🐄 Save the Keystone Farmers Market

The Newsletter Your Neighbor Writes.
No Crime. No Politics.
What connects us. Not what divides us.

Did a neighbor share this with you? Subscribe for free!

Good Morning Neighbor. In Missouri, a vegan firefighter’s very first call turned out to be a blaze involving 40,000 pounds of ribeye steaks. Probationary firefighter Jenna Ulrich was on the hose line with her dad when a tractor-trailer hauling the steaks caught fire on Route 174.

The department could not resist pointing out the irony, posting that Ulrich is the only vegan on the crew, so her first fire just happened to be 20 tons of beef. No one was hurt, but the steaks were a total loss, and honestly, I think she started the slow burn of that precious steak.

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🐄 Keystone Farmers Market needs help bringing cows back.
🚦 Pasco teams with neighbors on regional transit plan.
🏠 Florida lawmaker floats idea of banning HOAs.

Reply to this email and say hi. Follow us on Instagram for even more local finds.

Forward this to the friend who calls ketchup a steak sauce. 😬

We are now moving to our own community calendar! 🎉 This is where you’ll find all the local events in one place, kept up to date and easy to use (I hope). It opens in Schedule view by default so you can quickly scroll through, but you can also switch to Month view if you prefer the grid style.

👉 Browse by date, category, or city/town
👉 Search events to find exactly what you need
👉 Submit your own community events for us to review and add

We’d love your feedback. Just scroll to the bottom of the calendar page or reply to this email and let us know what you think!

We welcome all input, as we can accommodate almost any change you suggest.

Digest

Save the Keystone Farmers Market

The Keystone Farmers Market at 12615 Tarpon Springs Rd, Odessa is asking for the community’s help to keep its doors open. After Hurricane Milton and severe storms last year damaged fences and greenhouses, the market’s five beloved cows had to be moved. Without them, business has taken a big hit.

The market has been a local staple since 1978, known for fresh produce and those memory-making cow visits that bring in thousands of families. I’ll admit, I drive Tarpon Springs Road a couple times a day on autopilot and hadn’t even noticed. Looks like I need to stop in, and hopefully you can too.

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: Isla

Isla (A037042) is a 1.5 year old spayed female brindle boxer-pittie mix who came to PCAS as a stray from the New Port Richey area. Isla weighs 42 pounds, and her notes indicate that she was friendly and calm during intake. Isla has been an “office foster” for the past couple of weeks. She has been hanging out with PCAS Team Members in the office, to decompress from her kennel. Isla is incredibly sweet and gentle taking treats. She knows a few basic commands like “sit” and loves playing fetch in the spree yard.

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

Civic News

Pasco Joins Regional Push for Better Transit

If you’ve driven through southern Pasco, you know the headaches at the SR 54 and US 41 intersection. Recently, the county made some headway there by teaming up with Hillsborough County and the state. Now, in that same spirit of collaboration, Pasco is working with Hillsborough and Pinellas on a more unified transit system for the whole region.

More information on this will be available soon.

Imagining Florida Without HOAs

You know how your HOA forced you to rent a storage unit because they wouldn’t allow you to park your boat in the driveway? This may be wishful thinking, but can you imagine a Florida without HOAs? Pretty wild concept, especially when nearly half the state lives in communities governed by them. A South Florida lawmaker is floating the idea, calling HOAs a “failed experiment” after years of rising fees, strict enforcement, and costly lawsuits.

Whether the proposal gains any traction remains to be seen. The fact it is even being discussed shows just how frustrated many Floridians have become. For now, it is only talk, but it does spark an interesting question: what would our neighborhoods look like without HOAs running the show?

If you’re looking for entertainment, this guy’s Instagram has an entire HOA “World War Tree” and it is hilarious.

Restaurants

Olive Garden Plans Wesley Chapel Location

Remember when you said you missed going to Olive Garden? No? Maybe it was a vegan firefighter… Well, great news! They submitted plans for a new restaurant at 27391 Centerline Drive off Wesley Chapel BLVD. This would be the 80th Olive Garden in Florida, putting Wesley Chapel right in the mix with the state’s love for breadsticks and endless salad.

Once open, neighbors can look forward to all the classics. The new spot will join a growing dining scene alongside Chick’n Fun, Dairy Queen, and Rice n Beans Puerto Rico. Dinner just got a little more Italian!

Community

Orlando Health Donates $500K to PHSC

Orlando Health has donated $500,000 to the Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation to support nursing and health care workforce development. The funding will benefit PHSC’s Institute for Nursing and Allied Health Advancement at the Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel, helping train more nurses and health professionals at a time when the region faces critical staffing shortages.

A check presentation ceremony is set for Thursday, 10 a.m. at the PHSC Porter Campus Conference Center, with State Rep. Randy Maggard and State Sen. Danny Burgess expected to speak.

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. You can also drop any suggestions or thoughts in the comment section below the calendar.

If you run into any trouble with the new calendar, the legacy version is included below as a backup.

Featured Event

Line Dancing with Simone
📍 Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel
🕖 Wednesday, August 27 | 7–9pm

👢 Dust off your boots for a fun night of line dancing! Lessons kick off at 7, then it’s time to hit the floor. Come early for dinner and boneless wing specials. Perfect midweek energy boost! 🎶

Live Music

Tuesday, August 26

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Open Mic w/Fred Chandler | 7–10pm

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Open Mic Night | 7–10pm

Wednesday, August 27

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Jamie O | 6:30–10pm

• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Driftin' South Band | 7–11pm

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Open Mic | 7–11pm

• Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Open Mic w/Fred Chandler | 7–10pm

Thursday, August 28

• Jerry's Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | Skip Griffith Jr. & Friends | 8–11:59pm

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Midnight Blue | 6–9pm

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Kota the Friend ($28) | 7–11pm

• Thomas P’s Sports Bar & Patio, Tampa | Matthew McCartney | 5–8pm

• Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Open Mic w/Fred Chandler | 7–10pm

Friday, August 29

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | Mark Anthony Band | 8–11:59pm

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Aurora For The Night | 8–11:59pm

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Austin Stanley | 7:30–11:30pm

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Life of the Party | 7–11pm

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Live Music Friday | 7–10pm

• Green Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, Tampa | JT Curtis and Florida Scoundrels | 8–11:59pm

• House of Brews, Lutz | Brack Harris | 6:30–9:30pm

• Jerry's Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | 13 Floors Below | 9pm–1am

• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | 3 Foot Circle | 8–11:59pm

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Fusebox | 9pm–1am

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Shane Gang | 8–11:59pm

• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Fil Pate Trio + Vision Crystal ($12) | 8pm

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Lou Menendez and Friends | 6:30–9:30pm

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Brad Noblitt Duo | 6–9pm

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Maverick/Pasquini | 7–10pm

• The Brass Tap, Lutz | Live Music TBA | 7–10pm

• The Collective at Escape, Trinity | Eric Engle | 6–10pm

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Against All Authority ($) | 7–11:59pm

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Lost Swamp Revival | 8–11:59pm

• Thomas P’s Sports Bar & Patio, Tampa | JR Lamb | 5–8pm

• Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | 4X | 8–11:59pm

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | CoCo Red | 7:30–10:30pm

Markets

Wednesday, August 27

• Christine's Tropical & Exotic Plants, Odessa | Twilight in the Tropics | 5:30–8:30pm

Saturday, August 30

• Hampton Inn Odessa Trinity, Odessa | Trinity Crafters Market | 10am–3pm

Events

Tuesday, August 26

• Cigars International Superstore, Lutz | Country Line Dancing | 7–9pm

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Kids Night | 5:30–8:30pm

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Trivia w/Tucker | 7–9pm

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Trivia w/Dang Yo | 7:30–10:30pm

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Drum Circle | 7–10pm

• The Liquid Garage Brewing Co., New Port Richey | Sports Trivia w/Adam | 7–9pm

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Line Dancing w/Bobbie | 7–9pm

• Tampa Wine Room, Tampa | Italian Wine Tasting ($42) | 6:30–9:30pm

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Trivia and Taco Tuesday | 7–9pm

• Whiskey Willy's, Lutz | Pool Tournament w/Karaoke | 9–11pm

Wednesday, August 27

• AdventHealth Zephyrhills ER, Zephyrhills | RN Hiring Event | 11am–1pm

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | DJ Kenny Mathis Karaoke Night | 7–11pm

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | Big Trophy Trivia | 7–9pm

• Bubba's 33, Wesley Chapel | Kids Night | 5–8pm

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9pm

• House of Brews, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9pm

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke w/Shaun Babb | 8–11pm

• Raining Berries, Lutz/Wesley Chapel | Boss Babes | 11am–1pm

• Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, Land O' Lakes | Trivia – Sports Themed | 7–9pm

• Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7:30–9:30pm

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Line Dancing w/Simone | 7–9pm

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Trivia w/Scott | 7–10pm

Thursday, August 28

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | Karaoke w/DJ TerryHD | 7–11pm

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dance Lessons/Ladies Night | 7:30–11pm

• Bubba's 33, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7–10pm

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7–10:30pm

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30pm

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Cornhole Tournament | 7–10pm

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9pm

• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Jeep Night | 6–9pm

• Land O' Lakes Heritage Park, Land O' Lakes | Line Dancing w/Simone | 7–9pm

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Karaoke w/Joe | 8–11:59pm

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Matt Bergman | 8–10pm

• The Barn at Starkey Market, New Port Richey | Trivia | 7–9pm

• Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7:30–9:30pm

Friday, August 29

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa | Bier Fest Brews & BBQ | 2–9pm

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30pm

• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | R&B Night ($) | 7–11pm

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Matt Bergman | 7:30–9:30pm

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Matt Bergman | 9:30–11:30pm

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11pm

• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Senior Social (50+) | 3–5pm

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.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter!

If you loved it, send it to a friend.