5 Things You Need to Know Today — Dec. 21, 2012

Trivia: Which L. Frank Baum work was adapted into a stop-motion holiday special by Rankin & Bass Productions?

Yesterday's trivia answer: Tom Hanks played six roles in "The Polar Express," which was set in Grand Rapids.

5. Red Wings alumni to play charity game in Plymouth

The Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association and the Joe Kocur Foundation for Children will hit the ice at Compuware Arena in Plymouth today to play a charity hockey game, the proceeds of which will be donated to the O'Rourke Family Trust in honor of fallen West Bloomfield Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, 39, of Fenton, was fatally shot Sept. 9 while responding with other officers to what police believed could have been a suicidal man.

4. Catch Christmas films this weekend at Penn Theatre

The Penn Theatre in downtown Plymouth rounds out its holiday classic film series this week with a screening of The Polar Express on the following days and times:

• Friday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 22 at 5 and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 23 at 5 and 7 p.m.

3. Save on your holiday shopping!

Having trouble staying within budget for holiday gifts? Read about five ways to save on your shopping.

2. Vote in our national Deck the House contest

We will choose 24 finalists from all our entries across the country. From Dec. 18- Dec. 27, vote for your favorite and that person could win $100,000 for his or her local school district, meaning if our local winner wins the national contest, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools will receive $100,000.

All you have to do is visit this page to browse a gallery of the finalists and cast your vote beginning Dec. 18. On Dec. 28, we’ll announce the grand prize winner of our Deck the House contest.

1. The world is ending ... maybe?

The world is supposed to end today, a date believed to be predicted in an ancient Mayan prophesy. But if you're reading this, we've survived so far!