Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (July 11 – 17)

From $1 movies to a free movie screening to a poker night and girl's night out, there’s something to suit all tastes this week.

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, JULY 11

Quote of the Day: “This community is unreal with the way they are supporting this boy’s family". — Dennis Edmonds, manager of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Seffner, on the response to a July 9 fundraiser for Robert P. Armstrong, Jr., 19 , who was struck and killed at work on Interstate-75. Armstrong left behind a fiancee and 4-month-old daughter. / 

Explore the Rainforest / July 11 / 3-4 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Youngsters explore a virtual rainforest and the plants and animals that live there. Funded by the Friends of Brandon Regional Library. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652.

Scientific Exploration of Water / July 11 / 2–3 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Presenter Marcey Walsh explores water, from atoms to the earth’s oceans. / Call: 813-273-3652.

Ballet, Jazz and Acrobatics for Youngsters / July 11 / 9:30 a.m. Bloomingdale West Recreation Center, 3940 Canoga Park Drive. / The class is offered Monday mornings weekly for 2-year-olds aspiring to learn the various dance forms. A similar class for 5 and 6-year-olds is held at the same location at 6 p.m. Both classes are $8. / Call: 813-744-5907.

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Quote of the Day: “My grandson had to say goodbye and watch [Lilly] be taken off of life support.” — Sharon Trapp, on her grandson, Paul Mills, and the July 1 crash at Bloomingdale Avenue and U.S. 301 that killed his daughter. / 

Summer Fun Flicks - $1 movies / July 12 / 10 a.m. / , 2496 West Brandon Blvd. / Specially priced movies, sponsored by Chick-fil-A. "Cloudly with a Chance of Meatballs” (Also, on Aug. 9, “Megamind." / Call: 813-685-3396.

Brandon Business Builders / July 12 / 6–8 p.m. / , 701 West Lumsden Road / Leads group meets every Tuesday except the third Tuesday of the month. Meeting is held at O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill in Brandon. Must call to see if your category is open. / Price: $40 annually / Call: (813) 662-1102.

Summer Garden Club / July 11 / 6:30–7:30 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Share what you know and learn from your neighbors. Bring garden photos to pass around or digital copies to project on a screen. / Call: 813-273-3652.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

Quote of the Day: “Florida — and the rest of the country — will eventually come around to understanding that whether it is two guys, two gals, or one of each, marriage is less about love and more about the legal standing of two consenting adults.” — "Local Voices" blogger Dann Berkowitz, on legalizing same-sex marriage. / 

Elite Poker Challenge / July 13 / 6 p.m. / 16144 Churchview Drive / Wednesday night bar poker league, created by poker players for poker players. All skill levels welcome; free tournaments. First, at 7 p.m.; second, at 10 p.m. Compete for prizes, including bar tabs, seats in the World Series of Poker events, shirts, massages, an MP3, sunglasses, vacations, chip sets and poker tables. / Free / Call: 813-657-2337.

Girls Night Out: Music & Martinis / July 13 / 6:30-8:30 p.m. / 231 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon / Theresa Mills and Debbie Stassin of Piano Distributors and Working Women of Tampa Bay host a night out for girls featuring music — “Kooky Karaoke” and quick piano lessons — food and activities. Martinis and appetizers, door prizes and swag bags of goodies. / $20 / Call: 813-662-1215.

Free Play & Arts and Crafts / July 13 / 10:30 a.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / Playtime and crafts projects for parents, with toddlers and children up to age 4. Meet other families, gain new friends. / Free / Call: 813-740-4634.

THURSDAY, JULY 14

Quote of the Day: "It has grown in usage immensely over the past several years, which is a gigantic comment on the many people involved, from ordinary citizens and animal lovers to the vet community and members of our staff.” — Marti Ryan, a spokesperson with Hillsborough County Animal Services, on the vouchers program that helps residents with limited incomes spay and neuter their pets. / 

Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / July 14 / 8 a.m.–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.

Adult Summer Reading Program / July 14 / 6-7:30 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Book club discussion of Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi.”  In the book, the zookeeper’s son, Pi Patel, having spent an idyllic childhood in Pondicherry, India, sets off with his family at the age of 16 to start anew in Canada. His life takes a turn when their ship sinks in the Pacific, leaving him adrift on a raft with a 450-pound Bengal tiger for company. Copies of the book are available at the library. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652.

Computers: An Introduction / July 14 / 10:15-11:15 a.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Learn what you can do with a computer and gain a better understanding of the library’s computer class offerings. / Call: 813-273-3652.

FRIDAY, JULY 15

Quote of the Day: The chase ensued after Boyles reportedly refused to stop and “struck the push bumper of one officer’s vehicle.” A report from the Plant City Police Department on how the police pursuit of Deborah Lynn Boyles, 44, started. The woman was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and aggravated fleeing to elude. / 

Adult Karate Classes / July 15 / 6:30 p.m. / Brandon Community Center, 502 East Sadie St. / Classes held Monday, Wednesday and Friday. / Price: $5 per class / Call: (813) 635-8179.

Brandon '86 Rotary Club / July 15 / 7–8 a.m. / The Bridges, 11202 Dewhurst Drive, Riverview / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to all / Call: (813) 630-2237.

Business Entrepreneur Roundtable / July 15 / 8:15 a.m.–10:45 a.m. / 918 Lithia Pinecrest Road / Business owners discuss business challenges / $40 / Call: 813-384-9122.

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Quote of the Day: "Wow.” — Brandon resident Luis Caveda, on the Casey Anthony verdict of not guilty on murder charges. / 

Saturday Night Swing Dance / July 16 / 7–11 p.m. / , 610 Oakfield Drive, Brandon / Dance 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.

Journey to Hope Divorce Support Group / July 16 / 2-3 p.m. / St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico / Men and women meet to share and discuss, and to support each other through separation and divorce. All are welcome. / Call: Jeannie Schneider, 813-689-4900, Ext. 314.

Computer Mouse Basics / July 16 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn how to grip, move and click the buttons on the mouse. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Quote of the Day: “The economy’s not booming along and to raise $72,000 in a matter of a month is a great accomplishment.” Sam Creaseman, president of the Community Roundtable, on this year’s charity race for honorary mayor of Brandon. Mayor Cami Gibertini and her opponent, Barbara Schwabe, collectively raised more than $70,000. / 

Yoga Workshops / July 17 / 4-6 p.m. / Asana Yoga, 1252 Kingsway Road, Brandon / An athlete's stretch workshop is also held from 2-4 p.m. Saturdays. A yoga program for kids is held Mondays at 3:30 p.m. / Call: 813-390-3887.

Yard Sales / July 17 / 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.

Book to Film Screening  / July 17 / 2-4:30 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / A screening of a popular travel related movie, followed by a discussion on the book. Based on a bestselling novel this movie follows a woman on a round-the-world journey to find herself after a painful divorce. / Free / Call: 813-273-3652.