5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 1

1. The Corona del Mar High School PTA will award $600 scholarships to 15 graduating seniors. The scholarships reward and encourage good students who have proven involvement in meaningful extracurricular activities, made positive contributions to the school and community, and have shown diligence and/or creativity in achieving academic and/or personal goals, ethical and moral behavior and development of a vision for the future. A 2.5 GPA is required but is not the leading criterion. Applications are available in the counseling office today and must be returned there by May 13 at 1:30 p.m.

2. The Newport Beach City Arts Commission is inviting regional artists to participate in the 2011 Newport Beach Art Exhibition and Sale. The event will be held Saturday, April 9, at the Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. The exhibition gives art lovers the opportunity to view and purchase paintings, photography and sculptures. Orange County artists at least 18 years old are invited to submit one original work of art to be displayed and judged. Entry forms, along with a $15 entry fee, must be dropped off at the library's cultural arts office. The entry form and artwork specifications can be found here. Entry forms are also available at the Newport Beach Central Library, City Hall or any of the branch libraries.  For more information call 949-717-3870.

3. Registration is open for the Newport-Mesa Spirit Run—an annual tradition that began in 1983. The event, set for March 27, includes a variety of runs, including 10k and 5k races for adults and a 5k and one-quarter-mile runs for kids. Entry fees range from $20 to $45, depending on the run and time of registration. Prizes will be awarded. The run is held at Fashion Island.

4. Reservations are still being accepted for the Corona del Mar Middle School Mother/Son Badminton Tournament. The event will be held Friday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the CDM gym. Tickets are $12 per person and include a pasta dinner and prizes. RSVP to Deborah Schwartz via e-mail, at dschwartz01@roadrunner.com. The deadline has been extended to March 5.

5. Today will be partly cloudy, with highs in the upper 50s, according to the National Weather Service.