5 Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday, March 1

1. The Ides of March: The gloomy weather from yesterday looks to continue through this first day of March, according to the National Weather Service. The worst of it -- rain and drizzle -- should curtail after noon with temperatures climbing up to around 47 chilly degrees. For those of us who work from home, it's the perfect day to brew a hot mug of tea and crank the Carole King while there's no one around to complain.
2. Deja vu: Hard to believe, after sitting through Tuesday's joint meeting between Oceanport's borough council and board of education that there would be anything left to discuss, but that seems to be the case. Tonight is the Oceanport Borough Council's regularly scheduled first meeting of the month. The workshop portion begins at 7 p.m. with a regular meeting to follow.
3. Mamma Mia: Looking for another way to waste time online? Come chime in on Patch's Favorite Italian Restaurants in and Okay, to be fair, most of these are pizza joints, but I know you've got a favorite. Click here to see the choices and let us know where you stand in the local pizza war.
4. Safety first: Did you happen to see the story earlier this week out of Eatontown about the family that became sickened by carbon monoxide gas that filled their home? A mom and her two kids were found sick on their lawn and taken to Monmouth Medical and rescue workers found that the levels of carbon monoxide in the residence were very high. Click here to find out what you can do, today, to prevent that from happening to you and your family.
5. I love me some books: Have you signed up yet for the Book Lovers Ball coming to on Friday night? The event, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., lets you dress up as your favorite character and mingle with fellow book lovers. There will be a costume contest, book swap, DJ and refreshments. Patch will see you there but can't promise whether our kids will allow us to leave the house dressed up as Hermione.

About this column: "5 Things you Need to Know Today" is a Patch column where we round up events, facts and information at a glance. Stay tuned every day for our five informative tidbits.