5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 17

Today's Forecast: The National Weather Service is predicting showers before noon today, with cloudy skies through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 46.

1. 2012 February Vacation Programs: February Vacation begins Monday, and Hale Reservation is offering a February Vacation program for Grades 1-6 this year from Feb. 21-23. The price is $75 per day, $200 for all three days. Likewise, the Westwood Recreation Department has released information for the upcoming February vacation, and you can download the brochure.

2. Today's Winter Sports Games: Westwood High School's basketball and ice hockey teams will compete today at 6 p.m. Xaverian Brothers' junior varsity ice hockey team will take to the ice today, as will the Hawks' freshman basketball team..

3. Babies & Books: The Westwood Public Library's Babies & Books program, designed for children 2 years and younger, features short stories, songs, dance and puppets. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. today at the Westwood Public Library's Islington Branch.

4. Vacancy on the Westwood Planning Board: Planning Board Member Carol Chafetz announced this week that she will be resigning from the board as of April 23, leaving a vacancy to be filled during this year's town election.

5. Art. Music. Politics. You could write about all this and other topics if you sign up as a blogger for Westwood Patch. It's easy to sign up and a great way to have your voice heard.