The Daily Five: Campfires on the Beach and Running for Charity

1. Tropical storm Isaac may be threatening the homes of the snowbirds down in Florida but it promises to be a glorious day here. Weather.com is predicting a daily high temperature of 82 degrees with just a 10 percent chance of rain. Overnight lows will dip to 63 degrees with dry conditions prevailing. 

2. That slight nip in the air signifies summer drawing to a close but it's not over yet. If you haven't yet spent a night at McCook Beach singing songs around a bonfire, now's your chance. Every Wednesday, East Lyme Youth Services hosts a night of acoustic music around a fire fit for s'mores at McCook Beach from 7 to 10 p.m. As the end of summer nears, don't miss this chance to enjoy it! 

3. I only run if something's chasing me but the runners who sign up for Jeffrey's Rainbow Run sponsored by East Lyme Youth Services are running for a really good reason. This 5K walk, run, or stroll will be held September 7 but the time to register is now. The event starts at McCook Point Park entrance and ends at the beach, but when it's over you can rest assured that all the money will go to benefit the Jeffrey Bourgeois Family Fund. 

4. Feeling even more athletic? You might want to consider entering the Niantic Bay Half Marathon and 5K Road Race. The event, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, will be held on September 23 at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic. Money raised from the 5K walk will go to benefit the Chamber's nonprofit foundation to enrich and promote educational and economic opportunities. Register now and you'll receive a free t-shirt if you're among the first 1,000 to sign up.

5. It's been a hot, humid summer that has begged for air-conditioners to be running as often as possible. Not everyone who needs it can afford it, however, which is why the town of Old Lyme is helping publicize the following assistance program.

"If you need assistance with utility bills and are in an emergency situation, Operation Fuel is now taking applications for the Summer Utility Assistance program. The program provides a one-time cash grant of up to $500 (paid directly to the utility) to help income eligible households in an emergency situation. Emergencies include job loss and certain medical conditions. Assistance is for heat or non-heat gas or electric utilities. Households that have received assistance from Operation Fuel over the past 12 months are not eligible to apply. The program will end by October 31."

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