5 Things Dec. 21: Softball Clinics, Holiday Travel and More

Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. Winter softball clinic registration open
Registration is open for two 2013 winter softball clinics. Everyone who registers will receive a certificate, which can be used for Holiday gifts or stocking stuffers. Skills and Drills will be offered for 10 weeks Sundays Jan. 15 through March 18. Cost is $75. Pitching Clinic will be held for nine weeks Tuesdays Jan. 15 through March 19. Cost is $75. These programs are on a first come, first served basis. For more information contact Mike Pietrasiewicz at petro2020@comcast.net or John Hanewich at j.hanewich@comcast.net.

2. Bingo
Bingo is held every Friday night at St. Mary's Church. Doors open at the Parish Center 4:30 p.m., bingo begins 6:30 p.m.  

3. Lou Gramm: The Voice of Foreigner
Gram will perform 8 p.m. at Showcase Live, 23 Patriot Place, Foxborough. As a solo artist and the vocalist and songwriter of Foreigner, Gramm has helmed a repertoire of hits including "Hot Blooded," "Feels Like The First Time," "Juke Box Hero," "Double Vision"  and more. Tickets are $30 and are available here.

4. MassDOT urges safe holiday travel 
MassDOT encourages residents and visitors to drive safely and use public transportation where possible during the upcoming holidays. Drivers should expect heavy traffic volume.  

MassDOT’s cash collection tollbooths will be adequately staffed for the anticipated travel volume and any traffic associated with last minute shoppers, especially on Friday, Saturday and Christmas Eve.

To avoid cash tolls, ‘E-ZPass On the Go’ transponders are available at all 11 Massachusetts Turnpike Service Plazas and make good last minute stocking stuffers.

The HOV lane will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Free coffee will be served at all 18 MassDOT service plazas courtesy of McDonalds, Burger King, and Gulf between 10 p.m. on Christmas night until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, and between 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 5 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The MBTA will provide additional trains and free service after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.  Check out the full T schedule at www.mbta.com.

In case of wintry travel weather, motorists should drive with headlights on, observe posted speed limits, never drink and drive, make sure everyone is using a seatbelt and be on the lookout for changing weather conditions.

For transportation news and updates visit www.mass.gov/massdot.

5. High near 42, low around 35
Today it will be rainy, with patchy fog and a temperature high near 51. It will be breezy, with an east wind 15 to 21 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Tonight there is a 30 percent chance of rain showers before 2 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers. Otherwise, it will be cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind will be 5 to 13 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.