Building Hope, One Neighbor at a Time

Want to get your business in The Southshore Circle?

Let’s Talk!

Featured Story

ECHO: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

In every community, there are moments when life takes an unexpected turn, a lost job, an unexpected expense, a sudden crisis. For families in those moments, what matters most isn’t a handout, but a helping hand. That’s exactly what ECHO (Emergency Care Help Organization) has been offering our neighbors for more than 30 years.

ECHO’s mission goes far beyond temporary fixes. They don’t just provide food or clothing for today, they work to create lasting change for tomorrow. Whether it’s through job training, life skills classes, or connecting families to vital resources, ECHO is committed to long-term solutions that restore stability, dignity, and hope. Their philosophy is simple yet powerful: strong communities are built one neighbor at a time.

Empower Breakfast – October 15th

This fall, ECHO is inviting the entire community to take part in its annual Empower Breakfast on October 15th. It’s more than just a meal, it’s a chance to see firsthand how ECHO changes lives and to support their mission of empowerment.

👉 Click here to RSVP

We’ll be sharing more in the weeks ahead about ECHO’s mission, their impact, and the many ways you can get involved. Our goal is to make sure every neighbor in Southshore knows about the incredible work they’re doing, and how together, we can continue to lift each other up.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Customer Service. A Lost Art or A Lost Cause

Rant time. This may be anecdotal, but I don’t think this is isolated to Southshore. But what happened to customer service? Lately, it seems like expecting someone to do their job is an inconvenience to their day. Restaurants, fast food, service shops, and even retail stores. Employees can no longer be bothered with employment.

I blame COVID, because…why not? But the whole “you need us more than we need you” vibe has carried over into the real world. Make less, charge more, and never mind service with a smile.

I wish I could say it’s a teen thing, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. Age is irrelevant. Somewhere along the way, a whole lot of businesses forgot that good service is the difference between a one-time customer and a lifelong supporter.

This isn’t an indictment of the entire service industry in Southshore—far from it. There are plenty of local businesses still doing it right. We feature many of them because they stand out. They treat their customers like neighbors, not numbers. And that’s the point.

At the end of the day, customer service is community service. It’s about looking someone in the eye, caring about their experience, and remembering that without customers, there is no business. The shops, restaurants, and services that thrive here will be the ones that remember that simple truth.

So here’s my challenge: let’s celebrate the good ones. The places where the staff still smiles, where you feel welcome, and where your business truly matters. And maybe, just maybe, the rest will catch on.

The AI of Everything

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just a headline anymore—it’s in your phone, your car, and even your shopping cart. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. And now, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) is giving us a chance to see it up close with their brand-new interactive exhibit, Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine, opening September 6.

This isn’t a lecture—it’s a hands-on playground. Visitors can train an AI to recognize their face, watch a piano compose its own music, paint their portrait like Van Gogh, or even test their skills in puzzles and pattern games that show how machines learn. The exhibit makes AI exciting, accessible, and unforgettable for kids and adults alike.

Behind the fun is a serious point: AI is shaping the future of work, communication, art, and even play. MOSI’s goal is to take the mystery out of it and show how this technology is already a part of our daily lives.

So if you’ve been curious, or maybe even skeptical, about AI, this is your chance to see what all the buzz is about. The exhibit runs through January 4 at MOSI. Consider it your ticket to the future, right here in Tampa.

Southshore Spotlight

Providence House

Providence House, nestled in the heart of Brandon, is a licensed group home offering teenage girls more than shelter. It’s a sanctuary where healing, hope, and second chances are born. With personalized counseling and a nurturing environment, they empower these brave young women to reclaim their strength and shine.

AROUND TOWN

Local Sports

Spring sports are in session. Find times to your favorite games below.

Football

Lennard vs Spoto, Friday 8/29 @7:30 PM - Home

East Bay vs Hillsborough, Friday 8/29 @ 7:30 PM - Home

Sumner vs Armwood, Friday 8/29 @7:30 PM - Away

Riverview vs Riverview Sarasota, Friday 8/29, @ 7:30 PM - Home

Spoto vs Lennard, Friday 8/29, @7:30 PM - Away

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.