The Competition Carpool

Want to get your business in The Southshore Circle?

Let’s Talk!

Featured Story

A Missing Piece in Play

If you have a kid who plays sports at one of the area high schools, you may have noticed a change. Aside from football, most school sports in the area no longer offer transportation to and from games.

That’s not just a headache for working parents. It hits the athletes, too. Those long rides to games and the celebratory ride home are where teams actually become teams. Freshmen learn the playlist, seniors set the tone, and a tough loss gets talked through before it hardens. It’s low-stakes responsibility that grows high-character habits.

So why the shift? Money, staffing, and time. Tight budgets, a shortage of certified drivers, and route priorities that cover the school day first. After-hours trips mean overtime, fuel, and Tuesday-night logistics that are tough to staff.

Without a bus, kids scatter. Carpools turn into spreadsheets. A few missed games because a parent’s shift runs late. And now you’ve got tired teenagers driving home on 301 after dark. That’s a family stressor and a safety concern. It also nudges equity. The kid with flexible parents gets there. The kid whose mom works nights might not.

For now, most teams are piecing together rides. The tradeoffs are clear: less shared time, more logistics, and uneven access. Whether buses come back will depend on budgets, driver pipelines, and how districts set priorities this year.

A Partnership, not a Plug

Quick fixes fade. Real tax wins come from planning and partnership. Robin at Rae’s Accounting LLC builds year-round strategies that cut stress and save money.

When most people think of working with a tax professional, they picture tax season—gathering their documents, sending them off, and waiting for a return to be filed.

And while that works for some, it’s not what Rae’s Accounting is about.

If you’re only looking for someone to file your tax return once a year, I’m probably not the right fit.

That’s because filing is just the last step of the process. Real value comes from what happens the other 11 months of the year.

READ MORE

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Southshore Spotlight

Women in Aviation International

Women in Aviation International’s vision is a barrier-free sky, investing in a global talent pipeline, and inspiring women and girls to pursue aviation and aerospace.

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

We Know a Guy…Or Girl

Stellar Notary Services

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

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 30,000 readers in Southshore what you've got. Only 20 spots for the year. Claim yours today.

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 Lakewood Ranch, Friday 9/26 @7:30 PM - Home

East Bay vs Leto, Friday 9/26 @ 7:30 PM - Home

Sumner vs Plant City, Friday 9/26 @7:30 PM - Home

Riverview vs Durant, Friday 9/26, @ 7:30 PM - Home

Spoto vs Tampa Bay Tech, Friday 9/26, @7:30 PM - Home

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

Until next time,

Keep It Local.