If you haven’t eaten enough king cake or grabbed enough beads this year, you have one week left to get in your Mardi Gras fix before the partying and parading is done for another year.

Last week, Mardi Gras kicked into high gear in the Miss-Lou with two grand balls and the Vidalia Mardi Gras parade. The mystic Krewe De Who also made its annual appearance, parading through downtown Natchez behind a second line band Saturday night.

On top of the revelry was a week filled with good news, including the following stories:

Natchez officials announced two grants that will have a positive impact on the community. Tuesday, officials announced the first of a series of grants from the state legislature for infrastructure improvements. The initial check received at the end of January totaled $73,315. On Thursday, the Natchez Police Department announced a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the purchase and installation of crime cameras in the city. We hope both grants will go a long way to improving the quality of life in the city.

Local chefs cooked outside the cookie box Thursday night, creating out-of-this-world desserts from Girl Scout cookies. Judges and those who attended the event swooned over a table filled with delicious desserts made by some of the area’s most talented chefs. Proceeds from the event at the historic house Elms Court, went to benefit the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.

On Sunday, the First Baptist Church of Natchez hosted its second “Unity in the Community” service, bringing together congregations from many local churches, including Zion Chapel AME, Parkway Baptist Church and other denominations. Thanks to all who helped organize this important service. We hope it and other events like it show that we all have more in common than the differences that divide us.

As we enter the last week of Mardi Gras, let’s be on the lookout for the good news in our community.