5 Things You Need to Know Today: The Ides of March

1. State Sen. Will Brownsberger's Chief of Staff Barbara Miranda will hold office hours from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15 at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech Street. 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. At all other times Senator Brownsberger can be reached at his State House office at 617-722-1280 or by cell phone at 617-771-8274. His e-mail address is William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov

2. Learn more about the Summer Discoveries Program at Belmont Day School for children ages 3 to 14 at the school, 55 Day School Lane, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Summer at BDS features fun-filled and exciting summer adventures with many opportunities for exploration and play. Daily swim lessons. Special sessions in visual and performing arts, yoga, science, math and engineering. Join us for an overview of our programs and a tour of our facilities. Call 617-484-3078 for more information.

3. Well-loved local musician Liz Buchanan performs original songs and traditional favorites in the Assembly Room of Belmont Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

4. The Power’s Music School concert, sponsored by Leader Bank, will be held at 1:15. pm at the Beech Street Center. This month it is "Rhythm and Keys" featuring Susanna Fiore and Nurudafina Abena on piano, vocals, and percussion. For more info call (617) 993-2970.

5. Today is March 15, the day in 44 BC that the emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated after being warned by a soothsayer: “Cave Idus, Idus Martiis!”

Caesar: Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music that cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

Caesar: What man is that?

Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. (Shakespeeare’s Julius Caesar I,ii,15-19)

It’s a day to celebrate the fall of dictators and a day for those in political arena to remember that your “friends” may yet be the cause of your downfall.