Five Things You Need to Know Today, March 23

Today is Wednesday, March 23. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Don't let the sun fool you, by this afternoon, clouds and rain should be moving in, followed by possible flurries this evening. Temperatures will reach the low 40s and winds should be dying down - 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 2 mph.

2. Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery has been nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef along with four other chefs from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. To be nominated, candidates must have been pastry chefs or bakers for at least the past 5 years and “serve as a national standard-bearer for excellence.” Winners will be announced May 9. For more info and nominees in other categories click here. 

3. Former City Councilor Chuck Turner is scheduled to begin his prison sentence this week, the Associated Press reports. Turner will begin serving a three-year sentence this Friday. It is unclear where he will be held. On Thursday, the day before his incarceration, Turner will speak at Northeastern University’s School of Law. The program is entitled, “Framing the Innocent: Crimes Under Color of Law at the Massachusetts US Attorney’s Office.”

4. The South End Branch Library will hold a free concert this morning for children up to 5. Come listen to tunes by renowned children’s musician David Polansky from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

5. Newly released census data shows Boston's population increased 4.8 percent in the last decade, growing to 617,594 in 2010 from 589,141 in 2000. University enrollment in the city grew by 16,559 students or 12.3 percent compared to 2000, the Mayor's office reported.

For more things to do in the South End visit our Events Listings.