Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 27

1. Hemlock Gorge/Charles River Cleanup. After being postponed last weekend, the Friends of Hemlock Gorge will hold its annual spring cleanup today. Volunteers who are interested in helping with the cleanup should meet at Hamilton Place between 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. (A map of where to meet up is available online.) The annual Charles River Watershed Association's 14th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup will also take place along the river today from 9 a.m. - noon.

2. Medication Take Back Day. The Newton Police Department is hosting a Medication Take Back Day today from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Locals can anonymously drop off any solid dosage prescriptions or over the counter medication today at the Support Services Bureau behind Newton Police Headquarters in West Newton. Check out this story for more information.

3. Rain barrel pick-up. If you ordered a rain barrel through the city of Newton, today is the day to pick it up! Rain barrel pick-up will take place today from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Newton Recycling Depot on Rumford Avenue

4. Wellness Fair. The Newton Community Wellness Fair will take place today at the Crowne Plaza hotel from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The free event will include information on health, safety, family related issues, environmental and financial wellness. 

5. Burlington to Boston. Organizers of Key Bank's Vermont City Marathon are offering 150 free race entries to runners of the Boston Marathon who were unable to finish the 26.2 mile jaunt to from Hopkinton to Copley Square after two bombs were detonated at the finish line on Monday, April 15. “Our entire community comes together race weekend to create an atmosphere of celebration,” said KeyBank Vermont City Marathon race director Peter Delaney. “We’re opening our doors to anyone who was unable to finish Boston, so that they can realize the results of their training and continue the healing process.” The race will draw 8,000 runners, another 1,700 volunteers and approximately 30,000 spectators, making it New England's second largest marathon behind the world famous Boston Marathon. Get more details here about how to register for one of the free race bibs for the Memorial Day weekend marathon.