5 Things to Know Today: Summer Sports, Southwest Museum, 'Secret Songs'

1. L.A. Kids Free Baseball and Softball Summer Sports Academy

If your child is aged nine to 14 years, he or she can spend a week starting Tuesday with the L.A. Kids Summer Sports Academy, which is offering free instruction in baseball and softball at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex in the San Fernando Valley. Transportation (from Ramona Hall to the sports complex) and lunch are free, too. Register to reserve your child's space by calling (323) 225-4960 and picking up an application form from the Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center, 511 W. Avenue 46.

2. What's up with the latest efforts to help save the Southwest Museum?

You don't have to be a member of the long-running Mount Washington Association to join the community-wide effort to keep the artifacts of the Southwest Museum in Mount Washington. But you'd probably want to know about the latest controversy surrounding the MWA and Friends of Southwest Museum Coalition. Click here to read more.

3. What's happening later this week?

Maybe you'd like to mark your calendar for a free, all-ages, acoustic concert on Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m. at Highland Park's MorYork Gallery, part of its "Secret Songs" concert series. Click here for details. And check out more things to do in the neighborhood by clicking our Events calendar.

4.What's the weather going to be like today near Highland Park-Mount Washington?  Click here to find the latest forecast.

5. How's the local traffic in and around Highland Park-Mount Washington?  Click here for up-to-the-minute traffic information from Mapquest.com.