Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (June 20-26)

Brandon alumni, Frenzie thespians, Twitter instructors, parents, kids and adults have plenty of activities to choose from as the week of June 20 gets under way in Greater Brandon.  Learn more about The Regent, Family Financial CPR and how to tweak your tweets, with a class at the Brandon Regional Library.

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 20

Quote of the Day: "These occasions provide us the opportunity to give out sheriff’s office awards and recognize certain personnel, as well as citizens of Hillsborough County." Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee at the sheriff’s office quarterly awards ceremony.

• Coffee And Conversation For Jewish Women / 10:30 a.m. / June 20 / Starbucks, 6042 Winthrop Town Centre Ave, Riverview / Chabad of Brandon hosts coffee and conversation every Monday, an opportunity for the Jewish women of Brandon to get together and have a discussion over a cup of coffee. The discussion will be based on the weekly chapter of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) and its life lessons. / Call: 813-657-9393 /E-mail: Tzippy Rubashkin, tzipsor@gmail.com.

• Tape It Up For Teens / June 20 / 2–3 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Create wallets and bags using everyday items, including newspapers and duct tape. For teens in grades 6-12. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library. / Call: (813) 273-3652

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

Quote of the Day: “Detectives would like to talk to this man and determine if the victim may have made any dying statements. Also, the family would like to thank him for (the) care and comfort he provided to Sean.” A June 17 Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office statement asking a Good Samaritan to come forward in the slaying of Sean Michael Buchanan in Regency Square Mall May 30. The unknown man gave aid and comfort to the dying 26-year-old dad.

• Family Financial CPR / June 21, 23 / 6-7:30 p.m. / Brandon Family Support and Resource Center, 1277 Kingsway Road / Teaches families how to budget and make sound choices about saving and spending. Includes games; children welcome. / Call: 813-740-4634

• Game Day at the Library / June 21 / 10 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / For parents and infants, ages 0 to 24 months, a variety of fun and educational tasks that promote growth and development. Games, music, finger play and storytelling. Seating is limited and all children must be accompanied by an adult. / Cost: Free / Call: (813) 273-3652

• Yoga For Adults / June 21 / 6–7 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road / Introductory class presented by instructors from Lucky Cat Yoga. Learn breathing and basic postures at a moderate pace. No experience necessary. Bring a mat or towel and wear comfortable clothing. Funded by the Friends of the Seffner-Mango Branch Library. / Cost: Free / Call: (813) 273-3652

• Brandon High School Alumni / June 21 / Noon / Golden Corral Restaurant, 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. Classes from all decades invited. The luncheon is held the third Tuesday of even-numbered months, except in December, when the gathering meets the first Tuesday of the month.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Quote of the Day: “Deblock stated it was easy to get into cars because one out of five vehicles he checked were left unlocked.”  A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office report on the arrest of Morgan Deblock who, detectives said, admitted to at least 100 auto burglaries and at least 500 attempted burglaries in the Greater Brandon area.

• Learn To Use Twitter  / June 22 / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Learn how to post "tweets" for others to read. Share and discover what is happening in the world with people who share your interests. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills recommended. / Call: (813) 273-3652

• Biz for Breakfast / June 22 / 8-9:30 a.m. / Delaney Creek Lodge, 320 South Lakewood Drive, Brandon / Networking event "with the best breakfast in town." / Admission: $4 / Call: 813-627-8686

• Free Play & Arts and Crafts / June 22 / 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. / Cost: Free / Call: 813-740-4634

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

Quote of the Day: "It’s about saving lives." State Rep. Rich Glorioso (R – Plant City) explains his opposition to an effort in the last state legislative session to repeal red-light cameras. The repeal effort failed.

• Regent Public Outreach Meeting / June 23 / 5:30-6:30 p.m. / HCC at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview / The Brandon Community Advantage Center Board of Directors will present information and field questions about the six-month-old multi-purpose building at the the southeast corner of the Winthrop development. / Call: 813-571-2494

• Bunco for the Arts / June 23 / 6 p.m. / , 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon / Game of dice and luck, easy to learn, played in teams and no experience necessary. Refreshments, prizes and a 50/50 raffle. / Cost: $15 per person. Benefits Barbara Schwabe’s race for honorary mayor of Brandon.

• Cami’s Clay Shoot / June 23 / 9 a.m.-noon /  FishHawk Sporting Clays, 13505 Hobson Simmons Road, Lithia. / Lunch included. / Cost: $100. Benefits Cami Gibertini’s race for honorary mayor of Brandon. / Call: 813-315-3120

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Quote of the Day: “The IRS believes the vast majority of these organizations are defunct.” An Internal Revenue Service statement announcing the federal agency was revoking the tax-exempt status for 275,000 groups nationwide, 36 of which are Brandon.

• Country Gospel Music at The Farm / June 24 / 6:30–10 p.m. / 7818 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia /  Bring your guitar, banjo, fiddle, or other acoustic instruments and join the fun singing about God and country.  Enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, beverage at 6:30 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. No Admission, donation box. The venue has 350 seats but visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs. / Call 813-967-3046

• The Frenzie Life Theatre presents Tick, Tick...BOOM! / June 24-25 / 8 p.m. / James McCabe Theater, 506 5th St., Valrico. / On stage with The Frenzie Life Theatre, the autobiographical tale of Jonathan Larson, the struggling, young composer responsible for “Rent,” one of Broadway’s biggest hits. Directed by Michael Mercer, the Frenzie production stars Pedro Amaral, Justin Batten and Kim Davis. The show is not recommended for children under age 13 and children under 5 are not permitted. / $15, adults; $10, seniors, students and military with I.D. / Cash or checks only at the theater ticket booth, which opens at 7 p.m. For reservations, send an email to, thefrenzie@gmail.com. Call: 813-655-0789.

• Adult Karate Classes / June 24 / 6:30 p.m. / Brandon Community Center, 502 East Sadie St. / Classes held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. / Price: $5 per class / Call: (813) 635-8179

SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Quote of the Day: “I do not understand why all school programs are being cut, parks and recreation buildings are being closed, but there are plans on the books for building a new complex in the FishHawk area. (Especially since the $7 million Regent center is supposed to provide services to FishHawk as well).” Local Voices blogger Elizabeth Belcher on county budget cuts. 

• Saturday Night Swing Dance / June 25 / 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 25 / 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.
• Goal - Based Saving and Investment Workshop / June 25 / 9-10:30 a.m. / Hillsborough County Extension Office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner. Hillsborough County Extension and the Financial Planning Association of Tampa Bay are teaming up to present this workshop which will feature a panel discussion from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The workshop will focus on saving and investing for life goals such as a college education, homeownership, retirement and personal interest. Cost for this workshop is $15 per couple. / Call: Lisa Leslie, 813-744-5519 Ext. 143.
• Introduction to the Internet  / June 25 / 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. / Call: (813) 273-3652.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

Quote of the Day: “In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to an account in support of Armstrong's infant daughter.” The obituary for Robert Paul Armstrong Jr. who died June 14 as he worked on Interstate 75 at Brandon Boulevard. The 19-year-old graduate of Brandon High School had a 4-month-old daughter, Savannah.

• Barbara's High Tea and Fashion Show / June 26 / 3 p.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon / Ladies asked to wear their best hats. Featured fashions from Downtown Divas, at Winthrop Town Centre in Riverview, and accessories from The Green Boutique, in Valrico, at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road. Selected teas by The Tea Cup tea room, off Lithia Pinecrest Road. Silent auction,  50/50 raffle. / Cost: $35 per person. Benefits Schwabe’s race for honorary mayor. Table sponsor, $250. Tickets available at Center Place.
• Bowl with the / June 26 / 1:30–4 p.m. / The Alley at Southshore 10221 Big Bend Rd, Riverview / Join the Brandon Ballet for an afternoon of unlimited bowling. There will also be chances to win prizes and giveaways. Bowling starts at 2 p.m. Cost: Adults, $15, students, $10. Shoe rental is free. Each lane holds six bowlers and spaces are limited. Sign up by calling (813) 684-4282 or email dance@brandonballet.org.