Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Friday, July 29.  The National Weather Service predicts cloudy skies, showers and thunderstorms - some severe - this afternoon and evening. The high temperature will reach 80 degrees. The low will drop to 69 tonight.

2.  The University of Connecticut at Avery Point has tentative plans to begin demolishing the old student center starting Aug. 3. The University is taking down the building to make room for a new campus gateway that will include a student lounge, gaming space and renovated 300-seat theater. The work would be the first major construction project at the campus in 10 years.

3.  Groton collected 215 cars during its household hazardous waste day on July 16, according to a report by the town manager. The Flanders Road Transfer Station took in 319 cars total from 12 towns, including Ledyard, Stonington, Waterford, New London and Montville.

4.  Groton Human Services has received a carload of toys from Blackhawk Sport Fishing in Niantic, which also donated 50 packages of diapers to Riverfront Children's Center, according to a report by the town manager. Groton Human Services expects more families to seek assistance this year, due to cuts in federal and state aid programs, the report said.

5.  Groton Public Library holds its Little Travelers Summer Story Time for children, from birth to 24 months, on Monday morning. If you have a little one, story time for toddlers (ages 12 to 24 months) is at 10 a.m. and story time for babies (ages birth to 12 months) is at 11 a.m.