5 Things to Know in Murrieta Today: March 12

1.) There is much to do this weekend, and the sun will be shining while you do it! Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 67 and tonight, a low around 43, according to the National Weather Service. There is expected fog before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Don’t forget the Tour de Murrieta is this weekend so beware of bicyclists, especially in the fog!

2.) Come and experience the feeling of the old west at The Shootist, a family owned and operated gun shop located in Historic Downtown Murrieta. They are having their 7th Annual Parking Lot Event through Sunday, featuring the latest firearms and accessories including knives, optics and shooting aids. Factory reps will also be on hand to provide product education, firearm safety and assist with purchases. If you bring your Glock, you will receive a free inspection or repair by a Glock Armorer.  The event begins at 10 a.mated at 24910 Washington Avenue, #101. For more information, click here.

3.) Today is the Girl Scout Birthday, which commemorates this day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia. In honoring the day, Girl Scouts will receive 50 percent off their total used book purchase, by showing satisfactory proof of Scout membership/service to Murrieta Bookshop. This includes girls who wear their uniforms, or bring in their Girl Scout Handbooks with their name written inside will be eligible for discount! Girls must bring some sort of proof and parents are not eligible without their child. The offer is good only for today. Trade credit not applicable on discounted items. For more information, contact the Murrieta Bookshop at 951-698-2255.

4.) Tonight the Rotary Club of Murrieta will hold its 14th annual Spring Fling held at the Temeku Country Club in Temecula. The annual event benefits the Rotary Club, allowing it to perform community and international service projects. With the theme "Evening in the Islands," guests will be treated to a Hawaiian-style dinner and Island-themed entertainment. The event is begins at for 6 p.m. While Dinner seating is sold out, the club is still offering tickets to win a week's vacation in Hawaii on an island of choice, complete with a $700 airfare voucher.  The tickets are $10, and the drawing takes place at the event.  Proceeds are earmarked for scholarships to graduating high school seniors.  For more info, call Craig Carper at 951-240-7141. Aloha!

 5.) A bingo fundraiser will be held tonight to benefit the Murrieta Valley High School softball and dance programs. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the games start at 6 p.m. Attendees can play 10 games with six bingo cards per game. Tickets, which are available at the door, cost $20. There is expected to be more than $800 in cash, prizes and raffles on the line. Complimentary drinks and desserts will be served. The event will be at Thompson Middle School, 24040 Hayes Ave. in Murrieta. For information, call 562-477-8039.

BONUS TIP:

The City of Murrieta is expecting to draw large crowds to watch the 2011 Tour de Murrieta. Due to the event, several streets will be closed to accommodate the bike race and the crowds, resulting in the necessary closure of the Murrieta Public Library today. In anticipation of the closure, library staff changed the due dates for all patron materials that were previously checked out; no library materials will be due on March 12. Since the Library will be inaccessible, all programs and other services will be postponed. The Library will resume normal operating hours beginning Monday.

BONUS TIP:

It’s Daylight Saving Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before you go to bed tonight!