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THE SKINNY

• Meet Your Neighbor

• More Stadium Talk

• Weekly What in The World

Featured Story

🏡 Meet Your Neighbor:

Kataya Alvarez with Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions

One of the best parts of writing this newsletter is meeting the people building Southshore from the ground up.

Small businesses are the backbone of our community. Entrepreneurship is risky and demanding, but there’s something powerful about someone deciding to bet on themselves.

Kataya Alvarez with Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions did exactly that. And now she helps other business owners do the same.

When Kataya moved to Florida from Pittsburgh in 2017, Southshore felt different. Quieter. Slower. Less traffic. Fewer Publix plazas and car washes on every corner.

She first lived in Ruskin, then Temple Terrace, bought her first home in Riverview in 2020, and recently returned to Ruskin after purchasing a home with her boyfriend. Full circle.

Her mission is simple. Local entrepreneurs deserve clarity and confidence when it comes to their finances. That belief became Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions, officially launched on January 1, 2023. But her story with numbers started long before that.

In high school, she helped her mom with data entry. That turned into three years working full-time in her mom’s business. Watching her run her own company planted the entrepreneurial seed early.

Before launching her own firm, Kataya managed a Dunkin’, trained at Circle K, and even worked as a skip tracer in car repossession. She understands hustle. She understands pressure. She understands what business owners juggle daily. That empathy shows up in her work.

Her favorite part of bookkeeping is when everything lines up, and the numbers tell a clear story. Her least favorite? When busy business owners delay sending documents. She gets it. Life moves fast. But clean books can’t wait forever.

One of her favorite success stories is helping clients who are years behind catch up, become compliant, and understand their company’s financial health. The most common mistake she sees? Mixing personal and business funds. Her advice is simple. Keep them separate. Period.

Outside of work, Kataya enjoys baking, crocheting, video games, puzzles, and audiobooks. And if she’s grabbing a bite locally, it might be El Rodeo in Ruskin or Apollo Pizza.

For her, serving local businesses isn’t just about balancing numbers. It’s about helping fellow entrepreneurs stay open, stay informed, and keep doing what they love. Because when small businesses are strong, Southshore is strong.

If you’re unsure where your books stand, Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions may be the reset your business needs.

Rays Stadium Momentum Builds

Rays stadium talks advance in Tampa with new Dale Mabry land approval

Yes, we’re still talking about the Rays. But this time, it feels less like speculation and more like movement.

The Tampa Bay Rays are preparing to pursue state land at the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus as part of a potential new stadium plan in Tampa.

State officials recently approved transferring about 22 acres of underused land to the college. The site sits near Raymond James Stadium, creating the possibility of a larger sports and entertainment district anchored by a new ballpark.

No, this does not mean baseball is packing up tomorrow. There are still funding conversations, government approvals, and plenty of negotiations ahead. But it is one of the most concrete steps we’ve seen toward a long-term home after years of uncertainty surrounding Tropicana Field.

So why should readers in Southshore care?

First, location. For many Southshore families, Dale Mabry is a far more straightforward drive than crossing the bridge into Pinellas. A Tampa stadium would likely mean easier weeknight games, quicker trips, and maybe even more locals deciding to make baseball part of their routine.

Second, economics. A major stadium development could bring construction jobs, hospitality growth, and increased tourism across Hillsborough County. When the broader county grows, Southshore businesses often feel it too, especially restaurants, service providers, and local retailers.

And third, identity. As Southshore continues to grow, projects like this shape the regional story we are part of. Big investments in Tampa ripple outward. Traffic patterns change. Growth corridors shift. Development follows attention.

Nothing is finalized yet. But this land move signals that the Rays stadium conversation is no longer just talk. It is positioning.

And if it happens, it will not just change Tampa. It will change the way Southshore connects to the rest of the Bay.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Punch the Macaque Goes Viral and IKEA Smiles All the Way to the Bank

If you haven’t heard about Punch the Monkey, then today’s your lucky day. This snuggly little fella has amassed a Taylor Swift-level following. Punch, a Japanese macaque who was abandoned by his mother, found comfort in a stuffed orangutan toy. And the internet fell in love.

But there’s more to it than cute photos.

Researchers say animal mothers sometimes abandon their young due to stress, inexperience, illness, or social pressures within the group. It’s rare, but it happens. For Punch, that early loss meant he had to find comfort somewhere else.

Enter the plush orangutan.

Scientists say Punch’s attachment to the toy reflects something deeper, known as attachment theory. When young animals lose their primary caregiver, they often seek a substitute source of comfort and security. In Punch’s case, that soft toy became a stand-in for the bond he lost.

That’s likely why his story resonates so widely. Whether human or animal, we all look for stability when life feels uncertain. Sometimes it’s a person. Sometimes it’s a routine. Sometimes it’s something soft and familiar.

And of course, the internet did what the internet does. IKEA moved quickly, tying the viral moment to its own plush toy line. The $15 toy sold out in multiple regions and soon popped up on resale sites, with some listings climbing as high as $165.

Punch may be a viral star, but he’s also a reminder that the need for connection runs deep across species. And sometimes, even a stuffed toy can feel like a lifeline.

Southshore Spotlight

Firehouse Cultural Center

At its heart, the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin exists to bring quality arts programming to Southshore while making sure it’s accessible to everyone, no matter your age or experience level.

The goal is simple but powerful. Create a space where people can participate, explore, discover, and learn. From live performances and visual art to workshops and educational programs, the Firehouse is designed to connect residents to the full spectrum of the arts while celebrating the unique history, culture, and natural beauty that define Southshore.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Back 2 Back Travels

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Amar Middle Eastern Cuisine

Amar Middle Eastern Cuisine in Riverview is a local favorite for fresh, authentic Middle Eastern fare. Known for generous portions, vibrant flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere, Amar offers classics like shawarma, falafel, hummus, and salads at approachable prices.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, ordering take-out or enjoying a sit-down meal, it’s become a go-to spot for Mediterranean comfort food in Southshore’s backyard.

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

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

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.