Taking Stock: The Week Ahead for Greater Brandon (Sept. 27-Oct. 2)

From gospel music to a fashion show for kids, there's plenty going on in the Brandon area this weekend. If you're looking for something to do, check out the events below:

TUESDAY, SEPT. 27

/ Sept. 27 / 10 a.m. – noon. / Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive / Course covers the fundamentals of drawing as well as advanced techniques. Recommended for ages 12 to adults. Supply list: A set of 12 Staedler Range 6B-4H drawing pencils, one 9-inch by 12-inch tablet of smooth Bristol drawing paper, one kneaded eraser and one pink wedge type eraser. Students are encouraged to bring in examples of their work. / Call: 813-685-8888

Brandon Business Builders / Sept. 27 / 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. / , 701 West 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

Ask-A-Lawyer: Elder Law / Sept. 27 / 6-8 p.m. / , 619 Vonderburg Drive / Lawyers from the Hillsborough County Bar Association will present a brief overview of legal issues concerning the elderly including estate planning, Medicaid, Medicare and nursing home rights.  / Call: 813-273-3652

Internet: Searching Techniques / Sept. 27 / 6-7 p.m. / Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road / Learn how to use search engines to find information and tips for evaluating what you find. Basic mouse and keyboard skills are recommended. / Call: 813-273-3652

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28

Poker League / Sept. 28 / 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

Free Play & Arts and Crafts / Sept. 28 / 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 playtime and crafts projects. / Free / Call: 813-740-4634

THURSDAY, SEPT. 29

Bingo/Cards at the Brandon Elks Lodge / Sept. 29 / 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 / Sept. 29 / 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

FRIDAY, SEPT. 30

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

Country Gospel Music at The Farm / Sept. 30 / 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. No admission. Donation box available and appreciated. Come early to assure yourself a seat. About 350 seats however you are encouraged to bring your own chairs if possible. Call 813-967-3046

Brandon '86 Rotary Club / Sept. 30 / 7–8 a.m. / 11202 Dewhurst Drive / Brandon '86 Rotary Club meeting / Open to all / Call: 813-630-2237

SATURDAY, OCT. 1

Saturday Night Swing Dance / Oct. 1 / 7–11 p.m. / , 610 Oakfield Drive / Experienced or a novice, this event is open to all skill levels.  / Price: $8 / Call: 813-966-4788

The White Rabbit Fall Outdoor Tent Sale/Flea Market / Oct. 1 / 8 a.m.-5 p.m. / The White Rabbit, 207 South Parsons Ave. / Vendors selling crafts, antiques, unique home and vintage items. / Free / Call: 813-681-2950

Echo Kids Helping Kids Fashion Show / Oct. 1 / Noon-4 p.m. / The Bridges Banquet Hall, 11202 Dewhurst Drive, Riverview / Ninth Annual ECHO Children’s Fashion Show. Every year ECHO provides food, clothing, socks and underwear to more than 5,000 children. The fashion show provides the majority of the financial resources that is required of ECHO to assist these children. The ECHO model participant who raises the most amount of funds for the ECHO Children’s Fashion Show will be recognized and crowned “Mr./Miss ECHO” and will reign until the next year’s show. / Free / 813-685-0935

SUNDAY, OCT. 2

Yoga Workshops / Oct. 2 / 4-6 p.m. / Asana Yoga, 1252 Kingsway Road, Brandon / An athlete's stretch workshop is also held from 2 to 4 p.m. / Call: 813-390-3887

Special Needs Sunday School For Children, Teens / Oct. 2 / 10:15a.m.-1:30 p.m. / , 216 North Parsons Ave. / Children will learn by acting out bible stories, singing songs, and playing 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 / Oct. 2 / 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 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