Monday Essentials: Zip Trip's Coming; Backpack Drive is On

1. The Fox 25 morning team is bringing its cameras to focus on the Northborough for its famous "Zip Trip" series. Fox comes to Northborough on Aug. 9, and will be focusing on Algonquin High School's girls rugby team. But the town is looking for other people, places and things that deserve the spotlight. Do you have suggestions? If so, email Assistant Town Manager Kim Foster-Hood at khood@town.northborough.ma.us. 

2. "Loving Kindness" if the focus of the summer service at the First Parish Church's meetinghouse. As posted on its website, "Modern brain imaging science and psychology are confirming what Buddhists have been practicing for thousands of years: compassion or Loving Kindness is at the heart of peace of heart and peace of mind." Join special guest, Tibetan Monk Geshe Dondup, on Monday, July 29, as he teaches how to grow this sense of loving kindness.

3. Drop in for a game of chess or checkers at 6 p.m. at the Northborough Free Library. They've got the boards. You bring the strategy. 

4. Northborough Moms and Tots annual "Backpack Drive" is underway to help get kids the necessary school supplies they need for the 2013-2014 school year. You can help by donating money, gift cards or supplies. 

5. Heart & Stone Jewelry opened its unique story in Northborough earlier this month. The store is "dedicated to showcasing artistic talent in a variety of media from both established and emerging artists." Heart and Stone is accepting applications from artisans of all kinds who want to showcase and sell their work.