Sunny and Breezy Afternoon, Shark Returns to Wild and Kids' Halloween Contest

Today is Oct. 26. It is the 299th day of the year. We are under a new moon. Sunset will occur about 6:08 p.m. Here are five things to know:

1. The National Weather Service forecast for this afternoon calls for sunny skies with a high near 67 degrees and wind gusts as high as 25 mph. It should be clear tonight with a low around 54 degrees. Forecasters expect sunny skies Thursday with a high near 75 degrees.

2. Patch is holding a Halloween contest looking for the most creative children's costume. Patch will whisk the winner to New York or Los Angeles for a three day, two night trip for two that includes a meet and greet with celebrity judge Heidi Klum, plus a donation of $1031 to a local charity of the winner's choice. Nine runners up will also get a $1031 donation from Patch to a local charity of their choice. The contest is for kids ages 12 and under. Details right here.

3. A young great white shark that was collected off the breakwater in Marina del Rey has been returned to the wild after spending 55 days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Open Sea exhibit. Learn more right here.

4. Do you have an event coming up that you'd like to promote on Patch? If so, we have a video tutorial to help get your events on Marina del Rey Patch - for free. Details right here.

5. The Los Angeles County Beach Commission met earlier today and received a report on usage of the Dockweiler Youth Center at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. The youth center opened in 2009 amid the economic downturn and budget cuts have hampered its outreach efforts and staffing, said Santos Kreimann, director of the county's Department of Beaches and Harbors. Check back here later today for more details on the report and the meeting.