Things to Do, Places to See, People to Meet

Starting today, Patch will run a new weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more. 

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. Stay tuned for our first list on Bloomingdale Patch:

Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box. 

1. Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon, will feature the local nature artwork of Roxanne Tobaison. Residents can meet the artist at an artist’s reception scheduled for today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Center Place.
2. Kmart Pharmacy, 1602 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, will offer free diabetes screenings today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
3. The Emergency Care Help Organization, 507 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon, is hosting a charity thrift sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p..m. There will be clothing and shoes starting at $1 as well as household items, collectibles, tools and more. This sale will benefit ECHO’s food pantry.
4. The Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, will host a free pen and ink workshop with artist Bonnie Phillips Saturday from 10:30 to noon. Phillips, a certified instructor for fine and decorative arts, will show how to illustrate journals and scrapbooks with simple pen and ink techniques. Registration is required. E-mail lifewritersbloom@msn.com.
5. Godfather’s Pizza and Blimpie Salads and Subs at Hess Express, 3353 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico, is offering catering for Super Bowl parties. Residents can order pizza, chicken-wing platters, pizza roles, salads and subs for their parties. Get $5 off an order of $29.99 or more or $10 off any order of $50. Place orders by Friday by calling 643-4505.