Our weekday 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. Since it appears Hurricane Irene is tracking for a possible landfall in coastal New England, we will devote another 5 Things column to all-things Irene. 1. The storm was classified as a Category 3, as of 11 p.m., and had sustained winds of 120 mph, according to CNN.com. It was positioned over the Bahamas, and moving north at 12 mph. 2. Tourists were being told to leave portions of the Outer Banks, the portion of North …

Our weekday 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. The following facts are based on information from the National Hurricane Center. 1. What is a hurricane, exactly? It is a low pressure system, a form of cyclone, that forms in the tropics. It is accompanied by thunderstorms and in the northern hemisphere, counterclockwise circulation of winds. 2. How fast do the winds circulate? To be classified as a hurricane, as opposed to the less several tropical storm or tropical …

Our weekday 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 family and friends of Matthew Denice, the 23-year-old motorcyclist killed Saturday in a hit-and-run crash in Milford, have organized a candlelight vigil. It begins at 7:50 p.m. Friday at Draper Memorial Park. 2. Milford kindergarteners will get a taste of school, and some ice cream, at an event Tuesday night. The Kindergarten Playground Night is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Brookside and Memorial elementary schools. The …

Our weekday 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. Massachusetts restaurants, clubs and hotels are now eligible to serve alcohol an hour earlier on Sundays, beginning at 10 a.m. Crivello's Crossing, on Depot Street, has applied for permission from Milford Selectmen to do so. 2. The November tax bill will include a timely reminder of the rules of the winter parking ban: effective Dec. 1 through March 15, parking on street is banned between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Signs will …

Our weekday 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. Comcast is introducing a new program called "Internet Essentials" which will allow low-income families to get high-speed internet for $9.95 a month, plus tax, to help their children succeed in school. According to a letter provided recently to town officials, the service will also allow parents to purchase a low-cost computer for $149.99 plus tax. Eligibility rules include having a child eligible to receive a free …

Our weekday 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. A reminder: Rep. John Fernandes will hold office hours from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Milford Town Hall. Fernandes, an attorney, has a district office at 12 Main St. and has said he can also meet with constituents by appointment. His contacts: 508-473-3063 or 617-722-2011, and by e-mail at John.Fernandes@mahouse.gov. 2. This back-to-school event caught our eye: Trinity Episcopal Church will host a "blessing …

Our weekday 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. An adoption information meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for people interested in learning more about adopting children from foster care. The session is at First Unitarian Univeralist Church. All week, the church has sponsored an art gallery showing professional portraits of some of the hundreds of children in Massachusetts eligible for adoption. 2. A popular package store is relocating. Hickey's Liquors …

Our weekday 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. How has your life changed because of the soured economy? Have you been forced from a job? Taken on a second job to make ends meet? Is homeownership still the American Dream? In Dispatches: the Changing American Dream, Patch will explore ways peoples' lives have changed in recent years. Email suggestions for ideas on stories to Mary.MacDonald@Patch.com. 2. A story hour for children, spoken in Portuguese, will be at 10 a…

Our weekday 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. A day of rain is in the forecast for Milford Monday, and the National Weather Service is warning that heavy rain at times may result in minor street flooding. Up to 2 inches of rainfall is possible through Monday night. 2. A wildlife expert from the Massachusetts Wildlife Expo will be at the Milford Town Library Wednesday with snakes, scorpions, spiders and more creatures. The event is at 10 a.m. Kids and adults are …

Our weekday 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 school year is fast approaching. Stacy Middle School, Middle School East and several other schools will host an open house at their facilities from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 25. The new year for all grades begins Aug. 31. 2. A national strike by Verizon union employees has reached Milford. In recent days, in two incidents, Milford police were asked to intervene because strikers were blocking Verizon trucks from …

Our weekday 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. A reminder: the Milford Senior Center will host a cookout for seniors at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The menu is classic backyard barbecue: hotdogs, hamburgers and soda. The cost is $7, which will help cover door prizes. Entertainment is country music by Linda Jean Catino, which begins at 1:30 p.m. 2. In one more month, a local businessman will host a memorial dinner for service men and women, and survivors of the Sept. 11, …

Our weekday 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. Milford will host a special town meeting Oct. 24. The warrant is expected to be posted by Oct. 3. Expected: articles that would strengthen enforcement of vacated, dilapidated properties, and a noise bylaw. 2. The Milford Area Chamber of Commerce will host a networking meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Blaire House of Milford. The event includes Hawaiian cuisine. The cost is $10 for members and $25 for non-members. 3. Five…

Our weekday 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. Moody's Investors Service recently assigned an Aa2 rating for Milford, an upgrade that reflects the town's sizable tax base, above-average wealth levels, manageable debt burden and sound level of reserves, according to a statement from Town Treasurer Barbara Auger. 2. The improved credit rating translates into lower borrowing costs, which will reduce the repayment expense for a $2.35 million general obligation bond to …

Our weekday 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. An exhibit, featuring 24 portraits of Massachusetts children who are in foster care, and eligible for adoption, will be featured at First Unitarian Universalist Church, during business hours, through Aug. 17. The "Heart Gallery" is organized by the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange. 2. Milford Selectmen will meet at 7 p.m Monday, for a regularly scheduled meeting at Milford Town Hall. 3. The Blessing House …

Our weekday 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. On Saturday, children and teens will participate in a triathlon sponsored by Midtown Family Fitness. The event includes swimming in Fino Memorial Pool, bicycling on the Milford Upper Charles Trail, and running on the trail. It begins at 9 a.m. on the trail behind the fitness facility. 2. Multi-cultural music will be featured at The Milford Town Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, as the Milford Cultural Council and the …

Our weekday 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. Milford High School will hold an orientation for incoming freshmen from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, an effort to ease them into their new home-away-from-home for the next four years. School reopens Aug. 31. 2. Two accused, knife-wielding men who are charged with attacking another man, and threatening his life, will be arraigned Thursday at Milford District Court. The reported assault happened Sunday night at the Valero …

Our weekday 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. Three candidates for Building Commissioner will have final interviews tonight at Milford Town Hall. The candidates are: John Erickson, who is scheduled for a 6 p.m. interview; John Field, scheduled for 6:45 p.m. and Michael Mendoza, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 2. Milford Selectmen recently approved a stop sign request for Sample Road, where it intersects with Jionzo Road, due to the poor sight distance in that spot. 3. A …

Our weekday 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. If you have children and are looking for a fun event Tuesday morning, the Milford Town Library will host a chalk drawing event on its parking area, beginning at 9 a.m. The library will provide the materials. You provide the artistic talent. 2. Speaking of the Milford library, tickets are still available for an all-ages Magic Show that will be presented at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Granite and Quarry rooms. Admission is …

Our weekday 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. A developer who hopes to build a casino in Milford will hold a petition signing event Tuesday for people who support the idea of a casino in Milford. The state Leglislature, which would authorize expansion of gambling interests in the state, has yet to act on a casino bill. The local signing effort is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Doubletree Hotel. 2. Bats in the attic? State wildlife officials are asking homeowners to …

Our weekday 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. This fun, upcoming event caught our eye: the Milford Town Library will host a "chalk drawing event" at 9 a.m. Aug 2. Kids of all ages are welcome to join the Youth Services librarians in decorating the parking lot. The library will supply the chalk. Light refrehments will also be served. Rain date is Aug. 4. 2. Tickets are on sale now for the Milford Senior Center Cookout, an annual event that includes food, soda, live…