Sunshine Returns, Rescuers Back and St. Bernard's Winners

Today is March 21. It is the 80th day of the year. We are under a waning gibbous moon. Sunset will occur about 7:07 p.m. Here are five things to know:

1. The National Weather Service forecast for this afternoon calls for a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with mostly sunny skies and a high near 59 degrees. It should be partly cloudy tonight with a low around 45. Also, beachgoers should be aware of high surf and strong rip currents.

Forecasters expect mostly sunny skies Tuesday with a high near 60 degrees.

2. A team of 47 Los Angeles County Firefighters who carried out a search and rescue mission in Japan after the deadly earthquake and tsunami have returned to Southern California. Los Angeles County Superviosr Don Knabe, whose district includes Marina del Rey, shared this YouTube video about their return.

In a related matter, Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl has put up a YouTube video about the importance of being prepared for a tsunami in low-lying coastal areas such as Venice, Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey. The video detailed the efforts to get the word out.

3. Playa del Rey resident Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 84-80, last night at Staples Center. The Lakers (50-20) improved to 12-1 since the All-Star break and clinched their 22nd Pacific Division title since 1971 with the win.

4. Congrats and good luck to the girls and boys basketball teams at St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey for reaching the state finals. The boys will play Northern California champions Alameda St. Joseph Notre Dame on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, followed by the girls' game versus Los Altos Hills Pinewood at 3:30 p.m. Good luck to both teams!

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