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Community Corner

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

A look at the best bet for things to do and words to reflect upon as the week of May 2 – 9 underway in Greater Brandon and beyond.

MONDAY, MAY 2

  • Quote of the Day: “$33.1 million.” The price Alliance Residential Co. paid to buy Brandon's Westbury Apartment Complex.
  • Cook For A Cause / May 2 / 11 a.m.-2 p.m. / Copper Bell Cafe, 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 Care Pregnancy Center.  Tony Del Castillo, general manager of the Brandon Times, will be cooking garlic shrimp pasta. / Price: $10 per child / Call: (813) 681-3354     
  • South Shore Sound Chorus (Women’s A Capella Harmony) / May 2 / 7–9:30 p.m. / , 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 / May 2 / 10–10:20 a.m. /, 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.

 

TUESDAY, MAY 3

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  • Quote of the Day: "With the economy our monetary donations have dropped so these sales help make a difference.” Emergency Care Help Organization director Joni D a.m.ico on the group's monthly charity thrift sale.
  • Free Legal Session - Short Sales: The Good, Bad, Ugly / May 3 / 7 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / The session will feature attorney, Scott Givens, discussing the legal issues pertaining to short sales. / Open to all / Contact: www.brandonbar.org
  • Game Time at the Library / May 3 / 3–4 p.m. / , 619 Vonderburg Drive / Children are invited to come to the library to play board g a.m.es 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. / Open to all / Call: (813) 273-3652.
  • Karaoke Night at Applebee's / May 3 / 10:00 p.m.–1:00 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. No need to worry about stage fright, diners and staff will sing and clap along in support.  / Call: (813) 643-0000.

 

 WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Quote of the Day: "It’s a great feeling when you get to catch up on old friends and get in touch with everyone.” Karen Rodriguez, president of the Brandon High School Alumni Association.
  • Exercise and Meditation / May 4 / 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.
  • Free Play & Arts and Crafts / May 4 / 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. / Free / Call: (813) 740-4634.
  • Healthy Heart Nutrition Class / May 4 / 2:30 p.m. / , 119 Oakfield Drive Brandon Regional Hospital will host a Healthy Heart Nutrition class in the Palm Room of the hospital cafeteria. / Free / Call: (813) 653-1065.

 

THURSDAY, MAY 5

  • Quote of the Day: Prescription drugs are now the drug of choice for those aged 12 to 17 in Florida. “It’s a huge problem and it’s a top priority for my office.” Attorney General Bondi at a Valrico event for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
  • Westfield Brandon Presents GET FIT! / May 5 / 4–6:00 p.m. / Westfield Brandon Mall, 459 Brandon Town Center Mall / Westfield Brandon’s Westfield Family program presents Get Fit for the month of May, featuring Westfield Family Fun Days designed to help kids learn about getting fit and growing up strong.  This event will feature story time with “Oh, the Things You Can Do that are Good for You!: All About Staying Healthy,” and “Get Up and Go!” Kids also will create growth charts to take home, get to meet The Cat in the Hat, and enjoy a fun and healthy snack. / Open to all
  • Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Leads Group / May 5 / 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 Café. / Open to all / Call: (813) 689-1221
  • Brandon Junior Woman's Club Monthly Meeting / May 5 / 7–9:00 p.m. / Mimi's Cafe, 804 Providence Road. / Come learn what the GFWC Brandon Jr. Woman's Club is all about and how we support the community through projects such as our Children's Holiday Party for the less fortunate, Scholarships for High School Female Seniors, Road Cleanup's, Troop Support, International Projects, Health Awareness issues and more. / Open to all / Email: night5181@aol.com

 

FRIDAY, MAY 6

  • Quote of the Day: "It's a bunch of fun, it's a bunch of great singers and it's a bunch of great entertainment for charity." Organizer Dave Loebig on the Brandon Idol and Brandon Idol Teen contests at the Brandon Elks Lodge.
  • Food Pantry / May 6 / 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. / St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road / The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry offers food and clothing to those in need each Friday starting at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico. / Open to all / Call: (813) 689-4900.
  • Three Little Pigs / May 6 / 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. / Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Stages Productions will present "The Three Little Pigs," an original musical, at Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon, May 6 at 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. The show for children explores the flaws of human nature. / Tickets: $6 members and $7 non-members / Call: (813) 662-3764.
  • A d'Vine Affair Wine & Food Tasting / May 6 / 8-10:00 p.m. / The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview / CityLync presents A d'Vine Affair. This event will feature wines from around the world, foods from area restaurants, music and a silent auction. Please join us for an incredible evening of fine wines, fine foods and fine friends. The event benefits Brandon’s Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO). / Tickets: $35 per person. Chamber members will receive a $5 discount. To purchase go to www.citylync.com and click on the A d'Vine Affair link. Enter promo code: chamber. At checkout, provide your email address for payment receipt confirmation. / Call: (813) 856-4448.

 

SATURDAY, MAY 7

  • Quote of the Day: "It’s a fairy tale wedding and people love a fairy tale.” Tracey Adelhouser, proprietor of the in Brandon. The pub organized a royal wedding celebration at the pub.
  • Spring Coffee / May 7 / 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. / , 2102 Bell Shoals Road / The Greater Brandon Community Foundation will host its fourth annual Spring Coffee fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation Angel Program., Residents and businesses are invited to sponsor a table of eight and each guest is asked to bring a gift card for $25 to be distributed to Brandon area families in need. To date, Foundation Angels have helped more than 100 families facing emergency situations. To reserve a table, call (813) 689-6889.
  • Ladies Night Out / May 7 / 6:30–9:00 p.m. / The Little Shoppes of Winthrop Town Centre, 6026 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. / The event will feature a shopping party on the patio in front of the Little Shoppes of Winthrop between Starbucks and Five Guys, with complimentary wine and food provided by the vendors. Shops participating include Lady Chameleon Accessories Boutique, Royalty X Thr33 and Bellafia Chocolate Boutique. / Open to all / Call: (813) 421-3220.
  • Brandon Widows and Widowers / May 7 / 1–2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Carver Ave. / The Brandon Widows and Widowers Meet-Up Group meets the first Friday of the month. / Open to all / Call: (813) 244-0572.

 

SUNDAY, MAY 8

  • Quote of the Day: “The identity theft is sometimes not the primary interest of some con artists but a means to commit other fraud. [Stealing] allows them to commit additional crimes.” Eric Olsen an investigator with Hillsborough County’s Consumer Protection Agency.
  • Men's Club / May 8 / 8–9:00 a.m. / , 1995 W. Lumsden Road. / The St. Matthew's Anglican Church Men's Club meets the second Saturday of the month. / Open to all / Call: (813) 663-0334.
  • • A.M.VETS Post 44 / May 8 / 10:00 a.m. / 318 W. Pauls Drive. / A.M.VETS Post 44 meets the second Tuesday of the month. / Call: (813) 651-4444.
  • Bereaved Parents of the U.S.A. / May 8 / 10–11:00 a.m. / Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, 330 Pauls Drive. / Bereaved Parents of the U.S.A. meets the second Friday of the month. / Call: (813) 661-0680.
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