Our daily 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. Natick Patch invited residents to stop by for office hours yesterday. If you were unable to attend and would like to contact us, email editor Alissa Letkowski at Alissa.Letkowski@patch.com or advertising manager Steve Antonellis at Steve.Antonellis@patch.com. 2. Palettes grand opening is today at 6:30 p.m. There is a waiting list to attend the event. 3. Students at the Walnut School Hill for the Arts will perform The …

The weather is hot. Really hot. And what do you do when the air conditioner and a dip in the pool just aren't cutting it? You head to your favorite ice cream parlor in Natick for an ice cold scoop of your favorite flavor (or flavors...we're not judging). Here are a few of the best places to cool off your taste buds in Natick this summer:  Park Street Ice Cream: Located at 14 Park St. at Natick Center, you can enjoy your favorite flavor from this charming parlor and enjoy it on a bench in the shade. Dairy Queen: This national chain has plenty of outdoor seating and deals throughout the week …

1. Stop by Walnut Hill School for the Arts Friday at 7 p.m. for a benefit concert for Japan. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. All proceeds go to Japan's Red Cross. 2. Planting a tree is a great way to honor Earth Day,  but do you know what trees are the best to plant, and where you should plant them? The offical Arbor Day Foundation website features an array of tips. Check it out  at www.arborday.org/arborday. 3. Broad Meadow Brook in Worcester will host an Earth Day open house and drop-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Rd. in Worcester. Participants can …

1. Sel de la Terre (Natick Collection): This restaurant is offering seasonal Spring dishes for Easter lunch this year. Call ahead and make a reservation. 2. Crowne Plaza  Boston-Natick: Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an appearance from the Easter Bunny. There will be balloons, face painting and cotton candy. The event costs $40 for adults, $20 for children ages 4 to 12. Kids under free get in for free. Call 508-653-8800 to make a reservation. 3. Met Bar & Grill: This restaurant in Natick Collection has a wide variety of brunch options to select. See the menu here. Call ahead to …

Every family has its own unique recipes that help make Passover special. Here are a few recipes for some traditional dishes. Click on the links next to each recipe to link to the original recipes. Gifilte Fish (Courtesy, www.holidays.net) Ingredients: 1 lg Jar gifilte fish; good brand 1 bunch beets 1 bunch carrots 2 large Onions Pepper, lots Salt to tasteOlive oil for cooking   Garnish: 1/4 Tb extra-virgin olive oil1/8 tsp red-wine vinegarSalt and pepper to tasteMicrogreens or chopped herbs for garnishTamarind paste (optional) Directions:  Pulse the gefilte fish ingredients in a food …

1. Natick Historical Society Museum: 58 Eliot St., Natick; 508-647-4841 It may be small, but a walk through the Natick Historical Society can transport you back in time to Natick's rich historical roots. Natick Indian Community founder John Eliot's Bible from the 1600s, items once belonging to Harriet Beecher Stowe, Horatio Alger Jr. and the 20th vice president of the United States Henry Wilson, all who once lived in town. 2. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary: 280 Eliot St., Natick; 508-655-2296 Believe it or not, Spring weather is right around the corner. Broodmoor Wildlife Sanctuary offers …

1. The Littlest Spa —45 South Main St., 508-653-2922 The Littlest Spa offers a wide variety of massages. You can enjoy a one hour Swedish massage for $80, and a deep tissue, prenatal and hot stone massage for $95 each. If you're rushed for time and you don't want to spend the money for a full hour massage, the business offers 30 minute massages for the head, scalp and neck or one for the back or feet for $45 each. 2. Concepts Salon & Day Spa—51 Eliot St., 508-655-3355 Concepts Salon & Day Spa offers a full-service hair salon and a spa for manicures and pedicures, skin care, waxing, massages …

1. O'Connell's Pub & Sports Bar:  This Framingham hot spot will feature a live Irish band from 3 to 9 p.m. today, followed my music from DJ Scotty until 1 a.m. If you're really feeling Irish, they've got Guinness on tap, along with a long list of other beers. 2. British Beer Company: Just over the Natick and Framingham line, BBC is offering corned beef and cabbage with all the fixing today. The DJ begins at 10 p.m. 3. The Tavern: If you're looking to show off a little Irish music skills of your own, The Tavern is hosting an "open jam" tonight  4. The Center for the Arts in Natick: …

1. Broadmoor Summer Camp: This camp is run by the Mass Audubon Society and offers programs for kindergarteners to ninth graders. Children in each age group can choose from a variety of classes like "Predators and Prey," "Wilderness Skills," and many others. Programs run from June 27 to Aug. 12. We've got a full story with all the details right here on Natick Patch. 2. Camp Arrowhead: This camp, run by Natick Recreation and Parks, is open to adults and children (age five and older) with disabilities. Every camper is paired with a teenage volunteer. The camp, located along Lake Cochituate …

Every week, Patch Picks features the best of the best for things around town. This week, we're featuring Librarian book picks from the librarians at the reference desk at the Morse Institute Library. 1. The "Maisie Dobbs" mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear 2. "March," by Geraldine Brooks 3. The Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1 4. "Scorecasting," by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim 5. "The Death of Common Sense," by Philip K. Howard

1. Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys Band will perform at the Center for Arts in Natick at 11 a.m. 2. The Golden Tones choir will perform at the Winter Market at Johnson Elementary School at 11:30 a.m. 3. Red Molly will perform at the Center for Arts in Natick at 8 p.m. 4. The Natick Winter Market will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Johnson Elementary School. 5. Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 34 degrees, according to the NationalWeather Service. One to three inches could fall after 1 a.m.

1. The Center for Arts in Natick will host Rock Off Main Street, featuring local musicians at 7:30 p.m. 2. The Walk Your Way to Wellness walking club will meet at Natick Collection from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. 3. Walnut Hill School for the Arts will perform "The Heidi Chronicles" tonight at 8 p.m. 4. Rain and snow is expected before 8 a.m. today, but with little to no accumulation, according to the The National Weather Service 5. Natick Collection is open until 9 p.m. today.      

This week, Patch Picks is featuring five great boutiques you should check out in Natick. From baby clothes to recycled bags and jewelry, Natick has got a bit of something for everyone. 1. French Antiques Direct and British Select Antiques (25 Washington Ave.) This antiques store has a variety of French and British furniture and other items, many of it over 100 years old. The two businesses in the same store are both run by experienced antique experts. 2. Lemon Tree Goods (325 N. Main St.) This consignment shop offers recycled clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and other items that make great…

In this week's Patch Picks, we've shared five great nonprofit organizations in town that you should know about. Click on the links below for the listings to find out more information. 1. A Place to Turn: This food pantry provides locals with food, toiletries and clothing to those who might not be able to afford the items otherwise. On Thursday, every Patch employee in the country was encouraged to get out in their communities and volunteer. Natick Patch editor volunteered at A Place to Turn. Return to Natick Patch tomorrow for a letter from the editor. 2. Natick Service Council: With its …

 1. The Melting Pot (508-875-3115)  For a romantic evening sharing a pot of cheese, broth or chocolate fondue, bring you hunny to the Melting Pot at 92 Worcester Rd. in Framingham. The restaurant is open until 11 p.m. on Monday and if you're choosing to celebrate over the weekend, it is open until 11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 p.m. on Sunday.   2. Oga's Japanese Cuisine (508-653-4338) Located right in Natick at 915 Worcester St., Oga's offers fresh sushi and other Japanese cuisine you can share with your Valentine. The lighting and simple decor make a romantic atmosphere for you and your date…

For this year's Super Bowl you may be looking to head out on the town to watch the game instead of crowding your house with guests and buckets of chicken wings. Here is this week's edition of "Patch Picks," featuring the top five nearby places to cheer on your team of choice:  1. Met Bar and Grill: Located inside the Natick Collection, the Met Bar and Grill will be open from 11 a.m. to around 10:30 p.m. The burger bar will be open after 7 p.m. and the kitchen closes at 9 p.m. 2. British Beer Company: Located just over the line into Framingham on Route 9, the BBC has nine televisions to watch …