5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 24

1. The Finance Committee will discuss the 2011-2012 budget tonight. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the .

2. Dr. Anna De Jong, an astrophysicist with the Southwest Research Institute, will give a lecture tonight at . She is expected to discuss Saturn’s magnetisphere and the scientific results of the Cassini spacecraft mission. The lecture is free and open to the public. It begins at 7 p.m. in Founders Hall, room 239.

3. Newtown Parks and Recreation is holding another class in its series of "Do it Yourself Floral Design" tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Green Orchid Design Studio, 17 Cambridge Ln. Tonight's topic is rose centerpieces. The cost is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents. For more information, visit www.newtownfun.com.

4. Registration for Newtown Parks and Recreation's spring co-ed volleyball is now open. The season starts Monday, April 4 at 8 p.m. Games are held Mondays through May 23 at the gym. The fee is $36 for residents; $45 for nonresidents. To register or for more information, visit www.newtownfun.com.

5. Submissions for Bucks County Community College's Robert Fraser Open Poetry Competition are still being accepted. To participate, submit six original poems by April 5 with an entry fee of $15 payable to the BCCC Foundation. The winner will receive $100 and an opportunity to read on May 6 at the college with the Robert Fraser Distinguished Visiting Poet and contest judge Rana Roeser. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Bursk at 215-968-8156.