Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. In celebration of winter's arrival, the main Framingham library is holding a Winter Concert  at 7 p.m. featuring the Atwater-Donnelly duo. The award-winning duo of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly will present their special Christmas and winter repertoire of ancient and wonderfully obscure folk songs, instrumentation, and dance. Refreshments will be served at this free concert.

2. Why Were There 200 Police Cars on Route 495? You asked and Patch answered. 

3. F-SEPAC: Parent Support Group is meeting at 7 p.m. at the main Framingham Library.

4. Although many of us got a taste of winter and icy roads this past weekend, AAA of Southern New England has put out some tips to help you drive through the upcoming winter months. Nearly one-quarter of weather related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, resulting in more than 1,300 deaths and 116,800 people injured annually, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration.

5. Earlier this month, members of the Boys & Girls Club helped serve hot cocoa and cookies at the Town of Framingham's  annual tree lighting. Today's photo features a trio of the teens - Jensine, Alyssa and Meleah.