Southshore's Booty (Pirate Talk)

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Southshore’s Got Booty — and We’re Giving It Away 🏴‍☠️💰

Florida’s history runs deep with pirate lore, and we’d be scallywags if we didn’t join in. So here’s the deal — we’re cracking open our treasure chest, and you could be the one sailing away with it.

Right now, it’s stuffed with $500 in cash and $250 in local gift cards, and it’s only getting bigger. Want in? Here’s how to claim your share:

⚓ Buy raffle tickets — as many as you want.
⚓ Or refer 5 friends to join The Circle and get 1 entry for every 5 you bring aboard.

We’ll pull the lucky winner during the Ruskin Seafood Festival on November 16th, time to be announced. Swing by our booth to collect your loot — and if you can’t make it, we’ll send word by email.

Every few weeks, we’ll add more treasure to the chest — and yes, the ticket price will go up. So get in early, stack your entries, and increase your odds.

There’s no limit on entries. So buy as many tickets as you want, refer all your friends, and you could be the lucky one running off with the Southshore Booty.

Buy Tickets Here or Refer a Friend at the bottom of this email.

Featured Story

The Downside of Development

So yeah, we got some real rain these last few days — and as you can see… we weren’t ready. Streets flooded, parking lots turned to ponds, and neighborhood parks became alligator hangouts. And that was just plain old rain.

Now there’s a lot of blame to go around, but as the city works through its drainage issues, we need to talk about the real culprit behind flooded Florida… overdevelopment.

Our population is booming, housing developments are sprouting like weeds, and we can’t wait to try the newest hot spot the second they flick the “Open” sign on. But there’s a price to pay. Florida’s water system is a delicately balanced dance of rain, runoff, and thirsty aquifers that keep our state from sinking into the Atlantic.

Change the topography, toss a 200-home development where a flat plain or wetland used to be, and suddenly the music cuts off. We’ve gone from a relaxed ballet danced to Opus 46 to a foot-stomping Paso Doble with Mambo No. 5 blaring in the background.

The thing is, wetlands and open fields don’t just look nice, they store stormwater, slow flooding, and filter water back into our aquifers. When we pave them over, that water has nowhere to go except into streets, driveways, and, eventually, your living room.

So, while the county/state/city absolutely needs to put real dollars toward fixing drainage, let’s keep it real, building without long-term planning is why Southshore is trying to turn itself into a swamp. And the worst part? It’s only going to get worse. Wait until we get our first Cat 3+ and Mother Nature dumps a lake on the new Walmart parking lot that used to be an empty field.

Stay safe out there, Southshore — and if you can, stay dry.

SCOPE is Going County-Wide — and Southshore Students Win 🎓

Big news for local teens: the SCOPE program (Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration) is now in all 29 Hillsborough County high schools — including East Bay, Lennard, and Spoto.

Think of it as a one-stop shop for “what’s next” after graduation: college, trade school, military, or figuring it out from scratch. Students can get help with financial aid, picking the right program, and actually having a plan.

Brandon High was one of the first to have it, and grads say it’s been a game-changer. Now, Southshore students have the same advantage, meaning fewer blank stares when Aunt Linda asks, “So what’s next?” at the grad party.

Parents, if your teen’s current plan is “sleep in” or “become TikTok famous,” point them toward SCOPE.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Southshore Spotlight

Searching for a Hero

Is there a community champion in your life? Someone who’s always stepping up, giving back, and making Southshore a better place? We’d love to meet them.

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

AROUND TOWN

Featured Summer Camps & Training

(The Final Week)

Show Us Your Southshore

We know Southshore is full of great views, great people, and the occasional photo-worthy moment (yes, even the rogue peacock sightings).

Send us your best shots from around the community—whether it’s a stunning sunset, a favorite local hangout, or just something that screams “Southshore life.”

We’ll feature our favorites in upcoming editions of the Circle!
Email your pics to [email protected] and show off your slice of Southshore.

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

Until next time,

Keep It Local.