5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 4

Our daily morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. The new mascot name poll is doing well. So far, the majority of poll takers have Red Hawks in the lead. Have you voiced your opinion?

2. Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, announced the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed “The Valor Act” on Thursday. It is new legislation that will expand benefits and increase access to a range of services for veterans, active-duty military and their families.sa

“Every day, the citizens of the Commonwealth enjoy the gifts of freedom and democracy because of the brave and selfless men and women serving in the armed forces. We must continue to show our gratitude for their service and dedication to our nation,” said Spilka. “This bill ensures Massachusetts remains first in the nation in supporting our veterans and their families by strengthening and expanding the programs, services, and benefits they need and depend on.”

3. It's always heartening to see children doing good and one Natick fourth-grader caught our eye doing just that. Danny Skinner, a student at the , is walking in Natick's Journey of Hope, a walk to support MS research. In his plea for funds for the walk at the high school, he said he is walking because his father has MS and his grandmother died from it in 1999, before he was born. Danny writes, "When a person has Multiple Sclerosis it not only affects him/her, it also affects the entire family." To donate to Team Danny & Friends or to join them on their journey on May 12, visit this website.

4. We do a lot of uploading of pictures and posts from around town, but we can't be everywhere. That's where you come in: Upload your images from various events or just from your time in and around Natick to our Neighborhood Gallery. It's called Pics and Clips and we feature it on the homepage at least once a week. If you submit to it, we'll put your photos front and center!

5. You only have a couple of hours left to vote in our poll this morning on best place to bring mom for brunch on Mother's Day. Next week we'll have the best places to enjoy when you're on a staycation.