Good morning, St. Petersburg! In today’s edition: Cirque Italia water circus, a pickleball boom reshaping recreation, a lively debate on development versus preservation, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Health trends drive recreation boom: Pickleball surged across Pinellas in 2025 with new courts and venues. Dill Dinkers plans 10 locations, St. Pete Athletic opened last month, and six more are scheduled to open this month — learn more about new facilities.

Garden-style apartments with retail: Kolter Multifamily submitted a site plan for Alton Skyway, a 619-unit community at the former St. Petersburg College Allstate Campus. The Development Review Commission could consider it in February — get all the details.

Coffee scene heats up: South Florida-based Cali Coffee has announced plans to open its first St. Pete location. The company operates 17 locations across Florida and says more openings could follow — read the full story.

Early learning gains momentum: The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg will expand infant and toddler care at its preschools this year, adding classrooms in South St. Pete to help families access affordable, high-quality care — learn more about the expansion.

Cirque Italia Water Circus @ Tyrone Square | Sunday (1/11) at 1:30 PM – Tyrone Square is trading food court nostalgia for fountains and high-wire thrills as Cirque Italia’s Water Circus rolls in. Expect acrobats over a water stage, light shows, and plenty of spectacle. The mall has never felt this fancy — see the event listing.

Skip the wind and wait: Whether you’re squeezing in a drop-in or leveling up at clinics, St. Pete Athletic packs 14 indoor pickleball courts, plus table tennis and padel. Enjoy food, coffee, and craft beer delivered courtside. Friendly vibes, live scoreboards, instant replays, and DUPR integration keep matches smooth and bragging rights indisputable.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🎻 Classical Revolution @ Webb’s City Cellar by Green Bench | Monday (1/12) at 6:30 PM – Ever sipped a stout to a string quartet? This monthly open mic brings classical music into Webb’s City Cellar, where locals play, the vibes are easy, and it’s free, donations welcome. Bring a jacket, it’s chilly, grab a beer or some takeout, and enjoy, 21+.

⚖ Opposites Attract: Headline Debate – Development vs. Preservation @ Bayboro Brewing Co. | Monday (1/12) at 7:00 PM – Think you can keep it civil? This fast-paced debate night lets you hop in for Pets vs No Pets, and Zoos vs Aquariums, then watch Matt Walker and Manny Leto spar over development versus preservation. Five bucks gets two in, plus better conversation than Facebook.

🎨 Fun with Watercolor: Kids Workshop @ Gulfport Arts Center | Tuesday (1/13) at 12:45 PM – Got a kid who loves color or just a good mess? This watercolor workshop lets them experiment with salt, crayon, and other tricks. Registration isn’t required, but smart locals email [email protected], since space is first come, first served.

🏓 Pickleball 101 @ Bartlett Park | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:00 PM – Ready to see why the cul-de-sac went paddle crazy? Get Fit St. Pete’s Pickleball 101 serves up beginner coaching, part tennis, part badminton, part ping pong, with paddles provided and easygoing rallies. Low impact, high fun, and very St. Pete. Watch for registration.

🎤 Stand Up Confidential @ Sunshine City Comedy Club | Wednesday (1/14) at 8:30 PM – Wednesday at Sunshine City Comedy Club means a hush-hush showcase of rising comics, and zero tourist fluff. Think sharp sets, strong AC, and a crowd that listens. Skip Gulf Boulevard traffic, park once, laugh hard, then grab a nightcap like the seasoned local you are.

⛵ St. Pete Power and Sailboat Show @ St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show | Thursday (1/15) at 10:00 AM – Nothing says St. Pete like ogling shiny hulls you absolutely don’t need, then finding a Gause Built Boat that makes you reconsider. Hit the Power and Sailboat Show, the Gulf Coast’s biggest, and admire real craftsmanship, clever details, and boats built to actually last.

🎸 Pavlo @ Palladium Theatre | Friday (1/16) at 7:30 PM – Call it a grown-up night out and head to the Palladium for Pavlo, the guitar virtuoso turning Greek sunshine into melodies. Expect swoon-worthy instrumentals, a little flamenco flair, and the kind of rhythm that pairs well with good wine and unhurried conversation.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 St. Petersburg report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 79°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 0%

Mostly sunny. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 3 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain showers between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. West northwest wind 1 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Most popular house this week

Spanish revival style meets modern ease in St. Petersburg. Terracotta roof tile, smooth stucco, and wrought iron details pair with tropical landscaping. Inside, hand-laid tile, exposed beams, and large windows amplify an open layout. The chef’s kitchen features granite counters, stainless appliances, and custom cabinetry. The primary suite offers a calm retreat with a spa-like bath.

Outdoor living shines with a courtyard for al fresco dining, a covered porch off the primary, a side patio, and a secluded rooftop terrace reached by spiral stair for sunrise and sunset views. Detached garage adds flexibility. One or more photos have been virtually staged. Includes a 13 month home warranty.

Take a peek inside →