5 Things You Need to Know Today: February 11

1. Don't bundle up your kids and drop them off at the schoolhouse because the Belmont School District has cancelled classes today. The reason: while the Highway Department did a great job clearing roadways in town – ask your friends in Boston who live on streets that weren't even plowed during the storm how they'd feel about having just one traffic lane open – many of the sidewalks along the main streets leading to Belmont's six schools need to be cleared. 

2. It's time to take out the trash ... that is if Monday is your scheduled pick-up day as Belmont garbage will be collected on its regular schedule despite the blizzard. 

3. You have one more day before potential candidates need to return nomination papers for a run for town office or as a representative of Town Meeting as the deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Town Clerk's Office. So get out there and get some signatures. 

4. Books and Bites, which takes place from 11 a.m. to noon in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library is a monthly book review program featuring presentations by local residents, Belmont Public Library staff and local authors.  Today, Marcia Lynch will discuss "The Secret Keeper," by Kate Morton and "Book, Line, and Sinker," by Jenn McKinlay. In honor of Valentine's Day, Children's Librarian Deborah Borsuk will discuss three children's books about love and friendship: "Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" by Eileen Spinelli, "Penguin and Pinecone," by Salina Yoon, and "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle. All are welcome to attend this free program. Refreshments will be provided.

5. Got a complaint or complement or just a suggestion or two about town governance or the departments that serve the public? Here's your chance: The Board of Selectmen are meeting at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Belmont's Town Hall and they reserve the first agenda item for public comment. Or you can come early and talk privately with a selectman on your concerns.