Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 29

1. NewtonSERVES. Today is the annual ! Hundreds of local volunteers will work on various projects throughout the city, from painting schools to cleaning up parks. Everywhere you look, you're likely to find a volunteer helping out in Newton today. The event runs 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Make sure you check out around the city as well!

2. Clothing/book/toy drive. As part of NewtonSERVES there will be today at to benefit the Cradles to Crayons charity. The drive will run 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

3. "For the Love of Mom." Bloomingdale's at the will hold a special fashion show event today titled complete with a champagne brunch and spring fashions. The fashions will be modeled by WCVB's Susan Wornick and her mother as well as five local families who have all been touched by breast cancer. Bloomingdale's will also donate 10 percent of the day's sales to the Ellie Fund. Tickets are $30 and the event runs from 10 a.m. - noon.

4. Free concert. The will host Mana Washio, flute, and Miho Yamaji, koto, for a free concert today at 2 p.m. Co-sponsored by the All Newton Music School, the concert will feature works by Michio Miyagi, Tadao Sawai and Heitor Villa-Lobos.

5. Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race. Today is . The race, which runs through Newton, Waltham and Watertown among other local communities, will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with a 24-mile relay race. A number of different races will be held during today's event, all of which will be followed by a celebration at Artesani Park in Brighton.