5 Things You Should Know Today — Sept. 14, 2011

Election season gets under way tonight as the Farmington Area Republican Club hosts the first local candidate debate. We've got details about this and other activities today in Farmington and Farmington Hills:

1. The weather

There's a 40 percent chance of showers between 2 p.m.-2 a.m. today, according to the National Weather Service. Otherwise, look for a partly sunny day with a high of 69 and a low of 43.

2. New families welcomed

Farmington Public Schools rolls out the welcome mat for new families at two meetings today, and Both will be held at the Ten Mile Administrative Center, 32789 W. 10 Mile Rd. in Farmington, and will offer information about district policies, open house and conference schedules, parent involvement and more.

3. Sports lineup

Light day for prep sports:

Girls swimming hosts Berkley, 6:30 p.m.

Boys tennis hosts Southfield, 4 p.m.

• Golf varsity A vs. Academy of Sacred Heart at Walnut Creek Country Club, 3:45 p.m.
• Golf varsity B vs. Country Day at Oakland Hills North Country Club, 3:45 p.m.

• Girls golf hosts Andover, 3 p.m.
• Boys tennis junior varsity and varsity at Livonia Stevenson, both at 4 p.m.
• Boys soccer junior varsity at Troy, 5:30 p.m., varsity at Troy, 7 p.m.

4.

in Farmington Hills will host an American Red Cross blood drive today from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; for more information about donations, visit redcrossblood.org.

5.

You'll get your first public chance to meet candidates for the Farmington Board of Education and the Farmington Hills City Council at 6:30 p.m. in a candidate forum sponsored by the Farmington Area Republican Club. The event, which is open to the public, will be held at .