Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why St. Pete’s Obama Main Library just earned national design praise

Also check out All Abilities – One Stage Inclusion Showcase on the St. Petersburg Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 23rd Patch AM
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Good morning St. Petersburg! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why St. Pete's Obama Main Library just earned national design praise
  • How St. Pete's new $50,000 art program gets kids into nature
  • What St. Pete's unchanged tax rate really means for your bill

Also on today's calendar: All Abilities – One Stage Inclusion Showcase and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 78 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 90, low: 75.
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. St. Pete's Obama Main Library receives honor for renovation (tampabay.com) — St. Petersburg's President Barack Obama Main Library has been nationally recognized for its dramatic renovation, earning a spot in the 2026 Library Design Showcase. The upgraded space now features dedicated children's and teen areas, study rooms, a computer lab, and a café-bookstore, all designed to reflect the city's waterfront character and better serve local residents.
   

2. City, Water Warrior Alliance introduce 'Vision & Voice' program (stpetecatalyst.com) — St. Petersburg has invested $50,000 in a new 10‑week "Artivism: Vision & Voice" program that sends local middle schoolers snorkeling, fishing, and cleaning up Tampa Bay while turning recovered materials into artwork. Run with Water Warrior Alliance, the initiative also introduces students to environmental and creative career paths and will culminate in a public showcase where participants can sell their pieces.
   

3. St. Pete keeps property tax rate unchanged (stpetecatalyst.com) — St. Petersburg is keeping its city property tax rate at 6.4525 mills for fiscal 2027, which will still bring in about $14.8 million more because of rising property values. The $1.02 billion budget boosts police and fire spending and comes as officials eye possible future revenue cuts if a statewide homestead exemption expansion passes.
   

4. Former USF Basketball Player Jimmy Devon Baxter To Open Restaurant and Lounge in Grand Central District (myq105.com) — A new restaurant and lounge, Love Language 727, is opening this October on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District, led by hometown basketball standout Jimmy Devon Baxter. With an Atlanta-inspired, late-night vibe, hookah-friendly patio, and full lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch menus, it aims to become a stylish hangout for locals 25 and older in the evenings.
   

5. Pouya at Jannus Live (thebradentontimes.com) — Pouya is set to perform at Jannus Live in downtown St. Petersburg, giving local hip-hop fans a chance to see the Miami-based rapper's Forever Glades Tour close to home. The long-running open-air venue on 1st Avenue N hosts the 7 p.m. show, continuing its four-decade tradition of bringing major acts to St. Pete.
   

📸 Around St. Petersburg

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • St Pete Sunrise Rotary Continues Fall Programs Into September —Jon Reynolds Read on Patch
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Seminole. Apply here.
  • The Fresh Market posted a job opening for Produce & Floral Lead in Seminole. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near St. Petersburg here.

Ok St. Petersburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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