Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (Aug. 29 – Sept. 4)

The Village Players begin a three-weekend run on "ASSASSINS" Friday, Sept. 2 at the The James McCabe Theater, 506 5th St., Valrico. “Assassins” is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It features a portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or otherwise) to assassinate presidents. It’s not recommended for children under 13. For those looking to master their computer skills there are also free classes at local libraries this week with Web 2.0: Customize a Blog Aug. 30 at the Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road  and PowerPoint: Effects and Transistions Aug. 30 at the Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive.

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. 29

Romper Rhythms / Aug. 29 / 10 a.m. / 5721 Osprey Ridge Drive / Romper Rhythms is a music and dance class for children from infants to 5 years of age. Held at the Osprey Club House this class allows youngsters as well as adults to get exercise with age-appropriate tunes and activities. / Price: $6 per class or five classes for $25 / Call: 813-767-1729

Redistricting Meeting / Aug. 29 / 4-8 p.m. / Jefferson High School Auditorium, 4401 West Cypress St., Tampa / State Rep. Rachel Burgin (R-Riverview) joins lawmakers from across Florida at a meeting to discuss Congressional redistricting. Florida lawmakers also will redraw 120 House districts and 40 state Senate districts. / Call: 850-488-3928

Contemporary Painting Techniques With Tim Mandese / Aug. 29-30 / Monday, 10 a.m. – Noon. Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Course covers the fundamentals of drawing as well as advanced techniques. Recommended for ages 12 to adults. Supply list: A set of 12 Staedler Range 6B-4H drawing pencils, one 9-inch by 12-inch tablet of smooth bristol drawing paper, one kneaded eraser and one pink wedge type eraser. Students are encouraged to bring in examples of their work. / Call: 813-685-8888

TUESDAY, AUG. 30

Brandon Business Builders / Aug. 30 / 6–8 p.m. / , 701 West 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. 30 / 1 p.m.–1 a.m. /, 829 Providence Road / Guests are welcome to perform solo, or put on a song and dance number with friends.  / Call: 813-643-0000

Brandon Aglow Florida / Aug. 30 / 7-9 p.m. / North Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 South Kingsway Road, Seffner / Trans-denominational organization of Christian women and men.  / Call: 813- 685-5402 or visit the group’s website.

Boy Scout Troop 110 / Aug. 30 / 7:30-9 p.m. / , 200 Kingsway Road / Trans-denominational organization of Christian women and men.  / Call: 813- 684-6703

Web 2.0: Customize a Blog / Aug. 30 / 6-7 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Explore the ways you can personalize a blog. Basic mouse and keyboard skills are recommended. / Call: 813-273-3652

PowerPoint: Effects and Transistions / Aug. 30 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive Learn about adding effects and transitions to your presentation. Previous experience with Microsoft PowerPoint is recommended. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31

Poker League / Aug. 31 / 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

Bingo at Alafia American Legion Post 148 / Aug. 31 / 6:30 p.m. / 7240 U.S. Highway 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

All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner at VFW 8108 in Riverview / Aug. 31 / 5-7 p.m. / 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South, Riverview / Price: $6 / Call: 813-741-2756

THURSDAY, SEPT. 1

Bingo and Cards / Sept. 1 / 6 p.m. / Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive / Cards begin at 6 pm. Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. / Open to All / Call: 813-685-6469

/ Sept. 1 / 8–9 a.m. / 704 East 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

“Fall is Here” at Westfield Brandon / Sept. 1 / 4 p.m. / , 459 Brandon Town Center Drive. / For the month of September the Westfield Family program will feature fall-themed Westfield Family Fun Days, kid and family-friendly activities. On Sept. 1, WalkWise Tampa Bay will offer a free interactive pedestrian safety presentation for the entire family. Kids will be treated to story time with “How Many Seeds in A Pumpkin,” by Margaret McNamara and G. Brian Karas and “Count Down to Fall” by Fran Hawk and Sherry Neidigh. Kids also will create a button fall wreath to take home and enjoy a healthy snack. / Open to All / Call: 813-661-5100

Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon / Sept. 1 / Noon / Crowne Plaza Tampa East, 10221 Princess Palm Ave., Tampa / Speaker: Rob Turner, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser on real estate trends. / Tickets are $18 for members and $23 for potential members. Corporate tables of 8 with preferred seating and signage are available for chamber members at $170 and $210 for potential members. / Call: 813- 689-1221, Ext. 8824

Email: Attachments and Address Books / Sept. 1 / 10:15-11:30 a.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Learn about sending attachments and creating address books. Basic mouse and keyboard skills are recommended. / Call: 813-273-3652

FRIDAY, SEPT. 2

Brandon '86 Rotary Club / Sept. 2 / 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to All / Call: 813-630-2237

Adult Karate Classes / Sept. 2 / 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

The Village Players present "ASSASSINS" / Sept. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 / 8:15 p.m. / The James McCabe Theater, 506 5th St., Valrico / Assassins is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It features a portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or otherwise) to assassinate presidents. Not recommended for children under 13. / Price: $12 general admission, $10 for students and seniors (55+) with ID. Tickets can be purchased online. / Call: 813-630-2237

SATURDAY, SEPT. 3

The Village Players present "ASSASSINS" / Sept. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 / 8:15 p.m. / The James McCabe Theater, 506 5th St., Valrico / Assassins is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It features a portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or otherwise) to assassinate presidents. Not recommended for children under 13. / Price: $12 general admission, $10 for students and seniors (55+) with ID. Tickets can be purchased online. / Call: 813-630-2237

Saturday Night Swing Dance / Sept. 3 / 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 / Sept. 3 / 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

SUNDAY, SEPT. 4

Yoga Workshops / Sept. 4 / 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

Yard Sales / Sept. 4 / 7 a.m.-noon / Alafia American Legion Post 148, 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South, 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. 28 / 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.