Five Things to Know Today: Dec. 26, 2011

1. Sunny Day, Cold Night: According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny with a high around 46. Tonight, clouds progressively increase and the temperature drops to a brisk 27. 

2. What’s Closed Today?

• State and local government offices, including the and the  
• Courts
• Post Offices
• Banks
• Public Schools
• Financial and Stock markets
• There will also be no garbage pick-up today because the County Reclamation Center is closed. 

3. Time for Returns: Didn’t get everything you wanted on Christmas? Did something not fit quite right, or does a relative just not understand your fashion sense? Freehold Raceway Mall opens at 7 a.m. today and is staying open until 10 p.m. so that everyone who needs to exchange or return gifts can do so! The mall will be open from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and will close at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. 

4. Last Day to Enter : Today is the LAST DAY to enter Patch’s nationwide holiday home contest! Nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form here.

Finalists will win $500 which they can apply to their December electric bill and the grand prize winner of the national contest will get $100,000 to be donated to the local school district. 

5. Get Patch for your Smart Phone: If you own a smart phone, Patch has an app for that! Patch’s iPhone app allows you to check out news, blogs, weather, business listings, and events. You can even comment on articles or upload photos through Facebook or through email. The Patch Places app for Android smartphones is literally a directory of your town on your phone! .