5 Useful Things to Know Today: Aug. 9

1. Today’s weather forecast will most likely be a rainy one with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms starting around noon. The highs will be around 90 and the lows at 70. Even with the rain, today will be humid with a high UV index.

2. Earlier this week Cuban courts rejected the appeal of Alan P. Gross, a Potomac resident who has been held in Cuba since December 2009 for allegedly distributing satellite communications equipment to the Jewish community in Cuba.

He was denied his last appeal despite support from high-level American officials. Cuban authorities say he was plotting against Cuba’s current form of government. This incident puts more strain on the tumultuous relationship between the U.S. and Cuba.

3. Churchill Boys Basketball released its 2011-2012 schedule and will face tough competition with new additions to the Montgomery County 4A West Division. Among the new teams added were James Hubert Blake, Clarksburg, Kennedy and Quince Orchard.

4. Blogger and videographer Issa Rae (Follow her: Twitter.com/@IssaRae) was recently featured on the Huffington Post. She grew up in Potomac, MD and later moved. She explains in her Huffington Post entry that she had a rich heritage and multicultural upbringing while in Potomac, but upon returning to L.A., she experienced people who were more outspoken and overt when it came to the issue of race. Her time away from Potomac helped her understand who she was as a black woman. She also has a blog, but it should only be visited by those 18 and over.

5. Eighty-one years ago today, the iconic American symbol Betty Boop made her first appearance in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes (it should be noted that she was created by a Polish animator). Happy Birthday, Betty!