City crews begin the Mardi Gras clean-up

Biloxi Public Works and Parks & Recreation laborers this morning began picking up Mardi Gras leftovers – broken strands of beads, empty beer cans and the like – from the streets of downtown Biloxi and expect to have the job completed in the next day or so.

“We’re picking up the major roadways right now,” said Public Works Director Billy Ray Allen, “and we’ll come back and pick up anything we missed over the next couple of days.”

The Parks & Recreation Department has 20 workers picking up trash, while Public Works has 18 laborers on downtown streets and an eight-man crew picking up barricades. A street-sweeping vehicle is also following up with trash pick up on downtown streets.
Visit the city’s Facebook page for video of crews cleaning

 

Mayor Gilich teams up with artist to support CASA

We know Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich is skilled in computer software and municipal government but what about art?

Well, Mayor Gilich has teamed up with local artist and city employee Tonya Hebert, to present an original work of art at the CASA of Harrison County’s Gala, P’Casa.

The benefit, taking place on Thursday, March 16 at the Beau Rivage Casino, will showcase the art pieces presented by Mayor Gilich and Tonya Hebert along with four other Harrison County mayor/artist teams during a silent auction.

“This is fun,” Mayor Gilich said while working on the painting with Tonya.  “I am really enjoying being part of this project and broadening my talents for a great cause.”

The artwork is a mixed media piece on 24 by 30 inch gallery wrapped canvas and features a hermit crab, indigenous of Biloxi. 

“This seems appropriate for Biloxi, as well as a CASA event,” Tonya said.  “The hermit crab, a hardy specimen capable of surviving in less than perfect conditions is prolific along the Gulf Coast.  Hermit crabs always try to find a good house to be protected and safe.  Like hermit crabs, CASA endeavors to make sure their children are safe and protected.”

The P’Casa Gala, benefiting CASA of Harrison County, will feature music by the Coast Big Band, a live auction with internationally renowned artist Mark Landis, a silent auction, food and more. Mayors Chipper McDermott, Pass Christian; Billy Skellie, Long Beach; Billy Hewes, Gulfport; and Rusty Quave, D’Iberville are also participating with local artists.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person and are available for purchase by calling CASA of Harrison County at 228-865-7078.
See images of the Mayor painting
Visit the CASA of Harrison County website

 

News and notes

The week that was:  To see the latest reports from the Fire, Police and Community Development Departments, click here.

GCCA parade: To see more than one hundred photos taken by the City of Biloxi Public Affairs at the Gulf Coast Carnival Association’s Mardi Gras parade yesterday in downtown Biloxi, click here.  To see images taken by photographer August Taconi, click here

First Friday: Biloxi Main Street will present its March installment of First Friday on Friday, March 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown Biloxi Arts District.  To see more about the event by viewing the flyer, click here