Events Ahead: Things To Do in the Greater Brandon Area (Aug. 9-14)

As the summer vacation winds down, and parents celebrate while their children mourn, there are quite a few events going on this week to lift the spirits of those young scholars.

AMC Regency 20 will screen the last of its Summer Fun Flicks for $1 while adults can look forward to a casino night at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association.

There’s also a free back-to-school immunization this weekend as well as a book sale at the Seffner-Mango branch library, which, if past sales are indicative, always has more than a few great deals.

There’s more of course — and we welcome your additions, in the comment box below — but in the meantime, here’s a to-do list to get you started:

TUESDAY, AUG. 9

Quote of the Day: ““It’s wonderful.” Peggy Penovich, a nurse educator in the neonatal intensive care unit at Brandon Regional on the hospital's new Women Center. / 

• Summer Fun Flicks - $1 movies / Aug. 9 / 10 a.m. / , 2496 West Brandon Blvd. / Summer Fun Flicks - sponsored by Chick-fil-A. “Megamind” / Call: 813-685-3396.

• Brandon Business Builders / Aug. 9 / 6–8 p.m. / , 701 West Lumsden Road / Leads group that meets every Tuesday except the third Tuesday of the month. Must call to see if your category is open. / Price: $40 annually. / Call: (813) 662-1102.

• Publisher: Formatting Publications / Aug. 9 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Manipulating in Publisher, picture and text frames; also, how to work with lines, borders and colors. Basic knowledge is recommended. / Free. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Summer Garden Club / Aug. 9 / 6:30–7:30 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Share what you know and learn from your neighbors. Feel free to bring photos of your gardens to pass around or digital copies to display on the projector. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Learn To Use Google / Aug. 9 / 6–7:15 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Learn the many features available through the Google website. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club, Business After Hours / Aug. 9 / 5:30–7:30 p.m. / Bivins & Hemenway, P.A. ,1060 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico / These 90-minute networking events are held the second Tuesday of the month. Each events has a scheduled theme and program and newer members (90 days or less) are given the opportunity to mention their respective businesses to the attendees. These events typically draw 70-120 participants. / Free to chamber members. / Call: 813-689-1221, Ext. 8843.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10

Quote of the Day: “It is what I was born to do.” / Artist Frank Bolock,  on his artwork, at the Aug. 6 “Stay Cool Indoor ArtFest” presented by the Brandon League of Fine Arts at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association. / 

• Bingo at Alafia American Legion Post 148 / Aug. 10 / 6:30 p.m. / 7240 U.S. 301 South, Riverview / Parents, along with toddlers and children up to 4 years of age, are invited for fun playtime and crafts projects. Meet other families while your child participates in exciting activities and gains new friends. / Free. / Call: 813-677-6529.

• Poker League / Aug. 10 / 6 p.m. / 16144 Churchview Drive / The Elite Poker Challenge is a bar poker league created by poker players for poker players. It welcomes all skill levels each Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. with registration. The first tournament starts at 7 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. Although these are free tournaments, players will compete for  prizes including bar tabs, seats in the World Series of Poker events, shirts, massages, an MP3, sunglasses, vacations, chip sets and poker tables. / Free. / Call: 813-657-2337.

• YP Brandon - Straight Up Networking Lunch / Aug. 10 / 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. / Longhorn Steakhouse, 11102 Causeway Blvd., Brandon / A networking lunch for YP Brandon and chamber members. Each individual will have an opportunity to speak about their business and "Straight Up" ask for lead introductions. Lunch is "on your own" with payment made to the host; several luncheon options, with special pricing, available. To RSVP, or for more information, contact Crystal Colegrove. / Free. / Call: 813-689-1221, Ext. 8824

• Free Play & Arts and Crafts / Aug. 10 / 10:30 a.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / Parents, with toddlers and children up to 4 years of age, are invited for fun playtime and crafts projects. Meet other families while your child participates in exciting activities and gains new friends. / Free. / Call: 813-740-4634.

• Story Time / Aug. 10 / 3–3:30 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / A 30-minute program, including stories, finger plays and songs. / Call: 813-273-3652.

THURSDAY, AUG. 11

Quote of the Day: "According the the commission, the county can no longer afford the program but the parks department can build an additional gym at the Brandon Community Center and a whole new complex at FishHawk.” / "Local Voices" blogger Elizabeth Belcher on the county commission's decision to end after-school care programs at county recreation centers. / 

• Bingo/Cards at the Brandon Elks Lodge / Aug. 11 / 6 p.m. / Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon. / Cards begin at 6 p.m., Bingo at 6:30 p.m. / Open to all. / Call: 813- 685-6469.

• Boy Scout Troop 665 Spirit Night / Aug. 11 / 6 a.m.–10 p.m. / , 1504 East Brandon Blvd. / Mention Troop 665 when you order (eat-in, carryout or drive-through) to help raise funds for troop camping activities. / Open to all. / Call: 813-541-1778.

• Writers' Critique Group  / Aug. 11 / 7 p.m. / Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon. / Join fellow writers to critique each other’s work; share common goals. / Open to all. / Call: 813-661-9883.

• Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / Aug. 11 / 8 a.m.–9 a.m. / 704 East Brandon Blvd. / Kiwanis is a service organization "dedicated to changing the world one community at a time." Top initiatives are the Terrific Kids program active in area schools and the Key Club at Brandon High School. Club business, "happy dollars" and a featured speaker highlight each weekly meeting. / Open to all. / Call: 813-294-0645.

• Book Discussion: "The Elegance of the Hedgehog," by Muriel Barbery / Aug. 11 / 6 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Renee Michel is an overweight, seemingly unremarkable concierge of a Parisian apartment building until the day her deliberately concealed intelligence is uncovered by an unstable but precocious young girl named Paloma. Copies of the book are available at the library. / Free. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Game Zone Grades 6-12 / Aug. 11 / 4–5 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Come hang out and play Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, and board games. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library. / Call: 813-273-3652.

FRIDAY, AUG. 12

Quote of the Day: "Did you know there are health benefits to participating in cultural events and creative activities? Doing so relieves stress and lessens depression while giving you satisfaction with your life!” / "Local Voices" blogger Anne Drewry. / 

• 12th Annual LBA Casino Night / Aug. 12 / 6:30- 11 p.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive. / Proceeds benefit the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Leadership Brandon Program and other alumni community enrichment programs. Event includes $2,500 in casino fun money, door prizes, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and a complementary beverage. / $30 individual tickets and a $20 Texas Hold’em buy-in. / Call: (813) 689-1221, Ext. 8824 or Ext. 8846.

• Adult Karate Classes / Aug. 12 / 6:30 p.m. / Brandon Community Center, 502 East Sadie St. / Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday. / Price: $5 per class / Call: (813) 635-8179.

• Brandon '86 Rotary Club / Aug. 12 / 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Call: 813-630-2237.

• eBooks: Getting Started / Aug. 12 / 4-5 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn about readers you can chose from and how to use the library's collection of eBooks. An open forum follows to assist people with specific questions and concerns. Library staff will be available to help you one-on-one with your device. / Free. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library Book Sale / Aug. 12 / 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Book sale in the library's Community Room and the Friends of the Library Book Sale room. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Poetry Group Meeting / Aug. 12 / 7:30 p.m. / Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon. / Meet with the poetry group at Barnes & Noble on selective Fridays. / Free / Call: 813-661-9883.

SATURDAY, AUG. 13

Quote of the Day: "Our children are so fortunate to have been at the perfect ages to enjoy these wonderful books as they became available." Reader Theresa Miller on an article by editor Linda Chion Kenney on Harry Potter. / 

• Free Music Exploration Workshop / Aug. 13 / 9:30-11 a.m. / Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Drive / The Florida Academy of Performing Arts will present this workshop for young children to learn the sounds of the instruments offered for private lessons at Music Showcase. Ages 2-10.  / Free / Call: 813-685-5998.

• Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library Book Sale / Aug. 13 / 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Book sale in the library's Community Room and the Friends of the Library Book Sale room. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Saturday Night Swing Dance / Aug. 13 / 7–11 p.m. / , 610 Oakfield Drive / Strap on your dancing shoes and let loose to the sounds of Big Band, jazz and oldies hits. Experienced or a novice, this event is open to all skill levels.  / Price: $8 / Call: 813-966-4788.

• Free Back to School Physicals and Immunizations / Aug. 13 / 9 a.m.–1 p.m. / Howard W. Blake High School, 1701 North Boulevard, Tampa / The Back to School Coalition of Hillsborough County is calling all school-aged children to come out for free immunizations, with free physicals for those entering Florida schools for the first time. Appointment required.  / Free / Call: 813-443-3048.

• Mouse Basics / Aug. 13 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn how to grip, move and click the buttons on the mouse. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652.

SUNDAY, AUG. 14

Quote of the Day: “It's happening everywhere.” / Reader Karen Rodriguez, on an article about metal thefts in Hillsborough County. / 

• Yoga Workshops / Aug. 14  / 4-6 p.m. / Asana Yoga, 1252 Kingsway Road, Brandon / An athlete's stretch workshop is also held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and a kids' yoga program is held Mondays at 3:30 p.m. / Call: 813-390-3887.

• Special Needs Sunday School For Children, Teens / Aug. 14 / 10:15-1:30 a.m. / First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 North Parsons Ave. / Children will learn by acting out Bible stories, singing songs, and playing games. One-on-one attention with children to make sure activities (stories and games) are adapted to their unique needs. / Call: Tina LoPinto-Spruill, 813-447-7772 or email rspruill@tampabay.rr.com.

• Yard Sales / Aug. 14 / 7 a.m.-noon / Alafia American Legion Post 148, 7240 U.S. 301 South, Riverview / Held every Sunday. Spaces available for $7 each and tables can be rented for $5. The post will serve breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. / Call: 813-677-6529.