5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 8

)  Tide Watch —  Beach walkers and dog walkers take notice. Today's low tide is 7:12 a.m. (.09 ft.) and high tide is 1:26 p.m. (8.87 feet)

2)  Help Watch — The Respect for Human Differences Task Force will be holding the  4th Annual Respect for Human Differences Jump-a thon this Friday March 11 at the Swampscott High School from 3 - 4:30 p.m. 

3) Nutrition Watch — Sign-ups began Monday for a March 21, class at the library on cooking nutritional meals for one or two people. Representatives from Whole Foods Market of Swampscott will give some hints on menus, dietary needs and helpful ideas to make sure that everyone is eating healthy. 

4) Local History — 100 years ago on this date, town Tree Warden Everett Mudge delivered his annual report. He said that as many 15 men were employed at times during the summer treating trees for browntail and gypsy moths. One of the means for treating trees was spraying lead. As much as 1.5 tons of lead was sprayed in one year. With the addition of a new powerful sprayer, it was possible to spray lead over the highest trees. Over 100 acres were sprayed in town in 1910. (Information from the Lynn Daily Evening Item.)

5) Today in Music History —  In 1970, Diana Ross performed for the first time as a solo act, singing in Framingham. (Information from www.on-this-day.com)