5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 27

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. Planned discussion of Marlborough School Superintendent Anthony Pope's contract and evaluation became a moot point last night.

2.  The Route 20 grocery store was packed yesterday afternoon with folks hoping to meet the Red Sox slugger, who was in the city promoting his new salsa. Among those who were photographed with Big Papi was Abby Larson, of Marlborough. Larson is quite a ball player, herself. Earlier this week, she was named a 2012 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run national finalist for the 9-10 year old girls' division. She's one of 24 boys and girls who will compete at the National Finals taking place during MLB All-Star Week in Kansas City, MO.  

3. Nominations are trickling in for the Readers' Choice categories we've selected for Marlborough.  From now until July 9, we need your help compiling a list of "best" places to put to a vote. Today, we focus on bakeries. 

4. We get lots of requests from readers asking us to upload announcements and events. Rather than waiting for us to upload, we encourage you to do it yourself. That way, you can post the information, as you want it, when you want it. Simply go to our events  and announcements  pages and click "add" an event or an announcement. Then, if you'd like, send us the link by email and we'll feature your post in the 5 Things column or on the site.

5. Is anyone vacationing on the Cape this summer? American Express has announced it is offering an automatic $20 statement credit to help support a “Shop Small” summer in Provincetown. The aim is to help local small businesses increase sales and attract new customers. Card-holders who follow these steps will get the credit: 1) Sync your American Express card via Twitter: www.sync.americanexpress.com/twitter; 2) Tweet #AmexPtown to load the offer directly to your card; and 3) Receive a one-time $20 statement credit on a single in-store purchase of $20 or more using your synced card at an accepting merchant in Provincetown between July 1, 2012 and Aug. 18, 2012.