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. Framingham High will hold a winter concert at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. The event features performances by the wind ensemble, orchestra, jazz band and marching band color guard. Tickets available at the door for $5 each. The event is a fundraiser for the high school's instrumental music programs.

2.  Framingham Assessors will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in Nevins Hall to help taxpayers apply for abatements. Staff will help homeowners file paperwork to challenge the assessed values of their properties. Abatement applocations must be filed no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 or postmarked on Feb. 1.

3. Hemenway Elementary's fourth grade class is hold a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen today.

4. McCarthy Elementary is holding its annual family pasta dinner tonight. There are two sittings.

5. There is a forum tonight at Robert Adams Middle School, 323 Woodland St. in Holliston at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the recently passed casino gaming bill, and the impacts a casino could have on MetroWest towns. Sen. Karen Spilka, who represents Framingham, will be on hand to discuss the new casino gambling bill. Members of the MetroWest Collaborative also will be in attendance. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions and let local leaders know their thoughts and concerns on the possibility of a casino in the MetroWest area.