🌡️ Tampa Broke the Thermometer

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Good Morning Neighbor. Remember how long those cold months lasted? If you're feeling trapped by the heat now, just know these riders at Cedar Point were literally stuck mid-air on a tilting roller coaster.

We can focus on a pool or a tan, instead.

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🌡️ Tampa officially hits 100° for the first time ever
☕ Zephyrhills gets its own Ethiopian coffee café
🎪 Starkey Market throws a weekend carnival bash

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

Send this to your neighborly John Candy from Cool Runnings, the one who reminds you it's not the heat, it's the humidity every single time you step outside.

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

A New Chapter for a Local Hero

This weekend, more than 150 volunteers gathered in Wesley Chapel to help finish a brand-new, specially adapted home for Marine veteran Christopher Lawrence. The home is being gifted to his family by the nonprofit Homes for Our Troops, which builds no-cost homes for severely injured veterans across the country.

Lawrence lost his leg while serving in Iraq, and his previous home made daily life difficult. This new home is designed specifically for his mobility needs, giving him back independence and the ability to be a more active part of family life.

“It’s amazing to see the support from people I don’t even know,” Lawrence said. “It makes me happy to be here.”

Homes for Our Troops builds around 30 homes a year for veterans like Christopher. If you’re looking for a real way to give back, they offer opportunities to donate, volunteer, or simply share the mission with others.

This is what community looks like, and we’re proud to welcome the Lawrence family to Wesley Chapel.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Boone

Boone (A033887) is a 2 year old, energetic neutered mixed breed dog. At just under 40 pounds, Boone is the perfect compact companion to take with you on adventures and outings. Boone came to PCAS as a stray from Land O lakes, and his finder did report that he does not do well around cats. Boone could use a little leash training when he finds his forever home. His youthful energy makes him pull sometimes. Otherwise, he is very affectionate and loves to be around people.

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

Local Business

SR 54 Coffee & Tea Opening First Café in Zephyrhills

You may have seen this in the works, just a couple minutes east of Avalon Park. SR 54 Coffee & Tea is opening its first-ever café right on State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

They roast their own Ethiopian coffee beans, small batch, handcrafted, and full of flavor. Until now, it’s been an online-only operation. Soon you’ll be able to swing by for a fresh cup, grab a pastry, and take home a bag of beans.

It’s right next to Everything Geeks and New York Deli. Keep it on your radar if you’re looking to add a new local favorite to your coffee routine.

Community

Tampa Hits 100°

We’re all about positivity here, and hey, breaking a record is technically positive. On Sunday, Tampa officially hit 100° for the first time in 134 years of recorded weather.

We were at a middle school baseball tournament, and not even a battery-powered ceiling fan under the pop-up tent could put up a fight against the Florida heat.

A Weather Impact Alert is in place through today, with feels-like temps climbing past 108°. Hydrate, check on your people and pets, and if you can, keep cool during peak hours.

If you look at Denis’s graph just right, it’s cooling down…

Just a Reminder: Free Food Distribution in Spring Hill

Pasco Sheriff’s Office and local partners are hosting a free food distribution event on Wednesday, August 20, starting at 9:00 a.m. The event takes place at Shady Hills Mission Chapel, 15925 Green Glen Ln., Spring Hill, FL 34610. Food will be given out on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

Food From the Soul Festival Set for August 2

Heads up, foodie friends. The Food From the Soul Festival is back on August 2 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. You’ll find 40+ vendors serving $5 sample plates with African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin, and Native American flavors. Expect live music, a food fight cook-off, sweet treats, and VIP perks like wine tastings and extra desserts. Tickets start at $20. Bring a chair and come hungry!

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.

Featured Event

All weekend long, Starkey Market’s Back to School Carnival brings bounce houses, games, Gellyball, and unlimited play for just $10. My family took the kids a couple months ago and they had a blast. It’s a great place for kids to have fun and parents to relax.

Tuesday, July 29

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

Wednesday, July 30

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Open Mic | 7–11 PM
• Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM
• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Jamie O | 6:30–10 PM

Thursday, July 31

• Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Midnight Blue | 6–9 PM
• Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Friday, August 1

• Art’s Tap House, Trinity | TC and Sass | 8–11:59 PM
• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Bradford Graves and The Bar Rags | 8–11:59 PM
• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | John Johnson | 7:30–11:30 PM
• Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Hollywood Blvd | 7–11 PM
• O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Headbang 80’s | 9–11:59 PM
• Pete’s Place North, Tampa | The Unwinding | 7–11 PM
• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Grateful Dead Nite w/Uncle John's Band | 8–11:59 PM
• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Steve Frank | 6:30–9:30 PM
• Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | David Potts Duo | 7–10 PM
• Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | JT Curtis Florida Scoundrels | 8–11 PM
• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | 4X | 7:30–10:30 PM
• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Jacob Brown | 8–11 PM

Friday, August 1

• That Place Down The Street, Land O’ Lakes | Friday Night Market | 5–9 PM
• The Grove, Wesley Chapel | The Market Elaine | 5:30–9:30 PM

Saturday, August 2

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Back to School Market | 5–8 PM
• Grove Park, Trinity | Trinity Market | 9 AM–1 PM
• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Fresh Market | 9 AM–1 PM
• Under the Oaks Wellness and Events, Carrollwood | Market Under the Oaks | 5–8 PM

Tuesday, July 29

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Citrus Park | Kids Night | 5:30–8:30 PM
• O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Trivia | 7–9 PM
• The Brass Tap, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 9–11:59 PM
• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Line Dancing w/Bobbie | 7–9 PM
• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Trivia and Taco Tuesday | 7–9 PM

Wednesday, July 30

• Andy’s Frozen Custard, Lutz | Custard w/a Cop | 11 AM–1 PM
• 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
• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | 2 Wheelz 1 Love Bike Night | 5–8 PM
• Latte Vino, Lutz | Wine Bingo | 7–9 PM
• New River Library, Wesley Chapel | Touch a Truck for Kids | 10:30–11:30 AM
• Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM
• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Trivia | 7–10 PM

Thursday, July 31

• Art’s Tap House, Trinity | 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
• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Trivia – Game of Thrones | 7–9 PM
• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Jeep Night | 6–9 PM
• O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Karaoke | 8–11:59 PM
• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Terry McNeely | 8–9:45 PM
• Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, Odessa | Musical Journey Through Literature | 6–7 PM

Friday, August 1

• Commandough’s Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM
• Happy Dayz Lounge, Dade City | Karaoke | 9–11:59 PM
• New Tampa Performing Arts Center, New Tampa | The Music Man | 8–10 PM
• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Charlie Mac | 7:30–9:15 PM
• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Comic's Open Mic | 9:30–11:15 AM
• Starkey Market, Trinity | Back to School Carnival | 10 AM–9 PM
• The Orpheum, Tampa | Baldurs Gay | 8–11:59 PM
• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 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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