What to do

What to avoid

Tampa resources

• The Big Guava has guidance for what can and cannot be recycled, as well as a search tool if you need to check something’s recyclability.
• Find information on the city’s collection schedules, and Hillsborough County drop-off sites.
• Tampa has an app on both Apple + Android which offers waste-related information at your fingertips.
• Protect the city by reporting illegal dumping.

St. Pete resources

• There is St. Pete-specific advice on recyclable materials, as well as the Burg’s own Waste Wizard search tool.
• Find out when to put those containers out in St. Pete, or hit up a Pinellas County drop-off location.
• The St. Pete Collects app is available on Apple + Android.
• Report illegal dumping to keep the Sunshine City clean.

• Sunshine Comedy Fest | Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | Locations vary | $115+ | Get ready to laugh at national acts across TBAY, such as Jeff Dye, Mike Cannon, and Troy Bond + local comedians, or attend workshops, showcases, late-night mics, and after parties.
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $36+ | Sport your Bolts gear to cheer on the boys as they take to the ice against conference rivals from the Garden State.
• “Company” | Thursday, Jan. 11-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $51+ | Transport straight to Broadway with an adaptation of this musical following a woman at her 35th birthday party who is pestered about her love life.
• Elvis Costello | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 8 p.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Rd., Clearwater | $63+ | The iconic London-born songwriter takes to the stage alongside his band, the Imposters, and guitarist Charlie Sexton.

• St. Petersburg Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Show and Sale | Friday, Jan. 12-Sunday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $5-$8 entry | Browse through ~10,000 sqft of vendors offering treasures like fossils, gems, crystals, and handcrafted jewelry.
• Arts Legacy Remix: MLK Commemoration | Friday, Jan. 12 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | Free | Listen to a range of Dr. King’s writing, along with gospel music, and a host of young voices discussing hope for the future.

• Lights by the Bay: Drone Light Show | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater | $45-$55 | Marvel as drones light up the sky to create pirate-themed displays and synchronized patterns, or check out the dolphins.
• Pops Concert: “Sci-Fi Spectacular” | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $23+ | Head into a nostalgic future as the Florida Orchestra plays tunes from “Star Wars,” “Avatar,” “Interstellar,” and more.

• The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado briefly touched down near downtown St. Petersburg during stormy weather on Tuesday. Officials say the tornado hit just north of Bartlett Park, and damaged one structure. Winds reached a reported 82 mph. (WFLA)

• Plans to create an affordable housing development are advancing in west St. Pete. The city is set to pay $4.2 million for a former Gibbs Wellness Center site. The 5.24-acre property at 7045 Burlington Ave. N. would be transformed into 105 units for St. Petersburg College students + staff. (St. Pete Rising)

• St. Pete’s food scene keeps getting stronger. The former Union Trust Bank building at 895 Central Ave. will soon open as J. Fiore’s Contemporary Steakhouse. The upscale restaurant will specialize in steak + seafood and is expected to open within six to eight months. (St. Pete Rising)

• Here’s one for the Bucs fans. Ahead of Monday night’s playoff clash at Raymond James Stadium, the team is hosting a special drive-thru event tomorrow, Jan. 12 from 5:30 to 10 a.m. at 3660 N. Himes Ave. There will be merch giveaways + live entertainment. (That’s So Tampa)

• No. 2. That’s where St. Pete ranked among US cities in Tripadvisor’s “Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations 2024.” The Sunshine City ranked highly for its weather, 244 miles of coastline, and access to live entertainment.

• Legendary comedian Katt Williams has announced a second Tampa show next month. Williams will be at Yuengling Center Saturday, Feb. 3 + Sunday, Feb. 4 on his “The Dark Matter” tour. Tickets start at $59. (That’s So Tampa)

• 500. That’s how many wins Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper now has in the NHL after Tuesday night’s victory at Amalie Arena. Cooper is the third-fastest coach in history to reach the milestone, after just 839 games. The Bolts will try for victory No. 501 tonight against the New Jersey Devils. (WFLA)

• Bluegrass superstar Billy Strings is coming to Tampa on his “Spring Tour 2024.” The Grammy Award winner will play at Yuengling Center on Friday, April 12 + Saturday, April 13. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 12. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

• If you look to the skies in Pinellas County this weekend, you might see more than seagulls. The 27th annual Treasure Island Kite Festival takes to the skies on Saturday, Jan. 13 + Sunday, Jan. 14 at 10700 Gulf Blvd. Free admission offers competitions, demos, lessons, and performances 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. (I Love the Burg)

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