Don’t have lunch plans yet? The West End Hose Co. No. 3, the city’s fire museum has you covered.
From now until 1 p.m., the museum, on Howard Avenue, is selling plate lunches to help defray medical costs for fire mechanic Allen Brindley.
The $7 plates – pulled pork sandwich, potato salad and baked beans – are being offered as either to-go lunches or you can dine in the museum, where drinks and desserts also will be available. Details:  435-6200.
There’s more: Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney discusses his department’s response to the huge brush fire on Cat Island earlier this week, as well as the department’s capabilities in general on the water in this week’s City Desk podcast. The chief and bandleader William Sackett also discuss the upcoming Fireman’s Ball and Fireman’s Day Parade.
Listen to the City Desk podcast
Seafood Fest: An all-weather event
There may be a drizzle in the air at the moment, but forget about the weather, says Biloxi Chamber Director Rachael Seymour. This weekend’s Biloxi Seafood Festival, at Point Cadet Plaza, is an all-weather affair.
This year’s festival, which begins Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., will again feature myriad seafood dishes, live entertainment, and more than a hundred arts and crafts vendors. On Saturday at midday, there’s the annual cornhole competition, and on Sunday afternoon, the gumbo championship, where festgoers can pay one price to sample all competing entries and vote for a People’s Choice winner.
The Molly Ringwalds headline the festival Saturday night at 6. The festival runs through 9 p.m. Saturday and through 5 p.m. Sunday.
Get discount wristbands now:Â Admission is $15 for a two-day all-access wristband, which can be purchased now through Friday for $12.50 at any branch of The Peoples Bank.
At the gate, adults will pay $5 before 4 p.m. Saturday ($10 after 4 p.m.). Children under 12 are admitted for free, and military members get a $1 discount on admission.
See the schedule of entertainment
See the Coastwide weekend lineup
Coming up: Get your kicks at Hiller Park
The Hiller Park Revitalization group and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department are seeking 13-member kick ball teams – ages 14 and up, with three female players – for the annual kickball tournament, scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Barbara Ferrill Softball Fields at Hiller Park.
A team fee of $100 is required, with teams competing for a $200 top prize. Games will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and each team is guaranteed at least two games.
Deadline to register is Sept. 23.
See the flyer, registration form and rules
Short-term rental issue still in play
By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director
The past two weeks in Community Development, the city council voted to approve a conditional use application for the first Short-Term Rental property to be located in a single family structure. The structure located at 156 Briarfield Avenue, was eligible for short term rental because it is located in a district zoned RM-30, Residential Multi-Family. The Biloxi Planning Commission is winding down its’ public hearing workshop on short-term rental, and should be submitting recommendations for changes to the city council for consideration within the next 30 days.
Also this week the Development Review Committee approved a new parking lot for the downtown area. The new lot located on Lameuse Street next to the VooDoo and Fuji Restaurants, and across the street from city hall will provide 17 much needed parking spaces for the increasing number of businesses and events for the downtown area. The design will now go before the Architectural Historical Review Commission. It should be completed in time for Crusin’ the Coast.
Renovation Plans were received this week for IP Casino Resort. The $2.5 Million dollar project will include the renovation of 54 suites. Building plans were also submitted by DSLD development to proceed with Phase 1 of their Reunion Place Townhome Project located on Brodie Road. Phase 1 of the mixed use residential Project will include 34 townhomes. Plans were also received for 2 new single family houses.
News and notes
Council meetings: The City Council is scheduled to adopt the municipal budget on Tuesday afternoon during its 1:30, and council members are also scheduled to continue discussing funding for non-profit and social-service agencies during  a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22. To read the agenda and supporting documents for the meeting next week, click here.
First Lady visit: First Lady Deborah Bryant visited Lopez School on Thursday to speak to an audience of Excel by 5 youngsters about the importance of saving money. The First Lady also read the award-winning children’s book “Corduroy.” To see photos from the gathering, click here.
Cowbunga, dude: It was 50 years ago this week that Hurricane Betsy slammed New Orleans, and years later, when filmmakers were putting together “A Lady Called Camille,” they actually purloined footage of two Biloxi front beach surfboarders to help tell the Camille story. To see a clip featuring a glimpse of surfers August Taconi and future Mayor “FoFo” Gilich on the city’s Faceb0ok page, filmed on Sept. 9, 1965, click here.
