5 Things You Need To Know Today: May 8

1. I love a parade. Then again, who doesn't? Well, never fear. Bedford's annual Pre-Memorial Day Parade is slated for Sunday, May 20. This year's theme: "Honor our Veterans." The fun will begin at the Nashua Road Little League complex at 1 p.m. and concludes at . Anyone looking to march, drive or run a float in the parade must sign up by May 10. For more details click here. We'll have more information in the days to come.

2. Rain, rain. Back today. A warm and dry Monday, unfortunately, gives way to a rainy spring Tuesday. Indeed, the chance of rain is 80 percent today and 90 percent tonight with rainfall likely more than half an inch. The predicted high is 53 degrees with winds at 10- to 20-mph.

3. Happy V-E Day! On this day, in 1945, the United States, Great Britain and other allies celebrated Victory in Europe Day signaling the fall of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi regime. From History.com:

The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark--the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany.

4. Calling all artists. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund are looking for help in creating the organization’s 2012 Holiday Collection. Artists are welcome to submit artwork or photographic designs for a holiday card, candle wrap or ornament to be sold by Dana-Farber during the holiday season as a fundraiser for the Institute. Popular images featured in previous years have included winter views of Boston landmarks and scenes, New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox-themed artwork and adult and pediatric patient artwork. All proceeds from holiday merchandise benefit the lifesaving mission of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Artists who wish to participate should email their designs in .jpg format to holiday_orders@dfci.harvard.edu. Please include artist name, e-mail, and phone number with the submission. The deadline to send in all designs is May 15. Artists will be notified by June 1st if their designs have been selected. Please note that the selected artists will not be financially compensated for their submission, but will get printed credit on the item that they design.

5. Bulldog Bites. Several Bedford High School spring sports events have been postponed or cancelled due to today's inclement weather, while the tennis squads are still slated (at least for now) for action today. Here's the schedule, obtained from HighSchoolSports.net:

• **POSTPONED to 5/10 3:45PM B V Track vs. Windham

• **CANCELLED 3:45PM B V Track vs. Merrimack Valley

• **POSTPONED to 5/10 3:45PM G V Track vs. Windham

• **CANCELLED 3:45PM G V Track vs. Merrimack Valley

• 4:15PM B V Tennis vs. Portsmouth

• 4:15PM G V Tennis @ Portsmouth