5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 9

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. The Operation Friendship dance will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at the

2. A meeting of the drum circle will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at

3. Grafton hits the Big Apple when the annual shopping and sightseeing trip to New York City leaves the Municipal Center lot at 7 a.m.

4. The holidays can be a difficult time for those dealing with pain and loss. Find solace at the Blue Christmas service to be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton & Upton.

5. Forecast: Sun and clouds, high 45, low 32.