1. Blood drive. The Newton Free Library 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. Take a look at these questions 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 Newton City Hall. 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 West Newton Cinema. 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 Pellegrini Park in Nonantum this evening with live music starting at 7 p.m., along with food, fun, prizes, games and more. Check out this full schedule for more information on the festival plans for the next five days. And don't forget to add your festival photos to our community gallery!