🎯 The Target Tease Is Over!

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Good morning from Lutz. A century’s worth of human-hair wreaths, jewelry, and even presidential locks filled the walls of Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri. For decades, visitors came to marvel, and cringe, at thousands of intricately woven pieces, some dating back to the 1800s. The operation is closing down.

This has to be the next big haunted house.

There are so many great events lined up for the last quarter of the year, and the holiday season always brings its share of heartwarming moments and feel-good stories. It’s shaping up to be a really fun couple of months here in our corner of Florida. And no, I’m not just talking about that Target opening this weekend.

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🎯 New Target Opens Sunday
⛳ Veterans Heal Through Golf
🎃 Giant Pumpkins Return to Bearss
🍝 Sogna Napoli Expands Locally

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Digest

Wesley Chapel Home Auction to Support Fight Against Human Trafficking

This organization is a large international organization and they have their eyes on us. I enjoyed looking at their 2024 Year In Review. A Wesley Chapel home is hitting the auction block this month, and every dollar will help fight human trafficking around the world. The three-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome at 1028 Tullamore Drive in Meadow Pointe II was donated by a Tampa-area family to the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global nonprofit that works with local law enforcement to protect vulnerable communities from violent crime.

The online auction, managed by Gryphon USA, closes October 22, with open houses scheduled for Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 19. The home is listed with an opening bid of $199,000.

Proceeds will directly support IJM’s international programs fighting trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. If you want to take a look or place a bid, check out GryphonUSA.com. And if you’ve never heard of International Justice Mission, it’s worth a peek at IJM.org, as they’re doing some truly powerful work to protect people around the world.

Local Businesses & Restaurants

Sogna Napoli Expands to Wesley Chapel and Odessa

If you’ve ever had the brick-oven pizza at Sogna Napoli in Carrollwood, you’ll be happy to know they’re growing. The husband-and-wife team, Andrea and Simona Sarpa, just got their liquor license and are now serving wine, beer, and cocktails alongside their handmade pastas and family recipes from southern Italy. After a strong first year, they’re getting ready to open two new locations, one in Wesley Chapel and another in Odessa, expected sometime next year.

They’re known for their Neopolitan cooking (don’t tell that to Dave Portnoy). “We want people to feel like they’re eating in Naples,” Simona said.

One of the Largest Targets in the Country Opens Sunday, October 12th

There’s not much more to add. It’s all over social media, and you can feel the buzz. Enjoy!

One of the Smallest Outback Steakhouses Opens December 9th?

For a while now, the Outback on the corner of Sunlake and 54 has looked just about ready to open. Google Maps even lists the opening date as December 9. I’m really curious to see what it looks like inside because it doesn’t seem that big from the outside.

Community

Yes, that picture below is real, and not one of those crazy AI videos that are so widely shared on social media these days. These massive pumpkins are back at Bearss Groves. Two Wisconsin-grown giants rolled into The Farm at Bearss Groves on Lake Magdalene Blvd on Oct 6, keeping a beloved fall tradition alive even after a tough local growing season. With a little help from the owner’s parents up north, the farm sourced and shipped the prize pumpkins to Tampa.

The pumpkin patch runs Oct 15 through Nov 2, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with everything from rare heirlooms to tiny decorative gourds. The makers market pops up on the first and third Saturdays through May; the next one is Saturday, Oct 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

‘Stairway for Heroes’ Uses Golf to Help Veterans Heal and Connect

What started as one veteran’s search for healing has grown into a powerful local nonprofit. Stairway for Heroes, founded by U.S. Navy veteran Melvin Azofeifa, helps fellow veterans find camaraderie, confidence, and purpose through golf, offering free clubs, PGA lessons, and community events year-round.

Their next event, Clays for Heroes, happens Friday, October 10, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O’ Lakes. Teams, individual entries, and sponsorships are all available.

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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

Art & Artisan Stroll
Sunday, October 12 | 11 AM – 3 PM
📍 The Shops at Wiregrass – 28211 Paseo Dr, Wesley Chapel

Spend your Sunday surrounded by 🎶 music, 🖼️ art, and 🌤️ neighborly vibes! The Art & Artisan Stroll brings together talented local makers, live music by Mike Cee, and rows of handcrafted treasures you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect fall outing — grab a coffee, bring your friends, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon supporting local artists and small businesses. 💛🛍️🎨

Live Music

Friday, October 10

• Art’s Tap House, New Port Richey | Jezabelle | 8–11:59 PM

• Banana Wind Bar & Grill, Zephyrhills | Jase Randell Band | 8–11:55 PM

• Cigars International Superstore, Lutz | Live Music | 8–11:45 PM

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | John Johnson & Kyle Velez | 7:30–11:30 PM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Daniel Sprouse | 7–11 PM

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Matthew McCartney | 7–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Charles Melin | 7–10 PM

• House of Brews, Lutz | Brian Spotts | 7–10 PM

• Jerry’s Crystal Bar, Zephyrhills | Sons of Phil (Day 1/2) | 9 PM–1 AM

• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Primal Joy | 8–11:59 PM

• O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | 3 Foot Circle | 8–11:59 PM

• O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Tampa | Nicaea (Day 1/2) | 9 PM–1 AM

• Orpheum Theatre, Tampa | Tour of Terror | 6–11 PM

• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | JJ Appleton & Jason Ricci Trio – $10/15 | 8–11:59 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Lock & Key | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Double Treble Trio | 7–10 PM

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

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Tommy Keys & The Barrel House Boys | 7–11 PM

• Thomas P’s Sports Bar & Patio, Tampa | Brack Harris | 5–8 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O’ Lakes | Wesley Wilson | 7–10 PM

• Tom’s Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Maverick & Pasquini | 8–11 PM

• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Whiskey Sonic | 7:30–10:30 PM

Saturday, October 11

• Banana Wind Bar & Grill, Zephyrhills | Darrell Sikes Band | 8–11:55 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | Dreams Unwind | 6–9 PM

• Brass Mug, Tampa | Kings of Thrash ($) | 6:30–11:30 PM

• Commandough’s Pizza, Zephyrhills | Michael Lynn | 5–8 PM

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Tyler Dusek | 7:30–11:30 PM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Bus Stop | 7–11 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Eric Engle Duo | 1–4 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | The Guilty Pleasure | 6–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Sam Williams | 7–10 PM

• In the Loop Brewing, Land O’ Lakes | Cerulean Songbird | 6–9 PM

• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | West Wind | 7–11 PM

• O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Tampa | Skunkhemmer (Day 1/2) | 9 PM–1 AM

• O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Matthew Dallas | 8–11:59 PM

• Orpheum Theatre, Tampa | Emo Night Brooklyn (18 and Over) | 8–10 PM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Misty Hall | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Mario Guini | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Whiskey Sonic | 7–10 PM

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Shawn Revolver | 7–11:59 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O’ Lakes | Dusty Vinyls | 7–10 PM

• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Terry T Band | 7:30–10:30 PM

• Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Live Music Saturdays | 5–8 PM

Sunday, October 12

• Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Jesse Derringer | 2–5 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Brad Noblitt | 1–4 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | JT Curtis | 5–8 PM

• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Patrick Foy | 4:30–7:30 PM

Tuesday, October 14

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

• Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Open Mic Night | 7–10 PM

Markets

Friday, October 10

• The Hub at Bexley, Land O’ Lakes | Moonlight Market | 5–9 PM

Saturday, October 11

• Azora at Cypress Ranch, Lutz | Fall Pop Up Market at Azora | 10 AM–2 PM

• Hampton Inn Odessa Trinity, Odessa | Handmade Harvest | 10 AM–3 PM

• In the Loop Brewing, Land O’ Lakes | Yappy Hour Costume Contest | 5–9 PM

• Keystone United Methodist Church, Odessa | Keystone UMC Fall Craft Fair | 9 AM–2 PM

• Park at Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa | Carrollwood Market | 10 AM–2 PM

• The Church @ Chancey Rd., Zephyrhills | Annual Fall Market | 10 AM–12 PM

• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Candy Crawl | 10 AM–2 PM

• Zephyr Park, Zephyrhills | Saturday @ Zephyr Park | 9 AM–2 PM

Sunday, October 12

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Spooky Sunday Market | 1–5 PM

• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Harvest Markets | 11 AM–3 PM

• The Shops at Wiregrass, Wesley Chapel | Art & Artisan Stroll | 11 AM–3 PM

Events

Friday, October 10

• AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel | Beer League World Championships – Adult Co-Ed | 10 AM–8 PM

• Black Sheep American Pub, Lutz | Karaoke | 7–10 PM

• Carrollwood Players, Tampa | Murdered to Death | 8–10 PM

• Commandough’s Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM

• East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills | Coffee and Networking | 8–9 AM

• Florida Farm School & Animal Rescue, Dade City | Toddler Time | 10:30 AM–12 PM

• Hope City Church, Land O’ Lakes | Pumpkin Patch | 11 AM–7 PM

• Kia of Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Taco Boss Food Truck | 11 AM–2 PM

• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Freestyle House Music | 7–11 PM

• Main Theatre, Tampa | Tampa Metropolitan Improv | 7–8:30 PM

• Raprager Family Farms, Odessa | Pumpkin Festival | 11 AM–9 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Clayton Fletcher ($) | 7:30–9:15 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Comics Night Out Open Mic ($) | 9:30–11:15 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Halloween Haunting ($10) | 4–9 PM

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

• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Senior Social – 50+ | 3–5 PM

• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30 PM

Saturday, October 11

• 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa | New Tampa Jazz Nights: Jeremy Carter’s Soul of Jazz | 8–11 PM

• AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel | Beer League World Championships – Adult Co-Ed | 10 AM–8 PM

• Beef 'O' Brady's, Land O’ Lakes | Survey Says Trivia Game | 6–8 PM

• Carrollwood Players, Tampa | Murdered to Death | 8–10 PM

• Cordoba Estates, Lutz | Cordoba Estates Fall Garage Sale | 7 AM–2 PM

• Dallas Bull, Tampa | Line Dancing w/Kate | 7–8:30 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Oktoberfest | 11 AM–11:59 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• Harley-Davidson of Wesley Chapel, Lutz | Spooktacular Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM

• Hope City Church, Land O’ Lakes | Pumpkin Patch | 11 AM–7 PM

• Ignite Dance Company, Odessa | Halloween Fright Night | 6–8 PM

• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Caribbean Night | 7–11 PM

• Lutz Whistle Stop Depot, Lutz | Creating Art with Gelli Plates ($) | 10:30 AM–12 PM

• Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Car Meetup | 9–11 AM

• Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, Dade City | Scarecrow Festival | 9 AM–4 PM

• Raprager Family Farms, Odessa | Pumpkin Festival | 9 AM–10 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Clayton Fletcher ($) | 7–8:45 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Clayton Fletcher ($) | 9:30–11:15 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Halloween Haunting ($10) | 10 AM–9 PM

• Subaru of Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Pet Adoption Event | 10 AM–12 PM

• The Liquid Garage Brewing Co., New Port Richey | TBBA Brew Bus Poker Run ($) | 11 AM–6 PM

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

• Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Kids vs Adults Trivia – Harry Potter | 4–6 PM

Sunday, October 12

• AdventHealth Center Ice, Wesley Chapel | Beer League World Championships – Adult Co-Ed | 10 AM–1 PM

• Agnes Lamb Park, Dade City | Breathe & Stretch Yoga | 1–2 PM

• Carrollwood Players, Tampa | Murdered to Death | 2–4 PM

• Dade City Farms, Dade City | Fall Festival at Dade City Farms | 10 AM–5 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• Hope City Church, Land O’ Lakes | Pumpkin Patch | 11 AM–7 PM

• Raprager Family Farms, Odessa | Pumpkin Festival | 9 AM–8 PM

• Raining Berries – Lutz / Wesley Chapel, Lutz | Spooky Mummies Couple Cake Decorating | 10:15 AM–12:15 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Halloween Haunting ($10) | 10 AM–7 PM

Monday, October 13

• Dade City Brew House, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9 PM

• Hope City Church, Land O’ Lakes | Pumpkin Patch | 11 AM–7 PM

• Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory, Odessa | Trivia Night | 6:30–8:30 PM

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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