Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (May 31 – June 5)

The race for honorary mayor of Brandon kicks off this week with events at Beef O’ Brady’s and Westfield Brandon in a week that also features live theater, civic group gatherings, a Best Buddies Friendship Walk and more.

Check out the listings below and, as always, we welcome your additions in the comment box below:

TUESDAY, MAY 31

• Quote of the Day: “Today is about honoring those people who made the ultimate sacrifice and the many who came back, and still come back, wounded and maimed.” Rita Joyce Rita Joyce, whose late husband, John, served in the U.S. Air Force. Her father, Louis Renaud, served in World War I.

• Brandon Business Builders / May 31 / 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 / May 31 / 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.

• Nominations for 2011 Brandon High Alumni "Hall of Fame" Honorees / Deadline: May 31 / Brandon High School Alumni Association / The association each year seeks nominees for the Hall of Fame, which hangs on the wall of the Brandon High School cafeteria. / See related Brandon Patch article for nomination criteria. / For additional information or to request a nomination form, visit the BHSAA Website or send an email to info@brandonhsalumni.com.

• 2011 Chorus Awards Night / May 31 / 7-9 p.m. / Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview / Celebrate the accomplishments of the school year with the choral students at Riverview High. Features the senior and chorus slide shows.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

• Quote of the Day: "Great job linda. It is a day of remembrance. Freedom comes at a hefty price. God bless our soldiers and their families." Reader Dustilyn Amatangelo comments on a story listing fallen soldiers with local ties. 

• Free Play & Arts and Crafts / May 25 / 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.

• “Wing-It” With Barbara Schwabe (Race for Honorary Mayor of Brandon) / June 1 / 5:30 p.m. / , 210 South Kings Ave., Brandon / The race for honorary mayor of Brandon kicks off June 1 for candidates Barbara Schwabe and Cami Gibertini. Schwabe’s race is being run on behalf of the . Her June 1 kick-off features wings and beer and a portion of sales will go to her charity race campaign. Surprise raffle and 50/50 tickets for purchase. 

• Mayor’s Mall Crawl (Race for Honorary Mayor of Brandon) / June 1 / 5:30-7:30 p.m. / , 459 Brandon Town Centre Blvd. / The race for honorary mayor of Brandon kicks off June 1 for candidates  Cami Gibertini and Barbara Schwabe. This event is for Gibertini, who is running her charity race to benefit the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), and the YMCA. / Sample fare from Singual, California Pizza Kitchen, Grillsmith, Ruby Tueday, Ryuu and The Brass Tap. / Tickets cost $30. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

• Quote of the Day: "I spent Doomsday 2011 at Target with my mother, eating a Ritter Sport chocolate bar and reading Facebook Mobile reactions to the most obvious outcome since Mariah Carey’s “Glitter” tanked at the box office." Local Voices blogger on predictions the world would end May 21. 

• Dazzling Dancers / June 2 / 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. / Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico / Dazzling Dancers Level 1 for ages 6 to 9 will take place at the Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, Valrico, on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in June and July. The cost is $34 for facility members, $51 for program members for a four-week session. / Call (813) 684-1371.

• Brandon Riverview Photography Club / June 2 / 7 p.m. / , 122 Brandon Town Center Drive / The Brandon-Riverview Photography Club is open to shutterbugs of all ages and skill levels, with an interest in capturing professional quality images. Join the group for an open discussion on the latest equipment, techniques, and share your work with the group. The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at Barnes and Noble. / Call: (813) 661-9883.

• Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon / June 2 / 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. / Open to all. / Call (813) 294-0645.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

• Quote of the Day: “Today is all about fun with a purpose.” Timucua District Scout executive Molly Blanton.

• “Man of La Mancha” Auditions / June 3-4 / 7 p.m. / Nativity Catholic Church Youth Center, 705 East Brandon Blvd., Brandon / “Dream the Impossible Dream” with your chance for a role in the Nativity production of the award-winning musical, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. Performance dates are Aug. 19-20 and 26-27.

• "Jekyll & Hyde" on stage / June 3-5 / 7 p.m. / HCC at 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 Showcase Players, a beginning musical theatre class for teens ages 13 and up, will present 10 performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 3-5 and 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: $10 general admission and $8 for students, seniors and military. / Call 813-490-ARTS (2787) for more information.

• Pop-In Playtime Pre-K / Pump It Up, 729 W. Lumsden Road / 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.

• Men's Club Sip and Puff / June 3 / 6 p.m. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon / Gentlemen are invited to an evening of cigars, scotch and bourbon plus food. Silent auction featuring hunting, fishing, golf and sports items. / Cost: $25; benefits Barbara Schwabe’s race for honorary mayor of Brandon.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

• Quote of the Day: “It’s the crème de la crème.” Soccer fan Ernie Watson on soccer's Super Bowl.

• Best Buddies Friendship Walk / June 4 / Registration, 7:45-8:30 a.m. / 5KRun, 8:45 a.m. / 1K and 5K walk, 9 a.m. /Friendship Festival, 10:30 a.m.-Noon / Winthrop Town Centre, 11252 Winthrop Main Street, Riverview / Registration is under “the big white tent” for the First Annual Best Buddies 5k Run-Walk, benefiting middle and high school chapters of Best Buddies, a global organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. / Cost: Free. Participants encouraged to raise $50 or more. Those who do will receive a race T-shirt designed for Best Buddies by artist Romero Britto. / Learn more online / For sponsorship and vendor booth opportunities, call Cynthia Salas at 813-254-9025, Ext. 301.

• “Man of La Mancha” Auditions / June 3-4 / 7 p.m. / Nativity Catholic Church Youth Center, 705 East Brandon Blvd., Brandon / “Dream the Impossible Dream” with your chance for a role in the Nativity production of the award-winning musical, written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. Performance dates are Aug. 19-20 and 26-27.

• Saturday Night Swing Dance / June 4 / 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.

• "Jekyll & Hyde" on stage / June 3-5 / 7 p.m. / HCC at 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 Showcase Players, a beginning musical theatre class for teens ages 13 and up, will present 10 performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 3-5 and 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: $10 general admission and $8 for students, seniors and military. / Call 813-490-ARTS (2787) for more information.

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

• Quote of the Day: “I’ve decided that maybe it’s actually unhealthy to watch "Biggest Loser."  Time to focus on what is working, no matter how gradual, and forge ahead.” Local Voices blogger  on weight loss.

• Exercise and Meditation / June 5 / 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 5 / 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.

• Park Square Farmers' Market / , 16132 Churchview Drive, Lithia / 9 a.m.-2 p.m. / Call: 813-689-4560.

• "Jekyll & Hyde" on stage / June 3-5 / 7 p.m. / HCC at 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 Showcase Players, a beginning musical theatre class for teens ages 13 and up, will present 10 performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 3-5 and 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: $10 general admission and $8 for students, seniors and military. / Call 813-490-ARTS (2787) for more information.