5 Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 6

1. Super Bowl Heartbreaker: We aren't sure how that happened but the Patriots lost a heart breaker. Good news is "streadlite@aol.com" won our poll prediction, choosing the Giants over the Pats by a score of 24 to 18 back on Jan. 31. Hey streadlite@aol.com: Send us your info and we'll send you your prize package. carol.robidoux@patch.com.

2. Erin Brockovich to the rescue? We are kind of fascinated by this strange development in LeRoy, NY, where a group of about 15 teens – and now a 30-something woman – have developed body tics. Environmental crusader Erin Brokovich has even stepped up to see if she can help determine whether a decades-old chemical spill is at the root of the uncontrollable physical ailments these residents are suffering. So far, doctors are calling it "conversion disorder," which is triggered by stress. We're going to continue following this odd, interesting case.

3. Boomers and unsafe sex: Looks like those frisky baby boomers have entered new and dubious territory, as a new report says fewer boom-generation seniors are practicing safe sex, causing a surge in STDs among senior citizens. The study, "Sexual Health and the Older Adult, published in the Student British Medical Journal, culled information from the U.S., Canada and Britain.

4. How your garden grows: The USDA has released a new interactive Plant Hardiness Zone map, with some revised planting dates based on 30-year temperature trends. The USDA says the changes are not due to global warming, but rather based on more sophisticated mapping methods. Whatever the reason, warmer temperatures will alter slightly your spring planting times for here, and just about everywhere.

5. Born Today: You share your cake-eating anniversary with: baseball great Babe Ruth, (107); every GOP Presidential candidate's hero, Ronald Reagan, (102); and singers Bob Marley, (67) and Rick Astley.