Good morning, neighbors. Last week we told you a decision was coming on the Lutz school fight — this week we've got the follow-up. Plus, a beloved 1978 farmers market is back from the dead in Odessa, a Westchase shop owner turned his store into a disaster-relief hub, and "Conjunction Junction" hits a stage five minutes from your house. Let's get into it.

A Hillsborough County land use hearing officer on Wednesday issued the special use permit for Apex Academy — the 1,000-student private K-8 planned for 24 acres at Dale Mabry and Holly Lane in Lutz.

You'll remember the June 15 hearing: 30+ residents in red "Keep Lutz Semi-Rural" shirts, and not a single speaker in favor. It wasn't enough.

What got approved: The plan keeps part of the existing tree farm, widens Holly Lane to four lanes, restricts school traffic exiting to left turns toward Dale Mabry, and staggers bell schedules to spread out the crush.

The opposition isn't done. Jennifer Miranda of Preserve Rural Lutz says the decision failed to account for impacts on the surrounding community — she's still worried about traffic and how first responders will navigate an area they already struggle with. The group, which raised over $12,000 for its fight, says it's exploring next steps.

What happens now: The Naidip Foundation — which paid $4.3 million for the land in December — moves on to site plan and building permits. Opponents' remaining option is an appeal.

The Plaza at Citrus Park — walls are moving. Construction is underway converting two big storefronts into four for Nordstrom Rack, HomeGoods, and Total Wine & More — and Total Wine appears to be on track to open first. New detail we hadn't reported: a fourth tenant, KidStrong — a kids' fitness franchise running CrossFit-style programs for children — is also expected to open soon. Two rental spaces still remain.

AdventHealth Carrollwood. Last week's big story is now officially in motion. Watch for site prep along Dale Mabry — remember, the parking garage comes first, before the six-story tower. First patients projected 2029.

When two massive earthquakes hit Venezuela back-to-back on June 24 — killing more than 1,700 people, with tens of thousands still missing — Jorge Lopez didn't just watch the news. He turned his West Park Village pet boutique, Woof! Here It Is (10106 Montague St.), into a donation hub.

Lopez, who left Venezuela about a decade ago, rallied neighbors and fellow business owners to collect clothing, blankets, medical supplies, hygiene items — and, fittingly for a pet shop, dog food and treats for Venezuela's displaced animals and the search-and-rescue dogs pulling survivors from the rubble. One neighboring business even lent a trailer. He's already hauled the first load to Miami, where relief agencies are funneling aid south, and he's collecting more.

Want to help? Donations are still being accepted at the shop, and Lopez can arrange pickup at [email protected].

If you grew up around here, you remember the Keystone Farmers Market — the little roadside institution on Brooker Creek that opened in 1978 and was famous for exactly three things: fresh produce, cold drinks, and legendary boiled peanuts.

It closed. And now it's back.

Nectaria and Pete Koumbis and their family took over the market in October 2025 and have spent the months since rejuvenating and expanding it — more local vendors, more organic products, kids' camps and school field trips on the property, and plans for livestock beyond the cows already grazing out back. Nectaria has 30 years in holistic products; Pete has just as long in organic fruits and vegetables. In her words, the market is "their dream come true."

Two things worth knowing. First: the boiled peanut recipe hasn't changed. Second, and this is the one that got us: on the last Tuesday of every month, the market hands out free hand-picked baskets of vegetables, fruit, cheese and groceries to local seniors. No catch. "We're a mom and pop market, we're not Publix," Koumbis says — and the prices reflect it.

Their biggest problem? People keep walking in saying "I had no idea you were back open." Consider this your notice.

Keystone Farmers Market · 12615 Tarpon Springs Road, Odessa · Open daily at 8 a.m. · keystonefarmersmarket.org · 813-455-4192

Schoolhouse Rock Live! · Friday–Sunday, July 17–19 · 8 p.m. (Sunday matinee 2 p.m.) · Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd. · $30–$35

We flagged it last week — now it's here. The stage musical follows Tom, a nervous first-day schoolteacher whose TV characters spring to life and teach him to win over his students with music. Translation: "Conjunction Junction," "Just a Bill," and every earworm your parents (or you) grew up on, performed live five minutes from home. If your kids have never heard how a bill becomes a law in three-part harmony, fix that this weekend. Also runs July 24–26. Tickets at carrollwoodcenter.org.

When Keystone Farmers Market opened in 1978, it sold produce, cold drinks, boiled peanuts — and bait fish. The new owners kept the peanut recipe exactly as it was but retired the bait cooler. Forty-eight years is a pretty good run for any local business; not bad for one that came back from the dead.

Last call: The Plaza at Citrus Park is filling back up. Which incoming store are you most excited about? Vote before your time is up.

👉 Vote Here: https://tally.so/r/1ABpYQ

The Daybreak Mug Awards nominations are officially rolling in. Keep them coming! If your favorite local coffee shop deserves recognition, don't let someone else's pick win by default. Nominations take about 60 seconds, and yes, we read every single one.

(Some of our favorite spots have a tap to vote in store. Ask the staff.)

Know about something I should write about. Connect with me here or on Facebook.

See you next week, 😉

— Citrus Park & Carrollwood Weekly