5 Things You Need to Know Today: Nov. 9

1. There will an Emergency Alert Test this afternoon issued by FEMA at approximately 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct the country’s first nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. While in progress, programming will be temporarily interrupted during this three-minute test. As a result, cable providers have been working diligently to make this experience as least impactful for their customers as possible by informing and preparing them for the test through multiple channels.

2. Individuals interested in obtaining a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) should register on Nov. 29 at from 4 to 6 p.m. You must bring a photo ID, a money order for $65 made out to Assabet Valley (no cash or check accepted), and, if you are between 16 and 18 years old, a letter from your high school stating the date of withdrawal. The GED test will be given at Assabet Valley on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. (You must be present all three nights.) For more information, call Andrea Cronin at 508-485-9430, ext. 1216.

3. Marlborough resident Ginny Carpenter is playing Miss Skillon in the British farce “See How They Run” at The Cannon Theater in Littleton this weekend. The comedy is about a young vicar's wife who is trying to fit into a small, tightly knit British town. Show dates will be Nov. 11, 12; 17, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and over/students with ID, and $10 for children 12 and under. You may get your tickets online, or you can send your check into the theater using the online ticket form. You can also call Shawn at 978-760-3397 or Bret at 603-289-4017 or e-mail Shawn at or Bret. The Cannon Theatre is located at 410 Great Road (on the second floor of the mill building) near the corner of Rt. 119 and Rt. 110 in the center of Littleton.

4. Bank of America local community hero, Patricia Pazzaneze, has selected Marlborough-based to receive a $5,000 donation. Pat, a longtime ambassador of the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest, has won a $5,000 donation in honor of her amazing community service and tireless commitment to the organization over the years. Pat has been selected as one of the 2011 Bank of America Local Heroes in Massachusetts. Each Local Hero is given a $5,000 donation that they can direct to the nonprofit charity of his/her choice. 

5. For the fifth year in a row, the Thanksgiving holiday will be made just a bit sweeter for those who choose to let the Culinary Arts students and staff at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School do the baking for them. Among the items offered are beautiful fruit-topped cheesecakes, delectable carrot cake, or chocolate cream pie with real whipped cream topping. Complement the meal with fresh bread or dinner rolls, or start the day with some cinnamon coffee cake or breakfast Danish. What a delight when dessert is served, and there are cookies, fruit pies, cream puffs, angel food cakes or French pastries. The doors to the Epicurean Room restaurant (at the back of the school) will open to the public at 9 AM on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and will close when the goodies are gone, or 1 PM, whichever comes first. Plan to come early, for last year was a sell out!

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