An Ancestral Link Between Charlestown and O'Bama?

 Today is Monday, May 23. Here are five things you need to know today. 

1. First, a thanks. There's been a steady stream of comments on the story I posted last week after the . Just about every note on there is a thoughtful one, and all of them are continuing the pretty amazing conversation that took place at the Knights on the Sullivan Square/Rutherford Avenue plan. This project will have huge implications for the community and it's heartening to see so many people getting involved, speaking up and extending the dialogue in a democratic way. 

2. Speaking of extending the dialogue… Everyone who reads Patch is, of course, welcome to have their say in the comments section of a story. But I wanted to clarify that you're all also welcome to submit letters to the editor -- on any topic. I've run a couple of them over the past few weekends, including a (responding to the Capuano meeting). If you've got something to say, no matter what it is, I want to hear it. You can email letters to me at kristi.ceccarossi@patch.com.

3. Last week President Obama was in the South End for a fundraiser. (Ahem, where some of your fellow city dwellers paid as much as $35,000 to share dinner with our commander-in-chief.) And this week he's headed to the ancestral homeland of so many Charlestown residents: Ireland. Word is O'Bama will visit Moneygall, in County Offaly. That's where his great-great-great maternal grandfather emigrated from in 1850. This is, according to reports, a Very Big Deal for the little village. Every shop in town is already selling Obama trinkets… including Obama Bread.

4. The Bunker Hill Day Parade is just a few weeks away. To get ready, organizers are hosting a . There's a suggested donation of $25, but it will get you food, drinks and entry into a 50/50 raffle. For more details, click . 

5. Will it rain today? Probably. Chance of showers before 2 p.m. -- about a 30 percent chance. There may be thunderstorms later. Otherwise, cloudy with a high of 62. 

For more info on what's happening around the neighborhood, visit our events calendar.