Daily Five: Energy Assistance, Best Pizza Nominations

1. Today is Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. How are those New Year's resolutions going? The cold snap was mercifully brief, as today is expected to warm up, according to noaa.gov: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 41. West wind between 10 and 15 mph. Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 30. West wind between 8 and 13 mph.

2. If the cold weather this week reminded you that your heating bills are going to be tough to pay, you can still apply for the CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). The town offers this program in partnership with TVCCA. Call Groton Human Services at 860-441-6760 to schedule an appointment. Please be sure to read the energy checklist (attached to this article) to ensure that you have all of the required verifications with you at time of appointment.

3. Nominations for the end today at 5 p.m. Comments on the article will be closed at 5 p.m., and then on Friday morning, a poll with the top nominees will be posted. Cast your vote for the Best Pizza in Groton and Stonington!

4. If it's one thing we've learned since launching Groton Patch more than a year ago, it is that Groton residents are passionate about public education and their schools. To make it easier to follow all the ins and outs of budgets and school closings and teacher contracts, we have created a special page just for Groton schools coverage.

5. Do you still have your boat in the water? Are you looking for storage? Check our Places directory for all the marina information in town. And if you need some work done on your vessel in the off-season, Places has that information as well. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, check here for parts. If you are a loyal customer of one of these establishments, post a review!