Top Story

TAMPA – MOSI has unveiled a new name and a massive expansion of its space.

The institution will continue to be called “MOSI” but those letters will stand for the Museum of Science & Innovation.

“Our new name, Museum of Science & Innovation, captures the trajectory and energy of MOSI as we look to the future,”  President and CEO John Graydon Smith said. “We’re in a rapidly changing world, and Tampa Bay can count on MOSI to help make sense of what’s happening now and what’s coming next.

MOSI has changed names before during its 64-year history. It began as the Museum of Science and Natural History in 1962 before becoming the Museum of Science & Industry in 1982.

The new name aligns with the focus of the museum and its surrounding area as significant investments in Tampa Bay’s innovation economy continue to transform the Uptown area.

“Beyond understanding innovation, MOSI is here to help harness it,” Smith said. “We’re here to inspire the thinkers of tomorrow with learning outside the classroom, and we’re here to be a crucial partner in making sure the jobs of the future will be coming to Tampa Bay.”

Campus expansion

MOSI also unveiled its expanded Center for STEAM Learning, adding 30,000 square feet of new classroom and lab space and allowing MOSI to serve four times the number of field trip visitors and school break campers each year.

The expansion features classrooms, a cooking lab, three computer labs and a makerspace with advanced hands-on tools like 3D printers.

“MOSI is the key anchor of an exciting redevelopment project coming to North Tampa, bringing in fresh opportunities for science, sports, entertainment, and more,” said Chris Boles, Hillsborough County commissioner and MOSI board member. “The concept of innovation will be at the core of this effort. Seeing MOSI take on a new name that matches this mission is a fantastic fit.”

MOSI also opened the doors to the new MOSI Digital Content Lab, where students will create immersive movies for giant dome screens like the one inside Saunders Planetarium. 

Developed with significant support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture, the lab will give students in MOSI science camps the power to bring their ideas to life.

Through a collaboration with the University of South Florida, the lab’s tools will be shared with USF students studying subjects ranging from film and art to medicine and engineering.

The Center for STEAM Learning expansion reactivates a portion of MOSI’s campus that was closed in 2017 when the museum made strategic changes to ensure financial sustainability.

“We’re not getting bigger simply for the sake of getting bigger. MOSI is evolving and growing strategically because we’re seeing the demand in our community for a first-class partner in science and innovation,” Smith said. “Our attendance has continued to climb, jumping up by nearly 35% with the opening of the Saunders Planetarium. The message is clear: MOSI is here to stay in North Tampa.”

 

ZEPHYRHILLS – Competitive barbecue is returning to the 16th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival with the introduction of an FBA-sanctioned Backyard BBQ Competition on Feb. 28 in downtown Zephyrhills. 

Previously a professional-level competition, organizers are relaunching the contest with a Backyard division as they reintroduce competitive cooking to the festival. The competition will be sanctioned by the Florida Barbecue Association, ensuring official rules, certified judging and a structured competitive experience. 

The Backyard BBQ Competition is open to amateur and backyard pitmasters and will feature competition in pork, ribs and chicken. The People’s Choice, sponsored by Effie Mae’s Kitchen, will allow attendees to sample and vote for their favorite entries. 

The 16th Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival is a signature East Pasco County event, drawing thousands each year for award-winning barbecue, live blues music, and family-friendly entertainment. 

2026 music performers will include LC Williams and The Driver, The Nightbumpers, Thunderbolt Brown and All Star Band featuring Chuck Riley, Ephraim Lowell, RJ Howson & Kid Royal

The event is sponsored in partnership with Florida’s Sports Coast, Suncoast Credit Union, AdventHealth, the City of Zephyrhills, Sonny’s BBQ, The Laker/Lutz News and Tampa Bay Times. 

Proceeds benefit the Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce and its foundation, which supports scholarships for Pasco County students. 

Team spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. More information and registration details are available at www.eastpascochamber.org/pigz-in-zhills-bbq-blues-festival/.

 

There are things about respiratory viruses that we can’t control, such as this season’s flu strain, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine or if the person sitting behind you at a restaurant is covering their cough. 

And with cold and flu season well underway, it’s important to take action to prevent these illnesses in ways you can control: washing your hands frequently and minimizing barehand contact of public surfaces such as doorknobs and handrails, and so on. 

Another thing you can control: your diet pattern. 

After all, the immune system can’t work at maximum capacity if you are deficient in nutrients. 

The good news is that the diet recommendations that keep our immune systems in optimal condition are the same recommendations for an overall healthy diet. 

So, if you needed another reason to eat healthier this year, there it is.

For a strong immune system, make sure you are getting these micronutrients (Mayo Clinic, 2025):

• Iron: Needed for immune cell efficiency. Foods like red meat, beans, nuts and fortified cereals are good sources of iron. 
• Vitamin A: Shields us from infections by keeping skin and tissue healthy. Orange and red fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and bell peppers, have high levels of Vitamin A.
• Vitamin C: Promotes the creation of antibodies and the function of white blood cells. Found in strawberries, tomatoes and citrus fruits.
• Vitamin D: Activates immune defenses and plays a role in your body’s ability to effectively fight off bacteria and viruses. Found in fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified dairy and sunlight. 
• Vitamin E: An antioxidant that defends cell membranes from free radical damage. Seeds, nuts, peanut butter and some oils have this vitamin.
• Zinc: Supports immune cells’ function and development, and maintains skin barriers for fighting off bacteria and viruses. Foods such as meats, seeds, nuts and whole grains are good sources.

What about supplements? 

You get more health benefits when your nutrient intake is from food sources, such as fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. 

Nutrients are also more potent and are absorbed better from food versus supplements. 

Fat-soluble vitamins, which are D, E, A and K, need fat for absorption, and won’t provide as many benefits if taken as a supplement without a meal or food source with dietary fat. 

It’s important to note that taking supplements in conjunction with eating an unhealthy diet isn’t going to cancel out the risks that come with poor eating habits. 

Supplements should complement a healthy diet, not replace it. 

If you are eating a healthy balanced diet, then you are likely getting enough vitamins and minerals, but getting blood work at your annual checkup will give you a bigger picture of your nutrient levels and finding out what you may be deficient in. 

If your diet falls short (such as vegan diets lacking Vitamin B12), or you’re of a certain population (such as older age where it’s hard to absorb some nutrients, or pregnant women, who have more nutritional demands), then make sure you discuss with your provider about taking supplements.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County, An Equal Opportunity Institution.

LUTZ – Holly and Robby Robbins, of Lutz, were the proud parents of the first baby born at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in 2026.

Natalie arrived at 1:45 a.m. Jan. 2. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 19.75 inches.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North enhanced its labor and delivery and Mom & Baby maternity services this past year by opening a new $2 million, 5,431-square-foot Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with couplet care rooms.

The hospital also offers free resources for new mothers, such as a Breastfeeding Support Group and Understanding Your Newborn workshop.

 

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida celebrated the birth of Irish Jeyliani Escobar at 12 a.m. Jan. 1. She was one of the first babies born in the new year.

Irish weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 19 inches long at birth. 

Parents Jenny and Oscar Escobar thanked the hospital’s care team, especially nurse Marie for her compassionate and attentive care during delivery.

 

TAMPA – Students at Foster Academy were treated to a special holiday surprise Dec. 19 as AdventHealth team members joined the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Bolts Blue Crew to deliver Christmas gifts directly to classrooms.

Throughout the morning, students received gifts, AdventHealth Buddy Bears and plenty of hugs from Santa. For some children, the gift they received through Christmas with Class may be the only Christmas present they receive this year.

The Christmas with Class program supports students in high-need communities. The program was founded by Stephanie and Blaine Patterson.

In recognition of its impact, Christmas with Class was honored as an AdventHealth Goal Getter on Dec. 18 during the Tampa Bay Lightning game against the Los Angeles Kings. A special video highlighting the program’s work played on the arena’s big screen.

TAMPA – Christmas came early for 25 Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough families, as children received 50 new bicycles thanks to the onbikes program and community supporters.

Ten Habitat families picked up bicycles Dec. 18 at the onbikes warehouse, where some excited children had the chance to receive and ride their new bikes. 

For many children, it’s the first set of wheels they’ve ever owned. 

An additional 15 families received their bicycles the week prior. Some parents chose to make the bikes a surprise waiting under the tree on Christmas morning.

For families working toward first-time homeownership with Habitat, the gift represents more than a holiday surprise. Parents say the bicycles bring joy and encouragement as they continue to invest hundreds of “sweat equity” hours toward the purchase of a safe, affordable Habitat home with a mortgage designed to fit their budget.

“These families are doing the real work and moving closer to the dream of being able to put down roots for the next generation,” said Tina Forcier, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough. “It’s a little extra Christmas magic, so their children will also know that wonderful feeling of having their own new bikes to ride.”