Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (April 18-24)

Events and activities in store this week for Greater Brandonites include things to do with the kids and happenings to attend as adults with spring athletic event at area high schools to round out this list of offerings. As always, feel free to share your own events as well, in the comment box below.

MONDAY, APRIL 18

• Quote of the Day: “I fell in love with Brandon when I moved here, with the people and the camaraderie, the families, the good things in life.” Carol Todd, one of the town’s earliest bankers and most enduring promoters.

• Full Moon Blacklight Party at Applebee's / April 18 / 10 p.m.-2 a.m. / 829 Providence Road / There's a full moon tonight and Applebee's is celebrating with food, music, and black lights / Open to all / Call: (813) 643-0000

• Sugar Plum Fairy Club / April 18 / 12-5 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 / April 18 / 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, APRIL 19

• Quote of the Day:  “Just when I dance, I can’t do certain thing other kids can do, but if I work at it, I can do it.” Megan Poole who staged a musical variety show to benefit a boy with cerebral palsy, a condition Poole herself has had to contend with since birth.

• The Classes of Brandon High / April 19 / Noon / , 815 Providence Road / Brandon High School graduates meet every other month at the Golden Corral to catch up on old times and recount high school memories.  / Open to all / Call: (813) 689-0470

• Armwood High School Varsity Baseball Vs. Bloomingdale / April 19 / 7 p.m.  / Armwood High, 12000 E US Highway 92, Seffner / Cheer on the Armwood High School Varsity Baseball team as they take on the guys of Bloomingdale High. The game will be held at the AHS baseball field.  / Open to all / Call: (813) 744-8040

• Brandon High Varsity Flag Football vs. East Bay High / April 19 / 7 p.m. / , 1101 Victoria St. / Cheer on the Brandon High School Varsity Girls Flag Football team as they take on the ladies of East Bay High. The game will be held at the McLane Stadium.  / Open to all / Call: (813) 744-8120

 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

• Quote of the Day: “Yes, we have to be very frugal, but we’ve done a number of things that have put us in a position where we’ve been able to handle.” Hillsborough County School Superintendent MarEllen Elia at the annual education update luncheon hosted by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce.

•  Free Play & Arts and Crafts / April 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. / Free / Call: (813) 740-4634

• Babygarden Bonding / April 20 / 7–7:30 p.m. /Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Parents interact with their babies in a class designed to increase interaction through songs, nursery rhymes and books. The 30-minute program is for ages birth to one year. / Free / Call: (813) 273-3652

• Brandon Newcomers Club  / April 20 / 9:30–10:30 a.m. / The Brandon Newcomers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month. / Free / Call Ellen Huskey at (813) 685-4206

 THURSDAY, APRIL 21

• Quote of the Day: “A lot of our students are a little bit leery to have their artwork shows because they think they’re not good enough. But then when the work gets hung on the walls they’re amazed at how good it looks and that it shows like quality work.” Center Place Executive Director Dawn Galia on a new student art exhibit in the Mook Gallery.

•  Westfield Brandon Launches Third Year of WFamily Program / "The Great Outdoors"/ April 21 / 4-6 p.m. / , 459 Brandon Town Center Mall / Westfield Brandon’s WFamily program presents The Great Outdoors, the first Family Fun Day of the season, featuring family-friendly activities planned around a nature theme. At these free events, kids will play, create and learn more about the outdoors. / Open to All / Call: (813) 661-5100

• Armwood High Varsity Flag Football vs. Newsome High / April 21 / 7 p.m.  / Armwood High, 12000 E US Highway 92, Seffner / Cheer on the Armwood High School Varsity Girls Flag Football team as they take on the ladies of  Newsome High. The game will be held at the Lyle Flagg Stadium.  / Open to all / Call: (813) 744-8040

• Brandon High School Varsity Baseball vs. Durant High / April 21 / 7 p.m. / , 1101 Victoria St. / Cheer on the Brandon High School Varsity Baseball team as they take on the guys of Durant High. The game will be held at the BHS baseball stadium.  / Open to all / Call: (813) 744-8120

 FRIDAY, APRIL 22

• Quote of the Day: “You might have a guy who is living with his girlfriend and tries to claim her children. It’s a huge problem and the IRS is auditing people before they even get their refunds now so people need to know this.” Melissa Johnson of Brandon’s Liberty Tax Service.

• “Neverland" / April 22 / 8-10 pm / South Bay Church 13498 US Highway 301 S, Riverview / Stagedoor Performing Arts community theater troupe's new production / Price: $12 general - Discounts for seniors and military  / Call: (813) 630-2237

• Easter Egg Hunt  / April 22 / 11 a.m. / Hawthorne Village Retirement Community, 859 W. Lumsden Road In addition to the egg hunt, there will be a chance to have photos taken with the bunny, prizes and refreshments.  / Free / Call: (813) 661-8998 or visit www.hawthornvillageofbrandon.com.

• Brandon ‘86 Rotary Fish Fry / April 22 / 7-8 a.m. / The Bridges, 11202 Dewhurst Drive, Riverview  / The Brandon '86 Rotary Club meets Fridays at 7 a.m. at The Bridges. /  Open to all / Contact: http://www.brandon86rotary.com/

 SATURDAY, APRIL 23

• Quote of the Day: “If we are going to have a Republican congressional representative I’d just as soon take a Republican from Brandon you might run into at lunch.” Alex Sink, the 2010 Florida Democratic nominee for governor, talks redistricting at the East Hillsborough Democratic Club meeting.

•  34th Annual Greater Brandon Area Community Picnic  / April 23 / 11 a.m. / First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 N Parsons Ave. / Bring a covered dish or dessert to the 34th annual gathering of the Greater Brandon Old Timers Association. The association meets once a year only as an opportunity for people with deep roots in the community to gather for lunch and catch up.  / Contact: http://www.brandonhsalumni.com/

• Saturday Night Swing Dance / April 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

• Easter Eggstravaganza / April 23 / 10 a.m.-4 p.m. / R & R Ranch, 9805 Bryant Road / There will be pony rides, cart rides, hay rides, a playground and a petting zoo. / Admission is $10 per child / Contact: (813) 653-3819 or visit www.rrranchlithia.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

• Quote of the Day: “It could have been so much worse. We’ve seen so many tragic incidents of law enforcement officers getting killed. Fortunately, this time no deputy was injured, and the suspect was stopped before he was able to arm himself with an actual firearm.” Detective Larry McKinnon after a man was shot by a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy outside Barnacles in Brandon on April 13.

•  Yard Sales / April 24 / 7 a.m.-12 p.m. / 7240 US Highway 301 S, Riverview / The Alafia American Legion Post 148 will host 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

• Exercise and Meditation / April 24 / 9 a.m.  / Paul Sanders Park, 3319 S. Kings Ave. / Free classes in Falun Gong meditation and exercise. / Call: (813) 777-9939

• Yappy Hour / April 24 / 6-9 p.m. / 10475 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview / Dr. Kimberly Tyson of Four Paws Veterinary Hospital is organizing a monthly Yappy Hour to benefit a different animal-related charity each month. This month’s event will take place March 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. and benefits the Wheaton Terrier Rescue. This month, Tyson has teamed up with Joia's Fabulous Pizza and Martini Bar, located 10475 Gibsonton Drive in Riverview, which will feature two for one drink specials and raffle prizes. Bring your pet. / Contact: www.4pawsvethospital.com or call (813) 672-3687