5 Things to Know Today: Friday, July 29

Call for Artists: The Gulfport City Council agreed to allow artists to submit ideas and designs for a new entryway sign at Clymer Park during the July 19, 2011 City Council Meeting. The instructions for submissions is now available on the City's website. Sealed proposals have to be received on or before September 8, 2011. For more details click here for the official notice for "Call for Artists".

Voting Delegate: Gulfport Mayor Mike Yakes will be the city's Voting Delegate for the 85th Annual Florida League of Cities Conference from August 11 - 13, 2011 in Orlando. Council member Sam Henderson and Council member Barbara Banno are also attending the conference.

Budget Talks: The City Manager's Proposed FY 2011/2012 Operating Budget is available on the city's website. Gulfport Patch has condensed the highlights and main numbers in this article: "FY 2012 City Budget: How Could You be Affected?." Be sure to check out today's story to see what the council wants to change, "Council Faces Tough Decisions to Balance the Budget 'We can't continue to go on like this'."

Weekend Events: Looking for something to do this weekend? How about building a giant gecko dragon out of paper mache? Check out "GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview" for more!

Friday Forecast: We have a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Otherwise, it'll be mostly sunny with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. We should have a north northwest wind around 6 mph. Tonight, we have a 10% chance of rain before 8 p.m. It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 82. A north northwest wind between 8 and 11 mph.