5 Things: New Business Coming to the Commons

Here are five things you should know as you start your Thursday.

1. New Business. Yesterday, through the pea soup fog, I spotted a sign hanging at the former Out of the Woods Cafe, in the Commons Plaza at 515 Daniel Webster Highway, "Coming Soon: Merrymac Games and Comics." There is some interior construction going on to fit up the space for the incoming business. Merrimack Patch will bring more information when it is available.

2. Fair is Coming! The Merrimack Hight School Guidance Department will host the 3^rd annual MHS College Fair On Tuesday, March 26,from 6-8 p.m.  The fair will be held in the MHS cafeteria and more than 100 representatives from colleges, universities, post-secondary organizations, and branches of the military have been invited to attend.  The fair is open to all MHS students and parents.  There is no pre-registration needed to attend this event-just show up!

3. Winter intramurals. Winter intramurals at Merrimack Middle School will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 12, and are scheduled to end on Thursday, March 21. Students will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 3:30 p.m. There is no cost for this program. The activity being offered for this winter term will be floor hockey.  The permission form needs to be returned by Friday, Feb. 8. Contact Mr. Casscaden or Ms. Simoneau if you have any questions.

4. Nominations needed. The Merrimack Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2012 Business Leader of the Year, 2012 Business of the Year, and the first-ever 2012 Volunteer of the Year. Recipients of these awards represent businesses, community leaders, and individuals who truly shine among their peers.  If you know of a business or individual you feel are role models in their industry and our community, nominate them.Businesses can self-nominate or be nominated by any business or community member. Winners will be recognized and announced at the Chamber's Annual Banquet & Scholarship Fundraiser on Thursday, March 14, at the SERESC Conference Center in Bedford. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2013. Click the following links for online nomination forms:

• 2012 Business or Organization of the Year
• 2012 Business Leader of the Year
• 2012 Volunteer of the Year

5. Weather watch. The last day of January may bring in a rare January thunderstorm this morning. According to the National Weather Service. Rain and a thunderstorm are possible before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain between 9 a.m. and noon. Areas of fog before 10 a.m. Temperatures are expected to fall to around 38 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy, with a low around 21. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.