5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 20

Here is a list of 5 things you need to know today:

1. Cloudy with a Chance: According to the National Weather Service, today will be mostly cloudy with a high near 45 degrees and a north wind between 6 and 10 mph. Tonight will be cloudy with a low around 37 degrees with a south wind between 3 and 7 mph. Late night, there is a chance of showers.

2. Localizing the Holidays:  in Fair Haven is helping shore residents localize the holidays. The unique shop filled with specialty items is littered with home décor and holiday decorations unique for the Two River Area. Click to see some photos.

3. Welcome Home: After nine years and much bloodshed, the Iraq war is over. U.S. Officials have said that all military personnel in Iraq will be home by the end of the year, and likely by Christmas. So we want to know about who served in Iraq. Send - Patch editor Noel Aliseo, noel.aliseo@patch.com your stories and photos of your loved one who is coming home. Click here to learn how.

4. Irene Who: Hurricane Irene would have been the first hurricane to make landfall in New Jersey in more than a century, had it actually been packing hurricane-strength winds at the time. But by the time Irene rolled ashore on the , its wind speed had already decreased to 69 m.p.h. – a full 5 m.p.h. short of hurricane strength – meaning it was actually just a tropical storm. Click to read more about this announcement.

5. Get Fit: Trying to get fit in the New Year? Loosing weight is one of the top New Year's resolutions for Americans. Before you try to give it all up, click to read some tips from personal trainer .