5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 9

Our weekday 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. There's only three more hours to vote for your favorite gym in Shrewsbury. Voting closes at 9 a.m., and we'll announce the winner later on today. Be sure to check back next week to vote for our candidates for the latest . I'll give you hint about next week's contest—think green.

2. Students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade at Spring Street School can participate in the  Robotics Club. Please send $30 into the school by the end of today to participate in the new club which will be using legos and motorized parts. The club will meet in the cafeteria from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting March 14. For more information, call the school at 508-841-8700.

3. Can you locate where ? You have until Sunday, March 11 to add your answer in the comments.

4. Whatver you do, don't touch the red panic button today. I used to love Ren & Stimpy and there was one episode where Stimpy tried so hard not to touch the button. It still makes me giggle, and today it's Panic Day, so it's a good day to giggle a bit, put it in perspective and try not to panic. How do you keep it all in perspective? Tell us in the comments what helps you relax.

5. Before the minivan and the SUV, the Volkswagen bus ruled the road. On this day in 1950, the VW bus went into production. Who would have thought it would become so well-known for the counterculture movement of the 1960s and be used by hippies to travel around the country. My favorite was the hand-painted, love mobiles that can still be found in junkyards today and if you're lucky, you can see a rare one on the road.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Shrewsbury news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page. If you'd like to receive the daily newsletter with our top stories, click here.