5 Things: Black Ice, Cardboard Sleds and Blood Drives

1. Today's the day! The Bedford Recreation Department, this February vacation, encourages local children to collect giant cardboard boxes to make a sled. It must be completely homemade and able to travel down the sledding hill by the Town Playground. Prizes will be awarded for fastest sled, longest traveling distance and best looking sled. Advanced registration closed Feb. 18, and the derby will take place at the sledding hill on the town playground TODAY at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per sled.

2. Get out! February Vacation runs through March 1. Looking for something fun to do? Check out this comprehensive list of local and easily accessible activities unique to this week.

3. A bloody good time. This week, Feb. 25 to 28, The American Red Cross Donor Center at 425 Reservoir Ave., Manchester, will be open an hour earlier, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. This is to hopefully make up for all of the blood lost this month due to the several snow storms. The Donor Center will also be open on Friday, March 1, from noon to 5 p.m. To make your appointment call 1-800-REDCROSS or go to redcrossblood.org. Walk ins are always welcome. There will be ski tickets and coupons for Chili’s Bar and Grill through Thursday. On Friday, donors will receive coupons from Subway and subs will be served all day.

4. The weatherman says ... Watch out for black ice this morning, as yesterday's warm temperatures may have caused snow to melt and then freeze over on roadways and sidewalks overnight. According to Weather.com, today's forecast calls for a mostly cloudy day, with a high temperature of 41 degrees and a 10-percent chance of precipitation. Tonight's forecasted low is 32 degrees with an 80-percent chance of precipitation as snow is likely to begin falling late night. It will continue through early Thursday, with 3-6 inches expected Wednesday.

5. Library lowdown. The Bedford Public Library, today, hosts Mother Goose story time (registration required) from 10-10:30 a.m at the Children's Castle. Then, from 7:30-9 p.m., the Bedford Boomers convene in the McAllaster Room

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