🎖️🏈 A 100-Year Hero and Huge Playoff Night Ahead

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Good Morning From Lutz. Hundreds of bagpipers gathered in Melbourne to set a new world record by performing AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top” all together in Federation Square. The massive group of 374 pipers packed the plaza, recreating the band’s iconic moment while thousands of spectators looked on.

I’m not much of a bagpipe enthusiast but I might have passed on the town square that day.

Back to reality. In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🪖 Local Veteran Celebrates Remarkable 100th Birthday
🍔 Food + Beer Opening Near Wesley Chapel
🎄 Christmas Town Returns to Busch Gardens
🏈 Local Teams Begin High School Playoffs

Feel free to follow us on Instagram for more local updates.

Share this with your neighbor that has skipped Thanksgiving entirely and already started putting up Christmas decorations!

Check out our very own community calendar! Leave some feedback, we’d love to hear from you👇

Our Community Partner Mod Nation Karts

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Digest

100-Year-Old Pasco Veteran Reflects on an Incredible Life

In honor of Veterans Day this week, Tampa Beacon published a fantastic article on one of our local heroes, Lt. Cmdr. Richard “Dick” Hall of Land O’ Lakes. Hall just celebrated his 100th birthday and shared incredible stories from his more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, serving in both World War II and the Korean War. He’s best known for two daring emergency landings, including a dead-stick landing on an aircraft carrier, where he managed to save his aircraft and, as he likes to joke, save the Navy $100,000 each time.

Angels Senior Living at Connerton Court hosted his birthday celebration with music, cake, family, and his favorite drink, an Old Fashioned.

Restaurants

Food + Beer?

Good work by Neighborhood News again getting to the bottom of what is happening at the former Shuckin’ Shack space on Wesley Chapel Blvd. A Gulf Coast mini-chain, based out of Sarasota, called Food + Beer is moving in and bringing scratch-made comfort food, a full liquor bar, lots of TVs, and late-night hours. The Lutz/Wesley Chapel location sits right by Chicken Salad Chick, Costco, and the Tampa Premium Outlets, and it’s expected to open any day now.

PopUp Bagels Opens in Carrollwood This Week

I mentioned this a few weeks back, and the time has finally arrived. PopUp Bagels is opening its new Carrollwood location on Thursday, November 14, at 12817 N. Dale Mabry Highway. If you haven’t tried them yet, they’re known for their super fresh, New York–style bagels that come out of the oven hot and whole. The whole idea is to tear them apart and dip, not slice — which is why their “Grip, Rip and Dip” thing has taken off. They’ll have walk-in service, online ordering, and catering.

For the opening, they’re also rolling out a limited Raspberry Habanero cream cheese made with Kickstand Cocktails, and it’s only available at this location while it lasts. If you want to check it out, they bake throughout the day, so you can stop in whenever you’re out and about. Orders can be placed at popupbagels.com.

Tropical Wave Pressure Washing is owned and operated by a local Wesley Chapel entrepreneur.

Civic News

Property Tax Changes Could Affect Pasco Residents

I’m sure this will be a talking point until a final decision is made. I’m sharing this strictly for awareness, as it may be relevant to Pasco residents in the near future. The Tax Collector and members of Pasco’s legislative delegation recently discussed some of the potential challenges that could come with reducing or eliminating property taxes, an idea currently being considered at the state level. If you’d like to read their comments, a recent article in the Florida Phoenix provides a helpful overview.

Community

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Returns

I’m sure you’ve already got plenty of holiday plans on your calendar, but just in case you’re looking to add something else, Busch Gardens is rolling out Christmas Town from Nov. 14 through Jan. 5. The whole park transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of lights, holiday shows, a new holiday drone show set to classic music, and a multi-sensory light display across the Serengeti Plain. Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland are both back too. And if you have an annual pass, it’s all included, which makes it an easy add to the holiday season.

High School Playoffs

Here are the high school playoff matchups for our local teams this week. If I missed anyone, please let me know and I’ll add the final scores in Tuesday’s edition. These are all today at 7:30p.

• Palmetto Tigers (9-1) at Wiregrass Ranch Bulls (5-5)

• Lennard Longhorns (8-2) at Mitchell Mustangs (8-2)

• Lakeland Dreadnaughts (8-2) at Wesley Chapel Wildcats (6-4)

• Gaither Cowboys (9-1) vs. Winter Springs Bears (7-3)

• Zephyrhills Bulldogs (10-0) vs. Rockledge Raiders (3-7)

• Carrollwood Day (9-0) vs. Father Lopez (6-4)

Events North of Tampa

Each newsletter comes loaded with local events to help answer the question we all ask at some point: “What can we do this week without driving to downtown Tampa?”

Featured

Fresh Market at Wiregrass — Saturday, Nov 15 (10 AM–2 PM)
A perfect way to spend a fall Saturday: strolling The Shops at Wiregrass, grabbing lunch bites, and checking out dozens of local makers. This market pops up every 1st and 3rd Saturday and always delivers a great mix of food, fresh goods, and creative vendors.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• Fresh produce and baked bread

• Handcrafted goods and artisan gifts

• Candles, soaps, sauces, jewelry, and artwork

• Furniture, décor, and more

• Food vendors and lunch options onsite

If you run into any trouble with the new calendar, the legacy version is included below as a backup.

Live Music

Friday, November 14

• A.R. French Pizzeria & Tavern, New Port Richey | Charles Goodwin | 7–10 PM

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | She's That Dude | 8 PM–12 AM

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | JT Curtis and the Florida Scoundrels | 8 PM–12 AM

• Cigars International Superstore, Lutz | Live Music | 8–11:45 PM

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | John Johnson | 8 PM–12 AM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | North 2 South | 7–11 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Shawn Scheller | 5–9 PM

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Tim Balajadia | 7–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Charles Melin | 7–10 PM

• Green Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, Tampa | Dusty Vinyls | 8–11:55 PM

• MDP Liquor 2.0 + The Drinks at 9 Bar & Grill, Lutz | Sunny Situation | 7–10 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Copperwing | 8–11:59 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Twizted | 9 PM–1 AM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Boots & Bourbon Featuring Liz Conner | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Jariah Higgins | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | GIRL JUPITER | 7–10 PM

• The Brass Tap, Lutz | Live Music TBA | 7–10 PM

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Angeldust | 6–11:30 PM

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Valerie Gillespie | 8–11 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Rock & Roots Duo – Tyler and Kevin | 7–10 PM

• Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Maverick & Pasquini | 8–11 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Daniel Sprouse | 7:30–10:30 PM

Saturday, November 15

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | TC & Sass “Dance Party” | 8 PM–12 AM

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | The Dirty White Boys | 8–11:59 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | Corey Rubin | 6–9 PM

• Brass Mug, Tampa | Flaw | 6:30–11:30 PM

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Flying J’s | 7–10 PM

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Tyler Dusek | 8 PM–12 AM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Bus Stop | 7–11 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Stick & Ditty | 7–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Gary Coco | 7–10 PM

• New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa | Tampa City Ballet Presents: Cinderella | 7–8:45 PM

• Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa | Zach Person Live at Skipper’s Smokehouse! | 8–11:45 PM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Union West | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Ryan Marchand | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | DOUBLE TREBLE TRIO | 7–10 PM

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Like Moths to Flames | 6–11:30 PM

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Truegrittz Bluegrass | 8–11:59 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Beach Bum Barry | 7–10 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Magnum Opus | 7:30–10:30 PM

• Whiskey Willy's, Lutz | 13 Floors Below | 9:30 PM–1:30 AM

• Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Live Music Saturdays | 5–8 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Coco Red | 9 PM–1 AM

Sunday, November 16

• Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa | Acoustic Sunday Brunch w/ Steve Connelly & Matt Frick | 1–4 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Kris Mikhel | 1–4 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Ronnie Lewis | 5–8 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Roger Allen | 4:30–7:30 PM

Tuesday, November 18

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Open Mic Night | 7–10 PM

Markets

Friday, November 14

• Dade City Brew House, Dade City | Street Bash Fall Market & Food Drive | 5–9 PM

• The Hub at Bexley, Land O' Lakes | Moonlight Market | 5–9 PM

Saturday, November 15

• A Land of Delight Natural Farm & Nursery, Plant City | Ultimate Family Farm Market | 8 AM–5 PM

• Angeline Place, Florida | Angeline Farmers Market – Fall Community Day | 10 AM–2 PM

• Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Downtown Market at Avalon Park | 10 AM–2 PM

• Farm at Bearss Groves, LLC, Tampa | Bearss Groves Artisan Market | 10 AM–2 PM

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Pumpkin Spice Market | 5–9 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Give Thanks Moon Market | 5–9 PM

• TITLE Boxing Club – Tampa Carrollwood, Tampa | 2nd Annual Holiday Market | 9:30 AM–12 PM

• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Fresh Market & Kids Market at Wiregrass Market | 10 AM–2 PM

Sunday, November 16

• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Mason Dixon’s Best of the Best Car and Truck Show | 11 AM–3 PM

Events

Friday, November 14

• Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Paint The City: Date Night | 7–9 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | 12 Days of Beermas | 12 PM

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM

• Florida Farm School & Animal Rescue, Dade City | Toddler Time | 10:30 AM–12 PM

• Harley-Davidson of Wesley Chapel, Lutz | WCFR and Harley Davidson Bike Night | 6–9 PM

• Main Theatre, Tampa | Art Reception | 5:30–7:30 PM

• Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Eatery, New Port Richey | 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive for Messengers | 8:30 AM

• Mosi Museum of Science & Industry, Tampa | Science After Dark: Artificial Intelligence | 6–9 PM

• New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Tampa | Tampa City Ballet Presents: Cinderella | 7–8:45 PM

• Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, New Port Richey | 16th Wine Tasting & Silent Auction | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club – Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Rodney Norman | 7:30–9:15 PM

• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Every 2nd Friday!!! Caribean Night @ The Krate | 7–9 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM

• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Senior Social – 50+ | 3–5 PM

Saturday, November 15

• AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel | Wickedly Popular Themed Skate | 6:30–8:30 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | 12 Days of Beermas | 12 PM

• Beef 'O' Brady's, Land O' Lakes | Survey Says Trivia Game | 6–8 PM

• Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa | Carrollwood Jukebox | 7:30–9:30 PM

• Discover Fellowship Church, Dade City | Tunnel 2 Towers Benefit Concert | 7–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Eatery, New Port Richey | 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive for Messengers | 8:30 AM

• Rowlett Park, Tampa | Conquer Cancer Walk/Run w/ Health Fair | 9 AM–12 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club – Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Rodney Norman | 7–8:45 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club – Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Rodney Norman | 9:30–11:15 PM

• Socotra Yemeni Coffee & Co., Temple Terrace | Ghost of The Groves Art Show | 7:30–11:30 PM

• South Beach Wellness Center, Lutz | Season of Wellness | 11 AM–2 PM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Craft Fair | 8 AM–2 PM

• ToyMakers of East Lake, Palm Harbor | Open House – ToyMakers of East Lake | 9 AM–1:30 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM

• Yellow Bird Studios, Odessa | Keystone Motor Club Car Show | 9 AM–12 PM

• Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Zephyrhills | Latin Music Festival | 12–6 PM

Sunday, November 16

• Agnes Lamb Park | Breathe & Stretch Yoga | 1–2 PM

• Carrollwood Players | Hooray for Hollywood – The 2025 Carrollwood Players Gala | 5–7 PM

• Escape Brewing Company | Bends & Brews Yoga | 10–10:45 AM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• Mirada Lagoon | Florida Lagoon Triathlon | 7–11 AM

• Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Eatery | 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive for Messengers | 8:30 AM

• New Tampa Performing Arts Center | Tampa City Ballet Presents: Cinderella | 4–5:45 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Pianos and Restaurant | FUNDAY BRUNCH – Dueling Pianos | 11 AM–2 PM

• Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen | Family Day | 1–4 PM

Monday, November 17

• Dade City Brew House | Trivia | 7–9 PM

• Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Eatery | 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive for Messengers | 8:30 AM

• Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory | Trivia Night | 6:30–8:30 PM

Tuesday, November 18

• Florida Cracker Fish Company | Kids Night | 5:30–8:30 PM

• Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Eatery | 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive for Messengers | 8:30 AM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub | Trivia w/ Tucker | 7–9 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel | Trivia w/ Dang Yo | 7:30–10:30 PM

• Starkey Market | Drum Circle | 7–10 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant | Trivia and Taco Tuesday | 7–9 PM

• The Wexford Irish Pub & Grille | Trivia Night | 7–9 PM

• Whiskey Willy's | Pool Tournament w/ Karaoke | 9–11 PM

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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