Spring Is In The Air

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GET A JUMP ON SPRING CLEANING

Happy Hump Day! It’s The Southshore Circle—where the only thing better than our dad jokes is realizing you don’t have to hear them in person.

In Today’s Edition:

• Why Are We Still Springing Forward

• New bill pulls uno reverse card on school start times

• Spring Cleaning vs You

• Feedback Survey (Still live for a few more weeks)

Springing Forward…But Why

It’s that time again—when we collectively lose an hour of sleep and spend the next week wondering why our bodies feel jet-lagged. Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins this Sunday, which means at 2:00 AM, the clocks will jump ahead an hour.

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably asking: Why are we still doing this?

The idea of adjusting the clocks for more daylight dates back to World War I, supposedly to save energy. Farmers get blamed for it, but they actually hated the idea. In reality, it benefits big industries more than anyone—think retail stores, outdoor businesses, and even the golf industry (seriously, they lobbied for it).

Over the years, studies have debunked the energy-saving myth. Some even show that DST increases electricity use because people crank up their air conditioning and leave lights on later at night.

A lot of states, including Florida, have tried to ditch DST altogether, but they need Congressional approval to make it permanent. Some lawmakers push to end it every year, but so far, it hasn’t gained enough traction to pass.

Like it or not, DST is here this weekend—so don’t forget to set your clocks ahead before bed Saturday night! And if you’re looking for someone to blame, well… we don’t have a time machine, but we’d love to have a word with whoever started this mess.

The Bell Time Shuffle

If you’ve got middle or high school kids, this one’s for you. In a move that had teenagers across Florida celebrating (and parents secretly planning brunch in peace), the state passed a law mandating later school start times. The idea? To match school schedules with teens' natural sleep patterns, improving both health and academic performance. The change was set to roll out in 2026, giving everyone plenty of time to adjust their alarms—and their caffeine habits.

But don’t hit that snooze button just yet! A new bill has been introduced to reverse the change before it even begins. Opponents argue that while extra sleep sounds great, the logistical headache—coordinating buses, after-school activities, and working parents' schedules—might not be worth it.

As this legislative tug-of-war continues, one thing’s clear: the debate over school start times is far from settled. Whether you’re a night owl, an early bird, or just trying to survive the morning chaos, stay tuned (and well-rested) for the final decision.

Spring Cleaning Survival Guide: Conquer the Chaos

Every spring, ambitious goals are set, and millions tackle the yearly deep clean. It’s practically a rite of passage as temperatures rise—and The Southshore Circle is here to help. (Not with the actual cleaning, though. That would be crazy.)

1. Make a checklist. A game plan keeps you from wandering the house like a lost soul with a mop.

2. 🧽 One room at a time. Divide and conquer, or risk turning spring cleaning into an accidental siesta.

3. 🌞 Wash windows in the evening. The Florida sun turns cleaning solution into stubborn streaks.

4. 🔍 Don’t overlook the small stuff. Baseboards, sliding door tracks, and door frames deserve love too.

5. 🛋️ Move furniture and appliances. You may not want to see what’s under there, but it’s time.

6. 💡 Light fixtures need attention. Swap out old bulbs and dust those forgotten chandeliers.

7. 🩴 Winter is over (not that it ever really started). Tuck away jackets and break out the flip-flops.

8. 🔥 Check safety essentials. Smoke detector batteries, fire extinguishers, and for the love of God, your air filter.

9. 🚿 Power wash everything. Because dirt is sneaky.

10. 🍂 Don’t forget the gutters. Unless you want an accidental rooftop garden.

What’s washing up on the shore this week:

• Finn’s Run Club
  Come join us Wednesday at Finn's for a Walk, Bike or Run.  Date & Time: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 6:30 PM Location: 1112 Apollo Beach Blvd, Apollo Beach

• Cereal-isly Delicious Flash Treat
  Flash Treat hosted by Andy’s Frozen Custard. Date & Time: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 11:00 AM Location: 14385 US Hwy 301 S, Wimauma

• Throwback Thursday
  Wear your old clothes or relive the past time. Night filled with Mexican Loteria from 6:00pm-10pm Date & Time: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:00 PM Location: 6656 US Highway 301 S, Riverview

• Sobriety X at The Bottle House
  Live Music. Date & Time: Friday, March 7, 2025, 10:00 PM Location: 5902 S Gornto Lake Rd, Riverview

• Range Day
  Working concealed carry and home defense scenarios. Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 8:30 AM Location: 2102 24th St SE, Ruskin

• Fashionista FLA International Women’s Day
  Clothing Swap. Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10:00 AM Location: 76130 Florence Street, Gibsonton

• Community Pet Vaccination Clinic
  Low-cost community pet vaccination clinic. Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:00 AM Location: 7015 US Highway 301 S, Riverview

• Tokens of Sweetness Craft Party
  Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity to let your creative juices flow!
  Design your own jewelry dish and charm bracelet! Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 2:30 PM Location: 13206 Boyette Rd, Riverview

• The Breakfast Club - The Unauthorized Director’s Cut
  The Unauthorized Director's Cut Adaptation Featuring Extended and Deleted Scenes. Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 7:00 PM Location: 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin

•  9th Annual Saint Puppies Day
  Dog parade and costume contest! Date & Time: Sunday, March 9, 2025, 11:00 AM Location: 6186 N US Highway 41, Apollo Beach

The Rumor Mill:

• Panda Express has submitted construction plans to build their new store on US 41 in front of the new Walmart

Meet your neighbor:

• Do you have a small business in the area? We’d love to tell our readers about it. Fill out the survey - Here

Foodies Only: Pita Kebob

Feeling like jet-setting to Mykonos, but your wallet is thinking more like Ruskin? Good news—Pita Kebob is the Greek getaway you didn’t know you needed, right here in your backyard

Tucked away in the Big Lots plaza on College Ave., this Mediterranean gem serves up an authentic menu that includes fresh Greek salads, perfectly seasoned meats, and seafood that’ll transport your taste buds straight to the Aegean. With daily lunch specials and prices that won’t break the bank, it’s a win-win.

And the fresh-cut fries? They’re Greek crack.

Local Sports:

Girl’s Flag Football

• East Bay vs. Freedom 3/6 @ 7:30pm

• Lennard vs. Riverview 3/6 @ 7:30pm

• Lennard vs. Lecanto 3/7 @ 4:30pm

• East Bay vs. Choctawhatchee 3/7 @ 6:30pm

• Sumner vs. Godby 3/7 @ 6:30pm

Baseball

• Riverview vs. Newsome 3/6 @ 7pm

• Lennard vs. Durant 3/6 @ 7pm

• East bay vs Plant City 3/6 @7pm

• Sumner vs. Spoto 3/6 @ 7pm

• Sumner vs. Alonso 3/8 @ 11am

• Riverview vs. Strawberry Crest 3/8 @ 10am

Softball

• East Bay vs. Durant 3/6 @ 7pm

• Sumner vs. Hillsborough 3/6 @ 7pm

• Lennard vs. Spoto 3/6 @ 7pm

• Riverview vs. Wharton 3/6 @ 7pm

• East Bay vs. Palm Harbor University 3/7 @ 5pm

The Neighborhood Post:

• Yard/Moving Sale Saturday, March 8th from 8 AM-1 PM @ 744 Spanish Main Dr. Apollo Beach

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