TOGETHER WITH
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Good Morning Neighbor,
Happy Friday!
We've had some pretty nice weather lately, but it looks like the heat will be making its way back soon. Let's enjoy this while we've got it!
And how about those Rays!! For just the third time in franchise history, they're American League champions and headed to the World Series! What an incredible accomplishment. They'll be taking on the Milwaukee Brewers, with the first two games right here in the Tampa Bay area. Here's the schedule:
World Series Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23 at 8p — Tampa Bay
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8p — Tampa Bay
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26 at 8p — Milwaukee
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 8p — Milwaukee
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 28 — Milwaukee (if necessary)
Game 6: Friday, Oct. 30 — Tampa Bay (if necessary)
Game 7: Saturday, Oct. 31 — Tampa Bay (if necessary)
Let's go Rays!!
-Mike
Extras:
Help the families of Cobalt Apartments
Check out the cheapest gas
In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:
🛋️ CITY HOME Opens Massive Wesley Chapel Showroom
⚾ Rays Stadium Timeline Is Getting Tight
🍂 Fall Fun at Lutz Whistle Stop Depot
🦒 ZooTampa Gets Green Light for $150M Makeover
And a bunch more!
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Each newsletter includes the latest event information available at the time of publication.
Highlights
CITY HOME Opens Massive Wesley Chapel Showroom
Anyone shopping for furniture or planning a home upgrade has a new place to check out! CITY HOME just opened a massive 120,000-square-foot showroom at 25857 Sierra Center Blvd. in Lutz. And it's not just furniture and mattresses. They've got appliances, home electronics, kitchens, closets, bathroom products, and even fitness equipment.
This is also the first showroom the company built from the ground up under its new CITY HOME name. They're open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., so there's plenty of time to wander around and get some ideas for the house!
Rays Stadium Timeline Is Getting Tight
I'm excited about the Rays getting a new stadium in Tampa, but that 2029 opening date is starting to look pretty ambitious. The team originally planned to break ground in September on the $2.3 billion ballpark at Hillsborough College along Dale Mabry, but construction still hasn't started. Rays CEO Ken Babby insists everything is on schedule, with preliminary work expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The team has roughly two and a half years to get it done, and several college buildings still need to be demolished. There's also a November 10 public hearing tied to $360 million in county sales tax funding. The Rays are sticking with April 2029, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly things start moving!
Together with Lutz Whistle Stop Depot
Have You Discovered This Lutz Hidden Gem?
Looking for a little fall charm? Lutz Whistle Stop Depot is filled with vintage treasures, home décor, gifts, plants, antiques, artwork, and handcrafted finds from local artisans. There's always something new to discover, and pictures don't do it justice! More than shopping, it's a place to gather and connect with your community.
October 31 | Trick or Treat (10:30am–5pm)
Bring the kids for Halloween treats throughout the boutique while you browse for a few treasures of your own!
November 6 | First Friday (3–5pm)
Enjoy an afternoon of fall shopping, drinks, treats, the Whistle Stop Tea Room, and solo performances by Tampa Bay Music Academy students.
November | Honoring Our Veterans
Throughout November, the Depot is celebrating veterans in its community.
Support Veteran Vendors: Look for American flags at veteran-owned booths, shop their unique finds, and thank them for their service.
Leave a Note of Thanks: Write a message on a provided card and place it in the thank-you basket. Notes will be delivered to veterans at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O' Lakes.
Come shop, explore, and help make this season special!
Community
ZooTampa Gets Green Light for $150M Makeover
This is going to be great for the family! Hillsborough County commissioners approved $75 million in funding, which ZooTampa will match for a $150 million renovation and expansion over the next 15 years. Plans include updated exhibits and a brand-new South American section on roughly 14 acres near the Hillsborough River.
There's also talk of new animal habitats, dining, shopping, and even a second entrance accessible by water taxi from downtown Tampa. It'll take some time, but I'm excited to see what they do with the place!
Three Pasco Elementary Schools Might See Changes
Some important decisions are coming for families in Pasco County. Superintendent John Legg has proposed a plan that would close Fox Hollow Elementary, turn Schrader Elementary into a STEAM magnet school, and transform Gulf Highlands Elementary into a career exploration academy. The district says declining enrollment, aging buildings, and years of low school grades are driving the proposal.
Nothing is final yet. The School Board will vote on November 3, and if approved, new attendance boundaries would take effect in January. District leaders say no employees will lose their jobs, but details about student transportation and updated school boundaries haven't been finalized.
HomeGoods Opens New Store in Citrus Park
Who doesn't love a little HomeGoods shopping? There's a new location open at The Plaza at Citrus Park, 12655 Citrus Plaza Drive, with everything from furniture and bedding to rugs, home décor, and pet supplies.
They're open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Another place to go looking for one thing and somehow leave with five!
Pasco Steps Up Mosquito Control Efforts
These mosquitoes have been bad enough lately, and now there's even more reason to keep an eye on them. Florida has reported 368 dengue cases, including 310 in Hillsborough County and four in Pasco. In response, Pasco County Mosquito Control is stepping up neighborhood spraying by truck and helicopter, along with going door-to-door to educate residents.
Here's something worth remembering: the mosquitoes that spread dengue love small amounts of standing water around our homes. Flower pots, gutters, and other containers are perfect breeding spots, so take a few minutes to empty anything collecting water in your yard.
A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!
Lutz Whistle Stop Depot - Your go-to spot for gifts, vintage finds, home décor, antiques, handcrafted goods, plants, artwork, and general store treats. Come check us out!
FarmPixie - A simple way to buy fresh produce, eggs, honey, and more directly from local farmers and growers across Florida.
Gamer Events - Delivers fully hosted mobile gaming, laser tag, and VR experiences right to your location for easy, stress-free parties.
Revolution Catering & Meal Prep - Chef-driven catering, private dining, corporate events, and customized meal prep from a local family-owned business.
Carlie Carter of C&H Co. - Carlie Carter specializes in healthy hair, gray blending, color, and personalized styles from her private salon suite in Carrollwood. New clients receive 20% off their first appointment.
GrowerLive – Tampa Bay software that helps growers, greenhouses, and nurseries manage inventory, orders, production, and shipping in one place.
Ol’e Fellas Flooring - Your local family flooring experts—quality you can trust
EVENTS REMINDER:
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