“Five Things You Need to Know Today” is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance.

1. Mostly sunny: Today will be mostly sunny with a light, variable wind, according to the National Weather Service. High: 79, Low: 61.

2. Drop-in crafts: Bring children ages 2-6 by the Needham Free Public Library at 10:30 a.m. for craft projects with a theme of owls and other nocturnal animals. This program is free and open to all.

3. Athletes in action: Needham gymnast Aly Raisman won’t be competing again until Tuesday, but there are plenty of other events to watch today in the 2012 London Olympics. Men’s and women’s volleyball and women’s basketball teams will be competing in preliminary rounds, men’s gymnastics will compete in the final, and fencing, archery, badminton and other sports will also compete. Check out the action live at NBCOlympics.com with a cable, satellite or telco TV subscription that includes MSNBC and CNBC, or in midday and primetime newscasts on NBC (RCN Channel 7 or Comcast Channel 7/25).

4. Hit the green: The Needham Golf Club offers public golf hours for Needham residents on Sundays and Mondays from 3 p.m. to closing and on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to closing. Call the Golf Club at 781-444-5548 or visit needhamgolfclub.com for more visitor information.

5. Vote for Needham’s best! Honor your favorite businesses and locations around Needham by voting for them in our 2012 Needham Patch Readers’ Choice polls. Based on your nominations, we’ve pulled together lists of the top spots around town and are asking you to vote for your favorite places—from restaurants to bakeries to hair salons—between now and Aug. 17. The top vote getters in each of about 20 categories will be named the winners toward the end of the summer.