👔A Hero Dad for Father’s Day

Together with

Buzzing with Joy: No Politics, Just Positivity!
A community-led initiative.

Good Morning From Lutz. Happy Father’s Day! Dads officially have permission to take after this New York man who played golf for 36 straight hours. Please be sure the Aleve is handy, and Godspeed.

We’ll kick off the weekend with this:

👨‍⚕️ A Wesley Chapel man saves a life with one cheek swab
🏗️ $34M headed to a huge new Pasco project
🔥 Korean BBQ lands near Odessa
🎓 Wiregrass grad launches two startups before college

You can always reply to this email with suggestions or just to say hi. We are neighbors, after all. We also post extra local finds on Instagram.

Send this to the friend who says “I just need to shower real quick,” then 20 minutes later they’re still scrolling through Instagram with the water running.

Schedule view makes the calendar easier and everything is listed down below as well.

Digest

A Wesley Chapel Man Saved a Life with a Simple Swab
Back in 2009, Nate Wood from Wesley Chapel joined the DKMS stem cell registry with a quick cheek swab. It felt like a small thing at the time. Twelve years later, that swab turned into something life-changing when he matched with a newborn boy from California named Jonah Hoots. Jonah was battling a rare and often deadly blood disorder called HLH.

Jonah’s family had been searching for a match before he was even born. In 2021, Nate donated his stem cells and gave Jonah a second chance at life. This past May, at a DKMS event in the UK, Nate and Jonah’s family met face to face. There were big hugs, tears, and a whole lot of gratitude.

Nate hopes his story inspires others to join the registry. If you’re between 18 and 55 and in good health, it only takes a cheek swab to sign up. One small act today could save someone’s life tomorrow.

Together with Gene Faircloth of Exit Bayshore Realty

We were in a tough spot and needed help fast. Thankfully, we found Gene.

During a stressful move across the state, he was calm, thoughtful, and incredibly patient. He explained every option clearly and worked around our tight school timeline to help us find the right home. We felt understood, supported, and truly cared for.

Gene is a Tampa native and proud USF graduate with nearly 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. Known for clear communication, deep local knowledge, and a client-first approach, he goes the extra mile to support families through every step. He always blends professionalism with a love for Florida sunshine.

Gene Faircloth
Exit Bayshore Realty
Mobile: (813) 727-6904
201 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606

Civic News

Pasco Looks to Protect More Trees
Pasco County is working on tougher tree preservation rules for new developments, with a focus on saving valuable tree clusters while keeping safety in mind. Officials are even considering input from forestry experts. The planning commissioners’ discussion begins around the 37 minute mark.

Residents have spoken up about the importance of habitat and shade. Going forward, developers may need to do more than cite safety to remove trees, and some may need to chip in for mitigation or design around what’s already there.

$34M Boost for a Massive Pasco Development
There’s a lot happening along SR 52 in the Wesley Chapel and San Antonio area. Abbey Crossings, a 300-acre mixed-use project off SR 52 and McKendree Road, just secured a $34.3 million loan to keep things rolling. Plans call for over 1,000 homes, 600,000 square feet of warehouses, and 400,000 square feet of office space.

It’s being developed by Legacy Development and Bones Investment Group, with Ardent Companies providing the financing. The site sits just east of I-75 and near the future Double Branch project.

Restaurants and Local Business

Matjoa Korean BBQ Is Headed to Odessa
Matjoa Korean BBQ is making the move from Clearwater to Odessa, landing just off Gunn Highway near Citrus Park. It’s probably closer to Keystone, but it’s being listed as Odessa by CL Tampa Bay. Either way, it’s coming to 8568 Gunn Highway.

Anyway, if you’ve never done Korean BBQ with a tabletop grill, it’s a whole experience. You grill your own meats, load up on flavor-packed sides, and share it all around the table.

They haven’t dropped the exact opening date yet, but it’s coming soon.

More Wesley Chapel Eats on the Way
I’ve already drooled enough over Rodizio, but Neighborhood News lets us know about a couple other things going on in Wesley Chapel. Papichy’s, the Venezuelan food truck you might have seen at County Line and Bruce B Downs, is setting up a permanent spot at Grand Oaks Plaza. You’ll still get all the pastelitos, tequeños, and empanadas, just without the wheels.

Then there’s a Cheesecake Factory on the way near the outlets. It’s one of those places I complain about waiting for, but never regret once I’m seated. And right nearby, Swig is getting ready to open with “dirty sodas,” cookies, and frozen hot chocolate. It’ll be one of just three in the whole state, which means Wesley Chapel is getting weirdly trendy in the best way.

Community

Wiregrass Ranch Grad Is Already a Founder (Twice)
Austin McCallister, this year’s valedictorian at Wiregrass Ranch High, didn’t just ace his classes, he also launched two startups before walking the stage. He found his passion for coding back in 8th grade and took off from there, earning a minor in applied math while still in high school.

He’s headed to Georgia Tech this fall to study computer engineering, but he’s already deep into the tech world. One of his companies helps secure private school systems, and the other dives into e-commerce. He even built a tool that turns homework into desktop reminders. Pretty sure we’ll be hearing more from this one.

New Skybrooke K–8 School Almost Ready in Lutz
Pasco’s newest K–8 school, Skybrooke Elementary, is nearly finished and set to open this fall in Lutz. It’ll serve around 1,800 students and features an aviation and aerospace STEM track for middle schoolers, pretty cool for a neighborhood school. Skybrooke is just east of Ballantrae and located on the south side of 54.

Principal Michele Boylan says the building is designed for modern learning, with wide hallways, flexible classrooms, and no lockers. There are still seats available for students in kindergarten through 7th grade, and the final enrollment window opens Monday.

New TV Channel Launching Out of Carrollwood
A new Roku channel called UGC TV is launching July 1, and it’s all about user-generated content like viral videos, local talent, and everyday creators getting their shot on screen.

It’s based right here in North Tampa, and folks in the 33618 ZIP code can even apply to be media brokers who help upload and curate content (with a share in the revenue). If you’ve ever thought, “this belongs on TV,” now might be your moment.

Events North of Tampa

If you have something coming up and you would like us to feature it at the top of the newsletter, let us know.

We added a comment section below the calendar. Let us know how it’s going.

Live Music

Friday, June 13

Art's Tap House, Trinity | The Edisons | 8–11p
Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Brittany Baldwind Solo | 8–11:59p
Dade City Brew House, Dade City | McKenzie Peisher Duo or Evan Taylor Jones | 7–10p
Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Ben Meyer | 7:30–11:30p
Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | The Two | 7–11p
Florida Cracker Fish Company, Citrus Park | Matthew McCartney | 7–10p
House of Brews, Lutz | Black Fox Duo | 7–11p
Jerry’s Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | Southern Knight Band | 9p–1a
The Drinks at 9 Bar & Grill, Lutz | Sunny Situation | 7–10p
Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Lost Swamp Revival | 8p–12a
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | The Hitmen| 9p–1a
O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Nunes at Night | 8–11:55p
Pete’s Place North & Liquor Store, Tampa | Sam Rutherford | 7–11p
Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa | Smokey Jones and the 3 Dollar Pistols | 8–11p
SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Barefoot Bob 'O | 6:30–9:30p
Starkey Market, Trinity | Lock & Key | 6–9p
Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Buddy Fitz Duo | 7–10p
The Living Room of Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Melissa Lee | 6–9p
The Orpheum, Tampa | Blacktop Mojo | 7–11p
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Kevin Goolden | 7–11p
Thomas P’s Sports Bar & Patio, Wesley Chapel | Brack Harris | 4–7p
Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Jessica Rose Powell | 7–10p
Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Maverick & Pasquini | 8–11p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11p
Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Buzz Factor | 7:30–10:30p
Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, Lutz | Kyle Velez | 6–10p

Saturday June 14

Art’s Tap House, Trinity | Nasuree Van Gelder Band | 8–11p
Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | The GrooveDiggers | 8–11:59p
Commandough's, Zephyrhills | J2 | 5–8p
Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Sunny Situation | 7–11p
Florida Cracker Fish Company, Citrus Park | Patrick Foy | 7–10p
Pete’s Place North, Tampa | The Two | 7–11p
Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Damon Fowler & Friends | 8–11p
SouthernEaze Bar & Grill, Lutz | UnionWest | 6:30–9:30p
Starkey Market, Trinity | Ginger Rose | 6–9p
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | NUNES AT NIGHT | 7–10p
The Orpheum, Lutz | Emo Night Brooklyn | 8–11p
The Tiki Cove, Land O’ Lakes | The Encore Band | 7–10p
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Austin Stanley | 7–11p
Thomas P’s Sports Bar, Citrus Park | Mark McGourley | 4–7p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11p
Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Lisa Kay & Goldtops | 7:30–10:30p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Twisted Revolvers | 9p–1a

Sunday, June 15

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Kyle Velez | 4–8p
Pete’s Place North, Tampa | Jamie O | 2–6p
Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Fil Pate | 1–4p
Starkey Market, Trinity | Kris Mikhel | 1–4p
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | BOB T | 4–7p
Thomas P’s Sports Bar, Citrus Park | Alan Rizzo | 1–5p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Brunch Dueling Pianos | 11a–2p
Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Fred Chandler | 4:30–7:30p

Markets

Friday, June 13

The Hub at Bexley, Land O’ Lakes | Friday Night Moonlight Market | 5–9p
Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Night Market | 6–10p

Saturday, June 14

Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast, Lutz | Summer Vibes Handmade Craft Market | 10a–3p
Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa | Carrollwood Market | 10a–2p
Dube’s Farm and Market, Wesley Chapel | Local Food Farmers Market | 12–3p
Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Market at the Movies | 4–7p

Monday, June 16

Dube’s Farm and Market, Wesley Chapel | Pop Up Farmers Market | 3–7p

Events | Trivia | Karaoke

Friday, June 13

Black Sheep American Pub, Lutz | Karaoke | 7–10p
Carrollwood Players Inc, Carrollwood | 9 to 5 | 8–10p
Commandough's, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30p
Museum of Science & Industry, Tampa | MOSI Summer Laser Show | 6:30–8:15p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Craig Gass | 7:30–9p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Craig Gass | 9:30–11p
The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30p
The Wicked Pour, Odessa | Karaoke | 9–11p

Saturday, June 14

Carrollwood Players Inc, Carrollwood | 9 to 5 | 8–10p
Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Caribbean Night | 7–11p
Land O' Lakes Library, Land O’ Lakes | Free BayCare Health Screening | 1–4p
New Tampa Performing Arts Center, New Tampa | Cinderella | 4:30–6:15p
New Tampa Performing Arts Center, New Tampa | Cinderella | 7–8:45p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 8–11:55p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Craig Gass | 7–8:30p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Craig Gass | 9:30–11p
Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Karaoke | 8–11p
Wesley Chapel Rec Complex, Wesley Chapel | Community Unity 3x3 Basketball Tournament | 1–4p

Sunday, June 15

AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel | Father’s Day Public Skate | 12–2p
Carrollwood Players Inc, Carrollwood | 9 to 5 | 2–4p
Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Soul Line Dancing – Boots on the Ground | 2–4p

Monday, June 16

Dade City Brew House, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9p

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to DM us to let us know we’ve forgotten a venue.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter! I’ll see you Tuesday.

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