5 Useful Things To Know Today: Dec. 14

1. Today's weather is a near-mirror image of yesterday with a few more clouds and slightly higher chance of rain. Expect it to be mostly sunny, with a high around 49 degrees. There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation.

2. The holiday season is in full swing. Our mom columnist re-visits the process of purchasing a Christmas tree as a youth and our cooking columnist tackles some sweet holiday treats. Be sure to send us some pictures of your home's holiday lights to be included in a photo gallery!

3. NBC 4’s Eun Yang will flip the big switch at . Enjoy photos with Santa and performances by the Walter Johnson High School choir, Dawn Crafton Dance Studio and Rockville Musical Theater Center, activities for children and merchant specials.

4. In case you missed it: Check out our North Potomac-Darnestown Patch Game of the Week poll for Dec. 19-23. Nominees include wrestling and basketball matchups from and .

5. On this day in history: America's first president, George Washington, died at age 67 in 1799. DNA synthesized for the first time in 1967.