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Good Morning From Lutz,
Well, the newsletter dinner club is officially on the calendar, and the word is already spreading and we've even had people start signing up. In the future, we'll probably schedule these dinners a couple of weeks in advance, but since this is our very first one, we're giving ourselves a little extra time. I can't wait to see how it turns out. This newsletter has always been about building positive community connections and helping neighbors discover local events, so bringing those two things together feels like the perfect fit.
Now, if the weather could cooperate and give us a little more sunshine, that would be great. Until then, don't forget to check out Pasco County Animal Services' Dog of the Week, and I hope you have an amazing week ahead!
-Mike
In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:
🥋 Land O' Lakes Brothers Earn Spots On Team USA
🍛 House of Biryanis Takes Over Former Wendy's
🏥 Moffitt Opens Tampa Bay's First Proton Therapy Center
And a bunch more!
Access local events in different ways:
Each newsletter includes the latest event information available at the time of publication.
🍽️ First North Tampa Buzz Dinner Club Is Official
A couple times now, we’ve asked whether you'd be interested in meeting fellow readers over dinner. The response was overwhelming, with more than 150 people saying yes.
The first North Tampa Buzz Dinner Club is now officially happening on Tuesday, August 25 at 7 p.m. at various restaurants around the Outlets and Shops at Wiregrass so there are a lot of possibilities.
Here's how it works:
• Fill out a quick questionnaire about your interests and preferences.
• We'll match you with five other North Tampa readers.
• We'll handle the restaurant reservation and logistics.
• You simply show up, enjoy dinner, and hopefully leave with a few new friends.
This isn't speed dating or a networking event. It's simply a chance to meet people in the community you probably never would've met otherwise.
The first dinner will take place around the Tampa Premium Outlets area, and future dinners will rotate throughout the community. Here’s our Instagram reel introducing it to the community!
Spots are intentionally limited for the first event.
Highlights
Land O' Lakes Brothers Earn Team USA Spots
One of the best parts of putting together this newsletter is getting to share stories like this. Two brothers from Land O' Lakes, Michael and Aaron Molinero, have earned top spots on Team USA's karate roster and will represent the country in international competitions this year.
Eighteen-year-old Michael will compete at the World Karate Championship in Poland this fall, while 13-year-old Aaron heads to the Junior Pan American Championship next month. The brothers train every day in a dojo built inside their home and make the four-hour trip to Miami every other week to sharpen their skills.
Source: Fox 13
Moffitt Opens Advanced Cancer Center
It may not be on your radar since it's tucked away off Ridge Road east of the Suncoast Parkway, but Moffitt Cancer Center has opened the Tampa Bay region's first proton therapy center at its Speros campus in Land O' Lakes. The new facility uses proton beams to target tumors with greater precision, helping reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue and minimize side effects for patients.
The center is part of Moffitt's 775-acre Speros Innovation Campus, which is focused on speeding up cancer research and treatment. The facility's ProteusONE system includes advanced imaging, targeted beam-scanning technology and the ability to deliver radiation from multiple angles, bringing a new level of cancer care to Pasco County.
Source: Hernando Sun
House of Biryanis Opens In New Tampa
If you've spent any time in local Facebook groups, you've probably seen people asking what was going into the old Wendy's on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The answer is House of Biryanis & Kebabs, a halal Indian restaurant that opened in July at 19430 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
The restaurant serves biryanis, kebabs, curries, naan and other South Asian dishes and is part of a growing chain with locations across the U.S. The menu includes chicken, lamb, goat and vegetarian options, with spice levels that can be adjusted to customers' tastes.
Source: Neighborhood News Online
Free School Meals Expanded In Pasco
Pasco County Schools has opened applications for free and reduced-price meals for the 2026-27 school year. Families must submit a new application each year to qualify for benefits.
The district also expanded its Community Eligibility Provision program, with 38 schools now offering free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of household income. Applications, menus and eligibility information are available at pascoschoolmeals.com.
Our new neighbor, Novel in the Neighborhood
Novel in the Neighborhood is a family-owned and operated independent bookstore conveniently located at 8507 Old County Road 54 in New Port Richey.
Inside, you’ll find more than 5,000 new books across all genres, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children’s Books, along with literary gifts, puzzles, and games for readers of all ages.
Be sure to check out their events calendar on the website for author events, workshops, classes, story times, and more.
Novel in the Neighborhood is stocked with its August and September book club picks. Readers will discuss The Midnight Train by Matt Haig on Friday, Aug. 21, followed by You've Got Hate Mail by Pippa Grant on Friday, Sept. 18. Book club meets on the third Friday of every month at 7 p.m. at the store.
Community
Florida's Sports Coast Earns Tourism Honor
It’s fun when one of their reels comes through the algorithm and it’s something that’s right in your backyard. Florida's Sports Coast, Pasco County's tourism agency, has earned international accreditation through Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program. The designation recognizes organizations that meet high standards in areas like leadership, operations and visitor services.
The accreditation places Florida's Sports Coast among nearly 200 accredited tourism organizations worldwide and 23 in Florida, highlighting Pasco County's growing reputation as a destination for sports, events and tourism.
Source: Florida Sports Coast Website
New Road Could Speed Up Emergency Response
A new road connecting Morris Bridge Road to K-Bar Ranch is expected to open by mid-September, giving Tampa Fire Rescue a faster route into one of New Tampa's fastest-growing areas. City leaders say the connection could significantly improve emergency response times for K-Bar Ranch and nearby neighborhoods.
Fire officials want to study response data after the road opens before deciding whether additional stations or resources are needed. Tampa is also exploring whether first responders could start using the road before it opens to the public.
Early Voting Underway Across Tampa Bay
Just as a point of being informative, early voting is now open in Hillsborough County and starts Saturday, Aug. 8, in Pasco County ahead of Florida's Aug. 18 primary election. Hillsborough voters can cast ballots from Aug. 3–16, while Pasco's early voting period runs Aug. 8–15. In both counties, polls are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Florida voters will help choose candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and other races that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. You can vote at any early voting location within your county, but Election Day voting is limited to your assigned precinct. Vote-by-mail requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 6.
K-Bar Ranch Park Moves Forward
After more than 20 years of waiting, K-Bar Ranch's long-promised community park is a step closer to reality as Tampa City Council prepares to vote on roughly $8 million to build the 56-acre park in New Tampa. The site sits south of Mistflower Lane near the Pasco County line, and public design meetings are expected later this year.
Current plans include playgrounds, trails, picnic areas, restrooms, parking and a large multiuse field that could accommodate cricket. Residents are also pushing for features like a fishing pier and traffic plans that better protect nearby neighborhoods before construction begins.
Rivian Service Center Planned For Wesley Chapel
Rivian has filed plans for a nearly 52,000-square-foot service center behind Total Wine at Cypress Creek Town Center, just off State Road 54 and I-75. For local Rivian owners, it could mean warranty work and repairs much closer to home instead of a drive to Tampa.
The proposed facility would include service bays, parts storage and customer space on Grand Cypress Drive near Tampa Premium Outlets. The project is still in the review process, and no construction or opening date has been announced.
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.
Tampa Tarpons - Our local minor league team north of the city. Get your game packages now!
Gamer Events - Delivers fully hosted mobile gaming, laser tag, and VR experiences right to your location for easy, stress-free parties.
Novel in the Neighborhood - family-owned independent bookstore in New Port Richey offering more than 5,000 new books across all genres, along with literary gifts, puzzles, and games for readers of all ages.
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.
Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Wayne
Wayne (A044532) is a 7-year old tan English Coonhound weighing 70 pounds, who arrived as a stray from Zephyrhills at the beginning of March. Since his arrival, our team has been working to help socialize Wayne – he’s a little unsure of himself, as some dogs who find themselves suddenly living in a shelter can be. Wayne has participated in play group and has a “rough & rowdy” play style. Wayne can be little selective with his pup friends, so we recommend a meet and greet with existing dogs in the home if you’d like to consider this cutie!
Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Wed - Thurs 12-5:00pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:00pm
Sun - 12-5pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS
Events reminder:
We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.
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