By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Region – Today is Friday, Aug. 24, the 237th day of 2012.
On this day in the year 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, killing thousands and covering the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 14 to 17 feet of ash and pumice. The two cities were then not discovered until the 1700s.
On this day in 1814 British soldiers overtook the White House and set it on fire, although it was not totally destroyed. President James Madison and his family were able to safely escape before the inferno started.
And on this day in 1981, Mark David Chapman was sentenced to twenty years in jail for the 1980 murder of John Lennon.
Happy birthday today to – ?actor Rupert Grint (1988); comedian Dave Chappelle (1973); and baseball great Cal Ripken Jr. ?(1960).
Here are six tips for the day ?
1. When you are out shopping for those last minute school supplies, don's forget to check out your fabulous local merchants, many of whom advertise with the Community Advocate!
http://communityadvocate.com/support-our-advertisers/
2. The River's Edge Players are holding auditions for “Haunting Melodies: A Broadway Cabaret,” Sunday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m., at Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main St. and on Monday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m., at Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St. For more information –
http://communityadvocate.com/2012/08/16/hudson-rivers-edge-players-hold-audition/
3. The monthly Westborough Historical Society open house will be held Sunday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. http://communityadvocate.com/2012/08/16/westborough-open-house-at-historical-society-3/
4. A controversial drive-through window for a Westborough Dunkin” Donuts shop was approved Tuesday, Aug. 21.
http://communityadvocate.com/2012/08/23/westborough-selectmen-approve-dunkin-donuts-drive-through/
5. Potential members of the Assabet Valley Mastersingers will be welcomed at an open rehearsal Sunday, Aug. 27 (also Sept. 4 and 10), from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m., at St. Mark's School, 25 Marlboro Rd. (Route 85), Southborough.
http://communityadvocate.com/2012/08/10/southborough-assabet-valley-mastersingers-open-rehearsal/
6. The Hudson Maynard Adult Learning Center will be offering a free GED preparation program in Hudson this fall, with 3 levels of ABE classes leading to a high school equivalency certificate: Basic Skills, pre-GED and GED. Registration for the classes will be held Aug. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the Hudson High School cafeteria, 69 Brigham St.
http://communityadvocate.com/2012/08/10/hudson-register-for-free-ged-classes/