Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 8

1. Reminder. The is closed on Sundays in July and August. 

2. Free museum admission. According to a press release issued last week, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders in Boston can receive free admission to a number of Boston museums today including the American Textile History Museum, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) and the Museum of Fine Arts. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented at the time of visit. 

3. Time is running out to nominate! Nominations for the Newton Readers' Choice competition must be in by tomorrow, July 9. We're looking for Newton's best businesses across 25 categories including , , , ,  and , to name a few. 

4. Historic Newton walk. Boston University Professor of Plant Ecology Richard Primack will lead a Historic Newton walk around and the surrounding woods. . Those who are interested should meet in the Hammond Pond parking lot (off Hammond Pond Parkway) at 2 p.m. The walk is free and open to the public. 

5. Heritage festival. Each Sunday, Newton Community Pride puts on free heritage festivals at the Newton Centre Green from 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Today's festival, the first of the season, will feature Afro Pop band Koliba. Residents are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The event will be canceled if it rains.