Hello St. Petersburg! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Food truck academy, permanent ferry fleet, and pet day & wiener dog derby + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Food business training plan: St. Petersburg requested a contractor to run a Food Truck Academy to train residents on permits, food safety, and marketing under a one-year contract, including progress tracking -- see the training plan.
New hub for veterans: USF St. Petersburg will build a $7.5 million veterans center this summer at the former Family Studies Center site, destroyed in 2024 hurricanes, with offices, study space and a lounge -- see what the center includes.
Permanent ferry fleet secured: Tampa Bay Ferry purchased two vessels, Bay Breeze and Clipper, bringing year-round service between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa closer to launch after inspections and sea trials -- follow the ferry launch.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start, St. Pete: Chuck's Arcade is the chill offshoot of Chuck E. Cheese, stocked with flashy new cabinets and a few throwback hits. Perfect for a spontaneous hour of button-mashing with friends, no birthday chaos required... just rack up high scores and let your inner 90s kid breathe.
Plant mood booster: Whether your living room is already jungle-adjacent or still in cactus-only mode, Lida's Jungle restocks weekly with rare tropicals, natives, and edibles handpicked around Florida. Book a consult for interior plantscapes and easy ongoing care this week, then claim the thriving greenery was your plan all along.
Quick nature reset: Slip out to Sawgrass Lake Park for a low-stress nature fix, with a mile-long boardwalk and a half-mile dirt trail made for wildlife observation. Perfect for after-work decompression, Sunday strolls, or introducing your group chat to non-screen-based entertainment.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 Kids Free Craft @ Gulfport Arts Center | Thursday (6/25) at 12:00 PM – Your fridge could use fresh masterpieces, and this drop-in kids craft time delivers them for free, supplies included. They can paint, draw, collage, and generally make joyful messes with other kids, you get a breather. First come, first served, no registration drama.
🚗 FREE Car Meet @ Quaker Steak and Lube (Clearwater) | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Whether you baby a classic or commute in a bruised sedan, this all-vehicles-welcome car meet is free to attend and park, with $10 VIP reserved parking if you like feeling fancy. Spectators are free, and vendors can snag 10x10 spots, $50 regular, or $75 premium.
🎉 The Parkside Cafe's 25th Anniversary Celebration @ Parkside Cafe (Pinellas Park) | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 AM – Raise a $2.50 classic mimosa to Parkside Cafe hitting 25 years of keeping this town caffeinated and vaguely punctual. Expect freebies, goody bags, raffles, photo ops, and the usual comfort food, served with gratitude, neighborhood chatter, and zero pretense, all weekend.
✍ Store Signing @ Pops N Son Collectibles (Pinellas Park) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – This low-key shop signing brings two anime ringers, Laura Wetsel of One Piece’s Jewelry Bonney, and Tia Ballard, the voice of Carrot, Porche, Happy, Nanami, and more. Expect autographs, dry behind-the-scenes stories, and the smug joy of finally naming your kid’s favorite pirate.
🐶 Pet Day & Wiener Dog Derby @ OCC Road House & Museum (Clearwater) | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Think your cardio is solid? Watch the Wiener Dog Derby at OCC Road House, then meet adoptable cuties, say hi to the goats, and browse local vendors. Free admission, free mechanical bull rides, 360 photo booth, pet-friendly patio, and raffles, because priorities.
🩶 Silver @ OCC Road House (Clearwater) | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Ride in to OCC Road House, because SILVER is back and the grills, guitars, and good vibes are tuned up. Think hearty plates, cold drinks, and volume that flatters your stories from back when, with enough charm to keep the kids grinning.
🤸 Urban Air Adventure Park @ Shore Acres Recreation Center | Monday (6/29) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats letting the kids bounce off someone else’s walls while you supervise with coffee and A/C. Urban Air St. Pete is indoor mayhem with trampolines and more, waiver required, lunch included, and some extra cash recommended for arcade lures, grip socks, and pride.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The St. Petersburg report Weather forecastToday — High: 92°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 26%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 104. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 100. West northwest wind 1 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 93°F — Low: 80°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. This house is wildThis charming Saint Petersburg home at 501 40th Ave N pairs classic curb appeal with a welcoming entryway and a layout that balances comfort and style. The well-kept façade hints at the care inside, while the flexible interior offers room to relax or entertain. Its convenient location puts local amenities and city attractions within easy reach.
Take a peek inside → |
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