Daily Five: Business Forecast, Poetic Monday

1. Today is Monday Jan. 9, 2012. The forecast, according to noaa.gov, is partly sunny, with a high near 41. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

2. Property taxes are due to the town and your fire district this month, but the IRS had some good news for Connecticut residents last week: taxpayers have until April 17 to file their tax returns. The IRS encourages taxpayers to e-file as it is the best way to ensure accurate tax returns and get faster refunds, said the press release. "The IRS also announced a number of improvements to help make this tax season easy for taxpayers. This includes new navigation features and helpful information on IRS.gov and a new pilot to allow taxpayers to use interactive video to get help with tax issues."

3. On Friday, we launched a new occasional series called If there is a vacant building in town that you have a brilliant idea for, email the address and your comments to deborah.straszheim@patch.com, and we will grab a photo and post it on Patch.

4. Curious what 2012 holds for the local economy? Attend the Business Breakfast: Economic Forecast for 2012 on Friday, January 20 from 7:45 am to 9:00 am. This joint Business Breakfast sponsored by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut features Congressman Joseph Courtney and Peter Gioia, CBIA, as speakers.

5. Feel the need for some poetry tonight? Emerson Theater Collaborative announces at The Riverwalk Restaurant, 14 Holmes St in Mystic  7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Featured Poets include John Stanizzi and Kate Rushin.  There will also be an open mic, and some youth will be reciting their poetry as well. For more information please go to www.emersontheatercollaborative.org or call (860) 705-9711.  Information can also be found at www.mysticriverwalk.com, or call (860) 536-5220.