Hey folks, welcome back! November’s first edition of the Scoop is hot off the press. Lots to cover today, from election results to the many festivals happening this month. Let's dive in.

The SHINE Mural Festival returns to St. Pete from Nov. 6 to 15, and it's free. It's the festival's 12th year, and you can watch as artists paint new murals around the city. Nearly 200 murals have been painted as part of the festival so far!

This year's walls include Duncan McClellan Gallery on Emerson Ave. S., The Factory on Fairfield Ave. S., USF Harbor Hall and the SkyLine Building on Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. The opening reception is Nov. 5 at FloridaRAMA, and the closing reception is Nov. 14 at the Morean Arts Center.

You can walk it yourself with the Mural Quest St. Pete app or hop on a Star Trolley mural tour. You can see a map of all the past murals and get the Mural Quest App here.

The Happy Mural Project is a St. Pete mural group built on a simple idea: "Happy people inspire others. Inspired people change the world."

It was started by Alyssa Marie and Braden Everly, a St. Pete couple who began painting oversized sunflower murals around town in 2020. Their projects are basically giant paint-by-numbers, so neighbors can help paint, and volunteers don’t need any experience. Their work includes Hands of Change at the St. Petersburg City Theatre and Girl Power in the Warehouse Arts District.

This year, they're part of SHINE at the SkyLine Building, and you can sign up to help paint the mural. Have a wall that could use some joy? You can also submit it to the project through their website.

Here’s your timely reminder that November is a great month for St. Pete music festivals (and festivals of all kinds, more on that below).

Florida Fin Fest comes to St. Pete for the first time Nov. 13 to 15 at the St. Pete Pier and pairs live music with ocean conservation. Flipturn, Fitz and The Tantrums and Plain White T's headline, with local acts including Shevonne & The Force. The Education Village has underwater VR, touch tanks and panels on ocean conservation. Food includes Trinidadian dishes and fusion tacos, Kona Big Wave beer is on tap, and there are no single-use plastics, with drinks served in recyclable aluminum cans. Tickets start at $39 and are available here.

One week later, St. Pete Country Fest returns to Vinoy Park, Nov. 20 to 22. The second year brings more than 50 bands and artists, with gates opening at 1 PM each day. Riley Green, Bailey Zimmerman and Koe Wetzel headline, and Ernest, Tucker Wetmore, Cameron Whitcomb and Warren Zeiders are also on the bill. Tickets start at $138 and are available here.

SAVOR St. Pete takes over Vinoy Park on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, and this year marks the festival's 14th run on the waterfront.

Your ticket covers unlimited tastings from more than 100 restaurants, wineries, breweries and spirits brands. General Admission is $135 plus fees and runs 1 to 4 PM. It includes live chef demonstrations, a commemorative wine glass and a festival tote. VIP is $165 plus fees, with entry at noon, access to a spirits lounge and shaded lounge seating.

A few things worth knowing before you go: it is 21 and over only, tickets are non-refundable, it happens rain or shine, and the dress code is "downtown chic." The public garages on 2nd Street N and 1st Avenue S are your best bets for parking.

Get your SAVOR tickets here.

The TECO Manatee Viewing Center reopened Nov. 1 and stays open through April 15. Admission and parking are free, and it's open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The observation tower and habitat trails close at 4 PM. It's closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, and closes at 3 PM on Christmas Eve.

The manatees show up for the warm water. The center sits next to Big Bend Power Station, where the plant's discharge canal stays warm. When Tampa Bay drops to 68°F or below, manatees gather there, sometimes by the hundreds, so the first cold snap of the season is the day to go.

More info here.

Charlie Crist won the St. Pete mayor's race, defeating incumbent Ken Welch. Gabriel Hament (District 2) and Linsey Grove (District 6) won City Council seats. City voters approved the stormwater bond, the Harborage Marina lease and all three charter amendments.

Statewide, Republican Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly for governor. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody won the special election over Democrat Angie Nixon.

On the constitutional amendments, Amendment 3 (new homestead tax exemption) passed. Amendment 1 (Budget Stabilization Fund) and Amendment 2 (agricultural equipment tax exemption) failed.

In the U.S. House races covering Pinellas, Republican Anna Paulina Luna defeated Democrat Leela Gray in District 13, and Republican Sydney Gruters defeated Democrat Kelly Kirschner in District 16.

Locally in Pinellas, Democrat Tim Hughes won County Commission District 2, and Republican Kathleen Peters won District 6. The School Board District 3 race is headed to a recount.

Results are unofficial until certified.

Want to spread the word about your business, a project you’re working on, an exciting event, or just want to say hi to 12,000+ neighbors? Partner with us.

DINNER CLUB: Classic all-ages dinner on Nov 19 just sold out, but December 10 (our last dinner club of the year) is available! Reserve your seat.

SUNNY SAVINGS: Wild Child - Tuesday-Thursday, 5:00-6:30 PM, $8 Drinks, $5 Snacks & Small Plates

CATCH OF THE DAY: Adopt bonded pair Jack & Opie or Garfield the cat. See them here.

CROSSWALK SUPERSOFT TEE: It’s never too early to start shopping for holiday gifts! Gift one!

LAST WEEK’S SCRAMBLE: Pinball

FLIGHT DEAL: Tampa → Atlanta for $38 in early December (63% less than usual!) Check out holiday lights and the aquarium!

‘BURG ABODES: Snell Isle Villa $4,500,000 | 3 Beds 4 Baths | 3,786 sqft. Custom-built, LEED Certified Silver-Level luxury!

A sampling of ten-ish fun things to do this week.

SUBMIT AN EVENT

Groovy Souls Market brings 18 local vendors and small businesses to Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse this Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 AM to 1 PM at 515 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N. Shop the curated market, grab coffee and treats, and browse for free.

Details

Coffee with a Curator | The Dalí | Nov 4, 10:30 AM | Free
Explore architecture behind The Dalí museum

☄️ METEOR SHOWER, a play by Steve Martin | American Stage Theatre | Nov 4-6, times vary | Prices vary 🎟️
Cosmic comedy unravels an awkward dinner

Art After Dark: Trivia Night with Max Blowers | Museum of Fine Arts | Nov 5, 5 PM | $5 🎟️
Test knowledge with gallery-inspired trivia night

Wine Tasting Fundraiser | St. Pete Shuffleboard Club | Nov 5, 6 PM | $40-$85 🎟️
Premium wine tasting supports historic shuffleboard

Light & Shadow: A Photo Walk at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Nov 6, 2:30 PM | $60 🎟️
Capture late afternoon light and dramatic shadows

Dalí: Disruption + Devotion: Opening Celebration | The Dalí | Nov 6, 8 PM | $50 🎟️
Celebrate Dalí’s dialogue with master painters

Serbfest St. Pete 2026 | St. Sava Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church | Nov 6-8 | Free
Serbian food music culture and family fun

Yoga in the Park | Crescent Lake Park | Nov 7, 9 AM | Free
All-levels outdoor yoga builds mindful strength

St. Pete Yoga Fest | St. Pete Pier | Nov 7, 9 AM | Free
Yoga classes music wellness and community

Boyd Hill Backyard Plant Giveaway | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Nov 7, 10 AM | Free
Native plants support backyard wildlife habitat

Steeped In Sunshine | Soft Water Gallery | Nov 7, 10 AM | Free
Immersive Florida art murals readings and tours

St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest 2026 | Woodson African American Museum of Florida | Nov 7, 11 AM | Free
Family literacy festival with community resources

Puzzle Hangout at Outcast Brewing Company | Outcast Brewing Company | Nov 7, 12 PM | Free
Relaxed puzzles drinks and new connections

Masquerade in Motion: A Community Celebration at the MFA | Museum of Fine Arts | Nov 7, 12 PM | Free
Experience contemporary masquerade through art and performance

SAVOR St. Pete | Vinoy Park | Nov 7-8, 12 PM | $135+ 🎟️
Waterfront tastings from chefs wineries and breweries

Community Backyard Boogie at Deuces Park! | Deuces Park | Nov 7, 2 PM | Free
Food, music, games, and neighborhood connection

Speed Dating at DeCosmo Italian Market & Cafe | DeCosmo Italian Market | Nov 7, 6 PM | $16.11 🎟️
Meet new people over drinks and gelato

Glow and Gather: Performance Art Glassblowing | Morean Glass Studio | Nov 7, 7 PM | $60 🎟️
Live glassmaking spectacle with DJ and drinks

Astronomy Night | Saturn Night | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Nov 7, 7 PM | $5 🎟️
View Saturn galaxies and globular clusters

Get Artsy: Leaf & Pinecone Art | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve | Nov 8, 10 AM | $5 🎟️
Create nature-inspired art with forest treasures

Native American Heritage Month Celebration | The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art | Nov 8, 10 AM | Free
Indigenous art, music, dance, and storytelling

St. Pete Indie Flea | Campbell Park Recreation Center | Nov 8, 12 PM | Free
Shop local makers vintage finds and art

Neighborhood Shuffle Showdown! | St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club | Nov 8, 3 PM | Free
Neighborhood teams compete in friendly shuffleboard fun

Full list of events this weekend and in the coming months. Plus, local shows and concerts on the horizon.

Thanks so much for reading! As always, feel free to reply directly to this email to let me know how I did with today’s edition!

Stay Sunny,
Josh