Events in the Week Ahead for Greater Brandon and Beyond (Aug. 1 - 7)

Ever dreamt of running away with the circus? The circus comes to you this week when Pat Fenda leads a class in circus skills at Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive. Also at the same address, Bob Maxey of the Brandon Bar Association will also lead a free course discussing the legal issues pertaining to residential mortgage foreclosures at the Brandon Regional Library. Down the street at the Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road, there’s a free class in Downloading Digital Media where you can learn how to download pictures from a digital camera and rip music from your audio CDs to your PC. The class will also explore legal options for acquiring digital media online.

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:

MONDAY, AUG. 1

Quote of the Day: “We want to minimize the inconvenience to residents in area that’s why we are working at night.” Patrick Murray, a spokesman for the Hillsborough County Department of Public Works, on the upcoming resurfacing work on Lakewood Drive.

• South Shore Sound Chorus (Women’s A Capella Harmony) / Aug. 1 / 7–9:30 p.m. / Bell Shoals Church of Christ, 2908 Bell Shoals Road / Group welcome visitors to Monday evening rehearsals. Both singers and non-singers may come to enjoy the harmony of rehearsals. / Open to all / Call: 1-866-730-SING.

• Toddler Time at the Library / Aug. 1 / 10–10:20 a.m. Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / This 20-minute program is designed for toddlers and their parents to start the day with a fun activity. The program includes stories, finger plays and songs and takes place in Room No. 1. Groups are required to register in advance. / Open to all / Call: (813) 273-3652.

• Circus Skills With Instructor Pat Fenda / Aug. 1, 3, 5 / 9:30 a.m.–Noon / , 619 Vonderburg Drive / Try your hand at scarf, ball and ring juggling. Spin a plate and whirl with the Diablos. Add a pocket full of mime and you have joined the greatest little show on earth. The class ends with a performance at Center Place for family and friends. For ages 8-13 Supplies are included./ Open to all / Call: 813-685-8888. Price: $40 member, $50 nonmember price per week.

TUESDAY, AUG. 2

Quote of the Day: “Change Your Oil, Change a Life.” Slogan for the Auto Works of Brandon fundraiser for the Women's Resource Center.

• Introduction To Publisher Program / Aug. 2 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Introduction to the Publisher window layout, toolbars, creating new documents, and insertion of text and picture frames. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are recommended. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Brandon Business Builders / Aug. 2 / 6–8 p.m. / , 701 W Lumsden Road / Leads group that meets every Tuesday except the third Tuesday of the month. Meeting is held at O'Brien's Irish Pub in Brandon. Must call to see if your category is open. / Price: $40 annually / Call: (813) 662-1102.

• Karaoke Night at Applebee's / Aug. 2 / 1 p.m.–1 a.m. / , 829 Providence Road / Whether you're an experienced vocalist or have trouble hitting high notes, the floor is yours. Guests are welcome to perform solo, or put on a song and dance number with friends.  / Call: (813) 643-0000.

• Free Legal Session - Residential Mortgage Foreclosures / Aug. 2 / 7 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / The Brandon Bar Association sponsors a free legal session with Bob Maxey discussing the legal issues pertaining to residential mortgage foreclosures. / Open to all.

• Movie Night At The Library / Aug. 2 / 6-8 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Enjoy movie trivia, eat popcorn, and relax watching a movie. This month's film is a story of deception which is destroying a patriarchal Southern family as its members gather for the imminent demise of their "Big Daddy." This film is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and received several Academy Award nominations in 1958. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• Downloading Digital Media / Aug. 2 / 6-7 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Learn how to download pictures from a digital camera and rip music from your audio CDs to your PC. Also explore legal options for acquiring digital media online. Basic mouse and keyboard skills required. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• 2011 Fishhawk Summer Fest / Aug. 2 / 5:30-8 p.m. The Palmetto Club, 17004 Dorman Rd, Lithia Activities to include food vendors, business displays and booths, door prizes, youth sports registrations, children's activities and more. Presented by the FishHawk Lithia Boyette Area Business Council in association with the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Vendor booths $40 and setup 3:30 to 5 p.m. School supply donations will be collected for the YMCA and a portion of the proceeds will go to A Kid's Place. / Call: 813-689-1221, Ext. 8815

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3

Quote of the Day: "We need to make sure everyone who was involved in this is there to answer questions for everyone who was impacted by this, and we need to know what the emergency action plan is for future spills or leaks." Terry Flott, chairman of the 600-member United Citizens' Action Network, on the need for a public hearing after a pipeline leaked 31,500 gallons of jet fuel along Broadway at Williams Road last month. The public meeting will likely happen within the next two weeks.

• Bingo at Alafia American Legion Post 148 / Aug. 3 / 6:30 p.m. / 7240 US Highway 301 S, 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.

• Introduction To The Library's eGovernment Links / Aug. 3 / 3-4 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Introduction to the library's eGovernment links, including time to use Access Florida, job search, resume writing, ctizenship, Aging Services and more. / Call: 813-273-3652.

THURSDAY, AUG. 4

Quote of the Day: “I think we have the hardest schedule in the state but I want us to go undefeated.” Garrett Stanbro, a Brandon High School quarterback, on the team's chances in the new season.

• Brandon Riverview Photography Club / Aug. 4 / 7 p.m. / , 122 Brandon Town Center Drive / The Brandon-Riverview Photography Club is open to shutterbugs of all ages and skill levels, with an interest in capturing professional quality images. Join the group for an open discussion on the latest equipment, techniques, and share your work with the group. / Call: (813) 661-9883.

• Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / Aug. 4 / 8-9 a.m. / 704 E Brandon Blvd. / The Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon 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.

• Summer Reading Warp-up / Aug. 4 / 3-4 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Watch a slide show of our summer events and share your memories through discussions, activities and games. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner Mango Branch Library. Hosted by the Seffner Mango Branch Library Teen Advisory Board. / Call: 813-273-3652.

• YP Brandon Networking Social / Aug. 4 / 5:30-7 p.m. / Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, 136 Brandon Town Center Drive / The charity of the month is Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon. Requested donations include, but not limited to, back- to-school supplies, composition books, notebook paper, backpacks, No. 2 pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, etc.  To RSVP or for more information contact Crystal Colegrove for more on this event or other YP Brandon information 813-689-1221, Ext. 8824. Price: No charge for current YP Brandon members. $5 for potential members and guests.

• Events: Focus on Boosting Kids' Confidence and Self Esteem / Aug. 4 / 4-5 p.m. / Westfield Brandon Play Space, Brandon Town Center Drive / Westfield Brandon’s Westfield Family program presents I Am Special for the month of August, sponsored by Verizon FiOS and featuring Westfield Family Fun Days designed to focus on confidence and self-esteem. Aug. 4 will feature story time with “I‘m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem,” written by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, and “Bad Case of Stripes,” written by David Shannon. Kids will enjoy a healthy snack and create your own hand held mirror. Call: 813-661-5100

FRIDAY, AUG. 5

Quote of the Day: "It was a large party that ended with fists breaking out and as they were fighting somebody pulled out a gun and started shooting." Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Larry McKinnon on a party that left two dead outside a hall near Progress Village.

• Brandon '86 Rotary Club / Aug. 5/ 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to All / Call: (813) 630-2237.

• Brandon Junior Woman's Club Monthly Meeting / Aug. 5/ 7–8 a.m. / Brandon Junior Woman's Clubhouse, 129 N Moon Ave. / The club supports the community through projects such as our Children's Holiday Party for the less fortunate, scholarships for high school female seniors, road cleanup, troop support, international projects, health awareness issues and more. Open to All / Call: (813) 630-2237.

SATURDAY, AUG. 6

Quote of the Day: “Screw the candles ... bring on the pitchforks and torches! It's time for the peasants to revolt!" Reader Dan Berkowitz comments on a "Save Our Nation" candlelight vigil to protest the impasse in Washington over the debt-ceiling.

• Computer Basics / Aug. 6 / 10:30–11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Discover the basic parts of a computer and understand the basic vocabulary. Learn what you can do with a computer and gain a better understanding of the Library’s computer class offerings. / Open to all / Call: (813) 273-3652.

• Saturday Night Swing Dance / Aug. 6 / 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.

• Journey to Hope Divorce Support Group / Aug. 6 / 2-3 p.m. / St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico / Journey to Hope provides support for separated or divorced residents. Both men and women come to share in a discussion. All are welcome. / Call: Jeannie Schneider, 813-689-4900, Ext. 314.

• ECHO Yard Sale / Aug. 6 / 8 a.m.-1 p.m. / 507 North Parsons Ave., Brandon / The Emergency Care Help Organization hosts a monthly yard sale to raise funds for future projects and programs to enrich the community. Browse a variety of new and gently used goods available for purchase. / Call: 813-685-0935.

SUNDAY, AUG. 7

Quote of the Day: "I am a "Brandonite" still and grew up on the north side of Brandon Blvd. This is ridiculous to split up the area." Reader Denise Moore comments on Local Voices blogger Gail Gottlieb's column on redistricting. The plan would divide Brandon into two county commission districts.

• Exercise and Meditation / Aug. 7 / 9 a.m. / 3319 S Kings Ave, Brandon / Free classes in Falun Gong meditation and exercise at Paul Sanders Park. / Free / Call: (813) 777-9939.

• Yard Sales / Aug. 7 / 7 a.m.-noon / Alafia American Legion Post 148, 7240 US Highway 301 S., Riverview / The Alafia American Legion Post 148 holds a yard sale every Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon at the post, 7240 U.S. 301, Riverview. Spaces are available for $7 and tables can be rented for $5. The post will serve breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. / Call: (813) 677-6529.

• Special Needs Sunday School For Children, Teens / Aug. 7 / 10:15-1:30 a.m. / , 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 the story, game etc. is adapted uniquely for them. / Call: Tina LoPinto-Spruill, 813-447-7772 or email rspruill@tampabay.rr.com.