Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 18

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 18. Here are five things you need to know

1. Sunny: After more snow than expected on the ground on Tuesday morning, we return on Wednesday to weather we’ve seen more often this winter – sun and wind. In addition to the clear skies and temperatures around 30, there’s a wind advisory in effect for Wednesday with winds expected to gust to 50 miles per hour, with the strongest gusts around lunchtime.

2. Christmas trees: We now know exactly how many in the two towns this past holiday season – 823. That was the total announced on Tuesday by Hamilton-Wenham Green, which collected the trees at . The trees were recycled with the help of and . H-W Green got $1 for each tree that was recycled.

3. Gas: Gas prices are supposedly higher for this time of year than ever before. And right now, the least expensive gallon of gas in the two towns is $3.37 at . It’s $3.39 at two other stations – and . In Wenham at , a gallon is selling for $3.59.

4. Financially Responsible Children: After the go-go years of the 2000s and the subsequent recession, we have all seen so many real-life financial lessons. And you probably want your children to have that knowledge, and so much more. At at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Caleb Harty, a financial planner with New York Life, of children age 2-18 to help their children become good savers, spenders and givers. The library requests RSVPs so that there’s enough materials on hand.

5. Pre-Kindergarten: Parents of three and four years old who are interested in having their child considered for enrollment in the Hamilton-Wenham Integrated Pre-Kindergarten Program at in September can take a tour on Friday, Jan. 27 from 9-10 a.m. No appointment is needed. After that, pre-kindergarten screenings happen on Friday, Feb. 10. To schedule a screening appointment, call the School District’s Student Services office at 978-468-5303.

To find out what is going on today in Hamilton and Wenham, check out our events listings.