🍻 Refill Your Beer, Watch Some Pucks, Hug a Tree

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

Good Morning From Lutz,

Hopefully it was a great Easter for you. Today, we lean into Earth Day with a number of events and opportunities to get involved with your neighbors. We’ll go over a few of those in just a bit.

Last week was Tax Day, but since you’re in Florida, we’ve been granted an extension until May 1.

I hope you enjoy this edition. It’s your newsletter just as much as it is ours. ❤️

In this week’s Tuesday North Tampa Buzz:

• Barnes & Noble is Back - with Tony and Lauren Dungy
• Earth Day, Tampa-Style - Beer refills in Odessa
• SR 54 Construction Chaos - The only bad news w/a little hope

If you know anyone asking the neighborhood Facebook page what there is to do, send this to them and we’ll do our best to keep them up to date!

Also, please reply with any and all suggestions and especially if we goofed and left something out. Be sure to follow us on Instagram.

In Partnership with Gene Faircloth of Exit Bayshore Realty

Gene is a Tampa native and proud USF graduate with nearly 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. Known for clear communication, deep local knowledge, and a client-first approach, he goes the extra mile to support families through every step. He always blends professionalism with a love for Florida sunshine.

During a stressful cross-state move, Gene was incredibly thoughtful and steady. He patiently walked us through every option, explained each step in detail, and made a complicated process feel simple. With school starting soon and time tight, he rearranged his schedule without hesitation to help us find our home. We felt truly understood and supported.

Gene Faircloth
Exit Bayshore Realty
Mobile: (813) 727-6904
201 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606

Buzz Bites

Barnes & Noble Returns to Carrollwood
Barnes & Noble is making a comeback in Carrollwood with a new 18,000-square-foot store opening April 23 at 13123 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The store takes over the former Bed Bath & Beyond space at the Palms of Carrollwood and features the company’s refreshed layout and updated café. It’s part of Barnes & Noble’s largest expansion in over a decade.

Longtime residents may remember the original Carrollwood location just down the road, which closed several years ago during a period of national cutbacks. The grand opening celebration kicks off at 10:00 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and special guests Tony and Lauren Dungy.

REAL ID Deadline Coming Up
Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. To check if you're good: look for a gold star in the top right corner of your Florida driver’s license or ID. If it’s there, you're all set.

Florida Tax Deadline = May 1
Still haven’t filed? No worries even though last Tuesday was the official Tax Day. All Florida residents have until May 1, 2025 to file and pay taxes thanks to a federal disaster extension. It covers anything originally due after October 5, 2024 (including 2023 returns on extension). You can request more time to file, but any money you owe still needs to be paid by May 1.

Basically: you’re not late. Yet.

Earth Day Gatherings

No more talk about taxes. Let’s move on to something fun at World of Beer Odessa:

Earth Day Beer Refill at WOB Odessa
Time | Date: All day | Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Location: 13430 Pine Gap Spur, Odessa, FL 33556
Details: Bring in a clean, leak-proof container (32 oz max) and they’ll fill it with your favorite Happy Hour draft beer for just $8. Bonus: get creative with your cup and post it using #WOBReduceReuseRefill for a chance to win a WOB gift card.

Hillsborough County Earth Day Cleanup
Time | Date: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Location: 5290 Cockroach Bay Rd, Ruskin, FL
Details: Community cleanup at Cockroach Bay Preserve, hosted by Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Supplies provided. ​

Pasco County’s 30th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Time | Date: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Saturday, April 26, 2025
Location: Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill, FL
Details: A free, family-friendly event promoting environmental awareness. Features include a native plant sale, upcycle vendors, a ladybug release, educational displays, animal exhibits, and on-site recycling. Bring items for:

• Household hazardous waste collection

• Electronics recycling

• Document shredding by Shred360 (9 AM–12 PM, 3-bag limit)

• Mercury disposal (thermostats/thermometers for a $5 gift card)

Civic News

Major Roadwork Update: US 41 & SR 54 Construction Continues

There’s light at the end of the tunnel, however, we did reference a potential Diverging Diamond Interchange at this intersection that garnered some heavy support from Pasco County. If you're driving through Land O’ Lakes or Lutz this week, expect lane closures and daytime slowdowns. FDOT is in the middle of a large-scale resurfacing and repair project on both US 41 and SR 54, and the work is picking up steam as we head toward summer.

Project Overview:

• Location:

  • US 41 from County Line Road to Bell Lake Road

  • SR 54 from US 41 to east of Knight Road

• Scope: Repaving, underground repairs, sidewalk improvements, new signage, and drainage upgrades

• Estimated Completion: Late May to early June 2025

What’s Happening Now:

• Significant voids were discovered under SR 54 near the Lowe’s and Village Lakes Shopping Center, not an uncommon issue in this area.

• Crews are pumping grout deep under the roadway to stabilize the travel lanes.

• This phase of the project is causing frequent lane closures, especially in the eastbound direction.

Traffic Impacts: April 21–25

• SR 54 Eastbound:

  • Single-lane closures from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • From US 41 to west of Osprey Lane

  • Side streets and driveway access remain open

  • Speed limit reduced to 45 MPH

  • Extra law enforcement on-site for traffic control

• US 41 (Land O’ Lakes Blvd):

  • Nighttime lane closures from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday (April 20–24)

• One full weekend of double-lane closures will be scheduled later this spring. FDOT has not yet announced the dates.

Events coming up this week:

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

Trivia in the Barn at Starkey Market
Time | Date: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Thursday, April 24, 2025
Location: 3460 Starkey Blvd, Odessa, FL 34655
Details: Enjoy 6 free rounds of trivia hosted by Timeless Entertainment. Play solo or with a group. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus beer and sangria pitcher specials all night. Happens every Thursday inside The Barn at Starkey Market.

Rob Little Live at Side Splitters Comedy Club
Time | Date: Multiple shows | April 24–26, 2025
Location: Side Splitters at The Grove, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL
Details: Nationally recognized comedian Rob Little brings his high-energy stand-up to Wesley Chapel for three nights of laughs. Known for his upbeat humor and wild storytelling, Rob’s credits include Comedy Central, “Last Call with Carson Daly,” and The Best Damn Sports Show Period. Must be 18+ to attend. For rows A, B, and C, there is a 2-item minimum per person. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime, with bar service available early. Tickets for tables and reserved seating are $20.

Kids Club: Fitness & Fun
Time | Date: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Thursday, April 24, 2025
Location: KRATE at the Grove, 5817 Wesley Grove Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL
Details: A playful and active morning session designed for kids to move, have fun, and get energized. Great for families with little ones looking for a weekday activity.

Jeep Night at KRATE
Time | Date: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Thursday, April 24, 2025
Location: KRATE at the Grove, 5817 Wesley Grove Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL
Details: Jeep enthusiasts gather for an evening of vehicles, music, and good vibes. Open to the public—bring your ride or just come hang out.

Don’t worry, we’ve got your weekend mapped out. Full plans land in Friday’s digest.

Weather

Not much variance day-to-day this week. It will be mostly sunny and warm, with highs in the low 90s and minimal rain chances each day. Expect light winds and cooler mornings in the low-to-mid 60s.

Tampa Sports

If you are feeling like making the trek to Tampa, there are a couple unique events happening with our Lightning and Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay Lightning – First Round Playoff Games
Game 1: Tuesday, April 22 at 8:30 PM
Game 2: Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 PM
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Details: These are the first two games of the Lightning’s first-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers.

Playoff Plaza Watch Parties at Ford Thunder Alley
Tickets: $5 (benefits the Lightning Foundation)
Where to Get Tickets: Ticketmaster – Game 1 | Game 2
Entry Time: The plaza opens 3 hours before puck drop
What to Expect: Live music, food and drinks, giveaways, and a high-energy outdoor viewing experience
What to Bring: Tailgate-sized chairs (max 20" x 20")
Not Allowed: Outside food or drinks, coolers, large bags, or tents

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – NFL Draft Watch Party
Celebrate the NFL Draft with the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday, April 24, 2025.​

• Location: Raymond James Stadium

• Schedule:

  • 6:00 PM: Parking lots open

  • 7:00 PM: Doors and gates open

  • 8:00 PM: Draft begins​
    Info and Tickets

Ticket Pricing:

• Krewe Members: $5

• Jr. Bucs Members (and family members): $5

• Non-Krewe Members: $15​

All tickets include parking.​

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter! Let’s chat again on Friday!

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