been neighbors for some 30 years. They are the proverbial kings who live on Kingman Road in the Union Square neighborhood. But, every so often there’s a storm that causes their houses to sink a few inches.

By William Tauro

The Somerville Council on Aging’s Annual Christmas Party was held last Wednesday at the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville.

By William Collins

Donning belled green and red caps and huddled cheerfully in front of the World War I stone monument in Union Square, a group of fourth through eighth graders from the Albert F. Argenziano school sang a variety of Christmas carols, from Jingle Bells to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer last  Wednesday afternoon.

Happy New Year to everyone! May the blessings be upon all of us Somervillens both here and wherever they may be spread across the country. May 2013 be an exciting year, prosperous and healthy for everyone.

Swim team also wins

By Mike Stoller

With 28 points and an astounding 19 rebounds, senior forward John Lubin led the host Somerville boys’ basketball team to a convincing 73-56 win over non-league foe Newton South last week, as the Highlanders improved to 2-0 on the campaign.

The convoy of over two hundred police cruisers met at the Burlington Mall and throughout the route from Massachusetts to Virginia.Left to right: Jason Costa, Lt. Dan Cotter, Randy Isaacs, Alan Monaco, Sgt.,Scott Whalen, Deputy Chief Mike Cabral, Robert Pasqualino, Captain Paul Trant,and Eric Ubeda.

Several weeks ago the Somerville Police Department learned about the dying wish being made from six-year-old Nathan Norman, who is fighting brain cancer, and is from Rustburg, Virginia.