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. Bundle up this morning at the bus stop. And leave plenty of time to let your car warm up before the morning commute. Today is the coldest day of the season thus far. Overnight temperatures were expected to sink to single digits, not including the wind gusts of up to 25 mph. Highs today are not expected to get out of the 20s, withw inds of 5-10 mph. Wednesday night shouldn't be as cold, with temperatures in the teens, according to the National …

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. Drive safely this morning. Kids return to school today from the holiday break. 2. Beginning today and continuing every Tuesday, Whole Foods Market in Framingham will host Health Starts Here Lunch Specials beginning at 11 a.m. For $5, customers get 5 tasty and healthy options from Whole Foods Market's prepared foods department. 3. Did you resolve to help others in 2012? Well, you can give blood today at the Framingham Community Blood Drive , which…

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. Congrats to Dave Wilkie, who was the Framingham winner in the Patch Deck the House contest. The 24 national finalists will be announced today. Each Top 24 finalist is guaranteed $500 to help pay those holiday-sized electric bills and a shot at winning a $100,000 donation for their public school district. 2. Vacation Week Movie Matinee: Mr. Popper’s Penguins at the main Framingham library. The free showing begins at 2 p.m. 3. Yesterday was final …

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. Flyers Wrestling team hosts the Framingham High School Holiday Tournament starts at 9 a.m. at Framingham High 2. Today is National Chocolate Day. Considering dieting in 2012? Then make today an all chocolate day. Perhaps, start with a chocolate croissant or chocolate chip pancakes with mocha coffee. Chocolate for breakfast not your style? Tell us your favorite chocolate item in the comment section. 3. Framingham's Board of Assessors are scheduled…

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. You will be paying more in taxes in 2012. The Chief Assessor says residential property values are up, even though commercial property values are down more than 7%. Selectmen Monday night increased the residential tax rate by 1.75%. So between the increase in property values and the increase in the tax rate, the average homeowner can expect to pay a few hundred dollars more in 2012. Read more here. 2. Effective today, the…

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Steve March Torme, one of Mel Torme's sons, has followed in his father  footsteps, becoming a singer and songwriter. He will perform today at Amazing Things Arts Center at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35, $33 for students and seniors and $30 for members. 2. Mass Ballet of Framingham will perform The Nutcracker" at 1 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury. Tickets still available at $15. 3. Still looking for a …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Friends of the Framingham Library Monthly Book Sale takes place today at the main Framingham Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don't forget to stop by "bag room" and fill a paper grocery bag for just $5! 2. Framingham Patch is an interactive community news site and we want you to be a part of it. We'd love to see your Christmas Tree photos. You went through all the trouble of picking out the perfect tree and decorating it …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Cameron Middle School is performing Once On This Island tonight, Dec. 16 at 7. Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door. 2. Mass Ballet of Framingham will perform The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury. Tickets still available at $15. 3. Framingham High's  girls varsity Basketball will tap off against Wellesley High at 6:30 p.m. at Framingham High. 4. Marian High girls basketball …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Framingham Board of Health with continue with its General Chemical Site Assignment Hearing for - the 3rd night - at 7 p.m. at Wilson Elementary School. 2. The Parks & Recreation Department is collecting toys for children ages birth to 10. If you would like to donate a gift or money, please drop it off at the Parks & Recreation office before tomorrow, Dec. 16. For more info, call 508.532.5960 3. Framingham High girls …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley told Framingham Selectmen last night she believes the town can only fund about 50% of the $15 million general fund capital project requests, to stay in good financial shape. The 50% does not apply to neither water or sewer capital project requests, said the CFO. Framingham Patch was live bogging during her presentation, read more here. 2. MARC is holding a presentation on …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Consider donating an old adult or kids' coat to Anton's Cleaners, who will in turn clean them and donate them to needy families. 2. Please consider dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at Exit Realty, which is collecting toys for the "Toys for Tots" program. 3. Council on Aging Meeting today at 1:30 p.m. at the Callahan Senior Center. 4. Framingham Patch is collecting holiday traditions. Traditions are what link one …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Framingham Patch wants to see your Christmas tree photos. You went through all that trouble, picking out the tree, putting it up and decorating it! Upload your photos and videos of you tree at this link and show it off to all of Framingham. 2. Free Yoga Class for Veterans at 7 p.m. at Edwards Church. 3. Keefe Tech boys varsity basketball team will play Fellowship Christian Academy at 4 p.m. at Keefe Tech. 4. Metrowest …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Yesterday, it was great to see all the foot traffic in downtown Framingham. Schools, community groups, Scouts, etc all decorated trees for the Framingham Downtown Renaissance's first-ever Winter Wonderland & Festival of Trees. The trees were judged by Interim Town Manager Valerie Mulvey, Selectman Dennis Giombetti and State Rep. Chris Walsh. All the trees were auctioned off at 3 p.m. Framingham Patch will have a …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.   1. School leaders wll host a public tour of _Fuller Middle School_ and the former _Farley Middle School (located next door to Fuller but leased to Mass Bay Community College_) this morning at 8 a.m. School leaders are trying to decide which building better suits its long-range planning needs. There will be a guided tour and a slideshow. The public is invited. 2. The Framingham Downtown Renaissance organizaton is hosting …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Town of Framingham is holding its 20th annual tree lighting tonight. Framingham Girl Scouts kick the event off leading the crowd in a singalong of holiday songs on the steps of the Memorial Building starting at 6:15 p.m. Santa is expected to arrive at 6:45 via a fire truck. After Santa lights the tree, everyone is invited inside for light refreshments and to hear the high school's music department perform a concert. …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Framingham elementary school parents, today is the last early release day of 2011 for the Framingham Public Schools. The main Framingham library is hosting an Open LEGO Build from 2 to 4 p.m. for kindergarten students and older. No competition just fun building. Library is supplying the LEGOs. 2. McAuliffe Regional Public Charter School is hosting Night of the Arts from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 3. Don't miss an opportunity to see …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. The Massachusetts and New England Champion 7th grade Framingham Flyers football team will compete again today at noon in Florida, as part of the American Youth Football national playoffs. The Flyers lost a heartbreaker in the opening round on Monday. If the Flyers win today, they will play for third place nationally on Friday. Framingham Patch will post updates from the game on its Facebook page and on Twitter. 2. …

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. World-Renowned Violinist Jaime Jorge  is performing at Framingham Centre Seventh Day Adventist Church tonight at 7:30. The public is invited to the concert. 2. Framingham School Committee has a full agenda tonight, including a discussing on a STEM program at the middle schools. Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the King Building. 3. REI in Framingham is holding a Snowshoe Workshop at 7 tonight. Learn how to choose the right…

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. The New England Champion Framingham Flyers B team, made up of 31 7th grade football players, will play their first game of the American Youth Football National Playoffs today at 2 p.m. Patch will have updates on its Facebook page and Twitter account. The Town of Framingham and Framingham Youth Football held a rally for the team on Friday night. See teh attached video for highlights. 2. Please continue bidding in the 40th…

  Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Pizza, breakfast and Santa, what could be better for a child? California Pizza Kitchen at the Natick Mall is holding a special breakfast pizza with Santa event today from 9 to 11 a.m. $8 for adults, $6 for kids. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. Reservations were suggested at 508-651-1506. Parents bring your photo for an unforgettable memory! 2. Cub Scouts from Pack 78 in Framingham willhold …