NS Bank Once Again Major Sponsor for Kids Day

Today is Thursday, Sept. 5. Here are five things to know today in Peabody.

1. Peabody resident Tom DesFosses is leading the way again in the 6th Annual A Reason to Ride this Sunday, starting at the Liberty Tree Mall. The bike-a-thon supports cancer research and treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
   
2. Local author Sandra Champlain, who penned the bestseller "We Don't Die - A Skeptic's Discovery of Life After Death," will be speaking and signing books at Barnes & Noble Thursday evening.
3. 'United We Stand': The free patriotic show by the We Are America performers is Friday night (7 p.m.) at City Hall and will kick off this year's International Festival celebration.
4. Have you taken that open space and recreation survey yet? The city is accepting responses until Sept. 30. You can find the survey online at the city's website.
5. Linda Broughton reminds us that the second annual walk/run to support the Giving Hope Foundation is coming up Sept. 15 and that this is Leukemia Awareness Month. The route is 5 miles and starts at Ross Park. You can find more information at www.givinghopema.org/events.