Five Things You Need to Know Today, Dec. 21

1. Today's weather: The National Weather Service is calling for rain, heavy at times. High near 50. Windy, with a east wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to 31 to 36 mph in the afternoon. On Friday night, showers likely, mainly before 7 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

2. It's the end of the world as we know it: Okay, that line is from an REM song by the same name, but according to the Mayan calendar, today, Dec. 21, 2012 is the day when the world will end. Let's hope they are wrong. 

3. Churches to ring bells for Newtown victims: According to the Portsmouth Police Department's Facebook page, the South Church and North Church and other houses of worship will ring their church bells on Friday at 9:30 p.m. 26 times to remember the victims of of the Newtown, Conn., shootings that took place on Dec. 14.

4. Send your prayers to Newtown, Conn.: If you would like to , Conn., following Friday's shooting tragedy, use this Patch feature.

5. Free holiday parking: The city continues to offer free downtown parking from now until Jan. 2 for the holiday season, which means city residents and visitors who want to do some shopping, go out to eat or take in a show can park at metered spaces for their allotted time period. Drivers will be fined if they leave their vehicles in metered spaces longer than the allowed time period.