5 Things You Need To Know Today, Tuesday, April 16

Here are 5 pieces of information designed to get your Tuesday off to a strong stat and to help make you the smartest person in your carpool.

1. Your Local 3-Day Weather Forecast:

• Partly sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon.
• Tuesday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers between midnight and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 8 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind 3 to 8 mph.
• Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
• Thursday Night A chance of showers before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

2. Reader Comment of the Day: "Thank you for describing the attributes of true winners and for the hope you express that your children and others will go forward with HOPE & courage after this horrific act of cowardice. My thoughts and prayers are with ALL those wounded, those who had a loved one die, and those who are otherwise affected." Reader Pat Maguire Parrie, commenting on the blog post, "Boston Will Be Back (I Hope)."

3. Quote of the Day: "It was like a war zone."

4. It's Happening Today: Another terrific author visit at the Tewksbury Public Library. This time its Author Visit: Chasing Glenn Beck with Michael Charney, starting at 7 p.m. Meet author Michael Charney as he discusses his latest books -- Chasing Glenn Beck and Tea With The Mad Hatter -- focusing on America's "electile dysfunction" and nasty polticial climate.  Learn more about the book and author HERE.  Book signing after the talk.  Register HERE.  Limited to 100 seats.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 

5. It's Also Happening Today: The Board of Selectmen will be meeting at 5 p.m. today at Town Hall. Hoever, the meeting will not be open to the public. The Selectmen will be in executive to discuss collective bargaining. It would not seem too far a stretch to believe they will be discusing the ongoing Firefighters' Union contract impasse.