5 Things You Need To Know Today: March 20

“Five Things You Need to Know Today” is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

1. Mercury rising: Temps will continue climbing this week, hitting a high of 77 degrees today and peaking at around 88 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Today will be mostly cloudy, gradually becoming sunny, with areas of fog before 11 a.m. The evening will be mostly clear with a low around 50 degrees.

2. Senior tax credit info: State Sen. Richard Ross will be at the today at 1 p.m. to talk about the available to Massachusetts seniors. Qualifying seniors who own or rent their homes are eligible to receive the credit on their 2011 state income tax. There is no fee or registration required for this program. Can’t make it but want to know more? Contact Ross’ office at 617-722-1555 or e-mail Richard.Ross@masenate.gov.

3. Board meetings: The School Committee will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at . are an update of the iPad initiative, presentation of the latest Improvement Plan and other items. Also today, the Needham Planning Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the . are several public hearings and review of articles for the 2012 annual Town Meeting, among other items.

4. Eat for Education: Dine or order takeout at on Tuesdays in March, and the restaurant will donate 15 percent of your purchase to the Needham Education Foundation. Download your certificate at www.nefneedham.org, which you must show at the time of purchase.

5. Community Council dinner: The 83rd annual Needham Community Council dinner on Thursday, March 22 at the . Tickets cost $50 per person. Call 781-444-2415 to reserve tickets or for more information. The event will feature guest speaker Jim Boyd, former WCVB-TV anchor and reporter, and include dinner and a special silent auction. Proceeds will support the Community Council’s many public services.