Feb. 12: "Sweeney Todd," Dinner Theatre and Animal Valentines

Temperatures keep rising, as the National Weather Service expects a high of about 45 degrees today. It will be mostly sunny today with winds between  15 and 18 mph. Tonight's low should hit 26 degrees.

Check out these area happenings this weekend:

1. The Strand Center for the Arts in nearby Lakewood will host the Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery dinner theater tonight. The 12 p.m. or 7 p.m. show asks the audience to solve the crime and win a prize. A pasta lunch will be served at the afternoon show; dinner features stuffed pork. Tickets to the all-ages show are $41.

2. Toms River High School East presents "Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. 

3. Many shows are playing today at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College. Catch Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket at 11:30 a.m., Wonders of the Winter Sky at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Bad Astronomy: Myths and Misconceptions at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets for the shows, which runs about an hour, are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children 12 and under and OCC students. Call 732-255-0343 for more information.

4. Take the kids to see Harry the Dirty Dog at Ocean County College, 1 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door or $10 in advance. Call the box office at 732-255-0500 for reservations.

5. Jenkinson's Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach invites you to bring the family for a valentines celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to the event is $6, in addition to regular aquarium admission. Call 732-899-1659 for more information.