Women's Connection Hosts Brunch

Stonecroft Ministry's "Brandon Christian Women's Connection" is inviting ladies to a New Year's Brunch, Monday, January 14 at 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Bell Shoals Baptist Church, located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon in the Special Events Center. Cost is $12 and the feature presentation will be given by Ilene Stubbs with tips on how to decorate for the New Year. Deanna-Henson-Doying of Port St. Joe will be the speaker, sharing how to find balance in the most unexpected place. Along with special music by Liz Brewer, the morning is sure to offer a time of good fellowship, entertainment and inspiration. Complimentary childcare is available by reservation. 

For reservations, call Bobbie at 657-8632 or e-mail barbara_gardner4@yahoo.com by Tuesday, January 8.

Bereavement Group Forming in January

A new weekly Christian-based bereavement group is being formed at St. Anne Catholic Church located at 106 11th Ave. NE in Ruskin. To better facilitate those who cannot attend the sessions during the day, and/or for seasonal members who come for the winter, starting Monday, January 7, there will be a new series beginning at 7 p.m. in the Religious Education Building. GriefShare is a professionally produced program lasting approximately 13 weeks. At each session a video will be shown featuring personal stories of people like you who are grieving the death of a loved one. After the video, discussion will take place about what was viewed and what is going on in group members' lives.  One need not be Catholic to attend.

Please call the parish office at 645-1714 to register or visit www.griefshare.org/about/ for more information.

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. 

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. Childcare will be provided for birth-fifth grade during the program. 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.

Judo Club Opens in Brandon

A competition-style Judo club has opened at 501 Faulkenburg Center, Ste. E20 ,in Brandon. Come and learn the art of Judo and get in shape at the same time. Judo classes for men and women are offered with those of any age and skill level being welcomed. This is a competitive-style Judo for competition and self-defense. The trainers are also available for demonstrations at your next school function.

Call Dave for more information at 662-7910.

Holiday Chess Camp Begins

The 2008 Holiday Chess Camp begins January 2-4 at the Tampa Chess Club located at 10936 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace. The cost is $50 for all three days. What a way to start the year out right by learning to play chess. Ages 5-15, all levels and schools, are welcome. The classes are from 9:30 a.m.-12 Noon or 2-4:30 p.m. All day camp, which is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., includes lunch and is only $85 for all three days.

For more information, call Coach T at 727-8852.

BSHS Orchestra Announces Fundraiser

The Bloomingdale High School Orchestra is going to Beijing to perform in an international youth festival as part of the 2008 Olympics. Youth from about 30 countries will be performing side-by-side.

In an effort to raise money for the Bloomingdale High School students, an online fundraiser is being offered by Anne Lewis, a local Mary Kay consultant and Bloomingdale graduate. Order anything online at www.marykay.com/annelewis for yourself, or as a gift, and make a note in the comments section that you are sponsoring the BSHS Orchestra. If you know a student in the orchestra, please include their name in the comments section. Twenty percent of the sales will be given to the orchestra. The end-date for the fundraiser is 12 Midnight on December 17 with orders being delivered before Christmas.

For further information about the trip, please contact BSHS Orchestra Director SuLine Chou Caballero at 744-8018, ext. 263.

BOBCATS Search for Players

The BOBCATS 14 and under AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Baseball Team is looking for players, including pitchers, catchers and other skilled players, to participate in it's winter training sessions from December 2007-January 2008. Players should have at least four years of baseball experience and solid fundamentals.

 All coaches are Hillsborough County certified. The BOBCATS are centrally located in the Brandon, Valrico, FishHawk and Riverview areas, but boys from throughout the bay area are welcome if interested in competitive baseball and improving their skills. A formal tryout will be scheduled sometime in January at the Bloomingdale Little League Fields. Players should not turn 15 until after May 1 to participate in the 14/U age category. 

Contact Randy Zak at 789-7925, Fred Campbell at 918-1287 or Jim Harris at 863-286-4824 for more information and the practice schedule.

Boy Scouts Hold Fundraiser

Ruskin Boy Scout Troop 661 will be hosting a Holiday Breakfast with the Santa fundraiser on Saturday, December 15 from 8-11 a.m. at the Ruskin Elks Lodge, 1630 S. U.S. Hwy. 41. Tickets can be purchased early for $5 but will also be available at the door. Breakfast will consist of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. There will also be a bake sale with additional items for purchase. Santa will make an appearance and will be available for photos. 

If you would like to make a donation or purchase advance tickets, please contact Denise St. Sauvier at denise@longtire.com.

Ballet Performs

Brandon Ballet's The Nutcracker is a magical holiday tradition for many in the Bay Area. With a cast of over 100, beautiful choreography and costumes, lovely set designs and the wonderful music of Tchaikovsky, you will be transported to 1850 on Christmas Eve.

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. Or Sunday, December 16, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Brandon Ballet, a not-for-profit organization, brings a broad repertoire of classical ballets to the community, including a performance in May 2008 of Cinderella. The facility offers benefit performances throughout the year to provide an education in the art of dance and create interest in the arts. Tickets, $12-$25, are on sale at Brandon Ballet located at 161 East 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. The winners of the contest will be used in the next edition of the Brandon Area Directory™. 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.

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.

Center Place Offers Family Events

With so many offerings available at Center Place, located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon, residents will have a multitude of entertaining events to participate in through the upcoming months. There are a variety of theater productions including Rapunzel as well as the Mame theater and dinner production and opportunities for artists' work to be selected for the Mook Gallery, with Melanie Feldman - "Painter of Women"- taking precedence the month of December and Gordon Tarpley's work coming in January. The 17th annual Wild Dame Night will also take place in February for ladies only. There is a smorgasbord of workshops to keep the kids busy as well as plays for the kiddies ranging from The Ugly Duckling to Peter Rabbit.

For more information on the facility's list of events, call 685-8888 or go to www.centerplacebrandon.com.

BucFanz Tailgate Party

The 6th Annual Bike Drive Tailgate Party is coming for all area residents who are BucFanz. The next home game will be December 16 vs. the Atlanta Falcons. If possible please see about bringing a new bike and/or helmet. To date the group has donated nearly 200 brand new bikes and that many or more helmets.

Dr. BBQ Ray Lampe will prepare a few recipes from his latest cookbook. On a different note, the group finished 12th overall out of a field of 30 teams at the Plant City Pig Jam. Its next event is going to be the 12th Annual Lakeland Pig Fest. Come party with the Krewe cookers January 25-26.

For more information, e-mail jim@bucfanz.com.

BHS Announces Upcoming Events

The Brandon High School Alumni Association will be sponsoring an Appreciation Luncheon honoring all Brandon High School teachers with 25 years or more tenure at BHS on January 7 beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Brandon High School dining room being complimentary to these teachers. All other teachers with less than 25 years, alumni and other guests are welcome to attend the catered luncheon and recognition ceremonies for a nominal donation. However, reservations are required for all attendees. Ten BHS Memory Walk Bricks will be awarded as door prizes.

The Greater Brandon area Old Timers Association meeting and luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 26, at the First Baptist Church of Brandon's social hall located at 216 N. Parsons Ave. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a covered dish dinner to follow at 12 Noon. Recognition will be given to the oldest man, oldest woman, person residing the longest in Brandon, most distance traveled, couple married the longest and couple most recently married.

The BHSAA will be hosting its annual Grand Reunion on Saturday, May 3, in the McLane Middle School Cafeteria located at 306 N. Knights Ave. starting at 11 a.m. with music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Recognition will be given to the oldest BHS alumni, youngest BHS alumni and the alumni that came the greatest distance. Additional door prizes will be drawn. The event will be a catered luncheon from 12 Noon-1 p.m. with registration beginning at 11 a.m. A nominal donation is requested but is free of charge to current or former faculty members.

Advance reservations are required by April 25 by calling Karen Rodriguez at 651-3261. Please call Rodriguez or Nancy Lentz Dukes at 643-2785 for information and reservations for the other events posted.

Stagedoor Performs Musicals  

Please make the time to take your family to see "Scrooge" - the musical produced by Stagedoor Performing Arts at Limon Village Chapel. The show is at Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall located at 408 Limona Rd. in Brandon, on the corner of Limona Rd. and Victoria St. Dates of performances include: Friday-Saturday, December 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the show. Stagedoor Performing Arts is also hosting the popular musical version of Charles Dickens' famous "A Christmas Carol."

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 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors and students, ages 5 and under are free Tickets can be purchased from a cast member, ticketleap.com, The Green Boutique located at 1032 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico or the Osprey Observer at 900 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon. There will also be tickets available at the door.

Call Monica Poole at 653-7222 for more information or go to www.stagedoorbrandon.org. 

Groups Organize Free Deployment Gatherings

Jennifer Tracey of James-Rivard Buick-Pontiac-GMC, The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post 6287 and the VFW Post 6287 would like to welcome deploying military groups to contact them if they are interested in the groups providing a family day and deployment gathering. There is no charge for this function, just a great time, great prizes and an opportunity to meet community members ready to offer support and services to families of deployed soldiers. In a joint effort to provide this function, James-Rivard Buick-Pontiac-GMC is providing food and entertainment, a certificate providing each family with free oil changes, car washes, discount on services as well as one percent over invoice on all new vehicles while deployed. VFW Post 6287 of Ruskin is providing the hall and the LAVFW and will provide volunteers prizes and hospitality. The group hopes to provide all attendees a list of services that can be of some assistance while their family member is deployed. The group is seeking other businesses with services to offer.

To schedule your Deployment Gathering or to donate, contact Jennifer Tracey, James-Rivard Buick Pontiac-GMC at 645-0505 or Lois McBride, president of LAVFW Post 6287, at 671-9411.

Attention Steeler Fans

Buffalo Wild Wings, on the corner of FishHawk Blvd. and Boyette Rd., has been and will continue to show all 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!

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.

Business Women to Meet

The Greater Brandon Business and Professional Women (GBBPW) group meets on the second Thursday of each month at Giordano's Restaurant, 11310 Causeway Blvd, Brandon, at 6:30 p.m. New attendees are welcome. Dinner cost is $15. 

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Donna Fore at 528-0902 or Dee Loar at 295-0457.

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.

Calling All Moms

MOMS Club of Valrico, a nonprofit organization providing support to stay-at-home moms and their children, offers a monthly calendar filled with park days, holiday parties, field trips, Moms' Nights Out, weekly playgroups and other activities. Monthly meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. 

Contact Valrico MOMS Club at valricomomsclub@yahoo.com or call Katie at 352-1095 for more information.

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.

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.