Sunny and Windy, Cat Harbor and a Benefit for Japan

Today is April 25. It is the 115th day of the year. We are under a third quarter moon. Sunset will occur about 7:34 p.m. Here are five things to know:

1. The National Weather Service forecast for this afternoon calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 67 degrees with mostly cloudy skies tonight and an overnight low around 53 degrees. Gale force winds are expected across most of the coastal waters today and it should be windy today along the coast with gusts up to 25 mph.

2. Playa del Rey resident Phil Jackson and the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers lost last night on the road to the New Orleans Hornets, 93-88. The Hornets tied the first-round playoff series at 2-2 with the win. Game 5 is Tuesday at Staples Center and the Lakers will have to return to New Orleans for Game 6 on Thursday.

3. Boating columnist Paul M.J. Suchecki in his latest piece takes a look at the benefits of making the longer trip to Catalina Harbor, more commonly known as Cat Harbor to sailors. You can read more about that right here.

4. The Venice Whaler is having a special benefit for Japan disaster relief tonight that will feature a silent auction, raffles, a date auction with Whaler waitstaff and $5 Ketel One shots. All proceeds will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Whaler, 10 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey.

5. Did you know that you can follow Marina del Rey Patch, which also covers Del Rey and Playa del Rey, on Facebook and Twitter?