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 Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 6:30 p.m. today in Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Ave. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The Shrewsbury Genealogy Club has its monthly meeting today from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Shrewsbury Public Library. Anyone interested is welcome. 3. Sherwood Middle School is holding an Open House from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today. Students will be able to view their homeroom lists at this time. 4. …

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 Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. today in Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Ave. To view the agenda, click here. 2. The first annual Kicking Butt for Crohn's 5K Road Race will take place at Dean Park at 9 a.m. Saturday. Walkers are welcome. Registration costs $20. All proceeds will go to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). For more information, visit www.kickingbuttforcrohns…

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 American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Shrewsbury Senior Center. Donors will receive a coupon for a free container of Turkey Hill Iced Tea and can register to win Red Sox Tickets. Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Bring a positive ID. 2. The Retirement Board will meet at 7:30 a.m. today at Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 …

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 Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library are sponsoring a Concert on the Common at 6 p.m. today. ILLUSIONS plays hits of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Bring a lawn chair. (In the event of rain, the concert will be held at the Shrewsbury Senior Center). Free ice cream will be provided by Heald & Chiampa while supplies last. 2. The library is also holding a Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig story reading and ballet performance …

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 Shrewsbury Public Library sent out a thank you for what was called a record-breaking bake sale. According to the statement, last week's SPLAT (Shrewsbury Public Library Advisory Team) 3rd Annual Bake Sale raised more than $160. Proceeds go to the group to sponsor programs and materials for youth in the community. 2. The Shrewsbury Board of Health has announced that Central Mass. Mosquito Control (CMMC) will be …

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 Shrewsbury Public Library is holding a Hunt Club: The Trivia Pursuit event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today. Sign up in the children's room for this family scavenger/challenge hunt. 2. Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is inviting the county’s seniors to attend the Sheriff’s Annual Senior Picnic to be held at SAC Park, 438 Lake St., this Sat., Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free for all seniors.“As…

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 Shrewsbury Board of Health has issued a public health advisory due to the observation of high levels of cyanobacteria algae (blue-green) in Dean Park Pond and Jordan Pond. The board is offering the following recommendations until further notice: Do not swim in the ponds Do not allow pets in water Do not swallow water Rinse skin off immediately after contact Fishing is discouraged To view the full document, click …

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. Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado has filed an updated sewer rate study with the Board of Sewer Commissioners, which now has the matter under review. "We are now eleven months into the implementation of the April 1, 2011, sewer rate increase which was designed to increase revenue by 72 percent to 78 percent in order to meet the Operation and Maintenance (O&M), treatment and debt service costs associated with the sewer …

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 American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glavin Regional Center, 214 Lake St. Donors will receive a coupon for a free container of Turkey Hill iced tea. 2. The Board of Selectmen will meet at 7 p.m. today at Town Hall. 3. Online registration for most of the Shrewsbury Public Library's Young Adult programs has started. To register, click here and choose an event. Then, click on …

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 Parks & Cemetery Commission meets at 7 p.m. today at Town Hall. 2. The deadline to submit a registration form for the Spirit of Shrewsbury Oak Street Expo is Wed., Aug. 15. The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 29, at Oak Middle School. To view the registration form, click here. 3. The Shrewsbury Historical Society has announced that it recently presented two scholarships as part of its outreach …

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 new frozen yogurt business has opened at 20 Boston Tpke (in White City). According to ICraze Frozen Yogurt's Facebook page, the grand opening was held Wednesday, Aug. 8. During this grand opening week, the business is offering a 10 percent discount (through Sun., Aug. 12). 2. The Shrewsbury Public Library is holding the first in a series of animal programs today. Amazing New England Bats will be held from 10:30 to 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.The town has announced on its website that, starting Mon., Aug. 13, " the south (eastbound) sidewalk of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge between Worcester and Shrewsbury will close for demolition." The sidewalk is expected to remain closed "until late 2013 when the new eastbound bridge opens ... Demolition of the sidewalk will take place at night from approximately 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. ... Beginning at approximately …

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. Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado has filed an updated water rate study with the Board of Selectmen, which now has the matter under review. "It is again necessary for the Board to consider the current rate structure for the water utility," Morgado wrote to selectmen. "The last time the Board reviewed this matter was in March/April of 2008 when new rates were adopted." To view the document, click here. 2. The Shrewsbury …

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 3rd Annual Family Photo Scavenger Hunt will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at the Shrewsbury Public Library. Participants must register at the library to attend. There is no sign up over the phone as a waiver must be signed to compete. 2. The Dave Whitney Orchestra will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Southgate at Shrewsbury, 30 Julio Dr. This concert is free and open to the public. 3. Stump Trivia is held …

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. CORRECTION: The correct time and date for the Shrewsbury Trails Committee meeting is listed below. 1. The Shrewsbury Trails Committee meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Town Hall. 2. Shrewsbury Health & Racquet Club has posted an offer on its Facebook page for 20 percent off a full week of full day camp. The offer expires Aug. 10.  3. Not Your Average Joe's restaurant in Westborough has agreed to donate 15% of purchases made on…

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 town has posted on its website the July Asian Long-horned Beetle Cooperative Eradication Program progress report. According to the report, surveyors inspected 26,414 trees in town last month and have not found any additional infested tress since late June. To view the report, click here.  2. An Advanced Digital Photograpy program will be held Saturday at the Shrewsbury Public Library from 9 to 10 a.m. This course …

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…

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 deadline to register to vote for the Sept. 6 State Primary is 8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 17. Register at the Town Clerk's Office. Mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by Fri., Aug. 17. 2. Absentee ballots for the Sept. 6 State Primary are available at the Town Clerk's Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is noon. Sept. 5. Vote in person at the Town Clerk's Office or request a ballot in writing. …

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 Shrewsbury Public Library is holding Summer Recess, the public schools' summer reading program, from 6:30 to 7:30 tonight in the large meeting room. For more information, click here. 2. Eight students from Shrewsbury have been named to the University of Massachusetts Lowell Dean's List for the Spring 2012 semester. "To qualify, students must have completed at least 12 graded credits for the semester, have at least …

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 Drop-In Catalog Help program will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. today in the Shrewsbury Public Library's circulation area. This is a chance to ask questions. There will be a brief demo, with iPads and netbooks available for use. 2. The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in the selectmen's office at the Municipal Office Building. To view the agenda, click here.  3. All-Access Fitness Academy is holding a …