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Politics & Government

5 Things, Including Economic Development

And Playful Paws!

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 18. Here are five things you should know.

1) Keep your head on a swivel. After getting some snow yesterday, it looks like we have been granted a temporary reprieve by the weather gods today. Expect sun and highs in the mid 30s, with wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour, according to Weather Underground. Things will cool off markedly this evening, with lows dropping to around 11 degrees. The wind will subside some as well, with 30 miles per hour gusts possible until midnight.

2) Economic development. The Economic Development Committee (EDC) meets tonight in the Town Hall’s Berger Room at 7 p.m. Among the items on the agenda are an overview of a presentation to be given by the EDC at the Board of Selectmen’s Jan. 30 meeting, a discussion of the EDC’s FY12 budget and an update on current work plans.

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3) Animals and kids. Get out of the house and bring your little one (18 months – 3 years) to the Zoo for some open play and animal exploration at the ! Each class may include story times, animal encounters, bio-facts, simple crafts and more! The cost is $8 for members/$10 for non-members (per adult/child pair), and pre-registration is required. Classes are offered at Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo.

4) Run for fun. Join the Mystic Runners Club for their weekly . The run begins at the Lord Wakefield Hotel at 595 North Ave. at 6:45 p.m. and the race results will be posted on top road racing website, coolrunning.com. The entry fee is just $2 and runners are advised to show up early to register.

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5) NHL integrated. On this day, in 1958, Willie O’Ree of the Boston Bruins became the NHL’s first african-american player. O’Ree skated as a forward with Boston’s third line against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum. The Bruins upset the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, 3-0, although O’Ree did not figure in the outcome. His professional hockey career spanned 19 seasons and 10 teams, before he finally retired after the 1978-79 season. Interestingly, due to a puck striking his face while he was playing in the Quebec Hockey League—prior to his time in the NHL—O’Ree was 95 percent blind in one eye by the time he skated for the Bruins. O’Ree now works as the Director of Youth Development for the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force.

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