5 Things to Know Today

Good morning, Bethlehem. Today is Friday, August 19, 2011. Here comes the weekend.

1. This weekend is getting off to a soggy start. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast through the day and the whole Lehigh Valley was under a flash flood watch as of 4 a.m. today. Use caution if driving or doing anything else in a low-lying or flood-prone area. The watch is expected to last into the evening.
2. We presume the Summer Festival will continue tonight rain or shine starting at 5 p.m. and go on until 10 p.m. One hopes the rain gives us all a break to enjoy some funnel cake.
3. presents The Big Bad Musical at 7 p.m. tonight at the , 57 River St. We’ve heard this kid-friendly courtroom comedy is quite a bit of fun. The premise is that the Big Bad Wolf is on trial. “If the granny mask don’t fit, you must acquit.” Tickets are $5.
4. The Doc Marshalls, a Cajun style, honky tonk band entertains at the  in a free show starting at 7:30 p.m.
5. Happy 59th birthday actor/director/narrator and Bethlehem native Jonathan Frakes. The 1970 graduate is best known for playing Cmdr. William T. Riker in Star Trek – The Next Generation. He is also the narrator of , a little film that plays in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema in the every day.