Before the Fireworks Begin... 🇺🇸

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THE SKINNY

• 4th Celebrations in Southshore?

• Your Monday Money Minute

• As The World Turns

Featured Story

Where Are You Getting Your Fireworks Fix?

Looking for fireworks this Fourth of July? Here's where Southshore residents can celebrate nearby

If you're hoping to stay in Southshore for a public fireworks show this Fourth of July, we've got some bad news. There aren't any major public fireworks displays scheduled in the area. At least any that are being widely publicized. The good news? Some of Tampa Bay's biggest celebrations are just a short drive away.

🇺🇸 Liberty by the Bay – Tampa

If you're only going to one celebration this year, this is probably it. The City of Tampa is hosting Liberty by the Bay at Julian B. Lane Park from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. The free event features food trucks, live music, a kids zone, a patriotic pet show, a water ski show, a 250-drone light show, and a fireworks finale over the Hillsborough River. It's one of the region's largest Independence Day celebrations.

🎆 The Heights District Fourth of July

If you'd rather celebrate along the Riverwalk, Armature Works is once again hosting its annual Fourth of July celebration. The event includes live music, family activities, carnival games, food vendors, a hot dog eating contest, and a waterfront fireworks show beginning around 9 p.m.

🚢 Freedom Fest

Want a front-row seat on the water? American Victory Ship & Museum is hosting Freedom Fest, where guests can enjoy live entertainment, watch the patriotic boat parade, and take in the fireworks from the deck of a historic World War II cargo ship. Tickets are required for this event.

🎇 Bradenton Riverwalk

For those on the southern end of Southshore, Bradenton offers another great option. United on the Manatee River features live entertainment, food vendors, family activities, and a fireworks display over the river beginning around 9:10 p.m. It's often one of the easiest large shows for Southshore residents to reach.

No matter where you decide to celebrate, plan to arrive early. Traffic is expected to be heavy around all major venues, and parking tends to fill up well before the fireworks begin. From all of us at the Southshore Circle, have a safe and happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Monday Money Minute

The Most Important Bill You'll Ever Pay

Imagine your employer deposited your paycheck, and before you even had a chance to touch it, 10% quietly disappeared. Most people would panic. Ironically, that's exactly what many financial experts recommend. It's called paying yourself first, and despite the name, it's one of the simplest ways to build wealth over time.

Most of us treat saving like it's whatever is left at the end of the month. The problem is, there usually isn't much left. The mortgage gets paid. The car payment gets paid. The electric bill gets paid. The grocery store gets paid. Somewhere along the way, we pay just about everyone...except ourselves. Paying yourself first flips that equation.

Instead of saving whatever happens to be left over, you automatically move a small percentage of every paycheck into savings or an investment account before you start spending. It doesn't have to be 10%. Start with 2% if that's all you can manage. Then increase it a little each year.

The amount matters far less than the habit. Think of your future self as another monthly bill. The difference is, this is one bill that eventually pays you back. Your mortgage builds equity. Your car gets you to work. But the money you consistently set aside today buys something neither of those can. Options.

The freedom to retire when you're ready. The ability to handle an unexpected expense without panic. The chance to help your kids, spoil your grandkids, or simply sleep a little better at night. The next time payday rolls around, try paying one bill before all the others. Pay yourself first. Your future self will thank you.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Has the Planet Been Extra Restless Lately?

Is it just us, or has it felt like the world has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately? Over the past two weeks, we've watched devastating back-to-back earthquakes level parts of Venezuela, a record-breaking heat wave grip much of Europe, dangerous heat spread across portions of the United States, and flooding impact communities in several countries. It seems like every time you turn on the news, Mother Nature has another surprise waiting.

It's easy to wonder whether all of these events are somehow connected. The answer is...not really.

Scientists say earthquakes are driven by the movement of Earth's tectonic plates, while heat waves, floods, and tropical weather are atmospheric events. In fact, experts recently pushed back on online speculation that several powerful earthquakes occurring within hours of each other around the globe were linked, saying the timing was simply a coincidence. That doesn't mean everything is business as usual.

Researchers say extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and more intense in many parts of the world. Europe is currently experiencing one of its most severe early-summer heat waves on record, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in several countries and thousands of excess heat-related deaths being reported. Meanwhile, Venezuela continues recovering from twin earthquakes that struck just days apart, with aftershocks still rattling the region and rescue efforts ongoing.

So, is the world falling apart? Probably not. But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: whether it's extreme heat, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes, major natural disasters are capturing our attention with remarkable frequency.

Sometimes that's because there really are multiple disasters happening at once. Sometimes it's because modern technology allows us to witness events unfolding around the world in real time. Either way, it's a reminder that while our day-to-day lives may feel routine, we live on a remarkably active planet. And every once in a while, it reminds us who's really in charge.

Southshore Spotlight

Sun City Center Emergency Squad

For more than 50 years, the Sun City Center Emergency Squad has been living out its mission of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors."

This volunteer-driven nonprofit provides 24/7 emergency medical response, medical transportation, CPR education, and other vital services that help keep the Southshore community safe. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, supporting the Squad means supporting one of our community's most valuable resources.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb hanging 30 feet above your living room? We've got you. And the best part? They're all right here in our community. Click the link above to find your next Southshore professional because we know a guy...or gal. And now you do too.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 40,000 readers in Southshore what you've got. Only 20 spots for the year. Claim yours today.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.