Winter Solstice, Deutsch LA and Thunderstorms Possible

Today is Dec. 21. It is the 355th day of the year. We are under a full moon. Sunset will occur at 4:50 p.m. Here are five things you need to know.

1. Today is the winter solstice. It is the shortest day of the year with the duration of daylight lasting 9 hours and 53 minutes. From here on out the days get longer, meaning that summer is on the way. There also was a lunar eclipse last night.

2. Playa del Rey reisdent Phil Jackson and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers play the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at the Staples Center.

3. The National Weather Service said it will rain today with a high near 57 degrees with a possibility of thunderstorms tonight along with gusty winds. The low will be near 54 degrees.

4. Deutsch LA, an advertising agency based in Del Rey, has named advertising agency veteran Mark Hunter as its new chief creative officer. There's a story here.

5. Did you know you can follow Marina del Rey Patch, which also covers Del Rey and Playa del Rey, on Facebook and Twitter? Did you also know that we want your favorite or funniest photo with Santa Claus?