Five Things You Need to Know Today: May 18

1. Understanding Our Differences Breakfast. Newton-based nonprofit Understanding Our Differences, which aims to provide disability awareness to the Newton community, will hold its annual this morning from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. in the War Memorial. Mayor Setti Warren is scheduled to speak at the event.

2. Mount Ida commencement. will graduate its Class of 2012 this morning with ceremonies starting at 11 a.m. U.S. Sen. John Kerry is set to be the keynote speaker for the event, which will be held on campus.

3. Special Friday/Saturday drop-off for computers and electronics. Need to recycle an appliance, TV or computer? The Rumford Avenue Recycling Depot (115 Rumford Ave.) hosts special drop-off times on Fridays and Saturdays once a month. Today from 8 a.m. - noon you can head down to the Recycling Depot and drop off your electronics. There will be a $12 fee to recycle each TV or computer monitor, but all other electronics or appliances will be accepted free of charge. 

4. Read to Ride. Dependable Cleaners , which gives kids ages 6-15 a chance to win a bike (or another prize) for every book they read. For every book a child reads, he/she fills out an entry form and submits it to any of the 16 Dependable Cleaners locations or with their home delivery drivers. Entry forms will be available at all Dependable Cleaners locations and delivery routes. A winner will be drawn each Monday from June 4 through August 13 (except for July 2). The grand prize winners will receive a new bike and helmet. 

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