Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen have had a baby boy. We can all now go on with our lives.

The Patriots quarterback confirmed the birth to reporters this morning at Gillette, where his team is preparing and hoping to snap a two-game losing streak Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

"It's obviously a wonderful experience in my life, but I owe it to the guys in the locker room to really be focused on what I need to do this for this team and what I have to do today," Brady said. "Put all those emotions aside and come in here with a great sense of determination for what we have to do as a team."

Those are the best words Patriots fans could hear. Congratulations and all, but locker room focus needs to be on what has become a pivotal game for the 7-5 Patriots, particuarly with the Jets and Dolphins both all of a sudden breathing down their necks in the AFC East.

Good thing he wasn't born Saturday night or Sunday.

What happens when you hold a special primary election and nobody shows up?

That seems to be what's happening today, as Massachusetts votes to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the late Edward M. Kennedy. According to Boston.com, just over 24,000 ballots had been cast in Boston as of noon, representing just 6 percent of the city's registered voters.

Secretary of State William Galvin had said he expected a lower-than-normal turnout because of the timing of the event. But the numbers coming from the polling centers still have to be disheartening.

Don't know where to vote? Click here, and get going.

The Red Sox could face some stiff competition in their quest to re-sign free agent outfielder Jason Bay.

While the Seattle Mariners had been rumored to be a possible landing spot, Foxsports.com is reporting today that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have actively opened discussions with Bay's agent at the baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. The Angels' willingness to make moves on the free agent market has the Red Sox concerned, according to Tracy Ringolsby.

A survey, with more than 16,000 votes on Foxsports.com, revealed fans were split about 50/50 on whether or not the Angels would actually land Bay. The outfielder's defection to the West Coast though would clearly strengthen the Angels, who, of course, swept the Red Sox in this year's ALDS.

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It's finally supposed to snow this weekend, which should make it feel a little more like the holiday season. But whether the snow happens or not, the shows must go on.

Symphony Hall bursts into the spirit of the season, when the Boston Pops begins its annual holiday sensation. The Holiday Pops tradition has entertained millions for more than 30 years running, as Christmas songs (Personal favorite Pops holiday song: "Sleigh Ride") come to life from one of America's top orchestras. Tickets for the Holiday Pops range from $33-$122.

Also beginning this weekend, the Black Nativity opens its 40th season. This holiday show, presented by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, tells the story of the Nativity through scripture, music, and dance. It runs through Dec. 20 at the Tremont Temple. Tickets run from $17.50-$45.

Of course, Boston Ballet's "Nutcracker" is already in full swing. Tickets for that show range from $35-$162.

Half-naked runners will take to the bustling, holiday streets of the Back Bay on Dec. 12 for the 10th annual Santa Speedo Run, a 1.25-mile jog down Boylston and Newbury Streets during which participants are dressed in nothing but Speedo-like attire. And sneakers, of course.

Entry is limited to only a few hundred, and has reached its capacity this year. But, as you might imagine, the run is also always a pretty well-attended spectator sport.

The winner of the race (which begins with a few fear-chasers at nearby Lir) wins the grand prize of...well, it's not that sort of competition. Instead, each entrant is required to raise at least $250 for charity. The runner who raises the most receives a prize give-away. (Last year's winner received a ski weekend). The Santa Speedo Run has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. This year's run is to benefit Crossroads for Kids and Bottom Line, a pair of organizations striving to make differences in the lives of local youths.

What began out of boredom in a Boston bar nine years ago has grown into something of a national phenomenon, inspiring similar events in Albany, N.Y., and Austin, Texas. The run will also make its debut in Atlanta this month.

Runners are encouraged to wear holiday-colored Speedos, as well as Santa hats and beards. Luckily for everyone, thongs are not allowed. The race begins at Lir, 903 Boylston St., at 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy Jon Ianelli

How will President Obama's announcement that he is sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan affect local military personnel?

According to The Boston Globe, "more than 1,800 National Guardsmen from New England, including at least 200 from Massachusetts, will leave in the next two months as part of the 86th brigade." The paper also notes that "by the end of 2010, some 2,000 National Guardsmen from Massachusetts will be serving in Iraq and Afghanistan." According to the Burlington Free Press, the deployment of nearly 1,500 soldiers from the Green Mountain state is the largest deployment of Vermont troops since World War II.

During last night's Massachusetts senatorial debate at Suffolk University, all four Senate candidates (Stephen Pagliuca, Michael Capuano, Alan Khazei, and Martha Coakley) were critical of Obama's plan.

"If we stay there, we are fighting yesterday's war," said U.S. Rep. Capuano (D-Somerville), according to the Boston Herald. "We have accomplished our mission in Afghanistan and I think the biggest mistake we can make is to change the mission."

Public opinion seems to be split over whether sending more troops overseas is the right thing to do. Obama's plan calls for a withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2011.

The holiday season officially kicks off in the Back Bay Wednesday night, when the Copley Square tree lighting takes place.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino will join the Friends of Copley Square, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Back Bay businesses in the celebration, which will also feature the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, the Trinity Church Children's Choir, and a visit from Santa Claus. Free refreshments will be provided by local business, including Legal Sea Foods, which will be dishing out its famous chowder. That's reason enough to go.

On Thursday, the Boston Common tree gets its own celebration, complete with performances by singers Brian McKnight and former "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle. Also, beginning next Friday, Hanukah is in the spotlight, as the daily Menorah Lighting at the Brewer Fountain at Boston Common will begin to take place, each day at 4:30 p.m.

For more information on all holiday lighting ceremonies, visit the city's web site.

Photo Courtesy Greater Boston Convention and Visitor's Bureau

There's a definite energy in Boston around Christmas time. Back Bay streets are bright with holiday lights, the Faneuil Hall tree glitters with hundreds of ornaments, and the city's world-class dining and shopping takes on characteristics that make the holidays bright. There's plenty to do, see, and taste. Here's a look at just some of the top Christmas events happening in Boston.

Burn the turkey? Overcook the pumpkin pie? No worries.

Plenty of Boston restaurants, including Eastern Standard, Davio's, and Turner Fisheries, offer special Thanksgiving menus today. Let someone else handle the cooking, and relieve the stress. Click here for a glance at some of the many deals that are available.

I really don't mind holiday shopping, but I dread the thought of Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. If I want to save a few bucks on gifts this year, I'll frequent online retail sites, where I'm just as apt to snag a good deal, only without the horde of other bargain-hunters storming the malls at 5 a.m.

But those shoppers intent on making their way into the city the day after Thanksgiving will be greeted by not having the added burden of feeding a meter. The city of Boston is once again offering free on-street parking on Friday, as well as on five consecutive Saturdays beginning Nov. 28. The hope is that the deal encourages shoppers to spend more time in the city, and less time at the mall in the outer suburbs.

"I am pleased to kick-off this holiday season by offering two hours of free parking at every one of these meters on these six select days between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day," Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said in a release. "We invite shoppers to visit Boston's exciting and unique stores and restaurants while taking advantage of this parking opportunity."

Of course, the meters will only be free for the two-hour time limit, which would normally run you $2, and it won't make it any easier finding a spot in the Back Bay. Parking remains free on Sundays as usual.