Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (Aug. 24-28)

Flexing muscles, lifting (shopping) bags and experiencing the arts is on tap this weekend in Greater Brandon, with auditions for extras for the Brandon Ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” on tap as well.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24

Quote of the Day: “They are saying the children in the after-school program can go to places like the Boys & Girl Club but the Boys and Girls Club here in South Tampa is closing. That doesn’t bode well for the alternatives they are offering.” — Former County Commissioner Jan Platt on the debate over closing after-school programs. / 

Bingo at Alafia American Legion Post 148 / Aug. 24 / 6:30 p.m. / 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South, Riverview / Free / Call: 813-677-6529

Poker League / Aug. 24 / 6 p.m. / 16144 Churchview Drive, Lithia / The Elite Poker Challenge is a bar poker league created by poker players for poker players. All skill levels welcome. Held Wednesday. Registration at 6 p.m., first tournament at 7, second tournament at 10. Compete for  prizes including bar tabs, seats at the World Series of Poker events, shirts, massages, an MP3, sunglasses, vacations, chip sets and poker tables. / Free / Call: 813-657-2337

Free Play & Arts and Crafts / Aug. 24 / 10:30 a.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / Playtime and crafts projects for parents with children and toddlers up to age 4. Meet other families, gain new friends. / Free / Call: 813-740-4634.

All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner at VFW 8108 in Riverview, 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South. / Aug. 24 and 26 / 5-7 p.m. / Price: $6 / Call: 813-741-2756

THURSDAY, AUG. 25

Quote of the Day:  “There will always be a little difference between directors and actors. I was both, so I know.” — Director Michael Mercer, The Frenzie - Life Theatre /

Bingo/Cards at the Brandon Elks Lodge / Aug. 25 / 6 p.m. / Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon. / Cards begin at 6 p.m., Bingo at 6:30 p.m. / Open to All / Call: 813- 685-6469

Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / Aug. 25 / 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.

Learn To Use Email / Aug. 25 / 10:15-11:30 a.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Email for beginners. / Call: 813-273-3652

Brandon YMCA Bench Press Competition / Aug. 25 / 6:45-9 p.m. / North Brandon Family YMCA, 3097 South Kingsway Road. / Open to all. / Call: 813-685-5402

FRIDAY, AUG. 26

Quote of the Day: "The Republican-dominated Florida legislature has passed, and Governor Rick Scott has signed, what should be called the ‘Voter Suppression Act of 2011.' It’s not intended to crack down on fraud; it’s a crack-down on voting itself. — Local Voices Blogger Gail Gottlieb on changes to state voting laws / 

The Children's Hour, presented by The Frenzie - Life Theatre / Aug. 26-28 / 8 p.m. Aug. 26-27, 2 p.m., Aug. 28 / The Winthrop Barn Theatre, 11349 West Bloomingdale Ave, Riverview.  / Written in 1934, the drama is set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. An angry student, Mary Tilford, runs away from the school and to avoid being sent back she tells her grandmother that the two headmistresses are having a lesbian affair. The accusation proceeds to destroy the women's careers, relationships and lives. / Not recommended for children under 13. No children under 5 permitted. / Price: $15 general admission, $12 seniors, military, and students with I.D. / Call: 813-655-0789 / Email: thefrenzie@gmail.com.

Adult Karate Classes / Aug. 26 / 6:30 p.m. / Brandon Community Center, 502 East Sadie St. / Classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. / Price: $5 per class / Call: (813) 635-8179

Country Gospel Music at The Farm / Aug. 26 / 6:30-10 p.m. / 7818 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia / Bring your guitar, banjo, fiddle, or other acoustic instruments and join in singing about God and country.  Enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, beverages at 6:30 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. / Come early to assure a seat. About 350 seats available; bring your own chairs as well. / Free but donations appreciated. / Call: 813-967-3046

SATURDAY, AUG. 27

Quote of the Day: "This is a place where intellectually disabled adults and children of any age group can attend worship service together and learn about the Bible and God.” — Brenda Watkins, who oversees a Special Ministry adult class at First Baptist Church of Brandon. / 

Macy’s Shop For A Cause / Aug. 27 / 9 a.m.-10 p.m. /  shopping mall, 459 Brandon Town Center Drive. / Purchase a special shopping pass to receive 25 percent off Macy's merchandise in store and online and support your chosen non-profit organization. / Price of shopping pass, $5, is kept by the non-profit charity that sells it. Among the area non-profits participating are Brandon Ballet and Operation Patriot.

Saturday Night Swing Dance / Aug. 27 / 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 novice, this event is open to all skill levels.  / Price: $8 / Call: 813-966-4788

Free Basic Internet Class / Aug. 27 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Introduction to the Internet and related terminology. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are recommended. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652

Extras Auditions for “The Nutcracker” staged by the Brandon Ballet / Aug. 27 / 9:30 a.m.-noon ( children, age 7 and up); 12:30-1:30 p.m., adults / The Dance Center, 161 East Bloomingdale Ave. / Needed are dancers to fill the roles of little and big rats, soldiers, angels and party boys. Needed also, adults for the party scene. / $25 non-refundable tuition fee / Contact: Lindsay Kohn, The Dance Center, 813-684-4282 / Email: dance@brandonballet.org

SUNDAY, AUG. 28

Quote of the Day: "We know Poe has been active in the Brandon and South County area.” — Hillsborough County Lt. Rick Jahnke on the arrest of Joshua Poe, who faces 61 counts relating to theft of metal from air conditioners. / 

All You Can Eat Breakfast / Aug. 28 / 9 a.m.-Noon / VFW 8108 in Riverview, 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South. / Price: $6 / Call: 813-741-2756

Yoga Workshops / Aug. 28  / 4-6 p.m. / Asana Yoga, 1252 Kingsway Road / An athlete's stretch workshop is also held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and a kids' yoga program is held Mondays at 3:30 p.m. / Call: 813-390-3887

Special Needs Sunday School For Children, Teens / Aug. 28 / 10:15-1:30 a.m. / First Baptist Church of Brandon, 216 North Parsons Ave. / Act out Bible stories, sing songs, and play games. One-on-one attention with children to make sure the story, game etc. is adapted uniquely for them. / Call: Tina LoPinto-Spruill, 813-447-7772 or email rspruill@tampabay.rr.com.

Yard Sales / Aug. 28 / 7 a.m.-noon / Alafia American Legion Post 148, 7240 U.S. Highway 301 South, Riverview / The Alafia American Legion Post 148 holds a yard sale every Sunday. 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