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. Today is the 35th anniversary of the Blizzard of 78. We'd love to hear your memories of the snowstorm and see your photos. Upload your photos and tell us your tales in the comments below.

2. The Performing Arts Center of MetroWest will stage James and the Giant Peach in May. Students, in grades 3-6, will learn acting, singing, dancing, choreography, blocking, working as a team, and all of the various aspects of being a cast member in a show. No audition required! All students will be cast! Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m., beginning today, Feb. 5. Performances are May 17-18-19. Tuition is $375. Some students may need to pay a $25 registration fee.

3. Framingham Selectmen and the Framingham School Committee are scheduled to hold a joint meeting tonight to talk about the Framingham Public Schools building needs, including a proposed Fuller-Farley project. Meeting is scheduled at the Memorial Building at 7 p.m.

4. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, who announced last month he would not seek re-election, said Monday he has no plan to run for the Massachusetts senate seat vacated by John Kerry.

5. Registration for the 40th annual basketball clinic begins Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Framingham Parks & Rec office. The clinic, for boys and girls in grades 4-8, will be held Thursdays beginning March 7, at Walsh Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost $35 per person.