Five Things You Need to Know Today, March 25

Today is Friday, March 25. Here are five things you need to know:

1. Mostly sunny skies today with highs around 40 and winds 10 to 15 mph. This weekend? More sun!

2. Mayor Menino is partnering with dozens of local businesses to turn off all non-essential lights on Saturday from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. as part of the World Wildlife Fund’s annual Earth Hour.

“By turning off the lights on some of Boston’s most iconic skyscrapers and in our own homes, we can draw attention to the importance of local action in addressing the global challenge of climate change,” Menino said in a press release. 

Visit Boston Earth Hour to sign up and participate.

3. Youth members of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción in the South End participated in Wednesday’s Kick Butts Day event at the State House, an event focused on teaching youth the facts about the tobacco industry. During the event, youth highlighted the increasing number of cheap, youth-friendly “other tobacco products,” such as candy flavored dissolvable tobacco, that are found in their communities. Following the training, they marched to the State House to meet with elected officials.

Inquilinos Boriquas en Accion is part of The 84 Movement, which helps mobilize youth to take action to protect their communities from the influence of the tobacco industry.

4. The received a $50,000 grant for its Autism Clinic from the CVS Caremark Corporation, the hospital announced on Thursday. The grant, one of 72 awarded for 2010, will allow the clinic to develop a written curriculum for its hands-on training of parents with low income and/or limited English proficiency, in addition to funding an additional Education Specialist position.

"Families at BMC often face a myriad of challenges beyond their child's diagnosis, including homelessness, poverty, community violence and food insecurity,” said Marilyn Augustyn, a pediatrician at BMC. “The additional support that we will be able to provide as a result of this grant can make a world of difference.”

5. Weekend wine tastings at are especially tempting this month. Tonight, enjoy “Spring Sips from Spain” featuring “grill-worthy” Grenache and the "Spring-inspired" Albarino from 6 - 8 p.m. On Saturday, stop by at the same time to sample a selection of wines from Frank Family Vineyards, a property owned by Rich Frank, former President of Walt Disney Studios.