Five Things You Need To Know Today

• Electric Rates:

A meeting to discuss PECO's residential rate increase will be held 7:30 p.m. tonight at , 144 W Schuylkill Rd. For background on the issue, read PECO: Residential Rates to Increase 4 Percent in Fourth Quarter.

• From the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter:

A reminder that all assistance is provided free of charge. Anyone wishing to help with disaster relief, whether from the hurricane or local disasters, can make a financial donation.

They can visit redcrossphilly.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Also, many blood drives had to be canceled because of Hurricane Irene and the blood supply is suffering. People can also help by donating blood. To set up an appointment to donate blood, people can go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

• Gas Prices:

According to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report, historically August is the slowest news month of the year for crude oil and gasoline markets. Crude prices were relatively unchanged on the week, however gasoline prices saw increases in many parts of the county.

Consumer demand for gasoline continues to be lackluster; however supply concerns for the eastern U.S were in advance of Hurricane Irene, coupled with refinery issues in the Midwest and the upcoming maintenance period on the West Coast, have sent wholesale gasoline prices higher by more than a dime across much of the county. 

The current national average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is $3.612, down 12.4 cents from last month. In Pennsylvania, today’s average price of self-serve gasoline is $3.579 down 16 cents from a month ago and 92.6 cents higher than a year ago.

In the Lehigh Valley, the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $3.495 per gallon. That is 18.1 cents lower than a month ago and 87.7 cents higher than a year ago. In the Philadelphia market, the average price for self- serve regular unleaded gasoline is $3.639 per gallon. That is 15.9 cents lower than a month ago and 94.5 cents higher than a year ago.

• Pets and Arthritis:

Penn Vet Hosts Free Lecture, “Arthritis: A Common Debilitating Condition for Dogs and Cats” 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Y2K9’s Dog Sport Club, 1000 E. Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038.

• Free Art Show:

The Gallery on High - Gallery School of Pottstown, 254 E High St., Pottstown,  will host a Fall Student Faculty Show Aug. 30 - Sept. 3 and Sept. 6 - 10 September 10. The event is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues. - Fri. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. To learn more, call 610 326-2506 or e-mail: info@galleryonhigh.com.