Daily Five: First Meeting On Middle School Consolidation Tonight

1.  Today is Wednesday, Feb. 1.  The National Weather Service predicts showers, mainly before 1 p.m., then gradual clearing and a high temperature of 53 degrees. The chance of rain is 40 percent. Tonight will be clear, with a low of 34 degrees.

2.  The first two of six public meetings on The meetings are open to the public and aimed at hearing concerns and collecting ideas about various topics in the schools. Tonight's topics are listed below:

• Extra-Curricular Activities/Sports: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Fitch High School cafeteria.
• Special Education: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fitch High School band room.

3.  The Connecticut Speaker of the House, Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and other legislators have proposed an increase in Connecticut's minimum wage. The proposal would increase the minimum wage of $8.25 per hour to $9.00 per hour this year, $9.75 next year and index it to keep up with the cost of living in later years.

"More families than ever are relying on low-wage and minimum wage jobs
to make ends meet," Donovan said in a prepared statement. "That leaves them struggling."

4.  The Animal Welfare League is holding a Have-A-Heart Re-sale Fundraiser from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Feb. 18 and from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Boilermakers Lodge 614, at 33 Sacred Heart Drive in Groton.  Donations will be accepted from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 and Feb. 15 at the hall. Do you have Christmas presents you'd like to regift? Consider donating them to the cause.  Donations of dog and cat food will also be accepted for distribution to the pound and social services after the fundraiser. 

5.  The Groton Senior Center is holding its annual "Gong Show" at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 if you'd like to check out the acts. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., the program is open to the public, and the event can accommodate a maximum of 140 people. The registration deadline is Feb. 17. For more information, call the senior center at (860) 441-6785.