In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

🗓 Events This Coming Week

🌦 NEW TAMPA WEATHER

☃ Snowcat Ridge Unveils Enchanting Santa's Christmas Lane

 🎄 Parrandón Fest: A Vibrant Celebration of Puerto Rican Christmas in Land O' Lakes

⚖ Tampa Faces Surge in Purse Thefts: A Call for Vigilance from the Police

⚖ Postal Worker Hold-ups Shock Tampa Bay Area

 🏈 Exciting Matchup in Tampa's ReliaQuest Bowl

 🏈 Florida State's Playoff Snub Sparks Senate Inquiry and Social Media Fury

⛽ Wawa Laughs with Jennie Garth: A Philly Adventure

This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area

December 5

December 6

December 7

December 8 — Adoration of the Magi: A Madrigal Dinner - 8pm

December 9 — Adoration of the Magi: A Madrigal Dinner - 8pm

December 10 — Chanukah Street Fair, Krate at the Grove - 5pm

December 11 — Heralds of Harmony, NTPAC - 730pm

Snowcat Ridge Unveils Enchanting Santa's Christmas Lane

for a Magical Winter Season

Snowcat Ridge, Florida's leading snow park, kicked off the 2023-24 season with the debut of Santa's Christmas Lane. The festive addition, unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, offers a range of kid-friendly activities, including meet-and-greets in Santa's Cozy Cabin, enchanting story hours with Mrs. Claus, the Candyland-inspired Peppermint Play Zone, and the marketplace, Santa's Gift Shoppe. Alongside perennial favorites like the 400-foot snow-tubing slide, The Crystal Ribbon ice-skating course, The Arctic Igloo snow-playing area, and the Alpine Village, the park provides a magical experience. Despite a delayed opening for a $1 million restroom upgrade, the addition of two family restrooms has improved capacity. Open daily until 10 p.m. (extended to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) until December 24, 2023, Snowcat Ridge will continue Friday through Sunday starting January 7, 2024, offering an extended winter wonderland experience.

Parrandón Fest: A Vibrant Celebration of Puerto Rican Christmas

in Land O' Lakes

Join the festivities at Parrandón Fest on December 9 from noon to 8 p.m. at Land O' Lakes Heritage Park. Located at 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd, this Puerto Rican Christmas event promises a celebration of holiday traditions and culture. Delight in live music by Puerto Rican artists, including Pleneros, savor traditional coquito, and capture memories with a camel in homage to the Three Kings. Admission is $12 for adults, and children 12 and younger enter for free. Immerse yourself in the warmth of Puerto Rican holiday traditions at this not-to-be-missed event. Visit https://parrandonfest.com/ for more details.

Tampa Faces Surge in Purse Thefts: A Call for Vigilance from the Police

In recent weeks, the Tampa Police Department has observed a spike in purse and wallet thefts, particularly at local restaurants and shopping plazas, leading to a surge in credit card fraud cases. The perpetrators typically target unsuspecting victims who leave their purses on the back of chairs, with incidents showing a consistent pattern. Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the importance of community awareness, urging citizens to adopt preventive measures such as securing belongings, avoiding visible storage in vehicles, and staying vigilant during the holiday season. Surveillance footage of the suspects is available, and the police seek public assistance in identifying them. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Tampa Police or Crime Stoppers.

Postal Worker Hold-ups Shock Tampa Bay Area,

Five Youths Face Federal Charges

In Tampa, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg reveals federal charges against five young individuals, aged 18 to 20, for armed robberies targeting postal workers. The criminal complaint details a September 5 incident at the River Pointe apartments, where Jordan Murray, 19, and Darine Underwood, 18, robbed a mail carrier at gunpoint, seizing serialized keys. Another robbery on September 21 involves Christopher Raymond, 20, and Andre Hylton, 19, stealing serialized keys from two carriers. Serialized keys, enabling access to multiple mailboxes, are a common tool in mail theft. The U.S. Postal Service reported over 600 arrests nationwide since May. Residents express relief as these cases contribute to heightened vigilance.

Wawa Laughs with Jennie Garth: A Philly Adventure

Jennie Garth, famed for her Beverly Hills, 90210 role, added a touch of nostalgia during a recent Philadelphia visit. Donning a Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt, the 51-year-old actress made a pitstop at Wawa, a local convenience store chain. Sharing the moment on social media, Garth humorously questioned dining at a "gas station," prompting Wawa's official account to playfully respond, "90210h she didn't." Known for its sandwiches and coffee, Wawa, a Philly staple, boasts over 1000 stores across several states including Florida .

Fun fact: the chain's name, pronounced "way-way," is an Ojibwe word for snow goose, reflecting its Canadian goose logo.

Exciting Matchup: No. 13 LSU Takes on Wisconsin

in Tampa's ReliaQuest Bowl

No. 13 LSU is set to face Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Florida. Seeking their 10th win under coach Brian Kelly, LSU is led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Jayden Daniels. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at Noon EST, and fans can explore ticket options on StubHub and VividSeats. New VividSeats customers can use the code MassLive20 for a $20 discount on $200+ orders. For travel arrangements, check deals on TripAdvisor, VRBO, Marriott, or Booking.com. Wisconsin, with seven wins in Luke Fickell's first full season, features standout runner Braelon Allen. The teams last met in 2016, marking LSU's 55th bowl appearance and Wisconsin's 35th. As of December 4, tickets start at $59 on StubHub and $61 on VividSeats.

Florida State's Playoff Snub Sparks Senate Inquiry

and Social Media Fury

In an unprecedented move, undefeated Florida State's exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP) has sparked outrage, even reaching the U.S. Senate. Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) demands transparency from the CFP Selection Committee, citing financial implications for the ACC and FSU. Former Governor Ron DeSantis and ex-President Trump weigh in on social media, with Trump criticizing the lobbying effort. The Seminoles, despite a 12-0 season and ACC Championship win, face controversy as the committee favors one-loss teams like Alabama and Texas. Coach Norvell expresses frustration, and injured quarterback Jordan Travis questions the committee's judgment. The Seminoles, ranked No. 14 in defense, now gear up for the Orange Bowl against Georgia, still aspiring for a perfect season.

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