Memorial Day BBQ? 8 Money-Saving Tricks (Sponsored)

Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are, you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Here at Gulfport Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party.   1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy …

• Photos (1)

Gulfport City Council

Hotel at Gulfport Marina?

What do you think about adding a hotel at the Gulfport Marina?

Gulfport City Council Member Christine Brown came prepared at Tuesday night's workshop. Brown not only suggested "big ideas" like adding a hotel and lighthouse restaurant at the Gulfport Marina, she brought props to help everyone visualize the plans. “I don’t want to change the character of our city, but we need this if we’re going to enhance the marina,” Brown said as she placed empty boxes in order.  Brown placed small boxes that represented the marina, BCYC, Gulfport Yacht Club and Coast Guard Building and then added a much larger box right in between the BCYC and Gulfport Yacht Club. That box represented a hotel. "These people don’t have to move for us to fit a hotel there, it’s a boutique hotel," she said. Brown envisions a two-story…

• Photos (1)
• Documents (2)

Where's the Cheapest Gas in Gulfport?

Use this gas price search engine to find the lowest price of the moment. Pro tip: Gas up early this week to save money.

Heading to the beach or a barbecue this three-day weekend? Perhaps you're taking a road trip to visit family or for a short vacation to Disney. You may want to check gas prices first. They are expected to rise, especially as the Memorial Day weekend draws near. Check for local gas prices here. If your neighborhood gas stations do not appear automatically on the screen above, use the handy search engine. Here's how:   Here are some cheap spots listed for Gulfport: 1.) Sunoco at 5150 Gulfport, Blvd., was selling gas at $3.36. 2.) The Exxon at 4840 22nd Ave. South was selling gas at $3.36 last week. Prices may have changed. "If you can gas up today to prepare for your Memorial Day driving, do so," said Chuck Bonner, the lead analyst for …

• Photos (2)

New In Town

Maddy G Realty Opens in Gulfport

Meet one of the newest real estate businesses in downtown Gulfport.

Gulfport native Maddy Guenther is well known for her namesake, O'Maddy's Bar & Grille. The businesswoman bought and named the restaurant 24 years ago. Since then, her husband, Joe, has taken over the popular beachfront bar and grille, and she opened Bo-Tiki on Beach Boulevard. Now, she's going back to her roots as a realtor with her newest business, Maddy G Realty. "I love real estate," Guenther said. In addition to mother, wife and business owner, she carries the title of real estate broker as well. Guenther was in real estate for 15 years, even owning her own company, Gateway to the Gulf Realty. She sold that business and joined Weichert Realtors, a national company a few years back. Then, she took a break. "Now is the time," Guenther …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (5)
• Videos (1)

Geckofest Turns 13 in Gulfport

The 13th annual Geckofest comes to downtown Gulfport Aug. 31. Vendor applications are still being accepted.

City of Gulfport Hurricane Seminar Thursday

Everyone is encouraged to attend the annual City of Gulfport Hurricane Seminar.

Come out on Thursday, May 23 to learn everything you need to know about hurricane preparedness. Hurricane related vendors will be set up at 6 p.m. with the seminar starting at 7 p.m. at Catherine Hickman Theater. Tom Iovino, Public Information Specialist Pinellas County Communications, will present "Does it take a Category 5?" and will focus on hurricane intensity and why that shouldn't be the only factor you use when deciding to prepare for a storm. Sandy was a Category 1, Ike a 2 and Katrina a 3 when they made landfall, and they are likely the three most destructive storms in American history. During the event, the Senior Center Foundation Snack Bar will be open from 5 - 7 p.m. You can buy 2 slices of pizza and a drink for $3. Admission …

• Photos (1)

Gulfport Crime Map

Here are calls and complaints that Gulfport Police handled from May 1-18, 2013. Click on the icons for details on the police activity.

Here is information filed by Gulfport Police with Pinellas County. Click on the icons to see criminal complaints. Just click anywhere on the map and drag it to see all the icons. You also can move the slider up and down to zoom in and out. Source: Pinellas County Crime Viewer Disclaimer from the Pinellas County Crime Viewer: The user or recipient of this data understands and acknowledges this data may be inaccurate or contain errors or omissions and the user or recipient assumes full responsibility for any risks or damages resulting from, arising from or in connection with any use of or reliance upon data displayed herein. Information accessible through this website has been made available by the various local law enforcement agencies …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Gulfport City Council

New Playground Planned at Caldwell Park in Gulfport

The playground at Caldwell Park has seen better days. Stop by and you'll see why city officials believe it's time for an improvement.

For nearly 20 years the slides, swings and tunnels have been a place for children to play, laugh and create memories. Now, city officials say the playground at Caldwell Park needs a makeover. Gulfport City Manager Jim O'Reilly has included a new playground in the five-year-capitol improvement plan. A new playground is estimated to cost about $107,500 taken mostly from the Penny for Pinellas fund for Gulfport.  It is estimated that the city will receive $1,000,000 from Penny for Pinellas monies next fiscal year.  Council has until September to approve the operating budget for next fiscal year, which includes the five-year-capitol improvement plan. Just last fall, the city celebrated the completion of the $120,000 beach playground. …

• Photos (2)