Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 11

1. Blood drive. The will hold a blood drive today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2. Are you riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge? We want to hear from you! Newton Patch is looking to share stories of Newton PMC riders. and simply email your responses to Melanie.Graham@patch.com. 

3. Community Preservation Committee. The CPC will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in room 202 at . The meeting will consist of discussion around fiscal 2013 pre-proposals for community preservation projects as well as anticipated community preservation projects from the city's fiscal 2014 Capital Improvement Plan. 

4. BJFF presents...The hit Israeli film Restoration tonight at the . The film received nominations for 11 Ophir Awards, the Israeli Oscar. This one-time screening is presented by the Boston Jewish Film Festival and begins at 7 p.m.

5. St. Mary of Carmen Festival starts today! The 77th annual festival will kick off at in Nonantum this evening with live music starting at 7 p.m., along with food, fun, prizes, games and more. for the next five days. And don't forget to add your festival photos to our community gallery!