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Good Morning!

What a chilly week. As you’ll see below, the county is opening a couple of emergency shelters due to the cold weather. Our family happened to be at the baseball fields right as the cold front rolled in, bringing a sudden temperature drop, gusty wind, and a little rain. That was an experience.

There’s still plenty going on this weekend with markets and other events around town. You’ll also see a few food truck mentions in the events post linked at the bottom of the newsletter, and we’re continuing to add more links and details there.

Just a reminder that we’ve created our own community events Facebook Group. Click below to join!

Alright, let’s get to it.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

☕ New coffee shop now open in Wesley Chapel
🏥 Moffitt’s massive Pasco campus hits a major milestone
❄️ Cold-weather shelters opening this week
🏗️🚁 New Walmart and drone deliveries coming to SR 56

…and more!

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

Share this with someone who already broke their New Year’s resolution!

Friday we asked what would actually make a local restaurant discount worth using. Almost sixty percent said they would prefer to have a percentage discount rather than free apps, free coffees, etc.

This will ultimately cater to all interests but we will need a starting point…

Check out our community calendar and leave some feedback. We’d love to hear from you 👇

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900 NW 17th Avenue, Unit 202
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Mobile (954) 821-5062
Tel (561) 486-0731
[email protected]

Haraz Coffee House Now Open in Wesley Chapel

Neighborhood News did some leg work for us! A new coffee spot has officially opened on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Haraz Coffee House is now serving Yemeni coffee, tea, and desserts at 1722 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza in Wesley Chapel. The shop offers everything from traditional lattes and cappuccinos to more unique options like spiced Yemeni coffee, Turkish and Saudi-style brews, plus pastries and sweet treats. If you are looking to mix up your usual coffee routine, this is a new local stop worth checking out.

I got stuck on the pastries and sweet treats:

Moffitt’s Pasco Campus Begins to Take Shape

Sitting back in its own little corner off the Ridge exit of 589 and after years in the making, the first major piece of Moffitt Cancer Center’s new Speros campus in Land O’ Lakes is officially complete. Earlier this month, Moffitt unveiled its 120,000-square-foot outpatient center, marking the first finished project on the 775-acre site. The facility will begin seeing patients January 26 and will offer services including cancer screenings, imaging, infusion therapy, oncology clinics, radiation therapy, and surgical consultations.

The new center also includes Tampa Bay’s first proton therapy treatment facility, scheduled to open to patients this summer. Additional projects are already underway, including a major research and innovation center expected to open later this year, as the Speros campus continues its long-term buildout that will eventually bring clinics, research space, housing, and thousands of jobs to Pasco County.

Pasco County’s $95 Million Bond Package

Pasco County Commissioners approved up to $95 million in bonds to fund major improvements to the county’s Solid Waste Disposal and Resource Recovery System, including equipment upgrades and an expansion of the resource recovery facility to add a 475-ton-per-day municipal waste combustion boiler.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Cold-Weather Shelters Opening in Pasco County

Pasco County is opening emergency cold-weather shelters for anyone without reliable heat or housing during the expected freeze Thursday, Jan. 15 and Friday, Jan. 16. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night and stay open until 10 a.m. the next morning. Here’s where you can go:

If you or someone you know needs a warm, safe place overnight, head to one of these sites before nightfall. Temperatures this cold can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable neighbors, children, seniors and pets.

New Walmart Planned for SR 56 and Morris Bridge Road

A new Walmart has been approved for the corner of State Road 56 and Morris Bridge Road in Wesley Chapel, adding another major retail anchor to the fast-growing east side of the area. The store is expected to serve nearby communities like the massive ongoing project at Two Rivers, Epperson, and Watergrass, helping fill a retail gap for residents who currently travel west for groceries and essentials. There isn’t a date set yet but the site work is expected to begin any day now.

Drone Deliveries May Be Headed to Wesley Chapel

In addition to a new Walmart planned for the State Road 56 and Morris Bridge Road area, residents could soon see packages flying overhead. Walmart is moving forward with plans to expand its drone delivery program in Pasco County, partnering with Wing to deliver small, quick-need items in about 30 minutes to homes within roughly six miles of participating stores.

Early filings point to Pasco locations coming online later this year, with additional sites expected to follow as the rollout expands. If approved locally, customers would be able to select drone delivery at checkout, with packages lowered by tether to yards or driveways, offering a glimpse at how everyday errands may soon look a little more futuristic around Wesley Chapel.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Myles

Myles (A038082) is a 2yo mixed breed weighing just under 50lbs. He’s listed as a Sharpei mix, and he looks like he might have some Golden? Myles is basically the cutest mystery blend ever. He arrived at PCAS as a stray from Dade City, and Myles is a playful boy. Myles has been an office foster dog and is well behaved when left alone. He has also been part of shelter projects, such as photo shoots. Myles is a little selective with other dogs at the shelter, so we recommend a compatibility meet & greet if you have another dog in the home.

Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Tues - Thurs 12-5:30pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:30pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS

I hope this answers the question, “What is there to do around town without having to drive down to Tampa?”

Instead of listing every single event here, I’m going to start highlighting/featuring a few things each day to keep this section easy to scan. So these are just some standouts.

If you’re looking for everything happening around town, the full Community Calendar is still the best place to go. Or, you can find the full list here.

Networking Mixer at X-Golf Tampa (New Location)

Meet up with local professionals at this networking mixer at X-Golf Tampa in Trinity on Tuesday, January 13, from 6:00–8:30 PM. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, drink specials, and plenty of opportunities to connect, all hosted at the new X-Golf location on Tryfon Blvd. Open to the public and a solid way to kick off the new year.

Line Dancing at Double Bogey’s

Grab your boots and hit the dance floor for line dancing with Simone at Double Bogey’s Tavern & Grille. This free, 18+ event happens every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 7–9 PM, and it’s open to the public. No experience needed, just show up ready to dance.

FUN for a Cause Weekend at Starkey Market

Starkey Market is hosting a FUN for a Cause weekend, January 16–19, presented by SWAG Party Rentals, with four days of family fun that also gives back locally. Kids can enjoy unlimited play for $10 on inflatables like a giant obstacle course, dance dome, sports inflatables, gellyball, and more.

Each day supports a different cause, including Starkey K-8 School on Friday, a Saturday fun run benefiting Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Love Generously on Sunday, and a final full day of play on Monday. It’s an easy way to let the kids burn energy while supporting local schools and organizations.

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

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