Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon and Beyond (July 19-24)

Wondering what you can do with a Didgeridoo? The Seffner-Mango Branch Library has the answer. There’s also a comprehensive guide to starting a small business, a free introductory Internet class as well free Florida-friendly gardening workshops. The week finishes with the Brandon Junior Woman’s Club's Teen Girl’s Forum.

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:

TUESDAY, JULY 19

Quote of the Day: “What the women’s team has done is awesome."  Brandon Area Youth Soccer League director Gary Ruch on the success of the U.S. team at the World Cup. /

Story Time for Toddlers / July 19 / 10–10:20 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / This 20-minute program is designed for toddlers and their parents. Bond with your baby through stories, bouncy rhymes and songs in this 20-minute program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language development. Groups are required to register in advance. / Open to all / Call: (813) 273-3652

Didgeridoo Down Under / July 19 / 3-4 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Learn about the heart of Aboriginal Australia through this entertaining and educational music program that features the didgeridoo. / Call: 813-273-3652

Smart Start Your Business / July 19 / 9:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Chamber of Commerce, 330 Pauls Drive, Brandon / This workshop will provide attendees general information on mandatory licenses, legal entities, zoning issues, marketing, grant availability and financing options. The seminar will be led by certified business counselors from the Hillsborough County Small Business Information Center (SBIC). / Register through the Chamber or online through the Small Business Information Center. Call: 813-689-1221, Ext 8843

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Quote of the Day: “We almost brought half the gallery down here today for this.”  The Creative Native Gallery owner Pam Moody on the gallery's show at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Assoction. / 

Free Play Arts & Crafts / July 20 / 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

Connecting Businessmen To Christ / July 20 / 7:30 a.m. / Village Inn, 1995 Lumsden Road, Brandon. / Christian business group / Call: 813-240-4511

Moms Support / July 20 / 10 a.m. / , 3315 S. Bryan Road. / The chapter hosts parks day, playgroups, arts and crafts and other activities. / Call: 813-767-5975

THURSDAY, JULY 21

Quote of the Day: "According to the revised Hillsborough County redistricting plan, Brandon is not significant enough to warrant being kept intact as a community." Local Voices blogger Gail Gottlieb on the redistricting that vote that divided Brandon into two county commission districts. /

Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / July 21 / 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

Introduction to the Internet / July 21 / 10:15-11:15 a.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Introduction to the Internet and related terminology. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are recommended. / Call: 813-273-3652

Children’s art program / July 21 / 4-5 p.m. / , 459 Brandon Town Center Mall, Brandon. / Westfield Brandon's Family program presents "In Living Color" featuring Westfield Family Fun Days designed to help kids learn about art and create their own. At these free, family-friendly activities, children to unleash their own creativity while learning more about classic painters./ Call: 813-661-5100

Brandon Coin Club / July 21 / 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.

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" / July 21-23 / 8 p.m. / Plant City Entertainment Theatre, 101 North Collins Street, Plant City / The community theater troupe presents this story of a slave’s desperate attempt to win his freedom. The slave, Pseudolus, attempts to help his young master, Hero, earn the love of a courtesan, Philia. Meanwhile, Pseudolus has to outsmart Hero's parents, the slave-master, Lycus, and the large man that has already paid for Philia, Miles Gloriosus. / Tickets available at the door. / Call: 813-273-3652

FRIDAY, JULY 22

Quote of the Day: “It’s like I knew him.” Brandon Romero talks about Harry Potter, as he waited in line for the midnight showing of the movie. /

Friendly Landscaping Workshops / July 22 / 10 a.m. / Hillsborough County Extension Office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. / Compost Happens Workshop at 10 a.m. Learn to turn trash to treasure. Each household will receive a free compost bin and thermometer. Water-Wise Workshop at 11 a.m. The Water-Wise Workshop teaches how to have a healthy and attractive lawn and landscape while conserving water. County residents attending this workshop for the first time will receive one free micro-irrigation kit. / Register online or call 813-744-5519

Adult Karate Classes / July 22 / 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.

Brandon '86 Rotary Club / July 22 / 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to All / Call: (813) 630-2237

Riverview High School Chorus Car Wash / July 22 / 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. / , 1747 West Brandon Blvd. / Support the Riverview High School Choral Department, headed by Liz Stewart.

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" / July 21-23 / 8 p.m. / Plant City Entertainment Theatre, 101 North Collins Street, Plant City / The community theater troupe presents this story of a slave’s desperate attempt to win his freedom. The slave, Pseudolus, attempts to help his young master, Hero, earn the love of a courtesan, Philia. Meanwhile, Pseudolus has to outsmart Hero's parents, the slave-master, Lycus, and the large man that has already paid for Philia, Miles Gloriosus. / Tickets available at the door. / Call: 813-273-3652

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Quote of the Day: "You always knew when it was Sunday in Brooklyn because you could smell the sauces cooking." Anthony Cimino of Angelina's Italian Restaurant remembers his upbringing as the popular Brandon restaurant prepares to move. /

Ninth Annual FishHawk Area Networking Group (FANG) Back-To-School Festival / 9 a.m.-Noon / FishHawk Ranch Youth Sports Complex on FishHawk Boulevard in Lithia / More than 100 exhibitors, including about 10 restaurants with taste samples, on hand to showcase their wares and services for the Greater Brandon community. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Hillsborough Fire Rescue also scheduled to be in attendance. Music, door prizes, giveaways. Performances and demonstrations by Music Showcase of Brandon, the Theatre Arts & Dance Alliance (TADA) and Sidekicks Martial Arts. / $10 donation per family, or bring $10 worth of school supplies to support the YMCA backback program to benefit children in need.

Sewing Class / July 23 / 12:30-2:30 p.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / Adult sewing class. / Free / Call: 813-740-4634

Teen Advisory Board / July 23 / 2-3:30 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road. / Have a voice in creating library programs and earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library. / Call: 813-273-3652

Saturday Night Swing Dance / July 23 / 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

Computer Keyboard Mouse Basics / July 23 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn the basics of using a computer keyboard. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652

"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" / July 21-23 / 8 p.m. / Plant City Entertainment Theatre, 101 North Collins Street, Plant City / The community theater troupe presents this story of a slave’s desperate attempt to win his freedom. The slave, Pseudolus, attempts to help his young master, Hero, earn the love of a courtesan, Philia. Meanwhile, Pseudolus has to outsmart Hero's parents, the slave-master, Lycus, and the large man that has already paid for Philia, Miles Gloriosus. / Tickets available at the door. / Call: 813-273-3652

SUNDAY, JULY 24

Quote of the Day: "Love it. I think all schools should be single gender." Reader Tricia Campbell comments on the opening of an all-girls public school. /

BBQ Cook-Off / July 24 / Noon-2 p.m. / Park Square in FishHawk Ranch, 5721 Osprey Ridge Drive / Barbecue chefs (or chef teams) are invited to test themselves against a pool of 30 to decide who can create the best burgers, dogs, chicken, or ribs. / $15 per entry, $5 for tasters / Call: 813-657-6629 or visit the event web site.

Yard Sales / July 24 / 7 a.m.-noon / Alafia American Legion Post 148, 7240 South U.S. Highway 301, Riverview / Spaces available for $7; rent tables $5. The post serves breakfast from 9-11 a.m. / Call: (813) 677-6529

Teen Girls Forum / July 25-29 / , 705 East Brandon Blvd., Brandon. / The GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club hosts its annual Teen Form for girls. The one-week, half-day camp is for girls beginning entering the sixth, seventh or eighth grades. There will be speakers on topics ranging from self-esteem to cooking. / Reserve in advance at www.thebjwc.com. Print the form and send it, with a check for $70, to the Brandon Junior Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 66, Brandon, FL  33509. / Call: Donna Griffin at 813-244-4758