Five Things To Know Today

1.  Today is Friday, Aug 12.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies, a high temperature of 80 degrees and a low of 62 tonight.

2.  The Groton Town Council will not look further into giving a preference to local companies during the bidding process. The council voted 6-3 on Tuesday to leave the bidding process as is. “I understand the philosophy of wanting to bring businesses to town,” Councilor Deborah Peruzzotti said. “ I just feel as though we shouldn’t try to fix something that isn’t broken.” But Councilor Bill Johnson almost every state offers a preference to local companies, and neighboring communities like New London have also taken the step. “We’re losing new businesses because we don’t do it,” Johnson said. “We have to think of the future.”

3. Groton Public Library is offering a free family concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday featuring singer/songwriter Les Julian. The program, called "We All Laugh in the Same Language" will include songs with themes from around the world and other songs from Julian's CDs.

4. A national organization for transplant professionals has given its legislator of the year award to Congressman Joseph Courtney, the group, NATCO, announced Thursday. The association does not give the award each year, but recognized Courtney for his efforts to help people with pre-existing medical conditions obtain proper health insurance.   “Eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions has long been of importance to (the organization) and the entire organ donation and transplantation community," NATCO President-Elect Tracy Evans-Walker said in a prepared statement. "We applaud Mr. Courtney’s work to see that it became law.”

5.  The Groton Business Association holds its next monthly meeting from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 18 at Puffins Restaurant on Thames Street. The group is part of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and holds meetings to talk about ways to promote local business and inform people about upcoming events. The event is free, and is co-sponsored by Patriotic Waves.