No school Monday, and the Lithia swim coach who started in Okinawa

Good morning, East of Tampa family.

It is Sunday, October 11. No school tomorrow, the IRS extension deadline is Thursday, and Saturday is stacked with free family stuff. But first, someone you should meet.

Meet Natalee Hines of Swim Life

Natalee Hines teaches survival swim lessons in Lithia, one child at a time. She is a mom of two from a Marine family that moved seven times in nine years, including three years in Okinawa, Japan.

Photo: Swim Life with Coach Natalee

Her son started Swim Life lessons in Okinawa at 8 months old and was snorkeling at 20 months. After the next move, she could not find survival swim lessons anywhere near them. Her daughter went months in community group lessons and still could not swim. With Swim Life, it took four weeks.

Then the family landed in Florida, the state with the highest rate of childhood drowning in the country, and Natalee decided to become an instructor herself. She is a Swim Life Aquatic Education Specialist, certified in first aid and CPR, and teaches ages 6 months to adult.

Photo: Swim Life

Swim Life with Coach Natalee is new to East of Tampa, and we are glad she is here. Florida pools stay open all year, so there is no off-season for this. Call 813-613-3377 or request a spot on her page.

🌦️ Today. High 89, 74% rain. Scattered storms. Morning is your window.

🌤️ Monday. High 89, 18%. Mostly dry for the day off school.

☀️ Tuesday. High 88, 4%. Sunny.

☀️ Wednesday. High 88, 6%. Sunny, with a cooler night down to 68.

Thursday through Saturday: the long-range forecast isn't out yet. Tuesday's issue will have it.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Filed an extension? Read this before Thursday.

Harbor Trust Accounting. Thursday, Oct. 15 is the IRS deadline for anyone who filed an extension on a 2025 return. An extension bought time to file, not time to pay. Ken Sjoberg, CPA, handles catch-up and back filings, IRS and state notices and S-corp elections for Brandon, Valrico, FishHawk and Plant City. Book a free 30-minute call: 813-642-4647.

Monday: no school. Hillsborough County Public Schools lists Monday, Oct. 12 as a non-student day. The first grading period ended Friday, and report cards come home Wednesday, Oct. 21. District calendar.

Monday: something to do with them. Ruskin Branch Library runs Campfire Stories, a Mad Libs-style storytelling hour for ages 6 to 12, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., free with registration recommended. Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, has hand-embroidered greeting cards Monday at 6 p.m. and Exploring the World of Flags Tuesday at 3 p.m. Campfire Stories.

Wednesday: the school tax referendum, explained. The district’s Half-Penny Promise sales-tax referendum is on the Nov. 3 ballot. A free virtual town hall runs Wednesday, 6 to 7 p.m., on Microsoft Teams, with the join link on the district’s page. Referendum details.

Saturday: Wimauma, Heart of Hillsborough. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethune Park. Free: more than 40 exhibitors, kids’ activities, health screenings, free food and a Feeding Tampa Bay mobile pantry. (813) 944-9209. Details.

Saturday: Paw-loween Adoption Party. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the county’s Pet Resource Center. Free entry and adoption fees waived, with a pet costume contest at 2, trick-or-treat stations and a photo booth. Details.

REAL ESTATE CORNER

Team Plumstead has 5924 Cherry Oak Dr. in River Hills Country Club, Valrico, now at $779,000. Five bedrooms, three baths, 2,654 square feet on one story, with a pool and a three-car garage on a third of an acre overlooking the 14th hole. Danielle Plumstead is the listing agent. 813-495-2136.

Listing photos

Little Fins Pediatric Dentistry says a child's first visit should come by the first tooth or the first birthday. They are accepting new patients, and you can request an appointment online. (813) 454-0821.

Photo: Little Fins Pediatric Dentistry

Glaros Law. Steve Glaros, East Hillsborough’s honorary mayor, raised a record $121,746.56 for local charities this year. His Brandon firm handles family law, personal injury and wills and estates. Steve is a certified family mediator and a member of The Florida Bar in good standing, and personal injury consultations are free. 813-854-1234.

Photo: Glaros Law

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-John the East of Tampa Guy

No school tomorrow. Consider yourself warned.