5 Things to Know Today: CERT, Workshops, Budget Talk

CERT Training: CERT training will prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in any type of emergency. In the event of a community disaster you can chose to use your training to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of victims, while protecting yourself from becoming a victim. The training is offered through the Gulfport Fire Department CERT team and is free. Two full days are needed to cover the curriculum. The next class will begin April 14 and April 21. Call now to reserve your seat or for more information contact Bob Worthington at (727) 916-8014. Update: The first posting of this story included a phone number of (727) 906-8014, which is incorrect.

Workshops Moved: The Gulfport City Council agreed to move City Council Workshops from the fourt Thursday each month to the third Thursday. They will keep the 3:30 p.m. time slot, but will have the April 19th Workshop at 5:30 p.m. due to a conflict with one of the members. For more information check out the meetings calendar on the City of Gulfport website. Also, meetings are back at Gulfport City Hall, not the Catherine Hickman Theater.

Budget Talks: The Gulfport City Manager needs to have a recommendation for the next fiscal year's budget to the City Council in July. Now is the time for residents to contact city leaders and share concerns, opinions and ideas on how to generate money and how to balance the budget. Contact information for each council member including the Mayor are listing on the City of Gulfport website.

Public Art: Gulfport Artist Owen Pach and Frank Strunk III were commissioned by the Gulfport Merchant's Association and are being funded through proceeds from the 2011 Geckofest event to create public art for the entrance to Beach Boulevard on Beach Blvd. and 28th Ave S. The two pieces of art will be unveiled on Saturday, March 25 at 4 p.m. Everyone is invited!

Friday Forecast: Wahoo! It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 82. Expect an east southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming south southeast. Tonight, it'll be partly cloudy with a low around 68, expect a north northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.