Have a Happy New Year!

Wesley Chapel's fresh market this Saturday

Last month we saw the first fresh market at The Shops at Wiregrass and for the first one, it drew a nice crowd including folks walking their dogs. The market is held the first Saturday of each month but I was thinking that they might not have it in January since it is New Year's Day. Well, they have the Fresh Market banner posted at the SR 56 and BBD intersection advertising the market on the 1st and the mall's calendar includes the event for Saturday too so the market is on for January 1st.

The cold weather will be gone by then and it will be a great opportunity to get out and enjoy our warmer weather and a more relaxed type of shopping after the holiday frenzy!  Last month there were several food trucks and a number of booths with fresh baked goods, so it's a fun event for a late "street" breakfast or lunch too.  Hours:  10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Suncoast Arts Fest ( 2011 ) returns to Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel next month

The very popular Suncoast Arts Fest returns to The Shops at Wiregrass in January so mark your calendars! The two day art show is scheduled for January 22 & 23, 2011 with up to 110 fine artists and craftsmen and 30 chalk artists participating. The juried show offers fine artists & craftsmen awards of up to $2,000.

Here's a video about last year's Suncoast Arts Fest at The Shops at Wiregrass which attracted over 100,000 visitors:


Website:  http://www.suncoastartsfest.com/

Bella Med Spa in Wesley Chapel

The Bella Med Spa will be relocating to the Nutrition Smart shopping center on BBD in Wesley Chapel some time next spring.  The spa currently is located in Seven Oaks.

Tampa among top 20 worst cities for commutes according to TheStreet & Bundle

While we are experiencing a good bit of pain with the widening projects of Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel and the widening of SR 54 in Wesley Chapel, the time in our cars commuting should be markedly improved when these projects are complete. 

A recently released study by TheStreet and Bundle however ranks Tampa in the bottom 20 of 90 cities for commuting.  The rankings were based on average commute time, number of commuters during peak hours, total miles traveled daily, annual hours of delay per commuter during peak hours, and spending on gas an auto expenses.  The top 5 worst cities for commutes according to the study?  Dallas, San Jose, Houston, Miami, & Phoenix.  Link

Site work begins for the Wesley Chapel Medical Center & groundbreaking is next week

Site work recently began for the Wesley Chapel Medical Center, located just north of The Shops at Wiregrass on BBD and the groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for next week on December 14, 2010.

The Wesley Chapel Medical Center is an 80 bed acute care hospital providing patient centered services that will be built on 52 acres in the heart of Wesley Chapel.  "The hospital is designed to give residents of the communities in and around Wesley Chapel access to innovative health care, state of the art technology and the latest in health & wellness programs and services.

The Wesley Chapel hospital is expected to take between 18 to 24 months to construct and when done the 200,000 sq. ft. hospital will offer pediatrics, obstetrics, women’s and men’s services, general surgery, an emergency department with helicopter pad, a comprehensive medical fitness center, orthopedics, sports medicine and a 100,000 sq. ft. medical office building. Additionally, the facility’s design allows for future expansion as new services are needed for the community. The architectural design also includes the use of natural light and gardens to enhance the healing process."

La Cubanita Cafe in New Tampa opening next week

La Cubanita Cafe plans to open on Monday, December 13, 2010.  The cafe is located in the New Tampa Center (BBD & New Tampa Blvd.) and will offer soups, salads, sandwiches, and Cuban entrees--boliche, ropa vieja, palomilla steak, etc..  The cafe will be open seven days a week, will provide catering and will serve breakfast starting at 7:00 AM.  Additional info:  Address:  19040 Bruce. B. Downs, Tampa, 33647; Phone:  813-632-9100.

Pasco Clerk of the Court/Comptroller to speak at December PACA meeting

Paula O'Neill, Pasco Clerk of the Court & Comptroller will speak at the December Pasco Alliance of Community Associations' meeting and provide an update on foreclosures, the foreclosure process in Pasco County and the online foreclosure program.   The meeting will be held on December 9, 2010 at the Land O Lakes Community Center at 7:00 PM.  The public is invited to attend.

Fresh market at Wiregrass

The first "fresh market" at The Shops at Wiregrass, today from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Baked goods, honey, produce, pierogis, crafts; even massages and entertainment.  A fun new concept for Wesley Chapel, the fresh market is planned for the first Saturday of every month.

Light up the night--A Hanukkah celebration at Wiregrass this Sunday

Lexington Oaks market update

Four single family homes were reported sold by our MLS in the Wesley Chapel golf course community of Lexington Oaks in November.  Reported sold prices ranged from a low of $125,000 to a high of $317,000 and the sold prices per square foot (heated & cooled) had a large range from $64.00 to $95.25.  At this time Lexington Oaks has over 40 single family homes listed for sale.

Holiday tree lighting and festival

The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual holiday tree lighting and festival on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at The Grove.  A visit from Santa and the Grinch are planned and the event will last from 4:00 to 7:30 PM.

December entertainment at The Shops at Wiregrass

The Shops at Wiregrass has a whole lot of entertainment scheduled for December including a Hanukkah celebration (December 5th), numerous performances by the New Tampa Dance Theater of The Nutcracker, a puppet show, a holiday glitz and glamour pageant, and a bunch of other performances. Here's the link to the calendar of events/performances for December.  After opening the link, click anywhere on the calendar to enlarge it.