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Community Corner

Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon

A look at the best bet for things to do and words to reflect upon as the week of June 13 -19 gets under way in Greater Brandon and beyond.

The first weekday of no school for Hillsborough County students gets under way with a movie series for youngsters as the week unwinds with fundraising events slated for the honorary mayor of Brandon campaign.

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, JUNE 13

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

Quote of the Day: "Now, I realize that the money for the remodeling and the after-school programs come out of different "pots" of Hillsborough County's money, but if all of us have to make scarifices because of the economy, shouldn't the skybox owners also make scarifices?" Local Voices blogger Elizabeth Belcher on learning it would cost $2.3 million to remodel 195 skyboxes at Raymond James Stadium. She suggested the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owners donate an equal amount to keep the county's after-school program open.

  • “Honk Jr.” on stage  / June 13 / 9 a.m. / Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Drive, Brandon / The Florida Academy for the Performing Arts will present "Honk Jr." June 13-24 for ages 4 to 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Joy Rodgers is the director. The cost is $180. For information, call 813-490-ARTS.
  • Toddler Time at the Library / June 13 / 10-10:20 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 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. / Call: 813-273-3652.
  • Sugar Plum Fairy Club / June 13 / Noon–5 p.m. / , 161 E Bloomingdale Ave. / Get 'up close' and personal with Brandon Ballet's 'Sugar Plum Fairy Club!' A unique experience for children ages 3 and older. / Price: $25 per child / For information, or to join, contact Brandon Ballet at (813) 684-4282, dance@brandonballet.org, or visit www.shop.brandonballet.org to purchase membership.
  • Romper Rhythms / June 13 / 10 a.m. / 5721 Osprey Ridge Drive / Romper Rhythms is an exciting 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 in a fun enviroment with age-appropriate tunes and activities. / Price: $6 per class or five classes for $25 / Call: (813) 767-1729.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

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

Quote of the Day: “Here’s a guy who lost hope.” Armwood High School football team chaplain Ron Ellis on hearing the news that former Armwood player Tavari Grant had been accused of murder in the shooting deaths of South Tampa teenagers Kiara and Jeremi Brito.

  • Summer Fun Flicks - $1 movies / June 14 / 10 a.m. / , 2496 West Brandon Blvd. / Summer Fun Flicks - sponsored by Chick-fil-A - starts June 14 with "Despicable Me," followed by "Cloudly with a Chance of Meatballs" July 12 and "Megamind" Aug. 9. Call: 813-685-3396.
  • Coast Guard Auxiliary / June 14 / 7:30 p.m. / Auxiliary headquarters, 3006 S Kings Ave, Brandon / Flotilla 74 is in District 7, which covers Florida, north to South Carolina and most of Georgia, and south to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The flotilla has members from throughout the Brandon area. It is a growing group of boating enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life. Some own boats; others do not. Some have many years of experience; others are just beginning the adventure. / Call 1-800-704-4216.
  • Game Day at the Library / June 14 / 10 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Parents and their infants ages 0 to 24 months may participate in a variety of fun and educational tasks that promote growth and development. Participants will enjoy games, music, finger play and storytelling. Seating is limited and all children must be accompanied by an adult. / Free / Call: (813) 273-3652.
  • Girls Night Out at the Movies / June 14 / 7 p.m. / , 2496 West Brandon Blvd.  / Cami Gibertini, a candidate for honorary mayor of Brandon, will host a fundraising "Girls Night Out" at the movies Tuesday, June 14, at AMC Theatres Regency 20, 2496 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, to see the film "Something Borrowed." The $25 ticket includes food and drink.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

Quote of the Day: “Since 2007, all we have done is patch the holes and gone year to year trying to keep what we have.”  Mark Thornton, director of Hillsborough County’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, outlines the department's proposed spending cuts at a Brandon meeting.

  • Free Play & Arts and Crafts / June 15 / 10:30am / 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.
  • Information on government services, job resources  / June 15 / 3-4 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / The library offers information on government services and job resources Mondays and Wednesdays. / Call: 813-744-5630.Brandon Newcomers Club / June 15 / 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. / The Brandon Newcomers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month. / Free / Call Ellen Huskey at (813) 685-4206.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

Quote of the Day: "We got people just panicked over that and we’re trying to calm people down." Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry McKinnon on the release of a statement saying no identifiable images had been found on a camera hidden in a Brandon Starbucks bathroom. The suspect in the case was later found dead in a Charlotte County hotel. Foul play is not suspected. /

  • Exploring the Magical Animal Kingdom at Westfield Brandon / June 16 / 4-5 p.m. / , 459 Brandon Town Center Mall / A program designed to help children learn about animals in the wild and in their own backyards. Children will decorate easy-to-assemble bird houses, have story time with “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” by Eric Carle and “The Lion and The Mouse” by Jerry Pinkney, and enjoy a healthy snack. / For more details on the Westfield Family Fun Days and a chance to win one of four Disney Store $50 gift cards, visit www.Facebook.com/WestfieldBrandon.
  • Florida-Friendly Landscaping / June 16 / 10 a.m. / Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner / A Compost Happens Workshop will take place at 10 a.m. A Water-Wise Workshop will take place at 11 a.m. / Register for both workshops online. Call: 813-744-5519.
  • Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / June 16 / 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.

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

Quote of the Day: “We (teachers) take ownership of the children. We consider them family so it’s like we are saying goodbye to one of our own.” An emotional Hugo Schmidt Elementary School teacher Jane Casteel as she watched fifth-graders graduate at the school.

Free Vision Screening / June 17 / 11 a.m.-2 p.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / The Brandon Family Support and Resource Center will host a free vision screening for children aged 4-18 in conjunction with Prevent Blindness Florida. No appointment is needed and assistance will be provided with glasses and exams for those who qualify. / Call: 813-655-9281.

Wines & Designs / June 17 / 6:30 p.m. / Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Barbara Schwabe, candidate for honorary mayor of Brandon, will present a Wines & Designs fundraising event. For $30 a person or $50 per couple, participants will create a handpainted wine glass or beer stein while enjoying wine and dinner.

Brandon '86 Rotary Club / April 29 / 7 a.m.–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to All / Call: (813) 630-2237.

Adult Karate Classes / June 17 / 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.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

Quote of the Day: “Let’s walk out with our diplomas and our heads held high and climb that mountain because as Lil Wayne said, ‘You know you are at the top when only heaven is right above you.’ ” Brandon High School Valedictorian Michael Calzadilla to classmates as they graduated.

Cami's Combat Challenge / June 18 / 12:30-2:30 p.m. / Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road / Cami Gibertini, a candidate for honorary mayor of Brandon, will host Cami's Combat Challenge where, for $20, participants will take a body combat class and receive a T-shirt and snack. / Call: 813-315-3120.

Saturday Night Swing Dance / June 18 / 7 p.m.–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 / June 18 / 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, JUNE 19

Quote of the Day: “I told you I would kill you.” What Felipe Ramos Jr. told his roommate Ruben Gonzalez before he shot him May 12 outside their Seffner home, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Ramos is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of Gonzalez.

Brandon Coin Club / June 19 / 7 p.m. / Books A Million, 839 Brandon Town Center Mall / The club offers appraisals and coin and stamp shows throughout the year. / Call Mark Palermo, 813-361-0740 or email mpalermo1@tampabay.rr.com.

Exercise and Meditation / June 19 / 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.

Yard Sales / June 19 / 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.

 

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