The bidding is on! The fourth week of CL's auction to benefit The Children's Home is now live, in its last week — which means it's your last chance to score one-of-a-kind stuff and help The Children's Home at the same time. Below is the list of what's up for bid during the rest of the auction. Help us blow last year's title out of the water, and enjoy some unique Tampa Bay experiences thanks to our generous partners.
WEEK FOUR: Dec. 8-18
The auction will begin at 9 a.m., Thurs., Dec. 8 and conclude at 9 a.m., Sun., Dec. 18.
BRAND NEW ITEM! 4 Day or Kids Tour Passes to Big Cat Rescue
Commune with carnivorous kitties at West Central Florida's famous nonprofit for exotic big cats. From lions and tigers to servals, bobcats and many more, this 47-acre sanctuary provides a home and care for all sorts of species. Value: $144. Good for 4 regular priced admissions for Day Tour or Kids Tour. Reservations required, please notify booking agent of tour pass. Check bigcatrescue.org for tour schedule. Photo courtesy bigcatrescue.org
JUST ADDED! The Ultimate Cigar City Brewing Package: Hunahpu Day tickets, El Catador bottles and 22-ounce bombersThe winner of this auction will get a one-bottle El Catador Club Membership for every round in 2017 (there is no set number of membership rounds for 2017, but if it happens in 2017, you will be a part of it). If that's not enough beer, the winner will also get FOUR (4) bottles of every 22-oz. release in 2017. Again, there is no set number of releases, but if it comes in a 22-oz. bomber in 2017, you will get 4 of them. Finally, the winner will also get a pair of tickets to 2017 Hunahpu Day. Not just any tickets, but the coveted front of line tickets. Each ticket-holder will get 4 bottles of 2017's Hunahpu to go home with as well. PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO SHIPPING of this from the brewery. All items must be picked up at the brewery in person with in 30 days of each release. We will allow a trustee to pick up the items for you. Also as a reminder, there are no set number of El Catador Club rounds OR special bottle releases for 2017. Value: Approximately $1500…but could be more depending on the number of releases and value of the bottles.
NEW DETAILS! The 12 Gifts of Ybor
A gift package of 12 unique items and special offers that can be found only in Ybor City: 1) A one-night stay at the Hampton Inn Ybor, $150 value, subject to availability; 2) $50 to shop La France; 3) $20 gift certificate to Tequilas Mexican Restaurant; 4) $20 gift certificate to Carne Chop House; 5) $20 gift certificate to Bernini’s; 6) $50 gift certificate to Reservoir Bar; 7) $25 gift certificate to The Brass Tap; 8) Cigar Aficionado gift basket, value $100; 9) Gift pack of booze from The Honey Pot, $100; 10) $20 gift certificate to Hamburger Mary's; 11) $20 gift certificate to Hamburger Mary's Pub; 12) Creative Loafing CL Deals $50 voucher ($100 value). NOTE: You must be 21+ years of age to redeem this auction item. Total Value: $675.
LATE ADDITION! A Wicked good package from the Straz: Four tickets plus dinner for four at Maestro's
Talk about defying gravity! Tampa’s Straz Center is bringing back the wildly (and deservedly) popular Broadway musical Wicked next year, and for the auction they're not only offering four count-'em four tickets to the opening night of performance of Wicked on Wed., Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m., but also dinner for four at the critically acclaimed (by CL's critic, in fact) Straz restaurant Maestro’s. Sounds like a Wicked good Valentine's present to us. Value: $544.
A beach getaway at Guy Harvey Outpost or Tradewinds Island Grand
A three-day, two-night stay at either of these two spectacular hotel complexes on St. Pete Beach. There’s truly something for everyone at these resorts, from parasailing to banana boat rides to swimming with the fishes. Value: $500. (Good Sunday-Thursday only, with the guest paying the $45 nightly resort amenity fee.)
It’s a wrap! A 4-page Creative Loafing cover wrap
We used to auction off just the cover of CL for the Holiday Auction. But last year we upped the ante and overed a full cover-up! Not of the political-scandal variety, but four pages — the front and back outside and inside covers of a CL issue, to be published on a mutually-agreed-upon date, for you to do with what you will (within reason, of course — CL gets final approval). Value: $15,500.
The Dunedin Dining Experience
It happens every time you go out to dinner in Dunedin — you can’t wait to come back! Well, with this package you’ll have six great reasons to return: gift certificates to six of the town’s best restaurants, including Black Pearl ($20); Casa Tina ($20); Dunedin Smokehouse ($20); Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro ($25); The Living Room ($20); and Sea Sea Riders ($20). Many happy returns! Value: $125.
The 81Bay Beer Bash & Tour
Looking for a unique space to hold an event — a space with lots of beer? 81 Bay Brewing Co. is offering a rental of one private room that can hold up to 50 people, and they’ll throw in one 1/6 barrel keg of choice for your event plus a tour of the brewery, one of Tampa’s newest. Value: $605. (Event rental and tour subject to availability, must schedule in advance.)
Treehouse Gallery handcarved bookcase
This beautiful handcarved bookcase from India (measurements 48" wide X 82" tall X 16" deep) will bring international flair to your home, thanks to the generosity of St. Pete’s Treehouse Gallery and its collection of furnishings and statement pieces from all over the world. Value: $1,600, $300 Auction Reserve. (Local pickup only, delivery available for an additional fee from Treehouse Gallery.)
2 VIP tickets to the Gasparilla Music Festival
VIP guests not only get to experience GMF’s eclectic lineup, they’ll do so from special viewing areas while enjoying three free beverages, air-conditioned restrooms and access to special VIP tents. Trust us — it’s the best way to do the fest. Value: $300.
A private reading by FL Poet Laureate Peter Meinke
Those who’ve read his poems and stories and faithfully follow his CL column know that Peter Meinke is a fine and graceful writer. But he’s also a warm and witty raconteur, and here’s your chance to find out in person. Peter will do a reading or a chat (accompanied if you like by a slideshow of his wife Jeanne’s exquisite drawings) at your party, dinner, neighborhood potluck — for any gathering of people who love words and a good yarn, Peter will be your ideal guest. Value: Priceless.
JUST ADDED! Hidden Springs growler a month for a year
Here is your chance to immerse yourself in CL's BOTB 2016 winner for Best New Brewery in Hillsborough. The winner of this auction will get a certificate valid for a year of 32-ounce growler fills once a month of Hidden Springs Ale Works house brews. Included with this is a nice swag basket of t shirts, stickers, and other fun things, plus a 32-ounce grower for you to fill. Value: $150.
Crunch Fitness South Tampa gym membership, plus Xtreme Juice Gift Pack and Jeremiah’s Ice gift certificate
Get in shape for the new year with a three-month membership and one personal training session at South Tampa’s Crunch Fitness. To keep you on the healthy track, this auction package also includes an Xtreme Juice Gift Pack (with one large Xtreme Juice T-shirt, five free smoothie coupons and an Xtreme Juice travel mug) and a $50 gift certificate to Jeremiah’s Ice for that post-workout refresher. Value: Crunch Fitness, $299. Xtreme gift pack, $75; Jeremiah’s Ice GC, $50. Total: $424.
Tastes of St. Pete: Red Mesa and Ale & the Witch
A great way to visit two of St. Pete’s top dining and drinking spots: A $50 gift card to Red Mesa, good at any location (Red Mesa, Red Mesa Mercado, or Red Mesa Cantina, and it’s split into two $25 gift cards so you could either break them up or keep them together), and a $40 gift card to Ale & the Witch, a prime destination for good beer and good music. Value: $90.
Sweet Southern Chic VIP Sip & Shop
South Tampa boutique Sweet Southern Chic totally lives up to its name, and this is your chance to enjoy a soirée for you and 10-15 of your friends at the shop. You’ll enjoy an after-hours closed private shopping event with special discounts, drinks and treats, plus $75 toward your purchase. Value: $75+.
A gift from Schiller’s Architectural & Design Salvage
The discerning eye and unerring taste of the Schillers mean that any visit to this treasure trove of architectural finds is a pleasure. Add a gift certificate of $75 and it’s that much better! Value: $75.
Big Storm Brewing gift basket & private brewery tasting experience
This super-sized offer from Big Storm includes: a gift basket full of swag (beach ball, sunglasses, koozies, frizbee, mouse pad, stickers, button and two tasting glasses); a gift certificate good for a private brewery/tasting experience for up to 10 people, which includes a private tour of the brewery, followed by a few flights at any Big Storm taproom; and a four-pack of Dunder and Blixem. Value: $150.
Pin Chasers Holiday Party — plus a bowling day for the Children’s Home
A company party for 20 (two hours of bowling, shoe rentals, five pizzas and five pitchers of beer/soda) — plus the winner of this item will sponsor an outing for the Children’s Home at Pin Chasers. You get something and give something, too! Value: $520.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2016.