Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 17

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

1. It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Today the , winner of our , are sponsoring the Island’s First Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. See our for a full schedule of their events this weekend.

2. There is a full day of films and festivities at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival at the today. Please check back with us throughout today and tonight to hear updates, get film reviews, post your own reviews and see some great photos of the event. Doors open at 9:15 am at the Hay Cafe with coffee provided by Chilmark Coffee Company; festival starts at 10:30 am.

3. The Island Housing Trust's annual board meeting is this morning at the located behind . All are welcome to attend.  9:30 am - 10:30 am. For more information, or to download a copy of the 2011 Annual Report, visit www.ihtmv.org

4. There is of the in Edgartown this morning. Bring your children, your parents, your friends, and your neighbors to play 18 holes of mini-golf at this unique golf course. All proceeds will be used to support the on-going mission work of the Martha's Vineyard Ecumenical Youth Group. $5 each or $15 per family (4+). 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 508-627-6040

5. Come have tea with Herbalist Holly Bellebuono at bookstore this afternoon. Bellebuono will be discussing her new book “The Essential Herbal for Natural Health: How to Transform Easy-To-Find Herbs Into Healing Remedies for the Whole Family.”  2 pm.  For more information, call 508-693-2291.