Five Things To Know Today, Oct. 27

1.  Today is Thursday, Oct. 27.  The National Weather Service predicts rain and a high temperature of 50 degrees. Tonight will be windy, wet and cold, with a low of 35.

2.  A new flag pole was recently installed at Eastern Point Beach to replace one that was more than 30 years old.  Ken Holloway, a city resident, was concenred about deterioration of the pole and pledged a donation to help buy and install the new one. In honor of his effort, he raised the flag on the new pole on Friday, Oct. 21, at a ceremony with city officials and representatives of Groton Utilities.

3.  Mystic Aquarium has a new male beluga whale named Naluark, who arrived recently from John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.  The whale came to Mystic by chartered plane and truck, the aquarium said. He rested in a hammock designed for his weight in a container filled with cool water during the trip. Veterinarians were on hand. Naluark is 25 years old, weighs 2,100 pounds and is just over 13 feet long. The hope is that he will breed with one of Mystic Aquarium's female beluga whales, the aquarium said.

4.  If you suffered damage during Tropical Storm Irene and need assistance, you have until Nov. 3 to register with FEMA. The agency has approved more than $6 million in assistance to people in Connecticut, and the Small Business Administration has approved more than $4 million in loans, Governor Dannel P. Malloy said in a news release. You can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).

5.  Weiss Furniture & Sleep Shop is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. today at the furniture store at 706 Long Hill Road in Groton. Food and drink will be provided at the grand opening, if you'd like to stop by.