🐊Florida Man Adds Baby Gator to Shopping List

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

Good Morning From Lutz. I hope you had a great Memorial Day Weekend with your friends and family. Short week this week! But first…can’t wait for the nation to get a hold of this Florida Man: Someone was caught on camera casually swiping a baby alligator from a Pasco County business like it was a free sample.

Emotional support reptile? DIY moat security?

Anyway, let’s wrangle the week.

Early in The Week North of Tampa:

🌮 Your next taco stop just opened in Lutz
🍗 Kay’s is dishing out crispy fried comfort
🥫 Helping hands and groceries on the way for those who need it

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

Forward this to a neighbor that “remembers when this was all just a preserve”. That’s probably most of us.

Contact me if you’d like to see your logo here in front of a dialed-in local audience.

The Digest

Hillsborough and Pasco Rank Among Florida’s Best Places to Live
A new Niche ranking placed Hillsborough County at number 5 statewide, praised for its schools, job market, and vibrant communities like Carrollwood and Westchase. Pasco County came in at number 26, recognized for its rapid growth, outdoor amenities, and suburban appeal, especially in areas like Wesley Chapel. We say they are 1 and 1a.

Top Marks for Local Schools
Three private schools in our area just earned high rankings in the latest Tampa metro list from NewsBreak.

Academy at the Lakes (Land O’ Lakes)
Ranked number 6 overall, this PreK3 through 12th grade school is known for its strong college-prep curriculum, small class sizes with a 7 to 1 student-teacher ratio, and an A+ rating on Niche.

Saddlebrook Preparatory School (Wesley Chapel)
Landing at number 20, Saddlebrook combines academics with elite tennis and golf training. It has a 9 to 1 student-teacher ratio and also holds an A grade on Niche.

Carrollwood Day School (Carrollwood)
Ranked number 2 overall, this PreK through 12th grade school is known for its International Baccalaureate program, personalized learning with a 5 to 1 student-teacher ratio, and an A+ rating on Niche.

These rankings highlight the local commitment to quality education and give families strong options for both academic and athletic growth.

Civic News

Potential Detour Alert
We only mention this because we feel like a heads up would be nice. Nightly lane closures start again Tuesday, May 27, along US 41 and SR 54, covering a major stretch through the heart of Land O’ Lakes (or is it Lutz??).

Crews are repaving and injecting grout to fix underground voids, so expect delays and lower speed limits from 7:30 p.m. to early morning, Tuesday through Thursday.

Restaurants and Local Business

Los Chapos Tacos Opens Brick-and-Mortar in Lutz
The popular food truck has expanded their brick-and-mortar locations to Lutz. Los Chapos Tacos officially opened their brick-and-mortar location on May 20 at 24799 SR 54 W. Known for bold, Mexico City-inspired flavors, the new spot brings their fan-favorite tacos and aguas frescas to a permanent home.

Founded by Christopher Rodriguez and featuring dishes from chef Jonathan Reyes, the menu includes Tacos de Birria, Achiote Fried Chicken Tacos, and the Torta Ahogada (a "drowned sandwich" loaded with birria beef and cheese).

Kay’s Kitchen Expands Near Bearss Ave
The Chicago-style comfort food favorite has opened a new location at 2808 E. Bearss Ave, bringing their crispy fried chicken, catfish, shrimp, and pizza puffs to even more of Tampa.

Kay’s Kitchen is known for its signature mild sauce and Windy City roots, with a growing fan base since opening in 2017. The new spot joins two other locations and continues their tradition of bold flavor and warm hospitality. Here’s an old spot from Fox 13.

Cracker Crew Spotlighted
One of our longtime local favorites, Florida Cracker Fish Company, just got some well-deserved spotlight from FOX 13 News. The segment highlighted their signature blend of fresh seafood and Southern comfort.

They’ve also got a kid-friendly play area, live music, and an all-around welcoming vibe that keeps folks coming back. We went recently and loved it!

Community

Recognizing Local Student Artists
Big congratulations to Colette Hanke and Lindsey Overland, who each earned a $1,000 Nereim Fine Arts Award from the Heritage Arts Center Association.

Colette, from Academy at the Lakes, was recognized for her acrylic painting inspired by cell shading. Lindsey, a Cypress Creek senior heading to Ringling College, impressed judges with her mixed media piece exploring femininity and connection.

Honorable mentions also went to Brianna Mercado and Alenna Raza.

Community Support Alert
The Pasco Sheriff's Office, in partnership with local organizations, is hosting a free community food distribution event on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

The event will take place at the Walmart Supercenter located at 12610 US-19, Hudson, FL 34667. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is recommended.

Last Chance to Weigh In
The survey on a potential Brightline station in Tampa closes May 31. Your input could help shape the future of high-speed rail in our area.

Buzz-Worthy Events

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

As the week goes on, the weekend events will fill out and we’ll have them ready for our Friday edition.

Live Music

Tuesday, May 27

Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Open Mic | 7p

Wednesday, May 28

Tom’s Tavern Forest Hills | Open Mic & Fred Chandler | 7p

Thursday, May 29

Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Grateful Dead Nite w/ Uncle John’s Band | 8p | Tickets $10 @ Venue
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Midnight Blue | 6p
Tom’s Tavern Forest Hills | Open Mic & Fred Chandler | 7p

Friday, May 30

Art’s Tap House, Trinity | The Fulco’s | 8:30p
Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | DC & The Whiskey Revival | 8p
Dade City Brewhouse, Dade City | Micah Madore | 7p
Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | 3 Foot Circle | 8p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Wesley Chapel | Capo 3 | 8p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | High Fives | 9p-1a
Pete’s Place North, Tampa | Fat Tractor | 7p
Pincher’s, Wesley Chapel | TBD | 7p
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Double Treble Trio | 7p
The Living Room at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Edwin Rodriguez | 6p
The Orpheum, Lutz | TL Jentgens | 6p | Tickets $29
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | John Lee Wyatt | 8p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | Tickets $10
Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Hollywood BLVD | 7:30p

Line Dancing

Tuesday, May 27

Art’s Tap House North, Port Richey | Line Dancing w/Kate | 7:30p

Wednesday, May 28

The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Line Dancing w/Bobbie | 7p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Line Dancing w/Simone | 7p

Thursday, May 29

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dancing Lessons | 7:30p-9:30
Dallas Bull, Tampa | 7:30p-9:30 (Lessons)

Friday, May 30

Dallas Bull, Tampa | 7:30p-9:30 (Lessons) & 9:30p (Fun)
Dunn’s River Island Cafe, Tampa | Soul Line Dancing | 6p

Saturday, May 31

Dallas Bull, Tampa | Line Dancing w/Kate (lessons) | 7p-8:30
Dallas Bull, Tampa | Line Dancing w/Kate

Events | Trivia | Karaoke

Tuesday, May 27

Florida Cracker Fish Company, Citrus Park | Kids’ Night | 5:30p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Trivia | 7p
Northdale Golf & Tennis Club, Northdale | Trivia | 6:30p
The ABL, Dade City | Trivia | 7p
The Turn Bar & Grill, Land O Lakes | Trivia | 6p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7p
Tom’s Tavern, Northdale | Karaoke | 8p

Wednesday, May 28

B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7:30p
Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7:30p
KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | 2 Wheelz 1 Love Bike Night | 5p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 8p
Ralph's AKA San Ann Liquors, San Antonio | Trivia | 7:30p

Thursday, May 29

Beef O Brady’s Wilderness Park, Land O Lakes | Trivia | 7p
Bubba’s 33, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7p
Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Trivia | 7p
KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Jeep Night | 6p
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Karaoke | 8p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Open Mic | 8p | Tickets $13
Starkey Market, Trinity | Trivia | 7p

Friday, May 30

Carrollwood Cultural Center | Jazz w/Jim Cabaret Series | 7:30p | Tickets $13-18
Carrollwood Players | 9 to 5 The Musical | 8p | Tickets $30
KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | R&B Night | 7p
KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Paint & Sip and Karaoke @ Flipn Fries | 8p
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Talent Harris | 7:30p & 9:45p | Tickets $24-$29

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter! Let’s meet back here Friday morning, coffee in hand.

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