Happy Martin Luther King Day

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What We Learn Determines How Far We Go

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Southshore

Community is an interesting thing. A collection of people from various walks of life, all connected by a shared location. That’s the textbook definition anyway, but it doesn’t really capture the nuance or depth of what actually defines a community.

We all have different life paths, come from different backgrounds, and even our experiences within this community can be wildly varied. But being part of a community is a choice. It’s a decision you make every day to be involved and to see the people around you as more than just some arbitrary identifier the world has chosen for them.

Some people just live here. They have no ties, no reason to offer more than a passing glance. This isn’t their community, it’s just a place. Trust me, I’ve met them. Out and about, and even a few houses down in my own neighborhood. But that doesn’t define our community either.

What defines our community is the selflessness I see every day. The people who band together after a tragedy to rebuild. The people who stop to talk about the best snook rig when you’re fishing along the canal. The ones who jump out of their car in traffic to push a disabled vehicle out of the way and offer a ride. That’s community. That’s our community.

And while we have our share of bad apples, they certainly don’t spoil the bunch. I think that’s what this day is really for. Celebrating the good and realizing that at the end of the day, we’re all just people. Sure, some of us are a bit better looking, and maybe much better fishermen, and poker players than others 😃 But that’s no reason we can’t be friends.

So happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Share a smile, offer a wave, and go out of your way to make someone else’s day great.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Looking For a Home

Why Southshore residents are watching the latest Rays discussions

The conversation about where the Tampa Bay Rays might land next is picking up again, and while the latest talks are happening a bit down the road, it’s still something Southshore residents are paying attention to.

Officials with Hillsborough Community College and the Rays are expected to sit down soon to discuss the possibility of using land near the Dale Mabry campus in Tampa for a future stadium site. This meeting is not about breaking ground or finalizing plans. It’s about seeing if a real conversation is worth having.

There are still plenty of unknowns. No site has been approved. No funding plan is in place. No timeline exists. But after years of uncertainty, even the idea of movement feels meaningful for fans across Tampa Bay.

And here’s why it matters out here. The Rays are not just a Tampa team or a St. Pete team. They’re everyone’s team. Fans from Southshore make the drive for games, plan weekends around first pitch, and proudly wear the gear whether the stadium is nearby or not. Where the team eventually ends up affects how easy it is to catch a game and how connected the region feels on game day.

So yes, the meeting is happening outside Southshore. But the outcome reaches well beyond one campus or one neighborhood. Wherever the Rays call home next, they’ll still belong to all of us. And this next conversation could be the start of figuring out where that home might be.

Southshore Spotlight

ECHO

Some of the most important work in our community happens quietly, and ECHO is a perfect example.

When families in Southshore need help, ECHO is often there with food, support, and guidance during difficult moments. But none of it works without volunteers. People who show up, give their time, and help neighbors get back on their feet.

Volunteering at ECHO is a simple way to turn care into action. A few hours can make a real difference, not just for someone else, but for the community as a whole.

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

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 30,000 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

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.