Five Things You Need to Know Today, Feb. 17

Today is Thursday, February 17. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Get ready for a taste of spring! Today's temperatures are slated to reach the high 40s with mostly sunny skies to boot. Get outside and enjoy it while it lasts. 

2. Good news: There will be no fare hikes to close the MBTA’s $126 million budget shortfall this year. At least, General Manager Richard Davey has just publicly made that promise. Better news: The MBTA might start selling mugs, T-shirts and other merch (that stands for merchandise) to raise some extra funds. Officials haven’t released any specifics yet, but who wouldn’t want an MBTA T-shirt? Or mug. Hmm.

3. And it’s a really good thing T fares aren’t going up this year, because it has just been confirmed: Boston’s got the most expensive cab fares in North America. That’s right -- the most expensive. Radio Boston aired an interesting story about this on Monday. There are a few reasons for the high cost, the story explains, not the least of which is Boston’s inflated $2.80 per mile charge. In New York, that charge is $2; in D.C. it’s $1.50. Listen to the story.

4. It's good to be a neighbor of Da Vinci Ristorante tonight - just mention  "Neighborhood Nights" and get 20% off their meals in the dining room and 50% off apps at the bar (excludes alcohol, sorry!).

5. Thinking of running the Boston Marathon? It just got harder to qualify - the Boston Athletic Association announced new qualifying times and registration procedures for the 2012 and 2013 marathon after the 2011 race sold out in a record 8 hours and 3 minutes. The Boston Globe reported on the details.

For more things to do in the South End visit our Events Listings.