Skate Wars & Booming Business of Boxes

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Featured Story

Shred the Date: Hillsborough’s Skate Anniversary

If you’re an 80s kid, then you definitely watched Thrashin’ or Gleaming the Cube growing up. I was more of a BMX person, so Rad was my cup of tea, but Thrashin’ was still top tier. Don’t worry, I linked each of the movies above, so you can force your kids to indulge in the grainy greatness that is 80s movies. Anyway, that little trip down memory lane is really just a segue into something legit happening here at home: Hillsborough County’s skateboarding competition is celebrating 10 years, and the next stop is in our backyard.

On Saturday, September 20, the Best Shredder contest rolls into Apollo Beach Skate Park. Registration starts at 1 p.m. on site, there’s no entry fee, and the format is jam-style, so bring tricks and stamina. Divisions cover pretty much everyone: 9 and under, 10–12, 13–15, 16 and up, Girls, and Sponsored. Podium finishes earn series points toward the year’s overall “Best Shredder.” If you’re under 18, bring a helmet; pads are required for the 12-and-under crew. Parents and former skaters, feel free to cheer loudly and pretend you still remember how to ollie.

If you haven’t been to the Apollo Beach park, it’s beginner-friendly but still fun for the rippers, with stairs, Euro gaps, and rails that keep things interesting. Parks are free to skate and open late most days, so even the “I used to skate” crowd can sneak in a lap after the heats. Just be careful because bouncing back from a sprained ankle gets a little harder at 50.

Southshore, let’s show up. Whether you ride, film, or clap like a proud auntie, this is an easy win for a Saturday. If the 80s taught us anything, it’s that the montage always ends with high-fives. See you at the park.

Southshore Story Time

Southshore Close Encounters

Part 1: The Night the Golf Carts Glowed

Sun City Center sleeps early. Except last Thursday, when half the HOA swears they saw three unregistered golf carts cruising at 2 a.m., underglow lights humming like a karaoke machine. Dotty, a retired NASA engineer who treats pickleball like Wimbledon, followed them in her robe and Crocs. The carts zipped past the gazebo, took Big Bend like it was Talladega, and parked in a perfect triangle outside the clubhouse. Triangle. Dotty wrote it in her notebook twice. “Triangles mean either geometry or aliens,” she said, and you could tell which option she preferred.

By sunrise, folks were debating whether they’d seen little green snowbirds scouting pickleball courts or just teenagers with LEDs and a Costco membership. Dotty circled “aliens.” She underlined it. Twice.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Southshore Spotlight

Abe Brown Ministries, Inc

inspHire is Abe Brown Ministries’ comprehensive reentry program that equips formerly incarcerated people with job-readiness training, life skills, and wraparound support to reenter the workforce and community. Individuals can apply to join, employers can partner to hire graduates, and transitional living residents complete inspHire as part of their path forward.

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

An Impromptu Business Spotlight

Box of Cubans. You’ve probably driven past it or seen it in a Google search when looking for a quick bite. (I know I have) This suave sandwich slinger started humbly inside a gas station, serving up hot pressed Cubans that quickly became a local favorite. Now, it’s taking its talents to far-off lands. (Okay, just Tampa. But let’s be real, Tampa is an hour from Tampa these days.)

Last Monday, I was in New Tampa for a “lunch meeting.” I use quotes because I rarely eat lunch during a meeting. But as I pulled into the parking lot of Glory Days, those familiar red-and-blue letters jumped out at me. Box of Cubans. But I wasn’t in Riverview. What was this local sandwich shop doing so far from home?

To my befuddlement (fancy, I know), they’ve expanded. I’m not sure exactly when this location opened, but Fox 13 just did a story on it, so I’m guessing pretty recently.

God knows I’m a sucker for a good Cuban sandwich. Seeing a local favorite grow and thrive is the kind of story we love at The Circle. So hats off to Marcos Silverio and the crew over at Box of Cubans. Keep on growing, and we’ll keep on cheering you on. And eating the food, of course.

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.

Click here to check out our growing list of service pros.

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Pa Pinones

Pa Piñones is a Puerto Rican spot in Ruskin serving mofongo, frituras, and more at 204 W Shell Point Rd.

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

Football

Lennard vs Leto, Friday 9/19 @7:30 PM - Away

East Bay vs Blake, Friday 9/19 @ 7:30 PM - Home

Sumner vs Plant, Friday 9/19 @7:30 PM - Home

Riverview vs Newsome, Friday 9/19, @ 7:30 PM - Away

Spoto vs Chamberlain, Friday 9/19, @7:30 PM - Away

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.