It’s a Shrimp Bowl kind of weekend

The stage and bleachers are erected on the Town Green.

The 2014 edition of the Shrimp Bowl Classic gets rolling this evening at 6 with a Spirit Night and Pep Rally on the Biloxi Town Green.

This year’s doubleheader will feature Gulfport vs. Bay High on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Biloxi vs. Pearl River Central at 7:30 p.m.  Between the games, around 6 p.m., the 14 members of the Class of 2014 of the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame will be introduced.

Proceeds from the games will benefit Loaves and Fishes in Biloxi and Feed My Sheep in Gulfport, two charities that provide meals to the needy.
See this weekend’s entertainment lineup

 

Visitors Center unveils collection of lighthouses 

The Biloxi Visitors Center this week added a new, permanent exhibition of Harbour Lights lighthouse replicas.

The exhibit features 27 limited edition lighthouse replicas collected by James and Tonie Day during their travels around the United States after Mr. Day’s retirement from a 30-year Air Force career.

Included in the collection donated by the Days is the city’s signature landmark, the Biloxi Lighthouse, along with other regional lighthouses, including the Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile.

“One of the most interesting pieces in the collection is actually a set of two,” said Bill Raymond, city Historical Administrator and manager of the Visitors Center.  “After the toppling of the Round Island Lighthouse by Hurricane Georges in 1998, Harbour Lights created before-and-after replicas of the light.  With the restoration of the lighthouse underway, it is great to have these two pieces to help tell that history.”

This exhibit is in the lobby of the Biloxi Visitors Center, which is at 1050 Beach Blvd.  The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers tours to the top of the Biloxi Lighthouse every morning, weather permitting, at 9, 9:15, and 9:30.
See the lighthouse display
 

Development report: Hotel zoning gets initial OK

By Jerry Creel, Community Development Director

This week in economic development, the Planning Commission voted 10-2 to approve an application to change the zoning for property located at 950 and 956 Beach Boulevard from RM-10, Low Density Multi-Family Residential to CB-Commercial Business. The purpose of the request is to allow a LaQuinta Inn and Suites Hotel to be constructed on the property. The property in question is located across Hopkins Boulevard from the Sheraton Four Points Hotel. The Planning Commission recommendation will now go before the City Council for final consideration.

Also this week, construction has begun on the (soon to be named) restaurant owned by Thomas Genin located on Beach Boulevard between Shaggy’s and the Blue Crab House. Site work is underway on the Arbor View Apartments on Popp’s Ferry Road, and the Permanent Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the Harrah’s green space and lighted boardwalk.

 

News and notes

Council meetings: The Biloxi City Council has two meetings scheduled for next week: a budget meeting on Monday afternoon at 1:30, where departmental budgets will be discussed, and a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Both meetings will be at City Hall and are open to the public. To see the agenda for the Tuesday meeting, click here.

Webcasting: Chief Administrative Officer David Nichols discusses the city budget, the issue of short-term rentals and other topics du jour in this week’s City Desk webcast. To listen to the 14-minute program, click here.

Kickball: Kickball is the next fund-raising idea on tap at Hiller Park. To find out details and how your team can be involved, click here.