Hello Land O' Lakes! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Resort super pool makeover, kids pizza making class, and pack 323 scouting night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A revamped resort getaway: Wesley Chapel’s Saddlebrook Resort, a car-free walking village, features a giant Super Pool and a spa, with a nearly $100 million renovation completed in 2025 and year-round outdoor activities -- learn more about this retreat.
A scenic history stop: Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Pasco County was selected for FDOT’s Road Trip Florida celebrating America 250, with a historical marker marking the start amid mangroves and kayak-friendly waterways -- see the park marker.
Community weighs tradeoffs: Zephyrhills city council voted Monday to approve a one-year pause on data centers, halting permits, rezoning and site plans. Officials call it proactive, with no applications pending in Pasco County -- see the data-center pause.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local playtime upgrade: Land O' Lakes Recreation Center Collier Park Playground is your quick, no-fuss spot to let the kids climb, slide, and sprint without leaving the neighborhood. Tucked inside the county rec complex, it’s an easy reset when cabin fever kicks in and you’ve got dinner on the clock.
Ready to flip out: Turn weeknights into multiball at Little Shop Of Games, a local showroom packed with gleaming cabinets and people who actually know their tilt from their top lanes. Perfect if you’re plotting a home setup or just need a five-minute nostalgia break that somehow becomes an hour.
Plant vibes, unlocked: If your yard is stuck in "meh," The Greenery of Tampa Bay is the kind of garden center where you stroll in for one plant and leave plotting a whole backyard glow up. Friendly help, plenty of inspiration, and the leafy motivation your porch has been hinting at.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍕 Kids Pizza Making Class @ Santelli Pizza & Pasta (Odessa) | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:30 AM – Hand the kitchen reins to the kiddos at Santelli Pizza & Pasta’s hands-on pizza class. They’ll flour-bomb their aprons, knead real dough, and build pies from scratch, while you sip something, swap stories with other parents, and let someone else handle the mess.
☕ Mommy Cafe @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union - Lutz - Land O' Lakes | Thursday (6/25) at 9:00 AM – Mommy Cafe is pouring free black coffee and café con leche while your toddlers commandeer a safe play zone and you talk to actual adults. It happens every last Thursday, and this month Ariana the Mama Coach swings by to answer questions and steady nerves.
🐿 Flying Squirrel Friday @ Flying Squirrel Lutz | Friday (6/26) at 2:00 PM – Flying Squirrel Friday means unleashing the kids on trampoline courts, dodgeball, and a climbing wall, while you hold court on comfy couches like a judge. On 54 just west of the outlets, the 10 hour card is $150, shareable, and counts as PE with StepUp.
🧚 Fairy Fashion in Bloom @ Painted Leaf Studio (Lutz) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – This workshop turns fresh flowers, moss, and kid-fueled imagination into fairy fashion worthy of the backyard runway. Designed for ages 8 to 11, and for grownups who prefer crafts that compost. Hosted by Painted Leaf, a Step-Up Direct Provider.
🐶 Adoption Event @ Pet Urgent Care of Wesley Chapel | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Think of it as a low-pressure meet-and-greet with adoptable cats and dogs from Mercy Full Project Rescue, all charm, no sales pitch. Expect wagging tails, quiet purrs, and the chance to upgrade your walks, naps, and family photos with a new household supervisor.
🎨 Teen Summer Art Camp @ Lutz Family Church | Monday (6/29) at 1:30 PM – Give your teen a screen break with this 12-and-up art camp, a relaxed spot for older makers to craft with style and independence. They’ll watercolor a camp shirt, embroider a tote, and knit a chunky blanket, building STEAM skills, confidence, and a new friend.
🏕 Join Scouting Night @ Harvester Community Church | Tuesday (6/30) at 6:30 PM – Give the tablets a night off and check out Pack 323’s Join Scouting Night at Harvester Community Church in Land O’ Lakes. Kids in grades K-5 meet Scouts, sample hands-on fun, and dream up adventures, while parents get straight answers, no tent required.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Land O' Lakes report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 42%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Heat index values as high as 100. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 95°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 24%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 0 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 76. West northwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildThis magazine-worthy Taylor Morrison Kentwood III in gated Gardenia Glen offers 3,450 square feet, five bedrooms, and four-and-a-half baths on a larger corner lot. A gourmet kitchen with an oversized granite island anchors the open layout, while coffered ceilings, custom trim, a first-floor guest suite, heated saltwater pool, and motorized screened lanai add standout appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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