Things to Know Today, March 5

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 accessories.

The preview begins at 2 p.m. and the auction starts at 3 p.m. There also will be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Food and drink will be available for a donation.

This auction is the band's biggest fundraiser of the year and helps pay for such things as the repair and purchase of instruments and offsets the cost of trips to band competitions. Last year's auction raised about $9,000.

For more information, e-mail co-chairs Starlene Banks at starjoybanks@yahoo.com or Tami Tutko at tamitutko@tampabay.rr.com.

2. Support the arts at today's Arty Party. The Greater Brandon Arts Council  will hosts its annual Arty Party membership drive at the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, 619 Vonderburg Drive. The event, from 7 to 10 p.m., features music, dance, theater and the visual arts. Cost to attend is $10 or free with the purchase of a $25 yearly GBAC membership. The event is free for GBAC members. 

3. If you're looking for a night of fun and games, stop by The 's annual Casino Night fundraiser March 5 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the Barn Theatre at Winthrop in Riverview. The admission price of $35 per individual and $60 per couple features food, casino games, one drink, $50 in chips and both a silent and live auction. Business, casual or Western attire is requested. The Barn Theatre is on Bloomingdale Avenue, between Watson and Providence roads, in Riverview. Call: (813) 689-0908. The not-for-profit BSAC, at 405 Beverly Blvd. in Brandon, provides cholarships for children in need.

4. Stop by the YMCA today for free health screenings.

The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2011 Health Fair on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Campo Family YMCA, 3414 Culbreath Road, in Valrico.

The annual health fair provides health-related industry members the opportunity to exhibit their products and/or services to the community. In 2010, approximately 1,100 people took advantage of the health services and latest educational materials offered at the event. Free health screenings will be provided throughout the day at various exhibit booths. Admission into the event and all screenings are free to the public.

5. Need some laughs?

MDHF Productions community theater troupe will present "Love, Sex and the IRS" March 5 and 11-12 at 8 p.m. at the James McCabe Theatre, 506 Fifth St., Valrico.

Directed by Clint Shepherd, the cast includes Doug Buffaloe, Terry Fiset, Clint Shepherd, JJ Cothron, Brielle Benson, Corey Wade, Tom Guerre and David Hickie.

This is a wild comedy with twists of fate, sight gags, mistaken identities and hilarious comic lines.

The story is about Jon and Leslie, out-of-work musicians who room together in New York to save money. Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as a married couple. However, the day of reckoning comes when Mr. Spinner, an IRS investigator, shows up and Leslie masquerades as a housewife with the aid of Jon's fiance, Kate. 

Tickets are $12.