Five Things You Need to Know Today: Burning Temperatures, Battling Bands and Burger King Fights Cancer

1. When we say it's 98 degrees and rising outside, we aren't referring that '90s boy band your now-grown daughter liked as a twittering teenager. Instead, we're referring to one of the worst heat waves the region's seen in a while. Today, temperatures are expected to climb to 99 degrees, with heat index values as high as 108. The Red Cross warns the public to stay safe from extreme sun and humidity by drinking plenty of water, avoiding strenuous activity and wearing cool, loose clothing. And as for another unrelated public safety warning, we'll warn you to not rummage through your daughter's old CD collection laying neglected on her childhood bedroom's dusty shelves... that is, unless you secretly liked to dance to their melodies in the hallway while walking past your child's room late at night 12 years ago. Ahh, nostalgia.

2. Kermit may say it ain’t easy being green, but the Greenburgh Nature Center would disagree. If your 4th-6th grader has graduated from Jim Henson to reusable hemp bags and compost heaps – or if they're at least a little curious what it means to “go green” – then they should enroll in the Greenburgh Nature Center’s Green Adventures Camp. Running from August 15-19, this day program will get participants down and dirty with nature, from exploring natural habitats to planting and harvesting vegetables to canoeing at Constitution Marsh. Campers will even visit the Westchester County Materials Recovery Facility, where they will see a demonstration on how recyclable garbage is separated, sorted and prepared for new uses. To find out more, visit the Greenburgh Nature Center’s website for a crash course in what it really means to be sustainable and “green.” Sorry, Kermit – you’re going to have to try a little harder!

3. Six of the best bands from the New York City metro area will strum, shake and slap the bass, but only one will win first prize at Playland’s Battle of the Bands! Swing by Playland’s Music Tower Theater and watch acts such as Eastchester’s “Short Bus” and Pier 54 from Arsley duke it out for the top spot tonight at 6 p.m. And in case nature decides to cool Westchester County off with a few sprinkles and showers, the battle is rescheduled for Friday, July 29. Parking is $5, and admission fee is the same as regular Playland admission. Visit the Westchester County government website or call (914) 813-7000 for more information.

4. Starting on July 25, your Whopper and fries will be served up with a side of altruism. Burger King will be helping patrons fight childhood cancer by giving $1 to The Jimmy Fund through the “A Chance for Kids” program. Several local Burger Kings are participating, including the restaurant at 566 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale. So next time you have a craving for fast food on your way home from work, indulge just this once – after all, every contribution you make gives you a promotion card guaranteed to be a winner of prizes ranging from free food to theme park admissions and airline tickets. Plus, your spare change might help Burger King raise their goal of $1.1 million for pediatric cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. What’s sweeter than helping others – besides that soft-serve ice cream cone you’re having for dessert, of course?  

5. It’ll soon be “Batter up” time for the Scarsdale Youth Softball Association’s (SYSA) Fall Travel Softball Team – registration is now open for the fall season, and all participants are due to sign up by August 1. Programs are available for girls in the 3d through 9th grades, as well as a 10-and-under team, a 12-and-under team that will play teams from surrounding towns no more than a 20-minute drive from Scarsdale and a more competitive 14-and-under team that will play in six weekend-long tournaments with teams from the tri-state area. To register, visit Scarsdale Village’s Recreation Department website.