5 Things: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Here are five things you should know as you start your Wednesday.

1. Christmas parade and tree lighting. If you haven't already, mark your calendar for Sunday. The annual Christmas parade and tree lighting beginning at 3 p.m. The theme this year is "Holiday Season – A Time for Paws and Reflections" and All citizens, pets, organizations and businesses are welcome to participate. Get more information here.

2. Musical healing. Join the Merrimack Public Library tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. for a performance by Beverly Rush, a music practitioner with the Music for Healing and Transition Program. She will introduce the audience to music therapy for the ill. A therapeutic musician uses live music and sound to provide an environment conducive to healing and comfort. The program is funded through the NH State Council on the Arts and serves hospitals, elder services, hospice, and private patients of all ages. Using the Reverie Harp and guitar, Rush will demonstrate therapeutic music and its uses in a clinical setting. Registration is recommended.

3. Deck the House. Want to try and win $100,000 for the Merrimack School District and $500 for yourself? Upload photos of your house decked out for the holidays to our Deck The House contest page. You could be one of 24 regional finalists  who earn $500 (good for paying that December electricity bill!) or better yet, the grand prize winner, who gets to donate $100,000 to their town's school district. Get the details for how to enter the contest here.

4. At least $500 million up for grabs. It's lottery mania and for the second time this year, the jackpot is at a whopping half billion dollars. Power Ball regulars and those who only play the lottery when the take home promises a more-than-handsome sum, are flocking to stores to buy a few chances at striking it rich. The drawing will be tonight. Get your tickets today and while we wait for the numbers, tell us what you would do with $500 million.

5. Weather watch. A little more snow may fall this morning before 9, otherwise the day should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Information from National Weather Service.