Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Want to help a neighbor? Join this Brandon pickleball fundraiser
And check out Cozy Highland Calf on the Brandon Patch calendar
Hello again Brandon! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Want to help a neighbor? Join this Brandon pickleball fundraiser
- How Mann Middle’s new braille library is changing students’ daily reading
Also on today's calendar: Make a Chef’s Knife and 1 more event.
Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Clouds and sunshine, with a high of 81 and low of 49 degrees.
- Saturday: Sunny; pleasant, less humid, temps: high: 77, low: 58.
- Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 81 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Foundation Hosts Paddles For A Purpose For John (ospreyobserver.com) — A January 10, 2026 pickleball fundraiser at High 5 Inc. on Beverly Blvd. in Brandon will rally support for retired police officer and local player John Evensen after debilitating strokes. Players, sponsors and raffle donations are all needed, with proceeds helping cover his specialized equipment and ongoing medical expenses. 
• District Opens First Braille Collection At Mann Middle School (ospreyobserver.com) — Visually impaired students at Mann Middle School in the Brandon area now have their own braille book collection in the media center, thanks to a recent grant-funded project. The new collection lets them browse, borrow and enjoy braille books alongside their peers, supporting both literacy and inclusion for current and future students.
📸 Around Brandon
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Brandon
★ Featured events ★
- Cozy Highland Calf
Painting with a Twist, 1993 W Lumsden Rd, Brandon
12:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Make a Chef’s Knife
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware - Brandon , 169 Brandon Town Center Dr , Brandon
2:00 pm - Holiday Crafternoon
Creative Junk Therapy , 772 W Lumsden Rd , Brandon
10:00 am - Oh So Christmas Brandon Sunday Market
Brandon Sunday Market , 788 W Lumsden Rd , Brandon
10:00 am
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
📣 Brandon Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- ARC Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid
North Brandon Family YMCA , 3097 S Kingsway Rd , Seffner
9:00 am - Beagle Meet Up @ Mango Dog Park – December 20, 2025, Seffner, FL
Mango Dog Park , 11717 Clay Pit Rd , Seffner
9:30 am - STEAM Time: Snow Globe
78th Street Community Library , 7625 Palm River Rd , Tampa
1:00 pm - Bonsai & Brews at Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. | Valrico
Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. , 3632 Lithia Pinecrest Rd , Valrico
2:00 pm - Let It Snow Rustic Snowman - He's Back!
Painting with a Twist , 1993 W Lumsden Rd , Brandon
3:30 pm - Swirly Winter Night
Painting with a Twist , 1993 W Lumsden Rd , Brandon
7:00 pm - Feeling X-mas with The Freakin Hooligans!
The Talking Pint Bar & Bistro , 13418 Boyette Rd , Riverview
8:00 pm - International Saturdays at Sal y Pimienta
Sal y Pimienta Latin Cuisine Tampa , 6110 Causeway Blvd , Tampa
9:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Brandon PatchAM possible:
- Gifted IQ Testing of Tampa Bay — (813) 610-7905
Gifted Tests for Children - Athena’s Painting — (813) 424-6644
$50. Off special on car garage doors painting
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- We have a stray who wants to make our backyard his home.
We have enough cats, though. He is sweet and affectionate. Looks to be less than a year old. Anyway, if you want a super nice cat, he's available. (Nextdoor Providence Lakes) - Anyone missing their dog?
Has been behind my house since 2 am on country vineyard dr . Does not have a name tag or anything (Nextdoor Limona)
- Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Brandon. Apply here.
- Catholic Charities Dioscese of St. Petersburg posted a job opening for Substitute Teacher in Brandon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brandon here.
🗞 Nearby News
South Tampa
- Former Rays manager hosts fundraiser benefiting the homeless in South Tampa (wfla.com)
- Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson co-headline tour in Tampa this summer (cltampa.com)
- Hillsborough County Traffic Alert: Major Lane Closures Hit Highways This Holiday Week (tampafp.com)
Valrico
- Voodoo Brewing Co. Raises $10,000 For Small But Mighty Heroes (ospreyobserver.com)
- Eye On Business — Brandon/Winthrop, December 2025 (ospreyobserver.com)
- Obituaries 12.18.25 (plantcityobserver.com)
Tampa
Ok Brandon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.