This Week: Build Up Your Poker Skills; Watch NMHS Drama Production; Celebrate Black History Month

Five Things appears every Monday on Newark Patch. Leave tips in the comments section below.

Here are five things you need to know in and around Newark through Feb. 12.

1. Test out your poker skills by heading to on Tuesday and playing in the West Coast Poker League. Scared to lose money? Don’t’ be. It’s free and there’s no gambling involved. Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. and games start at 7 p.m. to learn more.
2. Learn more about a board policy that would allow specially trained dogs to sniff out drugs on district property. The Newark Unified Board of Education will hear a presentation that begins at 7 p.m.
3. The appointment of Robert Marshall to the Newark City Council becomes official Thursday after he takes an oath of office at the council meeting’s meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. that day. Click here to download the full agenda of the meeting.
4. The Newark Memorial High School Drama Club will premiere its student production of “The Butler Did It” on Friday. Tickets are $5 and the show starts at 7 p.m. The show is based on a story in which guests of a party realize a murder has occurred and they’re all targets. for more information.
5. The 38th annual Black History Month Observance celebration will be held Saturday at the starting at 10 a.m. and the theme will be “Black Women in American Culture and History.” The event will feature speakers, singers, dancers and food and is hosted by the Afro-American Cultural & Historical Society Inc. and the city of Newark Cultural Arts Program. for more information or call 510-792-3973 for program inquiries.