5 Things to Know Today: Santa, Shopping and Special Olympics

Christmas Walk and Bake Sale with Santa: Tonight is the last night for the annual event at the 5600 block of Newton Ave S. Come out from 7-8 for free crafts for kids, a bake sale, holiday decorations and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event is free; visitors are invited to bring new and used toys and books to be collected for the Christmas Toy Workshop of St. Pete. 

Attention Last-Minute Shoppers! Gulfport's businesses offer everything from food, art, bath and body products, antiques, clothing and more! What are you looking for? Check our Places tab on Gulfport Patch to search for a retailer, services or products. Check out our stories: "Gift Ideas in Gulfport" and "Gulfport Gifts at the Chamber of Commerce"

Help the Special Olympics: Gulfport Police Det. Hanh Pham is helping raise money for the Special Olympics by selling T-shirts for $12. Anyone interested in purchasing a T-shirt can contact Det. Hanh Pham at the Gulfport Police Department at 893-1041 or 893-1030. All proceeds from T-shirt sales benefit the Special Olympics. They are available in S-3XL.

Bark for Life: Mark your calendars for Gulfport’s first annual Bark for Life event on Saturday, Jan. 21st. Register for just $10 and bring your furry friend to the Gulfport Recreation Center from 2-6 p.m. For more information please contact Sandy Valentine at (727) 320-2069 or like us on Facebook at Bark For Life-Gulfport. If you have a canine caregiver or survivor story that you would like to share, please E-mail it to Cherlene.Willis@patch.com for a chance to be highlighted on Gulfport Patch.

Friday Forecast: We'll have patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind around 7 mph becoming west southwest. Tonight, it'll be partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.