Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Monday, Aug. 15. The National Weather Service predicts rain, thunderstorms and a high temperature of 73 degrees. The low will fall to 63 degrees tonight.

2.  Groton Public Schools has a new service where, starting Aug. 29, parents can set up online accounts to pay for their children's school lunches through a program called MealpayPlus. The free program allows parents to create a secure account for school lunches, check the balance, see what the child has been buying at the cafeteria and receive an e-mail notice when the account is low. To set up your child's account, go to www.mealpayplus.com and register using their student ID number. ID #'s can be found by calling Clifford Still at (860) 572-2137. 

3.  Riverfront Children’s Center on Thames Street will hold its Sixth Annual Silent Auction on Friday, Oct. 14 at the Mystic Arts Center.  As of April, the child care center had almost 100 children enrolled, 94 percent receiving some form of child care assistance and a waiting list for every age group. Money from the event benefits the tuition assistance fund, which assists some of the poorest children in the community. Riverfront is seeking sponsors for the event; for more information or to make a donation, contact Susan Bailey at 860-445-2831 or e-mail susanbailey01@comcast.net.

4.  Pfizer has awarded Groton Public Library $4,000 to help pay for two Early Literacy Stations in the children's room. The stations are computer systems not connected to the Internet and equipped with 50 educational programs for children ages 2 to 10. The stations include programs for children to practice reading, math, science, social studies and other subjects. 

5.  Artist Corey Collins will speak at 5:30 p.m. today at the Gallery at Lighthouse on Long Hill Road in Groton. The program is free and will include demonstrations along with the discussion of art. The gallery recommends casual dress in case of paint splattering. To make a reservation, call (860) 445-7626, ext 108.