Dust, Development & Decisions

Want to get your business in The Southshore Circle?

Let’s Talk!

THE SKINNY

• Don’t Believe the Hype

• Ask an Attorney

• How Many is Too Many

• What’s Your Pick?

Featured Story

It’s Just Dust

A massive plume of Saharan dust is heading toward Florida, bringing hazy skies, colorful sunsets, and hotter weather to Southshore

If you've seen headlines claiming a massive cloud is heading toward Florida, you might be wondering if it's time to start building an ark or stocking the bunker. Like a lot of headlines these days, it's much more bark than bite.

A large plume of Saharan dust has traveled more than 5,000 miles across the Atlantic from North Africa and is expected to drift across much of Florida and the Gulf Coast through the weekend and into next week. While the headlines may sound dramatic, this is actually a fairly common summertime visitor to the Sunshine State. In fact, you probably remember the last one... or maybe you don't, because it didn't amount to much.

So what does this actually mean for Southshore? For most of us, the biggest changes will be easy to spot. Expect hazier skies, fewer afternoon thunderstorms, and some spectacular sunrises and sunsets as the tiny dust particles scatter sunlight across the atmosphere. If you've ever wondered why the sky suddenly lights up with deep oranges, reds, and pinks, Saharan dust is often the reason.

The dust also brings very dry air, which can suppress our typical afternoon storms. That's good news if you have weekend plans outdoors, but it also means temperatures may climb even higher since there will be fewer clouds to provide relief. Heat index values could top 105 degrees, so staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade will be especially important.

There is one group that should pay a little closer attention. People with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions may notice more irritation while the dust is overhead. If that's you, it may be worth limiting strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.

One unexpected benefit? Saharan dust is one of nature's hurricane speed bumps. The same dry, dusty air that's making our skies hazy also makes it harder for tropical systems to organize and strengthen over the Atlantic. It won't stop hurricane season, but it can temporarily slow things down.

So no, the sky isn't falling. It's just paying us another summer visit from 5,000 miles away. Enjoy the colorful sunsets, drink plenty of water, and maybe take the next "end of the world" headline with a grain of... well... dust.

Ask a Personal Injury Attorney

Common personal injury questions with McBreeen & Nowak

Today’s question: Is it okay to move the vehicles involved in an accident before the police arrive?

Answer: In many cases, it is okay and sometimes necessary to move the vehicles before the police arrive. If it is unsafe for you or other drivers to leave the vehicles where they are located at the time of the collision, you will likely need to move them to a safe location nearby. You will need to use your best judgment. If you decide to move the vehicles off the roadway before law enforcement arrives, take pictures of the vehicles and the location of the vehicles before they are moved. If there are skid marks, take pictures of the skid marks. If there are no skid marks, make note of that.

*The foregoing does not constitute legal advice, and this Q and A does not create an attorney-client relationship.  We recommend that you speak to an attorney ASAP if you think you may have been injured in an automobile collision.

One More Car Wash Won't Hurt, Will It?

As another car wash goes up in Apollo Beach, many Southshore residents are asking whether we're reaching the saturation point

If you've lived in Southshore for more than a few years, you've probably noticed a trend. New homes? Absolutely. New restaurants? Here and there. New storage facilities? Plenty. And, of course... another car wash. With Woody's Car Wash now under construction in Apollo Beach, many residents are asking the same question: How many car washes does one area actually need?

It's a fair question. As Southshore continues to grow, it can feel like every new commercial corner is destined to become either a storage facility or a tunnel car wash. Whether that's actually true or not, it's certainly become the running joke.

With much of the Tampa Bay area recently dealing with drought conditions and water restrictions, you'd think commercial car washes would be among the biggest water users around. Surprisingly, the opposite is often true.

Modern commercial car washes recycle much of the water they use, with many facilities using only 10 to 20 gallons of fresh water per vehicle after recycling systems do their job. By comparison, washing your car at home with a garden hose can easily use 80 to 100 gallons or more, depending on how long the hose is running. Water management officials have even said that, from a conservation standpoint, using a commercial car wash is generally more efficient than washing your car in your driveway.

So while many of us may roll our eyes every time another car wash is announced, the environmental impact isn't quite what you might expect. That said, the bigger question may not be about water. It's about land use.

As Southshore continues to add thousands of new residents every year, many people would rather see those prime commercial corners become restaurants, entertainment venues, local businesses, or other amenities the community has been asking for. Or maybe, just maybe, stop building stuff altogether.

Of course, if companies keep building car washes, it's because they believe there's enough demand to support them. Whether they're right is another question entirely.

So we'll ask you: How many car washes is too many? Or is there no such thing when Florida afternoon rainstorms seem determined to undo your last wash within 20 minutes?

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

If You Could Bring One Business to Southshore...

Southshore is growing fast. If you had the final say on what gets built next, what would you choose?

We know Southshore seems to be growing like crabgrass. More houses. More traffic. More chain restaurants. Some people are all for it. Others are about one new development away from taking to the streets with pitchforks.

Love it or hate it, one thing is certain. Southshore is changing, and it's going to look a lot different 10 years from now than it does today. So let's have a little fun.

Imagine you're the conductor of Southshore's development symphony. You get one decision. One empty commercial lot. One chance to bring any business to our community. What are you building?

Maybe it's a Trader Joe's, a Detwiler’s, or a Whole Foods. Maybe you're dreaming bigger with a Topgolf, Dave & Buster's, or an aquarium. Or maybe it's not a national chain at all. Maybe you'd rather see a locally owned bookstore, a family entertainment center, an indoor sports complex, or a movie theatre.

So, Southshore...If you could bring one business to our community, what would it be? We're genuinely curious to see what tops the list.

Southshore Spotlight

Forgotten Angels

Forgotten Angels is changing lives by giving young people who have aged out of foster care, along with other at-risk youth, something many have never had before: a safe place to call home and a support system that believes in them.

Based in Valrico, the nonprofit provides housing, mentorship, education, job training, life skills, and the guidance needed to help young adults build independent, successful lives. Their goal isn't just to provide a place to stay. It's to help create a future filled with opportunity, confidence, and hope.

Sometimes all it takes to change a life is someone who refuses to let a young person be forgotten.

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.