Today is Monday, Dec. 27. Here are three things you need to know today.

1. One major holiday down, another to go.
It's time to secure your New Year's Eve plans. The city is, of course, bringing back its annual First Night celebration with ice sculptures on the Common, events for the kiddies around the city all day and a variety of shows for grownups, as the clock winds down on 2010. For a full schedule, check out the First Night web site. You can buy First Night buttons locally at Tedeschi's Main Street or Navy Yard location.

2. Game on…. Or off?
The Charlestown High School boys basketball team is slated to play in Franklin tonight as part of the Christmas Tournament. It's unclear as of this morning whether the game is still on with the storm. If you're headed over, be sure to check with Boston Public Schools before you go.

3. The need continues.
Patch member Jason MacDonald posted a comment on the site over the weekend that warrants repeating. "With the Holidays over let's not forget that shelter you helped serve food at is open the other 364 days a year...That elderly shut-in you visited with a hot meal is still shut in...The food pantry you donated too still needs food the rest of the year." This is a powerful and true statement. Last week we published a list of five local programs that could use your support. Please keep them in mind beyond the holiday season.

For information on what's happening around Charlestown, visit our events calendar.