Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 16

1. Barney Frank at the Newton Free Library. Congressman Frank will wrap up the 's "Financial Literacy at the Library" series tonight with a talk titled . The program is set to start at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. 

2. Skate park opens today. Part of the parking lot has been transformed into a skate park -- ! The park, made possible with funding from the US Department of Education Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant to the Newton Public Schools/Newton Partnership, will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 8:00 pm until the end of August.

3. Are you riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge? We want to hear from you! Newton Patch is looking to share stories of Newton PMC riders.  and simply email your responses to Melanie.Graham@patch.com. 

4. Middle Essex Softball. The Newton Panthers Blue 12A softball team will face the Chelmsford Blue Crush today at Emerson Field (Upper Falls) in Newton. The game is set to start at 6:15 p.m.

5. Grand reopening celebration. McDonald's on Needham Street will hold a grand reopening celebration today starting at 9 a.m. The .