Five Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need To Know Today—Monday, Nov. 21

Final vote on tax hike; last day of food drive; a salute to the MHS volleyball team.

It's Thanksgiving week. Today is Monday, Nov. 21—21 years ago today, 350 million people around the world tuned in to "Dallas" to find out who shot J.R.—and here are Melrose's five fast facts for the day: 1) I am cold, out waiting for the day to come: Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 40 by 5 p.m. Northeast wind between 8 and 10 mph. Tonight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 6 mph becoming calm. (Forecast by the National Weather Service.) 2) Things as certain as death and taxes, can be more firmly believed: The aldermen meet tonight at 7:45 p.m. and will likely take a final vote on the tax rate. 3) Now to my mind, it's an abomination to consider that any man, woman or child in this magnificent country …

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Charles Christiansen

10:12 am on Monday, November 21, 2011

Make that THIRTY-ONE. See, the memory is the first thing to go.   more ›

PHOTOS: Melrose, Marlborough Play For Volleyball State Title

The Lady Red Raiders fall 3-1 to Marlborough in the Division 2 State Championship game on Saturday.

The Red Raiders' volleyball season ended Saturday afternoon following a 3-1 loss to Marlborough High School in the Division 2 State Finals at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough. After winning the opening set 25-22 Melrose lost three straight sets by scores of 25-23, 25-13 and 25-20. As Marlborough fans and players poured onto the court to celebrate, the Melrose equivalents watched, heartbroken. For the five seniors on Melrose's squad, including captains Jill Slabacheski and Alyssa DiRaffaele, this loss will be the last time they play for the Red Raiders. For the rest of the team, however, there's always next year.

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Melrose Volleyball One Win Away From State Championship

The Lady Red Raiders earn a spot in Saturday's Division 2 State Championship game following Tuesday's come-from behind win.

One more match is all that stands in the way of a Massachusetts state championship for the Melrose High School girls’ volleyball team. The Lady Red Raiders inched one step closer with a 3-2 win over Longmeadow Tuesday evening in the Massachusetts Division 2 Semifinals at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton. With the win Melrose advances to Saturday’s state championship match against the winner of Central Mass. champion Marlborough and Southern Mass. champion Fairhaven. The finals are slated to take place at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough at 2:30 p.m. “This is an unbelievable feeling. We’ve been here three years in a row and lost the last two years,” said Melrose head coach Scott Celli, whose North Mass championship squad…

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Lady Raiders Volleyball Brings Home 3rd Consecutive D2 North Championship

Melrose defeated Bishop Fenwick 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 on Saturday.

Melrose Volleyball Returning to D2 North Finals

Melrose (21-1) ousted North Reading in the post-season for the third consecutive season.

VIDEO: Melrose Volleyball Defeats 6th Ranked Lincoln-Sudbury

The Lady Raiders swept the Warriors to finish the season 19-1.

The Melrose High School girls volleyball team swept Lincoln-Sudbury on Tuesday 25-18, 25-22 and 25-15 sweep to finish the regular season 19-1. Check out Ron Sen's recap of the game and watch highlights from the game in the YouTube video above. Were you there? Add your own photos and videos to this gallery! It's easy—just sign into your Melrose Patch account (or sign into Melrose Patch using your Facebook account). Click the "Add your photos & videos" link below the photos and follow the directions.

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Bell Leads The Way For Melrose Volleyball

Captain Brooke Bell has developed into the best setter in the state, according to Coach Scott Celli.

Melrose Volleyball Moves to 10-0 with 3-1 Victory Over Central Catholic

The Lady Raiders pulled out a 3-1 victory on the road against 7-2 Central Catholic, which had one loss and was ranked 6th earlier in the Maxpreps.com state rankings.