5 Things You Need To Know Today—Thursday, Jan. 12

Check the traffic out there and local gas prices before heading out the door!

Today is Thursday, Jan. 12—86 years ago today, the original Amos 'n Andy debuted on Chicago radio—and here are Melrose's five fast facts for the day:

1) This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions: Just kidding. Don't freak out, but we're in the middle of a winter nor'easter. Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 4 p.m. Patchy fog. High near 42. Windy, with a east wind 29 to 32 mph decreasing to between 9 and 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tonight, a chance of showers. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind between 6 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. (Forecast from National Weather Service.)

2) A fair is a veritable smorgasbord: Tonight at 7 p.m. at the Melrose Public Library, the Sally Frank's Farmers' Market will hold its .

3) Yannnnkee swap! That's what makes it fun:  After lunch today, the Milano Senior Center will hold a . If you received a $3 to $5 gift that you can't use and is in new condition, wrap it up and bring it along. Reservations required; $1.50 suggested lunch donation.

4) I'd get it myself but I don't have thumbs—bacon!  Here are today's specials around Melrose:

• : Soup—Corn Chowder; Lunch-Buffalo Chicken Wrap; Dinner—None [Note: menu subject to change.]

• Do you own a Melrose eatery? E-mail your daily specials to danield@patch.com by 6 p.m. and we'll include them in next morning's .

5) Thursday morning ends another dream: Here's today's lineup of weekly columns that run each Thursday on Melrose Patch:

• Poll of the Week: We'll run a poll every Thursday asking you to weigh in with a quick click on the topic du jour. We'll compile the answers into an article next week.

• : Find out if you have new neighbors. Our roundup of five home sales in Melrose this past week posts at noon—Realtors, add your own recent sales to our gallery!

• : Each week, we ask you for your top picks in a wide variety of categories. Check back at 3 p.m. for your answers.

As always, check our calendar for the full slate of events—and add your own!