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. Don't forget to cast your vote to help pick Marlborough's best ... well, almost everything. The Patch Readers Choice finalists are out and voting in all 18 categories--from burgers to banks, nail salons to nursery schools--is open until Aug. 17. 

2. The NCAA levied record penalties against Penn State University Monday for the cover-up and failure to intervene in the Jerry Sandusky child rape case. Do you think the punishment fits the crime? Let us know in the comments. 

3. The School Committee's negotiations subcommittee meets at 2 p.m. in both open and executive sessions as it tries to work out a new contract with administrators. 

4. Feel like taking a movie but don't feeling like buying a ticket? The Marlborough Public Library's children's room offers a free drop-in showing of The Incredibles.at 6 p.m.  

5. Keep an eye on the sky, and on Patch, while out and about today, as forecasters are expecting some fast-moving but potentially severe thunderstorms to cross the area during the day.