Community Corner
Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (Aug. 15-21)
A look at the best bet for things to do and words to reflect upon as the week of Aug. 15-21 gets underway in Greater Brandon and beyond.
Standing out like two hotels on Park Avenue, the Seffner-Mango Branch Library is hosting a game of life-size monopoly this week where you become the game piece. The object of the game is to buy as many teen books as possible without landing yourself in “Library Jail.” A literary version of Orwell’s Room 101, for me that would be a room filled with Tom Clancy and romance “books.” Sounds like a fun trip. For those who prefer plays where no one bursts into song out of nowhere – that would be musicals – check out The Children's Hour, presented by The Frenzie Life Theatre this week. Written in 1934, the drama is set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. An angry student, Mary Tilford, runs away from the school and to avoid being sent back she tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair.
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:
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MONDAY, AUG. 15
Quote of the Day: "This is a revival tonight. We are going to take back our government." Jack O'Grady, one of a rally protesting cutbacks at the county's recreation department.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Life-Size Monopoly At The Library / Aug. 15 / 2-3 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Pass “Go” as you become the game piece on a life-size game board. The object of the game is to buy as many teen books as possible without landing yourself in Library Jail. Roll those dice, pay those fines and buy those books! For teens in grades 6-12. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner Mango Branch. / Call: 813-273-3652
Contemporary Painting Techniques With Greg Manley / Aug. 15 / 6:30-8:30 p.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Students will learn basic and advanced painting techniques working with a variety of painting mediums, including mixed media. Students will also learn color theory, basic composition and realistic and abstract techniques. Basic acrylic paints and brushes required - other supplies needed will be discussed in class. / Price: $30 members, $40 non-members / Call: 813-685-8888
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.
TUESDAY, AUG.16
Quote of the Day: "I talked to the driver and she just didn’t understand it. I eventually had to advise her to take another route.” Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Troy Morgan on a Brandon driver who was cited three times for runnign red lights at the same intersection. Cpl. Morgan oversees the sheriff’s office’s red-light camera program.
Introduction To PowerPoint/ Aug. 16 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn the basics of slide design and layout to create a professional-looking presentation. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are recommended. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652
Learn To Use Facebook / Aug. 16 / 6-7 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Learn how to create a Facebook account, find, invite and become a friend. / Call: 813-273-3652
Writers of Children's Literature Critique Group / Aug. 16 / 7 p.m. / Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive The Writers of Children's Literature Critique Group is open to authors of all skill levels, with an interest in writing books for kids. Join the group for an open discussion on children's literature and share your recent work with other aspiring and professional authors. / Call: 813-661-9883
Brandon Chamber of Commerce Coffee Club hosts Working Smarter Workshop - "Smart Start Your Business"/ Aug. 16 / 9:30–11:30 a.m. / The workshop will provide attendees general information on mandatory licenses, legal entities, zoning issues, marketing, grant availability and financing options. The seminar will be led by certified business counselors from the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center (SBIC). Register through the Chamber or through the Small Business Information Center. To register online, visit http:www.hillsboroughcounty.org/sbic/online.cfm. / Call: 813-914-4028 or 813-689-1221
Brandon High Grads Meeting / Aug. 16 / Noon / Golden Corral Restaurants, 815 Providence Road, Brandon. / Brandon High School graduates meet every other month at the Golden Corral to catch up on old times and recount high school memories. The event started in 1992, after the Class of '42, the "Mostly Originals," held its 50th anniversary. Organizers had so much fun planning the reunion they kept the spirit alive. Classes from all decades invited. The luncheon is held the third Tuesday of even-numbered months, except in December, when the gathering meets the first Tuesday of the month.
Boy Scout Troop 110 / Aug. 16 / 7:30-9 p.m. / Apostles Lutheran Church & Preschool, 200 Kingsway Road / Troop meeting. / Call: 813-684-6703
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17
Quote of the Day: “I would like the children to come away from today with an aural vocabulary.” Instructor Thomas Desmond who led a class introducing children to musical instruments at Music Showcase.
Bingo at Alafia American Legion Post 148 / Aug. 17 / 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.
http://www.americanlegionalafiapost148.org
Search For A Job, Write A Resume, Use Citizenship, Aging Services Free / Aug. 17 / 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. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652
Poker League / Aug. 17 / 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.
Free Play & Arts and Crafts / Aug. 10 / 10:30 a.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / 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: 813-740-4634.
THURSDAY, AUG. 18
Quote of the Day: "None of these four look very happy." Reader Darlene Tackettw comments on the arrest of four men in a alleged warehouse theft ring.
Bingo/Cards at the Brandon Elks Lodge / Aug. 18 / 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
Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / Aug. 18 / 8 a.m.–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.
You Are Here: TOKYO-A-GO-GO / Aug. 18 / 5-6 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Watch some anime or try some trivia, learn to write in kanji, participate in chopstick races, fold origami, and more. For teens in grades 6-12. Funded by the Friends of Brandon Regional Library./ Free / Call: 813-273-3652
Learn To Use Email / Aug. 18 / 10:15-11:30 a.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Email for beginners. / Call: 813-273-3652
Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Leads Group/ Aug. 18 / Noon-1 p.m. / Barnacles Restaurant, 926 Providence Road, Brandon / Leads group. / Call: 813- 689-1221
Free Family Fun At Westfield Brandon Mall / Aug. 18 / 4-5 p.m. / Westfield Brandon Mall, 459 Brandon Town Center Mall / The featured story time books are “It's Me!” by Eric Drachman and Isabelle Decenciere and “I Like Me!” by Nancy L. Carlson. Kids also will decorate their own picture frame, and enjoy a healthy snack. / Call: 813-661-5100
FRIDAY, AUG. 19
Quote of the Day: "It looked like a tornado had hit it." Deborah Lastinger on discovering all 12 AC units had been ripped out at her workplace in Seffner.
The Children's Hour, presented by The Frenzie Life Theatre / Aug. 20-21, 26-28 / 8 p.m. Aug. 20, 2 p.m., Aug. 21 / The Winthrop Barn Theatre, 11349 West Bloomingdale Ave, Riverview. / Written in 1934, the drama is set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. An angry student, Mary Tilford, runs away from the school and to avoid being sent back she tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair. The accusation proceeds to destroy the women's careers, relationships and lives. Not recommended for children under 13. No children under 5 permitted. / Price: $15 general admission, $12 seniors, military, and students with I.D. Call: 813-655-0789 or email thefrenzie@gmail.com.
Adult Karate Classes / Aug. 19 / 6:30 p.m. / Brandon Community Center, 502 E. Sadie St. / Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday. / Price: $5 per class / Call: (813) 635-8179.
Brandon '86 Rotary Club / Aug. 19 / 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to All / Call: (813) 630-2237.
Kiwanis Club To “Stuff the Bus” With School Supplies / Aug. 18 / 7-9 a.m. / Kmart, 1602 West Brandon Blvd. / The Kiwanis Club will have buses throughout Hillsborough County Aug. 19, the last day of the group’s “Stuff The Buss” drive. The community is asked to bring donations or collected school supplies to the buses. / Call: 813-294-0645 or email adustie@yahoo.com.
SATURDAY, AUG. 20
Quote of the Day: “This was a long time coming.” Bobby Stark, an advisor with Pioneer Financial Associates Inc., on the Dow Jone's 634-point drop Aug. 8.
The Children's Hour, presented by The Frenzie Life Theatre / Aug. 20-21, 26-28 / 8 p.m. Aug. 20, 2 p.m., Aug. 21 / The Winthrop Barn Theatre, 11349 West Bloomingdale Ave, Riverview. / Written in 1934, the drama is set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. An angry student, Mary Tilford, runs away from the school and to avoid being sent back she tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair. The accusation proceeds to destroy the women's careers, relationships and lives. Not recommended for children under 13. No children under 5 permitted. / Price: $15 general admission, $12 seniors, military, and students with I.D. Call: 813-655-0789 or email thefrenzie@gmail.com.
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 – 2 Locations / Aug. 20 / 9 a.m.-Noon at Webb Middle School, 6035 Hanley Road / 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at SouthShore Community Resource Center, 201 14th Ave SE, Ruskin. / 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. Walk-ins only. / Free / Call: 813-443-3048 or visit the website.
Brandon Ballet Company Auditions / Aug. 20 / 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. / Brandon Ballet, 161 East Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. / Brandon Ballet invites dancers from the Tampa Bay community to audition for company dancers, training dancers through professionals for the 2011-2012 performing season. Contact Brandon Ballet for times. There will be three separate audition times based on age and level. / Price: $25 / Call: 813-684-4282 or email dance@brandonballet.org.
SUNDAY, AUG. 21
Quote of the Day: "It's like a park in a sinkhole." Reader Gary Wirght on our "Guess Where" photos of Limona Park.
Meet Cat in the Hat and Storytime / Aug. 20 / 4:30 p.m. / Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive / Enjoy a reading of the classic Dr. Seuss tale and then meet the mischievous cat in person. / Call: 813- 661-9883
Boating Safety Class / Aug. 21 / 8 a.m-5 p.m. / U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Flotilla 74, 3006 South Kings Ave., Brandon / Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 Brandon Offers public education classes and promotes boating safety and accident prevention. Get your boater safety education card. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have a Boating Safety Education ID Card to legally operate a boat in Florida. / Call Public Education Officer, 1-800-704-4216, or register online. / Price: Early registration: $35. Limited to 12 people. / Call: 813- 661-9883
Yoga Workshops / Aug. 21 / 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. 21 / 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.
Yard Sales / Aug. 14 / 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.
Credit Shane Ross
