5 Things to Know in Murrieta Today: April 15

1.) Start the weekend off with a little bit of sun! According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny with a high near 86. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 50.  The rest of the weekend will be about the same--enjoy the heat.

2.) Thankfully this year we have three extra days to file out taxes returns! Traditionally, Tax Day falls on April 15 unless that day happens to be on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, however this year a little known holiday is to blame.  According to walletpop.com, in 2011, Washington, D.C., will celebrate Emancipation Day today, a day earlier than normal, since April 16 falls on a Saturday. Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of the day that President Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act. The Act, which was "for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia," freed 3,100 slaves in the District, making D.C. residents the "first freed" by the federal government. In observance of the D.C. holiday, Tax Day will be moved forward one business day, this year landing it on Monday, April 18. That's the date your form has to be either submitted electronically or postmarked by for your tax return to be considered timely filed by the IRS. However, there are exceptions to this. For more information and exceptions, click here.

3.) LifeStream will be holding a blood drive today at the Stater Brothers shopping center. The blood drive begins at 11 a.m. at 25050 Hancock Avenue. While registration ahead of time is preferred, walk-ins are always welcome. For more information on blood donation and Lifestream, click here.

4.) Today we officially welcome Loma Linda University Medical Center –Murrieta. The medical facility opens at 8 a.m. and is a full service, acute-care facility offering 106 private beds, four surgery suites, two C-section surgery suites, 19 emergency treatment rooms, two trauma treatment rooms, five labor and delivery rooms, 14 post-partum rooms and 12 critical care rooms. The facility also advocates the most up to date, all digital imaging and radiology equipment available, cutting edge laboratory services, hybrid operating room and modern surgery suites. Also, two full service cath labs and highly skilled staff and board-certified physicians, which will help to provide will provide world-class medicine with a commitment to the community.

5.) Looking for a fun and close activity to do with the family tonight or this weekend? Help celebrate Lake Elsinore’s 123rd birthday with Frontier Days. This fun community festival features vendors, crafters, live bands, carnival rides, game booths and great fair food. There will also be plenty of Wild West entertainment with the 10-Gallon Saloon, a Wild West gun-fight show, blacksmith demonstrations, adobe brick making, panning for gold and more. Located at , 28200 Lake St. in Lake Elsinore, the event kicks off this evening at 4 p.m.  For more information, . Happy Birthday, Lake Elsinore!