Tinsel, Tools, and a Touch of Grinch

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Featured Story

Your Year-End Checklist

As this year crawls toward 2026, it’s a great time to get your home in order and make sure you start the new year without any surprise bills. Nothing ruins January like a leaking water heater or an AC that quits the moment you exhale.

Here are a few quick, light end-of-year maintenance tips to keep everything running smoothly.

Check Your AC Filter (Yes, Again) - If you don’t remember the last time you changed it, it’s been too long.

Clear the Gutters - Those innocent-looking leaves can turn your gutters into a swamp before you know it.

Take a peek at the Water Heater - A minute now can prevent a garage-sized swimming pool later.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Ten seconds of beeping could save your life. And yes, someone in the house will jump.

Walk the Exterior - Look for cracks, gaps, and anything that screams “future expense.”

Clean the Dryer Vent - Not the lint trap. The vent. Five minutes, huge payoff.

Check for “Holiday Houseguests” - Seal gaps and keep Southshore’s wildlife where it belongs. No offense, lizards.

The good news, you don’t have to do this solo. The Southshore Circle is building out a team of reputable pros. And they don’t just keep Southshore running, they live here too. You can read about them in the newsletter or search our services database anytime. WE KNOW A GUY…OR GIRL (Pardon our dust while we give this feature a makeover. It’s still fully operational, but big improvements and additions are coming.)

Southshore Story Time

The Grinch That Stole Southshore

Part 3: Ruskin’s Reckoning

The Grinch struck again, in Ruskin.

He stole ornaments off The Beach House’s Christmas tree, took the last good parking spot at ALDI, and allegedly cut in line at Taco Bell, which the community agreed was the real crime.

Traffic cameras caught a blurry image of the culprit:
A shadowy figure with a bag full of stolen décor, a Santa hat half falling off, and the unmistakable posture of someone who just found out property taxes are due.

Rumors spread:

“He’s hiding in Little Harbor.”
“He’s blending in at one of the farmers markets.”
“He’s the guy who always takes the last rotisserie chicken at Publix.”

This man was everywhere.
And nowhere.
Mostly because traffic on 41 kept slowing his escape.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Where Did The Day Go?

If it seems like there’s not enough time in the day, that’s because there actually isn’t. “Winter,” as we like to call it, not only brings days that dip below the 70s, but it also steals a bit of sunlight from you every single day. One minute you’re having lunch, and the next thing you know, it’s pitch black, and you’re wondering why it feels like midnight at 6:02.

Right now we’re in the final stretch of the year’s great light heist, inching closer to the winter solstice on December 21, the official shortest day of the year. It’s the moment when the sun looks at Florida and says, “I’ve given you enough, you’re on your own.”

But here’s the good news. After December 21, the Earth tilts just enough to start bringing the sunshine back. Slowly at first, like a teenager getting out of bed, but it happens. Each day starts gaining a little bit of light, a few minutes here and there, until eventually we climb our way back to those glorious long summer evenings where it’s bright enough at 8 PM to still mow the lawn or avoid mowing the lawn, depending on your lifestyle.

So hang in there, Southshore. We’re in the darkest days of the year, literally, but brighter mornings and longer evenings are officially on deck. And while we can’t control the sun, we can at least take comfort knowing we’re almost through the early sunsets, the 5 PM yawns, and the “why does my body think it’s bedtime already” confusion.

The light is coming back.
Slowly, but surely. And just in time to remind us why we love living here in the first place.

As always, Southshore, let’s keep it local and enjoy the sunshine whenever it decides to show up.

Southshore Spotlight

Mary & Martha House

Looking to bring a little hope and kindness into the world? Mary Martha House may be just the place. Their mission is to provide compassionate support and emergency shelter for people in need — offering a safe space, life-changing resources, and a community that cares when life gets rough.

Whether someone needs help getting back on their feet, a warm meal, shelter, or just a fresh start, Mary Martha House is there — providing dignity, care, and a real second chance. If you’ve ever thought about giving back, helping out, or simply being part of something meaningful, this is it.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

(We’re giving our services database a well-deserved makeover. A brand-new layout is on the way, and trust us, you’re going to love it.)

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

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.