Some of you may have noticed: Patch had technical difficulties overnight that prevented us from posting our usual morning stories. We're catching up now. Here are some interesting items to consider doing around town today:

Each day the "5 Things" column offers five essentials about your day in Plainview. We want to engage our audience in the topics, events, and hot-button issues that are important to them. Help us do that by adding your voice. Add it to the calendar or send us a news tip. Post a comment on the news and the issues that matter most to you.

Thursday's highlights:

1. The Plainview Middle School presents its performance of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" today at 4:30 p.m. today. Tickets: $10. Send us your photos of the performance and we'll run them this week.

2. The Plainview JFK High School Band had its winter concert Wednesday night. Please send us your photos of the concert, both backstage and from the performance itself. We'll run them this week.

3. Another babysitter has been accused of stealing from a Plainview woman who employed her. This is the latest in a series of troubling crimes reported in the area. And, a Bethpage man's arrest in connection with the burglary of three of his neighbors' homes has set off a spirited discussion in our comments. Why not weigh in?

4. Have you claimed your listing? It's free and can make a huge difference in how you get the word out to the public. See our previous story for details.

5. Do you have a story that's worth telling? A story you want us to investigate? Send us a news tip. We consider every one of them.