Brandon Patch Guide to Valentine's Day

Our dynamic guide to the season of love, featuring local places and events and cool things to know, read and view as Valentine's Day approaches. Updates to come, reader suggestions welcome.

Women's Health Care Expo Returns This Year to Crowne Plaza East

"Healthy Women, Healthy Communities" returns for a second year, hosted by Brandon Regional Hospital and South Bay Hospital of Sun City Center at the Greater Brandon Crowne Plaza hotel.

Poll: Brandon's Food Truck Rally (Photos)

The Tasting Tampa food blog has been organizing food truck rallies from Tampa to Pinellas County, down to Bradenton as well. The movement's first foray into the Brandon market was Jan. 14.

Preview: Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby at Westfield Brandon Shopping Mall

Boy scouts design, carve, paint, add weights and fine-tune their entries in the annual pinewood derby. A local display of the competition effort is under way today, Jan. 14, in the Westfield Brandon shopping mall.

Reader's Report: Food Truck Rally at Winthrop Pole Barn Today (Jan. 14)

Tasting Tampa’s drive to organize food-truck rallies hits the Greater Brandon area Jan. 14, with a focus on bringing “heightened awareness to small businesses” making “a living selling really good food."

Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant To Fill Space Vacated by Giordano's

Brandon lost Giordano's "famous stuffed pizza" but it's getting the newest Lee Roy Selmon's sports restaurant. The chain's eighth restaurant is set to open in the summer of 2012.

Kodachrome Story Revisited as Kodak Reportedly Poised for Bankruptcy

Photographers mourn news of the likely bankruptcy of Kodak after 131 years in business. A local photographer's views on Kodachrome, posted a little over a year ago, comes to mind as we consider a world without Kodak.

Taste of Berlin Mirrors Couple’s Lifetime of Restaurant Work in Germany

German restaurant owners Holger and Margitta Engel became aware of the Greater Brandon area, and its taste preferences, by watching the work of their son, Bo, who co-owns the Copper Bell Cafe, not far from the couple's newly opened Taste of Berlin.

Liberty Tax Service Set To Open its 4,000th Office, in Brandon

With its grand opening Jan. 8 in Brandon, Liberty Tax Service grows to 4,000 locations nationwide and in Canada, up from 1,000 locations in 2004. Founder and CEO John Hewitt plans to be in attendance.

Determined To Lose Weight? Local Help for Making Your Resolution Count

A top New Year's resolution is to lose weight, and gyms and trainers in the Greater Brandon area are eager to help you do just that. Included are Nex Level, LA Fitness, Lifestyle, Curves, Shapes, Fitness for $10 and Results Health and Nutrition.

Fitness Boutique: Indoor Cycling on Tap at Revolution Cycle and Fitness

Couple's passion for indoor cycling, in part to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, leads to the opening of Revolution Cycle and Fitness in Brandon, on Oakfield Drive. It's just doors away from a previous Giordano business, Camera Hut.

Where To Eat on New Year’s Day: A Guide to Local Eateries

Comes the morning after and New Year's Eve revelers are hungry. What's open for breakfast, lunch or dinner? We start with this list of Greater Brandon eateries.

Tasting Tampa’s Food Truck Rally Expands to Greater Brandon Market

This reader’s report is about Tasting Tampa’s drive to organize food-truck rallies. The movement is coming to the Greater Brandon area, with a focus on bringing “heightened awareness to small businesses” making “a living selling really good food."

Where To Grab a Cup of Joe on Christmas Weekend

Here is complete rundown of coffee shop hours during the holidays in the Greater Brandon area.

Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Hours and Ideas

Still haven't finished your holiday shopping? Here are a few ideas, plus Christmas Eve store hours in Brandon.

Genghis Grill Gives Mongolian Stir-Fry a Go in Brandon

The new Brandon restaurant, at 910 Providence Rd., is serving as the gateway to a Tampa invasion by the Mongolian stir fry franchise Genghis Grill.

'Layaway Angels' Settle Brandon Kmart Bills for Holiday Shoppers

Anonymous donors have been making headlines around the country by paying off layaway tabs for the holidays, and this year, Brandon's angels have come out in greater numbers.

Armwood Hawks Keep Perfect Season Alive With State Semifinal Win

The powerful, but not untested, Armwood Hawks beat Bartram Trail at home to advance to the Class 6A football finals, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 17. Armwood will face Miami Central for the state title.

Poll: Wendy's Versus Burger King, You Buying It?

A securities analyst reports Wendy's is poised to take from Burger King the No. 2 spot as largest burger chain in U.S. market share. What's your taste preference?

Hawks Face Hurricanes for Regional Title Showdown at Lyle Flagg Field

The Armwood Hawks face Gainesville at home tonight, Dec. 2, for the FHSAA Class 6A regional football title. The winner advances to the state semifinals. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Cyber Monday Sales, Deals, Leads and Links: Prep for a Plan of Action

Cyber Monday online shopping is predicted to hit a level of $1.2 billion, surpassing the $1.028 billion in 2010, a 16 percent increase over the year before.

Shop Small: Brandon’s Breezy’s Beads Focuses on ‘Family’ Customer Care

Kim Tice said her business has been open for 10 years, built on a camaraderie with customers that transcends the atmosphere of quick-hit commerce. In an interview leading up to Small Business Saturday, Tice said customers “are family to us."

Shop Small: Bootleggers of Brandon Brings Winery, Home-Brewing Local

Gearing up for Small Business Saturday is Bootleggers Beer & Wine Home Brewing Supplies on Oakfield Drive in Brandon. Store owners Carole Faessler and Darcy Hermida say shopping local shows community support.

Ready, Set, Shop! Local List for Black Friday, Holiday Weekend Specials

A local listing of Black Friday hours and specials as shoppers get set to chow down on deals and steals with the crack of midnight. Some stores open Thanksgiving Day.

Shop Local, Shop Small: Brandon Businesses Gear Up for Holiday Sales

Community spirit aims to counter tough economic times, with Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26 and local holiday shopping deals and unique offerings in the days and weeks ahead.

Greater Brandon Area Set To Welcome 2nd Walmart Neighborhood Market

Soon there will be a Walmart every 3 miles apart, from East Brandon Boulevard to Lithia Pinecrest Road, to Bloomingdale Avenue to Causeway Boulevard. The upcoming "Brandon No. 5622 Store" will be the area's second neighborhood market.

5 Things To Know About Yogurtology as Brandon Site Set To Open

Yogurtology opens in Brandon on Nov. 19, with free yogurt from 1-3 p.m. Patrons create their own yogurt "masterpieces" from 12 rotating flavors and more than 60 toppings and "bottomings."

Verizon Plans Customer Appreciation Party at Brandon Mall

The event will include entertainment, food and beverages.

Chamber to Honor Small Business at Awards Dinner Tonight, Oct. 20

The chamber is celebrating its 30th anniversary of honoring small businesses.

Open House this Weekend for 10 Rehabilitated Homes (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

The homes have been fully rehabilitated with federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant funds and are all available for sale.

House Hunt: 3-Story Alafia Preserve Home Features Balconies, Elevator Shaft

This five-bedroom home covers more than 4,000 square feet and is on the market for $499,000.

Steve Jobs’ Legacy Lives On With Apple Customers At Brandon Mall

“For my generation, he was just that, our (Thomas) Edison,” said Nathaniel Halle.

Chick-fil-A to Host Daddy-Daughter Date Night Oct. 15

Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants include the Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A and the Valrico Chick-fil-A.

Holmberg, Gilmore Sponsor Monthly Greater Riverview Chamber Luncheon

Lake Brandon Village Chick-fil-A owner Tammy Holmberg, a former honorary mayor of Brandon, and Marie Gilmore, publisher of the Osprey Observer, sponsor the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce's monthly membership meeting. Renewing, new members noted.

WingHouse Bar & Grill Set To Open on Brandon Boulevard Near Kings Avenue

Owner and founder Crawford Ker and other former NFL players will be on hand for the grand opening Sept. 29 at 4 p.m.

More Rough Days Ahead For Stock Market Says Local Financial Analyst

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is hoping a new $400-billon program will boost the housing market and keep long-term interest rates low.

Time Warner Narrows Search to County, Could Mean Some 500 Jobs Locally

After considering 59 locations, Time Warner Business Services has narrowed its search of existing space to buildings in Tampa, Temple Terrace and unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Gators Games Brings Mobile Arcade Fun to an Event Near You

Today’s recessionary times can’t kill the spirit for claiming a piece of the entrepreneurial American Dream for the Sanz clan. Jorge Sanz, a former Brandon Lions football coach, is a partner of the The Clubhouse Cafe in Brandon.

Seafood Restaurant Signs for Old Chicago Space at Brandon Crossroads

The manger of the Brandon Crossroads shopping center said a restaurant, the first of a possible chain, has signed to fill the space vacated by Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza in December.

Gallery Hop Showcases Greater Brandon’s Artists, Cultural Community

“It’s a great way for the community to come out and support the arts,” said Eva Areias, owner of The Bead Boutique, one of the stores that participated in the Gallery Hop.