Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 17

1. NPR's Dan Zevin to speak at the JCC. NPR comic correspondent Dan Zevin will discuss his latest book, Dan Gets a Minivan: Life at the Intersection of Dude and Dad, tonight at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. Following the discussion, the Homebrew Emporium of Cambridge will sponsor a craft beer tasting. Cost is $8. Purchase tickets online or contact 617-965-5226 or boxoffice@jccgb.org.

2. Teen action group meets tonight. Local teens and adults are welcome to join an action group tonight that is based on the discussions held at the Newton Youth Summit in October 2012.  According to a flyer posted on the city's website, the action group is "an opportunity for all to express their opinions and to push forward toward solutions to be discussed at Youth Summit II," which will be held in March. The Youth and Adult Conversation/Collaboration Action Group will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the West Suburban YMCA wellness room. 

3. Newton Upper Falls Area Council. The council will hold its January meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Emerson Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. 

4. Healthy Aging and the Environment. Learn more about the research and age-related benefits related to exercise at an event tonight titled "Healthy Aging and the Environment." The event, which will take place at the Newton Free Library at 7 p.m., is co-sponsored by the city's Dept. of Senior Services and Lasell College. 

5. Newton-Wellesley Hospital restricting visitors. With a flu epidemic affecting much of the country, Newton-Wellesley Hospital has put in place a number of visitor restrictions to help limit the spread of the flu virus. Make sure you read through the restrictions first before making a visit to someone in the hospital.