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Hey Tarpon Springs, hope your week’s off to a good start! Swig dirty soda debut, a space conference with Nicole Stott, Flip Flop Opera: Aida, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Trendy drinks near debut: Popular dirty soda chain Swig is eyeing its first Pinellas County spot. Known for customizable sodas with syrups and creamy add-ins, it would be one of few in Tampa Bay — read the full story.
Officials detail program hurdles: In January, Pinellas County reported early checks under People First Pinellas and nearly 3,000 recovery applications under review, while scaling payments remained tough and outreach targeted mobile-home parks and floodplain neighborhoods — read the full update.
Inside Planning for Progress: Pinellas County Schools is recommending closing Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy after this school year, citing enrollment declines, and says Child Care could expand at two campuses with no layoffs — see the closures and expansions.
Deuces Rising momentum builds: The Pinellas County Urban League pitched a 28,000-square-foot Sankofa Empowerment Center in St. Petersburg’s Deuces corridor. The city is reviewing the proposal, which could add space for startups and coworking — see what’s proposed and next.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*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
City weighs parking changes: Nearby Indian Rocks Beach is considering turning 182 beach access spots into paid parking at $4.50 per hour, with residents exempt. Commissioners took up a first reading in January. If it advanced, a final vote will happen in February, with revenue for stormwater and beach access upgrades. Learn what’s being proposed.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Global space cooperation and rivalry: St. Petersburg World Affairs Council’s space conference starts today at USF St. Petersburg’s University Student Center with a networking meet and greet and a keynote from NASA astronaut Nicole Stott. Panels continue tomorrow on research, security, law, and the aerospace business. Free for USF students and faculty with ID. Get all the details.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Flip-worthy finds await: Whether your shelves crave more wax or your stereo wants a sidekick, Stay Tuned Records stocks a lively rotation of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and record players. It’s the spot you “just pop in”… then somehow walk out with a delightfully accidental mini stack.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Slurp-worthy weeknight fix: Pho Bowl New Port Richey makes cold nights cozy with rich broth, springy noodles, and a DIY herb-and-condiment spread so you can tune your bowl just right. Simple, low-fuss comfort that eats like a hug, ideal for weeknights.
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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
🌱 Composting 101 @ Tarpon Springs Recreation Department | Tuesday (2/10) at 6:30 PM – Keep Pinellas Beautiful is breaking down Composting 101, turning coffee grounds, veggie peels, and yard clippings into garden gold. Think friendly, dirt-under-the-nails advice, not preachy lectures. Perfect if you would rather feed the bougainvillea and starve the landfill.
🖼 Miniature Art Exhibit Tour @ Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art | Wednesday (2/11) at 11:00 AM – Tour the 51st International Miniature Art Exhibition with MASF President Julie J. McGowan, whose PhD-level art history chops turn tiny canvases into big revelations. It is part museum tour, part masterclass, all delightfully squinty fun. Suggested museum donation is $10, and bring your readers.
🎨 Beginning Pastel @ West Pasco Art Guild Inc | Wednesday (2/11) at 1:30 PM – Ready to trade Netflix for color therapy? Dan Hoffman’s pastel class covers composition, color, and basics for beginners or rusty returnees. Bring your own supplies, Artist Touch paper and a 12-pack of Kingart soft pastels, WPAG members $30, guests $40 per three-week session.
This weekend
🏃 Viking 5K & 10K @ Fred Howard Park | Saturday (2/14) at 8:00 AM – Trade your snooze button for a shield and jog the Viking 5K or 10K through Tarpon Springs. Register online ahead of time, no day-of signups, then earn your bragging rights, a coffee, and maybe a baklava by the sponge docks. Short, sweet, slightly heroic.
🌱 Resilient Roots: Tree Planting @ Fred Howard Park | Saturday (2/14) at 10:00 AM – Resilient Roots is rolling into Fred Howard Park with shovels, saplings, and the kind of feel-good sweat you can brag about over coffee. Come plant a few trees, meet the neighbors, and leave with dirt under your nails, a happy conscience, and shade for summer.
🎭 Flip Flop Opera: Aida @ Tarpon Springs Cultural Center | Sunday (2/15) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats hearing Verdi with your toes in flip flops. New Century Opera serves up the greatest hits of Aida, all the love, battle, and betrayal, without the four-hour marathon. Big voices, Egyptian drama, and zero pressure to know Italian.
🎶 Something Rotten @ Richey Suncoast Theatre | Sunday (2/15) at 2:00 PM – Finally, something rotten you will actually cheer for, as the Broadway hit lands at Richey Suncoast Theatre in New Port Richey. Expect Shakespeare send-ups, big numbers, and winks for theater nerds, an easy swap for errands, yard work, and another streaming scroll.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Tarpon Springs report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 71°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny. High near 71, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 2%
Patchy fog before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Patchy fog after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
This 4-bed, 3-bath waterfront home in gated Meyers Cove sits at a cul-de-sac with 3,826 square feet of concrete block construction, never flooded. A private dock includes slip 20 and a 16,000 lb lift for Gulf access. Disappearing sliders, dual fireplaces, jellyfish lighting, and bar elevate entertaining. Patios, firepit, and skylit terrace pair with a 3-car garage with Tesla hookup.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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