1. It's March 15, the Ides of March, according to the Roman calender, which probably refers to the day of the full moon. The term "ides" was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July and October, and the 13th day of the other months. The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars, and a military parade was usually held. The Ides of March, though, is best known as the day Julius Caesar was killed in Brutus. In the way to the Theatre of Pompey where he was assassinated, Caesar saw a seer who warned him that harm would come to him on that day.  This meeting is re-…

1. It's another chilly morning but will warm up to a sunny 77 degrees this afternoon.  2. Hillsborough County’s Public Utilities Department has scheduled a Community Open House on March 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. to talk about the sinkhole at the Southeast County Landfill. The meeting will take place at the University of Florida IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center,  14625 County Road 672 in Balm. County staff and contractor representatives will be present to answer any questions neighbors and other interested persons may have about the repair efforts, groundwater quality monitoring and …

Brandon residents Gwen and Steve Conner have been distributors of Organo Gold coffee since July. Patch caught up with them at the FishHawk Ranch Farmer's Market and they talked about why Organo Gold is a healthier choice. The coffee contains mushroom extract called Ganoderma Lucidum that's been used for more than 5,000 years. It has been called the miraculous herb by the ancient Chinese. So, what's the advantage of drinking Organo Gold over a regular cup of joe? 1. It helps oxygenate the body and increase blood circulation, say the Conners. It helps circulate oxygen to different organs of the…

1. Make sure your clocks are move forward one hour for Daylight Savings Time. 2. Center Place will host the fifth annual Chalk Walk March 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. on the sidewalks around Center Place. This event is free for children 3 and up but space is limited to 150 children. For information, call 813-685-8888 or visit www.centerplacebrandon.org. 3. Experience an early St. Patrick's Day celebration. Visit O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill at 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, Sunday when O'Brien's hosts the fifth annual St. Puppy's Day Dog Show and Parade at 4 p.m. There will be prizes for best male, best…

1. It's the weekend, and there's plenty to do in the area. If you'd like to experience an early St. Patrick's Day celebration, visit O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill at 701 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, this week. The popular pub is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a Celts That Care Charity Bike Run and Veterans Tribute Day for AMVETS Post 44. Additional proceeds will benefit the Elmira Wildlife Sanctuary. There will be a free breakfast for the bikers at 9 a.m. followed by kickstands up at 11 a.m. The route will take bikers to the O'Brien's in Tampa, Plant City and then back to Brandon. The ride …

1. It's chilly and breezy this morning with a high of 66 degrees expected today so keep those jackets handy. 2. The Adult Education Committee of Congregation Beth Shalom, 706 Bryan Road, Brandon, will present cantor Rosalie Boxt in a program titled "Jewish Music: Traditional Foundations. Boxt is the third scholar-in-residence at Congregation Beth Shalom. The program will include a performance by the adult choir, Kolot Shalom, directed by Joan Frankel. The presentation will take place March 11 at 7:45 p.m. and March 12 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. For information, call 813-651-6547. 3. The St. …

1. Artist Scott King, featured on Bloomingdale Patch in January, will celebrate the unveiling of his latest series of paintings inspired by classic video game characters and the start of Scott King's designs exclusive to Tadpole's of Brandon, 115 W. Brandon Blvd.  Thursday, March 10 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tadpole's. There will be raffles and drink specials. 2. With gas prices on the rise throughout the Tampa Bay area - more than 78 cents higher than this time last year and 17 cents more than last week - the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) is offering commuters some …

1.  Berry Fine Productions hosted the Grand Parade Monday during the Florida Strawberry Festival. Winning first place for best marching band was Durant High School. Bloomingdale High School's band placed second. For more information on all the Florida Strawberry Festival events, log on towww.flstrawberryfestival.com or call 813-752-9194. 2. If you like games, check out the Elite Poker Challenge tonight at Upstairs, formerly FishHawk Brews and Spirits. The Elite Poker Challenge is a bar poker league created by poker players for poker players. It welcomes all skill levels each Wednesday …

If you're ready to fill up, be prepared to pay more at the pump. Some experts are attributing the recent rise in gas prices to the unrest in the Middle East. Others say it's the result of an upswing in the economy. Whatever the reason. it's going to cost more to fill your gas tanks this week. Here's a look at some local gas prices: Hess, 3353 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico, $3.59 per gallon for regular gasoline. Mobile, 936 W. Bloomingdale Ave,, Brandon, $3.49 per gallon for regular gasoline. BP, 4330 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico,$3.53 per gallon for regular gasoline. Citgo, 3501 Bell …

Patch: How long have you been cutting coupons? Debbie Kinz (Lithia): Since I took a TrueCouponing class this past May. Patch: What is the most you've saved on a single grocery bill? Debbie Kinz: About $60. I haven’t learned how to get the free stuff yet. Patch: What is your favorite thing about couponing? Debbie Kinz: Saving money, of course! Patch: What tips do you have for new couponers? Debbie Kinz: Make sure to get enough newspapers. Patch: On average, how many hours to you spend each week couponing? Debbie Kinz: Probably two or three hours each week.

Good morning, Bloomingdale Patch. It's a beautiful day and a great chance to get out and participate in the many activities taking place throughout the area. 1. Here's a chance to support Bloomingdale High School's award-winning band. Residents will have a chance to bid on some great items donated by local businesses when the band holds its 21st annual benefit auction at the high school, 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. The event features gift baskets, gift certificates to local restaurants, Busch Gardens tickets, tickets to Rays and Lightning games, golf outings and Vera Bradley …

1. Come on out for some wings and networking. There will be a Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce YP Networking Social Thursday, March 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, 2055 Badlands Drive, Brandon. There is no charge for current members. The charge is $5 for potential members and guests. The March charity of the month is the Emergency Care Help Organization. Those attending should bring a nonperishable food items. For information, contact Crystal Colegrove at 689-1221, Ext. 8824.  2. Here's a chance to get into shape while making new friends. The Women's Ministry at First Baptist …

1. How healthy are you? Find out today when the parish nurses at St. Stephen Catholic Church and Prevention Plus Inc. hosts life-saving tests in the multipurpose room of the church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road. Registered sonographers will offer stroke tests including a stroke/carotid ultrasound, an arterial disease test, an abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound, an osteoporosis test, a thyroid ultrasound, a complete abdominal ultrasound and an echocardiogram. Any six tests cost $169.  In addition, blood screenings will be available including cholesterol testing, a liver panel, a thyroid blood test…

1. St. Stephen Catholic Church will host Exploring the Catholic Faith Monday nights from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the front room at Beef O'Brady's on Bell Shoals Road, Valrico. 2. Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin of Chabad of Brandon will offer a series of classes titled, "Toward a Meaningful Life: A Soul-Searching Journey for Every Jew," Mondays, through March 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Chabad of Brandon, 3005 Waylon Lane, Valrico. To register, call (813) 657-9393 or e-mail rabbi@chabadbrandon.org. 3. Celebrate Recovery, a support group for codependency, chemical addiction and sexual abuse recovery, …

Patch: How long have you been cutting coupons? Chantell and Louis Preziosi of Gibsonton:  We've been doing it for probably about six months. Patch: What is the most you've saved on a single grocery bill? Chantell and Louis Preziosi: It's hard to say, but at Albertson's we've saved as much as $120 to $130. Patch: What is your favorite thing about couponing? Chantell and Louis Preziosi: Saving money and being closer to budget. We like having more money in our pocket. Patch: What tips do you have for new couponers? Chantell and Louis Preziosi: Stick with it. Don't get frustrated. You'll get …

Good morning, Bloomingdale Patch.  Why not pack a picnic lunch and spend the day at one of the many parks in the area? 1. Aldermans Ford Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. Located at 100 Aldermans Ford Park Drive off State Road 39, history abounds at this park. It was one of the first fording spots on the Alafia River and for many years a popular place for political campaigning in Hillsborough County. This scenic park includes the area where the Alafia River branches into its north and south prongs. The Alafia is one of the most popular canoe spots in the state, and the park …

Good morning, Bloomingdale Patch. It's a brisk 58 degrees right now but will quickly warm up to a high of 81 degrees today. It'll be mostly sunny so you can leave those umbrellas at home. 1. The experts say the average person needs eight hours. But is that really enough sleep for a child? A Brandon Regional Hospital Healthy Children Series, "Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?," will be held Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at Randall Middle School, 16510 Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia. 2. Come enjoy "Day by Day" and other popular songs from the musical as 30 students in Riverview High School's Theatre Department …

1. Hillsborough County residents will have an opportunity to discuss and give input on the draft Hillsborough County Bicycle Safety Action Plan March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave.  Due to the increase of bicycle accidents in the county, Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe initiated a coalition of representatives from key agencies responsible for bicycle safety to study the issue.  The group included local governments, transportation agencies, law enforcement and education groups. They identified where and why bicycle accidents were …

1 There's a dense fog advisory across the area until 9 a.m. so drive carefully. 2. Discover your family history. Ask A Genealogist, advice on tracing your family's history, is offered Tuesdays at 4 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Regional Library. Call (813) 273-3652, Ext. 2. 3. How do you spell "fun?" A scrabble club meets Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Davis Park Senior Center, 612 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon. Participants should bring their own games. 4. The AARP will host free tax assistance on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bloomingdale Regional …

It's Presidents Day. If you have the day off, that may mean getting out and enjoying today's great weather (today's high is 77 degrees), shopping at the plentiful sales advertised today around the Bloomingdale area or just spending some quality time with the family. Unfortunately, it's business as usual if you're a Hillsborough County public school student. Here's some things you might like to know about President's Day. 1. Officially known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents Day is observed on the third Monday of February. In 1968, legislation was enacted that affected several federal …