5 Things: Still Time to Donate Food for Holidays

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

1. Donate food. Today is the last day to donate to the James Mastricola Upper Elementary School food drive. Bring donations to JMUES The Merrimack Police Department's food drive continues with donations being collected in the lobby of the police station at 31 Baboosic Lake Road. Donations from both drives will be given to St. James and St. John Neumann food pantries.

2. Swap Recipes. Thanksgiving is less than a week away, do you know what you're making for side dishes? Do you have a great pie you think everyone should try in their lifetime? Share your favorite holiday recipes on our Thanksgiving recipe swap and maybe even find something new to try. Share your recipes in the comments and pick up something new from another reader to incorporate in your holiday feast this year.

3. Tickets on sale. Looking for a fun family experience this holiday season? The Boston Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker starts a week from today. Tickets are now on sale. Make a great family memory that your kids will remember for years to come. Get tickets and more information at bostonballet.org.

4. Are you a shutterbug? Merrimack Patch wants your photos for our Photo of the Week column. Have your best snapshots featured on Patch. Send photos with captions to Editor Carolyn Dube at carolyn.dube@patch.com.

5. Weekend weather. A nice but seasonably cool weekend on tap, according to the National Weather Service.

• Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 48.
• Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 48.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.