5 Things You Need To Know Today: Oct. 31

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

1. Chance of showers: Today will be cloudy with rain possible before 2 p.m. and wind gusts of up to 20 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. There is a slight chance of showers in the evening. High: 63, Low: 43.

2. Happy Halloween! Weather permitting, Needham’s little ghosts and goblins will be trick-or-treating around town tonight. If you want to wait until just before dark, keep in mind that the local sunset will be at 5:39 p.m., according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. If you live in the Hawthorn Avenue neighborhood, join your neighbors for the annual Halloween costume parade at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Hawthorn Avenue and Nichols Road. And be sure to take a quick picture of the kids in their costumes before they hit the streets and send it to us to share on Patch—email to becca.manning@patch.com or tweet @NeedhamPatch.

3. Thrift shop open: The Needham Community Council’s Hillside Thrift Shop will be open today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but closed this evening for Halloween (it usually is open 5-7 p.m. on Wednesdays). Drop by during the day for great deals on men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, toys, small household items and other items. All proceeds benefit the council's free community programs.

4. Chamber breakfast: Register for the Newton-Needham Chamber's 97th annual Awards Achievement Breakfast by today for a special rate (nnchamber.com). The event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8 a.m. at the Needham Sheraton Hotel. The breakfast will honor local businesses and individuals for their contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of Newton and Needham.  

5. Cleaning up after Sandy? The RTS is open during normal business hours this week, Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Needham residents are encouraged to use this facility to drop off storm debris. On Sunday, Nov. 4 only, the RTS will accept only leaves and storm debris. Branches/brush etc. should be separated from leaves.