Five Things: The Frog Pond Opens for Skating in Next Week, Maybe

1. Frog Pond Skating Opening Day?: The city's online calendar is saying that the Boston Common's Frog Pond will open for ice skating today at 5:30 p.m. with a ceremony featuring gold medalists and other professional skaters. But I have a hard time seeing it considering that it hasn't gotten very cold, which is perhaps why the Frog Pond website doesn't mention it. UPDATE: The Pond will not open for skating tonight but possibly this weekend orMonday, according to an employee. 

2. Free Self-Defense Class: Beacon Hill Athletic Club is holding a free hourlong self-defense course this Saturday at noon by Phil Myers. Those interested in attending should contact Jeremy McCabe at jeremyj12@gmail.com. Please note that the class will be at 251 Friend St., by North Station.

3. Barbour Warms Up the City: Barbour is partnering with One Warm Coat to host the fourth annual coat drive to benefit the City Mission Society of Boston. Donate a coat to those in need and received $50 off a new Barbour jacket at 134 Newbury St. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

4. Boston in the Gilded Age, Mapping Public Places: The Boston Public Library is exploring the late 19th century and the transformation of Boston in a new exhibit opening today in the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center.

5. Weather: The National Weather Service predicts a sunny day with a high of 49. The evening will cloud over and the temperature will drop to 35.