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Good Morning From Lutz,

We’ve got a pretty nice stretch of weather settling in. Cooler tonight, then right back into the upper 80s and low 90s the next few days with plenty of sun. The pollen finally seems to be easing up, and the grass is starting to look a little greener again.

Things are shifting into that late spring rhythm. Spring break crowds are thinning out, the end of the school year is getting closer, and there’s a lot popping up around the area, including the seafood festival in Land O’ Lakes. It’s also a good time to get ahead on hurricane prep, even if it’s just running the generator for a few minutes.

Let’s enjoy this stretch of spring while we’ve got it.

-Mike

Access local events three different ways:

Community Calendar
Full List of Events w/Links
Join our Facebook Events Group

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Blues & BBQ
Carrollwood Cultural Center, Carrollwood
Saturday, April 18 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

Blues & BBQ is back at Carrollwood Cultural Center with a full day of live music, food trucks, and local vendors. It’s a laid-back, outdoor setup where you can grab something to eat, listen to live blues throughout the day, and just hang out. Family-friendly and easy to drop into for a few hours or stay awhile.

Kids Market at Wiregrass Market
The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel
Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

The Kids Market at Wiregrass brings young entrepreneurs into the larger market with kid-run booths selling handmade goods, treats, and creative products. You’ll still get the full market experience with live music, food vendors, and local shopping, just with a fun focus on supporting kids building their own businesses.

Land O’ Lakes Seafood Festival
Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, Land O’ Lakes
Saturday, April 18 | 12:00 PM–3:00 PM

The Land O’ Lakes Seafood Festival is bringing fresh seafood, live music, and a full festival setup to Heritage Park. You’ll find a mix of food vendors serving everything from shrimp and lobster to classic festival eats, along with local booths and a laid-back, community feel. Easy one to swing by, grab some food, and hang out for a bit.

Florida Ave Brewing Finds Its Groove Again

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to Florida Avenue Brewing in Wesley Chapel, it might be worth another look. They’ve refreshed the menu, leaned into more scratch-made food, and it sounds like things are landing in a much better spot now.

New dishes like mahi fish and chips, smash burgers, and a rotating grazing board are getting good feedback, plus they’ve added weekend brunch and solid weekday lunch deals. They also host markets out back on a regular basis and bring in live music on Fridays, so it’s an easy spot to hang out and enjoy the updated menu with one of their house brews.

Neighborhood News did a great job showcasing Florida Ave.

Cool Treat Spot Almost Here

We brought this one up recently, and it’s getting close. Zephyr Chills is now targeting a mid-May opening on Stadium Drive in Zephyrhills, with a simple walk-up setup focused on shaved ice, dirty lemonades, and a few quick snacks.

It’s a small, family-run spot with a handful of outdoor seats, and they plan to expand into smoothies and boba over time. Hours should run into the evening, making it an easy stop once the summer heat kicks in.

Safer Crossings Coming to Suncoast Trail

I love this. Those east-west crossings along the Suncoast Trail can get hectic, especially SR-54, so it’s good to see the county continuing to invest in safer options instead of ignoring the trail.

Pasco County is moving forward with two pedestrian overpasses, one at SR-52 already under construction and expected to finish in early 2027, and another at SR-54 set to begin this summer.

Rays Stadium Plan Raises Big Questions

There’s a lot moving quickly with the Rays’ potential new stadium, and the latest proposal is starting to come into focus. The team is reportedly seeking about $1 billion in public funding, split between Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, for a new stadium near Dale Mabry.

At the same time, a recent poll shows many locals support a new stadium, but not if it uses community tax dollars. There are still major gaps in the plan, including unclear funding details and questions about whether a 2029 opening timeline is realistic.

Push for New Tampa Police Presence

This keeps coming up in New Tampa, and it’s not going away. A push is underway to bring a local police substation to the area, with Council member Luis Viera trying to get initial funding set aside before he leaves office.

The idea is to give residents a closer place to connect with officers instead of driving across town, especially as concerns around traffic and speeding keep popping up. The police department has other priorities right now, but the conversation is clearly still active.

Reclaimed Water Rules You Need Now

This is one of those things a lot of people don’t realize until they get hit with it. Right now in Pasco, even reclaimed water is limited to one watering day per week, and yes, that includes your sprinkler system.

There’s a current water shortage in place, and violations can lead to fines up to $500 with no warning required. The goal is to keep pressure consistent across neighborhoods and protect overall water supply, so sticking to your assigned day really matters right now.

Taking Back Sunday at Busch Gardens

Taking Back Sunday is coming to Busch Gardens on May 3 as part of the Food & Wine Festival. One to keep on your radar if you’re into live music. It’s included with park admission, so you can catch the show while you’re there for the festival.

Bearss Groves Comeback Taking Shape

This is a really cool one for Carrollwood. A local couple is stepping in to revive Bearss Groves, with plans to bring back the farmers market along with a new café, live music, and more vendors on the property.

They’re aiming for a fall opening, and the vision is to turn it back into a true community hangout spot, something a lot of residents have clearly missed. There’s already been a strong response from neighbors jumping in to help get it ready.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

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

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