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Good Morning Neighbor. In Florida, wrangling an alligator is practically part of the job description. Luckily for you and me, it was a deputy in St. Augustine interrupting a gator’s summer swim, not one of our pesky ding-dong-ditch gators.

Let’s focus on our own back yard.

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

📘 Pasco Schools launch AP options for voucher students
🎨 Local student starts art therapy nonprofit for kids with disabilities
🐾 Meet Sadie, this week’s featured adoptable pup from PCAS

Reply to this email to say hi and follow us on Instagram for even more local finds. We flew over some projects recently with this reel.

Send this to your neighbor who says, “I’m not one to complain” right before absolutely lighting up the comment section.

From live music to markets, we pulled together what’s going on this week. Click below and switch to “Schedule” view to see what’s going on. Sync it with your google calendar and you can turn it on and off as you wish.

Digest

AP Just Got More Flexible for Pasco Families

In the interest of your high schooler or your neighbor’s high schooler, Pasco schools have launched a new option for families using state vouchers. It’s called Flex Education, and it lets students take up to three Advanced Placement (AP) classes through the public high schools, either in person or online through Pasco eSchool.

Each course costs $1,882 and includes the test and books. Subjects range from biology and U.S. history to calculus and computer science. Homeschooled students can still enroll, and in that case it’s free because the district receives funding directly from the state.

Enrollment for this semester closes at the end of this week, so we wanted to make sure it’s on your radar if it might be a good fit.

Sponsored by Ivybrook Academy - Tampa Palms

Discover the Ivybrook Academy difference—where innovation meets intention. With a unique half-day model that blends Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies with a hybrid, individualized curriculum designed to nurture each child’s potential. At Ivybrook, learning is personalized, purposeful, and joyful—fostering creativity, independence, and growth. Families love their balanced approach that supports both early education and family time. Now enrolling for the upcoming school year!

📍 Schedule a tour today and see why Ivybrook is the choice for families seeking more than traditional preschool.

✨ Limited spaces available—don’t miss out!

Visit their website for more information or call Jade Thompson at (813) 603-1609. Meet Ivybrook Academy in under a minute here.

If you would like to showcase your brand or event in front of thousands of locals, feel free to reply or reach out through the link above.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Sadie

Sadie (033854) came to PCAS in May after her owner passed away and there was no other family member who could take her in. Understandably, Sadie is confused and stressed in this new environment. While she is affectionate and playful towards our volunteers and staff, she does not do well with other dogs. A home where she can be loyal to her people would be best for this girl who has lost everything she previously knew. Sadie is a 2 year old spayed female, gray and white pittie.

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

Community

Mixed-Use Project Planned for 150 Acres in Wesley Chapel

Just east of I‑75 between Overpass Road and State Road 52, GPI Real Estate Group has purchased 150 acres for what’s expected to become one of Wesley Chapel’s next major mixed-use developments. The land, made up of three parcels along Kenton Road, was acquired for just under $5 million, with an additional $5.5 million loan secured for predevelopment and early site work.

Plans call for 890 residential units, a mix of single-family homes and multifamily, along with 104,000 square feet of commercial space. Vertical construction on the multifamily and commercial sections is expected to begin by late 2025 or early 2026, with full buildout wrapping by the end of 2026.

Check This Before You Pack a Lunchbox

Some, but not all, Pasco schools will continue offering free breakfast and lunch to students this year. Only schools on the CEP list qualify for automatic free meals.

If your child’s school isn’t on that list, you’ll need to submit a free or reduced meal application at the beginning of the year. It’s worth checking now so you’re covered before school starts.

Carrollwood Student Launches Arts for Care Program

A fantastic story out of Carrollwood all because of Anika Iyer, a 17-year-old student at Carrollwood Day School, who launched a nonprofit called Arts for Care. It’s an art therapy program for individuals with developmental disabilities and neurodivergence. Inspired by her time volunteering at Gigi’s Playhouse, Anika wanted to create a space where kids could express themselves through visual art, especially when speech is a challenge.

Parents say the change in their children has been powerful. The projects are designed so that kids of all abilities can participate, build confidence, and connect. Anika says the experience has changed her too, helping her grow in patience, perspective, and purpose.

Programs like this are making a difference in an often underrepresented community, and it all started with one teenager who saw a need and decided to do something about it.

New Private School Opening in Land O’ Lakes on August 11

Continuing its growth as a next-generation community, the Angeline development will soon welcome its first private school.

Angeline Country Day School opens August 11, serving pre-K through 5th grade with a curriculum rooted in STEM, hands-on creativity, and sustainable learning. The campus sits just behind the community’s welcome center and farm, offering students access to a hydroponics innovation lab, farm-to-table garden experiences, and a collaborative art studio.

The school plans to eventually expand into middle and high school, but for now, families from Land O’ Lakes, Bexley, Starkey Ranch, and Odessa are already getting ready for that exciting first day.

Events North of Tampa

If you have an upcoming event you'd like us to feature at the top of the newsletter, just let us know. Also remember, Friday events will fill out as the week progresses.

Tuesday, August 5

• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM
• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Open Mic | 7–10 PM

Wednesday, August 6

• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Jamie O | 6:30–10 PM
• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Open Mic | 6–9 PM
• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Open Mic | 7–10 PM
• Tom's Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Thursday, August 7

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Roger and Todd | 6–9 PM
• Tom's Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Friday, August 8

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | She's That Dude | 8:30–11:30 PM
• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Tommy Keys and The Barrelhouse Boys | 8 PM–12 AM
• Dade City Tap House and Spirits, Dade City | Jay Whealton | 7:30–11:30 PM
• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Highway 41 | 7–11 PM
• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Tim Balajadia | 7–11 PM
• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Southern Knights | 8–11:59 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Life of the Party | 9–11:59 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | The Lost Swamp Revival | 8–11:59 PM
• Pete’s Place North, Tampa | Jamie O & Geoff | 7–11 PM
• Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa | History of Rock n Roll w/ Johnny Rogers ($) | 8–9 PM
• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Vintage Sound | 6:30–9:30 PM
• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Girl Jupiter | 7–10 PM
• The Brass Tap, Lutz | Live Music TBA | 7–10 PM
• The Orpheum, Lutz | Hot in Herre | 8–11:59 PM
• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Aurora for the Night | 8–11:59 PM
• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Hit Me Up | 7:30–11 PM
• Starkey Market, Trinity | Josh Carroll | 6–9 PM

Friday, August 8

• Angeline Farmers Market, Land O' Lakes | Back to School Market | 5–8 PM

Saturday, August 9

• Azora at Cypress Ranch, Lutz | Back to School Jamboree | 9 AM–1 PM
• Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa | Carrollwood Market | 10 AM–2 PM

Sunday, August 10

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Sunday Market | 1–5 PM
• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Art & Artisan Stroll | 11 AM–3 PM

Tuesday, August 5

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Kids Night | 5:30–8:30 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Trivia | 7–9 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7–10 PM
• Starkey Market, Trinity | Drum Circle | 7–10 PM
• The Brass Tap, Wesley Chapel | Trivia – Pop Culture | 7:30–9:30 PM
• Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, Land O’ Lakes | Back to School Pop-Up Event | 6–8 PM
• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Trivia and Taco Tuesday | 7–9 PM
• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Cigar Lifestyle | 5–8 PM
• Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, Lutz | Cigar Lifestyle | 5–8 PM

Wednesday, August 6

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | DJ Kenny Mathis Karaoke Night | 7–11 PM
• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9 PM
• Latte Vino, Lutz | Wine Bingo | 7–9 PM
• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–11 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 8–11 PM
• Rice N Beans, Wesley Chapel | Sals y Sazon | 7-11 PM
• The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Taylor Swift Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM
• Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM
• Vitale Ear, Nose & Throat, Wesley Chapel | Botox/Xeomin Event | 8:30–10:30 AM

Thursday, August 7

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | Karaoke w/ DJ TerryHD | 7–11 PM
• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dance Lessons/Ladies Night | 7:30–11 PM
• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7–10:30 PM
• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30 PM
• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Trivia | 6:30–8:30 PM
• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Karaoke | 8–11:59 PM
• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Alvin Kuai | 8–9:30 PM
• Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM
• Jr. Horsemanship, Zephyrhills | Kids Program | 11 AM–1 PM

Friday, August 8

• Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa | Tampa Metropolitan Improv | 7–8:30 PM
• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM
• East Pasco Family YMCA, Zephyrhills | Back to School Bash | 5:30–7:30 PM
• Florida Farm School & Animal Rescue, Dade City | Toddler Time | 10:30 AM–12 PM
• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Freestyle Friday & House Music | 7–11 PM
• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Comic's Night Out | 9:30–11 PM
• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM
• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30 PM

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to DM us to let us know we’ve forgotten a venue.

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