5 Things to Know Today: Thursday, August 18

Back-to-school BBQ: Gulfport Elementary's new principal James Pribble invites parents and students to "meet your teacher" at the Back-to-School BBQ on Friday, August 19th from 6 - 7 p.m. at Gulfport Elementary, 2014 52nd St. S. Gulfport, FL. 33707

School Supplies: Do you have everything your child needs for the first day back in the classroom? Check out the school supply list for K-12 Pinellas County Public Schools online.

Geckofest Commercial: Have you seen the Geckofest commercial produced by Matt Fish? It's awesome, check it out on you tube. Don't forget to mark your calendars, the 11th Annual Geckofest is on Saturday, September 3, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Gulfport. The event is FREE.

Geckofest Ball: The Geckofest Ball is fast approaching and tickets are limited. Tickets are $25 per person and are available in advance at these Gulfport businesses: The Outpost (3007 Beach Blvd.), Domain Home Accessories (3129 Beach Blvd.), and T & Me Tea Co. (2908 ½ Beach Blvd.in the Art Village Courtyard). Tickets may also be purchased online with a credit or debit card at www.GulfportMA.com. 

Thursday Forecast: We have a 40% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 98. We'll have an east southeast wind at 6 mph becoming west. Tonight, we have a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Otherwise, it'll be partly cloudy with a low around 81 and a north northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.