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Community Corner

Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (June 6-12)

A look at the best bet for things to do and words to reflect upon as the week of June 6 -12 underway in Greater Brandon and beyond.

Caps and gowns are in vogue this week with high school graduations for Armwood, Brandon, Riverview and other Hillsborough County high schools while the future of the county’s after-school care program will also be a hot topic at a public meeting later this week in Brandon.

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:

 

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MONDAY, JUNE 6

Quote of the Day: "He had no enemies. This is completely random, as far as we know.” Gary Buchanan on the death of his son, Sean Michael Buchanan, who was found critically injured May 30 in the Regency Square shopping center.

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Armwood High 2011 Graduation / June 6 / 7 p.m. / USF Sun Dome / The Hawks take to the stage to graduate with the Class of 2011. Graduating Armwood High seniors will be at the University of South Florida Sun Dome to rehearse from 9:30am to 11:30am. Both rehearsals and graduation are in the Sun Dome. Hillsborough Schools Graduation Schedule

Toddler Time at the Library / June 6 / 10-10:20 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / This 20-minute program is designed for toddlers and their parents to start the day with a fun activity. The program include stories, finger plays and songs and takes place in Room No. 1. Groups are required to register in advance. / Call: 813-273-3652.

AARP Meeting / June 6 / 11:30 a.m. / Brandon Community Center, 510 E. Sadie St./ The AARP Brandon Chapter 4442 meets the first Monday of the month. No membership is required to attend meeting. / Call: Mary Starling, 813-689-2890.

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

Quote of the Day: “It’s totally out of character for this plaza. We have a very strong community policing presence here. It’s just so out of the blue.” Mark Corsi, a merchant at Regency Square shopping center reacts to the death of Sean Michael Buchanan.

Residential Evictions: How to Proceed and How to Defend / June 7 / 7 p.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / The Brandon Bar Association will present a free legal information session with Brandon attorney Rory Weiner discussing the legal issues pertaining to residential evictions. / Call: 813-273-3652.

Brandon Business Builders / June 7 / 6–8 p.m. / , 701 W Lumsden Road / Leads group that meets every Tuesday except the third Tuesday of the month. Meeting is held at O'Brien's Irish Pub in Brandon. Must call to see if your category is open. / Price: $40 annually / Call: (813) 662-1102.

Game Day at the Library / June 7 / 10 a.m. / Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Parents and their infants ages 0 to 24 months may participate in a variety of fun and educational tasks that promote growth and development. Participants will enjoy games, music, finger play and storytelling. Seating is limited and all children must be accompanied by an adult. / Free / Call: (813) 273-3652.

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

Quote of the Day: “Sean was a kid who got along with everybody.”  Liz Stewart, choral director at Riverview High School, who worked with Sean Michael Buchanan in 2000, before she taught music at the school.

Brandon Business Club / June 8 / Noon–1 p.m. / Top's China Buffet, 1528 E. Brandon Blvd. / The Brandon Business Club has been in Brandon for more than 16 years promoting small businesses. / Free

Free Play & Arts and Crafts / June 8 / 10:30am / 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.

Poker League / June 8 / 6 p.m. / 16144 Churchview Drive / The Elite Poker Challenge is a bar poker league created by poker players for poker players. It welcomes all skill levels each Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. with registration. The first tournament starts at 7 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. Although these are free tournaments, players will 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.

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

Quote of the Day: “The U.S. was extremely lucky in 2010 in that none of the 12 Atlantic basin hurricanes that formed crossed the U.S. coastline.” Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project that predicted 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes for 2011.

Brandon High 2011 Graduation / June 9 / 7 p.m. / Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 4800 North U.S. Highway 301, Tampa / The Eagles take to the stage to graduate with the Class of 2011. Graduating Brandon High seniors will be at the Florida State Fairgrounds to rehearse from 9:30am to 11:30am. Both rehearsals and graduation are in the Expo Hall. High school graduation schedule.

Public Meeting Set on After-School Program Changes / June 9 / 6-7 p.m. / Brandon Recreation Center, 502 E Sadie St. / A series of public meetings are being held to accept public comment and to inform parents and community partners about recommended changes to the after-school program offered by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. / 813-635-8110.

Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / June 9 / 8-9 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. / Call: 813-294-0645

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

Quote of the Day: “I am thrilled when a child is swimming independently in the water and they realize that it isn't that hard and they have conquered a fear.” Therese Hickie of the  Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center. 

'Jekyll & Hyde' on stage / June 10-12 / 7 p.m. / The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview / The Florida Academy of Performing Arts, through special arrangements with Music Theatre International, will present "Jekyll & Hyde," the tale of the classic battle between good and evil. "Jekyll & Hyde" is based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Under the direction of Miguel Oquendo, the academy will present 10 performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 10-12. Performance times are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. / Tickets: Visit faopa.org or call 813-490-ARTS (2787) for more information.

Pop-In Playtime Pre-K / Pump It Up, 729 W. Lumsden Road / June 10 / Children ages 2 to 6 years will enjoy a morning of jumping fun on the inflatable bounce houses, slides, climbing structures and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult to attend. / Price: $8 per child. / Call: (813) 655-1331.

Website: Brandon '86 Rotary Club / June 10 / 7-8 a.m. / The Bridges, 11202 Dewhurst Drive, Riverview / Inforamtion: http://www.brandon86rotary.com/

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

Quote of the Day: “I don’t even remember what the woman looks like, I was crying so hard.” Karen Rodriguez on the good Samaritan who returned her beloved family pet.

Environmental Detective / June 11, 18, 25 and July 2 / 1 p.m. / Seffner/Mango library branch, 401 North Kingsway Road / Help Juan Tuno and his friends as they try to solve the mystery of the dying fish. The interactive program involves reading and hands-on experiments. For children in grades 2-6.

Saturday Night Swing Dance / June 11 / 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.

Brandon High Class of 1981 Reunion / June 11 / Hilton Clearwater Beach, 400 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater / 7 p.m. / Brandon High's Class of '81 is celebrating its 30th reunion. The theme is "Hawaiian Luau" and a prize will be awarded for the "Best Hawaiian Look." Special hotel accommodations are available as well as sponsorships and an opportunity to buy reunion memorabilia (even if you don't attend). / Price: $120 per person. No late-registration fee for persons currently serving in the military. Limited number of walk-up tickets available; cash required. / Call: Katie, 727-388-6974. Email: katie@reunionplaceflorida.com.

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Quote of the Day: “Painful.” Sen. Ronda  Storms, R-Valrico, describes state budget cuts.

Exercise and Meditation / June 12 / 9 a.m. / 3319 S Kings Ave, Brandon / Free classes in Falun Gong meditation and exercise at Paul Sanders Park. / Free / Call: (813) 777-9939.

Yard Sales / June 12 / 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.

Roundtable Charities of Greater Brandon / June 12 / 7 p.m. / Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive / The Roundtable Charities of Greater Brandon meets the second Wednesday of the month. / Call: 813-661-4350.

Bingo / St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road / June 12 / 6 p.m.–9 p.m. / St. Stephen Catholic Church hosts bingo the second and fourth Thursday of each month in the multipurpose room at the church. It is open to the public and dinner is available. / Call: 813-689-4900.

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