Pomp & Circumstance

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THE SKINNY

• Graduation Time 2026

• Taco Talk

• You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Battery

Featured Story

When Did Graduation Become Scalped?

Families searching for extra graduation tickets are now finding people charging for them online

If you’ve got a kid in high school, then you’re well aware it’s graduation season in Southshore. Thousands of seniors are preparing to don their school colors one last time as they take the final step into adulthood. Unfortunately, graduation just doesn’t feel like it used to.

What was once a day full of pomp and circumstance has now been reduced to an assembly line of smile and keep it moving. Ceremonies are stacked back to back, attendance is limited, and tickets are generally capped at around 10 per graduate. And now? People are selling those tickets online for $20 a pop.

Yep.

It’s bad enough that the number of tickets is limited in the first place, but at least they’re free. You’d like to think if someone had extra tickets, they’d simply help another family out instead of trying to turn graduation into a side hustle, but apparently not.

The reality is that for many families, 10 tickets aren’t enough anymore. Grandparents, siblings, stepfamilies, close friends, coaches, mentors… these moments matter to more than just a small circle of people. I’ve got a family of five, and when you add 4 grandparents, well, you’ve just about hit the limit.

So here’s our suggestion. If you need extra graduation tickets or have extras you won’t use, feel free to post on our Facebook page and try to connect with other local families. But maybe let’s not attach a price tag to something every family member and loved one should have the chance to experience.

Death, Taxes, and Rae’s Accounting

Paying The Least Amount Legally Possible

They say there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Lucky for us, we know a couple people that can help you with both.

A lot of you already know Robin from Rae’s Accounting LLC. She’s very present out here in the community and has a heart the size of that empty lot on Surfside Blvd. The only thing that rivals Robin’s generosity is how stingy she is with the IRS. She’s not giving them a penny more than they’re owed.

Whether you’re a small business owner trying to stay organized, someone who waited until the last possible second to file, or you just want to stop stressing every tax season, Rae’s Accounting has you covered.

Let’s Have a Quick Taco Talk

Southshore, We Need Your Help

Last summer we went on a mission to find the best tacos in Southshore. And while it was close, we settled on Olmecca. Always fresh, always on time, always authentic. But times change, new players step into the space, and old players learn new tricks. So, we’re back at it.

We want to hear from you. What’s your favorite taco place in Southshore? We’ll be hitting the streets and checking out your recommendations to see who truly deserves the crown this year. Street tacos, birria tacos, hole-in-the-wall spots, food trucks, hidden gems… we want it all.

And let’s be honest, this is serious business around here.

Drop your favorite taco spot in the comments or reply to the newsletter. Let the taco wars begin. 🌮🔥

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

AI, electric vehicles, population growth, and extreme heat are all pushing the nation’s electrical system to its limits

The next major crisis in America might not arrive with a bang. It might arrive when you flip on the lights and nothing happens. Energy experts across the country are increasingly warning that the U.S. power grid is coming under massive strain as multiple high-demand technologies and industries begin colliding all at once.

For decades, America’s electrical grid was built around relatively predictable patterns of energy usage. But now, everything is changing at the same time. Artificial intelligence data centers are consuming enormous amounts of electricity. Electric vehicle adoption continues growing. Population growth across states like Florida and Texas is accelerating demand. And increasingly intense heat waves are driving air conditioning usage even higher.

The AI boom alone is becoming one of the largest new power consumers on Earth. Massive data centers require staggering amounts of electricity to operate and cool their systems, with some experts believing future AI expansion could rival the energy demands of entire cities. And it’s not just about generating more electricity.

The bigger concern is whether the grid itself can reliably handle and distribute that power during periods of peak demand. That’s where fears surrounding blackouts, rolling outages, and grid instability begin entering the conversation. States across the country are now racing to expand energy production, modernize aging infrastructure, and strengthen grid reliability before demand outpaces what the system was originally built to handle.

For Florida residents specifically, this story hits especially close to home. Extreme heat, rapid growth, hurricane vulnerability, and year-round air conditioning usage already place enormous pressure on the grid during summer months. And now, America’s energy future may depend on whether the system can evolve fast enough to keep up with the world being built around it.

Southshore Spotlight

Hands of Hope

Sickle Cell Disease impacts thousands of families across Florida, but organizations like Hands of Hope - Sickle Cell Awareness Foundation are working every day to make sure those families don’t face it alone.

Based right here in Tampa Bay, the organization focuses on raising awareness, supporting patients and families, and helping improve quality of life for those affected by Sickle Cell Disease through education, counseling, advocacy, screenings, and community outreach.

From assisting families with medical-related support to organizing community events and educational programs, Hands of Hope continues fighting to bring more visibility to a condition that often doesn’t receive enough public attention.

Locals helping locals. That’s what community is all about.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Back 2 Back Travels

Summer is coming. It’s time to take a vacation!

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Eggs Up Grill

From breakfast to brunch, the only two words you need to know are “Yes Chef!” Eggs Up Grill in Riverview is serving up everything from pancakes and omelets to chicken and waffles and brunch favorites that’ll have you questioning why breakfast foods aren’t socially acceptable 24/7.

Good food, great atmosphere, and portions big enough to earn a nap afterward. That’s a winning combo around here.

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.