Happy Anniversary to Bedford Patch!

1. Two years of big news, fun and an innovative approach to local news! Yesterday, June 30, Bedford Patch celebrated the second anniversary of its launch in Bedford. For a recap on the biggest stories of the last two years, click here.

2. No fireworks in Bedford, but ... Manchester has Fourth of July fireworks on Wednesday night and Amherst, Merrimack and New Boston have displays set for Thursday night. For a local listing and map of Independence Day festivities, click here.

3. The weatherman says ... Rain and thunderstorms are likely today as the forecast, according to Weather.com, calls for a 60-percent chance of precipitation and a high of 82 degrees.

4. Magician in the house! The following is a list of programs and events taking place today at Bedford Public Library today:

• 1:30-2:15 p.m. - Summer Reading Program: Abrakidabra!-Mike Bent Bedford Town HallMagician/Comedian Mike Bent has developed a special show to highlight our summer reading theme. In “Readers of the Lost Book”, he will incorporate familiar children’s literature into his act, which features magic, comedy, storytelling, music and puppetry. Mike was invited to perform alongside the likes of Justin Bieber and J. K. Rowling at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, where he received high marks for creativity and imagination.

5. On this day ... July 1, 1997, Great Britain peaceably turned control of Hong Kong back over to China. According to History.com:

The chief executive under the new Hong Kong government, Tung Chee Hwa, formulated a policy based on the concept of "one country, two systems," thus preserving Hong Kong's role as a principal capitalist center in Asia.