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THE SKINNY

• Spring Bling Giveaway Reminder

• Oil Prices Surge

• Your Monday Money Minute

• Skynet of The Future

Featured Story

With the Price of Gas

Rising oil prices could mean higher gas prices for Southshore drivers in the coming weeks

Here at The Southshore Circle, we don’t do politics, and we don’t do crime, but we will write about the price of oil, especially when it’s ballooned over 50% in the last three months.

Oil markets around the world have been climbing quickly after recent tensions in the Middle East raised concerns about global supply. When uncertainty enters the energy market, prices tend to react fast, and that ripple can eventually show up in everyday places like the gas station.

For Southshore residents, the impact is usually straightforward. When crude oil prices rise, gasoline prices often follow. Even modest shifts in oil markets can translate into noticeable changes at the pump over time. If the current trend continues, drivers across the Tampa Bay area could begin to see those increases in the coming weeks.

The effects do not stop with fuel. Oil plays a major role in transportation and shipping, which means higher prices can slowly push up the cost of groceries, travel, construction materials, and other everyday goods that rely on trucks or planes to move across the country.

In communities like ours, where many residents commute or spend a lot of time on the road, fuel prices tend to be one of the most visible economic signals. A few extra dollars at the pump each week may not sound dramatic, but over time, it adds up for households and businesses alike.

Energy markets can move quickly in both directions, and price spikes caused by global events do not always last forever. But for now, rising oil prices are another reminder that what happens on the other side of the world can still affect daily life here at home.

And for Southshore drivers, the first place they may notice it is the big numbers lighting up the sign at their local gas station.

Medical Minute with Wellness Vitalized

Why Women Lose Desire (And It’s Not Just Stress)

Low libido in women is common — but it is not something you simply have to “accept.”

Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause often reduce:
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone

Yes — women produce testosterone too, and it plays a critical role in sexual desire, confidence, motivation, and energy.

Beyond hormones, libido can be influenced by:
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Chronic stress
• Gut inflammation
• Insulin resistance
• Poor sleep

Many women are told “everything looks fine” after basic testing. But comprehensive hormone panels, thyroid testing, and metabolic markers often reveal deeper imbalances.

Sexual health is part of overall wellness. Addressing it with professionalism, privacy, and medical precision matters.

You deserve to feel vibrant — not dismissed.

Monday Money Minute

Surviving Gas Prices Without Losing Your Mind

Gas prices have started to creep upward again, and global tensions in the Middle East are pushing oil prices to levels not seen in years. Since oil is the main ingredient in gasoline, that kind of movement often works its way to the pump sooner or later.

While we can’t control global energy markets, we can control how efficiently we use a tank of gas. A few small adjustments can help keep fuel costs from quietly draining your monthly budget.

First, ease into the gas pedal. Rapid acceleration and hard braking burn more fuel than most drivers realize. Driving more smoothly can improve fuel efficiency and help stretch each fill-up further.

Second, check your tire pressure. It sounds like nonsense, but tires that are even slightly underinflated create more resistance on the road, which forces your engine to use more fuel. Keeping tires properly inflated can improve mileage and save money over time.

Third, combine errands when possible. Instead of making multiple short trips throughout the week, try grouping stops together. A well-planned route can reduce the amount of driving you do and cut down on unnecessary fuel use.

And finally, consider setting aside a little extra room in the monthly budget for fuel if prices continue climbing. Planning for the increase now can help avoid surprises later.

Gas prices tend to move quickly when global events affect oil supply. A few smart habits today can help keep those rising costs from taking a bigger bite out of your wallet.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Tech companies are exploring orbital data centers as AI pushes Earth’s computing infrastructure to its limits

The massive computing power needed to run artificial intelligence is pushing the limits of traditional data centers, and some engineers are starting to look in an unusual direction for the next solution. Space.

Researchers and technology companies are exploring the idea of placing data centers in orbit as a way to handle the rapidly growing demand for AI processing. Modern AI systems require enormous amounts of computing power, and the facilities that support them already consume huge amounts of electricity and water here on Earth.

That growing demand has sparked interest in whether space could offer advantages that traditional infrastructure cannot. In orbit, satellites could generate energy through nearly constant sunlight using solar panels, while the cold environment of space could help manage the heat produced by powerful computer processors.

The concept is still largely experimental, but it is attracting attention as artificial intelligence continues to expand. Some startups are testing satellites equipped with advanced computing hardware, while larger technology companies are studying how groups of satellites might work together as an orbital network capable of processing massive amounts of data.

There are still major obstacles to overcome before anything like that becomes reality. Computer systems in space would need protection from radiation, reliable ways to manage heat without air or water, and safe operating conditions in increasingly crowded satellite orbits. Launching and maintaining large amounts of computing equipment in space would also be extremely expensive.

Even with those challenges, interest in the idea is growing as the race for computing power accelerates. Artificial intelligence is advancing quickly, and the infrastructure needed to support it is growing just as fast.

For now, data centers in space remain more of a futuristic concept than a near-term solution. But if demand for AI computing continues to climb, the next generation of the “cloud” might eventually be orbiting somewhere far above it.

Southshore Spotlight

Fr1ends of the Ch1ldren Tampa Bay

Friends of the Children–Tampa Bay is a nonprofit focused on long-term mentorship for youth facing difficult circumstances. The organization pairs children as young as four with a full-time professional mentor called a “Friend” who supports them from early childhood all the way through high school graduation. The program focuses on building strong relationships, helping kids develop life skills, and making sure they have consistent support as they grow. It’s a long-term commitment that aims to give every child the opportunity to succeed, no matter what challenges they face.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

NBS Esthetics

Feeling unlucky with your skin? Let’s change that. 🍀
My Limited Edition Lucky Glow Facial is here for March only.
Green Tea Mask. LED. Radiance.
Only 12 spots available. $125

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Hibachi Express

If you’re looking for something quick, flavorful, and a little different from the usual takeout rotation, Hibachi Express in Ruskin is worth checking out. Located on East College Avenue, the spot serves up a variety of Japanese favorites like hibachi chicken, steak, shrimp, fried rice, sushi, yakisoba noodles, and classic appetizers like gyoza and miso soup. It’s a casual spot focused on quick service and takeout, making it a convenient option for a fast lunch or an easy dinner when cooking just isn’t in the cards.

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

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.