5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 21

Good morning, Potomac! It's Thursday--and a scorcher. Here are another five things you need to know today to stay on top of what’s going on in the community:

1. The heatwave that's been gripping the Midwest has arrived, bringing dangerous temperatures: An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect from noon today through 8 p.m. Friday. Expect temps in the upper 90s, combined with extremely high humidity to create heat index readings of 105-110 degrees. The worst of the heat will be during the afternoon and early evening. Lows tonight will fall into the 70s.

2. With dangerously high temperatures outside, be sure to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, including:

• Stay indoors and out of the sun as much as possible.

• Wear light, loose clothing, in breathable fabrics.

• Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and carbonated beverages, which dehydrate the body.

• Limit exercise and reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening (exercise inside if possible).

• Check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly.

• Don't leave children or pets outside or in the car (and make sure they have plenty of water, too).

3. It's Potomac Village Farmers Market day, where on a hot day you can pick up one of nature's most cooling treats: melons. Watermelon, cantalope, honeydew and more are in peak season right now and make a perfect cooling snack or dessert. The market is open 2:00-6:30 p.m., at .

4. If you missed the news from this week's Montgomery County Council meet, the council unanimously voted to do away with "effects bargaining" for county police officers. As , "the legislation eliminates the collective bargaining process between the county and the Fraternal Order of Police on [some] management decisions." The contentious issue also generated a storm of comments in this week's Parsons on Politics.

5. Potomac's newest celebrity resident has now moved to town--and he's the latest owner of the famed Marwood Estate. Stay tuned to Patch today for the details.

Happy Thursday--and be careful out there!