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TLDR: THE SKINNY

• Happy Presidents Day!

• Quick Plumbing Tips.

• Climate Change is back on the menu.

Featured Story

Where Did Presidents’ Day Even Come From

How Washington’s Birthday became Presidents Day and why the federal holiday is still celebrated today

For most people, Presidents’ Day means one thing. A long weekend, a day off work for some, and a lot of mattress and appliance sales. But the holiday actually started with a much simpler purpose.

Presidents’ Day began as a way to honor George Washington’s birthday. Washington was born on February 22, and after his death, Americans began celebrating his leadership and role in founding the country. It became an official federal holiday in the late 1800s and was originally called Washington’s Birthday.

Over time, the holiday evolved. In the 1970s, the federal government moved several holidays to Mondays to create more three-day weekends. Washington’s Birthday shifted to the third Monday in February, and somewhere along the way, people began referring to it as Presidents’ Day instead. The idea expanded from honoring just Washington to recognizing all U.S. presidents and their role in shaping the country.

Today, the meaning depends on who you ask. For some, it’s a history lesson. For others, it’s simply a break in the middle of winter. Either way, the holiday has stuck around because it gives people a moment to reflect on leadership, history, and how the country has changed over time.

Here in Southshore, it usually just means lighter traffic for a day, kids home from school, and maybe finally getting around to a project that’s been sitting on the weekend list for a while. And if nothing else, it’s a reminder that even holidays evolve, just like everything else.

Quick Plumbing Tips With the Bear Who Cares

Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting with Southshore’s Own Kuma Plumbing & Drain

Some things absolutely need a plumber. But there are also some things you can probably handle on your own, or at least check before you make that call. If it’s an emergency and you’ve got water spraying everywhere, call Kuma. But if time is on your side, there are a few things you can check before waving the white flag.

One of those non-emergency issues is a garbage disposal that’s not working. Now, some of these tips require a bit more manual labor, and if you’re uncomfortable with any of it then call Kuma and one of their highly trained staff members will swing by and take care of it. But before you do, here are a few things worth checking.

Check the reset button.
This is often the number one problem with garbage disposals, and with the average charge for a plumber just to show up being around $75, that’s one expensive step to skip. The first step is to locate the reset button at the bottom of the disposal. On most models, this button is red. If it has popped out, press it back in to reset the unit, then turn on the disposal to see if it works. It’s also worth checking for a tripped breaker.

Use an Allen wrench to clear the jam.
After the reset button, jams are usually the next problem. Most models have a spot at the bottom of the unit where you can insert a ¼ inch Allen wrench to rotate the blades and clear the jam.

Check the power.
Yes, your garbage disposal is plugged in. People store a lot of things under their sink, and sometimes the plug gets knocked out. The last thing you want to do is pay a plumber to plug your disposal back in.

Check for leaks.
No, this won’t get it working again, but it’ll let you know if this has gone from DIY to calling in the experts.

At the end of the day, plumbing should be left to the pros, but knowing the basics will keep you from throwing money down the drain. Which, consequently, will have you calling a plumber. And when you make that call, make sure it’s to Kuma Plumbing & Drain. They’re the bear that keeps Brandon flowing. (I could do this all day 😃)

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

State Proposal Could Limit Local Climate Policies

New Florida proposal could limit local climate policies and shift planning decisions to the state level

A new proposal moving through Tallahassee could change how local governments handle issues tied to climate and long-term planning. Most people have probably not heard much about it yet, but it could eventually affect how counties and cities make decisions about growth, infrastructure, and environmental planning.

The proposal would prevent local governments in Florida from creating certain policies specifically aimed at addressing climate change. Supporters say the goal is to keep rules consistent across the state and avoid policies that could increase costs for residents. Critics say it could limit flexibility for coastal communities dealing with flooding, storm surge, and rapid development.

For Southshore residents, nothing changes right away. The proposal still has to move through the legislative process. But over time, decisions related to drainage, development planning, and infrastructure could become more centralized at the state level instead of being handled locally.

That matters here because Southshore continues to grow quickly and sits close to the water. Conversations about flooding, road improvements, and managing growth are already happening. This proposal could influence how much control local leaders have in shaping those plans moving forward.

For most people, the bottom line is simple. As the area grows, residents want smart planning and solutions that work. How those decisions get made may soon become part of a much bigger conversation.

Southshore Spotlight

Military Family Support

Military Family Support is a nonprofit organization focused on helping active duty service members, veterans, and their families when they need it most. Through scholarships, career grants, and partnerships with local organizations, they provide financial assistance, education support, and programs aimed at improving stability and opportunity for military families. The organization has been serving military communities since 1992, with a mission centered around giving back to those who have served and supporting them both during and after their time in uniform.

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 orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Tutto Tavola

When you think authentic Italian food, what comes to mind? We know it’s probably not Olive Garden. And around here, your options have honestly been pretty limited. Until recently.

With the arrival of Tutto Tavola in Riverview, there’s finally another spot stepping into the ring.

From handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas to sauces that’ll have you speaking Italian, this is the kind of place you go when you want real Italian flavor without crossing a bridge.

Whether you’re stopping in for a casual dinner, date night, or just craving a plate of pasta that doesn’t come out of a box, Tutto Tavola delivers the kind of comfort food that keeps people coming back.

If you’ve been looking for a new Italian spot to add to the rotation, this might be it.

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.