Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

Today is Friday, March 30. Here are 5 things you need to know:

• Sunny and a little warmer: Looks like the overcast weather we've had the last couple of days is finally lifting. According to the National Weather Service we can expect sunny skies with a high near 48 degrees today. Slight chance of showers tonight with a low around 33.

• Open gym for moms: The Burlington Recreation department is hosting a Mother to Mother Open Gym from 11 a.m. to noon at the Community Life Center. Let the kids run around for an hour as they provide hula hoops, balls, and many other toys to play with. Cost is $1 for members and $2 for non-members.

• Home Game: The Burlington High School Varsity Boys lacrosse team is hosting its season opening against Lexington High at 7 p.m. this evening at Varsity Field. Come down and cheer on Burlington's athletes!
  

• Faculty concert: Burlington's Real School of Music is hosting a "Faculty Showcase" to highlight the talents of the school's music teachers. Tonight the show will feature an evening with two traditional music bands: Tim Rowell with Cathy Mason in "Hi-Tone Ramblers" and Steve Levy's Irish music trio "Corvus." 

• Purchase the frozen north: On this day in 1867 the United States purchased the the area of the State of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in the "Alaska Purchase." The state was admitted into the Union on Jan. 3, 1959. Looks like the purchase was a good deal. Alaska is the largest state in the union and in 2007 the gross state product totaled $44.9 billion. Plus, there are a lot of caribou there, and who doesn't love those?