Santa Baby, we've been really good girls and boys, so hurry down our chimneys some night with a modest gift or two from the Big Deals section. Maybe a private Super Bowl party for 40 at The Independent? All-access passes to every cool concert in Tampa Bay for a year? Or how about my own line of beer from Cigar City, my name in a Merl Reagle crossword, or beach vacations with my own party bus? That's really not a lot. So, yes, throw in a yacht. Place your bids by clicking on individual items below, or go to cltampa.com/auction.
Private Super Bowl keg party at The Independent
The Seminole Heights Independent is closed but one day a year: Super Bowl Sunday. This year they're re-opening just for you and up to 40 of your friends. You and your gang will enjoy a 50-liter keg of seriously good craft beer, a pot of chili, assorted appetizers and an entire bar all to yourself. We'll even bring in a TV so you don't have to miss any of the action. All other beer, wine and soda products will be available for purchase through a cash bar. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: $1,500. Package does not include gratuity.
A six-hour cruise in a 36-foot Monk Trawler, suitably named Set Free, from the St. Petersburg Marina to the Intracoastal and under the Sunshine Skyway, or to Egmont Key (aka Gilligan's Island), with lunch at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Your seasoned skippers and perfect hosts will be real estate and yacht broker Joe Chilberg and his charming wife Susan Chilberg, who've sailed the Set Free to the Bahamas, the Keys and all the way up the East Coast, so you know you'll be in good hands. Watch out for dolphins! Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $200. (Limited to four people; no children.)
A meal with Merl Reagle — and your name in a puzzle
Tampa's own Merl Reagle is an internationally known crossword puzzlemaster, star of the documentary Wordplay and a scintillating Oprah guest — and his puzzle in CL is, of course, a weekly addiction. He's also one of the most entertaining raconteurs you'll ever meet, so if you're a crossword fan don't miss this chance to sit down with Merl for dinner and conversation. Plus, he'll create an original crossword with your name as one of the answers! Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Your name in a crossword? How do you put a price on immortality?
Private chef's dinner for 4 at The Refinery
One of the hottest commodities in last year's auction was the private dinner prepared by Best of the Bay-winning, James Beard-nominated chef Greg Baker and his wife Michelle Baker at their restaurant The Refinery in Seminole Heights. Well, they're back by popular demand; the Bakers are once more opening their restaurant on a Sunday night especially for the winning bidder and three guests for an all-inclusive dinner paired with craft beers. You'll be sitting with a kitchenside view as Greg prepares the food, sharing cooking tips and tricks of the trade. The menu may consist of anything from foie gras to truffles to ostrich, and The Refinery's craft beer guru will also be there to present the pairings. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: $600.
A six-month Select Membership to Tampa Bay Match Makers
Dating can be a full-time job. That's why your love life needs its own personal assistant, to provide you with dating advice and set you up with other commitment and marriage-minded singles of all ages and backgrounds. After you complete a confidential profile and have a personal consultation with one of TBMM's professional matchmaking coaches, the team will actively seek matches for you throughout Tampa Bay. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: $1,250.
Your own line of beer at Cigar City Brewing
Hey, buddy, there's a beer with your name on it at Cigar City! Literally. If you win this item, you will work with the brewers of internationally known, award-winning Cigar City Brewing to craft a signature beer which will be released to the public with your name and face on the label. Plus you will get two cases of your namesake beer to share with your friends. Or you could just leave the bottles around your man (or woman) cave for the bragging rights. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Priceless.
Play 98.7's All-Access Play Unplugged package
Play Unplugged is a performance series unlike any other. Artists play intimate, acoustic sets at the Play 98.7 studio and venues around Tampa Bay, and afterwards stick around to hang out with the fans, take photos, sign autographs and maybe even take a Jäger shot or two. The 2011 lineup included Fitz and the Tantrums, Daughtry and OAR; the winner of this auction will be on the All-Access list (plus one guest) for every Play Unplugged performance in 2012. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $500.
All-access pass to every Aestheticized Presents>>> show in 2012
Get on the guest list for every single one of the hip-as-shit shows hosted by aestheticized presents >>> with an all-access year-long pass. The auction winner and one guest get free entry to all aes shows presented in 2012, along with a poster to every show attended. Hot dog! Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Priceless.
All-access pass to New World Brewery concerts for a year
This is a can't-miss gift for music fans who love New World Brewery, Ybor City's popular bar and concert venue. The fine folks at New World (in conjunction with promoters New Granada Presents, THX Mgmt and Brokenmold Entertainment) will grant the winner (and a plus-one) a spot on the guest list for every event held at the bar in 2012. We're talking more than 100 concerts and special events. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Priceless. Note: This item is non-transferable, meaning only the winner will be placed on the guest list. However, the winner's choice of companion can change from to show to show.
Interview your favorite band
Want to find out if Akron/Family's 2011 album was really composed and arranged near a live volcano in Japan? Curious about how They Might Be Giants keeps the humorous songs fresh almost 30 years into their career? Craving a few minutes with Gregg Allman so you can dish on how he's doing since his liver transplant? In this package, a music super-fan gets the opportunity to do an advance phone interview with any musical artist of his or her choice who'll be appearing in the area from Jan. 5-April 30, 2012, provided CL can get the interview. The package also includes interview coaching, an audio recording of the interview, and maybe your first newspaper clip. Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Priceless.
A sandwich a week for a year at The Lucky Dill
You know you want it: A gigantically delicious sandwich once a week every week for a year from The Lucky Dill in Palm Harbor, a restaurant that's a virtual temple to gigantically delicious sandwiches. Enjoy your hunka hunka corned beef (or whatever sandwich you choose) at Lucky Dill's original home on Alt. 19 or at their beautiful new headquarters on U.S. 19. (Note: This offer is not related to the Lucky Dill Deli in St. Petersburg.)Bidding starts at: $75. Value: $520.
Channelside Cinemas double feature: You and The Children's Home
Win this two-part auction item and you'll see your name scribbled on Santa's "nice" list, as you'll be sponsoring a night out at Channelside Cinemas for the kids at The Children's Home. You can then bask in your altruism in 2012 with dinner and a movie for two at Channelside's killer Cinema Cafe every month of the year. To recap: A night out for the kids at The Children's Home and 12 nights out for you. Christmas spirit, indeed. Bidding starts at: $150. Value: $1,000.
A two-night stay at Frenchy's Oasis
The latest addition to the Frenchy's empire in Clearwater Beach is also the latest example of the retro-chic lodging trend, in which formerly dowdy motels are spruced up into hip destinations that combine a mod vibe with modern amenities. CL sent News & Politics Editor Mitch Perry there earlier this year for a "Brain-cation" as part of our 2011 Summer Guide, and he loved it; win this item and you can give your own brain waves a rest with a getaway to one of the coolest new properties on the beach. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $300.
Two nights (plus BBQ) at The Postcard Inn
Nationally known for its laid-back surfer charm, The Postcard Inn is a go-to spot for smart tourists and savvy locals alike, plus it's got a great restaurant on premises, Beachwood BBQ & Burgers, and a beach bar (former home of the Swigwam) with legendary cred. Make a successful bid and you'll win a two-night stay at PCI plus a $40 food & beverage credit. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $350. Sorry: Not valid holidays or during spring break 2012.
A Free Beach Ride party bus for 14
Bidding on our beachfront motel packages? Well, why not combine them with this fabulous offer: four hours' use of a Free Beach Ride party bus — with driver, of course — for you and 13 of your closest personal friends. Set up a home base at your motels, invite some friends to go beach bar-hopping, and good times (minus DUI's) will be had by all. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $260. Trips confined to area between Pass-A-Grille and Johns Pass. New Years Eve not available. And, of course, participants must be of legal drinking age to enter the bus.
A romantic getaway in Ybor City
Dinner, hotel, shopping, a beauty break and a slew of adults-only goodies: Now that's a Big Date! With this package you get an overnight stay ($175) in the Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor, including full American breakfast buffet and overnight parking; a $25 gift certificate toward a delicious gourmet Italian dinner at Bernini of Ybor; a $25 gift certificate from Revolve Clothing Exchange (good for either the Ybor or St. Pete locations); a $75 gift basket and $25 gift certificate for product or services at Ybor's Tribeca Salon or its sister spa, Becky Salon; and four, count 'em four, gift certificates worth $25 each for The Todd, the renowned "Couples Superstore" where you can make a stop before heading to Ybor to pick up the necessary romantic supplies. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: $425.
Surprises from Tampa's independent businesses
The Tampa Independent Business Alliance is once more offering CL Holiday Auction bidders a tempting array of great gifts from the city's beloved indie businesses — but this time it's a surprise! Past goodies have included brunch, books, bike rentals, business counseling and more. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $300.
LocalShops1.com mystery package
A day-long adventure in the city of your choice: Tampa, St. Pete, Gulfport or Dunedin. Includes lunch for two and $100 in gift certificates from local independent businesses, all members of LocalShops1.com. The places will vary, depending on which city the winner chooses. Bidding starts at: $25. Value: $150.
Infinity Technology Solutions $1,000 gift certificate
Infinity Technology Solutions is a leading provider of managed IT Services, cloud Computing, IT consulting and IT strategy — and if your small or medium-sized business could benefit from any of the above, this generous ITem's for you. "We take away the burden of installing, managing and supporting your technology infrastructure," says Infinity, "letting you focus on what you do best." Bidding starts at: $100. Value: $1,000.
Improve your website with CL's David Russell
Creative Loafing Online Producer David Russell can make your interwebs better. Win this bid, and David will assess your site for its SEO-friendliness, ease of navigation and general overall effectiveness — and he'll give you hints on how to improve it. He might even tell you where he likes to hang out on the web, though most mortals have never dared to go there. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: Cyberdollars galore.
Co-host Mitch Perry's Last Call, Thursdays on WMNF
Mitch is CL's famously fast-talking, quick-thinking, smart-question-asking News & Politics Editor, and once a week he returns to his alma mater, community radio station WMNF, to interview movers and shakers in the Florida political world. Win this item and you'll be able to join him and ask a few tough questions yourself. Bidding starts at: $50. Value: Priceless.
The ultimate Florida gardener package
A great gift for the green thumb on your list (or to polish up your own). The package includes: a $200 supply of all-natural plant nutrients from OceanSolutions, harvested from deep sea water; a zeroscape consultation by Twigs & Leaves, the leading experts on Florida native plants, who will do a $75 one-hour onsite visitation of your property and tell you which native plant species will do best there: Month-By-Month Gardening In Florida from Haslam's, a book for anyone who's wondered how to keep color in a landscape during the winter or when to plant a citrus tree; and a $300 hydroponic indoor growing system from Worms Way, complete with reservoir, net cups, silica stone growing medium, water pump, and high-intensity, low-heat horticultural light. Bidding starts at: $75. Value: $600.
The Children's Home Stars & Pars Event & Golf Tournament
Play with such sports and media personalities as Dave Andreychuck, Anthony Becht and Shelton Quarles in one of the longest-running and most respected golf tournaments in the area at the Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club in Carrollwood Village, Tampa on Feb. 27, 2012. The winner of this item and three pals will play in celebrity pairings through 18 holes, enjoying air-conditioned golf carts, luxury golfer gifts, gourmet boxed lunches, on-course beverages and a fabulous awards ceremony. Also included are eight tickets to the Stars and Pars Celebrity Pairings Party and Auction (Sat., Feb. 25, 7-10 p.m. at the Tampa Bay History Center). Bidding starts at: $100. Value: $1,520 (Tournament foursome: $1,000; Stars & Pars Party, $520).
Yup, that's right. Be the highest bidder on this item, and the cover of our January 19, 2012 issue will be all yours: an ad, an artwork, a political statement, a poem — whatever you want (with CL approval, of course). In previous years this has been one of our top-selling items, with bidding wars going right down to the wire. Let's do it again and raise even more big bucks for The Children's Home! Bidding starts at: $100. Value: Gazillions.
Four tickets to the Sporting Clays Classic
Known as the largest sporting clays shoot in the state of Florida and founded by honorary chairman, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, this event pulls the trigger on excitement. Whether you’re a novice or experienced shooter, all guests will enjoy a full round of clays, delicious lunch and entertainment. This package is for the winner plus three guests for a total of one (1) four-person team. Bidding starts at: $75. Value: $600. 18th Annual Sporting Clays Classic, Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays – Land O'Lakes, FL. Registration begins at 8am with a 9am start.
Sports memorabilia from Blue Dog Bistro
Centro Ybor's Rock-N-Sports Bar has a new name — Blue Dog Bistro — but with 35 televisions and a menu of American and Cajun cuisine, it's still a great place to watch a game. In keeping with its sporting theme, Blue Dog is offering a unique set of sports memorabilia, including an autographed Tampa Bay Storm Helmet and two amazing panoramic framed photos of iconic sports events: basketball at Boston Garden (perfect for fans suffering from NBA withdrawal) and a NASCAR race at Daytona. Bidding starts at: $75. Value: For sports fans, priceless.
1 year of Buffalo Chicken Wings from The Press Box
Worry no more about the menu for your next football bash; win this item and you'll have the refreshments covered for a whole year. That's right: 1 order of 20 chicken wings a week for an entire year from Walter's Press Box Sports Emporium & Eatery in Tampa. They come with a choice of sauces ranging from Mild to Atomic, and you can have your wings in-house or to-go. Bidding starts at: $80. Value: $800.
This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2011.
