Sandy King, a Townie Mom-Turned-Activist Dies at 66

 Today is Monday, Feb. 21. It's Washington's Birthday, or Presidents Day. Here are five things you need to know today.

1. Sandy King died this month. Her life and legacy was, I admit, totally unknown to me until I read her lengthy obituary in this Sunday’s Globe. Mrs. King founded the Charlestown After Murder Program in the late 1980s and 1990s, after she lost two sons -- in two separate murder cases. She fought, according to the Globe obit, to end the code of silence in Charlestown and bring justice to the families who lost loved ones to violent crimes. The Globe writer, it’s worth noting, didn’t talk to anyone from Charlestown in Mrs. King’s obit. It’s probably fair to presume she was a controversial figure in the neighborhood. But a powerful one, all the same — and for that reason alone, her story is worth reading. You can find it here. Services for Mrs. King were held last Monday in South Boston.

2. On a completely different note, I got a news tip from a local man this past week. It was more of a complaint, I suppose, than a tip, but I’m passing it on in case anyone else has a similar one. This fellow tells me people aren’t doing a good enough job of cleaning up after their dogs. He cited the John Harvard Mall and Austin Street as particular problem areas for poop. Anyone else encounter this? I know the snow melt has revealed a lot of unpleasant things. Is that what’s going on here, or are people being remiss? Please, tell me what you think in the comments.

3. Today’s the third Monday in February, which means it’s Presidents Day. Which means it is also the start of school vacation week. Surely, local parents are armed with activities to keep the kids busy for the next five days. But just in case you’re still looking, or you missed this one, the is hosting a special week of family-friendly activities. Check in with the museum for more details: www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

4. A big shot from the New York Times is coming to town tomorrow. , as part of the school’s Compelling Conversations series. Her talk is free and open to the public, but you’ve got to reserve a spot in advance if you want to go. To reserve a seat, go to www.bhcc.mass.edu/speakers-reservations. Talk starts at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the college’s auditorium.

5. This pains me. We’re getting snow in the morning, maybe. If it does come, there won’t be much. Less than an inch or so. And the coldness remains: High around 30. Fortunately the fierce winds, which left thousands of people without power over the weekend, will have abated.

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