5 Things to Know Today: Thursday, September 8

Special Budget Meeting: The Gulfport City Council is holding a special budget/milage meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. Anyone with questions and concerns about the proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 can address the council tonight. That includes the proposal to outsource the Gulfport Police Dispatch Center (eliminating 5 employees) and contracting mowing services (eliminating 4 employees with the Parks Dept.). Check out the agenda before the meeting by viewing and printing it from the city's website.

Clymer Park Sign Proposals Due Today: The City's "Call for Artists" for a public artistic sign element at Clymer Park, 5501 Gulfport Boulevard S., ends today. Sealed submissions are due to the City Clerk by 2 p.m. For more information check out the "Call for Artists" on the city's website.

Spice Up Your Thursday: Salsa lessons at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom begin at 7 p.m. General Salsa dancing is at 8:30 p.m. Lessons are $7 per person.

Still Time to Enter: Last minute chili or salsa entries will be accepted until Friday Sept. 9 for the Third Annual Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cooks will receive a commemorative cookoff apron, beverage tickets and other perks. Complete entry information is available at www.IndustrialArtsCenter.org.

Thursday Forecast: We have a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, it'll be mostly cloudy with a high near 86. Expect a south wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west. Tonight, we have a 40% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. It'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 76. A north northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.