Art Walk: You only have 10 shopping days left until Christmas! Be sure to stop by the Art Walk between 6 and 10 p.m. to see what local vendors and artists have in store. Local shops will be open as well. Industrial Arts Center: Blow your own glass ornaments this Saturday AND buy a raffle ticket to win a on-of-a-kind sand mold blown vessel by Owen Pach at the Industrial Arts Center. That's right, for $20 you can blow your own ornament. After that, starting at about 7 p.m., Owen and other volunteers will perform a demonstration to show everyone the IAC and raise money for the non-profit. People…

Tree Lighting Tonight: Everyone is invited to the annual event tonight, Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at Clymer Park. Bundle up for an evening of festive music by the Gulfport Recreation division, and join the Mayor, Council and Yvonne Johnson in caroling, a true Gulfport tradition. There will be refreshments and festive cheer as the Mayor lights the tree for another holiday season. He will be looking for a few helpers this year, so kids get ready. This is a free admission event and all are welcome! There just may be a visit from the big man in red himself to listen to your little ones Holiday …

Mini Golf: Starting on Saturday, you can play mini golf on a one-of-a-kind course in front of the Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Petersburg. For a $3 donation you can play on six holes that have been created by area artists and architects. Putters and balls are available at the Welcome Desk. The course will be open Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 - 4 p.m. through the run of The Art of Golf. Watch this week's Patch Minute for a preview of the course! Here's a hint . . I got a hole in one! Shop Local: The countdown to Christmas has officiall begun - at least in my …

Small Business Saturday: Gulfport Patch is putting together a list of local Small Business Saturday deals. If you're a local business owner, add your deal in the comments section in our story, "Deals in Gulfport on Small Business Saturday." Toys for Tots: There are two local businesses in Gulfport collecting unwrapped toys for the "Toys for Tots" organization. Drop off donations at Liberty Tax Service at 4920 Gulfport Blvd. S. or T and Me Tea Company at 2908 1/2 Beach Boulevard S. T and Me will give a free coffee or tea to anybody that donates a new unwrapped toy. If there are other …

Gulfport Offices Closed: All Gulfport City offices will be closed on Friday. That includes Gulfport City Hall, The Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport Public Library, Gulfport Recreation Center, etc. County Offices Closed: Pinellas County government offices will be closed today in observance of Thanksgiving. For a complete list of what's closed check out "County Thanksgiving Closings" on the county's government website. Black Friday: Who's braving the crowds this Black Friday? Anyone, anyone? Feel free to join in our poll "Is Black Friday Shopping For You?" Holiday Lights: Everyone is invited to…

Happy Thanksgiving! How are you spending the holiday? Feel free to share what you're grateful for in our "Living Well" article this week called "Power of Gratitude: Giving Thanks." Did you know that starting a "gratitude journal" can help you sleep better, increase energy and keep an upbeat attitude? Cool stuff in Judy Gray's latest article on Gulfport Patch. Closed on Thanksgiving: All City offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday. That includes Gulfport City Hall, The Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport Public Library, Gulfport Recreation Center, etc. Small Business Saturday: Gulfport …

Pre-Thanksgiving Bash: Mark your calendars for the Pre-Thanksgiving Bash at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom on Wed, Nov. 21. All ages are welcome with admission just $10 per person. There will be lessons, live music and dancing. For more information contact SwingTime at (813) 840-3715. Small Business Saturday: Gulfport Patch is putting together a list of local Small Business Saturday deals. If you're a local business owner, add your deal in the comments section in our story, "Small Business Saturday Deals in Gulfport." Toys for Tots: There are two local businesses in Gulfport collecting …

Thanksgiving at the Senior Center: The Gulfport Senior Center is hosting it's annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. Members of the Gulfport Senior Center can buy tickets for $6 at the front desk or online by clicking this link. For more information call (727) 893-1231 or (727) 893-2237. Pre-Thanksgiving Bash: Mark your calendars for the Pre-Thanksgiving Bash at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom on Wed, Nov. 21. All ages are welcome with admission just $10 per person. There will be lessons, live music and dancing. For more information contact SwingTime at (813) 840-3715. …

Search for Suspect: Gulfport Police are looking for a man who may be connected to at least three burglaries and one attempted burglary in the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club. The man is described as wearing: black shorts black and white Puma shoes a black polo with a grey long sleeve shirt underneath black hat black sun glasses wearing a necklace black watch For details about the burglaries check out our story, "Homeowner Fires Shots at Burglar, Police Say." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gulfport Police Department at (727) 893-1030. Annual Meeting: The Gulfport Multipurpose …

Shopapalooza: Looking for crazy discounts? LocalShops1 is hosting the annual Shopapalooza on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. a S. Straub Park in St. Pete. More than 100 local, independent businesses will be there! Get all your Black Friday shopping done before Turkey Day! Admission is FREE! For all the details, check out Ester Venouziou's latest blog post in our Local Voices section. Art Walk: The Third Saturday Art Walk is today, from 6 - 10 p.m. in downtown Gulfport. In addition to local vendors and local shops that will be open, you'll find free entertainment and street performers. Small …

Help New Jersey: Gulfport On The Rocks is accepting donations for Sandy victims in New Jersey. D'Cajun Roadhouse in St. Petersburg will pick up the box of donations from Gulfport On The Rocks on Sunday, Nov. 18. You're asked to drop off cold weather clothing, canned goods, blankets, toiletries and more by Saturday night. For more information contact Gulfport On The Rocks at 321-8318. Tweet #PatchRebuilds: Patch is excited to announce our new effort to help support devestated communities after the storm. For every tweet sent with the hashtag #PatchRebuilds, we will donate $1 to the AmeriCares …

Sandy Relief: Gulfport On The Rocks is accepting donations for Sandy victims in New Jersey. D'Cajun Roadhouse in St. Petersburg will pick up the box of donations from Gulfport On The Rocks on Sunday, Nov. 18. You're asked to drop off cold weather clothing, canned goods, blankets, toiletries and more by Saturday night. For more information contact Gulfport On The Rocks at 321-8318. Chamber Mixer: Meet the new Gulfport Public Library Administrator David Mather and fellow Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce members at tonight's mixer at the Gulfport Public Library at 5:30 p.m. The Friends of the …

Toys for Tots: Michelle Kotewa at Liberty Tax Service, 4920 Gulfport Blvd. S., is collecting toy donations for Toys for Tots. Kotewa has set up a box for items at her business. Feel free to drop off unwrapped toys at Liberty Tax during regular business hours. If there are other businesses collecting donations of any kind, please contact the Editor at Cherlene.Willis@patch.com and let us know. Blog on Patch: Are you a storyteller? A photographer? A politician at heart? We want to hear what you have to say. Consider blogging on Gulfport Patch and sharing your opinions, thoughts and concerns …

Fresh Market: I know you're dying to get to the market since it was cancelled last Tuesday due to severe weather! So, bring your cash and your appetite to downtown Gulfport today between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Also, be sure to "like" the Gulfport Fresh Market on Facebook! For more information about the weekly market contact Daniel Hodge with the Gulfport Merchants Association at dan@igc.org. Clothing Swap: The monthly event is sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants Association and is held during the market. Organizers encourage people to bring up to 5 garments to exchange for free with other swap …

New Play: The Gulfport Community Players will be running a J.M. Synge Irish drama entitled, The Playboy of the Western World, from Nov. 8 - 18. The play will run at the Hickman Theater, located at 26th Ave. S. and Beach Blvd. in Gulfport, FL. Tickets are just $15 and are available at the door or by calling them at 727-322-0316 for advance sales. Visit their website at: http://www.gulfportcommunityplayers.org for more information. Teen Council Meeting: The Gulfport Teen Council will have their regular meeting tonight at 4:45 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall. Become a Police Explorer: Teens between …

You Could Win $5,000: There's still time to enter Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest! The grand prize is $5,000! All you have to do is upload a photo of you or your kids by 11:59 p.m. tonight, (Nov. 1). Heroes Weekend: Heroes Weekend is just around the corner! Tickets are available now for some of the events. Mark your calendars for Nov. 8, 10 and 11. There will be a Las Vegas style Casino Night, Inaugural Beach Volleyball benefit, Veterans Parade, Steel Horse Benefit for Paws for Patriots and The Stetson Veteran's Law Institute. Wow! There's a lot going on. Be sure to check …

Fresh Market: Find local produce at the Gulfport Fresh Market today from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. in downtown Gulfport. Be sure to "like" the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market on Facebook before you head out. Enter to Win $5,000: We're searching for the best Halloween Costume in America. Enter yourself or your kids for a chance to win $5,000 by uploading your photos in our contest article, "Enter to Win Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest." Halloween Events in Gulfport: There's plenty to do for all ages on Wednesday! Start putting together your costume now for the party at the Gulfport …

USA Ballroom Dance: The U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dance Association is hosting a dance lesson and show tonight at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom starting at 7 p.m.. Admission is $5 for members and $7 for non-members. For more information call (727) 576-1206. Enter Our Next Cover Photo: Got a cool photo to share of Gulfport or the laid-back, community-focused lifestyle residents love about this coastal Florida city? Upload it here, and it may be chosen as the Gulfport Facebook Cover Photo! How is that for bragging rights with friends and neighbors? City News: Start receiving a weekly Hievents update…

Benefit Tonight: Paul & Company present "Bag o' Tell" tonight at 5 p.m. at the Catherine Hickman Theater. The program is a benefit for Pilgrim Congregational Organ Fun. Tickets are $5 at the door. Call (727) 302-9404 for more information. Salsa Social: Salsa lessons with Carol Rivera begin at 6:30 tonight at the Gulfport Casino Ballroom. Stick around for general Salsa dancing at 8 p.m. Admission is just $7 per person. For more information call the casino at (727)893-1070. Heroes Weekend: The second annual Heroes Weekend is coming soon! Mark your calendar for the parade, beach volleyball …

Clam Bayou Cleanup: The City of Gulfport is asking anyone willing to help during The Great American Cleanup to meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Clam Bayou Nature Park (49th St. to 29th Ave S. east to Miriam St.) Volunteers can help by picking up trash on the trails or in the water, if you're able to bring your own kayak or canoe. Officials note that the kayak launch at Clam Bayou is closed for construction through Dec. 23. However, they can be launched at the Gulfport Municipal Marina. Free Bike Helmets: Children can receive a free bicycle helmet at participating Amscot locations on …