5 Things to Know Today

Good morning Bethlehem. Today is Friday, September 9, 2011. Here comes the weekend.

1. Dare we say that the weather seems to be showing some improvement? The rain finally came to a halt late Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service says there is a 40 percent chance we’ll get some showers or thunderstorms today. A flood warning remains in effect. Some local roads -- including Green Pond Road in Bethlehem Township -- remain closed because of said flooding. Unfortunately, it will remain mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 84 degrees.
2. Happy 62nd birthday to “The Secretary of Defense,” former Phillies centerfielder Garry Maddox, who was one of the greatest defensive players in the game’s history and a cornerstone of the 1980 world champions. Maddox won eight consecutive Gold Glove awards for the Phillies from 1975 until 1982. New York Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner once quipped that two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water, the other one-third is covered by Garry Maddox.
3. marks the 10th anniversary of September 11 in a variety of ways. , for example, is having a “red, white and blue” day, encouraging all of its students to wear our country’s colors in a show of patriotism. is having a Patriot Day Assembly at 8:15 a.m.
4. The spotlight is on the intercity rivalry between Bethlehem and Allentown this weekend in high school football, as the Patriots (1-0) entertain the defending PIAA-3A state champion Vikings of Allentown Central Catholic (0-1) at BASD Stadium at 7 p.m. tonight. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes (1-0) travel to Northampton to take on the K-Kids (0-1), while the Crusaders (0-1) travel to Catasauqua to take on the Rough Riders (1-0). Both games are at 7 p.m. Bethlehem and Allentown meet again on Saturday night when the Golden Hawks (1-0) play their home opener, entertaining the Allen High School Canaries (0-1) at 7 p.m.
5. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs won game one of their playoff with the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-2, on Thursday night. Tonight at 7:05, they try to take a 2-0 series lead at Coca Cola Park before they have to travel to Rhode Island to finish the best-of-five tilt. Southpaw Ryan Edell pitches for the Pigs, Tony Pena goes for the PawSox. Post-game fireworks are planned. And the IronPigs are encouraging all their fans to wear red to the ballpark.