5 Things: Alternate Side Suspended, Mulchfest 2012, Big Band Jazz, More

1. You need get the Christmas tree out of the house. Hang on to it for one more week if you can bear it and then take it to  this weekend, where you can turn it into ground cover instead of sending it to a landfill. 

2. You need to get out of the house. Head to . Tonight it's the Erica Seguine/Shannon Baker Jazz Orchestra, an 18-20 piece quirky jazz orchestra that includes not only traditional jazz instruments but also woodwinds, euphonium, voice, and sometimes vibraphone. , 837 Union St. at Seventh Avenue. 9 p.m. No cover.

3. You need to get the kids out of the house. Head to Prospect Park for a 19th Cenutry Needlecrafts workshop. Lefferts Historic House at Prospect Park, 1-3p.m., Free. This is the only Prospect Park kids event taking place this month, so it's your last chance for Lefferts House or Audobon Center fun until February. 

4. You need to know if your train is running ... It is! There are no planned service changes affecting Prospect Heights stations today, according to the MTA. 

5. ... And if you have to move your car. You don't! Alternate side is suspended today for New Year's Day (observed). However you might want to find a Monday/Thursday spot now, because it won't be suspended again until Jan. 16 for MLK day, according to the NYCDOT.