Five Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 21

1. Drop off your cards for Newtown. Newton City Hall will have a collection box set up in the front entrance through today for cards and letters for the Newtown community. Make sure your note is in an unsealed envelope and drop it off before the end of the day. 

2. Luke's Lights event. The Luke's Lights organization will hold an event tonight to raise money for Kenyan communities in need and to honor the life of Newton South graduate Lucas Voss-Kernan. The event will be held at the Newton Highlands Congregational Church and starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20.

3. Project Bread benefit concert. Join the kids from the West Suburban YMCA Rock Band class tonight as they perform a concert to benefit Project Bread. Tickets are $5 and proceeds benefit Project Bread. The concert starts at 6 p.m. at the West Suburban YMCA.

4. Electronics drop-off. The Newton Recycling Depot on Rumford Avenue hosts special Friday/Saturday drop-offs for electronics once per month. Today and tomorrow you can drop off electronics from 8 a.m. - noon. A full list of acceptable materials is available online. There will be a $12 charge to recycle each TV or computer monitor, and all other appliances and electronics accepted free-of-charge. Check or cash accepted, made payable to "CRT Recycling."

5. Holiday "pop-up store" in West Newton. Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? L'Aroma Cafe & Bakery will host a pop-up store today from 8:30 a.m. - noon featuring local artists and companies. There will be jewelry, ceramics, pottery, hair accessories and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Families First.