GET OUT: Weekend Events Preview June 10-12

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore.

Where/when: Hillsborough County Extension, a cooperative service between the county and the University of Florida, is hosting an open house on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its main office, 5339 County Road 579 in Seffner.

Why go: This open house features free family-friendly hands-on activities and exhibits, make-and-take home projects, presentations and garden tours.

"The open house is a great way for the residents of Hillsborough County to have fun while learning about the services we offer," said Debra Jo Kinsella, Hillsborough County Extension director. "Most people know extension as traditional agriculture or 4-H programming, but there’s so much more in the way of education, outreach and solutions to everyday problems – including money management, balancing work and family, nutrition and food safety, and landscape pest control. In addition to faculty and staff giving demonstrations and presentations, we want to showcase our tremendous volunteer base and nonprofit partners."

Tours of the Bette S. Walker Discovery Garden, led by Master Gardener volunteers, will present garden designs that convey landscape and maintenance ideas, showcase plants that are outstanding performers in central Florida, and provide a beautiful serene setting for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of visitors.

Attendees can also view demonstrations and displays and hear presentations on a variety of topics like home canning, cisterns for rainwater harvesting, the health of urban trees, micro-irrigation and turf alternatives. Extension’s faculty and staff are subject matter experts in the fields of agriculture and natural resources, horticulture and Florida-Friendly Landscaping, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer sciences. They will all be on hand to answer questions.

All ages are welcome, however, the open house is most appropriate for children in grade three and up and adults. Registration is not required.

For additional information, contact Hillsborough County Extension at 813-744-5519, or visit http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu.

Where/when: The FishHawk Republicans will host a Reagan '80s Party June 11  at Park Square Cellar,  16132 Churchview Drive, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Why go: The FishHawk Republicans invites fellow Republicans to celebrate a great Republican and a great decade. Join the party as the Republicans set the stage for 2012 and the National Convention coming to Tampa. There will be a Reagan costume contest, trivia and moonwalk contest.

Elected representatives have been invited to attend.

For additional information, contact Kelly Clem-Rickon at 813-598-5642 or visit www.fishhawkrepublicans.com.

Where/when: The Blessed Trinity Mission of St. Stephen Catholic Church will hold a benefit car wash to raise funds for the mission in Panama Sunday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Car Wash on the Greens, 3618 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico.

Why go: Get your car cleaned while supporting a great cause. The mission will be purchasing crucifixes for the churches of Blessed Trinity in Panama.

Where/when: The free Friday Summer Concert Series returns to Park Square in FishHawk Ranch June 10, featuring the '60s tribute band, Yesterdayze.

Why go: Grab your tie-dyed T-shirts and love beads and rock out to music from the era of Peace, Love and Rock n' Roll from 7 to 10 p.m.

This year, Newland Communities, sponsor of the concert series, is partnering with Feeding America Tampa Bay, and will host a food drive each Friday night. The concerts are free but residents are asked to bring a canned food to donate to Feeding America Tampa Bay. Those bringing a nonperishable item will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes.

Where/when: The Showcase Players of the Florida Academy of Performing Arts will present "Jekyll & Hyde" on stage June 10-12 at 7 p.m. at The Regent,6437 Watson Road, Riverview.

Why go: "Jekyll & Hyde" is based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Under the direction of Miguel Oquendo, the Showcase Players is a beginning musical theatre class for teens ages 13 and up. Performance times are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for students, seniors and military.

Call 813-490-ARTS (2787) for more information.