Briefly

Fair offers information for families of deployed

BRANDON -- An information fair is scheduled for military support and government or civilian workers whose loved ones have been deployed. It is 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Family Life Center at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road. Two types of support are being offered: Share and Smile, a weekly group to talk and network with others in similar situations; and Ask the Expert, a weekly group that will host people with expertise in areas related to deployment and support. Area churches, the MacDill Family Resource Center, the Brandon Resource Center and other agencies will be represented. Call the Rev. Susan Baron at 689-6849.

Spring Festival needs artists and crafters

BRANDON -- Artists and crafters are needed to participate in the Brandon Spring Festival of Arts on March 29 and 30. The entry fee is $85, and the deadline to apply is Saturday. Sponsored by the Brandon League of Fine Arts, the festival will be at Winthrop Village on Bloomingdale Road east of Providence Road in Brandon. Cash awards will be presented to winners in several categories. Call 689-7265 or 754-8656.

Members of the Brandon League of Fine Arts will have their work on exhibit at area locations throughout February. Oil pastels by Cheri Webb are on display at Valrico State Bank, 1815 E State Road 60. Robert Allen Sargent's photography can be viewed at Central Bank of Tampa, 1018 W Lumsden Road; and Hope Helsene-Zagami's photos are at the Republic Bank, 404 Oakfield Drive. Call Roxanne Tobaison at 685-1627.

Wanted: teams to cook ribs in competition

BRANDON -- The Third Ever Brandon Not Your Cow Town Hippity-Hoppity Hoe Down and Rib-Fest and Wing-Ding is recruiting teams to compete in a rib cooking contest. The competition will be March 15 at Winthrop Village on Bloomingdale Avenue, and the registration fee is $35 per team. The festivities are sponsored by Albertsons and SouthTrust. Each team receives 10 pounds of charcoal, one bottle of sauce and two slabs of uncooked ribs. Teams supply their own grills, cookers, utensils, gloves, dry rub, spices, foil, smoke cooking accessories and fire extinguisher. Judges will score each sample of ribs based on taste, texture and appearance. The deadline to enter is Feb. 20. Call the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at 689-1221.

Art exhibition to honor volunteers

BRANDON -- Brigitte Mailahn will have her art on display at Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive, throughout February. The exhibition, "Our Town, Portraits and Impressions," is done in oil using different surfaces to express her love for the people who volunteer in the community. A reception, hosted by the Brandon League of Fine Arts, is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Center Place with music provided by Jack Carpenter and Harold McIntosh. Viewing is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 685-8888.

Fiction writers group seeks new members

BRANDON -- The Promise Keepers fiction writers group meets at 7 p.m. Monday and at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Barnes and Noble, 122 Brandon Town Center Drive. This support group for creative artists is seeking new members. The group will provide help with time restraints, editing and publishing. Call Michelle LaBarge at 685-5503.

Bridge tournament set for Sun City Center

SUN CITY CENTER -- The Sun City Center Bridge Association will sponsor the Sun City Center Sectional Duplicate Bridge Tournament from Feb. 21-23 at the Community Hall, S Pebble Beach Blvd. Duplicate bridge players from throughout the state will participate under the auspices of the American Contract Bridge League. Call John or Rose Ludes at 633-3498.

VFW post serves spaghetti, lasagna

RIVERVIEW -- Members of the Riverview VFW Post 8180 hold a spaghetti and lasagna dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday night at their post, 7504 Riverview Drive. Take-outs are available, with proceeds benefiting the post's building fund. Cost is $4 for spaghetti and $5 for lasagna; beverages and dessert are extra. The women of the post make homemade pies each week. (Carl Fisher makes blueberry pies occasionally.) Call 671-9845.