Southshore Students Can Finally Stop Sweating

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Featured Story

Don’t Sweat It

I recently had some AC problems that took two full weeks to fix (utter madness). So when I read this story, I felt it deep in my temperature-traumatized soul. And as an aside, if you own an HVAC company, we’d love to hear from you. We’re actively looking for a solid partner to bring to our readers because trust us… the community desperately needs it. But I digress.

Hillsborough County Schools just dropped a staggering $35 million repairing and replacing AC systems across the district. That includes a brand-new $9.5 million system at East Bay High in Gibsonton. It was so massive they had to split the project across two summers.

Why the rush? After a summer of record-breaking heat, students and teachers were walking into classrooms last year with either no AC, arctic blasts, or swamp-like humidity. Inconsistent doesn’t even begin to cover it. The new systems should finally give kids a learning environment where they’re not distracted by heat stroke or shivering in hoodies. I’ve got two high schoolers myself, and let’s just say their sweat-inducing horror stories would make you want to install AC in your backpack.

In total, 10 schools got HVAC upgrades this summer, all funded in part by the half-penny sales tax voters approved back in 2018. It’s one of those unglamorous but critical investments that keeps our community cool, literally, and makes learning possible.

So the next time you step into a school and feel that sweet, sweet wave of air conditioning, know it came with a hefty price tag… and a whole lot of forklifts.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Keep it Local: More Than A Mantra

Alright, quick soapbox moment. If that’s not your thing, no worries, scroll on. But if you’ve been reading us for a while, you’ve probably noticed we like to end with our favorite little mantra: Keep it Local.

We don’t say it because it sounds cool or because it’s trendy to grab a latte from the local coffee shop every third Saturday. We say it because we really believe community is all we’ve got.

Now, do we always agree? Ha, not even close. Do we always get along? Definitely not. But this is our community. And if we don’t look out for it, I promise you no one else is going to.

Keeping it local doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go to the mall 20 miles away. Or you can’t take that trip to Armature Works for your favorite poke bowl. It just means showing up for the people who live right here. Supporting your neighbors, the ones running businesses down the street or even that little girl with the lemonade stand I see all the time. And yeah, it also means holding each other accountable when needed.

For us, “keep it local” is simple: we’ve got your back, and we hope you’ve got ours. That’s why we highlight and partner with local businesses, because when something goes wrong, your neighbors should be the first ones there to help. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt to know the local HVAC guy)

I get it, the world feels big sometimes, even though we’re more digitally connected than ever. But it’s still small enough to say hello to a stranger or have a little patience when the light turns green on 41. We shouldn’t need a hurricane to remind us to work together. That should be the norm.

Whether you want to claim Southshore or the specific town you live in, we’re all out here together, fighting off daytime mosquitoes, kids on golf carts, and swimming pool-sized potholes. But that’s life in the Southshore.

Keep It Local!

Southshore Spotlight

Girls of The World INC

Founded in 2009 inside the Pasco County Girls Juvenile Detention Center, Girls of the World Inc. has been helping young women realize that their circumstances don’t define their future. From building confidence in at-risk teens in Florida to launching programs in Cleveland’s inner city, and now mentoring over 200 girls from their Apollo Beach location, the impact has been life-changing. Many of their participants have gone on to college, military service, or successful careers, proving that with guidance and support, every girl can reach her full potential.

AROUND TOWN

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Does a bear poop in the woods? 

We’re not sure… but if it clogs the pipes, we’ll be there. Kuma Plumbing & Drain — from full repipes to bear-sized blockages, we handle it all. The bear necessity for all your plumbing needs.

Paws off the plunger, we’ve got this.

Contact Kuma Plumbing & Drain Today

“Keep it Local!”

Local Sports

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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.