Why even think of braving the crowds on Black Friday — that is to say, on Black Thursday, since Black Friday now starts before the turkey's cleared the table? Sit back and shop online from the fantastic parade of items up for bid in Week Three of Creative Loafing's Holiday Auction, which runs from Thanksgiving Day at 9 a.m. to Sun. Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. And while you're at it, get a gander of what's still available from Auction Week Two, which doesn't end till Sun. Nov. 30 at 9 a.m.; see all of Weeks One and Two on one page on eBay. You'll not only find great deals, you'll also help The Children's Home with every winning bid.
Here are some the highly craveable packages in Week Three.
Gourmet dining/ deluxe hotel stays We've got ’em all: a weekend at the Don CeSar with dinner at award-winning Maritana Grille; a night at Tampa's new food-centric Epicurean hotel and a culinary lesson in the hotel's in-house classroom; a chef's dinner for two at Seminole Heights's fabled Refinery; and a truly amazing Madeira Beach package, including two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Madeira Beach, a brewery tour, restaurant gift certificates, jet ski rental, two half-day fishing trips, and more!
CL exclusives A sonnet written just for you by CL's nationally acclaimed columnist, poet Erica Dawson; lunch with St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, CL Editor-in-Chief David Warner, and CL's new news & politics editor, Kate Bradshaw; VIP tickets to every CL event in 2015; and a chance to interview your favorite musical artist.
One-of-a-kind packages Lightning tix and a Zamboni ride; ukulele lessons from UNRB's Noel Rochford and a beautiful new ukelele; brewer for a day and a pizza party for 12 from Tampa Bay Brewing; a river tour of Tampa plus lunch at the Columbia Cafe and tickets to the Florida Aquarium
Puppies! A photo, that is, of your puppy, or puppies — or your cat, or cats — by photographer Chip Weiner of CL and FMOPA, plus a nifty basketful of pet accessories from KESS.
All this is up for bid in the third week, plus tarpon fishing, American Stage tickets, Cooper's Hawk wines and more! And you won't even have to leave the couch!
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2014.