5 Things You Need to Know Today: August 17

Here is a list of 5 things you need to know today:

1. Summer Wind: According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny with a high near 83 degrees. There will be a calm wind becoming south between 4 and 7 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 67 degrees. There will be a south wind between 8 and 10 mph. Be sure to enjoy this beautiful day as rain and storms are expected for this weekend.

2. Go Gold: “Swimmers Go Gold to Cure Kids Cancer” has raised over $12,000 for the Make Some Noise: Cure Kids Cancer Foundation this summer by selling the caps (which are gold to symbolize childhood cancer) for $10 to swimmers participating in the North Shore Summer Swim League and beach clubs from Sea Bright to Long Branch. Click to read the story about how this movement was started and see photos of the recent swim meet featuring local kids.

3. Calling All Stars: Phoenix Productions is looking for stars for its November show, Sweeney Todd, and has called for interested participants to come out to one of its four upcoming open auditions. The auditions are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27 from 2 – 5 p.m., and Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre’s second floor dance studio in Red Bank. A fourth open audition will be held in New York City on the 16^th floor of the Ripley Grier Studios on Sept. 6 from 12 – 3 p.m. Click for more information.

4. Family Fun: The Cole Brothers "Circus of the Stars" is coming to the parking lot of Monmouth Park in Oceanport on Aug. 17 and 18, with showtimes at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. each day. "The World's Largest Circus Under the Big Top" features acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, cartoon poodles, a human cannonball, bengal tigers, motorcycle stunts, elephants, and more. Click for more information.

5. Share Your Story: Patch wants to hear your September 11th stories. We're asking our readers to help us create a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives that day, to their friends and families, the numerous emergency workers and volunteers who worked tirelessly at Ground Zero or who worked double-time back at home to cover for those helping at the site. If you think you may have any stories or photos suitable for sharing, please email me atnoel.aliseo@patch.com and put "Sept. 11th" in subject line.