🎈 School Drop-Off by Hot Air Balloon

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

Good Morning From Lutz. Well, we survived Monday, and I hope yours wasn’t as blue as this town in France. Over 3,000 people dressed up as Smurfs this weekend and gathered in one spot: blue paint, white hats, the whole thing. It was all to break a Guinness World Record, which they did. I’m not judging…but I am speechless.

Anything is possible with body paint and determination. Let’s get to the Buzz.

This week’s Tuesday digest north of the Tampa noise:

🐾 Lutz 8th grader won $1,500 for a pet biz. NYC next.
🎈 A hot air balloon landed at a Pasco school.
🥟 Colombian restaurant and bakery eyeing Lutz. Empanadas incoming.

Feel free to reply. Follow us on Instagram, where we add more throughout the week about our local gems.

Send this to someone who always forgets the one thing they came for. If that’s you, we have that in common.

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The Digest

Lutz Student Wins Big for Adaptive Pet Business Idea
While most of us were trying to remember where we parked, this Lutz eighth grader was out winning pitch competitions. Briley Goble, an eighth grader at Lutz K-8, just took first place in the 2025 NFTE Southeast Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge with her business, PawAble, a startup creating adaptive pet products to help people with disabilities enjoy more time with their furry companions. I earned my first dollar at Burger King…

She not only won a $1,500 prize but also scored a trip to the national finals in New York City this October to compete for the national title.

The competition brought together 13 student-led businesses from across the Southeast, judged by big names from places like Ernst & Young and Santander Bank. And, it was hosted by NBC anchor Constance Jones.

Briley’s win highlights what makes this program so special. They are building real-life solutions, with some even using AI.

In the fall, she’s taking Lutz all the way to NYC.

Restaurants & Local Business

Café Zorba Reopens with New Flavors
Café Zorba in Krate at the Grove has reopened under new management, blending its Greek roots with Bosnian and Balkan dishes. At the May 3 grand reopening, they roasted a 40-pound lamb and introduced specialties like cevapi sausages, stuffed peppers, and sarma cabbage rolls. The refreshed menu offers a unique mix of Mediterranean and Balkan flavors.

Mi Carreta Bakery Headed to Lutz
It takes a little patience to get down there but maybe you’ve had a taste of a popular Colombian spot from St. Pete. Mi Carreta Restaurant & Bakery is eyeing a space at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, bringing fresh empanadas, arepas, and pastries to the neighborhood. No opening date yet, but it’s one to keep an eye on.

Anthropologie Opening at Wiregrass
Anthropologie opens tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21 at The Shops at Wiregrass, right next to White House Black Market. Expect their signature mix of women’s fashion, accessories, and dreamy home décor.

If you’ve been craving a little retail therapy, this one’s worth a stroll down Paseo.

Civic News

Pasco County Warrant Scam Calls
As if the relentless barrage of fake IRS texts weren’t enough, we are now getting scammers who are pretending to be from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (and Hillsborough). Deputies say there’s been a spike in calls where someone claims you have a warrant and then pressures you to hand over personal info or money. Some even ask for gift cards.

If you’ve ever watched those “scam the scammer” videos, you know how ridiculous it gets with the gift cards. Kitboga is my favorite, he’s quite hilarious.

The real Sheriff’s Office wants you to know that they will never call you about a warrant or ask for money.

Hillsborough is also experiencing the same thing. Channel 10 has reported on this as well.

Community

Catching a Flight Just Got Easier
Hurricane season starts June 1, but Groome is bringing calmer travel vibes. And if you were about to text me at 4 AM for a ride to the airport (don’t worry, I’m a morning person), there may be an easier way to get to the best airport in Florida.

They’re launching daily shuttles from Wesley Chapel to Tampa International, with pickups at the Gate gas station on SR 56. It’s $25 each way when you book online and runs multiple times a day. No overnight parking there, so plan for a drop-off.

Free Food Distribution – Open to All
Who knew one of the kindest spots in town this week would be a food line? Big community victory here. There’s a free food distribution happening Thursday, May 22, at 9 AM at the Moore-Mickens Education Center in Dade City at 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd.

No ID or paperwork is needed. Just show up. It’s first come, first served, so try to get there early.

This is part of an ongoing effort by local groups including the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, and the NAACP to support neighbors facing food insecurity.

New Cancer Center Opens in Wesley Chapel
The medical field continues to deliver updates for our area. Florida Cancer Specialists just opened a 38,000 square foot cancer center on Hueland Pond Boulevard. It’s their largest location and offers oncology, infusion therapy, clinical trials, nutrition support, and more. All right here in Pasco.

Surprise Landing at Pasco Elementary
A new method of avoiding the carline was invented last week. On Thursday morning, May 15, a RE/MAX hot air balloon made an unexpected landing at Veterans Elementary School in Pasco County after strong winds forced the pilot to make a quick decision.

Everyone involved, including students, staff, and the pilot, was safe. The balloon touched down in a nearby field with plenty of curious onlookers. No one was hurt, and the surprise landing turned into the kind of story these kids will be exaggerating for years.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Opening in Tampa
Ollie’s is opening inside a ton of former Big Lots locations. Mark your calendars for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21, at 9 AM. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is opening a new store at 14948 N Florida Ave, right at the corner of W. Bearss Ave and N. Florida Ave, next to Rent-A-Center in the former Big Lots building.

Expect up to 70% off brand-name items across departments like food, housewares, flooring, books, clothing, bed & bath, toys, and more.

Abby Brooks Traffic Update
Neighbors in Wesley Chapel are pushing back hard on a plan to send traffic from a 186-unit townhome project straight through Abby Brooks Circle and Lily Arbor Way. The development could bring around 1,500 extra cars per day onto roads never meant for that kind of volume.

The land was originally set aside for a school, but when that plan fell through, it shifted to residential with no direct access to Elam Road. Commissioner Seth Weightman says a fix is in the works, and the county is exploring alternatives, though nothing is guaranteed yet. Numerous residents showed up to the county commissioners’ meeting to voice their concerns.

Events and Live Music Presented Along With The Murg Team

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Buzz-Worthy Events

We’ll have a lot more for you come Friday. But this might keep you busy.

And, you can always reply directly to the email with comments of any kind, like new line dancing venues or something you’d prefer to see in the schedule.

Live Music

Tuesday, May 20

Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Open Mic Night | 7p-10

Wednesday, May 21

Tom’s Tavern Forrest Hills | Fred Chandler & Open Mic | 7p-10

Thursday, May 22

Jerry’s Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | Tom Wilson | 8p
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Gary Coco | 6p-9
The Orpheum, Lutz | Peelander-Z | 6p | Tickets $23
Tom’s Tavern Forrest Hills | Fred Chandler & Open Mic | 7p-10

Friday, May 23

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Rum Syndicate | 8p-12
Dade City Brewhouse, Dade City | Josh Curchy Duo | 7p
Happy Dayz Lounge, Dade City | Jaded | 9p
Jerry’s Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | Atomic Brew | 9p
Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Time Travelers | 8p-12
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Rivals and Villains | 9p-1a
Pete’s Place North, Tampa | 4X | 7p-11
Pincher’s, Wesley Chapel | TBD | 7p
Starkey Market, New Port Richey | The Sunsetters | 6p-9
SouthernEaze Bar & Grill, Lutz | Andy B. | 6:30p
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | 2 A T Duo | 7p-10
The Living Room at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Lanny Z | 6p-9
The Orpheum, Lutz | Nothing, Nowhere | 7p | Tickets $35
The Tiki Cove, Land O’ Lakes | The Cheap Strings | 7p-10
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Hired Guns | 8p
Tom’s Tavern Forrest Hills | Lisa Kay & The GoldTop Band | 8p
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Full Dueling Piano Show ($10 tickets, 21+) | 7p-1a
Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Devon Ashline | 7:30p-10:30

Line Dancing

Wednesday, May 21

O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | 7p-9
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | 7:30p-9:30

Thursday, May 22

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | 7:30p-9:30
Dallas Bull, Tampa | 7:30p-9:30 (Lessons)
Heritage Rec, Wesley Chapel | 7p-8:45
Wesley Chapel Rec Complex | 5:30p-6:30 $5 & 7p-8 $10

Friday, May 23

Dallas Bull, Tampa | 7:30p-9:30 (Lessons) & 9:30p (Fun)
KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Evening

Events

Tuesday, May 20

O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Trivia w/Tucker | 7p-9
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Trivia & Taco | 7p-9

Wednesday, May 21

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7:30p-11:30
New Tampa Performing Arts Center, New Tampa | Jazz Nights: Ken Peplowski & Diego Figueiredo | 8p-10 | Tickets $10-$30
Top Shelf Sport’s Lounge, Wesley Chapel | Trivia Night | 7:30p

Thursday, May 22

KRATE at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Throwback Thursday | Evening
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Karaoke | 8p-12
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Paul Morrissey | 8p | Tickets $22
SouthernEaze Bar & Grill, Lutz | Trivia Night | 7p-8:30
Starkey Market, New Port Richey | Trivia | 7p

Friday, May 23

Carrollwood Players, Carrollwood | William Shakespeare’s As You Like It | 8p | Tickets $18
Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Paul Morrissey | 7:30p | Tickets $22

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. The live music schedule can only grow from here.

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

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