5 Things: Summer Begins Today; Dance Caliente at the Beech

1. Today is the first day of summer! Summer, also known as the Summer Solstice, occurred at 1:04 a.m. There will be nearly 17 hours of sunlight today and until June 24. While sunset will occur at 8:29 p.m. today, sunset will take place at 8:30 p.m. – the latest for the year – from June 22 until June 26.

2. State Sen. Will Brownsberger's Chief of Staff Barbara Miranda will hold office hours from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. All are welcome to visit during this time to discuss issues, ask for help in dealing with state agencies, or talk about any other topic of concern.

3. Travel back to WWII, Korea, Fred and Ginger and to Latin America as Dance Caliente – Raul Nieves and Eileen Herman-Haase – will be "Dancing Through the Decades" from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. Audience participates in some parts of the performance. Sponsored by the Belmont Cultural Council which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council.

4. Benton Library's Pre-school Story Time is a 45-minute program geared toward children between 3 and 5. It features a variety of stories, as well as music, finger plays and/or a craft. Parents and caregivers must remain with their preschooler during the program. Sign up is not required. The program begins at 10 a.m.

5. Paprika Kids at 404 Trapelo is celebrating the first day of summer with a Sand, Sands Sand Workshop from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The kids will add a pinch of a color and a scoop of that color to create a unique sand art project. Every kid will get one plastic bottle with stoppers, and vividly colored sand to create their own art. Recommended for kids 4 and up. Sign up for this event by calling 617-993-3431.