Brandon Patch Postings (Jan. 31 - Feb. 6)

This past week saw a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office crackdown on the "," the opening of 22,000 square feet at Catholic Church and School, the opening of the art exhibit at Center Place and further reviews of the economy in terms of charitable and the .

As always, we included in this past week of coverage news you can use and learn from as it relates to a wide range of topics, including Hillsborough County Board of and agendas, severe weather awareness and applications for the county's "" and "" awards.

We revisited the Parsons Avenue accident involving a red and a Ford pick-up truck and posted the Brandon videographer's YouTube clip of the aftermath, which went viral with more than 940,000 views by week's end.  We covered State Rep. Rachel Burgin's at The Regent, the fundraise at Apostles Lutheran and posted a second round of "" photos for your guessing pleasure.

There's more, of course, and it's listed below. And for Brandon  Patch coverage from Dec. 15, 2010 through Jan. 23, 2011, visit .

Enjoy!

BRANDON PATCH NEWS COVERAGE (Jan. 31 - Feb. 6):

(Note: after clicking through to an article below, please use your back-arrow key to return to this recap.) 

• — A guide for families, including links and games, is designed to educate Floridians about the dangers of severe weather events — and how best to stay safe. / Linda Chion Kenney

• (Jan. 31) — There will be more coverage, for sure, as Brandon Patch promises to be around town capturing for posterity the news and happenings of your community. Here's a quick look at five events we plan to cover for sure. / Linda Chion Kenney

• (Column: Mind, Body and Soul) — Dieting tips are plentiful, and run the gamut from this to that. But for anything to work, you need to remember these basics. / Jeanette Henderson

• — Dates for high school graduation ceremonies are scheduled to be approved at the Feb. 1 meeting of the Hillsborough County School Board. Other tidbits are noted, along with links to the agenda and supporting materials. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Suspect caught stealing one surveillance camera while footage captured by a second camera at Grow Financial Credit Union. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The grand opening for the Monsignor Lara Youth Center and Sister Irene St. Jean Gymnasium is scheduled for Feb. 5. All in the community are invited. First basketball games held in the gym Jan. 31. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A guide for families, including links and games, is designed to educate Floridians about the dangers of severe weather events — and how best to stay safe. / Linda Chion Kenney

• (Column: Tom's Take on Business) — Volunteers are a strong point which fundraising becomes a real, and increasing, challenge. / Tom Reagin

• — The bare walls of the Mook Art Gallery were taken care of Feb. 1 with the hanging of a new exhibit that runs through February. Famed local watercolorist Roxanne Tobaison is back in a solo show with 40 pieces, including 10 that haven't been seen before. / Linda Chion Kenney 

• — As each month gets underway we take a look back at some of the most notable quotes in the prior month's Brandon Patch coverage. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A guide for families, including links and games, is designed to educate Floridians about the dangers of severe weather events — and how best to stay safe. / Linda Chion Kenney

• (Column: Food for Thought) — In response to our column last week, 'When Life Gets in the Way of Meal Time,' our Brandon Eats columnist gives a recipe for "family time" instead. /Jeanette Henderson

• — This round of offerings involves food, pictures, dessert, textbooks and bowling — and we'd love to add to this list, so post your finds as well! / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The board meets 9 a.m. at the Fred B. Karl County Center in downtown Tampa. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Teacher and elementary school student take time to talk about the purpose of art as both a medium and a way of life. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The state's budget shortfall and a possible pension review were among the issues that came under discussion at HCC at The Regent. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Tally not in, but number of homeless anticipated to spike after last week's countywide count. Brandon has its share of those who are down and out. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A guide for families, including links and games, is designed to educate Floridians about the dangers of severe weather events — and how best to stay safe. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Awards in eight categories will be announced April 2 for which nominations are sought through March 11. County officials seek the best in Web site and newsletter design and best beautification, safety, special event, environmental and youth projects, as well as umbrella organization. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office issues 88 arrest warrants as a result of its three-month undercover "Operation Pill Reliever." Suspects range in age from 20 to 73. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A Greater Brandon realtor steps back and reflects on the purpose of the "open house" today, and how other criteria take precedence in closing the deal in today's housing and financial markets. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Every Sunday we post landscapes, structures and internal furnishings as subjects in and of themselves is an invitation to Brandon Patch readers to challenge their knowledge of their community. Here's the answers to Round One. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — We started the list with six places, but there are plenty more, for sure, offering special deals for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6. Feel free to add yours to the mix. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Middle and high school students are eligible for awards recognizing achievement in three categories. This is the first year for the recognition program, run by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A guide for families, including links and games, is designed to educate Floridians about the dangers of severe weather events — and how best to stay safe. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Founded six years ago, the group recently got its second president and a renewed commitment to bring the arts to the forefront in the Greater Brandon community. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Famed painter Roxanne Tobaison returns with a solo show at Center Place, her first in the Mook Gallery since 2007. Tobaison is known for her work depicting Florida's wildlife and nature and historical landmarks. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A quick look at who's holding auditions and what shows you might want to catch as the latest community theater season gets underway. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Wes Moschetto, owner of a two-week old Ferrari, reacted in shock after a Jan. 28 accident on Parsons Avenue in Brandon. Videographer James Worley caught on tape the Ford pick-up truck perched on the Ferrari's hood. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Plenty to do in the Greater Brandon area and beyond on the day before Super Bowl Sunday. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A gallery of photos highlighting some moments in time at the Feb. 5 grand opening of the Monsignor James C. Lara Youth Center and Sister Irene St. Jean Gymnasium. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The grand opening for the Monsignor Lara Youth Center and Sister Irene St. Jean Gymnasium has lots of Nativity long-timers basking in a decades-long hope to bring such a center to fruition. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — The monthly thrift sale is held the first Saturday of the month, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds are used to purchase perishable food items, a commodity ECHO volunteers are not allowed to receive from the general public. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Super Bowl Sunday gets underway and facts and trivia surely will be the talk of pre-game meet-ups. Here's some useful online links as well as a list of Brandon eateries offering deals for the taking. No list is ever complete; we welcome your suggestions. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Serving a tailgate lunch after church services netted funds to purchase goats for poverty stricken families worldwide through God's Global Barnyard. Donations were accepted in one of two pots — for Packers and for Steelers. / Linda Chion Kenney
• — Shots reportedly fired after nine hours of negotiations between sheriff's deputies and a man inside his residence. / Linda Chion Kenney
• — Take a look at these photos and post your answers in the comment box below. Some are easy, some not so much. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Families and friends join players and coach for national signing day, Feb. 2, at Brandon High as the two Eagles sign letters of intent to play with the Blue Devils. / Linda Chion Kenney

BRANDON PATCH NEWS COVERAGE (Jan. 24-30):

•  — Jonathan Davis performs frequently for community groups, churches and organizations. "I don't let my blindness affect my music," he said. "I play by ear." / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — Mentors are needed for "normal kids with extraordinary circumstances who are facing extraordinary challenges beyond their control." Some 1,000 kids in the Tampa Bay service area are ready to be matched. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A first-stop look at items of interest to Greater Brandon residents. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — On Feb. 1 the past recipients of the Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award will meet at Center Place to select from a collection of nominations the 2011 award recipient. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — Some community events and activities at schools are cancelled Jan. 25 as Greater Brandon residents take heed of approaching storms. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — As the branch manager for the Brandon Regional Library, Vickie Ricketts said her avocation has become her vocation. She talks about her job and the library's role in a tough economy and in relation to ever-changing technological advancements. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — What to know as the work week unwinds for the Greater Brandon area. / Linda Chion Kenney 

• — The Brandon Regional Library program is for babies and their caregivers and involves a time to share books, rhymes, songs and games. The Tuesday 10 a.m. program runs through May 24. Each class is limited to 20 babies. /Linda Chion Kenney

•  — These photos are of an historic cemetery —across the street from the corner of Lithia-Pinecrest Road and Brandon Boulevard. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — Your ticket to entertainment, in and around town. / Sakyie Oliphant

•  — Business sells vacuum cleaners, plus sewing machines, commercial and industrial cleaning solutions and equipment. Owner calls the business a 'Heinz 57 variety' shop. / John Majeski

• — The first of a weekly column designed to help save money and time — and to get the word out, as families, individuals and businesses in today's times are compelled to do more with less. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — You know the importance of sitting down together as a family at the dinner table. But when it's not doable, what do you do? You do it anyway. Here's some tips. /Linda Chion Kenney

• — Nominations are in for the 2010 community theater season. Winners will be announced at the James McCabe Theater on Jan. 29. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — A snapshot look at some news you can use — or that you might just like to know — about Greater Brandon and town interests. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Your ticket to entertainment, in and around town. / Sakyie Oliphant

• — The 52-card, 50-50 raffle pot swelled to more than $10,000, thanks to a $1,000 contribution by one couple at the Jan. 27 meeting of the Brandon '86 Rotary Club. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — The Brandon '86 Rotary Club at its recognition dinner Jan. 27 recognizes the work and volunteerism of its associated Interact clubs. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Bob DeVolld, whose stroke in 2000 left him paralyzed and unable to speak, nevertheless says "thank you" to the Brandon '86 Rotary Club that he headed as president before the stroke cut his term short. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  (Column: Greater Brandon Exposed) — As the weekend approaches, a look at the week that was in Greater Brandon. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Skip happy hour and the clubs tonight. Enjoy a fun-filled night with your family at one of Brandon's oldest businesses. / Sakyie Oliphant

• — A sampling of events on tap for the weekend beginning Friday, Jan. 28. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual membership dinner at the Brandon Community Advantage Center, now open under Hillsborough Community College ownership as HCC at The Regent. /Linda Chion Kenney

•  — William W. "Bill" Wolfe, among other accolades, was given the Key Citizen Award by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce in 1999. As the group gathers Jan. 28 to name this year's recipient, his long-time friends remember him. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — The Brandon Community Advantage Center, now open under Hillsborough Community College ownership as HCC at The Regent, is the site tonight for the annual membership dinner of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce recognizes its members and issues awards at its annual membership dinner, held Jan. 28 at the Brandon Community Advantage Center, now open under Hillsborough Community College ownership as HCC at The Regent. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Chuck Weirich took a moment to reflect on his music and his passion at the end of the 2011 Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce annual membership dinner. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — The Greater Brandon area is hosting events that pay tribute to the arts and to early readers and to people struggling through life's toughest times. / Linda Chion Kenney

• — Repairs needed to address a hump in the road that developed with underground construction forced a lane closure earlier today. That lane now is reopened. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — The annual award is given by the Brandon '86 Rotary Club to a worker in Greater Brandon who exemplifies the Rotarian motto, "Service Above Self." Rotarian Jeff Miltner nominates the 2010 designee, Deborah Roberts. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — "Rent" takes home the MVP for Best Production. "Little Shop of Horrors" takes home six awards, including Best Director. / Linda Chion Kenney

•  — Band with Greater Brandon community theater roots performs up to seven times a month throughout the Tampa Bay area. / Linda Chion Kenney

RELATED COVERAGE:

For Brandon Patch coverage from Dec. 15, 2010 through Jan. 23, 2011, visit .