5 Things to Know Today, April 9

1. Bring your appetites. The Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO), a Brandon charity food pantry, and New Horizons Group Home, group-living alternative for developmentally challenged adults, are raising funds in a very "sweet" way with a community pancake breakfast and a pancake-eating contest.  

The local International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is supplying all of the pancakes for the charity event, which will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church at 818 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon, Saturday, April 9, from 7 a.m. to noon.  The event is open to all area residents for $5 per person.  The event also will feature a pancake-eating contest for children and adults wishing to test their pancake-eating abilities. 

“Several organizations are coming together for this event -- ECHO, New Horizons Group Home, IHOP and Cornerstone Baptist.  It's great to bring in different organizations for good causes.  We certainly hope the community comes out to support and have some fun eating pancakes with us,” said Stacey Efaw, executive director of the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) of Brandon. 

2. The Brandon Elks Lodge is hosting an arts and crafts show April 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brandon Elks Lodge, 800 Centennial Lodge Drive, Brandon. The funds will support the Florida Elks Children's Therapy Services. For more information, call Dorinda Rountree at 813-763-0341 or DKRountree@gmail.com.

3. Children are invited to the Westfield Brandon Disney Store for an exciting costume party with Minnie Mouse. Dress the little ones up in their favorite costumes and enjoy a screening of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD, "Minnie's Masquerade," before it airs on television.

In addition, there will be arts and crafts, prizes and a costume parade for kids.

Session 1 begins at 11 a.m. followed by session 2 at 12:30 p.m.

4. A free introduction to basket weaving will be offered at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m.

Students will learn the craft of basket weaving with Donna Mileham just in time for the spring holidays. All supplies will be provided.

Seating is limited to 10 participants. Register at the Bloomingdale Library Ask Me Kiosk.

For more information, call 813-273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org.

5. Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association will present an Arti Gras  April 9 starting at 7  p.m. at The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview. The 27th annual arts gala celebration will feature silent and live auctions, dinner, drinks, music and awards. The cost is $100 per person. Sponsorships are available and receive complimentary tickets to the event.

Established in 1976, Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association is a not-for-profit organization whose members are dedicated to the promotion of the fine arts and civic involvement. Center Place offers cultural enrichment opportunities for all ages through a variety of programs including original art exhibits, art education and the performing arts.

For information, call 813-685-8888 or visit www.centerplacebrandon.org.