"Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the five things in the comments section.

1. This week's Patch Readers' Choice Poll is - what is the best florist in West Roxbury? Click on the link to vote! There are several good options in the poll. Voting starts today and ends on Friday at 9 a.m. The winner will be announced on Friday at noon. 
2. Tonight the very popular video lecture series at the West Roxbury Library continues at 6:30 p.m. with "China in the New Millennium," a video lecture given by Richard Baum of UCLA. Respondent for the lecture is Min Hwa Kennard of the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Free. 
3. At 9:30 a.m. today, Ethos and the Boston Public Health Department invite local seniors to participate in Mayor Menino’s NeighborWalks. From April through June, once a week for 30-60 minutes for 10 weeks, seniors will be walking together. Meet at Gardens At Gethsemane Cemetery Office. The coordinator is Ann Ward. For more information, call Janice Williams, Healthy Aging Program Manager at Ethos at 617-477-6616.
4. Today is the Ted D'Amato Chess Club at the West Roxbury Library with Charlie the Chess Master, Charlie Cleary. This is for youth ages 6-18 for free to kids who want to learn chess or already know chess, all levels are welcome. 3:30-5:30 p.m.
5. Boston Shines neighborhood cleanups are this Friday and Saturday. There are several organizations doing cleanups in West Roxbury. If you would like to participate, please come down to the Hastings Street Municipal Lot (corner of Hastings and Centre streets) on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. From there, gloves and tools, and t-shirts will be provided and then onto sprucing up Centre Street! For more info call Christopher Tracy, West Roxbury Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services at 617-635-3485.