African Violet Society Holds Sale and Show

The Tampa African Violet Society proudly announces its 32nd Annual Avsa Judged Show and Sale taking place on February 23 at the Farm Bureau located at 100 S. Mulrennan Rd. in Valrico. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. sales will initiate, but the show will transpire from 12 Noon-5 p.m. Also, on February 24 the show and sale of the plants will continue from 12 Noon-5 p.m. The event offers free admission and parking. Plants and plant supplies will also be available for purchase.

For more information, please contact Mina Menish at 251-1581.

Coast Guard Announcements

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 74 Brandon is offering America's One Day Boating ABS Program on Saturday, February 16 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Flotilla 74's training room located at 1516 W. Brandon Blvd. (near K-Mart). Successful completion of the course and exam will get you the boating identification card. Many insurance companies will offer discounts. The cost of the class is $40. Also, the group is seeking volunteers interested in conducting safety patrols and search and rescue missions on Tampa Bay waterways, assisting with Homeland Security duties, teaching boating safety classes and conducting free vessel safety checks for the public by assisting in public affairs and administration. Volunteers must be at least 17 years old.

For more information or to become a member, call 1-800-704-4216 or go to www.cgaux74.org. To register and pre-pay for the class, go to http://cgaux74.org, call 1-800-704-4216 or email FSO-PE@CGAUX74.org.

Men's Club Hosts Fish Fry

The Men's Club of the Knights of Columbus Council and Community for Women at St. Stephen Catholic Church, located at 5049 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico, will host Lenten fish fries on February 15 and 29 as well as March 7 and 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. The cost is $7 for three pieces of fish, fries, coleslaw and a drink. Two slices of pizza, fries and a drink will be available for $5. Carry-out and drive-thru will be available without the drink.

Call 689-4900 for more information.

All Pro Dads Group The Lithia All Pro Dads group will meet on March 15 from 1-4 p.m. for an NFL Dads 'n' Kids event at Raymond James Stadium. The group plans to meet at 10:45 a.m. at Chick-fil-A off Lumsden Rd. to caravan to the stadium. All Pro Dad is the fatherhood enrichment program of Family First and is the ultimate resource for men who want to become better fathers.  To RSVP or for more information, email LithiaAPD@gmail.com or call 672-7750. For more information regarding the group, visit www.allprodad.com.

Calling all Crafters 

Do you have a craft you'd like to sell? If so, book a spot at the FishHawk Ranch Spring Craft Show. Many of the Brandon crafters from Artisans at Large who participated in the successful Art in the Park event will return with their beautiful creations consisting of glasswork, woodwork, jewelry, pottery and more. This show will take place Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The registration fee of $60 includes a 12 x 12 selling space.

If you are a vendor interested in participating in the two day event, contact Sandra Wix at the Osprey Club at 654-6360, or email swix@fhrhoa.com. Information packets are located at all of the clubhouses, the Information Center in Park Square and on www.fishhawkconnect.com.

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.

Rotary Hosts Expo

The Brandon Rotary Club is hosting its annual stag-only Wild Game Night on February 29 at Boggy Bottom Ranch located at Hwy. 39 and Keysville Rd. in Plant City to raise funds for Brandon area charities. The men's night out, which attracts more than 800 outdoorsmen each year, features a dinner of venison and other wild game along with swamp cabbage cooked on site.

This is a chance to raise funds for charities including Rotary's Camp Florida, the Emergency Care Help Organization and the Brandon Outreach Clinic while sitting around and sharing stories about "the one that got away." Tickets are $70 each.

E-mail wildgame08@verizon.net or fax/voicemail at 315-6533.

Resident Awarded Scholarship

Chick-fil-A is awarding its National Leadership Scholarship to Amanda Rollins from Valrico. Rollins joins 10 other scholarship students at the free-standing Chick–fil-A restaurant at E. Brandon/Valrico. Rollins, awarded the $1,000 scholarship by Chick-fil-A franchised operator Jeff Jones, is pursuing religion at the University of South Florida. Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy has been a strong advocate of education for employees since opening his first restaurant 60 years ago. Information about Chick-fil-A is located at www.chick-fil-apressroom.com or www.chick-fil-a.com.

Beauty Contestant Seeks Supporters

 Amanda Graham of Valrico was recently selected to participate in Nationals 2008 Miss Pre-Teen Tampa pageant competition that will take place on February 24. Graham will be competing in the Miss Pre-Teen division, one of four divisions that will have young ladies between the ages of 7-19 competing in modeling routines which include casual wear and formal wear. If Graham were to win the title of Miss Pre-Teen Tampa, she would represent Tampa and the surrounding communities at the Cities of America National Competition that will take place in Orlando.

Any business, organization, or private individual who may be interested in becoming a sponsor to Graham may contact her pageant coordinator, Patty Neidert at 1-800-569-2487.

Brandon Christian Holds Yard Sale

Brandon Christian Community School is hosting its second annual Yard Sale Fundraiser on March 8 at 1205 Lakewood Dr. in Brandon from 7 a.m.-12 Noon. This is a community-wide, multi-family event with tons of items for purchase including electronics, baby items, toys, exercise equipment, collectibles, furniture, sporting goods, and much, much more. The students also get involved by selling soft drinks, bottled water and snacks. 

For more information, call 770-LIFE (5433).

Music Showcase Provides Programs

Music Showcase, 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, is now taking registration for its spring programs and classes offering private and group lessons for all instruments including voice as well as musical theatre in four age groups beginning at age four. Rock band, jazz band, group guitar, show choirs, mini musicians, Suzuki violin, drum line prep course, worship u and much more is offered. There is a snare edition starting on February 25 for six weeks at a cost of $60.

For more information please contact Wendi at 685-5998 or go to www.musicshowcaseonline.com.

Songwriting Contest Unveiled

Music Showcase will host a songwriters contest on Saturday, February 16 at 10 a.m.  This contest is open to all ages and levels. All original compositions will be judged and prizes awarded on the day of the competition. All contestants must pre-register and should be prepared to play their composition. No full bands please. There are no registration fees.

For more information or to register, please contact Music Showcase at 685-5998 or in person at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

Pinecrest Little League Holds Registration

It's not too late to register your son or daughter for Pinecrest Little League baseball or softball. Players league for ages 5-8 costs $85 while ages 9 and up average $130.  Registrations will be accepted until opening day. PLL serves all areas of Lithia, including FishHawk, Boyette, Keysville, Picnic, as well as Hopewell, and parts of Dover, Valrico and Plant city. Bring the family out for a community event celebrating 40 years of Little League at Pinecrest on February 22 from 6-8 p.m. There will be a barbeque dinner, fun and prizes. 

For more information, go to www.pinecrestlittleleague.org or call 737-4052.

\Kids In Balance Hosts Dinner and Auction

Kids In Balance is having a dinner and silent auction to raise money for the new year. Come join KIB for a community event with great food and fun. The charity dinner is at M.J. Barleyhoppers, located at 6264 Winthrop Town Centre Ave. in Riverview, on February 28 at 6 p.m. This is KIB's first annual dinner and silent auction. It hopes to raise money to help with the purchase of learning materials, equipment and operational expenses. Items for auction include donated merchandise and gift certificates from local businesses, tickets from Florida theme parks and more. M.J. Barleyhoppers will have a buffet including some of its flavorful dishes. KIB is a non-profit learning center that offers therapy-based classes at a cost that persons with any level of income can afford. Kids with any level of needs benefit from the unique therapist created classes. Some classes offered are creative writing, reading balance, social and school skills and speech sound balance. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple.

To get tickets for the dinner and silent auction, call 677-8450. For more information about Kids In Balance, go to www.kidsinbalance.org.

Wolfpack Announces Registration

The FishHawk Wolfpack will hold open registration for Pop Warner Cheerleading sign-ups at the FishHawk Publix on February 16, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The Lady Wolfpack cheerleading squads completed last season with second and third place finishes in district competition at the USF Sundome in their first year of competition. The Lady Wolfpack squads have their sights set upon the National Competition this year. The Wolfpack is a Pop Warner Little Scholars organization. Coaches are needed for both cheer and football.  The Wolfpack is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization than has many volunteer opportunities.

For more information, please visit www.fhwolfpack.com before February 16.

Yoga Comes to FishHawk

Sampoorna Yoga for Children at FishHawk Ranch's Aquatic Club, 6930 Ospreyridge Dr. in Lithia, is beginning a winter session from January 9-March 12, on Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m. There will be 10 classes, costing $100. Also being offered is Sampoorna Yoga Session beginning January 8-February 28, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9-10:15 a.m. There will be 16 classes, costing $160. New students of both classes will need to buy the Sampoorna Yoga DVD, Level one, with Shri Yogi Hari, $25, while adults also need the Sampoorna Yoga Book by Shri Yogi Hari, $25. Register now as space is limited.

For more information, please call Isabel Riesco at 654-7545, 1-954-682-7347 or go to www.yogihari.com.

Girl Scouts Support Troops

The Girl Scout cookie season is in full-swing and your favorite Girl Scout cookie varieties now have a way to reach troops serving overseas through the Cookies from Home program. Starting in 2005, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida began sending Girl Scout cookies through the Cookies from Home project during the annual cookie program and at the annual Dessert First dinner and auction.

Choices range from: individual packages $3.50, one case (12 packages) $42, two cases (24 packages) $84, three cases (36 packages) $126, four cases (48 packages) $168; five cases (60 packages) $210 and more. As a reminder: Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 marked the official start of the 2008 Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Interested supporters can purchase cookies for Cookies from Home from area Girl Scouts or directly by contacting dharris@gswcf.org or 281-4475, ext. 238.

Bloomingdale Orchestra Holds Fundraiser

The Bloomingdale High School Orchestra is hosting a fundraiser which will consist of a night of creativity and fun during Open Crop Scrapbooking Night on Friday, February 22, from 6-10 p.m. at the Bloomingdale High School Cafeteria located 1700 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Your entire $10 pre-registration will be donated to the Bloomingdale Orchestra to help fund music, instruments and transportation. Your evening will include pizza, drink, scrapbook/crop space, live scrapbook demonstrations every hour, professional scrapbook teachers to help you with layout and design, door prizes and the use of dozens of punches, rubber stamps, ink pads and patterned paper remnants. Bring your own cropping supplies such as cardstock, adhesive, photos, etc.  Registration and pre-payment are due by February 15.

For more information, call Lisa Curcio, orchestra booster president, at 689-9319 or email her at rcurcio3@verizon.net.