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 Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. today in the selectmen's hearing room at the municipal office building. To view the agenda, click here.

2. The 3rd Annual All-Access Cookout will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at All-Access Fitness Academy. Cost is $15 for All-Access Fitness Academy members and $20 for non-members. Registration is required. To register, call Athena at 508-845-3974.

3. Two regularly-held programs will take place at the Shrewsbury Public Library tonight: English Conversation Circle, where non-native English speakers gather to practice speaking English, will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. and Beginner Spanish Class for adults will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required for both programs. Call 508-842-0081 x3.

4. On this day in history in 1909, the first Lincoln penny was issued.

5. Voting continues through Aug. 17 for the Readers' Choice categories we've selected for Shrewsbury. You've probably noticed on our homepage a story that shows you all of the categories for which we're seeking votes. Cast your vote and help us decide who's best. Today, we're highlighting "best preschool."  Click here and take a second to vote for your favorite preschool in Shrewsbury.

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