Five Things You Need to Know Today, Feb. 18

Today is Friday, February 18. Here are five things you need to know:

1. It’s your last chance to enjoy the spring-like weather before winter returns to Boston. Forecasts are calling for cloudy skies but balmy temperatures in the 50s today. Enjoy it while it lasts - come Saturday, temperatures are expected to drop by 20 degrees and Monday’s forecast includes….snow.

2. Expect to see more of District 7 City Council candidate Cornell Mills over the next month. After in Tuesday’s preliminary election, Mills told Patch he’s ready to hit the streets. “It was nerve-wracking,” he said of Tuesday’s election, which drew a mere 7 percent of registered voters to the polls. Mills will face off against the popular Tito Jackson in the March 15 Special Municipal Election. “I’m excited about it, we get a fresh start. It’s zero/zero at this point,” he said.

3. The Borders on 511 Boylston Street is one of about 200 stores nationwide that will close in the coming weeks. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection on Wednesday, and said it will shut down about 30 percent of its stores across the country -- including a total of six in Massachusetts.  In addition to the Boston store, locations in Peabody, Hyannis, Holyoke, Burlington and Wareham will close. For a full list of closings, click here.

4. There's a new dog in town. Hickory, a Scottish deerhound from Virginia, took the gold -- or more accurately the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl -- with a first place finish in the Westminster Dog Show (America's second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.) The Best in Show win was an upset in the dog world, with a Scottish deerhound being a relatively unknown breed, and Hickory not listed among the top-rated pooches. But, as a dog that loves to chase rabbits on a 50-acre farm, she braved the cameras and lights, tail wagging, and showed it pays to just be yourself. "This animal is like in the heavens," proclaimed Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy. "It's not of this world."

5. Brix Wine Shop is hosting its weekly tasting tonight featuring warm weather reds (think Beaujolais) alongside seasonal winter warmers. Stop by for a sip between 6 and 8 p.m. and start your weekend right.

For more things to do in the South End visit our Events Listings.