🐣✨Egg Hunts, Hot Chicken, and a $38M Mansion?

Buzzing with Joy: No Politics, Just Positivity!

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!

Religious holidays are in full swing this week. We’re heading into Easter weekend with brunch plans in the works and a whole lot of family time on the horizon. One thing we never skip in our house? A good old-fashioned egg hunt. It’s a crowd favorite that delivers big smiles and sweet memories but I’m thinking they might be focused more on the candy.

👇 Scroll to the bottom for a full list of local egg hunts. I can already hear the dentist’s tone of disappointment and we haven’t even bought candy for the kids yet.

Also today is National Tax Day so stick around for some businesses that are celebrating.

I hope you enjoy it, this is your newsletter just as much as it is ours. ❤️

-Mike

In this week’s Tuesday North Tampa Buzz:
✨ Spicy chicken, luxury mansions & indoor pickleball?
🎉 The Easter Bunny is popping up everywhere
💸 Tax Day Deals
🚧 Major construction, a new hospital & a preserved nature haven

If you think you’re gonna love this, 💌 send it to a friend.
If you’re already rolling your eyes… 😈 send it to an enemy.
Also, please reply with any and all suggestions and especially if we goofed and left something out. If you have any restaurants we should check out, we’re all ears.

🏢 Business Buzz

This week’s business buzz is all over the map — spicy chicken, sizzling court action, and a major healthcare win. Here’s what’s opening, building, and already making waves in our towns.

🔥 Dave’s Hot Chicken is finally opening in Odessa
I don’t know about you, but the second I heard Dave’s Hot Chicken was opening here, I got weirdly excited. Like, how am I already trying to rearrange my Easter weekend to fit in a fried chicken run?

They’re officially opening this Friday, April 18, right on the northwest corner of Gunn Hwy and 54 (Starkey Ranch — 13446 Pine Gap Spur). And yes, Friday’s newsletter is going to be dripping with details (drool) when it hits your inbox. Like... sauce-on-your-fingers kind of dripping.

This place is legit. Spice levels go from “No Spice” to “Reaper,” and I’ve been known to test or “over-test” (if you will) the boundaries when it comes to sauces.

Ace Pickleball Club just opened in Lutz and it’s kind of a big dill.
This is Florida’s first indoor pickleball facility, which means unlimited play, no rain delays, and zero sunburn. It’s climate-controlled, super sleek, and already buzzing with locals.

I’m not a seasoned player but I am a little paddle-curious.

📍 18381 Pasco Business Center Way, Lutz
📅 Now open and ready for your backhand.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital – Wesley Chapel
This one is just awesome. Big news for Wesley Chapel families, which is exactly what we’re doing here! Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital just broke ground on a brand-new pediatric facility right near the BayCare Wesley Chapel campus. The new hospital will bring top-tier children’s care even closer to home and we’re excited to watch it grow!

And, the Keystone Trailhead in Odessa is slated for upgrades this summer. The Keystone-Odessa Community Plan emphasizes maintaining the area's rural character and enhancing natural spaces. These upgrades are likely aimed at improving access and preserving the environment for local residents and visitors.

🎉 Community Events & Festivals

Absolutely Avalon Festival – Wesley Chapel
📅 Saturday, April 19 | 🕔 5:00–9:00 PM
The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance at the Absolutely Avalon Festival at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Families can enjoy photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, along with a laser light show, bounce park, cultural performances, and a variety of food trucks. It's a fantastic evening of community fun that's free and open to the public.

Fresh Market at Wiregrass – Wesley Chapel
📅 Saturday, April 19 | 🕙 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
With over 75 local vendors, including organic produce, eco-friendly goods, handmade dips and sauces, and Florida-grown herbs and plants. Held on the first and third Saturdays of each month, it’s the perfect excuse for a palm-lined stroll with a latte and a shopping tote. Held the first and third Saturday of every month.

🧠 Youth & Education Spotlight

Heya, Smarty Pants!
The Junior Business Shark Workshop is a dynamic, hands-on program designed for aspiring young entrepreneurs aged 5–12. Participants will explore budgeting, marketing, and pitching skills as they design a flagship store, create a product prototype, and present their business ideas to a panel of "Sharks."​

Scheduled for Monday, April 21, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation, 1500 16th St, Palm Harbor, FL 34683, the workshop offers an engaging environment for children to develop their business acumen. The participation fee is $175.

💖 Charity & Nonprofit Highlights

Pregnancy Care Center of Zephyrhills Celebrates 25 Years
The Zephyrhills center marked its 25th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting and unveiled a new mobile ultrasound unit offering free services every other Tuesday. Call 813-763-5437 for appointments. Volunteers Sami Sykes and Terri Luna were honored for 20+ years of service.

🌱 Community Developments & Recognitions

Food Trucks Officially Allowed at Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
🎯 The city approved a six-month pilot program allowing up to two food trucks at the Sponge Docks and downtown. Vendors must use quiet power sources and team up with local businesses for waste and restrooms. This could be a tasty step forward.

Big Win for West Klosterman Preserve
 📍 Palm Harbor
Thanks to grassroots fundraising and a major match from Pinellas County, the West Klosterman Preserve is officially saved from development! The 14-acre natural area near Tarpon Springs will now stay protected as a wildlife haven, thanks to the WK Preservation Group and several generous donors. It’s a big win for local conservation — and proof that community action still moves mountains (or preserves them).

MLK Street Naming – Odessa
🎯 A new street in Odessa was officially named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with a local ceremony and strong community turnout. A small but meaningful addition to the town’s civic landscape.

🏡 Did you see this?

$38.5 Million Mansion Hits the Market in Odessa
Yep, you read that right. Odessa is now home to one of the highest-priced listings in the region—a 16,000 square-foot estate tucked behind private gates with resort-level amenities and a garage that could fit a small dealership. In my next life, I will be born into the family that buys this. Here’s a picture of my house:

🚧 Civic News

SR 54 Roadwork – Land O’ Lakes
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is implementing resurfacing and safety improvements along SR 54 near Collier Parkway and Sunlake Boulevard. Residents can expect nighttime lane closures, drainage upgrades, new pavement markings, and enhanced pedestrian safety features over the coming months.​

I-275 Expansion Project – North Tampa Corridor
A significant infrastructure project is underway as FDOT adds a fourth lane in each direction between I-4 and Hillsborough Avenue. This multi-phase initiative aims to alleviate congestion and improve safety, with construction expected to continue through 2025.​

Legacy at Wiregrass Ranch – Wesley Chapel’s Future Downtown
Wesley Chapel is set to develop a comprehensive downtown area through the $1.5 billion Legacy at Wiregrass Ranch project. Plans include high-rise buildings, a hotel and conference center, public parks, and over 100,000 square feet of retail space, positioning it as a new central hub for Pasco County.

🎶 Local Vibes & Live Acts

🍻 Craft Brew Comedy – Wednesday, April 16 at 7 PM
Laughs and lagers at Florida Avenue Brewing Co. Enjoy a full comedy lineup, dinner in Brewers Hall, and a seriously fun night out. Tickets are $15, 21+ only.

📍 Wesley Chapel – 2029 Arrowgrass Dr
🔗 Get Tickets Here

🎹 Treble Makers Dueling Pianos – Thursday, April 17
📍 The Grove at Wesley Chapel | 6–10 PM
Kick off the night with Dinner & Dueling Pianos (6–8 PM), a fun, family-friendly show with two of Florida’s best dueling piano players taking live requests. Then stick around for Live Piano Karaoke (8–10 PM) — you take the mic, they play the keys!

🎉 Weekend at Treble Makers (21+)
📍 The Grove at Wesley Chapel
🎹 Fri–Sat, Apr 18–19 | 7 PM–1 AM
Get ready for back-to-back Dueling Piano Parties — Friday is 80s Night with $10 reserved seating, and Saturday ramps up with a 6-hour request-fueled piano showdown ($12). Come early for dinner, stay late for the chaos.

🍳 Sun, Apr 20 | 11 AM–2 PM & 5 PM
Celebrate Easter with Dueling Pianos Brunch & Dinner — live music, great food, and serious fun. Florida’s only brunch piano show!

Keep an eye out for Friday’s edition for weekend plans.

💸 Tax Day Freebies & Deals

• Krispy Kreme – BOGO dozen, pay only sales tax (code: TAXBREAK)

• Olive Garden – Buy one, take one home free

• Smoothie King – $3 off $15 / $4 off $20 (Rewards members)

• California Pizza Kitchen – $10 off $40 (Rewards, Apr 14–17)

• Grimaldi’s – $10.40 off $30+ (code: TAXDAY25)

• Buffalo Wild Wings – Free sandwich w/ $15 (Rewards)

• Hooters – $4.15 appetizers

• Paris Baguette – Free pastry w/ drink (Rewards)

• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – $10 off $40 (code: 10OFF40)

• Potbelly – BOGO sandwiches (code: BOGO)

• Fazoli’s – BOGO spaghetti (code: TAX25)

• Kona Ice – Free shaved ice at select locations

• Sonny’s BBQ – Rib dinner for $10.99

• White Castle – 15% off (code: WC15OFF)

• Shake Shack – Free truffle item w/ $10.40 purchase (code: TRUFFLETAX) April 10th – Sunday, April 27th

🐰🥚 Egg-Citing Agenda: Your Weekend Hunt Schedule 🌸🐣

The part you’ve all been waiting for. Or maybe dreading if you’ve got more kids than baskets. Here’s a list of local community egg hunts happening this weekend. If something looks off or your neighborhood is hosting one we missed, hit reply before our Friday edition! (I already know I’m adding to this list.)

🐣 Saturday Egg Hunts – April 19

Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex Bunny Hop Eggstravaganza
📍 Land O’ Lakes | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 💲 $2
🎯 Egg hunts by age group, games, and crafts

CrossPointe Family Church Easter Fest
📍 Lutz | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 💲 Free
🎯 Egg hunt, games, crafts, food, and a coffee truck

Northdale Park and Rec Center Egg Hunt
📍 Northdale | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 💲 Free
🎯 Egg hunts for all age groups, plus crafts and games

Palm Harbor United Methodist Egg Hunt
📍 Palm Harbor | ⏰ 9:00 AM | 💲 Free
🎯 Classic community egg hunt for all ages

Art Paper Scissors Easter Paint & Hunt
📍 Land O’ Lakes | ⏰ 2:00 PM | 💲 $45
🎯 Paint a canvas, then hunt for eggs

🐰 Sunday Egg Hunt – April 20

Plantation Palms Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt
📍 Land O’ Lakes | ⏰ 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM | 💲 See website for brunch pricing
🎯 Easter brunch, bunny photo ops, and egg hunt

🌷 Multi-Day Easter Fun

Raprager Family Farms Easter Festival
📍 Odessa | 📅 April 18–20 | ⏰ 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
💲 $15–$16.95 (Free for kids under 3)
🎯 Egg hunts, petting zoo, pony rides, and springtime fun

That’s a wrap for this week’s Tuesday edition. Welcome to the new subscribers!

If you loved it, 💌 send it to a friend.
If you hated it… 😈 send it to an enemy.

P.S. If I missed something your neighborhood is doing, hit reply. I will shamelessly include it Friday like I always knew.