Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. The town's three beaches are open today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The beaches, run by the Parks and Recreation Department, are Learneds Pond, Saxonville Beach and Lake Waushakum. A beach pass is needed or you can pay the daily rate $3 for residents and $6 for non-residents.

2. The first week in August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is your best tip on how to make your day or week easier? Tell us in the comments.

3. Framingham Rotary Club is meeting today at 12:15 at Ken's Steak House.

4. In case you are wondering why we have not seen any boxing on NBC with the Olympics, it is because for the first time Team USA did not have one male boxer qualify for the quarterfinals at the London Olympics. With no medal winners, it's the worst ever showing for the United States boxing team at the Olympics. The United States had never failed to bring home a boxing medal before in history.

But if you love boxing, Framingham's Danny O'Connor will headline the first-ever boxing match at Gillette Stadium Sunday night, Aug. 12. Tickets are still available.

5. On Day 9 at the 2012 London Olympic games, Usain Bolt proved lightning can strike twice as he repeated in the 100 dash, keeping his title as world's fastest man.

American McKayla Maroney fell on her butt in the second of her two vaults in the finals, but was still able to earn a silver medal.

American Sanya Richards-Ross took gold in the women's 400. She jokingly said her gold medal is going to sit on top of her husband's Super Bowl rings. Her husband is Aaron Ross, who won an NFL championship with the N.Y. Giants. Richards-Ross said those rings helped motivate her.

And Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to win the men's tennis gold medal.

Today, Aug. 6 in London, today the U.S. Women's soccer team will take on Canada in the semifinals.

All-around champion Gabby Douglas will compete in the uneven bars finals today.

In their final match of group play, men's volleyball team takes on winless Tunisia. Despite their loss to Russia, a win would see Team USA take top spot in their group.