Daily Five: USS Mississippi To Be Christened

1.  Today is Thursday, Dec. 1.  The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies, a high of 50 degrees, and a low of 31 tonight.

2.  The USS Mississippi, the ninth submarine of the Virginia Class, will be christened at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Electric Boat. The Mississippi is 377 feet long, has a "beam" or width of 34 feet and displaces 7,835 tons of water. The ship has a crew of 132 officers and sailors. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is expected to speak at the christening.

3.  The Groton Human Services Department is collecting toys for its 2011 Christmas program. The program provides toys for children up to age 12, and gift cards for teenagers. The wish list includes books, Legos, arts and crafts, Nerf toys, princess toys, blocks and Walmart gift cards. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the human services office at 2 Fort Hill Road by Dec. 12.

4.  The Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center will hold Free Family Movie Day at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at Groton Cinemas. The movie choices are: Arthur Christmas, Muppet Movie and Jack and Jill. The movies will start at 9 a.m., anyone may attend and the group will sell popcorn and soda. Food proceeds will support Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center schools and the DDS day program.

5.  Groton Town Manager Mark Oefinger will continue as chairman of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region, a regional economic development agency that promotes business in New London County. Oefinger was among the officers elected after the region's annual meeting on Nov. 17.