Arts Council Attends Fresh Market

The Art Council of Brandon will have a booth at the Brandon Fresh Market at Winthrop Village, located at Bloomingdale Ave. and Providence Rd., throughout the month of December. As a way of serving the community, the Council gave $100 towards supplies for Minnette's art classes at the Hillsborough County Correctional Institute in Balm Riverview. The group will be giving several other scholarships out as well. The group plans to meet at 322 W. Robertson St. on Monday December 10 at 6:15 p.m. and at Port City Java on Sunday, January 27 from 2-5 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Any suggestions for scholarship recipients can be e-mailed to info@brandonarts.org.

A Christmas Carol Unveiled

Charles Dicken's “A Christmas Carol,” the Royal Shakespeare Company Version, adapted by John Mortimer, will take place on December 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. with tickets costing $6 for adults and $4 for students. Ticket price includes dessert and coffee/hot chocolate during intermission. The production will take place at East Bay High School in the Kathryn Hill Auditorium located at 7710 Big Bend Rd. in Gibsonton.

Seats can be reserved over the phone by calling 671-5134, ext. 271. 

Help Facility Give Foster Kids Christmas

Help make a foster child's Christmas special. On December 15, Cross Creek Ranch will be hosting a wonderful event for Devereux Florida, a local foster care program in Polk County. Cross Creek Ranch is pleased to be able to provide its facility for a Christmas party for these very special and deserving young people ages 13 through college. In order to make this a day they will never forget, the staff of Cross Creek Ranch is asking for donations from the community. Arrangements can be made for the pick up of any donated items. 

Donations, either monetary or appropriate teen items (new items only please), can be made by calling 651-0934 before December 7. 

Library Offers Writing Workshops

Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico, will offer the first two Melody O'Shea Life Story Writing Workshops of 2008: The Melody O'Shea Life Story Writing Cancer Support Workshop: 10 sessions, Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m.-12 Noon, January 9-March 12 and The Melody O'Shea Life Story Writing I Workshop: Four sessions, Saturday afternoons, 1-4 p.m., February 9, 16, 23 and March 1. Participants must be able to attend all sessions. These popular writing workshops are sponsored by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library.

To sign up, send an email to LSWBloom@hotmail.com and put the words "sign-up" in the subject line. Include the following: name, address, phone and the course you'd like to take. Or call 273-3652 and ask for the Bloomingdale Regional Library.

Attention Steeler Fans

Buffalo Wild Wings, on the corner of FishHawk Blvd. and Boyette Rd., has been and will continue to show all Pittsburgh Steeler games this season, in volume, in addition to Buccaneer games. Grab your Terrible Towels if you're ready for some Steeler football close to home while enjoying Buffalo Wild Wings' great food, unmatched service and awesome atmosphere! Buffalo Wild Wings is the perfect football destination offering 14 varieties of wing sauce ranging from Sweet BBQ to Parmesan Garlic to its hottest sauce, Blazin', which will satisfy even the most finicky wing enthusiast. "They've got the best wings this side of the Allegheny!" states Brad Duffola, originally from Cranberry Township just outside of Pittsburgh. Its extensive menu will please all appetites and thirsts, so come join the fun this NFL season.

Network Professionals Meet

The Valrico chapter of Network Professionals Inc. meets every Wednesday from 11:45-1 p.m. at River Hills Country Club, 3943 New River Hills Pkwy. in Valrico. NPI is a group of business professionals whose main purpose is to help each individual businesses succeed. It has one professional per category represented and would love to have you share your business with it. Lunch is on the group when you visit.

Please RSVP to Anne Lewis at 380-5228.

Marine League Seeks New Members

The next meeting of the Riverview Detachment of the Marine Corps League will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, December 4 at the American Legion Post 148 located at 7240 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Riverview. The detachment is always seeking new members and meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month. All former and active duty marines plus navy corpsmen who have served a tour with the Fleet Marine Force are eligible to join.

For additional information, call Jack Skelding at 672-1778.

Tea Time For All

Candy Lowe Tea Time, a fall/winter elegant vintage tea, will take place Sunday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. as "A Tea to Remember" at the Palmetto Club located at 17004 Dorman Rd. in FishHawk. Tickets, $50, must be purchased by December 1. 

For more information, call 394-6363.

Letters from Santa

Children in the Hillsborough County area will be receiving personalized letters from Santa Claus this year, according to Paul Barber, owner of Your Precious Moments and self-proclaimed as Santa's personal postal assistant. These personalized letters are printed on colorful Santa themed stationary and will include such details as the child's name, school, pets, parents and friends while praising them for special chores or accomplishments they have made during the past year. In addition, all children who receive letters from Santa will also be getting an added bonus with a special surprise included in each envelope. The cost is $5.95 with orders being taken through December 10 and post marked with the North Pole address; orders after that date will have a local mailing address.

For more information, call Barber, Santa helper extraordinaire, at 760-3930.

Come Sing Christmas Carols

Stagedoor Performing Arts is hosting the popular musical version of Charles Dickens' famous "A Christmas Carol" which contains many great songs by Leslie Bricusse including "I Hate People," "Thank You Very Much," "Christmas Children" and many more. Bring the kids for a Christmas carol sing-a-long and a fantastic musical full of fun, song and dance. Performances will be on December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and December 9 at 3 p.m. at the Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall, 408 Limona Rd. in Brandon. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors and students, ages 5 and under are free. Tickets are available at Ticketleap, The Green Boutique, 1032 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico and The Osprey Observer, 900 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon.

Call Monica Poole at 653-7222 for more information.

Patriots Meet at Beef's

The New England Patriot fans, over 15 members, meet at the Beef O' Brady's on 4330 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. or so depending if it's a 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. game. Having its own private viewing area, with a 65" HD TV and surround sound, the group invites all Patriot fans to come out and join the festivities.

For more information, call Rob Silver at 689-9333.

AARP Hosts Holiday Tea

The regular meeting of the Greater Brandon Chapter #4442 AARP, Inc. will be held December 3 at the Brandon Community Center, 510 Sadie St. in Brandon, at 11:30 a.m. A Holiday Tea Seasonal Song and Dance will be presented by the Brandon High School's advanced vocal ensemble.

Contact Mary Starling at 689-2890 or Shirley Guthrie at 689-2218 for more information.

Brandon Homemakers Show Lingerie

The Brandon Homemakers will be entertaining all guests, as well as themselves, on December 13 with a Lingerie Fashion Show and breakfast for "Ladies Only." All ladies are welcome to join the group at the Brandon Recreational Center, 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon.

For more information, call Shar at 653-9366.

Classy Sassy Lassy's Seek Bookings

The Classy Sassy Lassy's, an over-50, entertainment group, are now taking bookings for their Christmas program. The group is also looking for gentlemen to join and anyone who can lip-sync and show expression.

For information, call Shar at 653-9366.

Roll for Hope a Success

Houses of Hope, a planned Christ-centered maternity home, wants to thank all those who supported "Roll for Hope," the charity's Bunko night event. The charity had 28 people playing Bunko and around 30-35 buying raffle tickets, joining in the silent auction and investing in 50/50. Already having $1,000 raised, the group's funding doubled to $2,000. The group welcomes donations from individuals and corporations. Its next fundraiser will be in April or May of 2008.

For more information, call Robin Windham at 453-9830.  

Resident Displays Artwork

Master Printmaker John Costin, a River Hills resident and owner of Costin Graphics Inc., will display his work at the Golf Coast Museum of Art, 12211 Walsingham Rd. in Largo. His spectacular, life-sized, hand-colored etchings of birds are being shown in correlation with an exhibit of photographs of well-known painter Frida Kahlo until January 6. For more information, call 248-5088 or go to www.gulfcoastmuseum.org/PDF/ExhibitionCostin.pdf.

Troop Holds Garage Sale

Boy Scout Troop 61 will host a Garage Sale on Saturday, December 8 at the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale, located at 710 E. Bloomingdale Ave., from 8 a.m.-12 Noon.  Proceeds will help pay expenses for traveling to summer camp in North Carolina. The troop meets on Monday nights from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Bloomingdale.

For more information, visit www.bstroop61.com.

Holiday Ballet Performance

Brandon Ballet's The Nutcracker is a magical holiday tradition for many in the Bay Area. The story of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy in 'The Land of Sweets', comes to life. Spend an enchanted afternoon or evening at the Blake Performing Arts Theatre at Blake High School, 1701 North Blvd. in Tampa, on Saturday, December 15, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Brandon Ballet, the Bay Area's Premier Ballet Company, offers training to aspiring ballet dancers and provides the opportunity to students and professionals to perform in at least two major ballets a year. Tickets, $12-$25, are on sale at Brandon Ballet located at 161 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.

For tickets and information, please call 684-4282 or visit www.brandonballet.org.

Chamber Hosts Coloring Contest

The Brandon Chamber's directory staff needs you! They are currently hosting a coloring contest for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Entries will be accepted until Friday, March 14 at 5 p.m.

If you have further questions, please contact Crystal Alderman at 689-1221, ext. 26 or calderman@brandonchamber.com.

Rookies Announce Clinics and Camps

The Rookies will have a clinic for baseball and softball on Thursday, December 27 and Friday, December 28 at FishHawk’s Hawk Park from 9 a.m.-12 Noon. Boys and girls ages 6-12 are welcome to attend. The cost is $80. On Wednesday, January 2 through Friday, January 4, a baseball and softball camp from 9 a.m. -12 Noon will be held for boys and girls ages 6 -12. The cost is $125. The deadline to sign-up for camps is Friday, December 21. Please call 857-2847 for more information.

Music Showcase Presents Line-up

Music Showcase's Acting Up!, the youngest of the three age groups that Music Showcase teaches musical theatre, will present Cinderella on Saturday, December 1 at 1 p.m. Tickets are only $8 and can be purchased in advance or at the door at Music Showcase located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon. Also, the facility is hosting its annual Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 8 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, call 685-5998.

Essay Contest Begins for Students

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), a national educational organization headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, is currently taking submissions for an International Student Essay Contest. Applicants must be undergraduates, enrolled full-time at a college or university. Participants are invited to write an original 2,500-3,000 word essay on the topic "Can Character and Communities Survive in an Age of Globalization?" The essay must be postmarked on or before December 15. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top five essays.

For more information, visit www.cultureofenterprise.org or contact Dr. Rich Brake at (800) 526-7022, ext. 123, or cofe@isi.org.

Wolfpack Cheerleaders Place at Competition

This FishHawk Wolfpack Cheerleaders recently placed at the Foundation for Youth Development Greater Tampa Bay Pop-Warner district competition. The Junior Pee Wee Team, comprised of 8 and 9 years olds, placed third at the district competition while the Pee Wee Team, comprised of 9 - 12-year-olds, placed second. They competed at the Southeast Regionals held in November at UCF in Orlando.

Golf School Offers Classes

Ace Golf / Pebble Creek Golf Club is now offering Junior Golf School with year-round Saturday group classes containing three levels: beginner, advanced and intermediate. Instructor Tom Egan, PGA professional, will be accepting a maximum of 10 students, with a minimum of four per class, ages 7-17. Classes include range balls and run 45 minutes per week at 820 S. Kings Ave. in Brandon. Prices range from $69-$125, depending on level chosen, as do times.

Call 651-4653 for more information.

Resource Center Offers Classes

The focus of the Brandon Family Support & Resource Center is on the family, offering tutoring, car seat safety and parent-child play groups. Located at 1277 Kingsway Rd., it welcomes the community with events such as: Baby Café, a support for nursing moms and pregnant women on Mondays, 11 a.m.- 12 Noon; Arts and Crafts for children ages 5-12, offered the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 4:30-5:30 p.m. All programs are free.

For more information, go to www.familysupporthc.org or call 740-4634.

South Shore Sound Debuts

South Shore Sound is having a musical show on December 16 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on 1239 Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City Center. Guest performers will be the "Visions" from Riverview High School under the direction of Liz Stewart. South Shore Sound is a dynamic chorus committed to sharing the joy of singing harmony in the barbershop style of singing. Tickets may be purchased at the SCC Atrium Kiosk December 3-7 and 10-14. 

For further information about tickets, go to www.southshoresound.org or call Terry at 786-9418 or Cookie at 634-5028.

Church Holds Holiday Sale

The Ladies at Riverview United Methodist Church and the Thrift Store, 8002 US Highway 301 South, Riverview, are holding a Holiday Sale on Saturday, December 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be Christmas crafts, fabric, thrift store bargains and lots of things to choose from. The proceeds will go to Restore Food Pantry and Need Center and several ministries of the church.

For more information, call 677-5995.

Beth Shalom Organizes Wine Tasting

Come on out and sample some great wines from Time for Wine - A Taste of European Tradition on Saturday, December 1 at 7 p.m. This is sure to be a fun event featuring appetizers and door prizes included in the ticket price. Sponsored by the Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Shalom, the event will take place at 706 Bryan Rd. in Brandon. Ticket costs are $12 at door and $10 in advance, per person. For those 21 and up only.

To purchase tickets in advance, call 654-0877. For additional information about this event please call 813-681-6547

Residents Preview Christmas Production

Horizon Christian Church, located at 1720 S. St. Cloud Ave. in Valrico, will be taking a look at Christmas through sketches and monologues during its production of Tangled in the Tinsel. Come join residents for an evening with a coffee house atmosphere for all ages with a selection of beverages and desserts on December 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for the "Toys for Tots" donation. Childcare is available for those under age 5 with reservations.

For more information, go to www.horizonchristianchurch.com. 

Calvary Lutheran Presents Christmas Play

"Retrieving the Lamb", a play by Judy Simpson Cook will be presented at Calvary Lutheran, located at 5309 US Hwy. 41 N between Apollo Beach and Ruskin, on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 8 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and are available at the church office or may be purchased the day of performance if available. All proceeds will benefit the Angel Attic Thrift Store and Calvary's Music and Arts ministries. 

For additional information, call 645-1305.

Church Offers a Multitude

Awaken Singles Ministry takes place the last Thursday of every month. This is a college/singles event that provides dynamic worship and a powerful message from God's Word.  Fellowship and snacks will be provided. Also, the church will host Adore - A Christmas Worship Experience sponsored by the singles ministry at First Baptist Brandon on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. with dessert and coffee to be served. There will be no charge for this event. Childcare will be provided for birth-fifth grade during both events. The church is located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon.

For more information please call 689-1204.

School of Music Now Enrolling

The First Baptist Brandon School of Fine Arts, located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon, is accepting applications for the Spring session which begins Monday, January 7 and includes 12 lessons. Private lessons are now available for piano, voice, guitar, brass, drums, violin, flute and clarinet on Mondays and Tuesdays in the afternoon and evening. Art classes for ages 6-adult are available on Mondays while general music classes are available for ages 2-4 on Mondays and K-5 grades on Tuesdays. These classes are excellent for home-schooled children. New for spring is an adult singing class offered on Tuesday mornings, 9:15-9:45 a.m.

For more information or to receive a brochure/application, please call the music office at 689-1204 or go to www.fbcbrandon.org. Click on ministries, then music, then School of Fine Arts.

Bell Shoals Celebrates Recovery

The Fellowship of Encouragement at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon, hosts Celebrate Recovery every Monday night in the Annex. Join the group for live praise and worship followed each week by a lesson or personal testimony. Support and encouragement is offered as the group overcomes harmful habits, hang-ups and unresolved hurts. In addition, CR Kidz program is available at the same time for grades 4-6. Children learn how to deal with life's difficulties in a Godly manner. Free childcare is available for ages 0-12 years.

Reservations can be made by calling 689-4229, ext. 501. For more information, go to www.bellshoals.com.

Saint Anne's Hosts Gala Gathering

Saint Anne Catholic Church, located at 106 11th Ave. NE in Ruskin, announce ticket sales for the up-coming Christmas Dinner Dance. The event, back by very popular demand after its debut last year, will take place at Club Renaissance, 2121 S. Pebble Beach Blvd. in Sun City, on Saturday, December 1 at 6 p.m. Cost for the evening is $50 per person, which includes a full course meal and an evening of dancing and entertainment provided by Gigante Productions. 

For more information, contact the parish office at 645-1714.

 MOPS Invites New Moms to Join

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets the second Monday of each month at FishHawk Fellowship Church, located at 15326 FishHawk Blvd., from 6-8 p.m. Childcare is provided for a small fee. All pregnant mothers to moms of kindergarteners are welcome to attend. 

For more information, please contact Donna Terrell at 655-7431 or dterrell@fishhawkfc.org.