Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (May 9 – May 15)

Another month another Bunco fundraiser in Brandon, this time mixed with barbecue and benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon. The week as it  unwinds includes also family activities, library gatherings, community theater productions and networking and community group meetings.

Here’s a list to consider and, as always, we invite you to add your own event notifications as well:

MONDAY, MAY 9

Quote of the Day: “If we can show our appreciation it’s the least we can do, the very least we can do.” Jay Tee Brown, one of many who turned out May 5 to pay their respects to Lance Cpl. Ronald Freeman of Plant City as his body was escorted through Brandon. He was killed in Afghanistan days earlier.

• Cooking For A Cause II/ May 9 / 11 a.m.-2 p.m. / , 401 S Parsons Ave. / Local community leaders will be serving as guest celebrity chefs trying to raise money for their selected charity.  The proceeds and tips will be donated to Greater Brandon Community Foundation. Rich Strehl, executive director of the Foundation, will don the chef’s hat. / Price: $10 per child / Call: (813) 681-3354

• Art and Science of Light / May 9 / 3 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road  / An exploration into the secrets of light and color that make art possible. This unique and interactive science experience employs lasers, rainbows and a light wall. / Call: (813) 273-3652 3652  

• Puppet Show: Ashpet, The Appalachian Cinderella / May 9 / 3:30 p.m. / Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Drive / In this Appalachian version of Cinderella, Ashpet lives in a log cabin in the hills and depends on the kindness of the old witch woman in the hollow to transform her from rags to riches. After meeting the Prince at their church social, a little square dancing, and lots of trying on shoes, they all live happily ever after. / Call: (813) 273-3652  

TUESDAY, MAY 10

Quote of the Day: "I know all the past recipients of this award and I am delighted to be included in this group.” Dottie Berger MacKinnon on being named the 2011 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award.

• Business After Hours / May 10 / 5:30 p.m. / A Sun Bar Saloon & The Rack Sushi Bar & Billiards Lounge, 1025 W. Brandon Blvd. / Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce gathering. / Call: (813) 689-1221 

• Beginning Digital Photography / May 10 / 6 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Professional photographer Ron Slaton will teach the basics of using a digital camera to take the best photos in different situations. Bring your camera with you for a customized demonstration. / Call: (813) 273-3652  

• Library Game Day / May 10 / 3-4 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Children are invited to come to the library to play board games and meet new friends. Seating is limited to 30 children. The program is designed for students in  kindergarten through grade 5. Groups are required to register in advance. / Call: (813) 273-3652  

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

Quote of the Day: "This definitely reads like our summer camp rosters." Reader Dawn Gudlach comments on a story on baby names.

• Straight Up Networking Lunch / May 11 / 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. / Smokey Bones, 136 Brandon Town Center / Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. / Call: (813) 689-1221

• Community Roundtable of Brandon / May 13 / 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. / Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive.  / The Community Roundtable of Brandon meets the second Wednesday of the month. / Call: (813) 661-4350

• Play & Arts and Crafts / April 27 / 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

• Mommy and Me Art Class / May 11 / 9:30-10:30 a.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon / Students will read books and then sculpt and paint pottery related to the theme. The cost per month for a child and one adult is $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Supplies are included. / Call: (813) 685-8888 / Email: cpfinearts@verizon.net.

THURSDAY, MAY 12

Quote of the Day: “I love this company. It’s extremely friendly and easy going and very conducive to everyone getting alone and maximizing sales at same time.” -- George Graham of T-Mobile at , a winner in a best-places-to-work survey.

• Kiwanis BBQ, Bunco / May 12 / 5:30-9 p.m. / Brandon Eagles Hall, 1810 Front St., Brandon / Bunco play from 7pm-9 pm. $20 ticket includes meal, one raffle ticket, snacks. Cash bar. Open to all. Proceeds benefit Greater Brandon Kiwanis Foundation and the "Terrific Kids" program in Brandon area schools. / Call: (813) 685-4302

• Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Leads Group / May 12 / 7:30-8:30 a.m. / Mimi's Cafe, 804 Providence Road.  / The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Leads Group meets Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. at Mimi's Cafe, 804 Providence Road, Brandon. / Call: (813) 689-1221  
• Family Night at Pump it Up/ May 12 / 5:30 p.m.  / Pump it Up, 729 W. Lumsden Road / Families will enjoy 90 minutes of jumping fun on the inflatable bounce houses, slides, climbing structures and more. / Price: $8 per child, free for adults / Call: (813) 655-1331

• “Daddy’s Dyin’…Who’s Got the Will?" / Plant City Entertainment / May 12 / 8 p.m. / PCE Theater, 1501 North Wheeler St., Plant City / Comedy focuses on daddy, who suffers a mentally disabling stroke and who's imminent death is now expected. As he deteriorates, his family members sort out their differences and desires as his death -- and the reading of the will --  approaches. / Tickets: $14 general admission. $10 for PCE members and group advance sales. $12 seniors and students through grade 12. / Call: 813-754-4929

FRIDAY, MAY 13

Quote of the Day: "This show is absolutely hilarious and yet very poignant at the same time." Reader Shirley Dunaway Outen on Plant City Entertainment's production of "Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got the Will?"

• Brandon Poets & Artists Guild Meeting / May 13 / 7:30 p.m. / , 122 Brandon Town Center Drive.  / The Brandon Poets and Artists Guild meets the second Friday of each month at Barnes and Noble. Both established and emerging authors, poets and artists are welcome to share ideas and recent works in an open-mic setting. This event is free, and open to all ages. / Call: (813) 661-9883
• Brandon Community Foundation Angel Program Benefit / Green Iguana Bar and Grill, 6264 Winthrop Town Center / 6-8 p.m. / The Krewe of Augustina De Aragon and Hillsborough Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens will hold charity fundraiser for the Brandon Community Foundation Angel program May 13. The event includes raffles, free hors devours and $1 well drinks from 6-7 p.m. The Angel Program helps families in the Brandon area who have a family member suffering from a life-threatening disease or catastrophe. Call: Call: (813) 689-6889.  

• All That Jazz / May 13 / 12:30-1:30 p.m. /assisted living residence, 824 N. Parsons Ave.  / All That Jazz is presented by Paul Frederick. Refreshments will be served. / Call: (813) 643-6767

• / May 13 / 8 p.m. / James McCabe Theater, 506 Fifth St., Valrico / The Village Players community theater troupe returns to the stage with a cast of 48,  including Abby Bailey, as Kim MacAfee, the lucky teenager selected from among high school students nationwide vying to send Conrad Birdie off to the draft with "one last kiss," televised on The Ed Sullivan Show. Directed by April Golombek. 

• “" / Plant City Entertainment / May 13 / 8 p.m. / PCE Theater, 1501 North Wheeler St., Plant City / Comedy focuses on daddy, who suffers a mentally disabling stroke and who's imminent death is now expected. As he deteriorates, his family members sort out their differences and desires as his death -- and the reading of the will --  approaches. / Tickets: $14 general admission. $10 for PCE members and group advance sales. $12 seniors and students through grade 12. / Call: 813-754-4929

SATURDAY, MAY 14

Quote of the Day: "I can't put into words how I feel today." Judy Wozniak on viewing a steel beam from the World Trade Center on display at Westfield Brandon May 8.

• Fred Astaire Dance Studio / Grand opening, May 14 / 6 -9 p

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Quote of the Day: “We love him, we need him home.” Jennifer Beck who last saw her husband April 26 at their home in Georgia. His abandoned car was tagged April 27, and linked to him three days later, after being found on Interstate 75, beneath the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway.

• Hillsborough Reads:Patrick Smith’s Florida – A Sense of Place (Documentary Film) / May 15 / 2 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / A book to film discussion on A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith - the featured Hillsborough Reads selection for May 2011. Patrick Smith’s Florida: A Sense of Place, a film that takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through Florida, will be screened. / Call: (813) 273-3652  

• Brandon Coupon Club/ May 15 / 2 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. / The Brandon Coupon Club meets the second Sunday of the month. / Free, open to all. / Call: (813) 842-2111

• Brandon Running Association / May 15 / 6:30 p.m. / Giordano's restaurant, 11310 Causeway Blvd. / The Brandon Running Association meets the third Tuesday of the month. Beer, wine and appetizers are served complimentary to members. Annual membership costs are $10 for individuals, $5 for students and $15 for a family. Membership is not required to run with the association and an application is required.
• O,Brien's 5th Annual Charity Golf Classic / May 15 / 9:30 a.m. / Walden Lake Golf Course in Plant City. /The event benefits Plant City Support Our Soldiers, a local non-profit organization that send much needed supplies to members of the Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan & Iraq. The format is a four-man scramble. Shotgun start at 11 a.m. All golfers need to report and sign in by 9.30 a.m. Field is limited to the first 36 paid teams. $400 per foursome includes golf, range balls, lunch, beverages, goody bags, an O’Brien’s golf shirt, award ceremony and buffet at O’Brien’s Plant City. Make checks payable to O’Brien’s Plant City. Call: Richard Mirakian, Andy Auner Or Kirstie Mara at (813) 764-8818..