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Hey St. Petersburg, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s edition: Air-sea drone breakthrough, the Gulf Coast’s biggest boat show, a tacos and tequila festival, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Air-sea robotics breakthrough arrives: SubUAS, maker of drones that fly and dive, has moved to St. Petersburg. Its Naviator earned a 2025 award and is backed by Defense Department contracts, promising local high-tech growth — get all the details.
Fast-growing brand expands reach: Orlando-based Tabla will open a Tabla Modern Indian Cafe in St. Petersburg soon, taking over the former Cafe Masala with Indian, Indo Chinese, Thai, and creative American comfort twists — read the full story.
New visions in fine art: St. Pete’s Morean Arts Center will debut exhibitions Jan. 16 featuring SARTQ, Rebecca Sexton Larson, and NAWAFL artists. Day Dreams and A Journey Through My Imagination run through March 26 — get all the details.
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 its 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.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Spring baseball plans start here: Rays spring training ticket details are out. Public sales start January 14 at 10 a.m. The Rays open February 21 at home against the Braves and host the Netherlands national team on March 4. A new three-game package is available. See dates and ticket info.
Local makeup treasure trove: When you need a quick restock or a new shade, Beauty Depot keeps shelves stocked with makeup, skincare, lashes, nail finds, and wigs. It’s the grab-and-go fix that saves last-minute plans and smooths out Monday mornings.
Rain-proof tee time: Swap puddles for precision at Golfology in the Warehouse Arts District, featuring six Trackman bays, a legit chipping and putting zone, and a laid-back lounge. Ideal for focused solo sessions or lighthearted smack-talk with friends… rain or shine.
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).
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📆 Around town this week
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🏓 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.
🎨 Artist Chat with Susan Livingston @ Brenda McMahon Gallery | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Curious what clay and fossils have in common? Head to the gallery for an artist chat with Susan Livingston, who’s been turning dirt into art and stories into sculpture for years. Expect smart insights, a few aha moments, and zero pretension, just good conversation.
🎸 Matt Pond PA @ Kerouac House | Thursday (1/15) at 7:00 PM – Matt Pond PA is serenading The Jack Kerouac House with two decades of lush, heartfelt indie, with Bathtub Cig setting the tone. Expect shimmering guitars, poetic lyrics, and a room intimate enough to make small talk with your feelings. Call (727) 424-5245 for tickets.
This weekend
🖌 Fluid Art Retreat @ TBD | Saturday (1/17) at 12:00 AM – Three days in St. Pete to pour, swipe, and swirl acrylics, resin, alcohol inks, and mixed media until your inner child high-fives your adult patience. It’s a creative reset with coastal vibes, and zero pressure. Finally, a glorious mess you don’t have to clean.
🐱 The Cat Cafe – MLK Weekend @ The Catalyst on the Deuces | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – Ease into MLK weekend at The Cat Cafe with barista coffee, a live DJ, and zero cover. It’s a morning hang for folks who like their beats with their beans, and their vibes calm, caffeinated, and upgradeable. Yes, a DJ before noon, we’re fancy now.
🐛 Bugfest 2026! @ Quaker Steak and Lube | Sunday (1/18) at 10:00 AM – Looks like half the garage crowd stepped up, so Bugfest is going free this year in memory of Oval Joe. Save Sunday, Jan 18, 10am to 3pm, for classic Bugs, tall tales, and the kind of hang Joe loved, no entry fee.
🎧 MindTravel January Live-to-Headphones Piano Concert @ Pass-A-Grille Beach UCC Thrift Shop | Sunday (1/18) at 5:00 PM – Take a break from the noisy beach bars and slip on headphones for a live-to-headphones piano concert on St. Pete Beach. It is an immersive MindTravel session with waves for percussion, sand for seating, and zero small talk, just you, a sunset, and gorgeous melodies.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 St. Petersburg report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 71°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 14%
Mostly cloudy. High near 71, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. North wind around 7 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 35%
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
This house is wild
1926 Spanish-style gem in Old Northeast, two blocks from the waterfront and a quick stroll to downtown. Nearly 2,000 square feet deliver refinished hardwoods, an inviting fireplace, tall ceilings, and French doors to a Juliet balcony. The 2023 kitchen shines with custom cabinetry, a gas stove, open shelving, statement lighting, and designer wallpaper. The primary suite adds a California Closet and a 2024 spa bath with heated floors.
Guest quarters gain a Jack and Jill bath and curated finishes. Outside, tropical landscaping wraps a sparkling pool and spa, plus a breezy covered patio off the lofted guest studio. Solar, new A/C, irrigation, and X flood zone ease.
Take a peek inside →
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