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Good Morning Neighbor,
Can you believe this is our last newsletter before October? I loved that cooler air last week. I even had the windows open overnight! We’re back to summer-like weather for a bit, with rain returning and highs in the mid to upper 80s. Still, I think we’re getting there.
The baseball regular season has wrapped up, and the Rays finished with the best record in the American League. That’s pretty impressive. They earned a first-round bye, so their first playoff game isn’t until Saturday. They’ll face the winner of the Yankees–Red Sox series.
I’m also working on the location for our next Dinner Club. Have a place or area in mind? Just reply to this email and let me know.
-Mike
Extras:
Help the families of Cobalt Apartments
Check out the cheapest gas
Here’s a look at the brand new YMCA in Wesley Chapel
In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:
🍝 Roma Social planned for Trinity
🍰 Japanese cheesecake arrives in Land O’ Lakes
🍽️ Taste of North Tampa Bay announced
🏗️ Home Depot site work begins in Wesley Chapel
And a bunch more!
Access local events in different ways:
Each newsletter includes the latest event information available at the time of publication.
Featured Event
1st Friday at the Lutz Whistle Stop Depot
Lutz Whistle Stop Depot, Lutz
Friday, October 2 | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Spend Friday afternoon browsing local finds at the Lutz Whistle Stop Depot, with Goober's Gourmet on hand for tasty treats. Shoppers can explore vintage treasures, handcrafted décor, and other unique goods while enjoying music and a relaxed community atmosphere. The event offers an easygoing opportunity to shop, eat, and support local vendors.
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Since 2007, we’ve worked alongside growers to build technology around how they actually operate, instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all system. Our goal is simple: Less Busywork, More Freedom, and Better Results.
We’re proud to bring Tampa Bay innovation to an industry that helps communities flourish. Are you a grower or know one who’s ready for one connected solution? Visit GrowerLive.com.
Highlights
Roma Social Plans Italian Restaurant in Trinity
Craft Street Kitchen is my favorite local restaurant, so I’m curious about Roma Social. It’s a new Italian restaurant planned for Trinity Crossings on State Road 54 by the same group behind Craft Street, Zim Zari, and Shaker & Peel. It’s still listed as “coming soon,” with no opening date announced. I’ve linked a reel here if you’d like a look. And here’s their page.
I also loved my visit to Zim Zari. Shaker & Peel in Oldsmar is still on my list!
Mr.Bear Brings Japanese Cheesecake to Land O’ Lakes
I’m always up for a new dessert spot, and Mr.Bear is now open at 16970 Focus Loop in Land O’ Lakes. Its specialty is Hokkaido-style Japanese cheesecake, a soft, fluffy take on the dessert.
The shop also serves coffee, tea, and other pastries, so there’s more to try if cheesecake isn’t your thing. Mr.Bear has a location in New York City, and this is its new Tampa area spot.
Community
Taste of North Tampa Bay Announced
Neighborhood News, which always does excellent work covering our area, has announced the first Taste of North Tampa Bay. It’s scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2027, at Saddlebrook Resort. Gary Nager of Neighborhood News is working with the North Tampa Bay Chamber and Saddlebrook to put it together, drawing on his years organizing the Taste of New Tampa.
The plan is to bring restaurants together for a day of food samples and music. General admission and VIP tickets are in the works, though prices and the restaurant lineup haven’t been finalized. Organizers also plan to donate a portion of the net proceeds to local charities. I’ll keep an eye out as more details are announced.
Three Florida Driving Changes Start October 1
A few Florida driving rules change Thursday, and one is especially useful to know after a fender bender. The estimated damage threshold that requires a driver to immediately notify law enforcement rises from $500 to $2,000. A crash involving an injury or death still requires immediate notice, regardless of the damage amount.
The state can also email more driver and vehicle notices, including license suspension notices, if you’ve authorized email notification. And those decorative license plate frames are allowed as long as they don’t cover the plate number or registration sticker. Small changes, but good ones to know before they catch you by surprise.
Wesley Chapel Home Depot Site Takes Shape
You may have noticed land being cleared across from Tampa Premium Outlets. That’s the site of a planned Home Depot on State Road 56 near Pondside Drive, which would be Wesley Chapel’s first big-box home improvement store. It’s pretty much off Wesley Chapel BLVD.
The plans call for a roughly 107,000-square-foot store and a 28,000-square-foot garden center. Crews are preparing the lot and installing sewer lines now. Construction on the store itself hasn’t started, and there’s no opening date yet.
Pasco Plans Sidewalks Near 19 Schools
Some of the missing sidewalks around our schools are finally on the county’s to-do list. Pasco plans to add 12.79 miles of sidewalks this school year near 19 schools. Officials say the area around Wesley Chapel Elementary is one of the more dangerous spots for students who walk or bike.
The county is focusing on gaps within two miles of schools, using a list of dangerous routes provided by the school district. Since 2022, it has secured more than $22 million from federal, state, and Penny for Pasco funding for safer routes. Those connections should help neighbors out for a walk, too.
A Few Florida Laws Start Thursday
Florida has several new laws taking effect October 1, and a couple are worth knowing about. For drivers, the estimated damage threshold that requires an immediate crash report to law enforcement rises from $500 to $2,000. Crashes involving an injury or death still require immediate notice.
There’s also a new penalty for using fake identity or financial documents to take possession of a rental home. Licensed tobacco and nicotine shops will no longer be allowed to keep or sell nitrous oxide on their premises. Those are just a few of the changes; you can browse the state’s October law list here.
Dengue Cases Prompt Local Emergency Orders
I don’t usually bring heavier news into the newsletter, but dengue has been around long enough that it’s worth a heads-up. Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties have declared local emergencies as officials work to control the mosquitoes that spread it. As of September 19, the article reports 160 cases in Hillsborough, two in Pasco, and seven in Pinellas. Most are in Hillsborough, but this is something for all of us to keep an eye on.
The most useful step is to look for standing water around your home. Empty buckets and garbage cans, clear gutters, and get rid of old tires or planters that collect water. Keep pools chlorinated and covered when they’re not in use, and report a mosquito problem if you spot one.
Events Reminder:
A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!
Lutz Whistle Stop Depot - Your go-to spot for gifts, vintage finds, home décor, antiques, handcrafted goods, plants, artwork, and general store treats. Come check us out!
FarmPixie - A simple way to buy fresh produce, eggs, honey, and more directly from local farmers and growers across Florida.
Gamer Events - Delivers fully hosted mobile gaming, laser tag, and VR experiences right to your location for easy, stress-free parties.
Revolution Catering & Meal Prep - Chef-driven catering, private dining, corporate events, and customized meal prep from a local family-owned business.
Carlie Carter of C&H Co. - Carlie Carter specializes in healthy hair, gray blending, color, and personalized styles from her private salon suite in Carrollwood. New clients receive 20% off their first appointment.
GrowerLive – Tampa Bay software that helps growers, greenhouses, and nurseries manage inventory, orders, production, and shipping in one place.
Ol’e Fellas Flooring - Your local family flooring experts—quality you can trust
We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.
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