|
Subscribe | Get featured
Happy weekend, St. Petersburg!
In today’s happening-today edition: HUD-backed hurricane aid, SPIFFS International Folk Fair, and Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.
|
📰 In the news
HUD-backed aid rolls out: Pinellas County still has federal hurricane recovery funds for Idalia, Helene, and Milton residents. $813 million backs five People First programs. 6,600 applications are in, and more residents can qualify — see programs and eligibility.
Adventures for curious kids: Tampa Bay’s 2026 summer camp guide is out, highlighting Florida Aquarium AquaCamps, USF St. Petersburg overnights, MOSI science fun, Florida Fantasy Fishing Camps, and choices for families in St. Pete — read the full guide.
Ribbon cutting set for Saturday: Downtown St. Petersburg’s new $59 million state appeals courthouse has opened on budget and on time, honoring longtime prosecutor Bernie McCabe and bringing judges and staff under one roof — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.
Highlights this week:
|
🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?
Together with our sponsor Money.com
Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.
The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.
I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.
This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.
|
🫶 We got your back
Sunshine City mood boost: Need a midweek pick-me-up? The You Are My Sunshine mural beams pure St. Pete serotonin, bold and bright on the Morean Arts Center wall. Consider it your cue to take a stroll, soak up color, and give your camera roll something to smile about.
Sip, stitch, repeat: Whether your WIP stack looms or you crave a cozy third place, The Common Thread blends curated yarns, indie-dyed colorways, and proper coffee into an easygoing hangout. A place to browse, sip, and chat with fellow makers. Before you know it, motivation stitches itself and projects finally move.
Beer garden vibes: Whether you’re grabbing a quick post-work pint or meeting friends on the weekend, Green Bench Brewing Company delivers easygoing beer garden energy, a cozy tasting room, and a smart tap list that treats hop chasers and lager lovers equally well.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
|
📆 Around town today & tomorrow
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏷 Garage Sale for a Cause @ Alice’s Beach Bungalows | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Clear out those mystery bins in the garage and swing by the TI/Isle of Palms sale to donate, shop, and actually feel virtuous. Your gently used gear finds new homes, SOS keeps healing sails on the water, and your closet finally exhales.
🐦 Birding on the Bay @ Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Whether you ID a willet or call everything a seagull, climb aboard the eco-vessel for a cruise to bird island, our local bird sanctuary. Plenty of unhurried gawking, salty breezes, and feathered drama, plus expert educators with avian facts you can casually drop later.
🌍 SPIFFS 50th Annual International Folk Fair @ England Brothers Park (Pinellas Park) | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Fifty years in, SPIFFS delivers a passport-free world tour right here in St. Pete. An international beer tent, food you’ll daydream about, martial arts, sword fighting, plus the Parade of Nations with a naturalization ceremony, and a Dragon Dance finale. Affordable, crowded, worth it.
📚 Florida Antiquarian Book Fair @ The Coliseum | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Grab your tote bag and head to The Coliseum for the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, a treasure hunt of books, maps, prints, ephemera, and photographs. It smells like nostalgia and good decisions, with dealers who know their stuff. Tickets on Eventbrite, or at the door.
☀ Awakening into the Sun 2026 Wellness Festival & Makers Market @ North Straub Park | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Stretch, shop, and pretend your kombucha is a cocktail at North Straub Park’s 13th annual wellness fest and makers market. 80+ vendors, yoga, live music, sound healing, and a kid and dog friendly scene. Free entry, which means more budget for artisanal soap, crystals, and smug wellbeing.
👸 Rapunzel’s Royal Event @ Little Princess Spa St Petersburg | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Your kid’s royal playdate, minus the castle cleanup. Little Princess Spa serves Rapunzel hair, glam makeup, two crafts, story time, sing-alongs, dancing, and photos with Rapunzel, tickets cover one child and one adult, and yes, costumes are welcome, or snag one from the boutique.
🎹 Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp @ The Palladium at St. Petersburg College | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – Back at the Palladium, the Boogie Woogie Piano Stomp turns two grand pianos into a cardio class for your tapping foot. Victor Wainwright, Rob Rio, Henri Herbert, and Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues lead the charge, honoring Bob Seeley, and yes, it sells out.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
|
📻 St. Petersburg report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 85°F – Low: 66°F – Precip: 12%
Sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 65°F – Precip: 12%
Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind 2 to 6 mph.
Something in your house is about to break 🏠
It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.
It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.
American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.
The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.
This house is wild
This five-bedroom Historic Old Northeast estate spans a rare double corner lot steps from Coffee Pot Bayou, serving up resort vibes. A wrap-around porch, grand formal rooms, and a chef’s kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero anchor the interiors. Outside, covered lounges frame a travertine pool and spa, plus fireplace, grill station, TV, lanai with IPE flooring, and a putting green.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
