Today in Gulfport: Beaches Snubbed, Weekend Events, Mangia Gourmet

Wahoo! Weekend Events:

There's so much going on Saturday in Gulfport! You have to map out a plan before leaving the house. Mangia Gourmet is set to open for a soft opening at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. The Third Saturday Art Walk kicks off at 6 p.m. in downtown Gulfport. Domain Home Accessories will be hosting a "Meet the Artist" event with Katherine Marra and Isabella Kontrick. 

Book Writing Winner:

Isabella Kontrick, 10, will sign her recently published, Barracuda’s Curse in front of Domain. Her book, inspired by a trip to the Florida Keys, was the winner of the first- to third- grade category in the Gulfport Youth Book Writing Workshop Series and Contest.

Tampa Bay Beaches Snubbed by CNN: As summer comes to a close, the folks at CNN have decided to highlight America’s beaches. They’ve released a list of “22 can’t-miss U.S. Beaches.” While the list has some amazing choices from New England all the way to Hawaii, it’s devoid of any Tampa Bay selections. Did they miss the boat? What Bay area beach would you have CNN add to that list? Tell us in the comments!

Hottest Ticket in Town?: Is your teenage daughter still glancing sideways at you for not getting her a ticket to see Justin Bieber when he was in town Aug. 8? Here’s a solution that might turn her frown upside down. Bruno Mars is heading to the Tampa Bay Times Forum Aug. 28. Tickets are still on sale, according to the forum’s website. They’ll cost you though. The cheapest seats are $53.95 when taxes and fees are added in.

Wet Weather Heading Our Way: With a large tropical system kicking around in the Gulf, just off the coast of Mexico, it’s best to plan for a wet day ahead. While the system doesn’t look like it’s heading this way, it is anticipated to bring some rain to the Tampa Bay area. Chances for storms are set at about 60 percent for today, Aug. 16.