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Good Morning!

Whew, it’s cold out there. Hand warmers, hats, and gloves are officially in rotation around here, and honestly, it’s the kind of weekend that makes you pause before stepping outside. As you’ll see later in today’s edition, the iguanas are not handling this cold snap quite as well as the rest of us.

We also rolled out some big updates to the Community Calendar this week. The goal is to make it more intuitive, easier to scan, and more useful overall. You’ll notice more links sprinkled throughout too. If anything feels off or sends you somewhere unexpected, please tell us. And if you’re looking for just a list of everything happening around town, the full events list lives in a separate post and on the website.

One last thing before we dive in. We’ve officially launched our Community Events Facebook Group to make it even easier to share what’s happening locally. If you haven’t joined yet, click below and come hang out with us.

Alright, let’s get to it.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🚴‍♂️ An Odessa teen pedals across Florida for inclusion and awareness
🍳 EggBred opens at The Hub at Bexley with free food, coffee, and big giveaways
🍧 Jeremiah’s Italian Ice opens a new Odessa location on Gunn Highway
⚾ Rays stadium rumors heat up with Tampa’s north side in the spotlight

…and more!

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

Share this with a northern transplant that wears a t-shirt and shorts in this weather!

On Friday, we asked a simple question: what would actually make a local restaurant discount worth using? Nearly 60% of you said a straight percentage discount beats free apps, free coffee, or other one-off perks. That was loud and clear.

Then we took it a step further. In the follow-up poll, 107 out of 177 votes pointed us toward casual sit-down restaurants as the best place to start. Coffee shops and cafés came in second with 27 votes, so those are very much on deck once we get this first phase right. We’ve heard you, we’ve got our marching orders, and we’ll share more once things are ready to roll.

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

Odessa Local Pedals for Inclusion

Well, neighbor, here’s some motivation to kick off that New Year’s resolution. An Odessa teen, Zachary Mitchell, is training for Gear Up Florida, a two-week cycling journey from Miami to Tallahassee that promotes empathy, inclusion, and acceptance for people with disabilities. He’ll be riding alongside fellow Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members as part of the national Journey of Hope with The Ability Experience.

Along the way, the team will stop in communities across Florida, connecting with local organizations and families who support people with disabilities. If you’re looking for a feel-good local story or a reason to cheer on some serious determination, this one hits home. Donations supporting Zachary’s ride go directly toward advocacy, education, and inclusive programs for people with disabilities.

Another New Spot Coming Together at The Hub at Bexley

If you’ve been keeping an eye on The Hub at Bexley, you’ve probably noticed a few changes taking shape. With Urban Crunch already announced and more activity popping up, it’s clear this area is starting to come together, and now there’s a great new breakfast option on the way. EggBred is opening its doors at The Hub and they’re doing it in a big, breakfast-loving way.

Doors open at 7 AM on January 24 at 16916 Focus Loop, Land O’ Lakes. The first 100 guests get a free breakfast sandwich, the next 100 get a free one on their next visit, and there’s free coffee all day Saturday and Sunday. Add in giveaways like free EggBred for a year and Margaritaville at Sea cruise tickets (enter to win here!), and this one’s worth putting on your calendar.

New Sweet Spot in Odessa

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is open on Gunn Highway in Odessa at 2316 Gunn Hwy, near SR 54. If you’ve never been, this is the place for bright, bold Italian Ice flavors, rich and creamy soft ice cream, and their fan-favorite Jelati, which layers both together for the best of both worlds. It’s a fun, family-friendly stop and perfect for cooling off any day of the week. Go give them a warm neighborhood welcome.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Okay, Okay… Another Rays Stadium Rumor

I know, rumor after rumor is starting to feel a little old. But somehow, with each new whisper, things seem to inch closer to something real. The latest chatter has Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus emerging as a serious contender for a future Rays stadium, putting the team on the Tampa side of the bay and right in the heart of the north Tampa area.

With the Rays’ agreement at Tropicana Field ending in 2029, local leaders are openly acknowledging meetings, possible votes, and plans tied to a large mixed-use development that could include a ballpark. Nothing’s official yet, but if you’re a Rays fan who’s been quietly rooting for a Tampa move, this is the kind of update that makes it feel a lot more possible.

More Big Healthcare Growth at Wiregrass Ranch

It’s no secret that we’ve got a lot of new construction around town and here’s another piece of the puzzle. A new 46,000-square-foot medical office building, called Wiregrass Ranch Medical Pavilion I, has broken ground near Strickland Ave and Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. Construction is expected to take about 11 months, with the first medical offices opening in late 2026.

What makes this one especially notable is the location. It sits directly across from the new 102-bed Orlando Health hospital set to open in spring 2026 and right next to the future Legacy Wiregrass Ranch development with homes, retail, and offices. Florida ENT & Allergy will anchor the building, adding even more healthcare options as this area continues to grow fast and very intentionally.

Pasco Schools Keep Raising the Bar

Here’s some feel-good local news. Pasco County Schools just announced their highest graduation rate ever, with 96.9% of seniors graduating in the 2024–25 school year. To put that growth in perspective, the district sat at 91.0% in 2020–21, dipped slightly to 90.2% in 2021–22, climbed to 91.1% in 2022–23, then jumped to 95.5% last year before reaching this new record.

A big congratulations to the students, families, teachers, and staff who made this happen. District leaders credit part of the success to a stronger push toward career and college readiness, helping students graduate with a clearer plan for what comes next. That’s a win worth celebrating across Pasco County.

That’s Not a Bird… It’s a Frozen Iguana

If you hear a thud this weekend, don’t panic. It’s probably not a bird, a plane, or Superman, it could be a cold-stunned iguana. A strong cold front is pushing into Florida, bringing freezing temperatures and the very Florida-specific possibility of iguanas temporarily losing their grip and dropping from trees when temperatures fall into the 40s and 30s.

While snow is mainly a Panhandle thing, forecasters say it could reach as far south as Tallahassee, with much of Central Florida seeing overnight freezes and unusually cold mornings. Expect temperatures 20 to 25 degrees below normal, so protect plants, bring pets inside, and maybe keep an eye overhead. Winter in Florida always finds a way to be a little weird.

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.

🎉 Fun for a Cause Weekend at Starkey Market 🎉

Starkey Market is turning a long weekend into something special, mixing family-friendly fun with meaningful local givebacks. From January 16–19, grab a $10 unlimited play wristband and enjoy inflatables, food, drinks, and activities all while supporting local schools and charities. It’s an easy way to let the kids burn energy and feel good about where your dollars are going.

Here’s what to know before you go:

Daily Giveback Highlights:

Fun, food, and giving back, all in one place. Perfect excuse to make a day of it at Starkey Market.

🥓 The 4G LIVE Monthly “Breakfast Club”

Looking for a relaxed way to meet new people and kick off your weekend? The 4G LIVE Breakfast Club is popping up at Golden Egg Cafe on January 17 from 10 AM–1 PM, bringing together good food, friendly faces, and an easygoing community vibe. It’s all about connection, conversation, and starting the day on a positive note.

Hosted by 4G LIVE, the group is known for creating welcoming events that bring friends and families together, often centered around music and local venues. RSVP if you can. It helps everyone plan ahead and gets you a complimentary coffee, soda, or iced tea as a little thank-you.

🛍️ Fresh Market at Wiregrass

Mark your calendar for the Fresh Market at The Shops at Wiregrass, happening Saturday, January 3 and January 17 from 10 AM–2 PM. It’s a great Saturday stroll with fresh produce, handmade goods, candles, soaps, sauces, fresh bread, artwork, jewelry, furniture, and plenty of lunch bites to grab while you shop.

A quick heads-up for neighbors: this market is free to attend, no tickets required, and Tampa Bay Markets will never ask for payments or vendor info through social media messages or payment apps. If you’re shopping, just show up and enjoy. If you’re a vendor, always go through their official website to stay scam-free.

🌿 Angeline Farmers Market 🌿

Start your Saturday with a stroll through the Angeline Farmers Market on January 17 at Wild Thymes Café & Market in the Angeline community. This relaxed, walkable market is all about fresh finds and friendly faces, making it an easy stop for families, neighbors, and anyone who loves shopping local.

Expect fresh produce from local farmers, handmade goods, baked treats, specialty foods, and unique gifts from small businesses. Whether you’re filling your fridge, picking up something special, or just enjoying the community vibe, it’s a great way to kick off the weekend close to home.

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

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