Waterspout Photos, Hit-And-Run Dog, School Freebies (And Cats Can Bark)

Five things to know today, July 31, as you go about your business in Brandon and beyond.

Uncle Mike's Bella Fundraiser Lines Up 6 Bands

• From Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill at Brandon Harley — Six great bands are lined Up for Bella's fundraiser this Sunday, Aug. 4. Please tell all of your friends and come support a great cause. P.S. Bring your own dog along. There will be a fenced-off dog park area as well. (Editor's Note: Simone and Mike Tolley, owners of Uncle Mike's, along with the Brethren of St. Francis Animal Rescue, have been working together to save the life of Bella, a dog who was the victim of a hit-and-run accident on July 13. The Sunday fundraiser is to help raise money to offset Bella's medical costs. For the story of how Bella came to the attention of the Tolleys, and more on the upcoming fundraiser and community support, see Bella Post Goes Viral; Hit-And-Run Dog Fundraiser Set.)

100 Vendors, $10 Donation, Free Food Samples

• From FANG Back-To-School Festival — (Editor's Note: The FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG) is set to host its 11th Annual Back-To-School Festival on Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Campo Family YMCA in Valrico.) Join us for over 100 vendors! Free food samples, entertainment, and much more! Bring your $10 donation of cash or school supplies to support the YMCA's Backpack Program, that's all you need for you and your entire family to enjoy an afternoon of fun! (See Back To School So Soon? FANG Helps Parents Get Ready)

Tampa Bay Waterspout Photos Hit Facebook

• From TBO.com — TBO.com Facebook followers sent us pics of tonight's waterspout. — Waterspout photos 7/30/13. (Editor's Note: They are pretty dramatic!)
  

• From FOX13 & myfoxtampabay.com — Storms moving through the Tampa Bay area dropped this waterspout near the Howard Frankland Bridge around 7 p.m. Tuesday [July 30]. — PHOTOS: Waterspout near the Howard Frankland Bridge.
  

Dogs Bark, Cats . . . Well, They Can, Too

• From Care Animal Hospital —  Did you know: Dogs bark and cats meow. Simple as that... or so you thought. It turns out that cats have such similar anatomy to dogs that there's nothing stopping them from barking too. To turn their vocalizations doggish, all cats have to do is push air through their vocal cords with greater than normal force. According to experts, the barking cat in the video above probably learned its unusual, though not unheard of, vocal patterns from a dog co-pet. (Note: Care Animal Hospital reposted this from LiveScience.com, which i turn posted a video that appears as well on YouTube, which we re-posted here as well.)

Social Ride With Sheriff's Mounted Posse

• From Hillsborough County Sheriff's Mounted Posse — Our social director/board member/photographer has set up a brown bag lunch social ride at Colt Creek State Park on Saturday, August 17 at 8 a.m. As this is a social ride, you do not have to be a member of the posse to attend (or ride). If you are interested in the posse this is a good opportunity to meet some of our members and learn about what we do. Colt Creek is also a good place to start out a new horse with lots of wide, flat trails. Please contact Bobby Rex to RSVP. There is a $4 charge at the gate and remember to bring your CURRENT Coogins.